Updating . .   

Should California drought rules be lifted? State ponders question as storms roll in -- With rivers roaring and more rain coming, California’s drought cops are wrestling with a complicated question: Should they keep patrolling the beat? Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ Lisa Renner Capitol Weekly -- 1/18/17

EPA pick Scott Pruitt repeats doubts about climate science and attacks on the agency he is expected to head -- Although Pruitt said that he accepts that human activity is affecting the climate, he expressed doubt over the mainstream scientific consensus that the warming is happening at a catastrophic pace that must be confronted with aggressive actions. Evan Halper in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Global Warming Drives Record Heat For Third Straight Year -- For three years in a row now, our Earth has experienced record high temperatures. On Wednesday, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that globally, 2016 was the hottest year on record. It follows 2015 and 2014, which were the previous highs. Lindsey Hoshaw KQED Amina Khan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Born in internment camp, California congresswoman vows to watchdog Trump’s treatment of Muslims -- Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento was born in the desert of Southern Arizona, in an internment camp that was so big and isolated, its conditions so extreme, that its three subdivisions were nicknamed Roastin’, Toastin’ and Dustin’ by its Japanese American residents. Hamed Aleaziz in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Oracle paid white men more than women, blacks, Asians: labor department lawsuit -- Bay Area tech giant Oracle has discriminated against women, African Americans, Asians and non-Asians in its employment practices, the U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday after filing a lawsuit. Ethan Baron in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/18/17

Lucy Killea, independent trailblazer, mentor to women, dies -- Lucy Killea, a former San Diego City Council member and state legislator whose independent streak put her famously at odds with the Catholic Church and her own political party, has died. She was 94. Lyndsay Winkley and Joshua Stewart in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ Christopher Cadelago and Jim Miller in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/18/17

High-speed rail: Planners pitch ‘preferred’ route around Chowchilla -- A potential east-west bullet-train route along Highway 152 in Madera County is being pitched by high-speed rail planners and engineers as the best option for a Y-shaped junction for the train lines near Chowchilla. Tim Sheehan in the Fresno Bee -- 1/18/17

BART says people walking on the left are causing escalators to break faster -- Those of us trying to get a little exercise or get to our destination quicker are apparently ruining BART's escalators. In a series of tweets over the past few days, BART has said that walking on one side and standing on another causes "uneven wear" on the escalator. This leads to more breakdowns, creating even more problems for unhappy BART riders. Katie Dowd in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Tech employees protest in front of Palantir HQ over fears it will build Trump’s Muslim registry -- Silicon Valley is no stranger to protests against tech companies. But it’s unusual when the tech workers themselves protest tech. Such was the case this morning in front of Palantir headquarters in Palo Alto where 50 people in the tech community came out in the pouring rain to demand the data mining startup take a firm stand against the makings of a Muslim registry. Sarah Buhr Techcrunch.com -- 1/18/17

Saturday's marches could evolve into anti-Trump movement -- Longtime liberal activist Bill Honigman has participated in countless political demonstrations, but he’s never seen a new president greeted with the hundreds of thousands of opponents expected to turn out at Saturday at the Women’s Marches in Washington and across the country. Martin Wisckol and Alejandra Molina in the Orange County Register -- 1/18/17

Abcarian: Who could be against a Children's Bill of Rights? You probably won't be surprised -- It was a little like being in an alternate reality Tuesday morning, as dozens of parents and children gathered on the state Capitol steps to protest a bill aimed at improving the lives of California’s 9 million children. Robin Abcarian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

LAPD officers harmed by black mold, bird droppings, says police union -- The union that represents the Los Angeles Police Department rank-and-file demanded today that the city take steps to remove mold and bird droppings found in and around the Southeast Community Police Station on 108th Street in South L.A. and provide medical testing for personnel assigned to the facility. The item is in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/18/17

Old media continue to dominate as a source of campaign news, survey shows -- As expected, voters who sided with President-elect Trump got their news from significantly different sources than those who sided with Hillary Clinton, but perhaps surprisingly, traditional media dominated on both sides. David Lauter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Lopez: Scum of the earth lowlife packs a bag for Trump's inauguration -- I and my brethren have been called scum. We are terrible people. Horrible. Illegitimate. Liars. The worst. Hey, nobody’s perfect, and I’m willing to forgive. So today I’m packing my bags and hitching a ride to D.C. for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States of America. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

