Updating . .   

Slain therapist Amie Harwick was strangled before fall from balcony, coroner says -- Amie Harwick, the prominent family and marriage therapist slain at her Hollywood Hills residence, was strangled before falling to her death from a balcony, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Thursday. Harriet Ryan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

Coronavirus: 22 more cruise evacuees sent to hospitals, including 16 in Bay Area -- At least 22 more people evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan to two U.S. air bases have either tested positive or showed symptoms of the coronavirus, including 16 who arrived at Travis Air Force Base but have now been transported to local hospitals, according to Scott Pauley, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

Santa Clara County declares first coronavirus case fully recovered -- Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department said Thursday that the man who became the first confirmed local person infected with the deadly novel coronavirus has fully recovered and has been released from his self-isolation at home. John Woolfolk in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/20/20

Oakland high school shut due to cancer-causing chemical found in groundwater -- A cancer-causing chemical found in groundwater has forced an Oakland school to abruptly cancel classes and close through at least next Wednesday, district officials said Thursday. The chemical trichloroethylene was found under the campus of McClymonds High School and was not in the drinking water, said spokesman John Sasaki. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

Steak dinners, secret donors: How the Tech Caucus is courting Silicon Valley with charity -- The Foundation for California's Technology and Innovation Economy — overseen by a board with close ties to Assemblyman Evan Low of Campbell — asks for thousands of dollars for admission to its annual policy summit with lawmakers. Who's paying? It won't say. Laurel Rosenhall Calmatters -- 2/20/20

California will pay millions to settle suit claiming it violated childrens’ rights by not teaching them to read -- The state's $50 million payout to needy schools, announced today, resolves a sweeping lawsuit that put California on trial for failing to give low-income students equal access to literacy instruction. Ricardo Cano Calmatters Sonali Kohli, Iris Lee in the Los Angeles Times$-- 2/20/20

USC offers free tuition to families making under $80,000 and a break for homeowners -- In a “high-octane” drive to widen access for more middle- and low-income students, USC will eliminate tuition for families earning $80,000 or less annually and will no longer consider home equity in financial aid calculations. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

Coronavirus: As Wuhan evacuees released from Bay Area base, one traveler recounts his experience -- Jeffrey Ho looked like a typical traveler at San Francisco International Airport, wheeling a suitcase and shouldering a green cargo backpack — except for a blue plastic wrist band marked with the date of his release from what federal officials describe as the first U.S. quarantine in more than 50 years. Mallory Moench in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

Second group of quarantined Americans released from Miramar -- Sixty-three American citizens held in quarantine at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar were released from the base for good Thursday morning after passing a final round of health checks. They are the second group of evacuees to leave the Miramar quarantine after the first and larger group left Tuesday. Andrew Dyer, Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/20/20

Joe Biden is trailing Bernie Sanders by less than you might think, new California poll says -- A new poll released by Monmouth University Thursday morning found 24 percent of likely California Democratic primary voters supporting Sanders, compared to 17 percent for former Vice President Joe Biden. The 7-point gap is far narrower than the 18-point lead the Public Policy Institute of California recorded Sanders having on Tuesday. Bryan Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/20/20

Jones fails to file financial disclosure form in 50th District race; other campaign finance issues raised -- State Sen. Brian Jones failed to file a federal personal financial disclosure form and was recently accused of misusing state campaign funds in his bid to become the next congressman representing California’s 50th District. Jones on Wednesday apologized for the lack of financial disclosures, calling it a mixup. He also scoffed at the allegations of misused campaign funds calling them “desperate.” Charles T. Clark in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/20/20

Hiltzik: Trump gives politically connected farmers more water, at expense of everyone else -- Let’s give credit where credit is due: President Trump and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt put in a full day’s work Wednesday. Of course, the work they were doing served only a small cadre of rich farmers, not you and me. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

He resisted Obama’s war on coal. Now a Trump official, he’s excited for clean energy -- The American power grid is getting cleaner. And Neil Chatterjee is feeling optimistic. Sammy Roth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

See when Bay Area landmarks go underwater due to sea level rise if precautions not taken -- Scientific research has repeatedly shown that amid a changing climate, rising ocean waters would inundate coastal lands in the future — and that includes the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Exactly when areas around the bay's edge will go underwater is uncertain, but studies suggest that by 2050, the region could experience 12 to 36 inches of sea level rise. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

