Updating . .   

Coronavirus: Cases in California hit new peak, deaths nearing new high -- The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in California climbed to a new high Thursday as the state reported more than 2,000 positive tests for the fourth time this week. Evan Webeck in the Orange County Register Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

As coronavirus deaths mount, L.A. County is far behind on promise to test everyone in nursing homes -- A month after vowing to test all nursing home residents and staff for the novel coronavirus, Los Angeles County health officials have completed the effort in only about a third of homes and have dramatically scaled back testing plans. Jack Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

White House concerned with coronavirus spread in L.A. area, asks CDC to investigate -- While some parts of the country are seeing major progress in fighting the coronavirus, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, on Friday singled out Los Angeles as one of three regions where persistent spread remains a significant concern. Alex Wigglesworth, Luke Money, Noah Bierman, Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

- Little sense of shared grief as virus deaths near 100,000 -- For months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the nation ached together in televised memorials, joining in a collective catharsis of uniformed salutes, bagpiped dirges and President George W. Bush declaring a national day of mourning and remembrance. Noah Bierman, Eli Stokols in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

‘Shocking’: Federal officials revoke approval for huge homeless shelter in San Francisco’s Bayview -- Federal highway officials have reversed approval for San Francisco to open a 200-bed Navigation Center in the Bayview neighborhood — a blow that could potentially throw into doubt plans for dozens of homeless shelters across the state. Dustin Gardiner, Kevin Fagan and Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Newsom pushes coronavirus contact tracing with first batch of tracers -- A batch of about 500 people will be deployed this week statewide for contact tracing, the public health practice that involves tracking down people who have come in contact with COVID-19 patients. Fiona Kelliher in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/22/20

What’s the link between the coronavirus and the Kawasaki-like disease MIS-C? -- One of the few silver linings of the novel coronavirus is that it mostly spares kids. Or so we thought. Deborah Netburn in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

The Unemployed  

California unemployment hits 15.5% in April — largest monthly job loss ever recorded -- Every major industry sector in California lost jobs at unprecedented levels in April as the state’s unemployment rate hit 15.5%, officials said on Friday. Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Margot Roosevelt in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

4 million Southern California jobs may be at risk because of coronavirus, report finds -- Southern California faces a dire economic outlook over the next two years, with high unemployment rates expected to linger through 2021 and many more jobs at risk than unemployment data may suggest, according to two new reports. Sammy Roth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Businesses are reopening. If you’re older or sick, what happens to your job? -- There’s no social distancing for Venda Ripke at work. The 41-year-old teacher often gets face-to-face with the young students in her special-education classes at Newcastle Elementary School. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Reopen   

Even as California reopens, some officials tell tourists to stay away -- As more parts of California reopen, some officials are urging tourists to stay away — at least for now. Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County’s health officer, asked tourists to not visit as the county reopened many shops and restaurants this week. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Memorial Day weekend: Beach rules, parking, ideas for ocean getaways without crowds plus your weather and wave forecast -- Memorial Day typically marks the “unofficial” start of summer, a long weekend when beachgoers flock to the sand for a day of fun in the sun. But this year is anything but typical, and getting to the sand is, well, complicated. Laylan Connelly in the Orange County Register -- 5/22/20

L.A. County reopens bike paths, parking lots at beaches and allows curbside service at malls -- Now, parking lots at Dockweiler State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, Zuma Beach and Surfrider Beach will open at partial capacity. Santa Monica lots and most beachside public parking spots in coastal communities will remain closed. Beachgoers are still not allowed to sunbathe, grill or lounge in the sand. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

California to issue reopening rules for religious gatherings by Monday -- California will publish coronavirus safety guidelines for religious gatherings by Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, hours after President Trump deemed houses of worship “essential” and called on states to allow them to reopen this weekend. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

• Trump deems churches ‘essential,’ calls for them to reopen -- President Donald Trump said Friday that he has deemed churches and other houses of worship “essential” and called on governors across the country to allow them to reopen this weekend, even as some parts of the nation remain under coronavirus lockdown. Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller Associated Press -- 5/22/20

Not So Fast  

Sacramento County pulls plug on fitness studios, small gatherings after state intervenes -- Sacramento County has walked back its decision to allow the opening of fitness studios and plans for small gatherings after state public health officials said both are still not allowed under relaxed stay-at-home orders. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

