Updating . .
FBI's Russia investigation is looking into Rohrabacher meeting with former Trump advisor -- As part of his investigation into Russian attempts to influence the 2016 presidential campaign, FBI special counsel Robert Mueller is questioning witnesses about a meeting that allegedly took place shortly before the election between Rep. Dana Rohrabacher and former Trump advisor Michael Flynn, NBC is reporting. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Most California voters already want to overturn gas tax increase, poll finds -- Most California voters would scrap the higher gas tax and vehicle fees recently approved by the Legislature to provide money to repair the state’s roads and bridges and improve mass transit, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Californians strongly oppose Trump — and 53% say state's members of Congress should 'never' work with him -- A year after his election, President Trump remains wildly unpopular in California, and the state’s voters are split over whether members of Congress should work with him when possible, a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll has found. Cathleen Decker in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Pender: GOP tax bills could weigh on high-end housing in California -- The House and Senate Republican tax plans would not have much impact on home prices and homeownership rates nationwide, but could slow the rate of appreciation of high-end homes in high-tax states such as California, economists say. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Taxes would rise for millions of Californians under Senate Republicans’ plan -- Only one California Republican, Darrell Issa of Vista, who narrowly won re-election in his suburban San Diego County district last year, has come out against the House version of the bill, in part because of its treatment of state and local taxes. And in a telephone interview Thursday, Issa said the Senate bill goes “from bad to hopeless.” Carolyn Lochhead in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Following allegations, Orange County Democrats grapple with sexual harassment in politics -- The issue is coming into focus as Democrats are gearing up for big electoral fights in the midterm elections, and as scrutiny of alleged sexual misconduct in Hollywood and political circles intensifies. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Covered California far outspends Trump administration advertising open enrollment -- The Trump administration is spending just $10 million to tell consumers in 35 states that it’s time for open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act – a 90 percent reduction from last year. California’s state-run marketplace, in contrast, is spending five times that much on advertising. Cathie Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/10/17
Hiltzik: Don't blame just the gas tax for California's pump prices — refineries are getting paid $3 billion more a year than they should -- On Feb. 18, 2015, an explosion ripped through Exxon Mobil's vast refinery in Torrance, forcing a shutdown that took 10% of the state's overall gasoline production capacity offline. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
A top secret desert assembly plant starts ramping up to build Northrop's B-21 bomber -- A once-empty parking lot at Northrop Grumman Corp.’s top secret aircraft plant in Palmdale is now jammed with cars that pour in during the predawn hours. Ralph Vartabedian, W.J. Hennigan and Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Highway 1 was buried under a massive landslide. Months later, engineers battle Mother Nature to fix it -- Ever since May, when a near-vertical slope of mountain collapsed at a place called Mud Creek, teams of geologists and engineers have clawed over rocks and boulders, through brush and chaparral, to come up with a plan for reconnecting this severed artery. Thomas Curwen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
County settles suit with man allegedly stripped, verbally abused in jail after jaywalking -- A man who was punched by a Sacramento police officer during a jaywalking stop, then allegedly stripped and verbally abused by Sheriff’s Deputies in jail, has settled a lawsuit with the County of Sacramento for an undisclosed sum for the part of the incident that took place in lockup. Anita Chabria in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/10/17
Trump judge nominee, 36, who has never tried a case, wins approval of Senate panel -- Brett J. Talley, President Trump’s nominee to be a federal judge in Alabama, has never tried a case, was unanimously rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Assn.’s judicial rating committee, has practiced law for only three years and, as a blogger last year, displayed a degree of partisanship unusual for a judicial nominee, denouncing “Hillary Rotten Clinton” and pledging support for the National Rifle Assn. On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee, on a party-line vote, approved him for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. David G. Savage in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
California Policy & Politics This Morning
California Capitol averages three sexual harassment investigations per year -- The California Legislature says it has investigated 30 allegations of sexual harassment in the past decade. In response to a public records request by The Bee, the Senate and Assembly rules committees on Thursday provided a “summary of information concerning sexual harassment related matters.” Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/10/17
