Updating . .
BART’s fare-evasion collection tally: One $95 payment on 6,000-plus tickets -- If BART had a motto for its fare-evasion ticket collection program, it might be, “No pay — no problem.” Out of the more than 6,000 unpaid and delinquent proof-of-payment tickets issued in 2018, BART has managed to collect on only one so far. Phil Matier in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
Southern California grocery store workers vote to authorize a strike -- Members of seven United Food and Commercial Workers union locals voted “overwhelmingly” to allow a strike, labor leaders said, though they did not immediately provide a tally of the votes. The decision itself does not trigger a strike, but gives the union leverage to call a walkout whenever it wants. Hailey Mensik in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/26/19
Former CHP officers in marijuana business reclaim $257,000 from federal government -- Two former California Highway Patrol officers who went into the marijuana business after leaving the department have reclaimed $257,733 in cash that was seized from them during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 last year, their attorney said. Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/26/19
California Policy & Politics This Morning
After cop’s death, Gov. Gavin Newsom says he supports expanding ‘red flag’ gun laws -- Days after the shooting death of a Sacramento police officer, Gov. Gavin Newsom signaled Tuesday that he was prepared to sign additional gun control measures making their way through the California Legislature. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/26/19
Feds: Rep. Duncan Hunter paid for affairs with campaign cash -- A government court filing late Monday detailed allegations about the married Republican congressman’s affairs with five women following an indictment last year charging Hunter and his wife with misspending more than $200,000 in campaign funds on trips and other personal expenses. Michael R. Blood Associated Press Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ Tim Arango in the New York Times$ -- 6/26/19
Walters: Newsom faces his first defining crisis -- The careers of political executives – presidents, governors and big city mayors – are often, fairly or not, defined by how they deal with the crises they encounter. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 6/26/19
Juul move to block SF e-cigs ban is a page out of Big Tobacco playbook, critics say -- Juul’s push to secure a San Francisco ballot initiative that would preserve the company’s right to continue selling e-cigarettes in the city — over the wishes of city officials — is being criticized by tobacco control advocates and legal experts as a familiar tactic taken by tobacco companies, which for decades sought to block or overturn local tobacco regulations that threatened their profits. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
PG&E Bondholders Float $30 Billion Plan to Speed Utility's Exit From Bankruptcy -- A committee of PG&E bondholders has put forward a $30 billion plan to accelerate the company's exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and settle the utility's legal liabilities arising from the catastrophic wildfires of 2017 and 2018. Dan Brekke KQED -- 6/26/19
L.A. County wanted to question reporters about their records requests. A judge said no -- A Los Angeles County judge ruled Tuesday that L.A. Times reporters do not have to disclose the identity of sources or other unpublished information, settling the latest dispute in an ongoing lawsuit over the county’s refusal to disclose government records. Ben Poston in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/26/19
California trails in regulating short-term lenders. This bill could finally rein them in -- After years of failed attempts to rein in California’s “small-dollar” lenders, supporters of a bill to cap interest rates are hoping that a wider coalition of backers and a governor who has spoken out against predatory lending will make a difference. Taryn Luna and Maloy Moore in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/26/19
Oakland committee approves ban on facial recognition surveillance -- The Oakland City Council’s Public Safety Committee approved a resolution Tuesday to ban the use of facial recognition technology by the city, including by law enforcement, paving the way for Oakland to become the second major city in the country to do so. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
Ghost Ship trial: Defendant’s wife suggests fire investigator lied on stand -- The wife of a defendant in the Ghost Ship criminal trial on Tuesday became the latest witness to dispute an Oakland fire investigator’s testimony that officials never entered the warehouse approximately two years before a music concert turned into a tragic scene of death and destruction. Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Don Clyde KQED -- 6/26/19