The Protesters  

Anti-shutdown protests at state Capitol have cost CHP nearly $1 million in OT, other costs -- The California Highway Patrol has spent nearly $1 million in overtime and meal costs policing a series of of protests against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order at the state Capitol since April 1, newly released figures show, and the figure is likely to go much higher as authorities brace for the biggest protest yet on Saturday. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/22/20

New Budget Normal  

Coronavirus could force pay cuts for California lawmakers, state workers -- The California budget crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has put an end to seven straight years of pay hikes for state legislators and other elected officials and raises the possibility that they could see their salaries reduced. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Education 

UC Berkeley changes course: Lecturers now excluded from hiring freeze -- UC Berkeley officials abruptly changed course and will exclude more than 750 lecturers from a campus-wide hiring freeze, which went into effect April 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Ron Kroichick in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Also . . .   

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s promise to feed California seniors falling short so far -- When Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the start of an initiative last month to deliver free meals to California seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic, he declared that “the universe of those eligible is certainly in the millions.” Taryn Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

In a pandemic, no one wants to touch it. Why cash has become the new Typhoid Mary -- The Almighty Dollar has lost some of its might in the time of COVID-19. While most struggling businesses will take payment in any form to make ends meet during the economic downtown, a minority reject cash, fearing that it could be a transmission vehicle for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. James Rainey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

How to celebrate Memorial Day during the pandemic -- Memorial Day reflexively evokes image of backyard barbecues with friends and family, flash sales and parades — all activities the coronavirus has taken off the table. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

KQED Political Breakdown -- Carmela Coyle on How California Hospitals are Weathering COVID-19 -- The Legislature delves into Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget proposal, and Marisa and Scott talk with KQED's Katie Orr about how lawmakers are pushing to reassert themselves in spending negotiations. Marisa Lagos, Scott Shafer KQED -- 5/22/20

 

 

California Policy & Politics Friday Morning  

Virus cases spike in California county on Mexican border -- As much of California begins allowing businesses to reopen amid improved coronavirus conditions, a farming region bordering Mexico is experiencing a spike in hospitalizations that some believe is driven by American citizens who live in Mexico coming to the U.S. for care. Elliot Spagat and Gregory Bull Associated Press -- 5/22/20

Virus death toll in Los Angeles County tops 2,000 people -- Los Angeles County’s death toll from the coronavirus passed 2,000 on Thursday even as other figures pointed to progress in slowing the spread of the disease. The largest county in California recorded 46 more COVID-19-related deaths for a total of 2,016. That represents about 60% of all virus-related deaths in California. Associated Press -- 5/22/20

Orange County reports highest daily death toll from coronavirus -- Orange County recorded 14 new coronavirus-related fatalities Thursday — the most in a single day since the pandemic began — an uptick that officials attribute to outbreaks of the virus in nursing homes. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Contra Costa County DA launches investigation into deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Orinda nursing home -- Contra Costa County prosecutors are investigating an Orinda nursing home where at least four residents have died and more than 50 people have been infected with the coronavirus, officials said. Anna Bauman in the San Francisco Chronicle Annie Sciacca, Thomas Peele, David DeBolt in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/22/20

California to spend $1.8 billion more on virus response -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday took an extra $1.8 billion from the state’s dwindling coffers to pay for more protective gear and extra hospital beds to aid the state’s response to the new coroanvirus. Adam Beam Associated Press -- 5/22/20

Policy & Politics 

California prisons accused of illegally withholding parole records on race, ethnicity -- Academics studying improper parole decisions are filing a lawsuit against the California prison system, saying they have been illegally denied public records on race and ethnicity data for two years. Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

As sheriff defies subpoena on jails, watchdog passes another on Kobe Bryant crash records -- The inspector general for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will subpoena records related to the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant as part of an inquiry into whether Sheriff Alex Villanueva covered up the sharing of graphic photos by deputies at the scene. Cindy Chang in the Los Angeles Times$ Josh Cain in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/22/20

Suit accuses Trump administration of illegally withholding food stamp increases from the poorest -- The Trump administration is defying Congress and harming some of the poorest and hungriest Californians by refusing to increase their food stamp benefits under a new federal law, advocates charged in a lawsuit Thursday. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Republicans move to disown California candidate over social media posts -- The National Republican Congressional Committee on Thursday pulled its endorsement of Ted Howze, who will face Democratic Rep. Josh Harder of Turlock (Stanislaus County) in the November election, and GOP leaders had harsh words for the messages that had been deleted. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Issa sues California over November mail-ballot election -- Republican congressional candidate Darrell Issa and a conservative group are suing to block California’s move to an all-mail November election. Jeremy B. White Politico -- 5/22/20

