Updating . .
Sacramento teacher strike averted. Union, city district reach deal ahead of planned walkout -- The Sacramento City Unified School District and its teachers union reached an agreement Monday on a new contract that gives teachers up to an 11 percent raise over the three-year deal and averts a strike for the 43,000-student district. Ryan Lillis, Diana Lambert and Ellen Garrison in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/6/17
California's state flags will fly at half-staff to honor victims of Texas church shooting -- State flags in California will be flown at half-staff Monday in remembrance of those who lost their lives in a shooting at a Texas church over the weekend. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/17
LAPD captain accuses department of twisting crime statistics to make city seem safer -- Capt. Lillian Carranza, who oversees the LAPD's Van Nuys station, alleged in a claim filed against the city last week that she began notifying superiors in 2014 about the underreporting of crime in the Foothill area, which includes Pacoima, Sunland and Tujunga — but no action was taken. Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/17
Why hasn't California cracked down on anti-vaccination doctors? -- A year ago, California officials appeared to be coming down hard on doctors and parents who were reluctant to vaccinate children. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/17
If Jerry Brown can’t sell California on two Delta tunnels, would just one fly? -- Advocates of the twin tunnels say a smaller project would translate into less protection for the endangered fish that live in the Delta and supposedly would be helped by the twin-tunnel setup. Proponents also say a single tunnel, while less expensive as a whole, would likely cost more on a per-gallon basis than a twin-tunnel plan. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/6/17
One homeless person a week dies on the streets in Sacramento County, report shows -- Bob Erlenbusch, executive director of the coalition, said the findings underscore the Sacramento area’s need for more shelter beds for homeless people, and more aggressive outreach toward men and women who sleep in parks, in cars, along riverbeds and in front of churches and businesses. Cynthia Hubert in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/6/17
In NorCal fires, weed goes up in smoke -- It’s being called the Wine Country Fire, but the fatal October fires that blackened nearly 200,000 acres across Northern California might also be called the Cannabis Country Fire. Chuck McFadden Capitol Weekly -- 11/6/17
Tests show that lead levels in Bay Area drinking water are not dangerous -- Despite recent alarming revelations that children in 10 San Francisco and Oakland schools had been exposed to lead contamination well above federal safety standards, data from household water quality tests performed this year by the Bay Area’s two major utilities indicate that lead levels remain well below dangerous thresholds in the vast majority of the region’s homes. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/17
Meet the startups fighting Silicon Valley’s soaring housing costs -- These founders, intent on disrupting the housing market and bringing down costs, are stepping in as government officials and nonprofits struggle with the enormity of the problem. Some are launching startups focused on creating new housing units, while others are working to help people buy or rent. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/6/17
Qualcomm confirms Broadcom's $100 billion buyout offer -- Qualcomm confirmed Monday that it has received a buyout offer from Broadcom of $70 a share in cash and stock, in the largest deal in the history of the semiconductor industry. Mike Freeman in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/6/17
After a Tax Crackdown, Apple Found a New Shelter for Its Profits -- The tech giant has found a tax haven in the island of Jersey, leaving billions of dollars untouched by the United States, leaked documents reveal. Jesse Drucker and Simon Bowers in the New York Times$ -- 11/6/17
Despite reform, rehired San Diego city official gets to re-enter pension plan -- According to her employment offer, a copy of which was obtained by U-T Watchdog, Michell will be reinstated into the pension plan — a benefit that was closed to most new hires after voters approved a 2012 ballot measure to reform the system. New hires other than police officers are only offered a 401k-style savings plan for retirement. Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/6/17
Math festivals help elementary students — and their families — see math as fun -- A dozen parents gathered around veteran math educator Leanna Baker, moments before students show up for what is billed as a math “festival” for students at Allendale Elementary School in Oakland. Ashley Hopkinson EdSource -- 11/6/17
California Policy & Politics This Morning
The ‘Odd Couple’ goes to Rome: Jerry Brown, Kevin de León collaborate on climate change -- Jerry Brown’s father was the 32nd governor of California. Kevin de León didn’t know his father at all. Yet they are California leaders working on an issue both see as the most pressing of our time, speaking over the weekend on climate change at the home of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/6/17
Tom Steyer Says Trump Impeachment Campaign is 'Sober and Serious Mission' -- Billionaire Democratic Party financier and environmental activist Tom Steyer says his statewide media campaign calling for the impeachment of President Trump is an "incredibly sober and serious mission" and that it is not designed to promote himself as a possible statewide candidate for office. Conan Nolan NBCLA -- 11/6/17