In LA: Taxing Business to Publically Finance Political Campaigns? -- A Los Angeles City Councilman wants to get rid of private money in politics by approving a public financing scheme potentially funded by taxing members of the business community. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 1/18/17

Carl's Jr. owner will exit California in March with 24 local jobs cut -- The California exit of CKE Restau rants, parent of Carl’s Jr., begins in March, ending a decades-long era for the fast-food company founded 60 years ago in Anaheim by Carl Karcher. Nancy Luna in the Orange County Register -- 1/18/17

California Strikes a Bold Pose as Vanguard of the Resistance -- In the months since the election of Donald J. Trump, California has turned into a laboratory of resistance — championing legal, legislative and political strategies to counter Republican policies while pressing the kind of new Democratic policies that presumably will not be coming out of Washington anytime soon. Adam Nagourney in the New York Times$ -- 1/18/17

Taylor: Set aside our differences? You first, Mr. President-elect -- He’s a clown pulling an endless string of handkerchiefs from his pocket, in front of a nuclear meltdown. He’s a smokescreen for what the people he’s handpicked to run the country will do while he’s on a monologue tour. Otis R. Taylor Jr. in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Oakland businesses again brace for breakage -- It has come to a point where Alexeis Filipello considers smashed windows a cost of running a bar in downtown Oakland. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Trump's D.C. hotel bans press during inauguration week -- A Politico reporter attempted to enter the hotel Wednesday morning for a previously scheduled breakfast meeting but was stopped at the door. He then identified himself as a journalist and was told “media” was not allowed. Daniel Lippman Politco -- 1/18/17

FBI, 5 other agencies probe possible covert Kremlin aid to Trump -- The FBI and five other law enforcement and intelligence agencies have collaborated for months in an investigation into Russian attempts to influence the November election, including whether money from the Kremlin covertly aided President-elect Donald Trump, two people familiar with the matter said. Peter Stone and Greg Gordon McClatchy DC -- 1/18/17

Trump Voters Harbor Mixed Feelings Ahead of Inauguration -- Evolving view of president-elect among ambivalent supporters could tip the balance of public opinion. Janet Hook in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/18/17

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

Mystery raises at tax board prompt demand for reforms -- On a summer day in 2015, 16 high-level managers at the Board of Equalization received special pay raises that the department still can’t explain. Adam Ashton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/18/17

In lawmakers' first hearing on state budget, Gov. Jerry Brown's staff gets grilled on a $1.5-billion mistake -- Gov. Jerry Brown's budget team offered a seemingly simple explanation on Tuesday for an almost $1.5-billion accounting error in California's healthcare program for the poor. "The math was wrong," said Amy Costa, the chief deputy director of Brown's state Department of Finance, in a Senate committee hearing. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Journalists can be called to testify in San Bernardino County corruption case, judge rules -- A San Bernardino County judge Tuesday ruled that prosecutors can call numerous journalists to testify in the ongoing public corruption trials of a former county supervisor and others. Paloma Esquivel in the Los Angeles Times$ Richard K. De Atley in the Inland Daily Bulletin$ -- 1/18/17

Garcetti looks to raise $100K for re-election campaign in trips to Chicago, D.C -- Mayor Eric Garcetti attended a fundraiser in Chicago Monday night for his re-election campaign, and is set to go to two more later this week in Washington, D.C., and New York, his campaign strategist said. The fundraisers bookend an official mayoral trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a three-day winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Elizabeth Chou in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/18/17

Walters: Kevin Starr loved California and conveyed that as he chronicled its history -- Kevin Starr was by no means a household name in California, having nowhere close to the high profiles of the state’s entertainers, sports figures and politicians. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/18/17

Why two LA Democratic congressmen are attending Trump’s inauguration -- Unlike many of their fellow Democrats, two California congressmen from the San Fernando Valley say they will attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration despite misgivings about the incoming president. Elizabeth Chou in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/18/17

State lawmaker wants students taught about 'Russian interference' in last year's presidential election -- Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) said his proposal would require the California Board of Education to develop a curriculum plan that addresses the allegations made in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory on Nov. 8. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

