Updating . .   

Vaccine passports in California? Answers to your questions -- California has no plans to administer a passport. But the state is sending mixed messages to businesses about the need to verify that people at large events are vaccinated. Barbara Feder Ostrov CalMatters -- 4/8/21

Can your employer require a vaccine? Probably. So can a restaurant or hotel -- The COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to ramp up, and it’s ushering in a new phase of the pandemic. But being on the cusp of a return to some kind of normalcy also comes with a host of legal flashpoints. Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/8/21

California COVID vaccine supply will fall 15% next week, just as demand is expected to surge -- The main reason is a major decrease in supply of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This week California got nearly 575,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and that will fall 88% next week to 67,600 and to 22,400 the week after that. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Vaccines open to everyone age 16 and older in hardest-hit Alameda County ZIP codes -- Alameda County on Wednesday extended coronavirus vaccinations to everyone at least 16 years old, jumping a week ahead of California’s eligibility expansion, but only in 12 ZIP codes across Oakland, Hayward, San Leandro and San Lorenzo, where thousands of COVID-19 cases have devastated communities. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Californians who aren’t vaccine-eligible are getting it anyway, and they’re not cheating -- But as supplies of the vaccine have increased recently — a trend state officials are optimistic will continue in the coming weeks — some parts of California now have periodic excess. And that is leading officials to make doses available to all adults, even those not eligible under current rules. Leila Miller, Rong-Gong Lin II, Hayley Smith, Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

California surpassed 20 million vaccinations administered as of April 6 -- The 20.2 million shots that have been put in people’s arms, means 7.5 million people, or 18.9% of the state, are fully vaccinated. Two of the three vaccine options out there require two doses. Jeff Goertzen in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/21

Donovan Deaths: 3 prisoners found dead or dying in cells from COVID-19 -- The crisis peaked four days before Christmas. San Diego’s only prison was teeming with COVID-19 infections. A fifth of the 3,500 people incarcerated were sick, and many were relocated to three large gymnasiums so staff could reach them quickly in an emergency. Jill Castellano and Mary Plummer inewsource.org -- 4/8/21

When will huge crowds return to California convention centers? -- The San Diego Convention Center hosted about 135,000 visitors two years ago for Comic-Con, the four-day celebration of comic books and pop culture. Hugo Martín in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

School  

Less distancing, no COVID tests: LAUSD parents seek court order to force wider reopening -- A group of parents — who say their children have been illegally shortchanged by Los Angeles Unified School District’s return-to-school plan — is seeking a court order to force the district to reopen “to the greatest extent possible” within seven days. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

California youth sports play on during the pandemic, but what about face masks? -- Youth sports have returned to a Sacramento area salvaging something resembling normal during a second pandemic spring with young athletes playing on fields and diamonds across the region. Darrell Smith in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Open  

Warriors to allow fans back at Chase Center starting April 23 vs. Nuggets -- The team’s announcement on Thursday morning followed an update from San Francisco officials that said they’re “on track” to issue guidelines allowing indoor live events to resume beginning April 15. Connor Letourneau in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

SeaWorld will reopen its roller coasters Monday after a 13-month closure -- The San Diego park will take a phased approach, with some of its thrill rides like Electric Eel and Manta opening first. Journey to Atlantis and Shipwreck Rapids will open later. Lori Weisberg in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/8/21

Policy & Politics 

How an anti-mask, anti-vaccine activist became a leader of the Gavin Newsom recall -- Six weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom handed down a statewide shelter-in-place order, hundreds of people who resented his coronavirus restrictions gathered at the Capitol to decry his emergency powers. Lara Korte in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Newsom sounds like Gray Davis in fighting recall as GOP 'power grab' -- A California governor takes the stage of a Los Angeles ballroom to denounce the recall election he faces. As supporters cheer him on, he warns that the drive to remove him from office is part of a national effort by Republicans to steal elections they cannot win. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

How a surprising Newsom veto threw California’s garbage, building industries into chaos -- For years, contractors and trash haulers in California have been accepting discarded fence posts, backyard deck planks and other chemically treated wood debris without giving it much thought. That all came to an abrupt end earlier this year, courtesy of an unexpected veto by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Ryan Sabalow and Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Politicians dread the sting of #KHive, the fervent online fans of Kamala Harris -- When Rep. Ro Khanna started pressing Vice President Kamala Harris to use her procedural power to push a national minimum wage hike a few weeks ago, he found himself targeted by a swarm of online Harris supporters. Noah Bierman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Four women say Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli, ‘prince’ of Wine Country, sexually assaulted them -- In the summer of 2019, Rose Fumoso left her home in southern France to intern at a Sonoma County winery, where the 21-year-old greeted customers in the tasting room and assessed the ripeness of grapes from the vineyard. As the season wound down in September, a friend invited Fumoso to a party celebrating the end of harvest. Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Oil  

