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Santa Clara County DA: VTA shooter could have been stopped if feds told local authorities about prior detention -- Last week’s massacre at the Valley Transportation Authority might have been prevented, the county’s top law enforcement official said Thursday, if federal agents had told local authorities what they knew about Samuel Cassidy. Robert Salonga, Leonardo Castañeda in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/4/21

Biden has quietly deployed an app for asylum seekers. Privacy experts are worried -- In recent weeks, U.S. border officials have taken an unprecedented step, quietly deploying a new app, CBP One, which relies on controversial facial recognition, geolocation and cloud technology to collect, process and store sensitive information on asylum seekers before they enter the United States, according to three privacy-impact assessments conducted by the Homeland Security Department and experts who reviewed them for The Times. Molly O’Toole in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Newsom draws first lottery winners in effort to boost California COVID-19 vaccinations -- Gov. Gavin Newsom stood on a set designed to look like a game show on Friday and drew winners of the first cash prizes in California’s COVID-19 vaccine lottery, part of an effort to boost immunizations that also gives the governor a chance to give away $116.5 million to potential voters before the recall election. Taryn Luna, Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ Lara Korte in the Sacramento Bee$ Adam Beam and Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 6/4/21

California moving toward workplaces without masks: What you need to know -- California took a major step this week to define what COVID-19 workplace safety rules will look like as the pandemic continues to fade. Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

L.A.’s youngest Black and Latino residents are least likely to be vaccinated for COVID-19 -- In a troubling sign, rates of COVID-19 vaccinations among Los Angeles County’s youngest eligible Black and Latino residents are significantly lower than for other racial and ethnic groups, and officials are expanding efforts to make shots available across the region. Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Open  

Coachella is back after the coronavirus and so is the mad dash to buy festival passes -- After a long COVID-19-related hiatus, the festival of festivals announced its planned 2022 return earlier this week and fans got their first chance to purchase passes for the event Friday. Alex Groves in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/4/21

Policy & Politics 

Newsom counting on labor union army to tank the California recall -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom has the numbers, but his opponents have the enthusiasm — and Newsom is counting on a union-heavy army of allies to make up the difference. Jeremy B. White Politico -- 6/4/21

Street  

Humboldt County has highest rate of hepatitis C in California -- The Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction has seen a “huge increase” in needle sharing and reuse in Eureka following the Eureka City Council’s decision to temporarily suspend the organization’s syringe exchange program (SEP) within city limits. Isabella Vanderheiden in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/4/21

Climate  

This S.F. community could wind up underwater as tides rise. Can anything be done? -- Challenge of preparing the Mission Creek neighborhood for climate change showcases the difficulties facing communities all along the San Francisco Bay. The item is in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

Lopez: He has celebrated deserts all his life. Now he’s sounding the alarm -- If you have any questions about how the plants and animals of Southern California’s deserts are faring as the Earth gets hotter and drier, Jim Cornett is a good bet to have the answers. Roadrunners, palm trees, snakes, Joshua trees — Cornett has studied them all and written more than 40 books. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Education  

Many CSU students see big upsides to online learning. Now, there is a push to expand it -- Online options are here to stay. Throughout the system, in spring surveys, campus discussions and early registration trends, a new realization has emerged among students and staff. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Also . . .   

No. 1 challenge facing San Diego city libraries: inequity, consultants say -- Library branches in the southern and southeastern parts of San Diego are typically smaller and lack space for events and meetings, compared to branches in the north and west parts of the city, creating long-term challenges for the city’s library system. David Garrick in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/4/21

Arellano: In diverse Southern California, loquats are the real fruit MVPs -- My wife and I sped through the streets of Santa Ana, weaving down side streets and around double-parked cars, in search of the magic house. The one with all the loquats. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Facebook says Trump ban may expire in 2023 ‘if conditions permit’ -- Facebook has set a potential time limit on its previously indefinite ban of Donald Trump: two years. Jeff Bercovici in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

John Stevens, decorated combat Marine who led the long battle to get a Korean War Memorial built, is dead at 100 -- The Korean conflict is known as “the Forgotten War,” but one veteran who never forgot it was Lt. Col. John R. Stevens, U.S. Marine Corps. Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

A local hospital’s chef will lead this year’s Tower Bridge Dinner -- In a fitting turn coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, UC Davis Health executive chef/director of culinary operations and innovation Santana Diaz will lead the eighth annual Tower Bridge Dinner this fall, according to Visit Sacramento. Benjy Egel in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/4/21

