Updating . .   

If you got the J&J vaccine, here's what experts say you should do now -- About 6.8 million Americans have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which federal health officials on Tuesday asked states to pause after six women in the U.S. developed serious blood clots within about two weeks of their vaccinations. Anna Buchmann in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Scientists delve into clotting issues associated with J&J vaccine as pause disrupts local distributions -- Continue getting coronavirus shots, experts say: ‘Your chance of getting COVID and dying from it is worse.’ Teri Sforza in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/14/21

Newsom: J&J pause won't undermine California's vaccine goals -- Gov. Gavin Newsom said the pause should not affect California’s goals of opening vaccine eligibility to most people this week and broadly reopening the economy in June. The state will work to allocate Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots to the roughly 8,800 people who have signed up for J&J shots, he said. Victoria Colliver Politico -- 4/14/21

Will Johnson & Johnson woes make it harder to get COVID-19 vaccine in California? -- At first glance, the timing couldn’t be worse: thousands of COVID-19 vaccines going on ice at the same time California is preparing to make them available for everyone 16 and older. Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II, Taryn Luna, Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Only 30% of L.A. County men got COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 44% of women. Why the disparity? -- Throughout the pandemic, men worldwide have been far more likely to die from COVID-19 — because of a mix of biological and behavioral factors — but also less likely to have been vaccinated against the disease. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Which state is doing more for undocumented residents in COVID era? California or New York? -- Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, some Democratic-led states have sought to provide state-funded COVID relief for undocumented immigrants who were left out of federal stimulus aid. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Policy & Politics 

Can Newsom recall be blocked from ballot? Ally will ask petition signers to change their minds -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s supporters have one last weapon to try to derail a recall before the secretary of state certifies it for the ballot and a half dozen Kardashians announce their campaigns: They can ask people who signed the recall petitions to remove their names. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

‘Long time coming.’ Placerville council votes unanimously to remove noose from city logo -- The noose on the city’s logo is a symbol that is associated with the city’s Gold Rush-era name, Old Hangtown. Molly Sullivan in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

California politicians owe $2 million in campaign fines, don’t get punished -- California’s secretary of state’s office has failed to collect $2 million in fines owed by politicians, lobbyists and campaign donors who the office says filed disclosure reports late, a CalMatters analysis shows. It’s allowed some of the largest fines to languish for many years with no consequences to those who are supposed to pay up. Laurel Rosenhall CalMatters -- 4/14/21

Lost your job in California? New bill might force these employers to hire back workers -- California workers from an industry devastated by the coronavirus pandemic would have a chance to return to the jobs under a bill advanced by the state Assembly this week. Jeong Park in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Second California prison to close due to dwindling incarcerated population -- Citing a dwindling number of people incarcerated in the state’s prison system, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced that it is closing a prison in Susanville — the second prison closure announced in a year. Michael Williams in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

COVID Economy  

Breed challenges San Franciscans to only patronize city's pandemic-battered small businesses -- Could you go an entire month without ordering anything from Amazon? Could you ditch Safeway in favor of your corner market? Could you skip ordering food from McDonald’s and bypass Target, Costco and Walgreens? Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Street  

‘White Lives Matter’ rallies fizzled. Hate groups still see chance to ‘fire up the base’ -- When white nationalists failed to turn out in threatening numbers Sunday at a Huntington Beach rally, many counterprotesters viewed it as a victory. Hayley Smith, Hannah Fry, Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Protesters take to Sacramento streets in response to Daunte Wright’s killing by police -- Videos posted or live-streamed to social media show that the demonstration started with a crowd of about 200 at Cesar Chavez Plaza, peacefully protesting in response to the police killing of Daunte Wright, a Black man, during a traffic stop on Sunday. Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

How Wine Country's insular nature played a role in Dominic Foppoli's alleged misconduct -- In the days since a Chronicle investigation was published that detailed allegations of sexual assault by Dominic Foppoli, the public outcry has focused on removing Foppoli from his office as the mayor of Windsor. He has denied the allegations and said he will not resign. Esther Mobley in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Smolens: Gloria pushes changes in SDPD amid national focus on law enforcement -- Mayor Todd Gloria seemed to be in the zeitgeist of the moment last week when he unveiled potentially sweeping changes in San Diego Police Department practices. Michael Smolens in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/14/21