California Reps Who Voted To Repeal Obamacare Keeping Low Profile -- Right before the House of Representatives went on recess Friday, 13 members of California's congressional delegation voted in favor of a budget resolution to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Since then, according to the nonprofit group Health Access California, none of those members have town halls or other public events this week listed on their websites. Kenny Goldberg KPBS -- 1/18/17

Early poll in race to replace Becerra suggests voters care most about healthcare, immigration and opposing Trump -- Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to call a special election to replace Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), who is all but certain to be confirmed as California's new attorney general. At least 16 candidates, most of them Democrats, have already said they intend to run for Becerra's seat. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Rohrabacher's ex-treasurer pleads guilty to embezzling from campaign fund -- A former volunteer campaign treasurer for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher pleaded guilty Tuesday to two dozen felony counts in connection with the embezzlement of more than $300,000 from the congressman's reelection committee. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Death toll from California's winter storms continues to rise -- An 81-year-old woman in Bakersfield who drowned after being swept away in floodwaters is the latest confirmed storm-related death in California, authorities said. Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

China firm’s plan to put bikes on SF streets met with anger -- A startup bike-sharing outfit from China is heading toward a collision with San Francisco officials over its plan to deposit hundreds, maybe thousands, of its GPS-equipped, smartphone-enabled bikes on city streets — without seeking city permits or approval or letting anyone in on its plans. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Oakland Warehouse Artists Unite to Stay Safe — And to Petition City Hall -- In the Bay Area, artists and makers are banding together because they’re spooked. Cy Musiker KQED -- 1/18/17

Critics Say Oakland's Entertainment Permit Process Too Arduous, Contributes to Unsafe Spaces Like Ghost Ship -- In 2005, Gray Area was a small SOMA gallery and experimental music venue when former San Francisco Entertainment Commission President Terrance Alan paid a casual visit, and noticed some fire-safety deficiencies — namely, no exit signs. But instead of fining the venue or shutting it down, Alan helped make it safe. Sam Lefebvre East Bay Express -- 1/18/17

Short-staffed San Francisco ethics panel’s backlog of cases growing -- The San Francisco Ethics Commission, long criticized for lax policing of ethics rules, campaign regulations and whistle-blower complaints, has a growing backlog of cases because it has no full-time investigators. Emily Green in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Capitol Weekly Podcast: Jason Kinney -- Midway into the inauguration week of president-elect Donald Trump, Capitol Weekly sits down with Democratic communications guru Jason Kinney of California Advocates. Kinney weighs in what he sees as California’s role as the anti-Trump, “Beacon of opportunity,” weighs in on CALEXIT, and even drops a reference to "Cool Hand Luke.” Link here -- 1/18/17

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls, Bonds    

State Senate bill makes it easier for pot businesses to pay taxes -- California lawmakers want to make it easier for marijuana dispensaries to pay their taxes, saying many cash-only businesses are forced to drive long distances with thousands of dollars to make an in-person payment. Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

DWP customers get ‘bill of rights’ after commission vote -- The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a “customer bill of rights” backed by Mayor Eric Garcetti and criticized by some leaders from neighborhood councils, but also moved to open up public comment and revisit the bill of rights in about 90 days. The item is in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/18/17

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions 

The last day at American Apparel: 'Lots of people were sad' -- The day American Apparel workers feared arrived this week, when about 2400 employees at the company's downtown Los Angeles headquarters were told they were losing their jobs effectively immediately, after American Apparel was bought out of bankruptcy by Gildan Activewear Inc. last week. Ben Bergman KPCC -- 1/18/17

Second Theranos Lab Failed U.S. Inspection -- Theranos Inc. failed a second major U.S. regulatory inspection of its laboratory facilities, people familiar with the situation said, a setback the Silicon Valley blood-testing firm hasn’t disclosed to investors or patients. Christopher Weaver and John Carryrou in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/18/17

Federal Trade Commission Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Qualcomm -- The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday sued Qualcomm Inc., alleging the semiconductor company engaged in unlawful tactics to maintain a monopoly on a type of chip used in cellphones. Brent Kendall and Ted Greenwald in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/18/17