Skelton: Blasting California's gas tax while working to cut federal tax breaks? That's called hypocrisy -- California Republicans seem to have conflicting tax philosophies. Or maybe they’re just outright hypocritical. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/17
Walters: Republican tax plan would hit California hard -- California Gov. Jerry Brown and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shed some alligator tears last week over Republican plans to eliminate the federal income tax deduction for state and local taxes. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/6/17
'We don't know if (it's) going to stand up in an earthquake': '60 Minutes' features Millennium Tower -- In the episode, a couple who lives in Millennium Tower told reporter Jon Wertheim what it's been like to live in the luxury high-rise since they found out it was tilting in May 2016. Alix Martichoux in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/17
Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds
San Francisco Schools Eye Parcel Tax After Agreement on Teacher Pay -- San Francisco Unified School District and the union representing its teachers and school workers are aiming for a 2018 ballot measure to raise money for teacher pay. Guy Marzorati KQED -- 11/6/17
Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions
11% raises in San Francisco schools contract would be among tops in state -- Double-digit salary increases for San Francisco educators proposed under contract terms agreed to over the weekend are among the highest being offered in the state, union and school district officials said a day after the two sides signed off on a tentative agreement. Karen de Sá in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/17
Trump is ‘bombastic’ but might keep NAFTA, ag secretary says in visit to Modesto -- Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue heard two main messages from farmers in Sunday’s visit to Modesto — keep export barriers down and lighten up on regulation. John Holland in the Modesto Bee -- 11/6/17
An arrest in Saudi Arabia could be felt as far as Silicon Valley and Wall Street -- Finance, technology, hospitality, entertainment and real estate: Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has invested substantially and with great fanfare in all of them, as befits his status as one of the world's richest men. Roger Vincent and Alexandra Zavis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/17
Tesla takes the edge off its cars' acceleration with new "Chill" mode -- "Ludicrous" mode is one of those near-mythical Tesla features. An improvement on "Insane" mode — which was already quite fast — Ludicrous enables the top-end Model S P100D sedan to outrun the world's fastest supercars on a drag strip. Matthew DeBord in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/17
Could CalSTRS reserve pay down pension debt? -- As CalSTRS rates are more than doubling, squeezing school budgets, an inflation-protection account that keeps teacher pensions from dropping below 85 percent of their original purchasing power has a large and growing excess of funding, $5.6 billion last year. Ed Mendel Calpensions.com -- 11/6/17
Homeless
San Diego focusing on homeless camps along river following hepatitis A outbreak -- City officials have recently turned their attention to the homeless encampments along the San Diego River in combating the ongoing hepatitis A outbreak that has killed 20 people and afflicted 536. Joshua Emerson Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/6/17
Homeless explosion on West Coast pushing cities to the brink -- San Diego now scrubs its sidewalks with bleach to counter a deadly hepatitis A outbreak that has spread to other cities and forced California to declare a state of emergency last month. In Anaheim, home to Disneyland, 400 people sleep along a bike path in the shadow of Angel Stadium. Organizers in Portland lit incense at a recent outdoor food festival to cover up the stench of urine in a parking lot where vendors set up shop. Gillian Flaccus and Geoff Mulvihill Associated Press -- 11/6/17
El Cajon Fights Homelessness, Hep A With Tough New Regulations -- Serving meals to groups of homeless people in parks and other public spaces is now against the law in El Cajon as well as panhandling, sleeping on the sidewalk and setting up encampments. The tough restrictions are part of the city’s strategy to combat homelessness and hepatitis A. Homeless people argue the measures are uncompassionate and cruel. Susan Murphy KPBS -- 11/6/17
Education
Sacramento school district asks state to block teacher strike planned for Wednesday -- If teachers stage a walkout, it would be the first strike in the city district since 1989. Teachers are seeking an array of changes that include higher pay increases, smaller class sizes, more arts and music teachers and better working conditions. Diana Lambert in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/6/17
Cannabis
California slapping high taxes on marijuana, causing sticker shock for some -- California's legal marijuana marketplace is coming with a kaleidoscope of new taxes and fees that could influence where it's grown, how pot cookies and other munchies are produced and the price tag on just about everything. Michael R. Blood Associated Press -- 11/6/17
Environment
5 Lakes Trail in Squaw-Alpine ski gondola battle zone -- From a Sierra crag at north Tahoe, with one sweep of the eye you can look across towering peaks and down into a valley — and take in a landscape shaping up as the next big turf battleground in California. Tom Stienstra in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/17
Also . . .
