Updating . .   

ICE spokesman quits over officials’ claim of 800 eluding arrest -- The San Francisco spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement resigned after the agency’s recent Northern California sweep, saying he couldn’t continue to do his job after Trump administration officials made false public statements about a key aspect of the operation. Hamed Aleaziz in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

'Fast-approaching' storm triggers evacuation orders in Santa Barbara County, authorities say -- Santa Barbara County authorities ordered mandatory evacuations Monday for residents in burn areas ahead of a "fast-approaching" storm expected to hit the region. Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Parents charged after guns found in homes of Chatsworth, Granada Hills students behind alleged threats -- Students at two San Fernando Valley high schools who in separate incidents allegedly threatened to shoot their classmates were arrested in recent weeks, authorities said Monday, resulting in searches of homes that turned up multiple weapons and dozens of rounds of ammunition. Brenda Gazzar and Joshua Cain in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/12/18

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr an authority on gun violence -- After flying back from his team’s game in Minnesota, Kerr appeared with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-San Jose, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High alum Matt Deitsch at Newark Memorial High School. For an hour, they fielded questions from students and spoke to a crowd of about 500. Ann Killion in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Julia Prodis Sulek in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/12/18

Weedmaps to Bureau of Cannabis Control: You don't have the authority to police us -- A popular marijuana website has told the state's cannabis czar that she lacks the authority to make the company stop running advertisements for unlicensed pot retailers. Brad Branan in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/12/18

Trump immigration officials take aim at California politicians ahead of presidential visit -- White House officials ratcheted up their fight with California politicians over immigration policies ahead of President Trump’s visit Tuesday, briefing reporters Monday night on what they called “misconceptions” being propagated by leading Democrats in the state. Noah Bierman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Protesters on eve of Trump's visit: 'You want to mess with California? Well, bring it on' -- Immigrant, labor and LGBTQ rights activists said President Trump represented the antithesis of California’s values and was not welcome in the state, as they rallied Monday on the eve of his first presidential visit. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Trump blocks Broadcom from buying Qualcomm, citing national security -- In the latest example of his tough stance against foreign takeovers of U.S. technology companies, President Trump on Monday blocked Broadcom Ltd. from acquiring Qualcomm Inc., scuttling the proposed $117-billion deal on national security grounds. Bloomberg via the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

On the eve of Trump's visit, state lawmaker proposes cutting tax breaks for companies that help build border wall -- Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), who wields substantial influence in the creation of state tax policy as Assembly budget committee chairman, has been among the vocal opponents to the border wall, calling it counterproductive to the state’s economic growth and “a symbol of weakness and hate to the world.” Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

GOP still losing ground in O.C., and Latinos, young voters are responsible -- The GOP long billed Orange as “America’s Most Republican County,” peaking in 1990 when it had a 22-percentage point lead. By time Trump was elected, the edge had shrunken to 3.7 points and the county, overall, favored the Democratic presidential nominee for the first time since 1936. Martin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/18

California attorney general ordered to rewrite description of cap-and-trade cash plan, Proposition 70 -- The official title for Proposition 70, a ballot measure laying out rules for future climate change revenues collected by the state, must be rewritten after a Sacramento judge agreed with a Republican lawmaker that voters in June would otherwise be misled. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Artificial intelligence can transform industries, but California lawmakers are worried about your privacy -- The use of bots to meddle in political elections. Algorithms that learn who people are and keep them coming back to social media platforms. The rise of autonomous vehicles and drones that could displace hundreds of thousands of workers. Jazmine Ulloa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Gov. Jerry Brown urges Trump to ‘come aboard’ efforts to build bullet train while visiting California -- Seeking to capitalize on President Trump’s pledges to focus on the nation’s infrastructure, Gov. Jerry Brown is urging the president to consider California’s high-speed rail efforts as part of his first official visit to the Golden State. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Pedestrian deaths keep rising and LA County has the most in the country, report says -- Despite local cities’ ambitious goals to make their streets safer, the number of pedestrians dying in Southern California has risen for the last 10 years and the numbers continue to climb, surpassing the rate of fatalities from other traffic accidents, a new report found. Steve Scauzillo in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/12/18