Former L.A. building inspector fined $100,000 for double dipping on city project -- The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission on Tuesday fined a former city building inspector $100,795 for working on a Hollywood construction project while also providing plumbing services for it through his own company. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/26/19
Plan to phase out pepper spray this year at L.A.'s juvenile halls hits a potential snag -- When Los Angeles County leaders voted unanimously in February to ban the use of pepper spray in its juvenile detention facilities, officials were tasked with phasing out the chemical agent by the end of the year. Maya Lau in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/26/19
California ends its last out-of-state private prison contract -- Vicky Waters, a spokeswoman for the department, said the final 33 inmates were transferred out of a private prison in Arizona, after hundreds more were redirected to California facilities during the last several months. Bryan Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/26/19
Fox: A Cross and History -- Given the United States Supreme Court decision allowing the state of Maryland to keep a cross dedicated to the memory of World War I soldiers on public grounds, should the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors revisit the decision to remove a cross from the county seal? I ask this question in the context of the wider debate of modern sensibilities and the need to understand history. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 6/26/19
Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions
Eight of the Top 10 highest paid California public employees work at one county hospital -- Eight out of the Top 10 highest paid public employees in California’s cities and counties all work under the same roof in a French Camp hospital, just south of Stockton, according to compensation data released Tuesday by the Controller’s Office. Matthias Gafni in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/26/19
California rethinks endorsement deals for college athletes -- California lawmakers are debating whether to let student athletes sign endorsement deals and hire agents in a move that could upend the multibillion-dollar business of college sports. Andrew Oxford Associated Press -- 6/26/19
Galaxy’s Edge smugglers make off with anything not nailed down in Disneyland’s new Star Wars land -- A simple search for ‘Galaxy’s Edge’ on the eBay online shopping site reveals a slew of purloined items that probably should not have left the new Star Wars land. Brady MacDonald in the Riverside Press Enterprise$ -- 6/26/19
Homeless
San Francisco to build 200-bed Navigation Center after residents lose appeal to stop project -- San Francisco plans to build its biggest Navigation Center yet after the Board of Supervisors rejected an appeal from a group of residents to halt the project over worries that the homeless shelter will attract more crime, violence and nuisance to the Embarcadero. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
‘Fourth time’s a charm’: Peskin proposes a different Navigation Center site for his SF district -- Supervisor Aaron Peskin is trying once again to get a Navigation Center in his district — this time inside a shuttered car repair shop on the cusp of the Tenderloin and Polk Gulch. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
Construction set to begin on Venice homeless shelter -- The Los Angeles City Council finalized a lease Tuesday allowing the city to build a temporary homeless shelter at a former Metro bus yard in Venice. Elijah Chiland Curbed LA -- 6/26/19
Housing
Rent control could be back on the California ballot in 2020 -- Proponents and opponents of rent control are prepping for another California ballot fight next year after the sponsor of a failed 2018 initiative was cleared to begin collecting signatures for a second try. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ Hannah Wiley in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/26/19
‘They’re Coming for Our Homes’: Bry Blasts YIMBY Movement -- A campaign pitch from Councilwoman Barbara Bry, who is running for mayor, was a clear appeal to fears that the push for more homes is literally threatening existing homeowners. And it triggered immediate and angry responses from mostly young Democrats. Scott Lewis Voiceofsandiego.org -- 6/26/19
Education
Oakland schools whistle-blower gets job back, but pursues complaint -- For six months, Lili Ortiz kept getting a paycheck from Oakland Unified while she sat at home, waiting for district officials to decide whether she could go back to work. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
