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California Policy and Politics Saturday
As crews battle hazardous fire on cargo ship, shelter-in-place order lifted for San Pedro, Wilmington -- A shelter-in-place order was lifted Saturday morning for San Pedro and Wilmington due to a massive and stubborn blaze involving hazardous materials on a cargo ship, authorities said. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
L.A. firefighters propose hike in sales tax to pay for new stations, equipment and more -- Los Angeles firefighters union proposes a half-cent perpetual sales tax to raise hundreds of millions annually for the fire department. The measure could, over time, fund dozens of new fire stations, purchase equipment, and expand the department by nearly 1,000 firefighters if approved. Noah Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
LAFD records show no sign of ‘cold trailing’ again at Lachman fire, as interim chief had claimed -- The Times has obtained records that call into question the LAFD’s statements about how thoroughly firefighters mopped up the Jan. 1 Lachman fire in the days before it reignited into the Palisades fire. Alene Tchekmedyian and Paul Pringle in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
California’s second-largest home insurer seeks rate increase, lifts cap on new policies -- Farmers Insurance Group — the second largest home insurer in California — is lifting its cap on the amount of new homeowners policies it will write in the state effective immediately. The announcement comes as the insurer asks the California Department of Insurance to approve a 6.99% rate increase on homeowners across the state, according to the company. Megan Fan Munce in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
‘He’s not my friend’: AG Rob Bonta denies close ties to family at center of East Bay corruption case -- In interviews with the Chronicle and other media outlets, California Attorney General Rob Bonta offered his most thorough accounting yet of his links to an East Bay FBI probe and its players. Megan Cassidy, Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
Pondering a run for governor, Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta faces questions about legal spending -- California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta is reconsidering a gubernatorial run as Kamala Harris and Alex Padilla are not in the race, saying the contest’s contours have fundamentally changed. The state’s top law enforcement official faces scrutiny over nearly $500,000 in campaign funds spent on private lawyers. Seema Mehta and Jessica Garrison in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
An L.A. man was detained in an immigration raid. No one knows where he is -- A Mexican immigrant detained during an immigration raid in South L.A. has disappeared. Six weeks later, his family still hasn’t found him. Homeland Security says he was never in custody, but a witness says he suffered a medical emergency at a detention facility. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
Trump admin moves to resume sharing Medicaid data with ICE -- The Trump administration on Friday informed a federal judge it intends to resume giving immigration officials access to personal information about Medicaid recipients from 22 states, over objections from Democratic state attorneys general. Tyler Katzenberger and Josh Gerstein Politico -- 11/22/25
The college dreams of 80,000 undocumented California students threatened by Trump suit -- Trump sued California alleging in-state tuition and financial aid programs for undocumented students are illegal, raising concerns among the 80,000 such students. Universities say their tuition policies follow the law. California will fight the suit in court. Students worry the lawsuit, if successful, will make college unaffordable. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
Wildfire
The first home has been rebuilt in the wake of the Palisades Fire -- Less than a year after 6,822 structures burned in the Palisades Fire, the first rebuilding project has reached the finish line in Pacific Palisades: a two-story showcase home located at 915 Kagawa St. Jack Flemming in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
Housing
Newport Beach to put housing plan ballot measure before voters next November -- Newport Beach voters will have an opportunity to reject a state-approved housing plan passed by the City Council in favor of an alternative that calls for fewer units to be built in the coastal city. Gabriel San Román in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
20,000 new homes, 14 new parks and one new trolley station: Clairemont blueprint clears key hurdle -- An aggressive plan to add nearly 20,000 potential new homes to Clairemont over the next 30 years got a key green light Friday when the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee unanimously approved it. David Garrick in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 11/22/25
Workplace
Farmworkers sue Trump administration in California over threat to wages -- The United Farm Workers, along with more than a dozen additional farmworkers, are suing the Trump administration in California over a new Labor Department rule they argue will “undercut and adversely affect” wages paid to U.S. workers. Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
