Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts
CALMatters, ALEJANDRO LAZO: "California is a major hub for data centers — the facilities that store and transmit much of the internet. But just how much these power-hungry operations affect the state’s energy use, climate and public health remains an open question for researchers.
A new report released this week by the environmental think tank Next 10 and a UC Riverside researcher attempts to quantify that impact — but its authors say the report is only an estimate without harder data from the centers themselves."
These California Democrats are key to the push to release the Epstein files
Chronicle, ALEXEI KOSEFF: "With the longest shutdown in federal government history finally resolved, Congress is poised to shift its attention to a fight over the investigation of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — due in large part to two California Democrats, who have keyed into the case as one of their party’s most effective political attacks against President Donald Trump.
Supporters of a petition demanding the release of files related to the Epstein investigation, jointly led by Rep. Ro Khanna of Fremont, on Wednesday collected enough signatures to force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as next week, over the objections of Trump and Republican leadership."
A bombshell federal fraud case exploded inside Gov. Newsom’s powerful political orbit
LAT, KEVIN RECTOR/SONJA SHARP/MELODY GUTIERREZ/JESSICA GARRISON: "As Gov. Gavin Newsom flew around the country last year campaigning for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his chief of staff, Dana Williamson — known as one of California’s toughest political insiders — was not only helping to helm the ship in Sacramento but also under criminal investigation by federal law enforcement.
The resulting criminal case, which splashed into public view with Williamson’s arrest Wednesday, does not implicate Newsom in any wrongdoing. Williamson’s alleged misdeeds occurred in private work before her joining his staff, and his office said it placed her on leave in November 2024 after she informed him she was under investigation."
As Gavin Newsom’s national profile grows, his rhetoric is getting more biblical
Chronicle, SOPHIA BOLLAG: "Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom quoted Corinthians on his podcast. Earlier this fall, when talking about climate change, he cited the Pope’s words on the issue. While announcing a lawsuit over food stamps benefits, he lectured Republicans in Washington on Christian values.
In recent months, the California Democrat’s rhetoric has become strikingly biblical. Even his mocking “patriot shop” — which mimics the merchandise sold by President Donald Trump to raise money for his political work — sells a Bible (though, as part of a long-running gag, it is always sold out)."
Trump’s DOJ seeks to join Republican-led suit to overturn California’s Prop 50
Chronicle, BOB EGELKO: "The Trump administration is seeking to join a Republican lawsuit that contends the new congressional maps approved by state voters last week illegally discriminate in favor of Hispanics.
Proposition 50, supported by more than 64% of the state’s voters on Nov. 4, “manipulates district lines in the name of bolstering the voting power of Hispanic Californians because of their race,” President Donald Trump’s Justice Department argued in a filing Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles."
Democrat Mike McGuire challenges GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa for new Prop. 50 seat
CALMatters, MAYA C. MILLER: "California Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire has officially launched his challenge to longtime Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa in a congressional district drastically redrawn by Proposition 50.
The Santa Rosa Democrat, who will hit his 12-year term limit in the Legislature next year, was widely viewed once the new maps were drawn as a prospective challenger to LaMalfa, a rice farmer from Oroville who has represented the North State in Congress since 2013."
San Francisco’s newest supervisor resigns amid pet store controversies
Chronicle, MICHAEL BARBA/KO LYN CHEANG/J.D. MORRIS: "Newly appointed San Francisco Supervisor Beya Alcaraz resigned Thursday night at the request of Mayor Daniel Lurie following days of questions about her thin political qualifications and her rocky management of a pet store she owned until recently in the Sunset.
Lurie said he spoke with Alcaraz Thursday night and that she agreed the Sunset needed a supervisor who “is fully focused on serving the community.”"
Practical tips for working with budget committee staff
Capitol Weekly, CHRIS MICHELI: "In talking with both houses’ budget committee staff over the past few weeks, there are some practical tips that were shared with me for those working with these staff members. While some of these recommendations may seem obvious, many of them bear repeating. The following are some of the suggestions shared with me:"
A Russian couple were living their L.A. dream. Then immigration grabbed them off the street
LAT, HANNAH FRY: "The August sun was already warming Westlake Village when Anton Perevalov dressed in athletic shorts and decided to take an early morning stroll with his miniature pinscher, Ben, while his wife slept.
As he turned right onto Hillcrest Drive — a route he’d taken so many mornings before — an unmarked car stopped in front of him and a man he’d never met emerged and peppered him with questions: “Are you Anton Perevalov?” “Are you a citizen of Russia?”"
Why MS NOW? What the MSNBC name change means for viewers
LAT, STEPHEN BATTAGLIO: "Starting Saturday, NBCUniversal’s cable news channel MSNBC will be called MS NOW, a makeover that may come as a shock to its loyal audience.
It’s why every MSNBC host has been sending the same message in promotional spots, on their programs and in press interviews about the new moniker. They say: We’re not going anywhere and we’re not changing."
Oakland charter schools join forces to lure families amid district chaos
Chronicle, JILL TUCKER: "As Oakland’s school district faces threats of both fiscal insolvency and another teachers strike, 30 city charter schools have stepped up efforts to woo frustrated families, offering a one-stop shopping website with an easy application process.