California father suspected of DUI in crash that killed his 5-year-old daughter charged with murder -- Prosecutors charged a man suspected of driving while intoxicated when he crashed into a light pole in Colton, leaving his 5-year-old daughter dead and one other child injured, with murder, child endangerment and felony DUI, officials said Tuesday, April 13. Eric Licas in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/14/21

Capitol Siege  

Prosecutors: No charges for officer in Capitol riot shooting -- Authorities had considered for months whether criminal charges were appropriate for the Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego. The Justice Department’s decision, though expected, officially closes out the investigation. Eric Tucker and Michael Balsamo Associated Press -- 4/14/21

Education 

Black students in 14 L.A. County school districts face serious equity barriers, study finds -- Black students in Los Angeles County continue to face a multitude of barriers to an equitable education, including concentrated poverty, high suspension rates and housing insecurity, a UCLA report released Wednesday found. Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Homeless  

Death along river hits Sacramento homeless women hard. ‘They’re worried for their safety’ -- The staff and the guests at Maryhouse, a program for homeless women and children in Sacramento, did not know who Kathy Lynn Robbins was. But news of her death created a somber feeling there this week. Rosalio Ahumada in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Calif. officials announce plan to house 75% of Bay Area's homeless population by 2024 -- Local and state leaders, housing experts, businesses and social justice advocates from all nine Bay Area counties have united to create a Regional Action Plan that aims to house 75 percent of the area's homeless population by 2024. Jana Kadah in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 4/14/21

Housing  

If you’re house shopping in L.A.’s hot market, prepare to pay way more than the price tag -- In Southern California, where home buyers are seasoned bidding-war combatants, demand lately has been pummeling supply so badly that some neighborhoods are seeing most homes fetch far more than owners were asking. Jack Flemming in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Sacramento’s red hot real estate market storms into spring. Are we in a housing bubble? -- Sacramento’s home-buying frenzy continued through March and into April as buyers vied for a limited supply and home prices ratcheted up 6% in just one month – an increase that some thought might happen for the entire year. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Debate over $167 housing stipend for medical residents stalls talks between guild, UC Davis -- A disagreement over how much UC Davis Medical Center will pay to offset housing costs has stalled contract talks between the hospital and nearly 800 residents, fellows and interns who formed a union more than a year and half ago. Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Also . . .   

The Bay Area went crazy for pandemic pets. What happens when we go back to work? -- Pepper is a very good dog. He’s rambunctious, but knows how to chill. He’s also a border collie and Australian shepherd mix, so he’ll occasionally try to herd his adoptive parents, Lloyd Brown and Alex Brandenberg, when they’re in the kitchen. Ryan Kost in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Yosemite National Park to build new $10 million visitor center -- In a typical year, more than 4.5 million people visit Yosemite National Park, many of them first-time visitors from other states and countries who are looking to find their bearings and figure out how best to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of one of America’s most storied landmarks. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/14/21

Scores of tule elk died at Point Reyes seashore in 2020. Are their days numbered? -- Tule elk are treasured creatures in California, and for years, animal rights groups have butted heads with the Point Reyes National Seashore over its practice of keeping elk fenced away from nearby cattle ranches. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

No, it's not illegal to pick a California poppy. Why does everyone think it is? -- Despite years worth of urban legends to the contrary, picking California’s state flower — something most Bay Area residents have been told never to do — is not technically illegal. Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Why flights from Central America often have the enticing aroma of fried chicken -- Norma Ramirez stepped off Delta flight 1903 from Guatemala City with a backpack, a blue neck pillow and an aromatic carry-on: chicken. Lots and lots of fried chicken. Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

The boba crisis is a perfect opportunity to try the superior tea topping: cheese foam -- My go-to order at my local boba shop doesn’t contain boba at all. Boba, or bubble tea, has become synonymous with the chewy balls from which its name is derived. David Deloso in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