California Policy and Politics Friday Morning  

Mask or no mask at work? California regulators pass controversial COVID rules -- Californians will have to remain masked at work possibly through early next year — at least if they have unvaccinated colleagues, state regulators decided Thursday during a marathon meeting that elicited hours of heated debate. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ Jeong Park in the Sacramento Bee$ Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

California to allow sale of to-go cocktails through 2021 -- Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the state will continue allowing restaurants to sell takeout alcohol and keep expanded outdoor dining through the end of the year. Restaurants turned to takeout and outdoor dining during the past year as coronavirus restrictions severely limited indoor service. Olga R. Rodriguez and Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ Leonardo Castañeda in the San Jose Mercury$ Noel Harris in the Sacramento Bee$ Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

‘Hero pay’ bill for healthcare workers fizzles in California Legislature -- California Assembly members declined Thursday to vote on a bill that would have awarded “hero pay” to healthcare workers who helped steer the state through the pandemic, effectively killing the $7-billion effort for the year. Melody Gutierrez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Should essential workers get bonuses? Unions want Gavin Newsom to dole out $8 billion -- The money would be given to workers in places such as hospitals, fast food restaurants, grocery stores, janitorial services and public transit, according to the unions’ proposal laid out in their letter to Newsom and legislative leaders sent Thursday. Jeong Park in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/4/21

After mass shooting, new gun tax falls short in California -- A majority of the Assembly’s 80 members voted for the bill. But because the bill would create a new tax, it required a two-thirds vote. The bill fell five votes short of the 54 required for passage. Adam Beam Associated Press Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

California Senate rejects workers compensation proposal -- The California Senate on Thursday rejected a bill aimed at making it easier for health care employees to have hospitals pay their medical bills related to COVID-19 and other diseases that may have been contracted on the job — a move business groups said would have cost them too much money. Adam Beam Associated Press -- 6/4/21

Vaccine  

L.A. County mass COVID-19 vaccination sites to be replaced by smaller ones this month -- On Monday, the county will close the Cal State Northridge site. People who received their first dose there have appointments to get their second dose at the nearby Balboa Sports Complex. Leila Miller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

California put $116.5 million toward its vaccine lottery. Is it working? -- California’s offer of cash prizes totaling $116.5 million to residents who get COVID-19 vaccinations may not be having the impact Gov. Gavin Newsom wanted. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

Get vaccinated, get beer: That’s Anheuser-Busch’s pandemic promise -- To encourage people to get vaccinated against coronavirus, the makers of Budweiser this week said they will buy “America’s next round of beer, seltzer or non-alcoholic beverage” once the country reaches the goal of having 70% of the adult population vaccinated, according to a company statement. Olga Grigoryants in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 6/4/21

Open  

The pandemic sparked a Black cycling movement in South L.A. — and a new business -- In April 2020, during the earliest days of the pandemic lockdown, Kellie Hart found herself itching to get out of the house. Donovan X. Ramsey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Policy & Politics 

Eleni Kounalakis says she won't play politics with Newsom recall -- California’s lieutenant governor has little real power — except when it comes to recalling the governor. Then things get real. By law, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis can set the date when voters decide whether to yank her fellow Democrat, Gov. Gavin Newsom, from office. But she told The Chronicle she won’t seek to rig the timeline to help Newsom. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

The California Recall, Untangled -- The 12 questions that help explain the historical, political and logistical forces behind the effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. Shawn Hubler in the New York Times$ -- 6/4/21

California city declares itself a 2nd Amendment Freedom City -- For a fourth time in two months, City Councilman Gene James brought a resolution up for the council’s consideration to make San Clemente a Second Amendment sanctuary city, joining the city of Needles which was the first in California to do so early last year. Erika I. Ritchie in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/4/21

San Jose lost population last year, but is still 10th-largest U.S. city: Census official stats -- San Jose and San Francisco both lost population during 2020 compared with 2019, but Oakland added residents, according to the latest official estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/4/21

Barabak: He helped make Ronald Reagan president. Now he’s had it with the Republican Party -- Recently, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library launched a lecture series entitled “Time for Choosing,” a name consciously echoing the famous 1964 speech that launched Reagan’s political career and put him on a path to the White House. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Census data shows CA voter participation up across the board -- The U.S. Census Bureau’s voter survey of the November 2020 election shows that, once again, California saw increased participation in general and across nearly all demographics. Scott Soriano Capitol Weekly -- 6/4/21

Street  

Grief, sorrow collide with business in VTA's first board meeting since deadly shooting -- In an extraordinary two-hour VTA board meeting, raw grief and sorrow collided with the requirement to govern a transit agency still reeling from the deadliest mass shooting in Bay Area history. Ricardo Cano in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