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

Future of Pathway Home in question as investigators look into security, gunman -- The doors of the Pathway Home treatment facility in Yountville remained locked Sunday and may never reopen as directors of the program begin an exhaustive review of security protocols after a gunman held three caregivers hostage before killing them, a spokesman said. Sarah Ravani and Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

Officials tight-lipped in attack on California veterans home -- Law enforcement officials did not respond to questions throughout the weekend about what led to Wong being dismissed from the program or whether officials had alerted police or others to any concerns about his mental health after he was removed from the program. Records also show a state-issued security permit Wong had for a 9mm firearm was canceled in October, but state officials could not immediately say why. Associated Press -- 3/12/18

Republicans who could run a competitive race are taking a pass on ousting Feinstein -- The deadline came and went, and no prominent Republicans filed to run against Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, meaning for the second election in a row there will be two Democrats facing each other in a race at the top of the ballot in California. Feinstein, 84, is seeking her fifth full term. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Californians wish Trump would pay attention to more than just his border wall -- The president's first visit to California since taking office will include a brief tour of prototypes for border construction and a high-dollar fundraiser in Beverly Hills. Carla Marinucci Politico -- 3/12/18

Trump loves winning, but in his presidency and business, California has gotten in his way -- President Trump's well-documented clashes with California owe plenty to politics, culture and personality. But at bottom, what drives the president's toxic relationship with the nation's most populous state is this: his near-obsessive desire to be seen as a winner. Noah Bierman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

5 Things to Watch for During President Trump's First Visit to California -- By the time Donald Trump lands at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar north of San Diego on Tuesday, he will have been President of the United States for 59 weeks and four days. That's the longest any president has gone without visiting the Golden State, outdistancing the previous record-holder, Franklin Roosevelt, who got here by train. Scott Shafer KQED -- 3/12/18

California Bound: Trump Heading To State He Loves To Hate -- This is turf he lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton by more than 4 million votes in 2016. He has mocked its judges for blocking his agenda, sued over its lax enforcement of immigration laws and threatened to pull out federal agents. Jill Colvin and Michael R. Blood Associated Press -- 3/12/18

Despite heated rhetoric, little change on US-Mexico border -- The daily commute from Mexico to California farms is the same as it was before Donald Trump became president. Hundreds of Mexicans cross the border and line the sidewalks of Calexico's tiny downtown by 4 a.m., napping on cardboard sheets and blankets or sipping coffee from a 24-hour doughnut shop until buses leave for the fields. Elliot Spagat Associated Press -- 3/12/18

Trump’s repeat attacks on Maxine Waters’s IQ are familiar -- Jabs between President Trump and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) aren’t new. But Trump's latest comments are a reminder of how often he will go out of his way to personally attack the black women who challenge him. Eugene Scott in the Washington Post$ Laura King in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Willie Brown: North Korea is suddenly Donald Trump’s best friend -- Say what you will about Donald Trump, but the man is lucky. His top economic adviser just walked out on him for slapping tariffs on imported aluminum and steel. Porn star Stormy Daniels is on a fast track to “60 Minutes” to talk about her one-night stand with Trump and the payoff to keep her quiet. And independent counsel Robert Mueller is circling ever closer to Trump in the Russia probe. Willie Brown in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

California Congressman's Pro-Russia Views Loom Large in Re-Election Fight -- The Russia investigation has shown few signs of having an impact in this year's congressional elections, but there's a House race in Orange County where Vladimir Putin looms large. In fact, the congressman running for re-election there says he once arm wrestled the Russian president. Tim Mak KQED -- 3/12/18

Democratic candidates are flooding the ballots even in solidly Republican California districts -- Democrats may have added both the 4th and 22nd congressional districts to their California target list, but they face an uphill battle where Republicans hold a large voter registration advantage and where President Trump won by a large margin. Still, several candidates are banking on a wave election to attempt to oust sitting Republicans. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