Guns, ammunition stolen from San Mateo County Sheriff’s sergeant -- San Francisco police are investigating the theft of a shotgun, rifle, ammunition, bullet-proof vest and FBI jacket stolen sometime Friday from the car of a San Mateo County Sheriff’s sergeant who was attending an FBI task force meeting that day in San Francisco. Tracy Seipel in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/6/17
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff shares video of mountain lion, says it was outside his San Francisco home -- While most San Francisco residents would be frightened to spy a mountain lion casually crossing in front of their home, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff seemed to take the sighting in stride. Benioff shared a video of what appears to be security footage of a mountain lion on a city sidewalk, outside his Pacific Heights home near the Presidio. Dianne de Guzman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/6/17
POTUS 45
At least nine people in Trump’s orbit had contact with Russians during campaign and transition -- After questions emerged about whether campaign foreign policy adviser Carter Page had ties to Russia, President Trump called him a “very low-level member” of a committee and said that “I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to him.” Rosalind S. Helderman, Tom Hamburger and Carol D. Leonnig in the Washington Post$ -- 11/6/17
Beltway
Commerce Secretary’s Offshore Ties to Putin ‘Cronies’ -- After becoming commerce secretary, Wilbur L. Ross Jr. retained investments in a shipping firm he once controlled that has significant business ties to a Russian oligarch subject to American sanctions and President Vladimir V. Putin’s son-in-law, according to newly disclosed documents. Mike McIntire, Sasha Chavkin and Martha M. Hamilton in the New York Times$ -- 11/6/17
Kremlin Cash Behind Billionaire’s Twitter and Facebook Investments -- Leaked files show that a state-controlled bank in Moscow helped to fuel Yuri Milner’s ascent in Silicon Valley, where the Russia investigation has put tech companies under scrutiny. Jesse Drucker in the New York Times$ -- 11/6/17
Post-ABC poll: Voters favor Democrats over Republicans in 2018 House midterms by widest margin in years -- Voters say they prefer Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives over Republicans by the widest margin in over a decade, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll — a fresh sign of trouble for the GOP majority one year before the midterm elections. Sean Sullivan and Emily Guskin in the Washington Post$ -- 11/6/17
-- Sunday Updates
Insurers make billions off Medicaid in California during Obamacare expansion -- Medicaid is rarely associated with getting rich. The patients are poor, the budgets tight and payments to doctors often paltry. But some insurance companies are reaping spectacular profits off the taxpayer-funded program in California, even when the state finds that patient care is subpar. Chad Terhune and Anna Gorman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/17
Disputed alert system gets upgrade after Wine Country fires -- A potentially lifesaving emergency alert system that Sonoma County officials decided against using during the deadly fires that swept through the area last month will finally get a long-planned upgrade, after nearly a yearlong delay by the Trump administration. Carolyn Lochhead and Joaquin Palomino in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/5/17
Veritas, large SF landlord, to allow Airbnb rentals in 5 buildings -- One of San Francisco’s largest residential landlords, Veritas Investments, is joining forces with Airbnb to allow tenants in five Veritas buildings to offer short-term rentals of their apartments. At the same time, Airbnb is teaming up with a company called Pillow Residential to offer management and support to Veritas and other building owners that countenance Airbnb rentals. Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/5/17
Bretón: California’s top Latino candidates face a tougher enemy than Trump: Fellow Democrats -- For all the self-congratulatory proclamations of California as a progressive haven, the state is not as cool as it thinks it is. The traditional paths to power in California have been closely guarded by a Bay Area pecking order heretofore off-limits to Latino candidates. Marcos Bretón in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/17
Jerry Brown's holy war on Donald Trump -- California has opened a new front in its war on Donald Trump — the Vatican, where Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday sought to enlist the Catholic Church in his effort to undermine the president’s climate policies abroad. David Siders Politico -- 11/5/17
In a rural Northern California valley, a development battle asks: Is a helicopter a tractor? -- The narrow, rocky road leads deep into the trees, to a grassy clearing in the Sierra Nevada where old horses graze and blackberries grow. Elisa Adler lives here. And she wants you to listen. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/5/17
‘It’s worse than a wrongful death.’ Family of brain-damaged man sues Sacramento police -- The family of a man left with the mental capacity of a preschooler after a March encounter with Sacramento police has filed an excessive force lawsuit against the city. Anita Chabria in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/5/17
Mueller Has Enough Evidence to Bring Charges in Flynn Investigation -- Federal investigators have gathered enough evidence to bring charges in their investigation of President Donald Trump's former national security adviser and his son as part of the probe into Russia's intervention in the 2016 election, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation. Julia Ainsley, Carol E. Lee and Ken Dilanian NBC News -- 11/5/17