Hahn to Newsom: Allow all L.A. County retailers to open under same rules as Walmart, Target -- L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn says the pandemic economy has created an unfair marketplace by allowing big retailers such as Walmart and Costco to more fully operate. Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/22/20

Fox: No Respite for Business vs. Labor Battles During Pandemic -- The Covid-19 flame of disease, death and economic devastation has only served to bring aspects of the traditional battle between business and labor to a boil. Optimistically, one might think that the call of ‘all in this together’ would have different interests pulling on the same end of the rope in hopes of quick economic recovery. But when it comes to major labor laws like AB 5 and PAGA (Private Attorney General Act), no compromise seems acceptable. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 5/22/20

Education 

UC regents unanimously approve plan to drop SAT and ACT from admissions -- The University of California Board of Regents, in a landmark move that could reshape the college admissions process across the country, voted Thursday to drop the SAT and ACT testing requirement. The unanimous decision, after hours of spirited debate in a teleconference meeting, adopted UC President Janet Napolitano’s proposal made last week. Ron Kroichick in the San Francisco Chronicle Mikhail Zinshteyn Calmatters Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ Shawn Hubler in the New York Times$ Jon Wilner in the San Jose Mercury$ Alexander Nieves Politico Douglas Belkin in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 5/22/20

Coronavirus: University of California campuses will open in the fall, Napolitano says -- University of California president Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that “every campus will be open and offering instruction” this fall despite the coronavirus outbreak that has shuttered most campus activity across the state. “The question will be how much of that instruction is in-person versus how much is done remotely,” Napolitano added during remarks to the UC Board of Regents. Jon Wilner in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/22/20

Proposed budget cuts threaten safe opening of California schools, leaders say -- State education leaders on Thursday said proposed budget cuts to education would threaten their ability to reopen safely next fall and that confronting the COVID-19 pandemic calls for more nurses, counselors, custodians and teachers. Howard Blume, Sonali Kohli in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Reopen  

Most California counties get state OK for faster reopening -- As California moves through its methodical four-step process for reopening, some counties are pushing the boundaries by bypassing the state’s orders or refusing to enforce rules against businesses that reopen without state permission. Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 5/22/20

Only 3 Bay Area counties meet coronavirus test goals, yet all are lifting some restrictions -- Just three of the nine Bay Area counties are conducting enough daily coronavirus tests to meet state standards to safely reopen — yet all are moving forward to lift shelter-in-place restrictions. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Some California courts start to reopen as coronavirus restrictions ease -- Contra Costa County Superior Court will reopen to the public at all locations at 8 a.m. Tuesday and resume jury trials. Everyone in court will be required to wear face coverings and remain six feet from others. Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

State tells Sacramento County to back off on allowing gatherings, fitness studios to open -- Sacramento County health chief Peter Beilenson on Thursday reversed his approval from earlier this week for fitness centers to reopen, saying state health officials had stepped in to tell him it’s too soon. Tony Bizjak and Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/22/20

More than 400 citations issued across San Diego County for violations of COVID-19 orders -- San Diego police, Carlsbad police and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department issued most of the citations. Sheriff’s deputies wrote 137 citations between April 2 and Tuesday, San Diego police issued 157 between April 2 and May 6 and Carlsbad police handed out 112 citations between April 4 and May 2, according to the latest data available from each department. David Hernandez in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/22/20

Solano County expands reopening: dine-in restaurants, shopping malls OK’d by state -- Solano County has received state approval to move ahead with reopening, allowing dine-in restaurants, schools and other businesses to resume operations. Matt Kawahara in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