San Francisco school board votes to destroy controversial Washington High mural -- The San Francisco school board unanimously voted Tuesday to destroy a controversial school mural featuring slaves and a dead Native American, saying the removal equates to necessary reparations for historic wrongs. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
Despite enrollment growth, graduating from college still a struggle for many California foster youth -- May was a big month for Miguel Almodóvar. The former foster youth graduated from California State University, East Bay and his mother — whom he’d seen only once in the previous four years — celebrated with him, as did his younger sister, whom he hadn’t seen in two years. Rob Waters EdSource -- 6/26/19
How to close schools? Oakland finds out just how tough that can be -- Months after Oakland’s first teachers strike in nearly a quarter century, the district is still trying to make its way through the most difficult challenge any district faces: deciding what schools to close, while at the same time fending off community opposition. Theresa Harrington EdSource -- 6/26/19
Vaccination rates at California’s schools -- Find out how many kindergartners in 2018-19 were vaccinated or got a medical exemption at your school in this searchable database. By Yuxuan Xie and Daniel J. Willis EdSource -- 6/26/19
Cannabis
Medical marijuana for pets? This California bill could make it legal -- Senate Bill 627, sponsored by Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, prevents the state Veterinary Medical Board from taking special enforcement against vets who recommend cannabis products, such as CBD oil, for their animal patients. Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/26/19
Immigration / Border
Thousands more National Guard troops to arrive in Tijuana -- Thousands more National Guard troops are scheduled to arrive in Tijuana on Friday to take unprecedented steps in securing Mexico’s northern border and preventing migrants from crossing into the United States. Wendy Fry in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/26/19
A grim border drowning underlines peril facing many migrants -- The man and his 23-month-old daughter lay face down in shallow water along the bank of the Rio Grande, his black shirt hiked up to his chest with the girl tucked inside. Her arm was draped around his neck suggesting she clung to him in her final moments. Peter Orsi and Amy Guthrie Associated Press -- 6/26/19
Wayfair is supplying beds to Texas detention centers for children -- and its employees are protesting -- Employees at online furniture giant Wayfair are organizing a walk-out to protest the retailer’s sale of $200,000 worth of beds and other furniture to a Texas detention center for migrant children. Abha Bhattarai in the Washington Post$ -- 6/26/19
Guns
California to require background checks for ammo purchases -- California has among the most stringent gun laws in the country and on Monday a far-reaching new initiative to curb violence will require background checks for every ammunition purchase. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 6/26/19
12-year-old accidentally shoots twin brother to death in San Bernardino; mom arrested --A 12-year-old boy handling a gun at his San Bernardino home accidentally shot his twin brother to death Monday, June 24, prompting the arrest of the boys’ mother, police said. Brian Rokos in the Riverside Press Enterprise$ -- 6/26/19
Health
San Diego County Supervisors Vote For Better Mental Health Care, Crisis Centers -- In a move described as groundbreaking by its chair, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved $23.8 million to expand mental health and substance abuse care, including emergency response and crisis centers. KPBS -- 6/26/19
Environment
Why a California lawmaker wants to ban cigarette filters and disposable vapes -- The Democrat from Santa Barbara’s bill, SB 424, would ban filtered cigarettes, disposable plastic holders and mouthpieces, and single-use electronic cigarettes. It also calls for manufacturers to take back any non-recyclable parts of reusable e-cigarettes. The bill cleared the Senate in May, but it’s now in the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization—where previous cigarette butt bans have gone to die. Rachel Becker Calmatters -- 6/26/19
Two groups file for protected status to save isolated mountain lions in Santa Monica, Santa Ana mountains -- Two environmental groups filed a petition Tuesday with the California Fish and Game Commission asking for endangered species protection for six subpopulations of mountain lions in Southern California facing extinction from urban sprawl, freeway collisions, rodenticide poisoning and poachers. Steve Scauzillo in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 6/26/19
Also . . .