Azusa police suffered a ransomware attack in 2018. The city kept it secret -- The recent ransomware attack that spilled thousands of sensitive Azusa Police Department files online was not the first time hackers demanding money had infiltrated the agency’s computer systems. Harriet Ryan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

Deliveryman's viral video captures 'everyday' racial harassment in S.F. Pacific Heights -- A recording by a deliveryman who was questioned and confronted by a white man in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood has become the latest viral video to highlight what he called the “everyday” harassment faced by “a man of color living in America.” Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

DA’s office develops app to promote cultural awareness for law enforcement in San Diego County -- The need: Help police better understand cultural norms to communicate better with several of San Diego’s diverse communities. One approach: Technology. There’s now an app for that. Teri Figueroa in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/4/21

Alleged top cartel money launderer extradited to San Diego -- Juan Manuel Alvarez-Inzunza, 39 — nicknamed “El Rey Midas,” or “King Midas” — is alleged to have moved millions of dollars for the Mexican cartel’s kingpins, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/4/21

Workplace  

Sacramento to audit city departments to address ‘workplace toxic cultures’ -- Under the plan introduced by Councilman Eric Guerra, the Sacramento city auditor will investigate workplace complaints and city departments’ resolution practices, as well as conduct racial disparity assessments starting with the Office of Public Safety. Marcus D. Smith in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 6/4/21

Apple Prepares Office Staff for Hybrid Workweek -- Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, in an email to staff, told office employees that they are expected to return to their workspace three days a week starting in September. Aaron Tilley in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 6/4/21

Education  

After S.F. teachers union vote to support Israel boycott, Jewish families question if students will feel safe -- The San Francisco teachers union turned its attention away from city schools and toward international conflict, calling for a boycott of Israel in a strongly worded statement that has angered some families and outraged Jewish organizations. Jill Tucker, Emma Talley in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

California's K-12 funding formula likely to change, but disagreement over how -- For the first time since its adoption eight years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to change the formula that determines more than 70% of California school districts’ annual spending. But his plan to direct more money only to districts with the greatest concentration of low-income children is proving to be a tough sell so far to the Legislature. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 6/4/21

Environment  

Study finds great white sharks thriving off Northern California coast -- A study estimated that 266 great whites were living in the so-called Red Triangle area, which reaches roughly from Big Sur to the Farallon Islands to Bodega Bay in 2018 — up from 219 counted in 2011. With a large population of elephant seals, harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters and other marine mammals, the area lures great white sharks. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

Pacific walruses get another chance - federal court orders reconsideration of added protections -- A federal appeals court overruled the Trump administration's refusal to protect the Pacific walrus Thursday and ordered the Biden administration to consider protection for a species whose icy habitat is threatened by climate change. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

Develop  

Pandemic slashed San Diego airport revenue, but $3B Terminal 1 project is still a go -- Thanks to federal relief funds and major expense cuts, the San Diego Airport Authority is able to approve a nearly $300 million operating budget and a five-year capital spending plan of $3.6 billion Lori Weisberg in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 6/4/21

Also . . .   

Phil Mickelson, wine influencer? This $450 Napa Cab is selling out after golfer drinks it from trophy -- At $450, the Black Magic Cabernet Sauvignon is the most expensive bottle produced by Tor Wines in St. Helena. Right now, it's also the fastest-selling, according to winemaker Tor Kenward. Esther Mobley in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

Bay Area paragliders fly on the wind, soaring 100 miles through the sky -- On a calm, blue April morning, under a low cluster of cotton-ball clouds, eight paragliders on Mount Diablo strapped into their flight harnesses and waited for favorable wind. Gregory Thomas in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

F. Lee Bailey, famed lawyer on O.J. Simpson ‘dream team,’ dies at 87 -- F. Lee Bailey was at one time the most famous trial attorney in the country, known for his lightning-quick mind, relentless courtroom interrogations and insatiable self-promotion. David Colker, Steve Marble in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 6/4/21

S.F. prosecutors decline to file criminal charges in Mohammed Nuru's latest arrest -- San Francisco prosecutors will not file criminal charges against Mohammed Nuru, the former San Francisco Public Works director jailed Wednesday following a bizarre report involving a knife and potato chips. Mallory Moench, Kellie Hwang, Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 6/4/21

Mountain lion spotted walking down Millbrae street -- The sighting, the third on the Peninsula since May 25, was reported Thursday afternoon, said Sgt. Patrick Carey of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office in a news release. The person who reported the most recent sighting provided video surveillance that showed the mountain lion walking down Aura Vista at about 3:50 a.m. Wednesday. Jason Green in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 6/4/21