Anti-fracking bill could severely curtail oil and gas extraction in California -- A bill before the state Legislature seeks to ban the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, in response to a high-profile request by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who last year urged lawmakers to move to halt the fossil fuel extraction technique. But Senate Bill 467 wouldn’t stop there. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

COVID Economy  

California unemployment claims rocket higher -- Unemployment claims in California rocketed to their highest level in three months, topping 145,000 filings last week, the government reported Thursday, marking a grim setback for the battered job market statewide. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/21

Sacramento could require laid-off employees to be rehired — but some workers aren’t included -- While the ordinance originally would have required all Sacramento employers with 50 or more workers to hire laid-off former employees back over new applicants when filling positions, the proposal has since been narrowed to focus on hospitality workers, event staff and commercial property employees. Molly Burke in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Fire  

Newsom unveils $536 million plan to fight California wildfires -- The measure would help boost forest health, improve defensible space and protect homes against fires, while also investing in fire prevention grants and prevention workforce training. It also includes vegetation management on public and private lands, community-focus prevention efforts and economic relief for the forestry economy. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ Dustin Gardiner in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Homeless  

Federal stimulus checks can be lifesavers for homeless people — if they can get them -- With no bank accounts, little access to the internet and a general lack of awareness that the money is available, many homeless people haven’t received the stimulus checks. Benjamin Oreskes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

San Francisco taps a new homeless department chief as it struggles with unsheltered -- San Francisco has hired a permanent director for its Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, a demanding and crucial position in a city that has long struggled to help its most vulnerable. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

A new database gives a sharper picture of homelessness across California -- Everywhere in California, homeless outreach workers spend part of their day at their phones or computer screens keying information about their clients. Doug Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Education 

Judge certifies class-action lawsuit challenging CA school funding -- A lawsuit by three San Diego County charter school networks that said they were wrongfully denied state funding now represents all 308 of California’s charter schools that provide online, home school and other nontraditional learning. Kristen Taketa in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/8/21

Some of UC’s most diverse campuses get the least funding, sparking debate over equity and racism -- Casaundra Caruso was nearly a straight-A student when she transferred from San Bernardino Valley College to UC Riverside in fall 2019. But that quickly — and disastrously — changed. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

East Bay school district increases pay to attract substitute teachers -- Finding enough qualified substitute teachers has been difficult for most school districts in recent years, but with most schools closed during the pandemic, the challenge has only multiplied. Judith Prieve in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/21

Street  

After FBI seizure of safe deposit boxes in Beverly Hills, legal challenges mount -- A retired flooring contractor was watching television one night last month when he saw a news report about federal agents raiding U.S. Private Vaults, a store in a Beverly Hills strip mall that let customers rent safe deposit boxes anonymously. Michael Finnegan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Prosecutor won’t seek death penalty for inmate who admitted he killed the ‘I-5 Strangler’ -- Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said Wednesday he filed formal first-degree murder charges against Kibbe’s cellmate, Jason Budrow, a 40-year-old convicted murderer out of Riverside County. Riebe said he’d seek life without possibility of parole and forgo a death penalty trial for Budrow. Ryan Sabalow in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Border 

California Democrat moves to strengthen state’s oversight of unaccompanied immigrant children -- In the wake of a recent influx of migrants arriving to the U.S.-Mexico border, a Democratic lawmaker is carrying a bill that would strengthen the state’s mandate to look out for the welfare of unaccompanied immigrant children housed in state-licensed facilities across California. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Biden task force looks for evidence of additional migrant family separations under Trump -- A presidential task force working on reuniting migrant families has started to look through some 5,600 files to capture the full scope of separations at the border under the Trump administration, an official told reporters Wednesday. Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/8/21

Also . . .   