Feature film production in LA jumps to record level -- Reflecting the popularity of California’s revised film incentive program, location shoots in the Los Angeles area jumped 6.2 percent last year, led by record feature film production, an industry tracker said Tuesday. During 2016, feature film production increased 12 percent from the previous year to 4,865 shoot days. Gregory J. Wilcox in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/18/17

Water   

State to keep conservation rules for now -- Despite drenching rains and heavy snowfall this winter, California moved Tuesday to keep in place its statewide water conservation rules — at least for another three months or so. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/18/17

Education 

Community leaders demand public input on selection of next Fresno Unified leader -- Community leaders are calling for Fresno Unified School District trustees to be more transparent about their plans for replacing outgoing Superintendent Michael Hanson, who announced last month he plans to the leave the district this summer. Mackenzie Mays in the Fresno Bee -- 1/18/17

Betsy DeVos apparently ‘confused’ about federal law protecting students with disabilities -- Betsy DeVos displayed at best confusion and at worst a lack of knowledge about a key federal law involving students with disabilities during her Tuesday confirmation hearing before a Senate panel that will vote on whether she should become President-elect Donald Trump’s education secretary. Valerie Strauss in the Washington Post$ -- 1/18/17

DeVos says she won't force private school voucher plan on states -- At a contentious confirmation hearing that mostly broke along party lines, Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of education, said she wouldn’t try to force states to adopt private school voucher programs along the lines of those she has promoted around the nation for several decades. Louis Freedberg Edsource -- 1/18/17

Early education advocates raise concerns about governor's budget -- To the dismay of early education advocates, Gov. Jerry Brown is proposing to change the plan outlined in the current budget and defer funding for more full-day state preschool slots until the 2018-19 fiscal year. Ashley Hopkinson EdSource -- 1/18/17

Report: Innovative science instruction boosts academic performance among English learners -- English learners can dramatically improve their science skills when teachers blend science lessons with language instruction, according to a new report released by an Oakland education nonprofit. Carolyn Jones EdSource -- 1/18/17

Cannabis 

Commercial pot growing unwelcome in Tulare County despite state’s voters backing marijuana -- The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to continue its ban on growing nonmedical marijuana in unincorporated areas for another two years. Lewis Griswold in the Fresno Bee -- 1/18/17

Immigration / Border 

Car-theft victim handed over to immigration agents sues San Francisco -- A car-theft victim who sought help from San Francisco police only to end up in federal immigration custody for two months filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the city, the Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department for violating the sanctuary city ordinance. Vivian Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Santa Ana sanctuary status made official -- Three days before Donald Trump assumes the presidency, Orange County’s second-largest city has enacted a law making it a sanctuary for all residents, regardless of immigration status. Jessica Kwong in the Orange County Register -- 1/18/17

San Diego-Tijuana Leaders Hope To Influence Trump’s Border Policies -- The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting a binational meeting of officials and business leaders Wednesday to discuss the San Diego-Tijuana region's potential to influence President-elect Donald Trump's border and immigration policies. Jean Guerrero KPBS -- 1/18/17

Environment 

California Says Oil Companies Can Keep Dumping Wastewater During State Review -- For decades, California oil companies have disposed of wastewater by pumping it into aquifers that were supposed to be protected by federal law. California regulators mistakenly granted permits to do it, through a combination of poor record keeping, miscommunication and permitting errors. Lauren Sommer KQED -- 1/18/17

AQMD proposes ban on toxic hydrofluoric acid at South Bay refineries -- In a stunning move that relieved and surprised local activists, the region’s air pollution watchdog plans to seek a ban on a highly toxic acid used at oil refineries in Torrance and Wilmington, the Daily Breeze has learned. Nick Green in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/18/17

Death Valley sees more damage from visitors driving off-road -- Rangers are taking stronger measures to try to prevent visitors from driving on dry lake beds and other fragile areas at Death Valley National Park. Associated Press -- 1/18/17

Obama’s Southern California legacy: Land preservation efforts may outweigh social reforms -- As Obama, America’s 44th president, leaves office after eight years in the White House, some parts of his legacy, such as preserving vast swaths of wilderness as national monuments, will endure for generations. Other efforts, including his push for health care and immigration reform, are either on shaky ground or never took flight. Jeff Horseman in the San Bernardino Sun$ -- 1/18/17