The days of fast growth are ending for L.A. and California, report says -- It wasn’t so long ago that economic growth in California and Los Angeles far surpassed that of the nation. Those days are coming to an end, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit group that works with local businesses. Margot Roosevelt in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

California’s Phil Ting tilts at windmills — ban gas-powered cars! — hoping to start a conversation -- Ting may sometimes be the California Assembly’s Don Quixote, chasing seemingly impossible ideas. But he’s playing the long game. It’s a win, the lawmaker says, if he simply gets people talking. Julie Cart Calmatters -- 2/20/20

A sanctuary country: 2020 Democrats want the U.S. to be more like immigrant-friendly California -- Democrats competing for the White House have introduced plans that could offer citizenship for the 2 million undocumented immigrants who call the Golden State home. Hannah Wiley in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/20/20

SpaceX wants to build its Mars Starship at Port of L.A. — again -- SpaceX created excitement in 2018 when it said it would build its Mars spaceship and rocket at the Port of Los Angeles, striking a deal to lease a swath of Terminal Island for the purpose. Early last year, it changed its mind and moved the work to Texas. Now it wants back in — and officials are poised to grant its wish. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

Time Warner Cable customers duped by misleading ads to get nearly $17 million in credits -- The county had sued on behalf of more than 170,000 California customers who subscribed to Time Warner Cable broadband service and paid for internet speeds that the company failed to deliver. Meg James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

For LA people living in cars, secured parking lot is nightly haven -- Each morning, Jeanene Barnett wakes up at 4:30 a.m., heads to the gym and then drives to her job as a referral specialist at HealthNet. In the evening, she winds down, watches a movie on her cellphone and puts on her pajamas. Finally, she climbs into the backseat of her Kia Soul to sleep. Her 20-year-old son sleeps in the front seat. “It’s not comfortable,” she said, “and it hurts my back.” Olga Grigoryants in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 2/20/20

Fox: State Economy Strong, But the Forecast is Not as Bright -- In the State Capital, Governor Gavin Newsom gave his State of the State speech yesterday boasting about California as an economic powerhouse. While at the same time down south, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) revealed its annual economic forecast predicting that the rosy picture will likely pale. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 2/20/20

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

Trump bashes California leaders during Bakersfield visit to celebrate new water rules -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday dropped into one of the few regions in California that has embraced his presidency to celebrate new federal rules delivering more water to Central Valley farmers and rolling back protections for fish. Debra Kahn Politico Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

Trump vows more water for Central Valley farmers, less for fish. Can he deliver? -- Following a golf fundraiser outside Palm Springs, President Trump swung through Bakersfield on Wednesday to claim credit for sending “a magnificent amount” of water to Central Valley farms. Bettina Boxall in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

Fact check: Trump says California is rationing water. Here’s what’s really going on -- President Donald Trump had a lot to say about his efforts to fight off water rationing in California Wednesday before a cheering crowd of farmers in Bakersfield tired of seeing their water deliveries reduced to protect endangered fish. But Trump’s claims — about how much of California’s water flows to the Pacific Ocean, and claims the state had set limits on daily water — left out key nuances that make his statements misleading. Ryan Sabalow and Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/20/20

Trump OKs more California water for Valley farmers. Gavin Newsom promises to sue -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a pre-emptive strike against President Donald Trump, said Wednesday he plans to sue Trump’s administration to block a controversial plan to increase water deliveries to the San Joaquin Valley. Dale Kasler, Brianna Calix, and Carmen George in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/20/20

Homelessness in California must be ‘top of our agenda,’ Gavin Newsom says -- Gov. Gavin Newsom called Wednesday for California to strengthen conservatorship laws, exempt housing construction for homeless people from long-standing environmental regulations and redirect hundreds of millions of dollars for mental health services to tackle the “disgrace” of homelessness in the state. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Adam Beam and Don Thompson Associated Press Sammy Caiola, Emily Zentner, Danielle McKinney Capital Public Radio Erin Baldassari KQED -- 2/20/20