California Policy and P  olitics Wednesday Morning  

Here’s what we know about J&J’s vaccine and rare blood clots -- Doctors with long experience in diagnosing very sick patients describe it as one of the rarest and most perplexing scenarios they have seen: A patient arrives in a hospital emergency department with one or more life-threatening blood clots in the brain, lungs, legs or abdomen despite having low levels of platelets, the cells that are the raw material for clots. Melissa Healy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Feeling anxious because you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine? Here’s what to do -- James Taber first heard of the federal government’s recommendation that states pause the use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine on Twitter. Deborah Netburn in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Vaccine updates: Nearly half of California adults have 1 dose; providers swap out J&J -- As California prepares to expand eligibility to all residents 16 and older this week, the state is on the brink of a remarkable milestone: nearly half of Californians in that age group are already at least partially vaccinated. Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Here's why Santa Clara County is getting a vaccine windfall this week -- Santa Clara County announced a vaccine windfall Tuesday, more than a quarter million doses directly from the federal government that allowed the county to open coronavirus vaccinations to people as young as 16, two days ahead of much of the state. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Driving to Sacramento or Tulare for a COVID vaccine? Read this before looking outside your county -- Bay Area residents having trouble finding COVID-19 vaccine appointments in their area may have luck if they are willing to trek beyond the region — but providers are sounding some notes of caution. Jessica Flores in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

OC will offer digital vaccine record as an option, not a mandate -- Orange County health officials still plan to provide digital proof people can use to show they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, but county leaders stress they will not mandate that anyone get a so-called “vaccine passport” and one won’t be required to get services from the county. Alicia Robinson in the Orange County Register -- 4/14/21

Selena Gomez, Foo Fighters part of all-star concert at SoFi Stadium to encourage vaccinations -- SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will play host to an all-star concert that will be broadcast and streamed as part of a global effort to inspire confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and encourage people to be inoculated, organizers announced Tuesday, April 13. The item is in the Orange County Register -- 4/14/21

Working-age Latino immigrants 11 times more likely to die from COVID, study shows -- The COVID-19 pandemic was even deadlier for working-age Latino immigrants than previously known, according to a recent University of Southern California study. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Only one county left in purple tier as California’s COVID-19 reopenings continue -- The lone remaining denizen of the purple tier is Merced County, according to state data released Tuesday. Inyo County had been keeping it company but officially moved into the less-restrictive red tier. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

School  

Coronavirus tests, fussing with masks, phonics: L.A.'s youngest students return to school -- School staff member Sylvia Vasquez was doing mandatory health checks on the first day of on-campus instruction at Heliotrope Avenue Elementary, but students kept giving her the wrong answer when she tried to find out if they were healthy. She’d ask how they were feeling, and the answer she kept getting was “Excited.” Howard Blume, Laura Newberry, Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Sac City Unified bus drivers, custodians, food workers threaten strike over reopening plan -- A union representing hundreds of workers in the Sacramento City Unified School District has voted to reject the district’s proposal on how to return safely to campuses – setting up a potential vote on a strike. Sawsan Morrar in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Sacramento City Unified schools report 5 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 -- The district welcomed back students in grades kindergarten through third grade April 8. Within the last week, people have tested positive for the virus at Phoebe Hearst Elementary, Harkness Learning Hub, Washington Elementary, Isador Cohen Elementary and Abraham Lincoln Elementary. Not every case came from a classroom setting. Sawsan Morrar in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Open  

Staples Center releases new fan guidelines for Lakers, Clippers, Kings games -- It will have been 13 months since the halls of Staples Center have been buzzing with the rank and file spectators. While Staples Center will again play host on Thursday night to some 2,000 fans, it won’t be swinging the doors open as much as it will be cracking them. Kyle Goon in the Orange County Register -- 4/14/21

Disneyland and California’s other theme parks are reopening. Here’s what you need to know -- The theme park experience at Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm won’t be exactly the same as before the COVID-19 pandemic. Hugo Martín in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Policy & Politics 

California lawmakers push for police misconduct panel, expanded chokehold ban -- California law enforcement officers could lose their certification based on the decisions of a panel that includes victims of police misconduct under legislation that moved forward Tuesday in the Legislature, as lawmakers also supported an expansive ban on policing techniques that obstruct a person’s breathing. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Gold Rush past, post-George Floyd present: Placerville again considers dropping noose on city logo -- Behind a man stooping low to pan for gold, a noose hangs from a tree. “Old Hangtown” boasts the logo of Placerville, Calif. — a reference to its Gold Rush-era moniker. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

