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California Policy and Politics Tuesday
Bob Lee murder trial: S.F. jury finds Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder -- A San Francisco jury on Tuesday found Bay Area tech consultant Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the death of CashApp founder and tech mogul Bob Lee last year in a dramatic case whose twists and turns were closely followed nationally for months. Kevin Fagan, Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Nathan Solis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/17/24
California might walk back its call for a constitutional convention with Trump in power -- It’s been more than two years since Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers called for a U.S. constitutional convention, the first since 1789, to authorize new laws on gun control. No other states have supported that proposal, and on Monday a San Francisco Democrat introduced legislation to repeal it, saying it could enable a Republican-led attack on civil rights. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
California’s high-speed rail project may be in trouble — again -- Republicans have for years decried the project’s skyrocketing costs and lack of progress; ironically, GOP control of Washington could result in the price tag ballooning even further if the party’s actions cause further delays. Shira Stein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
Daniel Lurie puts former Twitter executive in charge of revitalizing downtown S.F. -- Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie is tapping a successful technology executive and trusted confidant to help improve San Francisco’s floundering downtown and get more housing built in the city. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
Here’s what surprised scientists about California storm that spawned a tornado -- Before dawn Saturday, more than a million people in and around San Francisco were awakened by a blaring notification more typical of Kansas than California: a tornado warning. Anthony Edwards, Jack Lee in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
Insurance
California has sweeping new rules for home insurance. What to know -- California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has approved regulations that next year will let insurers use complex computer programs that predict future risk in setting rates. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/17/24
Walters: Can new state regulations resolve California’s existential insurance crisis? -- There’s no law requiring California property owners to carry insurance, but the vast majority buy it to protect themselves from fire and other perils, or are required to do so by their mortgage lenders. Dan Walters CalMatters -- 12/17/24
Chiquita Canyon
Los Angeles County files suit ‘to stop the awful stench’ at Chiquita Canyon landfill -- Los Angeles County is suing the owner of Chiquita Canyon Landfill for failing to control a high-temperature chemical reaction that is cooking garbage and sickening nearby residents. Tony Briscoe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/17/24
Kelseyville
This California town is split over expunging a notorious killer of Natives from its name -- Clayton Duncan, an elder from the Robinson Rancheria Band of Eastern Pomo Indians, clenched his fists as he stood over a plaque commemorating a “battle” known as Bloody Island. Connor Letourneau in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
Workplace
Salaries of $500,000 and up are ‘a dime a dozen’ in this California region, report says -- The San Francisco Bay Area has the highest concentration of jobs that pay more than $500,000, “vastly outranking” other major cities. One in 48 jobs in the Bay Area pays $500,000 or more, nearly double the share in Austin, Texas, which has the second highest concentration. Caroline Petrow-Cohen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
Here’s how California plans to get millions of adults without college degrees into better jobs -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Master Plan for Career Education” seeks to help the more than 7 million adults in California who lack college degrees by giving them college credit for their work experience and by changing the requirements on some state jobs. Adam Echelman CalMatters Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/17/24
A new California law bans your boss from ordering you to attend anti-union meetings -- Gov. Newsom and legislative Democrats pushed through a law that bans employers from requiring workers to attend ‘captive audience meetings.’ It was the latest victory for the labor movement at the state Capitol. Jeanne Kuang CalMatters -- 12/17/24
Disney agrees to $233 million wage theft settlement for Anaheim’s theme park employees -- Walt Disney Co. has agreed to settle a wage theft lawsuit for $233 million, ending a five-year dispute over pay for tens of thousands of Anaheim theme park employees. Pat Maio in the Orange County Register -- 12/17/24