California governor seeks to expand involuntary treatment -- Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to make it easier for the government to force psychiatric treatment for people with mental illness and expand statewide a still-developing test program that allows officials to more easily take control over those deemed unable to care for themselves. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 2/20/20

Caltrans settles claims of unconstitutional homeless ‘sweeps’ for $5.5 million -- In a deal with statewide implications, Caltrans has agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle claims that the agency illegally destroyed the property of homeless residents camped on its land. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/20/20

Inside the governor’s bid to fix homelessness: changing how California deals with mental illness -- In his State of the State speech, Gavin Newsom calls for forcing more people into treatment, changing state spending rules, simplifying treatment paths, and linking housing and services. Jocelyn Wiener Calmatters -- 2/20/20

News Analysis: Newsom’s focus on homelessness puts the spotlight on his next move. But what’ll it be? -- Before Gov. Gavin Newsom took office, it had been three decades since a governor last said the word “homeless” during an annual State of the State address. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

Skelton: What Newsom didn’t mention: To really address homelessness in California, a tax hike is inevitable -- OK, I’m waiting to hear about the tax increase that will be needed to pay for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious plan to solve homelessness. A tax hike is inevitable, but the T-word was conspicuously missing from Newsom’s frequently applauded State of the State address on Wednesday to a joint session of the California Legislature, which is tightly controlled by fellow Democrats. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

Walters: A strange bedfellows alliance on bail -- Senate Bill 10, passed by the Legislature and signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018, violated one of the unwritten rules of making public policy in California. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 2/20/20

California Proposes Way for Stripping PG&E of License -- California Governor Gavin Newsom has said he wants the option to take over bankrupt PG&E Corp. if the utility gets into trouble again. Now, the state has laid out a roadmap for how that could happen. Mark Chediak Bloomberg George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/20/20

‘Threat to the safety of Californians’: Judge presses PG&E for fire-safety details -- U.S. District Judge William Alsup told PG&E’s lawyers to explain in writing why its inspections failed to identify and fix a worn hook on a power line that resembles the problem responsible for the 2018 Camp Fire. The hook, which PG&E has said it will repair, was found by an expert hired by attorneys for fire victims. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

ICE rejects California law, arrests people at courthouse -- U.S. immigration agents arrestedtwopeople at a Northern California courthouse, including a man detained in a hallway on his way to a hearing, floutinga new state law requiring a judicial warrant to make immigration arrests inside such facilities. Olga R. Rodriguez and Juliet Williams Associated Press -- 2/20/20

California’s solar mandate may not require one on every roof -- The mandate that took effect Jan. 1 calls for new single family houses or low-rise apartments to install solar panels. Alternately, utilities and organizations can apply to the California Energy Commission to build an offsite”community shared solar” site for buildings to draw from. The mandate that took effect Jan. 1 calls for new single family houses or low-rise apartments to install solar panels. Alternately, utilitiesand organizationscan apply to the California Energy Commission to build anoffsite”community shared solar” site for buildings to draw from. Cuneyt Dil Associated Press -- 2/20/20

Get Ready for Another Consumer Privacy Initiative in California -- It’s been about a month since California rolled out the toughest consumer data privacy law in the nation. As of January, you can demand that any company detail what information it collects about you, tell it to stop selling that information to other companies, or even delete the data altogether. And if a company negligently allows itself to be hacked, exposing your data, you can sue. Rachael Myrow KQED -- 2/20/20

CA120: Confusion for independents hoping to vote Democratic -- Only 9% of California’s growing independent and vote-by-mail population have successfully obtained a partisan presidential primary ballot. Paul Mitchell Capitol Weekly -- 2/20/20

San Diego supervisors affirm coronavirus-driven emergency declaration -- County supervisors unanimously approved a local emergency declaration regarding the coronavirus Wednesday, as the number of people under self-supervised home quarantine across the region continued to grow. A few hours after the board’s vote, UC San Diego Health announced that one of the two COVID-19 patients it has cared for since last week has been discharged after several subsequent negative tests showed they are no longer infected. Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/20/20

San Diego Coronavirus Patient Recovers, Released From UC San Diego Health -- A COVID-19 patient at UC San Diego Health has recovered from the disease and been discharged, hospital officials said Wednesday evening. The patient was one of two people in San Diego diagnosed with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Both were among the more than 200 people evacuated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar from Wuhan, China, two weeks ago. Alexander Nguyen KPBS -- 2/20/20