The Oakland Enrolls site officially launched Friday, but has been live since Monday, with 1,000 applications already submitted, said Daisy Padilla, senior director of the project, which could include applications to multiple charter schools for each student."
SoCal braces for flooding and mudslides as major atmospheric river storm arrives
LAT, STAFF: "An epic atmospheric river is expected to hit Southern California, with downtown L.A. possibly seeing nearly 3 inches of rain Friday morning through Sunday.
Here’s where things stand:"
The Bay Area is not done with rain. Here’s when to expect more showers
Chronicle, GREG PORTER: "The storm that hit the Bay Area on Thursday has not fully wrapped up. Instead, it’s handed off its energy to a new low pressure system in Southern California, dragging the heart of the atmospheric river toward Los Angeles and San Diego. That is where the heavy rain goes next.
For the Bay Area, the question becomes when does it rain again and will the weekend be wet?"
Pack Fire in Northern California surges to 3,400 acres as evacuations ease
Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "Fanned by powerful winds, the Pack Fire in Mono County surged Thursday to more than 3,000 acres before evening rain and cooler weather slowed its advance, allowing some evacuation orders to be lifted for residents near Crowley Lake.
The fast-moving blaze, first reported around 11:30 a.m., grew from just a few acres to more than 1,000 within hours, according to Cal Fire. By early afternoon, flames had crossed Highway 395 and were within a quarter mile of Crowley Lake, threatening homes and other structures along the corridor."
Verizon to cut up to 20,000 jobs in one of the largest tech layoffs ever
Chronicle, AIDIN VAZIRI: "Verizon is preparing to eliminate as many as 20,000 jobs and convert about 180 to 200 stores into franchises, marking one of the largest workforce reductions in its history, according to multiple sources.
The cuts are expected to begin as soon as next week and could affect up to 20% of the telecom giant’s 100,000 employees, sources told Bloomberg, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal."
Netflix is revamping its gaming strategy to win more users. Is it working?
LAT, WENDY LEE: "Inside an office in Hollywood, not far from the Walk of Fame and the Sunset Bronson Studios, Netflix executive Alain Tascan revealed new content coming soon to the platform — but it’s not a TV show or a movie. It’s a new game where U.S. viewers compete to win thousands of dollars.
The game show, called “Best Guess Live,” will run on weekdays at 5 p.m. PT, where hosts Howie Mandel and Hunter March will unveil a set of five clues. Mobile game players tune in to make their best guesses. The earlier they can guess correctly with fewer clues, the higher the chances they can win more of the prize money. The show, filmed in Van Nuys, is Netflix’s attempt at appointment gaming for its audience of more than 700 million viewers."
Seidler family announces possible sale of Padres franchise
Times of San Diego, BROOKE BINKOWSKI: "The San Diego Padres might be going up for sale.
]
The Seidler family, which has owned the San Diego Padres since 2012, has announced they are beginning a formal process to “explore strategic options.”"
First look: Inside California’s new $600-million casino that’s bigger than Caesars Palace
LAT, CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS: "Next time you’re driving the Grapevine and nearing the forest of oil rigs on the outskirts of Bakersfield, look for a six-story guitar.
That would be the Hard Rock Casino Tejon, whose opening on Thursday brings industrial-strength Indian gaming — and some Hollywood pizzazz — to a territory better known for cowboy hats, farmland and petroleum extraction."
More housing on the California coast? Changes at this agency signal a pro-building shift
CALMatters, NADIA LATHAN: "Bone-colored bluffs and jagged cliffs line the Monterey shoreline where chalky sand meets redwoods.
Its rugged coastline, including beloved destinations such as Big Sur, is well-known California iconography protected by the California Coastal Act for nearly 50 years."
Elk Grove City Council approves $2.5 million contract for homelessness services
Sac Bee, DANIEL LEMPRES: "The Elk Grove City Council approved a contract for management of its supportive housing sites on Wednesday. The move comes after the bankruptcy of the previous contractor led to years of underutilization.
The Council voted unanimously to approve a contract with Volunteers of America - Northern California/Northern Nevada, Inc. (VOA) for management of the city’s four permanent shared housing and three transitional housing sites."
L.A. jails scale back opioid addiction treatment as fatal overdoses continue
CALMatters, CAYLA MIHALOVICH: "Los Angeles County jails pared back access to life-saving opioid addiction treatment this fall during one of the system’s deadliest years on record, according to records obtained by CalMatters and interviews with staff.
The policy change came one week after Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the county over “inhumane” conditions across its jail system, citing a “shocking rate of deaths,” including overdoses."
CA denied thousands of custom license plates this year. See rejects
Sac Bee, BROOKE BAITINGER: "If you’ve traveled on California roads, you’ve likely noticed more than one clever custom license plate.
For every fun license plate you’ve come across, there are countless others that were rejected and will never see the light of day — for one reason or another."
SFO is getting a new direct flight to this European city
Chronicle, BROOKE PARK: "The San Francisco International Airport is getting a new direct flight to Warsaw, Poland, in May, a Polish airliner announced on Thursday.
LOT Polish Airlines will have four weekly flights from Warsaw to San Francisco in the summer, the agency said in a news release."