20 candidates to challenge Congress members Dana Rohrabacher and Mimi Walters -- Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has drawn a field of 15 challengers — including eight Democrats — but most dramatic was the last-minute entry of one-time ally and former county GOP Chairman Scott Baugh. Martin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 3/12/18

Skelton: Villaraigosa is right, single-payer healthcare in California is a political pipe dream -- Antonio Villaraigosa thinks he has a solid weapon to hammer Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom with as they run for governor. And he probably does. It's Newsom's strong support for creating a state-run, single-payer health insurance program. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

‘Davos Democrat’ Gavin Newsom plays up his humbler roots -- You might think lieutenant governor and gubernatorial hopeful Gavin Newsom is the picture of privilege, the son of a judge and the beneficiary of the Getty family’s riches who had it made from the start. Matier & Ross in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

Walters: How would California’s next governor face the housing crisis? -- So how would the next governor of California deal with the state’s most serious policy issue, its acute and ever-growing shortage of housing, particularly for low- and middle-income families? Dan Walters Calmatters -- 3/12/18

Two California public record laws: one for the Legislature and one for everyone else -- Documents released in February, showing current and former California legislators had been accused of sexual misbehavior and other harassment, weren’t released under the California Public Records Act. Instead, the Legislature has its own, more restrictive public records law: the Legislative Open Records Act. Beau Yarbrough in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/12/18

One California Lawmaker Faced Expulsion. Another Got A Warning Letter. An HR Expert Explains Why -- An investigation into one California state senator found that his behavior toward six women over a 10-year period was likely “unwanted” or “sexually suggestive.” He resigned last month rather than face a suspension or expulsion vote from his colleagues. Ben Adler Capital Public Radio -- 3/12/18

San Francisco rolls out a brand new round of Sunday Streets -- San Francisco began its celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Sunday Streets with a five-hour event in the Mission District, reclaiming streets usually congested with cars for children and adults to run, bike and enjoy free activities provided by nonprofits, community groups and businesses. The item is in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

Valley farmers could suffer in trade war over tariffs -- Under the president's plan, a 25 percent tariff would be imposed on steel and 15 percent on aluminum. But agriculture industry leaders know from past experience that retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products may be coming. And California agriculture could be sitting in the crosshairs. Robert Redriguez in the Fresno Bee -- 3/12/18

Caltrans is desperate to fill thousands of new jobs -- California's transportation department plans to swell its staff by 10 percent over the next five years, adding 2,000 employees to help it execute projects funded by the new gasoline tax. Those positions run the gamut from maintenance to architects and engineers. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/12/18

Crucial court pension-cut ruling not on fast track -- The state Supreme Court is proceeding at a judicious pace after agreeing to hear appeals of two rulings that would weaken or eliminate the “California rule,” allowing state and local government pension cuts. Ed Mendel Calpensions.com -- 3/12/18

Solana Beach blazing energy-alternative trail -- Solana Beach this summer will become the first city in San Diego County to offer its residents the chance to buy electricity from someone other than San Diego Gas & Electric Co. Phil Diehl in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/12/18

Homeless  

San Diego used out-of-town workers to spray sidewalks, paid for drive time to and from L.A., plus $179 'per diem' -- Last fall, as fatalities piled up and criticism mounted over Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s handling of the hepatitis A outbreak, San Diego officials approved a no-bid contract worth up to $1.3 million to pressure-wash downtown sidewalks. Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/12/18

Bus program sends homeless people out of San Diego to live with relatives in other cities -- From all appearances, Judy Bryant wanted out of San Diego. For six years, the 48-year-old woman has been homeless here, and when she walked into an office at St. Vincent de Paul Village on a recent morning, she said she’s had enough of sleeping on concrete. She spent the previous night on the back steps of a downtown apartment building. John Wilkens in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/12/18

Deaths of homeless people go uncounted in Oakland — and most places -- It had been weeks since Larry Joseph Botelho was spotted outside the box truck he lived in and kept parked near the Oakland airport. By the time someone asked police to check on him, the 63-year-old homeless man’s body was decomposing on a makeshift bed in the truck. Kimberly Veklerov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