California's Legislature investigated 31 abuse complaints made over the past decade -- The California Legislature has investigated 31 allegations of sexual harassment since 2006, according to brief summaries released without more detailed information on Thursday. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Investigations underway as state Sen. Tony Mendoza denies improper conduct with female legislative fellow -- The state Senate Rules Committee said Thursday that an investigation is underway into complaints from former aides to state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) who have alleged that the lawmaker invited home a female legislative fellow who asked for a job. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ Kevin Modesti in the Los Angeles Daily News$ Katy Murphy in the San Jose Mercury$ Ben Adler and Bob Moffitt Capital Public Radio Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 11/10/17
'My Democratic friends are mad at me': Donna Brazile explains herself in deep-left San Francisco -- After publishing an unfettered memoir critiquing Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential bid, former Democratic Party leader Donna Brazile on Thursday doubled down on her criticism of the nominee before a receptive audience in deepest-left California. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ Steve Rubenstein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Casey Tolan in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/10/17
World needs to ‘up the wisdom and control the power,’ Jerry Brown says -- Brown, whose budget news conferences in Sacramento often feature a gesticulating governor standing in front of large cardboard graphs of California’s state debt and spending, has turned to a new chart of sorts to demonstrate the need for wise action on climate change. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/10/17
Pelosi stops short of vowing to block spending bill without a DACA fix by the end of the year -- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday that Democrats want legislation to address the legal status of hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country illegally as children before the end of the year, but stopped short of saying she'd block a spending bill to keep the government open if it doesn't happen. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Silicon Valley congressman endorses Kevin de León over Dianne Feinstein for Senate -- Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna has endorsed Senate leader Kevin de León's bid for Senate over Sen. Dianne Feinstein, according to De León's campaign. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
4 San Francisco supervisors back de Leon against Feinstein in U.S. Senate race -- Four progressive San Francisco supervisors have broken ranks with hometown U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein — the city’s most prominent and long-standing Democratic politician — and instead endorsed her challenger, Kevin de Leon. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Newsom vows ‘audacious goals’ if elected governor -- California is facing new challenges, and the next governor will be forced to make major changes to prepare the state for a very different future, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democratic candidate for governor, said in San Francisco Thursday. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Tom Steyer adds $10 million to his Trump impeachment campaign, remains undecided about running for office -- Billionaire Democratic donor Tom Steyer said Thursday that he planned to double his spending on his impeachment campaign against President Trump to $20 million. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
California Senate Democrats ask Congress to preserve low-income housing funding -- California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and 18 other Democratic state senators are urging congressional leaders to preserve low-income housing funding in any attempt to overhaul the nation's tax system. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Advocates call for halt to payments under disputed San Onofre settlement deal -- In a hearing that grew testy amid mutual frustration and accusations, state utility regulators heard opposing arguments this week about whether owners of the failed San Onofre nuclear plant should continue receiving funds from a disputed settlement agreement. Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/10/17
Vallejo: How Latino Elites Are Paying the California Dream Forward -- Interviews I’ve conducted in California’s Latino community as research for a book suggests that a small well-heeled group is actively involved in growing a Latino middle class. They are using their social, economic and political resources to help others attain college degrees, start small businesses and build wealth. Jody Agius Vallejo KQED -- 11/10/17
ACLU study blasts Bakersfield police, Kern County Sheriff's Office for 'disturbing pattern' of force -- The American Civil Liberties Union called for major reforms in the Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, releasing a scathing report that detailed repeated allegations of excessive force and the misuse of police dogs to injure and intimidate suspects. James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
California seeks injunction to halt Trump rollback of birth control mandate -- California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Thursday filed a legal motion asking a judge to halt the implementation of federal rule changes, announced by the Trump administration last month, that give employers more leeway to opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Garofoli: Virginia victories show Tom Steyer’s best role may be behind the scenes -- Tom Steyer thought my idea about what he should do next was terrible. Not just terrible, but unthinkable. I believe the phrase “Joe — no. No way” was used more than once. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds
Taxes would rise for millions of Californians under Senate Republicans’ plan -- Senate Republicans introduced a tax bill Thursday that would raise federal taxes on millions of Californians by eliminating the individual deduction for state and local taxes, a move that puts the state’s GOP House members in a ticklish situation. Carolyn Lochhead in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Senate tax plan takes more, gives some back to California homeowners -- Senate Republicans detailed their plan to overhaul the federal tax code on Thursday. It diverges on certain points from the House bill released last week, helping California homeowners in one way while hurting them in another. Still, tax policy experts say Californians who own a home or are looking to buy one shouldn't expect relief under either plan. David Wagner KPCC -- 11/10/17
Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions
New Railcars Set To Be Built In Sacramento -- Hundreds of highly-skilled manufacturing jobs are coming to Sacramento as part of a $371 million state contract to build new commuter railcars. Originally, the plan was to build the railcars in Illinois. But, Caltrans and its partners reworked the agreement to bring in Siemens, a company with a large manufacturing facility in Sacramento County. Randol White Capital Public Radio -- 11/10/17
Raiders stadium in Las Vegas would cost millions more with GOP tax plan -- Under the House version of the bill, any new bonds issued for professional stadiums would no longer be exempt from federal taxes — a provision the NFL team and local leaders in Nevada had banked on when they drew up financial plans for the project. Kimberly Veklerov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Housing
Bay Area rents still a struggle for residents -- A study by Apartment List, a rental website, found nearly 1 in 4 renters in San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland and surrounding areas were severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on rent. About half of Bay Area renters are considered economically burdened, spending over 30 percent of their paychecks on shelter. Louis Hansen in the East Bay Times -- 11/10/17
Wildfire
Musicians band together in San Francisco to benefit North Bay fire victims -- Backstage, some of the Bay Area’s biggest names in music, business and sports — Joe Montana and Barry Bonds were there, too — mingled with everyday heroes from the fire, who were chosen to present each band. For one night, it seemed as if the firefighters and nurses and residents who answered the call of duty were the stars. Peter Hartlaub, Leah Garchik and Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Dan Taylor in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat -- 11/10/17
PG&E contends private power line may have caused deadly Tubbs fire in Sonoma and Napa counties -- PG&E contends in a new court filing that a private power line may have started the deadly Tubbs fire that raced through Santa Rosa last month and became the most destructive wildfire in state history. Kevin McCallum in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat David R. Baker and Evan Sernoffsky in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Should PG&E Shut Off Power During Windstorms to Prevent Fires? -- Investigators are still sorting out what caused the North Bay fires, but downed power lines are certainly one of the possible culprits. That has some asking why Pacific Gas & Electric didn’t turn off the power grid ahead of time, as the extreme, warm winds started picking up. Turns out, that’s something one California utility already routinely does. Lauren Sommer KQED -- 11/10/17
Mendocino Sheriff: Older Technology Proved Useful During Deadly Wildfires -- Wildfires that killed nine people in a remote Northern California county last month also crippled land lines, cell phones and internet service, the local sheriff said Thursday, saying the disaster shows old-fashioned sirens and ham radios have a place in emergencies. Associated Press -- 11/10/17
Rains good for ending wildfire danger, bad for toxic runoff in burn zones -- The recent rain that put a welcome end to wildfire season in badly burned Northern California has a downside: toxic runoff. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Wine Country fire victims struggle to find stability -- Philbin and her family are among the thousands who are struggling to get on with their lives after losing their home in the Wine Country wildfires. She and her husband, Charles, have moved into a friend’s guest house in Sebastopol while their three sons, ages 18, 20 and 22, are staying with friends in Santa Rosa — a separation that has only added to their anxiety. Evan Sernoffsky, Kurtis Alexander and Kevin Fagan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Education
Oakland schools face harsh cuts as another budget crisis hits -- The budget crisis in the Oakland schools has reached a critical level, with the situation so desperate that top-level administrators are voluntarily giving back part of their paychecks, and layoffs as well as classroom cuts are imminent. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
UCLA students forge plan to make their own neighborhood council -- A group led by UCLA students wants to create a new neighborhood council for Westwood, saying the existing council does a poor job of representing their interests, especially when it comes to housing. Josie Huang KPCC -- 11/10/17
Up to $45,000 in laptops taken from Sacramento State laboratory -- As first reported by The State Hornet, the campus newspaper, 35 of the lab’s 36 new Dell laptops were taken from a Calaveras Hall lab on Oct. 20. The total value of the stolen computers is estimated to be as much as $45,000. Noel Harris in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/10/17