‘Hearing the bombs drop’: Verizon confirms more than 13,000 job cuts -- Verizon employees received confirmation this week of what many had feared: The company is cutting more than 13% of its workforce, part of a sweeping overhaul meant to reshape the telecom giant for artificial intelligence. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
Kaiser
Kaiser Permanente disbanded 8-person California security team amid concerns about of illegal searches -- Kaiser Permanente disbanded an eight-person security team working from Oakland to Los Angeles amid allegations that its leader obtained information from a confidential law enforcement database, according to recently obtained internal police records and a whistleblower. Jakob Rodgers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/22/25
Rose Bowl
Should they stay or should they go? UCLA greats weigh in on the Rose Bowl debate -- Going into what could be UCLA’s last home game ever at its century-old stadium Saturday night, some with deep ties to the school say they understand each of the dueling perspectives in the debate over a possible move to SoFi Stadium. Ben Bolch in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
Marketplace
Two of S.F.’s biggest hotels sell for $408 million — a nearly 75% drop in value from 2016 -- Parc 55 and Hilton San Francisco Union Square, two of the city’s biggest hotels, have sold for $408 million after a two-year marketing effort following their foreclosure. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
Homeless
L.A. County seeks to slash funding for some homeless services amid budget trouble -- Faced with a large budget gap, Los Angeles County on Thursday released a spending plan that slashes funding for some homeless services and could reverse progress made in getting people off the streets. Andrew Khouri in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
Stinson Beach
Bay Area’s ultra-wealthy keep buying homes in this beach town — despite doomsday forecast -- Stinson Beach, beloved for its long strip of white sand and seaside cottages, was just named one of the nation’s most expensive markets for homebuyers. It may not last forever, however, as climate change is due to bring the surf ever higher, claiming more of the beach with each decade. Tara Duggan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
Bird Flu
Washington state resident dies of new H5N5 form of bird flu -- Officials from the Washington State Department of Health did not release the person’s name, age or gender. According to a news release from Grays Harbor County health officials last week, the person was considered “older” and had underlying health conditions. Their symptoms included a high fever, confusion and trouble breathing. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
Street
DHS officers enter East Bay elementary school, serve subpoena seeking info about a former student -- Two Department of Homeland Security officers served a Hayward elementary school with a subpoena Friday morning seeking information about a former student, according to district officials. Jessica Flores in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
Waymo
Waymo secures approval to expand driverless service across much of California -- The Department of Motor Vehicles has approved a sweeping enlargement of Waymo’s driverless operating territory, a move that could soon allow the company’s robotaxis to travel everywhere from Wine Country tasting rooms to the streets of Sacramento and the sprawling communities between Los Angeles and San Diego. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
Also
Kamala Harris makes surprise visit to Jack White’s Third Man Records in Nashville -- The visit was unannounced, but word of Kamala Harris’s stop at Third Man Records traveled fast. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/22/25
Consumers are spending $22 more a month on average for streaming services. Why do prices keep rising? -- U.S. households now spend an average of $70 monthly on streaming services, up $22 from a year ago as major platforms raise prices. Many consumers are growing frustrated with price hikes, with roughly one-third cutting streaming subscriptions in recent months due to financial concerns. Wendy Lee in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
‘Superman’ comic found in a California attic sells for record $9.12 million at auction -- It’s a bird, it’s a plane ... it’s a Superman comic beyond most of our price range! A pristine copy of “Superman” No. 1 sold for $9.12 million at Heritage Auctions on Thursday, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold at auction. Tracy Brown in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/22/25
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White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats -- The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say. Ellen Nakashima, Warren P. Strobel and Alex Horton in the Washington Post$ -- 11/22/25
Alito lets Texas reinstate gerrymandered House map that could give GOP 5 more seats -- Texas’ redrawn GOP-friendly congressional districts are back, for now. Justice Samuel Alito temporarily restored the state’s new map — expected to net Republicans up to five seats in the 2026 midterms — while the Supreme Court weighs a lower court’s decision to toss that map altogether. Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney Politico Justin Jouvenal and Patrick Marley