L.A. icon Angelyne, former porn star Mary Carey ready to replace Newsom in recall -- And so it begins. With organizers of the recall effort to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom on the cusp of triggering a special election, a colorful cast of hopefuls who want to replace the Democratic leader has started to emerge — including a few familiar faces. Faith E. Pinho in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Walters: Bills would hamstring future California recalls -- As signatures on petitions to force Gov. Gavin Newsom into a recall election are being tallied, the Legislature is considering bills that would, if enacted, make future recalls of California’s elected officials less likely. Dan Walters CalMatters -- 4/14/21

Oakland restores police, fire services after budget cuts -- After months of debate over how to stem a multi-million budget shortfall, the City Council agreed Tuesday to use an infusion of cash from Coliseum arena debt and federal funding to restore police, fire and other resources the city had cut in recent months to reduce a budget deficit. Annie Sciacca in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/14/21

Northern California prison to close, cutting 1,000 jobs from rural community -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration announced plans to close a state prison in rual Lassen County next year, shutting down a site that employed more than 1,000 people and served for decades as a home base for inmate firefighter training. Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Oil

Ambitious plan to ban California fracking falls short in Legislature -- A far-reaching proposal to outlaw hydraulic fracturing and ban oil and gas wells from operating near homes, schools and healthcare facilities failed in the California Legislature on Tuesday, a major setback for progressive leaders who hail the state as the nation’s bellwether on environmental protection. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Fire  

Gavin Newsom signs bill to rush spending on California wildfire prevention as drought sets in -- California is adding more than half a billion dollars in wildfire prevention spending this year after Gov. Gavin Newsom formally approved the money Tuesday ahead of the state’s peak fire season. Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Ninth Circuit expresses doubt over challenge of California wildfire statute -- Passed by the Legislature, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in 2019, AB 1054 created a $21 billion insurance fund the state’s big three investor-owned utilities can access should their equipment ignite a wildfire. Rob Nikolewski in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/14/21

Water  

Southern California water giant wants Sacramento Valley water — and has $44 million to spend -- With California in the throes of a second year of drought conditions, the mega-water agency of Southern California served notice Tuesday that it’s prepared to spend up to $44 million to buy water from Northern California to shore up its supplies. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Street  

Sheriff Villanueva ready to call National Guard in case of civil unrest over Minnesota events -- Los Angeles’ top law enforcement officials say they are ready to call on the National Guard for help as they brace for protests over the upcoming verdict in the trial of a former Minnesota police officer charged with murdering George Floyd and over another recent police killing in that state. Alene Tchekmedyian, Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Flaws in LAPD responses to intense George Floyd protests reopened old community wounds, report authors say -- Multiple reviews have found the Los Angeles Police Department lacked clear lines of command and control that led to confusion in the ranks as the agency attempted to manage a near-citywide revolt over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May and June 2020. Josh Cain in the Los Angeles Daily News$ Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Sacramento hires first inspector general to investigate police misconduct -- Sacramento has hired Dwight White, a former investigator at Chicago’s civilian agency that probes police misconduct, to serve as the city’s first inspector general to review use-of-force cases involving the police department. Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks and Marcus D. Smith in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

Daly City police officer fatally shot S.F. man in chest during struggle over weapon, DA says -- A routine check on an occupied parked vehicle in Daly City turned deadly last week when police officers saw what they believed was a firearm on the lap of a passenger, struggled to take it away and fatally shot the man in the chest, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe told The Chronicle on Tuesday. The weapon turned out to be a BB gun. Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Bretón: Our new public health crisis: We are paying the price for not addressing police use of force -- Our reality today: A veteran cop 1,800 miles away in Brooklyn Center, Minn., yelled “taser, taser, taser” and instead fired her gun, killing Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old young Black man, and the consequences are immediately felt far beyond, including here, now. Marcos Bretón in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/14/21

The long, twisted, frustrating road to an arrest in the disappearance of Kristin Smart -- The disappearance of Kristin Smart is one of California’s most enduring mysteries. For much of the time since she vanished while walking to her dorm at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1996, authorities have identified fellow student Paul Flores as the prime suspect in the case. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ Meryl Kornfield and Brittany Shammas in the Washington Post$ -- 4/14/21