Defense attorney in war crimes court-martial of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher accuses NCIS agent of mishandling investigation -- Marc Mukasey, a lawyer for decorated Navy SEAL Edward “Eddie” Gallagher, who is charged with the premeditated killing of a teen ISIS fighter and other war crimes, accused the lead investigator in the case of focusing solely on Gallagher from day one and discussing case strategies with his witnesses, as the trial continued in its second week, Tuesday, June 25. Erika I. Ritchie in the Orange County Register -- 6/26/19
Three dead in shooting at Ford dealership in Morgan Hill -- A man killed two people at a Morgan Hill Ford dealership Tuesday evening before apparently turning the gun on himself, police and witnesses said. Police swarmed the dealership just after 6 p.m. after receiving a 911 call, Morgan Hill Sgt. Bill Norman said. Police found a fatally wounded man on the north end of the dealership with a gun in his hand. Lauren Hernández and J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Nic Coury and Robert Jablon Associated Press -- 6/26/19
Father of slain Sacramento police officer defends department’s rescue effort -- Relatives gathered at the Sacramento police station Tuesday — many wearing black t-shirts with the phrase “TRUST” — to publicly comment on Tara O’Sullivan, 26, who was shot by a suspect with a high-powered rifle last Wednesday in the backyard of a Sacramento home. Police said it took roughly 43 minutes for an armored vehicle to rescue her in the backyard because of the barrage of gunfire. Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Molly Sullivan and Meghan Bobrowsky in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/26/19
This jailhouse eye injury just cost Sacramento County $650,000, lawyer says -- Sacramento County has agreed to pay $650,000 to settle a federal lawsuit by a former jail inmate who says he injured his eye while in custody and was left without treatment for months, leading to partial loss of vision, his attorney says. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/26/19
POTUS 45
Trump threatens 'obliteration,' Iran calls White House 'mentally retarded' -- U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to obliterate parts of Iran if it attacked “anything American,” in a new war of words with Iran which condemned fresh U.S. sanctions on Tehran as “mentally retarded.” Steve Holland, Parisa Hafezi Reuters -- 6/26/19
Trump on possible war with Iran: 'I don't need exit strategies' -- President Trump said Tuesday the U.S. is "not going to need an exit strategy" if war broke out with Iran. “You’re not going to need an exit strategy," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, prompting laughter. "I don’t need exit strategies.” Jessica Campisi The Hill John T. Bennett Roll Call -- 6/26/19
Democrats’ emoluments lawsuit against President Trump can proceed, federal judge rules -- Rejecting a request from President Trump, a federal judge in Washington on Tuesday cleared the way for nearly 200 Democrats in Congress to continue their lawsuit against him alleging that his private business violates an anti-corruption provision of the Constitution. Ann E. Marimow, Jonathan O'Connell and Carol D. Leonnig in the Washington Post$ -- 6/26/19
Beltway
What to watch for in the Democrats’ speed-dating presidential debates -- The thing to remember about a debate involving 10 presidential candidates is that it isn’t a debate. It is better to think of the back-to-back Democratic presidential debates Wednesday and Thursday as speed dating, where there’s only a fleeting moment to make a good impression. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/26/19
Dems secure testimony from ‘reluctant’ Mueller -- Former special counsel Robert Mueller will testify in public before the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees on July 17, both panels announced late Tuesday, in what is expected to be a high-stakes public airing of President Donald Trump’s efforts to interfere with Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Andrew Desiderio and Heather Caygle Politico -- 6/26/19
-- Tuesday Updates
ICE still playing role in L.A. jails despite Sheriff Villanueva kicking agents out -- A jailer at a Los Angeles County lockup walked into a cell on a recent Monday morning and removed an inmate wanted by federal immigration agents. Dressed in a hunter green uniform with a gold sheriff’s star on his sleeve, Rodolfo Cabrera served the man with a Homeland Security Department form that requested he be transferred to agents upon his release because he was suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. Maya Lau in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/25/19
Huge Candlestick project going ahead as cleanup scandal keeps Hunters Point Shipyard on hold -- The cleanup scandal at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard site has paralyzed the city’s biggest redevelopment project, putting thousands of housing units on hold as the U.S. Navy prepares to release the long-delayed final plan to retest the Superfund site. But the tale of incompetence at the shipyard has had one beneficiary: Candlestick Point. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/25/19
Homes cost 9 times more than 1 year’s pay in L.A.-Orange County, Harvard study says -- A lack of homebuilding since the Great Recession wiped out more than a third of the low-cost rentals in Los Angeles and Orange counties, while a fifth vanished from the Inland Empire, a new report says. Jeff Collins in the Orange County Register -- 6/25/19
They won the housing lottery, but still can’t find an apartment in the Bay Area. This bill could help. -- In the Bay Area’s hyper-competitive rental market, scoring a Section 8 housing voucher — often after spending years on a waitlist — can seem like winning the lottery. That is, until you try to use that voucher. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/25/19
California community colleges don’t want homeless students sleeping on campus -- Nearly 20 California community colleges and community college districts are opposing a proposed law that would let homeless community college students sleep overnight in campus parking lots. Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/25/19