Trump, Mamdani make love — not war -- A high-stakes White House meeting between President Donald Trump and mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani turned into a lovefest — with both men heaping populist praise on each other for pursuing ways to address the cost of living. Nick Reisman and Joe Anuta Politico -- 11/22/25
‘Fascist’? ‘Communist’? For an Afternoon, They Were Just 2 Guys From Queens -- There was one moment in particular when Zohran Mamdani seemed like he might have bit off a little more than he could chew by making his lonely pilgrimage down to the lion’s den that is President Trump’s blinged-out Oval Office. Shawn McCreesh in the New York Times$ Natalie Allison in the Washington Post$ -- 11/22/25
Marjorie Taylor Greene Says She Plans to Resign in January -- Ms. Greene, who was elected in 2020, had positioned herself as a die-hard Trump supporter until a series of recent ruptures with the president, who recently unendorsed her. Annie Karni in the New York Times$ Kadia Goba, Mariana Alfaro and Hannah Knowles in the Washington Post$ -- 11/22/25
What to Know About the Nearly 10% Climb in a Key Medicare Expense for 2026 -- The rapidly rising premium for Part B, which covers retirees’ outpatient services, reflects the fast pace of growth for health care costs nationally. Mark Miller in the New York Times$ -- 11/22/25
California Policy and Politics Friday
Trump’s off-shore drilling plan blasted by California politicians -- President Donald Trump’s order for new oil drilling off the coasts of California and Florida drew a quick pushback Thursday from congressional Democrats, who said it would endanger offshore waters, the coast and its population while benefiting only petroleum companies. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Chaewon Chung in the Sacramento Bee$ Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/21/25
Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell announces bid for governor on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ -- Rep. Eric Swalwell, a longtime nemesis of President Donald Trump, announced Thursday on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that he will run for governor in 2026, promising to be a “protector and fighter” for California. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Nicole Nixon in the Sacramento Bee$ Chase Hunter in the San Jose Mercury$ Melanie Mason and Blake Jones Politico Maegan Vazquez in the Washington Post$ Laurel Rosenhall in the New York Times$ Maya C. Miller Calmatters -- 11/21/25
No signs California won’t move forward with redistricting despite a court blocking similar plan in Texas -- Language saying California would only go ahead with redistricting if Texas does was removed before legislature voted for a bill on redistricting. Linh Tat in the Orange County Register$ -- 11/21/25
Will San Diego lose its lone Republican in Congress? New maps open challenges to Darrell Issa -- If Proposition 50 survives the legal challenges, the new voting map could lead to the lone Republican seat in San Diego – the 48th Congressional District represented by Darrell Issa – flipping to the Democrats. Deborah Brennan Calmatters -- 11/21/25
The 2028 Olympics goes MAGA -- LA28, the organizing committee for the upcoming Summer Games and Paralympics in Los Angeles, posted new members of the board of directors to its website Thursday. The common thread among nearly all of the new additions is ties to President Donald Trump. Melanie Mason and Sophia Cai Politico Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
Former top aide to Becerra pleads guilty to conspiracy in corruption case -- Sean McCluskie, 56, admitted in federal court in Sacramento that he participated in a conspiracy to create a “no work” job for his wife, ultimately funneling about $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign account. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. Sharon Bernstein in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/21/25
A California woman accused both Epstein and Trump. Did she ever exist? -- Congressional Republicans’ decision to release thousands of Jeffrey Epstein emails shows the ultrawealthy sex trafficker was aware of a California plaintiff who implicated Donald Trump. Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/21/25
Workplace
Tech titan Anthropic in discussions to take over entire building in downtown S.F. -- For months, rumors have been swirling that artificial intelligence industry pioneer Anthropic has its sights set on an empty office building in the shadow of San Francisco’s Salesforce Park that is slated for a major makeover. Laura Waxmann in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/21/25
Tech companies trim just over 100 South Bay jobs in latest staff cuts -- Two tech companies have each decided to chop dozens of jobs in the South Bay in the latest sign that the key industry sector continues to seek ways to operate more efficiently. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/21/25
Looming affordability crisis set to hit Americans with health insurance through work -- Rising Obamacare premiums are a political problem for Republicans. Rising premiums for workers who get health insurance from their employers could be an even bigger one. Kelly Hooper Politico -- 11/21/25