Health 

Gardens Regional Hospital and Medical Center to close after failing to find buyer -- A struggling Hawaiian Gardens hospital will close because it could not find a buyer willing to set aside a state-mandated level of funding for uninsured patients who can’t afford treatment. Melissa Etehad in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Repealing Obamacare without replacement would hike premiums 20% and leave 18 million uninsured, report says -- Repealing Obamacare without a replacement would result in higher costs for consumers and fewer people with insurance coverage, according to a report Tuesday from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Lisa Mascaro in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Also . . . 

Alfred Olango's father sues El Cajon police in fatal shooting -- The father of Alfred Olango, an unarmed black man fatally shot by El Cajon police last year, filed a civil-rights lawsuit in San Diego federal court Tuesday alleging excessive, deadly force against his son. Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/18/17

Lefty O’Doul’s dispute lands in court -- Barely a day after the proprietor of Lefty O’Doul’s started taking down the hundreds of pieces of sports memorabilia that dotted the iconic Union Square bar’s redwood-paneled walls, his landlord Tuesday filed a complaint to try to stop him. Michael Bodley in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/18/17

Raise rejected for National City mayor -- National City council members rejected a 32 percent pay raise for Mayor Ron Morrison on Tuesday night, a proposed increase opposed by dozens of residents packed into the City Council chambers. James DeHaven in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/18/17

POTUS 45  

Former 'Apprentice' contestant accuses Donald Trump of unwanted sexual advances, files defamation suit -- A former contestant on TV's “The Apprentice” on Tuesday filed a defamation lawsuit against President-elect Donald Trump, whom she has accused of making unwanted sexual advances toward her. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/18/17

Trump's missing Cabinet secretary -- Now, sources say Perdue's status as the favorite may be in doubt amid a last-minute push for former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado, who offers Trump one last chance to put a Hispanic in the Cabinet. Ian Kullgren, Helena Bottemiller Evich and Eli Stokols Politico -- 1/18/17

Southern California women split on Donald Trump's inauguration -- On one side are women who hoped to see a continuation of President Barack Obama’s policies and, along with them, the first female U.S. presidency. Many were personally devastated by Clinton’s loss. On the other are women who supported Trump and want a return to conservative ideas on everything from immigration and foreign affairs to health care. Grace Wyler in the Orange County Register -- 1/18/17

Trump inauguration's 'Cabinet dinner' offers access for cash -- Donors who give $100,000 and $250,000 can dine with potential agency heads. Nancy Cook and Tara Palmeri Politico -- 1/18/17

Beltway 

Chief of staff: George H.W. Bush hospitalized in Houston -- The Houston Chronicle and KHOU-TV reported early Wednesday that Bush chief of staff Jean Becker says the 41st president was recently admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital after becoming ill. Becker did not specify the reason the 92-year-old was hospitalized. Both media outlets say his office expects him to go home in a couple of days. Associated Press -- 1/18/17

 

-- Wednesday Updates 

Janet Napolitano hospitalized, fighting cancer -- University of California President Janet Napolitano was hospitalized this week for side effects related to the treatment of cancer, which was diagnosed in August, UC officials said Tuesday. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/17/17

Trump vs. California: How the battle will be waged -- California lawmakers are bracing for a fight against soon-to-be President Trump and top officials in his administration who have said they will push for policy and legal changes that would threaten several of the state’s progressive laws. Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/17/17

California shows low expectations for Trump, but support for some immigration plans -- California's expectations for Donald Trump’s presidency are in the cellar, with little more than a third of voters believing it will be a success, a new Hoover Institution Golden State Poll shows. Carla Marinucci Politico -- 1/17/17

Despite scorn and criticism, these Latino voters don't regret voting for Trump -- Ana Corona came from Mexico to California in 1967, following her father, brothers and sisters and joining millions who would live in the United States illegally. Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/17/17

Startups concerned about Trump’s plans for H-1B visas -- For several months, Subhi Beidas’ career was in limbo. Whether the engineer from Jerusalem could continue working at a San Francisco startup hinged on him landing an elusive H-1B visa, with a 1 in 4 chance of success among thousands of applications, through a lottery process. Wendy Lee in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/17/17