CDC issues reopening guidelines for schools, transit and businesses after weeks of delay -- The federal government’s top infectious-disease experts quietly released their most detailed guidelines to date for reopening schools, restaurants, transit systems and other businesses disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Is risk of coronavirus transmission lower outside? What to know before going outdoors -- The weather is getting warmer. The days are getting longer. Some stores are reopening. And California is slowly easing up on the sheltering restrictions placed on us during this pandemic. In other words, we’re getting out of our homes a little more after weeks of a statewide lockdown. Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Circles in the grass: Four San Francisco parks get social-distancing markings -- Big white circles painted like polka dots across the grass in San Francisco parks mark the city’s latest effort to promote social distancing. The Recreation and Parks Department drew the circles on Wednesday and Thursday in Dolores Park, Little Marina Green and Washington Square, said spokeswoman Tamara Aparton. The lawn of Jackson Playground will get its spots on Friday. Anna Bauman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Yosemite may reopen in June, with half the number of visitors, ticketed entry -- Yosemite National Park hopes to reopen in early June and limit the number of visitors by half to allow for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Lodgings and some campgrounds would reopen, and day visitors would be required to buy entry tickets in advance of their trips, according to a draft reopening plan presented Tuesday. Mary Forgione in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Popular trails prepare for massive crowds over Memorial Day weekend -- As California continues to ease restrictions on stay-at-home orders prompted by the coronavirus, officials have warned against overcrowding outdoor spaces. With the lure of a three-day holiday weekend, some destinations are making more room for Memorial Day revelers, while others are clamping down. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Big Bear Lake to stop communicating or enforcing state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order -- The city of Big Bear Lake has announced it will no longer communicate or enforce Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home health order, saying that it has no legal responsibility to impose the state’s restrictions. Leila Miller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Sections of L.A. River to reopen for limited activities -- Sections of the Los Angeles River will open for the summer starting on Memorial Day, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority said Thursday. Fishing, bird watching and walking will be permitted in the Elysian Valley and in the Sepulveda Basin in Encino. Kayaking and other in-water activities will be forbidden. Leila Miller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Santa Clara County seeks volunteers to help trace coronavirus infections -- As shelter-in-place restrictions begin to loosen, Santa Clara County is seeking to build an army of 1,000 contact tracers with the help of volunteers, officials said Thursday. Anna Bauman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Homeless  

San Francisco sanctions once-shunned homeless encampments -- San Francisco is joining other U.S. cities in authorizing homeless tent encampments in response to the coronavirus pandemic, a move officials have long resisted but are now reluctantly embracing to safeguard homeless people. Janie Har and Terence Chea Associated Press -- 5/22/20

PG&E  

Officials: Email delays key vote on PG&E’s bankruptcy plan -- California power regulators unexpectedly delayed a key vote Thursday on Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan for getting out of bankruptcy after saying one of the utility’s most outspoken critics sent an improper email attacking the company’s proposal to pay wildfire victims. Michael Liedtke Associated Press -- 5/22/20

New Social Normal  

A Bay Area without smiles: Coronavirus masks are taking away our most vital form of nonverbal communication -- Already, the pandemic has shifted the way we physically embrace — gone are the days of friendly handshakes or passing hugs — but as the Bay Area prepares for the possibility that masks might be in our long-term future, many are wondering how human interaction and understanding might transform in the absence of our most nuanced and essential form of nonverbal communication: the smile. Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

New Business Normal  

Facebook’s embrace of remote work could reshape Bay Area economy -- But with offices shuttered across the world by the coronavirus, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday that up to half of the company’s employees, who currently number 48,000, could work remotely within 10 years. The number isn’t a goal, but represents the company’s recognition that concentrating employees in one big office, like its Menlo Park headquarters, may not be possible for a long time. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Rex Crum in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/22/20

Stalled by a pandemic, West Marin producers turn to trading foodstuffs -- One answer has been something of a throwback: barter and trade. In tiny farm and seaside towns like Tomales, Marshall and Valley Ford, residents have turned to an informal, cashless society to keep one another fed and nourished. Leilani Marie Labong in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

This is what your next trip to the Grove or Americana will look like -- Rick Caruso, owner of the upscale Grove shopping center in Los Angeles and luxury Rosewood Miramar Beach resort in Montecito, has developed coronavirus-fighting procedures for reopening his properties that are nearly as over-the-top as the properties themselves. Roger Vincent in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

New Budget Normal  

Coronavirus forces deep cuts at San Francisco city departments to close deficit -- The staggering economic fallout set in motion by the coronavirus pandemic will force San Francisco city departments to slash their budgets by 10% in the upcoming fiscal year to help close an anticipated $1.7 billion deficit. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Without parking fees, Sacramento may have to cut services to pay Golden 1 Center debt -- The coronavirus pandemic has cut so deeply into Sacramento’s revenues that officials may be forced to cut some city services to make payments on bonds used to build the Golden 1 Center. Tony Bizjak and Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/22/20

