Updating . .   

‘Dark money’ measure pulled by California campaign reform backers -- Proponents suspended a campaign on Monday for a ballot measure to trace so-called “dark money” and tighten the rules on lobbying and campaign finance spending. Taryn Luna in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/14/16

Corrupt Border Patrol agents 'pose a national security threat,' report says -- The system for disciplining abusive or corrupt Border Patrol agents and officers is so flawed that it hardly acts to deter criminal misconduct in the nation's largest law enforcement agency, according to an independent task force. Brian Bennett in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

'Extensive' hate graffiti found on high school campus in Pacific Palisades -- Symbols and phrases that referenced the Ku Klux Klan, Jews, African Americans and LGBT people, were found on city property outside the campus, on the school’s signage and a mural, Bartee said. Police believe the writings, which have since been covered, were spray-painted overnight. Veronica Rocha in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

California sheriffs oppose Gavin Newsom’s gun control initiative -- California sheriffs announced Monday that they are opposing Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s gun-control measure aimed for the fall ballot, arguing it would not prevent criminals from obtaining guns and ammunition via the black market or theft. Christopher Cadelago in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/14/16

3 Santa Ana officers charged with theft in pot shop raid caught on video -- The dispensary had a visible 16-camera system and a hidden four-camera one. While the officers disabled the 16-camera network, the hidden system continued to record. Scott Schwebke in the Orange County Register James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Volkswagen diesels might not be completely fixable, regulator says -- It seemed like a fairly simple remedy for a major automotive defect: Require the carmaker to recall the vehicles and make them right. But the fix for Volkswagen’s diesel air pollution scandal is proving anything but simple. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/14/16

California Counts: can underdog US Senate candidate Sanchez turn out the vote? -- It’s been two and a half decades since California voters last filled a U.S. Senate vacancy, but with veteran lawmaker Barbara Boxer set to step down this year, voters have a chance to pick from four major candidates competing to fill her seat. Mary Plummer KPCC -- 3/14/16

Silicon Valley fears European backlash after Congress limits visa waiver program -- Amin Shokrollahi couldn't wait to lecture at an electronics conference in San Francisco. The annual gathering of top tech minds, investors and customers was the perfect place for the German-Iranian professor to gain support for his start-up. Sarah Parvini in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Southern California's Paul J. Watford is among Obama's top choices for Supreme Court -- Judge Paul J. Watford, a Southern Californian who serves on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, has emerged as a leading contender for President Obama's nomination to the Supreme Court. David G. Savage and Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Drenched by 'March Miracle,' Northern California reservoirs inch toward capacity -- A series of storms pushed California’s biggest reservoir past its historical capacity for mid-March this weekend and put the second largest one on track for doing the same by Monday afternoon, officials said. Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times$ Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/14/16

Beverly Hills put a spotlight on its celebrity water wasters -- and it worked -- Officials in Beverly Hills say they tried it all: educational campaigns, usage restrictions and written notices for people suspected of wasting water. Matt Stevens in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

13.1 million U.S. coastal residents could face flooding because of rising sea levels -- As many as 13.1 million people living along U.S. coastlines could face flooding by the end of the century because of rising sea levels, according to a new study that warns that large numbers of Americans could be forced to relocate to higher ground. Ann M. Simmons in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

The planet had its biggest temperature spike in modern history in February -- The global temperature in February took its greatest leap in 136 years of record-keeping, rising 1.35 degrees Celsius (2.43 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1951-1980 average. As a result of the gigantic temperature jump, it became the warmest February on record by a landslide. NASA released the data over the weekend, and scientists reacted with astonishment. Jason Samenow in the Washington Post$ -- 3/14/16

Some 11th graders not getting message about how much new Smarter Balanced tests matter -- The California State University is now using incoming freshmen’s test scores on the state's new standardized tests to decide if students are ready for college level math and English or if they need to take remedial classes. Adolfo Guzman-Lopez KPCC -- 3/14/16

Big haul: First car in BART’s future fleet being trucked cross-country -- As you were clutching that overhead bar on BART this morning, crushed between someone’s backpack and somebody else’s luggage, you may have wondered when those long-promised new rail cars are going to show up. Well, the first of the 775 new cars is making its way west — beep beep! — atop a flatbed truck. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/14/16

'Stunning, shocking': Boxer hadn't expected her final months in Senate would include Supreme Court fight -- Barbara Boxer traces the beginning of her Senate career to an October 1991 day when she and six female colleagues from the House marched across the Capitol and demanded that senators consider Anita Hill's sexual harassment allegations against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Sarah D. Wire in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Cal basketball assistant coach fired in sexual harassment case -- An assistant coach for the Cal men’s basketball team was fired Monday following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, according to a source close to the program. Connor Letourneau in the San Francisco Chronicle Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