San Francisco housing shortage leaves little room for families -- San Francisco has no official definition of “family housing,” but Heather Hawkins knows what it isn’t. Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/17/17

Indictment unsealed as Orlando gunman’s wife appears in court -- Noor Salman, 30, was arrested Monday morning at her home in Rodeo after being indicted Thursday by a grand jury in Orlando on charges of providing material support to a terrorist organization and obstruction of justice associated with her husband’s June 12 shooting rampage at the Pulse nightclub. Evan Sernoffsky in the San Francisco Chronicle Patrick May in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/17/17

California’s stem cell agency will run out of money in three years. Should voters OK spending more? -- Evangelina had much to be thankful for. She was born with “bubble baby” syndrome, which meant that she had no functioning immune system. Scientist Donald Kohn of UCLA cured her of the rare affliction by using her own blood stem cells to alter a troublesome gene. It was an experimental treatment not readily available to the public at large. David Jensen in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/17/17

The country's highest paid big-city mayor is reportedly right here in San Francisco -- Francisco isn't the biggest city in the world, but its mayor makes the biggest salary in the United States. Mayor Ed Lee is the highest-paid mayor of a major U.S. city, according to a report from the American City Business Journal. Lee, who is serving a second term, makes $289,000. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/17/17

Fox: Enough Already! More Woe for the High-Speed Rail -- Anyone who thinks the high-speed rail project will be completed within the cost figures projected by the rail authority, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 1/17/17

Lost and Found in the City of Angels -- Falling stars are the stuff of Hollywood legend. Early film industry folklore had it that the Pacific coast was littered with the bodies of actors who failed to make the transition from silent movies to sound – victims of suicidal depression. Matt Perry California Health Report -- 1/17/17

'He Is Going to Test Our Democracy as It Has Never Been Tested' -- Sometime early last fall, John Dean says he began having nightmares about a Trump presidency. He would wake in the middle of the night, agitated and alarmed, struggling to calm his nerves. “I’m not somebody who remembers the details of dreams,” he told me in a recent phone call from his home in Los Angeles. “I just know that they were so bad that I’d force myself awake and out of bed just to get away from them.” McKay Coppins The Atlantic -- 1/17/17

Poll: Trump will take office as least popular president in at least 4 decades -- After a tumultuous campaign and transition, President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office Friday as the least popular incoming president in at least four decades, but a majority of Americans nevertheless express optimism that he will be able to fulfill campaign pledges to boost the economy and deal with threats of terrorism, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Dan Balz and Scott Clement in the Washington Post$ -- 1/17/17

Trump uses social media ads to entice supporters to inaugural festivities -- In an apparent bid to boost attendance at his inaugural festivities, President-elect Donald Trump is advertising on social media with a video in which he asks supporters to join him Friday for “our moment in American history.” John Wagner in the Washington Post$ -- 1/17/17

How a liberal Santa Monica high school produced a top Trump advisor and speechwriter -- Too-cool-for-school upper-class students at Santa Monica High scoffed when administrators in 2002 reinstated a daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Lisa Mascaro in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/17/17

Trump's America: Families Differ as Reagan Country Changes -- The week after Donald Trump was elected president, Dr. Mai-Phuong Nguyen and two dozen other Vietnamese-Americans active in liberal causes gathered in a circle of folding chairs, consoling one another about an America almost beyond comprehension. Now, days before Trump takes the oath of office, Nguyen sits in a restaurant booth in Orange County's neon-lit Little Saigon and studies perhaps the most confounding face of the divide exposed by the election — her father's. Adam Geller Associated Press -- 1/17/17

If thousands march on Washington Saturday, will Trump’s Twitter take note? -- The day after Donald Trump won the presidential election, Carmichael’s Patti Gale told her husband their planned trip to Cape Cod was off. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/17/17

18 million would lose insurance in first year of Obamacare repeal without replacement, CBO report says -- At least 18 million people would lose health insurance in the first year if Republicans move ahead with plans to repeal major portions of the Affordable Care Act without a replacement plan, estimates a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Kelsey Snell in the Washington Post$ -- 1/17/17