After hours of testimony, California state board rejects two history textbooks, approves 10 others -- Following nearly eight hours of emotional pleas from Hindus and Indian American, as well as advocates for the LGBTQ community requesting fair historical representations in K-8 textbooks, the state Board of Education endorsed the recommendations of an advisory panel. Theresa Harrington EdSource -- 11/10/17
Lead contamination at 10 Oakland schools prompts new round of water tests -- A new round of water quality testing began Thursday morning at 86 public schools in Oakland after lead contamination was found in plumbing fixtures at 10 campuses in the city, officials said. Jenna Lyons in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/10/17
Cannabis
Santa Rosa Planning Commission approves rules for recreational marijuana businesses -- With less than 50 days before the trade in recreational pot becomes legal in California, the moves make Santa Rosa the first city in the state to outline governance for both medical and non-medical cannabis businesses and use, according to Nick Caston, board member and spokesman for the California Cannabis Industry Association’s Sonoma County chapter. Kevin Fixler in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat -- 11/10/17
Immigration / Border
'Dreamer' who sued Trump for being deported is arrested after entering the country illegally -- A 23-year-old man who sued the Trump administration over his deportation to Mexico but later dropped the suit was arrested early this week after illegally reentering the country for a second time, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Health
Rhee: Veterans are waiting, and waiting, for a Central Valley VA clinic. What’s taking so long? -- On Veterans Day 2017, many veterans in the Central Valley have a very good question: Why is it taking so darn long to open a badly needed outpatient health clinic? Foon Rhee in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/10/17
California voters could decide on $1.5 billion in children's hospital improvements next year -- Californians could vote on a $1.5-billion bond measure to expand and renovate children's hospitals across the state under a proposed 2018 ballot measure submitted Thursday. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Environment
Cremation — an environmentally friendly approach -- The environment plays a big part in Capitol legislation, but here’s a topic rarely linked to the environment – cremation. Jessica Hice Capitol Weekly -- 11/10/17
Also . . .
UCLA basketball players, reportedly accused of shoplifting, await their fate in scenic Chinese town -- The young athletes detoured to this lakeside Chinese town on their way to play basketball. Now, in a bizarre situation that has entangled some of college sport's most promising players, three may not be able to leave it. Jessica Meyers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
POTUS 45
Ask the Chinese: Trump's a straight shooter, a successful businessman – and a symptom of American decline -- With his background in real estate, his successful TV show, and his how-to business books, the president fulfills many Chinese stereotypes of a powerful leader. But then, as one journalist says: “Many think he’s some sort of joke.” Matt DeButts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/10/17
Beltway
Senate passes measure requiring sexual harassment training for senators, aides -- The Senate unanimously approved legislation late Thursday that institutes mandatory sexual harassment training for senators and aides — a potentially meaningful shift amid calls for overhauling Capitol Hill's system for handling harassment complaints. Elana Schor Politico -- 11/10/17
Moore fundraises off of report alleging relationships with teenagers -- Alabama Republican Roy Moore sent a fundraising email Thursday afternoon asking for donations to combat the "Obama-Clinton Machine's liberal media lapdogs," hours after The Washington Post published accounts from four women who said that Moore pursued relationships with them when he was in his 30s and they were teenagers. Daniel Strauss Politico -- 11/10/17
Senate GOP’s tax bill points to nasty fight ahead -- There are dramatic differences between the House and Senate versions of the tax overhaul, imperiling Trump's desire to sign legislation by year end. Bernie Becker, Brian Faler and Aaron Lorenzo Politico -- 11/10/17
-- Thursday Updates
She wanted a job and said California senator invited her home. He fired aides who knew -- California Sen. Tony Mendoza fired three aides in September as allegations were reported to the Senate Rules Committee that the senator repeatedly invited home a young woman who wanted a job and employed a district director with a felony record. Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/9/17
Senate tax bill would end popular tax break used by 1 in 3 Californians -- California's Republican members may have hoped the Senate tax bill unveiled Thursday would revive the popular deductions for all state income and property taxes, but it doesn't. Getting rid of state and local tax deductions is a blow to residents of high tax states, including California, where 1 in 3 people claim the deduction. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
What the Senate’s tax bill means for the Bay Area -- the chamber’s version reportedly keeps the mortgage interest deduction limit at $1 million, as compared with the House legislation released last week which placed a cap of $500,000 for new home sales. Yet while that pain has apparently been averted for anyone wanting to buy a home in the ultra-pricey San Francisco Bay, another element of the Senate plan will put salt in the regions’ wounds. Patrick May in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/9/17