Warriors president Rick Welts to retire, leaving an indelible Bay Area legacy -- When Rick Welts arrived at the Warriors almost 10 years ago, he called the franchise “a sleeping giant.” And then he proceeded to shake it awake. Ann Killion in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Rick Welts' replacement as Warriors president will face a daunting task -- News of Warriors president Rick Welts’ decision to resign at the end of the season raises a key question: Who will replace the Hall of Famer who was a driving force behind Golden State’s thriving business? Connor Letourneau in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

These California Latinos didn’t grow up speaking Spanish. Here’s why -- Growing up in Stockton during the 1970s, Bill Esparza’s father forbade him from speaking Spanish at home. His father, he said, grew up in an era where signs like “No dogs or Mexicans allowed” hung in storefronts along the U.S. border. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Space Force acquisitions and technology division will be based in L.A. area -- One of the U.S. Space Force’s three main prongs, the division that will develop and buy space technologies and services, will be based in the Los Angeles area, officials announced Thursday. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Meet the band that defaced the Hollywood Sign with a painting of a cow -- Like many an Angeleno, the city’s famed Hollywood Sign has undergone its share of cosmetic makeovers. In both 1976 and 2017, cannabis advocates amended the sign to read “Hollyweed” — and as recently as February, a group led by model Julia Rose rechristened the sign “Hollyboob” to promote breast cancer awareness. Suzy Exposito in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

California Policy and P  olitics Thursday Morning  

Why wasn’t Tiger Woods cited for speeding after he crashed his SUV going 87 mph? -- James C. Powers, captain of the Lomita sheriff’s station, said data from Wood’s SUV was not enough to cite Woods with speeding. He said the act had to be witnessed by a law enforcement officer, which is required for a citation. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Virus  

COVID-19 vaccines work well against California variant, scientists say -- As the California coronavirus variant continues to spread across the Golden State and beyond, new research suggests that several vaccines should continue to provide an effective defense against it. Amina Khan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

More Contagious Virus Variant Is Now Dominant in U.S., C.D.C. Chief Says -- A highly infectious variant of the coronavirus that was first identified in Britain has become the most common source of new infections in the United States, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday. Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Carl Zimmer in the New York Times$ -- 4/8/21

Vaccines now open to everyone age 16 and older in hardest-hit Alameda County ZIP codes -- Alameda County on Wednesday extended coronavirus vaccinations to everyone at least 16 years old, jumping a week ahead of California’s eligibility expansion, but only in 12 ZIP codes across Oakland, Hayward, San Leandro and San Lorenzo, where thousands of COVID-19 cases have devastated communities. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Cal State L.A. vaccination site is offering COVID-19 vaccines for all adults -- The Cal State Los Angeles mass vaccination site will allow any adult to stand in line for a COVID-19 vaccine between Thursday and the end of Sunday, the governor’s Office of Emergency Services said Wednesday night. Leila Miller, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 4/8/21

California expecting nearly 90% drop in J&J vaccines next week, leading to fewer first-shot appointments -- California is expecting about 90% fewer Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses next week, marking a significant decrease in the total number of doses that will lead to fewer first-time appointments, even as the state expands eligibility to any resident over age 16 on April 15. Fiona Kelliher in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/21

California Counties A Hodgepodge Of Highs And Lows In Vaccinating Vulnerable Seniors -- Even as California prepares to expand vaccine eligibility on April 15 to all residents age 16 and up, the state has managed to inoculate only about half its senior population — the 65-and-older target group deemed most vulnerable to death and serious illness in the pandemic. Jenny Gold Capital Public Radio -- 4/8/21

Are we declaring pandemic over too fast? State’s June 15 deadline for reopening splits experts -- Gov. Newsom spoke of "resuming everyday activities," wide-open businesses and "common-sense risk-reduction measures." Some local leaders worry about variants and sporadic vaccine supplies. David Rosenfeld, Alicia Robinson in the Orange County Register -- 4/8/21

Fresno doctor survived genocide in Cambodia but became a victim of COVID-19 in California -- Linath Lim’s life was shaped by starvation. She was not yet 13 when the Khmer Rouge seized power in Cambodia and ripped her family apart. Emily Bazar Kaiser Health News via the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Why California isn't getting rid of its mask mandate just yet -- Given a chance to provide a glimmer of hope for ending California’s mask mandate, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s health secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, firmly decided not to go there, saying there was no end date goal just yet. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Stimulus  

Millions of Californians Entitled to Stimulus Payments May Not Be Getting Them. Here's How to Make Sure You Do -- The reason for the oversight is that Congress and the IRS wanted to provide financial support as quickly as possible, Ramesh said, “and the fastest way to do this was to send stimulus payments automatically to people who file taxes.” Mary Franklin Harvin KQED -- 4/8/21

Open  

These hurdles could block California's ambitious reopening timeline -- Opening the state on June 15 is largely reliant on vaccine supply: California expects it will have enough by then so that every person 16 and older who wants to be vaccinated either already is or can easily make an appointment. The second criterion is keeping hospitalizations for COVID-19 very low. Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