Union Square
S.F. plans for ‘200 days of programming’ in Union Square in 2025 -- This holiday shopping season, San Francisco’s once-thriving Union Square is perhaps cleaner and more safeguarded than it has been in years, but a big challenge remains: The 4 million-square-foot retail district continues to offer scores of empty storefronts, and there are few takers for what, not long ago, was coveted space in the heart of downtown. Laura Waxmann in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
Street
'How to Kill a Cop': Death, Despair and Corruption in California's Most Violent Prison -- A KQED exclusive analysis of hundreds of internal California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation use-of-force records, dozens of leaked documents and videos, and interviews with current and former officers revealed a culture of cover-ups at New Folsom prison that enabled the abuse of incarcerated people, officer-on-officer harassment and at least two homicides at the prison. Sukey Lewis, Julie Small KQED -- 12/17/24
California’s jail population will rise thanks to Prop. 36. So will inmate deaths, advocates say -- California recorded historically high numbers of deaths in county jails for the past six years. Now, counties expect to house more prisoners as Prop. 36 takes effect. Nigel Duara CalMatters -- 12/17/24
Residents in this Bay Area city are begging Newsom to send in CHP to combat crime -- A group of Vallejo residents is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to deploy California Highway Patrol officers to crack down on crime after seeing similar law enforcement surges in San Francisco and Oakland. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
Man sentenced to death for UC Davis ‘Sweetheart’ murders dies in prison -- Richard Hirschfield, who was condemned to death for killing two 18-year-old UC Davis students in 1980 in a long unsolved saga that was dubbed the “Sweetheart Murders,” died on Monday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
POTUS 47
Judge Declines to Toss Trump’s New York Hush-Money Conviction -- A New York judge ruled Monday that Donald Trump’s hush-money conviction this year remains valid, rejecting arguments from the president-elect that it should be dismissed on immunity grounds. Corinne Ramey in the Wall Street Journal$ Shayna Jacobs in the Washington Post$ Ben Protess and Kate Christobek in the New York Times$ -- 12/17/24
Trump, in wide-ranging news conference, embraces role of president-in-waiting -- President-elect Donald Trump, in a sweeping 70-minute news conference from his Florida home, signaled an abrupt shift from the Biden presidency in both substance and style, threatening to fire federal workers who do not return to the office and confirming that he is “looking at” privatizing the U.S. Postal Service. Marianne LeVine and Hannah Knowles in the Washington Post$ -- 12/17/24
An Offhand Remark by Trump Gives a Glimpse Into His Worldview -- “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” the president-elect said. “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 12/17/24
Also
Confidence in U.S. Courts Plummets to Rate Far Below Peer Nations -- Public confidence in the American legal system has plunged over the past four years, a new Gallup poll found, putting it in the company of nations like Myanmar, Syria and Venezuela. Adam Liptak in the New York Times$ -- 12/17/24
Judge in Hunter Biden case sued over underage drinking party, alleged beating -- The federal judge in Los Angeles who presided over Hunter Biden’s criminal tax fraud case has been sued over a party at his home where “significant” underage drinking allegedly led to a guest being assaulted and later hospitalized. Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/17/24
‘A necessary evil’: The captive dogs whose blood saves lives -- California vowed to shut down colonies where hundreds of captive dogs supply blood for veterinary care. But blood from the closed colonies is still crucial for saving lives. Melody Gutierrez and Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/17/24
Liquid Death’s ‘Pit Diaper’ flies off shelves following viral bathroom incident at S.F. concert -- Developed in collaboration with Depend, the leading brand of adult incontinence products, the $75 “Pit Diaper” is designed to allow concertgoers to stay in the mosh pit or front row without worrying about bathroom breaks. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/17/24
California Policy and Politics Monday
Supreme Court dismisses constitutional claim in California air pollution case -- The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a red-state constitutional challenge to California’s special authority to fight air pollution. David G. Savage in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