EDD Swamped  

California lawmakers say state unemployment help still isn’t coming fast enough amid coronavirus -- State lawmakers rebuked the state’s Employment Development Department on Thursday, charging that it has failed to address public outcry over delays in answering calls and processing unemployment benefit claims from Californians thrown out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ Katy Murphy Politico -- 5/22/20

Coronavirus Economy  

Mortgage delinquencies increased at record rates in April -- More than 3.6 million homeowners nationwide were past due on their mortgages at the end of April, the most since January 2015, according to estimates issued Thursday by Black Knight, a mortgage-data company. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Coronavirus: Standard Cognition reopens its cashierless grocery store -- The company wants to equip retailers, including grocery stores, with technology that makes it easy for shoppers to walk in, grab what they want, and leave without waiting in line or stopping to scan and pay. Shwanika Narayan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Also . . .   

He treats Oakland's vulnerable. Now, his future is on the line -- On the sidewalk on Oakland’s International Boulevard, Marlen Valencia swayed softly from foot to foot as her 2-year-old daughter Sara slept on her shoulder. A stomachache that had lingered for the past month had made the little girl stop eating, and she was losing weight. Matthias Gafni and Jessica Christian in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

In Tijuana, paramedics uncover a hidden death toll not captured in COVID-19 statistics -- Researchers who reviewed emergency response records in Tijuana have discovered scores of possible coronavirus deaths that never made it into official statistics. Kate Linthicum, Patrick J. McDonnell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Santa Cruz tech executive’s former cannabis workers arrested in his killing -- Two former employees of a Santa Cruz tech executive’s cannabis business were among four suspects arrested on suspicion of robbing and killing the entrepreneur, authorities said Thursday. Anna Bauman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/22/20

Autopsies of 34 who died in Conception boat fire offer grim new details -- Within days of the dive boat Conception bursting into flames off the Channel Islands and killing 34 people, the Santa Barbara County coroner declared that the deaths were the result of smoke inhalation and that all died below deck. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/22/20

Housing  

The pandemic hasn’t killed California’s big housing plans — but they have mutated -- Lawmakers are pushing a revised housing plan that would end single-family-only zoning, instead encouraging duplexes, four-plexes, and converting retail spaces to residential ones. Matt Levin Calmatters -- 5/22/20

POTUS 45  

Trump lashes out at scientists whose findings contradict him -- “A Trump enemy statement,” he said of one study. “A political hit job,” he said of another. As President Donald Trump pushes to reopen the country despite warnings from doctors about the consequences of moving too quickly during the coronavirus crisis, he has been lashing out at scientists whose conclusions he doesn’t like. Jill Colvin Associated Press -- 5/22/20

 

 

-- Thursday Updates   

Coronavirus death toll tops 3,500 as more than two-thirds of California moves to reopen -- The sobering statistic illustrates that while this week has seen glints of optimism that the state is turning the tide in its fight against COVID-19, the disease is still here, and the danger is still real. Luke Money, Hannah Fry, Leila Miller, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Could Bay Area’s early shelter-in-place order have saved thousands of lives? -- There has been much attention paid to the reasons why, up and down the West Coast, the impact of COVID-19 has lower compared to other hot spots. Was it a different strain of the virus? What about our relative lack of density, or reliance on cars over crowded public transit? Did we simply get lucky? A new study out of Columbia University gives weight to one theory — and cautions against reopening the country without adequate ability to control new outbreaks. Evan Webeck in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/21/20

L.A. County achieves major coronavirus win as transmission rate hits lowest level -- The transmission rate in the nation’s most populous county, home to 56% of COVID-19 deaths in California, is now in its best position since the magnitude of the outbreak became clear in March. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Virus cases spike in California county on Mexican border -- As much of California begins reopening businesses amid improved coronavirus conditions, a farming region on the state’s border with Mexico is experiencing a spike in hospitalizations that some believe is driven by American citizens who live in Mexico coming to the U.S. for care. Elliot Spagat and Gregory Bull Associated Press -- 5/21/20

Policy & Politics 

Republicans move to disown California candidate over social media posts -- Republican leaders are frantically backpedaling away from the party’s candidate in a key Central Valley congressional race in reaction to a second report that his social media accounts formerly contained anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and conspiracy theory messages. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/21/20