COVID vaccine passports: The new trend in California? -- San Francisco Giants home opener on Friday will require vaccination proof or negative COVID test for entry. Paul Rogers, Nico Savidge in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/21

LA Fleet Week planning launches in San Pedro amid optimism, continued uncertainty -- The Port of Los Angeles is marching forward — albeit cautiously — with organizing an in-person salute to U.S. sailors in September. Donna Littlejohn in the Orange County Register -- 4/8/21

COVID Economy  

Sacramento’s COVID small business loans struggled to reach underserved neighborhoods -- Last summer, Sarom Doeuk was one of thousands of small business owners who received a modest loan from the city, but she almost missed out on the pandemic relief money. Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Policy & Politics 

Longtime Democratic strategist, Newsom ally to face trial over domestic violence, child abuse charges -- Prosecutors say Nathan Ballard shoved wife into glass door, tried to smother child with pillow. David DeBolt in the San Jose Mercury$ Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Skelton: It’s about time Newsom reopened California. We’re going to get our summer back -- My first thought when Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California would fully reopen for business and pleasure on June 15 was: Why not May 15? Or April 15? George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Former Rep. Katie Hill loses first round in her lawsuit alleging revenge porn -- A British tabloid did not violate California’s revenge-porn law by publishing intimate pictures of then-Rep. Katie Hill without her consent, a judge ruled on Wednesday. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Weber appears likely to take 79th District seat, with slim majority of votes -- La Mesa Councilwoman Dr. Akilah Weber appears likely to take the 79th Assembly District seat after gaining a slim majority in the special primary election held Tuesday. Deborah Sullivan Brennan in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/8/21

Legacy of a young woman’s murder: Will the counties step up? -- Sue Frost, chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, did not originally support a 2002 state law that provides family members with one of the few legal avenues to get severely mentally ill relatives into intensive treatment. Like other public officials, she was concerned about patient rights and cost. But she supports it now. Sigrid Bathen Capitol Weekly -- 4/8/21

Street  

USF students demand answers, reforms after noose found hanging off dorm balcony -- The noose, a historical symbol of America’s racist history of lynchings of Black people, was found hanging off the fourth-floor balcony of the university’s Loyola Village housing complex March 30, USF Black Student Union President Brianna Johnson wrote in an open letter published by the San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper. Michael Williams in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

TV news crew pepper sprayed in S.F.'s Golden Gate Park as thieves tried to steal their camera -- The reporters were filming a segment near the Stow Lake Boathouse around 1:18 p.m. when a suspect sprayed them with chemicals, grabbed their camera and absconded to a waiting getaway car, said Robert Rueca, a spokesperson for the San Francisco police department. The suspect dropped the camera as he fled. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Charges filed against 17-year-old driver in fatal Lamborghini crash -- Monique Munoz, 32, was killed when a speeding Lamborghini slammed into her vehicle in the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Overland Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. on Feb. 17, according to LAPD Capt. Brian Wendling. Her vehicle was almost split in half. Leila Miller, James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

L.A. to pay nearly $1.6 million to settle three lawsuits alleging police wrongdoing -- Los Angeles is poised to pay nearly $1.6 million to settle three lawsuits involving alleged wrongdoing by the Los Angeles Police Department, including a $1.15-million payout over the shooting of a man from an LAPD helicopter. Emily Alpert Reyes, Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ Elizabeth Chou in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 4/8/21

Big rig driver says he crashed into murder suspect’s truck to stop dangerous police pursuit -- A nearly two-hour police pursuit ended in Pomona on Tuesday when a murder suspect collided with a big rig whose driver said he was trying to stop the chase. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Family of autistic man says deputies were warned of his disabilities before shooting -- When Isaias Cervantes spiraled into a mental health crisis last week, his family called 911. A sister and a therapist who works with Cervantes told the Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies who responded that the agitated 25-year-old had autism and was hard of hearing, according to another sister and a lawyer for the family. Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Hayward police investigating videos showing officers punching, kicking man during arrest -- Hayward police’s Internal Affairs Unit is investigating cell phone videos showing four Hayward officers taking a man to the ground during an arrest and at least one officer repeatedly punching the man while he is held down. Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Border 

Border surge: Rep. Lou Correa discusses conditions, solutions for young migrants -- 'Cages' and family separations are no more. But Correa says the root problems driving cyclical spikes in refugees at the border have gotten worse. Brooke Staggs in the Orange County Register -- 4/8/21