$1 million, no convictions: New L.A. D.A. to fire Gascón’s police shootings prosecutor -- Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman says he intends to terminate the contract of a special prosecutor that George Gascón hired to reopen investigations into fatal police shootings, a move that could shake up high-profile cases that involve controversial killings by officers. James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
It’s go time for Gavin Newsom’s riskiest oil moves -- California’s governor is unbowed in his crusade against oil companies, but other elected Democrats are getting cold feet. Wes Venteicher Politico -- 12/16/24
Newsom lost a top aide. Former Harris adviser will take her place -- Dana Williamson, a veteran of Sacramento politics, left the governor’s office on Friday. Nathan Barankin replaces her as Newsom’s chief. Christopher Cadelago and Melanie Mason Politico -- 12/16/24
Kamala Harris grapples with her future in a wounded Democratic Party -- As questions loom about a run for president or governor, many Democrats do not blame Harris for her loss, but that doesn’t mean they want her to run again. Ashley Parker and Maeve Reston in the Washington Post$ -- 12/16/24
‘Time is running out.’ University unions rush to organize before the Trump White House -- A flurry of labor organizing is unfolding at California universities as campus union leaders predict a less labor-friendly environment. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
Private prison CEOs are thrilled about Trump — and California’s Prop 36 -- The California measure to increase punishments for theft and drug crimes will not only grow prison and jail populations, but will also likely result in more people accused of crimes being referred to federal authorities for potential deportation. Molly Burke, Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/16/24
Trump taps Devin Nunes, two other Californians for administration posts -- President-elect Trump has chosen Devin Nunes, Richard Grenell and Troy Edgar for roles in his next administration. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
A Constitutional Convention? Some Democrats Fear It’s Coming -- Some Republicans have said that a constitutional convention is overdue. Many Democratic-led states have rescinded their long-ago calls for one, and California will soon consider whether to do the same. Heather Knight and Kate Selig in the New York Times$ -- 12/16/24
Why more people who die in L.A. remain unclaimed -- The growing phenomenon is the result of several significant shifts in the way we live, researchers say, but the net effect becomes apparent only once we’ve died. Corinne Purtill in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
Couple who survived Franklin and Woolsey fires have no plans to leave Malibu home -- Bruce and Mindy Silverstein fled their Malibu home as the wind-driven Franklin fire encroached on their neighborhood and watched in fear from a nearby hotel as the blaze threatened to destroy their home in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
Insurance
California’s plan to stabilize its home insurance market is now law. Will it work? -- California’s plan to stabilize its faltering home insurance market is now law, meaning homeowners in fire-prone areas and beyond may soon have an easier time finding coverage. But consumer advocates worry it will also mean steep rate hikes for many policyholders and remain skeptical that insurers will actually offer more policies. Ethan Varian in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/16/24
Homeless
Mayor Todd Gloria’s massive warehouse shelter will again be debated, but behind closed doors -- Five months after a brutal, hourslong, late-into-the-night hearing where few residents or elected leaders could find positive things to say about the prospect of turning an empty Middletown warehouse into one of the nation’s largest homeless shelters, the proposal is back before the San Diego City Council. Blake Nelson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/16/24
Escondido declares local emergency over impacts from homeless encampments -- Escondido’s city manager on Sunday declared a local emergency and announced plans to clear homeless encampments from a section of Escondido Creek after recent water quality tests showed elevated bacteria levels. Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/16/24
Housing
Housing tracker: A slowdown in the Southern California market for homes and rentals -- The Southern California housing market is downshifting. The average home price in the six-county region fell 0.3% from October to $869,288 in November, according to Zillow, marking the fourth consecutive month of declines. Andrew Khouri and Phi Do in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
Water
‘No way, not possible’: California has a plan for new water rules. Will it save salmon from extinction? -- Growers and cities support the Newsom administration proposal, saying it strikes a balance for uses of Delta water. But environmentalists say the “healthy rivers” rules would actually harm California’s iconic salmon. Alastair Bland CalMatters -- 12/16/24
New Laws