Wildfire
Even a full reservoir wouldn’t have ensured water in Palisades fire, California officials say -- State officials determined that even if the reservoir had been full, the water system still would have been quickly overwhelmed and lost pressure. Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
Fire marched toward west Altadena hours before official accounts, new report shows -- The Eaton fire was marching toward west Altadena even earlier than previously believed, a state-commissioned report confirmed this week, raising further questions about why it took L.A. County officials so long to order evacuations in the neighborhood where 18 people died. Grace Toohey, Terry Castleman and Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
Another judge rejects ex-Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s lawsuit over L.A. County’s ‘do not rehire’ label -- A state judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva that alleged the county defamed him, violated his rights and unfairly flagged his personnel file with a “do not rehire” tag. Connor Sheets in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
Develop
Developer may face hefty fines for tearing apart S.F. quake shacks and must restore them, city says -- A developer who all but demolished two historic earthquake shacks in Noe Valley must reconstruct the buildings under close supervision from the city and could face hefty fines, city officials said Thursday. Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/21/25
Housing
Safeway long resisted building housing in S.F. Here’s why it’s now racing to create 2,700 units -- For San Francisco developers and housing advocates, who for years have been working to convince the grocer to redevelop some of its real estate portfolio, it is an unexpected and welcomed twist. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/21/25
Former Trinity Broadcasting headquarters is sold and set to be torn down for new housing -- The purchase of the ornate palazzo-style structure by Meritage Homes was expected after city officials in August approved Meritage’s plan to build 122 townhouses and 20 single-family homes on the site just south of the 405 Freeway. Roger Vincent in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
Oil
Trump administration plans to open Pacific Coast to oil drilling for first time in more than 4 decades -- California has about two dozen oil platforms in state and federal waters off the coast, but most are considered at or near the end of their productive life. The state has not seen new oil leases in federal waters since 1984, largely due to public opposition following a disastrous oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
State Farm
State Farm seeks rate decrease for California car insurance -- State Farm is asking California regulators to approve a 6.2% rate decrease on car insurance, citing a trend of decreasing auto claims costs, the company announced Thursday. Megan Fan Munce in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/21/25
HSR
High-Speed Rail delays in Merced, Central Valley cost some as agency pushes to Gilroy -- Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto told The Bee the family’s situation is “emblematic” of what businesses in the area are going through. He said several businesses that will have to move have begun looking for new locations. But it’s difficult for them to plan for the future because they are uncertain when the train will arrive. Erik Galicia in the Fresno Bee -- 11/21/25
Education
In-state college tuition for California’s undocumented students is illegal, Trump suit alleges -- The Trump administration filed a federal suit Thursday against California and its public university systems, alleging the practice of offering in-state college tuition rates to undocumented immigrants who graduate from California high schools is illegal. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Qasim Nauman in the New York Times$ -- 11/21/25
Will California’s new K-12 antisemitism law make up for Trump’s civil rights cuts? -- The new law aims to educate school staff and investigate discrimination complaints. It stems from a surge in antisemitic incidents in California following the Israeli attacks on Gaza in 2023. Carolyn Jones Calmatters -- 11/21/25
Street
Newsom closed 4 prisons and trimmed payroll. Corrections spending is still over budget -- Some of the red ink in California’s budget deficit is coming from unplanned spending in state prisons, according to a new report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Cayla Mihalovich Calmatters -- 11/21/25
Also
One of L.A.’s most subversive chefs wants everyone to have a warm Thanksgiving meal -- Without fail, the former Poltergeist chef can be found on Thanksgiving Day handing out free bowls of leftovers-inspired noodle soups piled with mashed potatoes, turkey and X.O.-laced cranberry sauce. It’s his way of giving back to the city, and providing for anyone who needs somewhere to go for a warm meal — and of giving himself a new appreciation for the holiday. Stephanie Breijo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
Bear, in fall feeding frenzy, follows 87-year-old California man into his home -- Fall is the time of year when bears really begin to think with their stomachs. Gavin J. Quinton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