Mom suspected of killing her three children is charged with Kern County carjacking as she fled -- A mother suspected of killing her three young children in a San Fernando Valley apartment complex last weekend was charged Tuesday with carjacking, which she allegedly committed as she fled to Tulare County, where she was eventually captured. Richard Winton, Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Man facing hate crime, battery charges for allegedly spitting on Asian woman inside her El Cerrito garage -- A Richmond man faces hate crime and battery charges after police said he followed an Asian woman into her El Cerrito garage, spit in her face and shouted race-based insults. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Man arrested on suspicion of hate crime against Korean woman at Tustin park -- Late Sunday morning, police responded to the 1600 block of Valencia Avenue on reports of a possible assault and battery, according to a statement from the Tustin Police Department. A woman told officers that she had pepper-sprayed Jauhar Tajuddin Shuaib, 42, as he had attacked her, authorities said. Leila Miller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

San Diego makes long-awaited ambulance provider switch to improve response times, equipment -- San Diego will have a new ambulance provider for the first time in 23 years after the City Council voted 9-0 Tuesday to switch from American Medical Response to Falck, a Danish company that is the largest ambulance operator in the world. David Garrick in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/14/21

Education 

Stanford president to consider alumni group’s plan to reinstate 11 sports -- Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne promised a group of alumni on Tuesday that he would consider its proposal to save 11 sports from being eliminated at the end of the current school year. Elliott Almond in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/14/21

Cal State San Marcos might erase name of top benefactor over 1990s remarks about immigrants -- In a move that reflects change occurring at many of the nation’s campuses, the CSUSM Academic Senate voted 56-2-2 last week to remove the references to the late William Craven, a moderate Republican who served North County in many capacities, including as a member of the state Senate. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/14/21

SDSU defends professor’s use of controversial language about race and stereotypes -- San Diego State University students expressed outrage Tuesday over a professor’s use of a cultural stereotype about Blacks in an online class — anger that was followed a short time later by campus officials defending the teacher’s right to make a point about racial ideology. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/14/21

California universities plan a mix of in-person, virtual commencement ceremonies -- Commencement ceremonies at many of California’s colleges and universities will look a bit closer to normal this year, though with a few twists. Michael Burke and Ashley A. Smith EdSource -- 4/14/21

Homeless  

Despite appearances, 12% fewer homeless people were on Hollywood streets this year -- At a time when multiplying tent camps are making homelessness appear to be an ever-worsening fact of life in Los Angeles, a sign of hope has arisen in Hollywood, historically among the region’s magnets for those living on the fringe. Doug Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Legal motion demands that L.A. provide housing for skid row’s most vulnerable -- The plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit about homelessness are calling for the city and county of Los Angeles to offer some form of shelter to skid row’s most vulnerable by August. Benjamin Oreskes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/14/21

Oceanside dismantles homeless encampment, moves people to motel -- What had started as a homeless man’s effort to create what he called a “trauma-informed safe center” for homeless people in Oceanside came to an end Tuesday morning when police officers and outreach workers began clearing out the area and moving people into motel rooms. Gary Warth in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/14/21

Environment  

State fees on big makers of air pollutants from paint and insecticides OK, court rules -- A state appeals court has upheld California’s fees on large manufacturers of paints and other products that emit air pollutants known as volatile organic compounds, which can cause illnesses such as asthma when inhaled indoors and also contribute to smog. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/14/21

Unwelcome and tough to evict: California’s costly, uphill battle against invasive species -- Like house guests overstaying their welcome, foreign crabs have been nearly impossible to boot out of California. A new strategy, born of failure, may help combat armies of invasive plants and animals that are preying on vulnerable native creatures. Julie Cart CalMatters -- 4/14/21

Also . . .   

‘Time to refocus’: Silicon Valley’s embattled chamber of commerce names new leader -- Six months after the head of Silicon Valley’s largest chamber of commerce resigned in the wake of a racist campaign ad posted by the group, the Silicon Valley Organization has named its new president. Maggie Angst in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/14/21