Education 

Stanford alumni group will meet with school president in effort to save 11 sports -- Eleven varsity sports at Stanford set to be cut may instead be reinstated, depending in part on the outcome of a meeting between an alumni group and school president Marc Tessier-Lavigne. Michael Nowels in the San Jose Mercury Ann Killion in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Parent group sues Los Angeles Unified asking for full reopening of schools -- ALos Angeles parent group filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Los Angeles Unified School District and district Superintendent Austin Beutner, calling for a return to full-time, in-person instruction to the extent possible. Diana Lambert EdSource -- 4/8/21

California moving to pioneer free meals for all students -- As students gradually return to classrooms, advocates and lawmakers say it’s more important than ever to provide free meals in schools without burdensome eligibility requirements, just as California has done during the pandemic. Ali Tadayon EdSource -- 4/8/21

Homeless  

This Sacramento-area city is paying homeless people to clean up camps — and it’s paying off -- For nearly a year, Elk Grove has been implementing a program that pays homeless residents to clean up encampments, a move initially meant to maintain social distancing but which now may see more permanent adoption. Vincent Moleski in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

New homelessness data: Nearly 250,000 Californians asked for help in 2020 -- The number of unhoused people asking for help skyrocketed in some Bay Area counties during the pandemic, according to a first-in-the-nation data set released Wednesday. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/21

New California homeless database aims to help policymakers -- A new California data warehouse system unveiled Wednesday should help policymakers better understand and address the issue of homelessness in a state that has the most unhoused people in the country, officials said. Janie Har Associated Press -- 4/8/21

Landlords and Tenants   

Now you can pay rent in bitcoin, at least at mall magnate Rick Caruso’s apartments -- Developer Rick Caruso is known for his lavish outdoor malls, luxe seaside resort near Santa Barbara and stewardship of USC as chair of the board of trustees. Next up: He’s planning to make a splash in cryptocurrency. Roger Vincent in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Upper Crust  

Half of Forbes' Top 10 billionaires have Bay Area ties - but two have left California -- Forbes released the list this week with more than 2,700 of the richest people in the world in 2021. Jeff Bezos ($177 billion), founder of e-commerce giant Amazon, came in as No. 1, followed by Elon Musk ($151 billion), CEO of Tesla Motors in Palo Alto. Jessica Flores in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Develop  

San Diego forced to reexamine sports arena deal -- New state guidelines imply that San Diego should have offered the Midway District site to affordable housing builders before soliciting interest from other developers. Jennifer Van Grove in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/8/21

Environment  

Pipeline leaks more than 1,600 gallons of oil at Inglewood Oil Field -- A pipeline leaked more than 1,600 gallons of oil this week in the Inglewood Oil Field near Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area when a valve was left open. Human error caused the spill, which occurred at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday, according to a report from the state’s Office of Emergency Services. Leila Miller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

Climate  

Climate change is hitting home, and experts urge tougher responses -- Photo after photo showed the streets and parking lots of Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula flooded last summer from high ocean waters, a tangible warning of climate change’s increasing consequences and the urgent need to address the problem more extensively. Martin Wisckol in the Orange County Register -- 4/8/21

Also . . .   

Looking for choice seats for the Giants home opener? Here's how much it could cost you -- Tickets for the Giants home opener against the Colorado Rockies Friday ranged from $73 for bleacher seats to nearly $2,000 for seats behind home plate, according to a survey of multiple online ticket-sellers Wednesday. Vanessa Arredondo in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21

Arellano: EBay takes Manzanar sketches off the auction block after Japanese American groups object -- Lori Matsumura joked that she missed out on the art gene that runs in her family. Her grandfather, Giichi, used watercolors to document life at the Manzanar War Relocation Center where he and his family were incarcerated during World War II. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/21

How California snared two elite hunters posting ‘once a lifetime’ kills on social media -- Joe Frater and Chris Stone were on their way to social media stardom in the elite world of trophy deer hunting. Ryan Sabalow in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/8/21

Bay Area News Group science reporter wins prestigious national award for COVID coverage -- Bay Area News Group science writer Lisa M. Krieger has won first place for beat reporting from the prestigious Association of Health Care Journalists for her extensive, insightful stories about COVID-19, from explaining the potential impact of the mysterious virus before it even landed on U.S. soil to helping readers understand the plight of long-haulers — patients whose symptoms never go away. The item is in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/21

No, Bay Area restaurants are not running out of ketchup. Here's what's going on -- As more restaurants switched to takeout over the course of the pandemic, shared ketchup bottles were quickly swapped in favor of individual packets, which are now in high demand and getting harder to find in some states. Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/21