Coronavirus: 12 passengers from virus-stricken cruise ship now hospitalized in Northern California -- A dozen American passengers evacuated from the ill-fated Diamond Princess cruise ship who are believed to be infected with coronavirus are being treated or watched for signs of illness at Northern California hospitals, according to federal health authorities. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/20/20

Amid Coronavirus, U.S. Cities Stretch to Monitor Self-Quarantined Americans -- Public-health officials in the U.S. are striving to keep tabs on thousands of Americans who have quarantined themselves at home after returning from mainland China to curtail the new coronavirus, adding to an epidemic response that is straining already-stretched local departments. More than 5,400 people had been asked to self-quarantine in California alone as of Feb. 14, according to the California Department of Public Health. Brianna Abbott in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 2/20/20

Coronavirus quarantine in US: No booze, movies or view but ‘safer’ than cruise ship -- When Otis and Carol Menasco of Granite Bay got off the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan where they’d been quarantined for almost two weeks because of the coronavirus, they were led to believe they’d be transported to Travis Air Force base in Fairfield, about 90 minutes from their home outside Sacramento. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

Embattled SF planning commissioner sues city, alleging building department acted ‘like a crook’ -- Embattled Planning Commissioner Dennis Richards filed a lawsuit against the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection on Wednesday, alleging officials revoked permits on a building he co-owns to retaliate for his criticism of the department. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

Why is big oil pumping money into Ventura County's board of supervisor elections? -- California Resources Corp., one of the state's three major oil and gas production companies, has contributed more than $800,000 to support — and oppose — certain candidates for Ventura County's board of supervisors. Mark Olalde in the Desert Sun -- 2/20/20

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

Biggest-ever CalPERS pension tops $400,000 per year -- A former top investment official at CalPERS received the largest pension the retirement system has ever paid last year, according to Transparent California and reviews of pension data by The Sacramento Bee. Wes Venteicher in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/20/20

Bluetooth stickers on your clothing? San Diego startup Wiliot gets $20M for tracking tech -- Giants in technology and consumer products are funneling more cash into a small tech startup in Rancho Bernardo that’s developing tiny Bluetooth stickers that can transform everyday items — like clothing, wallets, or Amazon packages — to trackable “connected” devices. Brittany Meiling in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/20/20

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds 

California Farm Bureau Federation will fight 'split-roll' ballot measure -- The state’s largest agricultural organization will oppose a proposed “split-roll” ballot measure that would increase commercial property taxes, saying it will cost farmers and consumers billions by mandating costly reassessments for California barns, wineries and processing plants. Carla Marinucci Politico -- 2/20/20

Transit  

Faster bus trips under Muni’s new ‘quick-build’ policy to bypass bureaucracy -- San Francisco has long pushed a “Transit First” philosophy, but its buses still get caught in miserable traffic jams. Some roads are so snarled that vehicles slow to three miles an hour, making it faster to walk than take transit. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

Housing  

A housing bill died in Sacramento. Now L.A. business leaders are exploring their own plan -- One of the region’s largest business groups is exploring a new strategy for tackling Southern California’s housing crisis: asking Los Angeles voters to upzone sections of the city, allowing larger and taller residential buildings on commercial boulevards and in other areas. David Zahniser, Benjamin Oreskes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

Education 

Bloomberg has invested heavily in promoting charter schools in California -- If there is one issue on which Michael Bloomberg and Donald Trump agree, it is in the value of charter schools. Louis Freedberg EdSource -- 2/20/20

Voters in some California communities will be called on to pay for more child care -- As California struggles to meet child care and preschool needs, some communities are asking voters to help fill the gap. Zaidee Stavely EdSource -- 2/20/20

Immigration / Border 

Woman suspected of crossing border illegally gives birth at Border Patrol office -- A pregnant Guatemalan woman, arrested on suspicion of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization on Sunday, gave birth about a half-hour later in a Border Patrol station in Chula Vista, authorities said. Karen Kucher in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/20/20

Health 

Total Number Of Flu Deaths Reaches 63 In San Diego County -- A half-dozen influenza-related deaths were confirmed last week in San Diego County, bringing the number of fatalities so far this flu season to 63, compared to 30 at this time last year, the Health and Human Services Agency reported Wednesday. KPBS -- 2/20/20

Also . . . 