California new laws for 2025: Cannabis cafes and entertainment zones -- The state is allowing more on-street alcohol sales and food in cannabis lounges. Supporters say the laws will boost downtown economies. Jenna Peterson CalMatters -- 12/16/24
POTUS 47
How the debt could topple Trump’s growth agenda -- The new president could face even more daunting challenges than his predecessors if he follows through on his tax and tariff pledges. Sam Sutton Politico -- 12/16/24
Trump said he would revoke birthright citizenship. It hasn’t worked in the past -- The U.S. is one of more than 30 countries with unrestricted birthright citizenship. Trump said in a recent interview that he plans to revoke the right. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
Trump and SoftBank CEO to Unveil $100 Billion Investment in U.S. -- Donald Trump and SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son are set to jointly announce Monday that SoftBank plans to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects over the next four years, according to a person involved in the event, as the president-elect seeks to project enthusiasm over his return to power. Alex Leary and Eliot Brown in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/16/24
Trump 2.0 will hurt planet, open door for America’s green rivals: EU climate chief --In an interview with Politico, Teresa Ribera said Donald Trump’s expected climate withdrawal presents an opportunity for others to boost their clean industries. Karl Mathiesen, Zia Weise and Francesca Micheletti Poliitico -- 12/16/24
RFK Jr. Has a Battle Plan to Get Senate Confirmation -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attempt to win over Capitol Hill starts this week with a strategy to play down the topic of vaccines, adhere tightly to President-elect Donald Trump’s messaging on abortion and talk up healthy food and preventing chronic disease, according to people familiar with his thinking. Liz Essley Whyte, Kristina Peterson and Natalie Andrews in the Wall Street Journal$ Noah Weiland in the New York Times$ -- 12/16/24
How Donald Trump broke the ice between RFK Jr. and drug company CEOs -- President-elect Donald Trump set two tables for a dinner party this month with his choice for health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and drug company executives like the ones Kennedy once accused of belonging to a “criminal enterprise” that knowingly killed patients for profit. Michael Scherer and Rachel Roubein in the Washington Post$ -- 12/16/24
Why Musk Doesn’t Have Access to SpaceX’s Biggest Government Secrets -- Executives haven’t sought higher security clearance for the CEO to avoid questions about his drug use and contact with foreign officials; the answers might no longer matter. Joe Palazzolo, Emily Glazer and Micah Maidenberg in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/16/24
Elon Musk just can’t leave Donald Trump’s side -- Musk has joined Trump’s calls with world leaders, weighed in on Cabinet choices and been a regular part of the Trump family since the election. Cat Zakrzewski in the Washington Post$ -- 12/16/24
Trump and His Picks Threaten More Lawsuits Over Critical Coverage -- The small flurry of threatened defamation suits is the latest sign that the incoming Trump administration appears poised to do what it can to crack down on unfavorable media coverage. David Enrich in the New York Times$ -- 12/16/24
A Hegseth DOD comes with a battle against public school education -- Pete Hegseth has pushed for years to steep American education in patriotic principles and Christian theology — and he could implement that vision for thousands of military families if he’s confirmed to lead the Defense Department. Juan Perez Jr. Politico -- 12/16/24
McManus: Kash Patel, Trump's FBI pick, would turn the agency into the Federal Bureau of Retribution -- He has called for the prosecution of a long list of people he accuses of conspiring to undermine Trump, including President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and outgoing FBI Director Christopher A. Wray. Doyle McManus in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
Also
Mark Murphy, veteran Orange County politician, dies at 67 -- Mark Murphy, three-time mayor of Orange, has died. Nicknamed “Mr. Orange,” Murphy was among the city’s fiercest boosters. Thomas Curwen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
In the dust of the Coachella Valley, residents push for a park along the shrinking Salton Sea -- In this sweltering desert where residents have limited access to parks, community advocates are calling for the Salton Sea to once more become a vibrant destination where families can gather in nature. But is it safe to recreate there? Rebecca Plevin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/16/24
One Ski Resort’s Long-Shot Bet to Survive Low Snowfall and Devastating Wildfires -- The closest ski hill to Los Angeles recently sold to an investment group with big plans. But can those ideas work amid catastrophic climate threats that continue to plague the mountain? Josh Stephens in the New York Times$ -- 12/16/24