Proposed tax overhaul hurts affordable housing in GOP districts, California treasurer says -- Low-income housing programs on the chopping block in the House GOP’s proposed tax ovehaul created nearly 10,000 new homes in the 14 Republican-held congressional districts in California over the last four years, according to new data released by state Treasurer John Chiang. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Democrats add California's Rep. Tom McClintock to list of vulnerable Republicans for 2018 -- The announcement is a sign of increasing confidence after Democrats won sweeping victories in Virginia and New Jersey earlier this week. The party is hoping for a wave of support that could return the House to Democratic control. Chris Megerian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
California Assembly Democrats ask McCarthy, Pelosi for tax overhaul that is 'fair' to the state -- Calling out a series of provisions they argue will unfairly target Californians, Assembly Democrats asked the state's congressional leaders Thursday not to "rush to pass legislation" overhauling federal tax policy. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Darrell Issa among Republicans now pushing for quick DACA fix -- Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) joined about a dozen Republican House members from across the country on Thursday to urge House leaders to find a fast solution for the hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country illegally as children. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Deportations of Vietnamese, Cambodians leave Bay Area Asian immigrants shaken -- More than 200 Vietnamese and Cambodian immigrants across the Bay Area and nationwide were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in October in never-before-seen roundups that have left communities shocked and in fear, according to local and national immigration activists. Tatiana Sanchez in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/9/17
It's a tightening race for governor and Sen. Dianne Feinstein holds strong lead for reelection -- Californians overwhelmingly support Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s reelection bid, and she is far better known than her top rival, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll. Voters are more divided in the governor’s race, creating a closer contest between Democrats Gavin Newsom and Antonio Villaraigosa. Seema Mehta and Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Wine Country fire victims struggle to find stability -- Wearing an orange poncho, gloves and a mask, Teresa Philbin, 58, stooped over with a bent frying pan to sift through the ash of what was once her home in Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park neighborhood on Wednesday. Evan Sernoffsky, Kurtis Alexander and Kevin Fagan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/9/17
Burned up and priced out: Santa Rosa fire evacuees fear they can’t afford to return -- For Sharon Ditmore, the signs of the holidays showing up in this city devastated by fire are both comforting and depressing. Ditmore lost her home in the working-class neighborhood of Coffey Park and has been living in a friend's guesthouse. Louis Sahagun in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Tourists came to San Diego for Metallica, left with hepatitis A -- All three men ate and drank at World Famous, the Pacific Beach eatery that was the subject of a September warning from county officials about possible hepatitis A exposure. On Sept. 15 the county notified the public that a worker at World Famous had tested positive for the disease. Lauryn Schroeder in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/9/17
AP Exclusive: Russia Twitter trolls deflected Trump bad news -- Disguised Russian agents on Twitter rushed to deflect scandalous news about Donald Trump just before last year’s presidential election while straining to refocus criticism on the mainstream media and Hillary Clinton’s campaign, according to an Associated Press analysis of since-deleted accounts. Ryan Nakashima and Barbara Ortutay Associated Press -- 11/9/17
#MeToo moves from social media to the streets with march in Hollywood on Sunday -- The event is in response to the #MeToo campaign, a social media movement that grew out of accusations by actresses against movie producer Harvey Weinstein and encouraged other women from various backgrounds to share their stories. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Jobs going up, salaries going down in LA County, economic report shows -- Los Angeles County is expected to gain nearly 133,000 jobs between 2016 and 2021, according to a report released Thursday, but it also shows that inflation-adjusted household incomes are 4.5 percent below where they were in 1990. Kevin Smith in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 11/9/17
Trump's Asia trip shows U.S. at risk of being sidelined in the region's economic future -- Instead of offering concessions, both the United States' historical allies, Japan and South Korea, as well as China, its most serious Pacific rival, signaled that they had taken Trump at his word: His "America First" policy means the United States will become less and less a player in the fastest-growing and most dynamic region in the world. Don Lee in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Macy's is shutting its Westside Pavilion store and others in California -- Macy's Inc. plans to close its store at Los Angeles' Westside Pavilion mall, as well as two others in California, the retail giant said Thursday as it grapples with consumers' increasing shift to online shopping. James F. Peltz in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/9/17
Lawsuit says public is being deprived of input before San Diego City Council proclamations pass -- A lawsuit claims San Diego is stifling public comment at City Council meetings by not allowing people to express opinions about proclamations honoring individuals or organizations until after they are honored. David Garrick in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 11/9/17