Could $1,000 cash help Sacramento renters stay in their homes? -- Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg set an ambitious goal last year of finding shelter for 2,000 homeless people. Now he's floating a plan he said could help prevent another 2,000 people from ending up on the streets. Ryan Lillis in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/12/18

Person found camping on roof of Antioch Amtrak station -- A camp on top of the Antioch Amtrak station was discovered Thursday, police said, after a bystander reported seeing someone lowering a bicycle down from the station roof. Graph Massara in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

Housing  

In red-hot Bay Area housing market, ‘love letters’ help buyers close the deal -- When Nicole Nuss saw the little yellow house in Vallejo, with its white picket fence and huge yard for her beloved dog, she knew she wanted to live there more than she’d ever wanted anything. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/12/18

Education 

Students ready for Wednesday walkouts to protest gun violence -- Many plan to spend 17 minutes in silence, one minute for each victim of the Valentine’s Day mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. But exactly how the walkout will unfold — and whether students will be punished or supported — is expected to vary from campus to campus. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/12/18

Schools Brace for Massive Student Walkouts Over Gun Violence -- As schools around the country brace for student walkouts following the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, principals and superintendents are scrambling to perform a delicate balancing act: How to let thousands of students exercise their First Amendment rights while not disrupting school and not pulling administrators into the raging debate over gun control. Denise Lavoie Associated Press -- 3/12/18

He attends elite UC Berkeley but lives in a trailer with no heat or sewer hookups. Soon, he'll be scrambling to find new shelter -- Ismael Chamu wakes up at sunrise, shivering in the drizzly morning’s chill. He rises from the floor of a small trailer, where he sleeps wedged next to his younger brother and an arm’s length from his two sisters, who share the only bed. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

To create a campaign to combat record STD rates, Long Beach turns to art students -- In a large white studio in Pasadena, nine art students scrutinized a wall they had covered with cartoon condoms and colorful depictions of chlamydia. They had a health crisis to solve, and one of them had just begun to explain how art was the answer. Rosanna Xia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

Lullaby of algebra: How mixing music and math helps engage students – Teachers find weaving music into math lessons boosts students’ test scores, enhances their understanding of the larger concepts, improves the classroom climate and accomplishes something few would think possible of middle-school math: Made it fun. Carolyn Jones EdSource -- 3/12/18

Immigration / Border 

Bretón: This video by a Sacramento-area politician is the reason immigration never gets fixed -- Ted Gaines, the Republican state Senator from El Dorado Hills, seems like a real nice fella. He sports a ready smile and exudes the eager affability of a regional sales manager in the aluminum siding business. Marcos Bretón in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/12/18

Also . . . 

During LAPD officer's 100-mile run for fallen heroes, he learned of the death of one more -- Of course Joe Cirrito was tired, but there was no turning back. "One foot in front of the other," he told himself as he dressed Saturday morning in full tactical gear and resumed his 100-mile run from an empty field south of Bakersfield — where onions once grew — to Los Angeles. Thomas Curwen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18

‘Such a shame’: Julia Child’s family home, now owned by Caltrans, is vacant, deteriorating in Pasadena -- The massive, brown-shingled craftsman-style home sits unnoticed on the defunct 710 Freeway route in Pasadena, one of dozens of homes owned by Caltrans that are historically significant because of their unique architecture. Steve Scauzillo in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/12/18

POTUS 45  

White House vows to help arm teachers and backs off raising age for buying guns -- The White House on Sunday vowed to help provide “rigorous firearms training” to some schoolteachers and formally endorsed a bill to tighten the federal background checks system, but it backed off President Trump’s earlier call to raise the minimum age to purchase some guns to 21 years old from 18 years old. Philip Rucker in the Washington Post$ -- 3/12/18

CIA chief says Trump aims to 'solve a problem' with North Korea talks, but critics express misgivings -- Senior administration officials expressed confidence Sunday that President Trump would not be taken advantage of by North Korea's Kim Jong Un before and during any direct talks, but critics suggested the president's impulsiveness and inexperience could spell disaster if a meeting between the two leaders proceeds as planned. Laura King in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/12/18