A fire-scarred Volkswagen bus was a viral ‘beacon of hope.’ Now you can see its glow-up -- A blue-and-white 1977 Volkswagen T2 bus that survived the January Palisades wildfires made its debut Wednesday night after an extensive restoration by Volkswagen. The viral image of the miraculously preserved bus became a beacon of hope, prompting owner Megan Weinraub to reimagine her life post-fire. Lindzi Scharf in the Los Angeles Times$ Sharon Bernstein in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/21/25
Lopez: On RFK’s 100th birthday, the Koreatown memorial honoring his legacy is a neglected mess -- The memorial sits on the edge of the K-12 RFK Community Schools at the site of the former Ambassador Hotel, where an assassin shot and mortally wounded Kennedy on the night of June 5, 1968, after he’d won California’s Democratic presidential primary. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/21/25
Walters: A spate of new studies gives the lowdown on California’s sky-high living costs -- We Californians know, or should know, that while living in this state has many positive aspects, we are paying through the nose for the experience. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 11/21/25
POTUS 47
Congressional Republicans Begin to Look Beyond Trump -- The willingness of congressional Republicans to defy Mr. Trump and back legislation requiring the disclosure of federal files on Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and one-time Trump friend, was the clearest evidence yet that G.O.P. lawmakers are starting to look beyond Mr. Trump’s tenure to their self-preservation in midterm elections next year. Carl Hulse in the New York Times$ -- 11/21/25
Poll: Americans don’t just tolerate gerrymandering — they back it -- A new Politico Poll shows both Democrats and Republicans support redrawing congressional districts to give their side a boost in the midterms. Erin Doherty Politico -- 11/21/25
Trump calls Democrats ‘traitors’ for urging military to ‘refuse illegal orders -- President Trump on Thursday said he believed Democratic lawmakers who publicly urged active service members to “refuse illegal orders” amounted to seditious behavior, which he said should be punishable by death. Ana Ceballos in the Los Angeles Times$ Brian Schwartz and Natalie Andrews in the Wall Street Journal$ Maegan Vazquez, Dan Lamothe and Jeremy Roebuck in the Washington Post$ -- 11/21/25
Prosecutors quiz witness on Ed Martin, Bill Pulte moves in Schiff case -- The interview with Christine Bish — a GOP activist and real estate agent in California who is running for Congress — appeared to focus on whether Justice Department official Ed Martin and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte used inappropriate tactics to launch probes of President Donald Trump’s political foes, including Schiff. Perry Stein, Rachel Siegel and Katie Mettler in the Washington Post$ -- 11/21/25
The Middle Class Is Buckling Under Almost Five Years of Persistent Inflation -- After nearly five years of high prices, many middle-class earners thought life would be more affordable by now. Costs for goods and services are 25% above where they were in 2020. Even though the inflation rate is below its recent 2022 high, certain essentials like coffee, ground beef and car repairs are up markedly this year. Rachel Louise Ensign and Rachel Wolfe in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/21/25
U.S. Banks Shelve $20 Billion Bailout Plan for Argentina -- A planned $20 billion bailout to Argentina from JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup has been shelved as bankers pivot instead to a smaller, short-term loan package to support the financially distressed government, people familiar with the matter said. Alexander Saeedy and Justin Baer in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/21/25
Trump admin backs off idea to force SNAP users to reapply -- Officials will rely on state standards that are already in place to ensure eligibility, despite USDA chief Brooke Rollins’ comments last week. Rachel Shin and Grace Yarrow Politico -- 11/21/25
Trump Peace Plan Demands Major Concessions From Ukraine -- The Trump administration’s peace plan for Ukraine demands sweeping territorial and security concessions from Kyiv while offering Moscow major economic and political incentives, including U.S. recognition of its claims to parts of Ukraine, to halt the nearly four-year-old war. Alexander Ward, Lara Seligman and Laurence Norman in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/21/25
Zelensky Says Ukraine Faces ‘Very Difficult Choice’ Over U.S. Plan -- Ukraine’s president gave his first response to the Trump administration’s peace proposal, which would hand concessions to Russia. Ian Lovett in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/21/25
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols -- The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.” Tara Copp and Michelle Boorstein in the Washington Post$ -- 11/21/25
Trump administration kills plan to pay passengers up to $775 for flight delays -- The decision, announced last Friday by the Trump administration’s Department of Transportation, reverses a Biden-era initiative that sought to align U.S. travel protections with Europe’s stricter passenger-rights standards. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/21/25