CHP officer dies after being struck by passing vehicle during crash investigation -- A California Highway Patrol officer has died a day after he was struck by a driver while investigating a traffic collision on Interstate 80 in the Truckee area, officials said Monday. Veronica Rocha in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

San Jose third costliest North American housing market -- if you believe the rankings -- Here they come down the final stretch, folks! It's San Francisco in first, followed by Manhattan -- yes, Donald Trump's Manhattan -- close behind in the second spot! And -- look out -- that's San Jose in third place! Richard Scheinin in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/14/16

How SoCalGas could make up for Aliso Canyon disaster -- Four and a half months after a torrent of methane burst from a storage field owned by Sempra subsidiary Southern California Gas Co., damaging the atmosphere and contributing to effects like beach erosion, wildfire and extreme hot days, experts agree the company can largely repair that damage. Ingrid Lobet inewsource.org -- 3/14/16

SoCal cities buckle down to fight density -- There is a housing crisis in Southern California, but many communities aren't down with one of the solutions: density. Advocates suggest a range of alternatives, from creating more affordable apartments to increasing rent subsidies. Leo Duran KPCC -- 3/14/16

Micro-living in LA: Could you live in less than 400 sq. feet? -- Actress Dawn Davis says living in a 380-square foot apartment in downtown Los Angeles took some adjustment. She sleeps just feet from the couch, her desk, the television. Underneath her bed is a table that she unfolds when guests are over and covers with a tablecloth. Josie Huang KPCC -- 3/14/16

Sacramento Bee readers really, really hate daylight saving time -- In a completely unscientific poll conducted on sacbee.com over the past few weeks, nearly 1,200 readers have weighed in on a legislative proposal to abolish daylight saving time in California. Alexei Koseff in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/14/16

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning   

State's biggest reservoir, Shasta, rises to key milestone -- Sunday's storms brought more rain to Northern California, but they also helped the state hit a key milestone in its efforts to recover from the historic four-year drought. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/14/16

California's next governor: Who's running, who's on the fence? -- Welcome to your guide to the 2018 California governor’s race. The election may be far away, but listening tours are already underway, political consultants are doling out advice and pundits are handicapping favorites and wildcards. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Skelton: Tobacco tragedy prompts support of anti-smoking legislation -- State Sen. Jeff Stone remembers vividly where he was when he heard that pop singer Nat King Cole had died. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

California watchdog considers rule that would curb secret lobbying at state Capitol -- The Fair Political Practices Commission plans to vote Thursday on narrowing a regulation that allows people to avoid identifying themselves as lobbyists by attending Capitol meetings as experts. They comply with current rules by working alongside lobbyists who are properly registered. Allison Noon Associated Press -- 3/13/16

California lawmakers benefit from public records carve-outs -- Californians are entitled to view a wide variety of emails, memos and other records created by their state and local governments. Ask to see who your state lawmaker is emailing, however, and they'll get a two-page canned response that says, in essence, "no way." Jonathan J. Cooper Associated Press -- 3/13/16

Orange County supervisors to consider who gets reward for jail escapees' capture -- It's been nearly two months since three inmates escaped from the Central Men's Jail in Orange County. They're back in custody after a $200,000 reward was offered for information leading to their capture. The item is at KPCC -- 3/14/16

Diaz: California primary may yet count -- This might be the rare moment in the past four decades when the California primary looms large in at least one, and perhaps two, of the major-party nominations. The big variable is what happens in other primaries, starting Tuesday. John Diaz in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/14/16

San Bernardino Assembly race could define what it means to be an Inland Empire Democrat -- What happens when a Democratic lawmaker strays from party leaders on a key piece of Gov. Jerry Brown’s policy agenda? One assemblywoman who held back support for a sweeping climate-change bill last year is starting to find out. Christine Mai-Duc in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/13/16

Walters: Accidental politician faces test -- They are out to get Patty Lopez, a first-term Democratic assemblywoman. Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/14/16

Sacramento councilman considers portable toilets for homeless -- Sacramento Councilman Jeff Harris thinks half of the region’s homeless population wanders through the neighborhood of warehouses and shelters north of downtown known as the River District every day. Ryan Lillis in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/14/16

Rape kit backlog: DNA matches suspect to teens’ rape 6 years later -- One minute they were getting into their car on Allston Way in Berkeley just before 10 on an unseasonably warm Friday night. The next, a stranger had a black handgun to their heads. Melody Gutierrez in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/13/16

Taxes, Fees, Rates, Tolls     

Volunteers wanted: California will study pay-by-mile road fee -- The Legislature has instructed Caltrans and other transportation officials to set up a nine-month test to see what it would be like if drivers paid for state road repairs based on how many miles they drive in their cars or trucks rather than how many gallons they buy at the pump. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/14/16

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions      

UC president’s pension cap has lower supplement -- UC President Janet Napolitano’s proposal last week to cap pensions for new hires, part of a deal with Gov. Brown, has a less generous 401(k)-style supplement than a task force proposal to help attract top faculty. Ed Mendel Calpensions.com -- 3/14/16