Details Remain Scant On Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Plan To Spend $750 Million On Hotels For Homeless Residents -- Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to spend over half a billion dollars in federal money to purchase hotels and convert them into permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. Scott Rodd Capital Public Radio -- 5/21/20

State Sen. Hueso introduces bill to address California’s digital divide -- Friday morning at Chula Vista’s Hilltop High School, Hueso announced a bill that would require internet service providers to file emergency operation plans that identify how they’ll ensure reliable communications during a disaster emergency, and deploy resources and technology to ensure that communications remain reliable. Gustavo Solis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/21/20

University of California campuses will open in the fall, Napolitano says -- Hybrid style of learning expected to become the normal system-wide. Jon Wilner in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/21/20

New UC Merced chancellor is a farmworker’s son and UC alum -- Juan Sánchez Muñoz, president of the University of Houston Downtown, grew up hearing stories about the San Joaquin Valley from his father, who landed there from Mexico to pick grapes in the 1950s. Muñoz, 53, will be heading there himself in July — as the new chancellor of UC Merced. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Lockdowns crippled his ‘bouncy house’ business. Nearly bankrupt, he’s pushing back -- Without work, Edmonds, like many others, is fighting through empty and anxious days. Increasingly desperate but feeling powerless, he has turned to political activism, “a world that I know nothing about,” he said, but one that in just a few weeks has shifted from a radical thought to the only reasonable path he sees. Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Fox: Federal Money for State and Local Governments Could Stop Tax Increases -- Political tensions over a federal subsidy to state and local governments—some Republicans label it a bailout—have held up Washington assistance to the states, but the odds are some form of federal help eventually will come. The federal funds could thwart efforts by state and local governments to raise taxes, especially on businesses. Raising taxes would quash the economic recovery. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 5/21/20

Reopen     

40 of California’s 58 counties get OK for more robust reopening -- More than two-thirds of Southern California counties have received approval to more quickly reopen their economies as the state continues to loosen coronavirus-related restrictions. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Orange County extends beach hours for Memorial Day weekend, reopens some parking lots -- Coastal access in Orange County will be easier over the Memorial Day weekend, as several coastal cities expanded their beach hours and plan to open more parking lots connected to the shoreline. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

‘People still want treats’: Bay Area bakeries surprised at success during coronavirus -- On Mother’s Day, a line starting at Boichik Bagels stretched down College Avenue, just north of Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood, past all the other businesses and into residential Berkeley. Janelle Bitker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/21/20

Staying afloat  

California is reopening, but anxious customers are slow to come back -- From restaurants to shopping malls, the California economy is grinding back to life after months of coronavirus closures. But one question looms over the reopening cheers: Do consumers feel safe enough to come back? California should know the answer soon enough. Leila Miller, Maura Dolan, Cindy Carcamo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Pulling dollar bills off the wall to keep going in rural California -- This is a time of year that many rural towns in the Owens Valley usually celebrate — rodeo and fishing season. Normally, tourists from Southern California would be swarming into the eastern Sierra Nevada range, streaming into Old West facades and making cash registers sing. Louis Sahagun in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Pandemic steals most from immigrant working women -- Researchers at the UC Merced Community and Labor Center find non-citizen women have experienced the deepest job losses. The study is an early signal of how the coronavirus recession is widening California’s economic inequities. Jackie Botts Calmatters -- 5/21/20

Also . . .   

Full House actress Lori Loughlin, husband to plead guilty in college admissions scandal -- Actress Lori Loughlin and her husband have agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in connection to a sweeping college admissions scandal that exposed dozens of parents — including some in the Bay Area — who were passing bribes to get their children admitted to elite colleges and universities, federal prosecutors said Thursday. Alejandro Serrano in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/21/20

Lori Loughlin always insisted she was innocent in admissions scandal. Why change now? -- From the beginning of the college admissions scandal, actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have maintained they did nothing wrong. Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Online child sex abuse reports surge as kids spend more time on computers amid coronavirus -- Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles and across the country have been overwhelmed in recent months by a surge in tips about online child sex abuse, with social media platforms and other service providers flagging explicit content and suspicious interactions at an alarming rate. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20

Mexico City’s coronavirus death toll may be 3 times higher than official count, report says -- At least three times as many people in Mexico City may have died of complications from COVID-19 than have been officially reported, a new report by a Mexican activist group suggests. Patrick J. McDonnell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/21/20