Updating . .   

California COVID-19 deaths near 90,000, but the per capita rate is among lowest in U.S. -- As of Friday, California had reported 89,851 cumulative deaths since the start of the pandemic, up 269 from the previous week. At this pace, the state is likely to surpass 90,000 COVID-19 fatalities this week. Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

Policy and Politics  

Galvanized by abortion fight, Orange County women could upend congressional races -- The Supreme Court’s expected decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade could galvanize Democrats and turn some reliable Republican voters — especially women — blue, according to polls and interviews. It’s a small bit of hope for Democrats, who are widely expected to lose control of Congress in this year’s election. Seema Mehta, Priscella Vega in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

Skelton: Everyone wins in compromise to increase malpractice payouts — especially victims -- It’s being called the Sacramento equivalent of the Berlin Wall falling. Or a Middle East peace pact. Long-warring enemies have suddenly negotiated a historic compromise over how much money medical malpractice victims can be awarded for pain and suffering. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

John Muir’s legacy is on the ballot in this East Bay city where voters will choose between housing and open space -- Residents of Martinez can send their kids to John Muir Elementary, see a doctor at John Muir Health or get their teeth cleaned at John Muir Smiles. They can live at John Muir Town Homes, bring their pets to Muir Oaks Veterinary Hospital and get a frozen yogurt at the Muir Station shopping. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/9/22

Mayor Breed picks San Francisco police spokesperson Matt Dorsey for District 6 supervisor -- Mayor London Breed is appointing police spokesman Matt Dorsey to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors seat vacated by Matt Haney, who joined the state Assembly last week. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/9/22

Why the City of Industry’s $20 million solar project collapsed like a house of cards -- Support for the project evaporated when city leaders grew suspicious about the group pushing so hard for it. Jason Henry in the Orange County Register -- 5/9/22

Should health insurers cover the cost of fertility treatment? -- Most health insurance plans do not cover the cost of infertility treatment, which can total tens of thousands of dollars. Now California legislators are debating whether to mandate coverage and protect another kind of reproductive choice. Ana B. Ibarra CalMatters -- 5/9/22

Workplace   

Anti-worker or pro-worker? Why labor unions are fighting over a housing bill -- A new bill aimed at increasing affordable housing construction has an important backer: California’s carpenters’ unions. The state’s formidable Construction and Building Trades Council, which represents most other construction unions, is opposed. The battle comes down to how stringent labor requirements under the new bill would be. Manuela Tobias CalMatters -- 5/9/22

Supply Chain  

Port labor talks collide with supply chain crunch -- Plan to buy something online in the next few months? Then you have a stake in high-intensity negotiations set to begin Tuesday between 22,000 dockworkers and the shipping companies that do business at 29 West Coast ports accounting for nearly 9% of the United States’ gross domestic product. Emily Hoeven CalMatters -- 5/9/22

Street  

California may chop late fees that add hundreds of dollars to traffic tickets -- A $300 penalty that California courts tack onto traffic and minor citations can cause the cost of a ticket to balloon. Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to reduce it by half but lawmakers want it gone. Jeanne Kuang CalMatters -- 5/9/22

Water  

‘A race to the bottom’: New bill aims to limit frenzy of well drilling on California farms -- In farming areas across the Central Valley, a well-drilling frenzy has accelerated over the last year as growers turn to pumping more groundwater during the drought, even as falling water levels leave hundreds of nearby homes with dry wells. Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

Housing   

Economic shocks yet to strike Bay Area home prices -- Bay Area home prices showed no sign of slowing down in March, as buyers rushed in to take advantage of low interest rates before the recent turbulence in the economy hiked the cost of borrowing money. Louis Hansen in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/9/22

Education  

Another noose found hanging at Stanford University -- At 7:45 p.m. Sunday, the Silicon Valley school received a report about a noose hanging from a tree outside Branner Hall, an undergraduate residence, university leaders said in an email to students and staff. Campus police took the noose as evidence and are investigating the incident as a hate crime. Joshua Sharpe in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/9/22

UC and CSU are unaffordable, and a 4-year degree isn’t the only way to succeed, Californians say in poll -- Most Californians believe the University of California and California State University are unaffordable, and they highly value community colleges and vocational training as alternative paths to career success, according to a statewide poll released Monday. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

Wildfire  

With fire risk rising, Sacramento County moves to crack down on illegal fireworks before July 4 -- County supervisors next week are expected to introduce a proposed ordinance that would hold property owners liable for illegal fireworks being used on their property if they knew or should’ve known the prohibited activity was happening. The cities of Sacramento, Folsom, Elk Grove and Citrus Heights have similar rules on the books, known as host ordinances. Patrick Riley in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/9/22

Environment  

California summer: Why drought makes us scared, edgy, angry -- Climate anxiety is real, according to a growing body of research showing that drought and hot weather are associated with stress, depression and even suicide. Martha Ross in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/9/22

Also . . .   