Mysterious disappearance of Palo Alto couple has search crews “baffled” -- A leading Parkinson’s Disease researcher and a prominent linguist and author were meant to spend just a few nights near Tomales Bay at a vacation cottage deep in the woods of Inverness before heading back home to Palo Alto. Aldo Toledo, Annie Sciacca in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/20/20

Prosecutors want new DNA from East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer suspect -- Lawyers for accused Golden State Killer/East Area Rapist suspect Joseph James DeAngelo are in a fight over whether prosecutors should be allowed to seek new DNA samples of DeAngelo’s blood and saliva for DNA testing to be used in his upcoming preliminary hearing, The Sacramento Bee has learned. Sam Stanton and Darrell Smith in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/20/20

Critics: Trump’s Embrace Of A False Image Of Navy SEALs Sidelines Reforms -- President Donald Trump often points to retired Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher as the epitome of a SEAL, but there are concerns that Gallagher, a convicted war criminal, is damaging efforts to reform the culture of the once quiet professionals. Steve Walsh KPBS -- 2/20/20

For sexual assault victims and local councils, Boy Scouts’ bankruptcy poses tough questions -- By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, the Boy Scouts of America put on hold hundreds of lawsuits alleging Scout leaders sexually abused youngsters in their charge. But no legal maneuver could stop Mike Hernandez from speaking out. Peter Rowe in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 2/20/20

Motive in slaying of Pop Smoke a mystery: ‘We have some work to do,’ LAPD says -- Authorities said it’s too early to determine a motive for the slaying of up-and-coming rapper Pop Smoke, who was fatally shot early Wednesday at a Hollywood Hills home. While initial reports described the fatal encounter as a home invasion robbery, Los Angeles Police Department officials said they are still trying to sort out what happened. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/20

POTUS 45  

The 11 Criminals Granted Clemency by Trump Had One Thing in Common: Connections -- The process bypassed the formal procedures used by past presidents and was driven instead by friendship, fame, personal empathy and a shared sense of persecution. Peter Baker, J. David Goodman, Michael Rothfeld and Elizabeth Williamson in the New York Times$ -- 2/20/20

Beltway 

Winners and losers from the Nevada Democratic debate -- The Democratic presidential candidates took part in a debate in Nevada on Wednesday, just days before the Democratic caucuses there. Former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg made his debut on the stage as he rises in polls across the country. Aaron Blake in the Washington Post$ Shane Goldmacher and Reid J. Epstein in the New York Times$ -- 2/20/20

Mike Bloomberg takes a beating in his first Democratic debate -- Sen. Bernie Sanders railed on him for his “racist” support of stop-and-frisk policing policies, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren lit into “a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg.” Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/20

A guide to the most biting brawls of the contentious Las Vegas presidential debate -- The gloves are off as many Democratic presidential candidates see their chances to win the nomination dimming. From the first moments of the Las Vegas debate on Wednesday night ahead of Saturday’s Nevada caucuses, the candidates were attacking each other with a level of ferocity not yet seen in this primary season. Amber Phillips in the Washington Post$ -- 2/20/20

 

-- Wednesday Updates 

Judge rips PG&E for ghastly safety record leading to fires -- A U.S. judge ripped into Pacific Gas & Electric on Wednesday, saying its executives have put greed before safety and telling the utility that has been blamed for huge California wildfires in recent years that it should plan to have at least 1,100 more tree trimmers to reduce the chances of causing even more devastation. Michael Liedtke Associated Press -- 2/19/20

California governor: Lower bar for forced mental health care -- California should lower the legal bar for providing forced treatment to the mentally ill and building more homeless shelters, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday in his second State of the State address. He took the unusual step of devoting most of the annual speech to just two related issues: affordable housing shortfalls and homelessness. They have quickly eclipsed the state’s other problems since the Democratic governor took office a year ago. Adam Beam and Don Thompson Associated Press -- 2/19/20