Chinese developers muscling in to Bay Area housing market -- The flood of Chinese money into Bay Area housing is coming not just from home buyers. Developers and investors are also building and backing large residential projects here. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/13/16

Hiring boom: Orange County real estate bosses add the most workers in a decade -- It’s not just Orange County home prices or office towers shooting toward the heavens these days. Local real estate bosses were in a hiring mood last year, adding the most workers to their payrolls in a decade. Jonathan Lanser in the Orange County Register -- 3/14/16

Digital First Media named top early bidder for the Orange County Register -- Digital First Media, owner of the Los Angeles Daily News, has been selected as the bidder to beat in an auction for the assets of Freedom Communications, the bankrupt owner of the Orange County Register. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ Jonathan Lanser in the Orange County Register Beau Yarbrough in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/14/16

In Yosemite, Native Americans Ask, ‘Whose Names Are They, Anyway?’ -- Even as trademark names are battled out in court, Native Americans ask if Yosemite is being oversold. Alice Daniel KQED -- 3/14/16

Drought   

Catching Storm Runoff Could Ease Droughts, But It’s No Quick Fix -- The Oakland-based Pacific Institute estimates that rainfall captured in the San Francisco Bay Area and metro Southern California could, in a strong year, provide enough water to supply the entire city of Los Angeles. Most of that usually runs out to the ocean. Molly Peterson KQED -- 3/14/16

Education 

At California Campuses, a Test for Free Speech, Privacy and Cybersecurity -- A controversy over a secretly installed data monitoring system is simmering at university campuses across California. Last summer, hackers broke into the computer network at the UCLA medical center. A few months later, the University of California system’s president quietly ordered a new security system to monitor Internet traffic on all UC campuses. Laura Sydell KQED -- 3/14/16

Parents alarmed about school district letters on personal information -- Many parents of children with special needs say local and state leaders are unjustly scaring families over a federal lawsuit that seeks personal information to help determine whether California public schools properly educate those with learning disabilities. Roxana Kopetman in the Orange County Register -- 3/14/16

Adapting the counselor’s role for elementary sites -- School counselors historically have been used to shepherd high school students through a maze of academic requirements for graduation and college. But the Mountain View School District is breaking new ground by having counselors provide behavioral education and learning support for a much younger population. Kimberly Beltran Cabinet Report -- 3/14/16

Superintendents, but not teachers, give high grades to Common Core rollout -- Most California teachers, principals and superintendents view the Common Core as more rigorous and more relevant to students than the previous state standards, but disagree over how well the Common Core has been implemented, researchers from the nonprofit education agency WestEd have concluded. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 3/14/16

Environment 

Inland residents dismayed by air board's softer stance on pollution rules -- The Riverside County community has paid a heavy price for the development, Anderson says. Mira Loma has for years suffered from some of the dirtiest air in the nation. Paloma Esquivel in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Health 

House calls for the homeless: San Francisco shelter comes with medical care -- Timothy Blevins couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a doctor. Three years of living hand-to-mouth in a tent, hobbling with a walker and scrabbling each day for food or just another place to set down his bags made the idea of going to appointments a cruel joke. Kevin Fagan in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/14/16

Syphilis cases growing exponentially in Fresno County -- Fresno County syphilis cases are soaring – even though the sexually transmitted disease was nearly nonexistent here six years ago – which has led county health officials to seek help from state and federal officials. Marc Benjamin in the Fresno Bee -- 3/14/16

Also . . . 

Chase of stolen West Covina police cruiser ends with driver killed in officer-involved shooting -- Police shot and killed the driver of a stolen West Covina police cruiser who led authorities on a high-speed chase across Los Angeles County on Sunday, authorities said. Matt Hamilton and Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Beltway 

Donald Trump casts a big shadow in the Democratic race too -- Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders opened a rally at the Ohio State University in Columbus on Sunday by denouncing Trump’s statement earlier in the day that he might pay the legal bills for a supporter who sucker-punched a protester at a Trump rally in Fayetteville, N.C. Cathleen Decker in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16

Trump’s Week of Errors, Exaggerations and Flat-out Falsehoods -- Donald Trump says he is a truthful man. “Maybe truthful to a fault,” he boasted last week at a North Carolina rally where one of his supporters sucker punched a protester. But truthful he is not. Daniel Lippman, Darren Samuelsohn and Issac Arnsdorf Politico -- 3/14/16

Evidence Uneven for Claim That Donald Trump Is Bringing in New Voters -- Democrats have gained more members than Republicans recently in some states that will be crucial in November. Aaron Zitner in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/14/16

McManus: Cruz is scary, Trump is dangerous -- The two leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination held a spirited debate over foreign policy last week, and the differences were striking. Doyle McManus in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/14/16