Two Sacramento residents killed in Marin Headlands plane crash -- Two Sacramento residents were identified as the people killed in a plane crash Friday in the Marin Headlands, officials said Monday. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office identified the two individuals as Michael B. Briare, 57, and Jennifer Lyn Fox, 52. Jessica Flores in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/9/22

Central Valley hatches plan for engineered mosquitoes to battle stealthy, biting predator -- Bryan Ruiz moved his family into a newly built home in this Central Valley farming city seven months ago and almost immediately found they were under assault. Anna Maria Barry-Jester Kaiser Health News in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/9/22

 

California Policy and Politics Monday Morning  

Pelosi: Is Newsom ‘unaware’ of Democrats’ fight for abortion rights? -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday appeared miffed Sunday that Gov. Gavin Newsom, her fellow California Democrat, would accuse the Democratic Party of being too passive on abortion rights. Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/9/22

AP Interview: BLM’s Patrisse Cullors denies wrongdoing -- But in an interview with The Associated Press, Cullors acknowledged that BLM was ill-prepared to handle a tidal wave of contributions in the aftermath of protests over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020. She and others offered insights into the growing pains of an organization that went from an idea to a global brand, almost in an instant. Aaron Morrison Associated Press -- 5/9/22

Walters: California housing war rages as construction lags -- So how goes the war between the state and many — but not all — California cities over housing policy? Dan Walters CalMatters -- 5/9/22

Water  

Benicia orders residents, businesses to immediately cut water use by 30% after pipeline break -- The Benicia Water Treatment Plant suffered a break in a pipeline overnight, according to a city news release. “Staff is working to locate the break and make repairs as soon as possible,” it said. Water remains safe to drink and use, it said. Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/9/22

Workplace   

Cedars-Sinai workers to walk out Monday, protesting unfair labor practices -- Their five-day strike is protesting low pay, too few staff and inadequate patient care. Kevin Smith in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/9/22

Street  

After stealing $19,000 worth of watches, suspects flee West Hollywood in a Rolls-Royce -- Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators are searching for at least four suspects who are believed to have stolen $19,000 worth of luxury watches from two people in West Hollywood early Sunday before fleeing in a black Rolls-Royce. Jeong Park in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

Education  

With Dr. Dre’s help, a new $200-million Compton High breaks ground -- With “California Love” playing in the background, Dr. Dre joined Compton school and community leaders this weekend to break ground on a new, $200-million campus for Compton High School. Jeong Park in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

Pink slips will be going to 38 faculty members as City College cites budget crunch -- After months of protests, City College of San Francisco trustees voted Friday to finalize 38 faculty layoffs, a move they said was needed to close a major budget shortfall. Gwendolyn Wu in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/9/22

Bay Area schools see families leave cities, flock to suburbs -- Thirty years ago, the Bay Area suburb of Dublin’s eastside was little more than miles of ranchland. Today, it’s lined with new houses and apartments home to thousands of new-to-the area families. Ali Tadayon EdSource -- 5/9/22

Also . . .   

Late season snow arrives in Sierra -- While ski slopes are shuttered and spring flowers are blooming, a late season snow storm hit the Lake Tahoe region, with up to 10 inches of snow expected across the mountains. Kellie Hwang in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/9/22

More human remains found in Lake Mead, which continues to recede amid drought -- Human skeletal remains were found Saturday at Callville Bay in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, according to reports from local station KLAS-TV. National Park Service rangers responded to the scene, and the Clark County Medical Examiner is trying to determine the cause of death. Marissa Evans in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/9/22

 

Sunday Updates   

Ballots and a big decision arrive this week in L.A.’s mayoral race -- Standing outside the Los Angeles Sentinel offices last week, Black faith leaders from South L.A. and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) took turns proclaiming their support for Rep. Karen Bass in her run for mayor. Benjamin Oreskes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/22

Garofoli: If Chesa Boudin is recalled, London Breed will own San Francisco’s crime concerns -- San Francisco Mayor London Breed hasn’t taken a public position on the recall of District Attorney Chesa Boudin. But, politically, she’d better hope Boudin survives it. For her sake. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/8/22