California’s homelessness crisis ‘a disgrace,’ Gov. Gavin Newsom says in State of the State speech -- Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to marshal the full force of his administration to alleviate California’s worsening homelessness crisis, a humanitarian imperative for the state and political necessity for a governor whose ambitious progressive agenda could be eclipsed if he fails to take effective action. Phil Willon, Taryn Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ John Woolfolk in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/19/20

Trump heads to Central Valley after slamming California on immigration, homelessness -- President Trump’s visit to California continues Wednesday with stops in the Central Valley to discuss water policy and then on to Rancho Mirage for a fundraiser hosted by Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison. Colleen Shalby, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Bettina Boxall in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/19/20

Lopez: So Trump wants to solve homelessness in California? Here are five things he can do -- They want to help. That’s what we keep hearing from President Trump’s minions about California’s massive homelessness crisis. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/19/20

Does California need ‘another cook in the kitchen’ to fix homelessness? Newsom says yes -- California lawmakers will gather Wednesday to hear Gov. Gavin Newsom deliver his annual State of the State address and will no doubt applaud a ny promise he makes to zero in on homelessness. But that doesn’t mean they’ll agree with him. Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/19/20

California primary preview: Nevada lining up behind Bernie Sanders -- The race is for second place in Saturday’s Democratic presidential caucuses in Nevada, as the months Sen. Bernie Sanders invested in organizing Latino voters here are making him the candidate to beat in the first voting state whose diverse electorate resembles California’s. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/19/20

California could revoke PG&E’s license under new proposal -- California officials would be able to appoint someone new to control Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s operations or reconsider the investor-owned company’s operating license, under a new enforcement process that the state’s top utility regulator proposed on Tuesday. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/19/20

Housing crisis: Legislation inspired by homeless Oakland moms aims to fill vacant homes -- Inspired by a group of homeless Oakland mothers who took up residence in a vacant West Oakland home to call attention to California’s housing crisis, state legislation was introduced Wednesday that aims to reduce the number of empty homes in California and give tenants the first right of refusal to buy foreclosed properties. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/19/20

ICE arrests 3 at Sonoma County courthouse; local officials furious -- Federal immigration officials arrested at least three people Tuesday in or near Sonoma County Superior Court in a move that outraged local officials. Alejandro Serrano in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/19/20

How is this poor, rural district keeping kids in school? -- School officials in Parlier have teamed with doctors to open a clinic and keep kids healthy. Now chronic absenteeism is down. Manuela Tobias Calmatters -- 2/19/20

For California lawmakers, charity can begin at home -- It's legal for Assemblyman Rob Bonta's nonprofit to give to his wife's employer. But an author of the state's political ethics law says it shouldn't be. Laurel Rosenhall Calmatters -- 2/19/20

13-year-olds arrested in connection with library blaze that killed firefighter -- Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with a deadly fire at a public library in Central California that left one firefighter dead and another unaccounted for, officials said Wednesday. Colleen Shalby, Jaclyn Cosgrove in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/19/20

Los Angeles County eliminates criminal fees. Will California follow? -- Los Angeles County will stop billing people millions of dollars a year for the costs of their incarceration in an effort to lighten the financial burden on former inmates. Jackie Botts Calmatters -- 2/19/20

On eve of Trump visit, critics ask why Newsom hasn’t fought president’s water moves -- During President Trump’s visit to California this week, the commander in chief who campaigned on a pledge of shipping more water to Central Valley farms plans to stop in Bakersfield to boast about a promise kept. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/19/20

Legal marijuana use still costs people jobs. A new California bill takes on the issue -- California voters legalized pot in 2016. But for many seeking jobs in state government, cannabis use has become an obstacle to getting hired. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/19/20

Fox: Ignoring the Promises Made for High-Speed Rail -- A new business plan has been issued for California’s high-speed rail and the only thing that is moving fast is the bullet train moving away from the promises made to voters when the bond supporting the train was on the ballot. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 2/19/20

A decorated detective, a suspected mobster: How a secret alliance ended in claims of blood and betrayal -- The Escalade was headed down a dreary and industrial stretch of road in Commerce when the first bullet buried itself in the driver’s back. He stomped on the gas. Bullets slammed into the car. Blood leaked from his gut. Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/19/20