Abcarian: The right to abortion is deeply rooted in the Constitution and flows from amends for slavery -- Now that we’ve had a moment to digest the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe vs. Wade, one thing is clear: Words have lost their meaning. Robin Abcarian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/22

Jim Cooper says he’ll work as Sacramento sheriff to toughen up laws, forge partnerships -- He is banking on that experience, his record in the sheriff’s office and eight years in the state Assembly to get him to the job he first sought in 2010, when he lost a close race to outgoing Sheriff Scott Jones. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/8/22

Jim Barnes vows to bring transparency, new vision if elected Sacramento’s next sheriff -- Today, Barnes has the endorsements of the two major law enforcement unions – the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and the Law Enforcement Managers’ Association – as well as the backing of Jones and former Sheriff John McGinness. But he insists he is not just aiming to follow their policies. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/8/22

Sacramento’s outgoing sheriff and DA sparred with Black Lives Matter. What comes next? -- Next month’s Sacramento County election marks the end of an era for local law enforcement. Two right-leaning leaders who were front-and-center during protests over police shootings that shook the city are leaving office, opening the door to change in the county’s criminal justice practices. Marcus D. Smith in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/8/22

John Gioia’s opponent brings threats, vitriol into Contra Costa County supervisor’s election race -- The eighth-grade math teacher challenging Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia in the June 7 primary election bluntly describes the incumbent’s tenure in office as “the 24 year term of THE RAT.” That’s the comment Richmond resident and political newcomer Hulan Barnett posted on the private Facebook group “Everybody’s Richmond California.” He’s also intimated a threat of violence against the District 1 supervisor he wants to unseat. Shomik Mukherjee in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/8/22

Want to help decide who controls Congress this year? Here’s what to do in California -- Getting involved in a political campaign usually takes only one click. Click to give $5 to a candidate’s effort. Click to sign up to help explain to people how to register to vote. Click to aid Democrat or Republican parties. David Lightman and Gillian Brassil in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/8/22

If Roe Falls, Is Same-Sex Marriage Next? -- When the Supreme Court heard arguments in December over the fate of the constitutional right to abortion, it was already clear that other rights, notably including same-sex marriage, could be at risk if the court overruled Roe v. Wade. The logic of that legal earthquake, Justice Sonia Sotomayor predicted, would produce a jurisprudential tsunami that could sweep away other precedents, too. Adam Liptak in the New York Times$ -- 5/8/22

COVID  

How the pandemic divided the California county where 1 in 300 people died of COVID -- The mother who lost her daughter knows most of the people who cared for her in the hospital. The man protesting mandates in downtown Sonora is the pastor at the church just a few miles away. The personal stakes are ever-present — even at meetings of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors. Ryan Kost in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/8/22

Water  

What Israel, Las Vegas and other places can teach SoCal about using a lot less water -- Millions of Southern Californians will wake up to the region’s most severe water restrictions ever on June 1, with local water agencies under orders to slash the use of supplies from the State Water Project by 35%. Hayley Smith, Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/22

Wildfire  

‘Unrelenting’ fire seasons putting new mental strain on crews that fight flames -- Firefighter Chuck Stark summed up life in the 2020s for crews at the Contra Costa Fire Protection District and throughout the state: “If I could describe it in one word: Unrelenting,” he said. “There used to be an ebb and a flow to this. Not anymore.” Rick Hurd in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/8/22

Develop  

A landslide destroyed O.C. homes 24 years ago. A developer wants to build there again -- In 1998, after a winter of heavy rains, the hill below Via Estoril collapsed. Several homes slid down, others were destroyed, and the condominiums below were heavily damaged. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/22

Exodus  

The most popular cities on Redfin for Bay Area residents looking to move away now -- For the Redfin users who were looking beyond the Bay Area, referred to as “origin leavers,” the biggest draws were other metropolitan areas within the state: Sacramento topped the list, at 20.4%, followed by Los Angeles at 12.5%. Kellie Hwang in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/8/22

Guns  

Semiautomatic and automatic assault rifles among firearms collected at buyback event in Lynwood -- Participants were able to give up their firearms with no questions asked in exchange for gift cards. A total of 365 weapons were collected. Marissa Evans in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/8/22

Supply Chain  

Port Labor Talks Pose New Complication for Supply Chain -- Negotiations over a new contract for 22,400 dockworkers at 29 West Coast ports could take months to resolve, raising more concerns for U.S. importers and exporters. Paul Berger in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 5/8/22