Updating . .  

Southern California is a main driver of state’s record COVID-19 deaths, with no signs of a letup -- Deaths from COVID-19 in California have reached record levels this week, a grim sign of how even advances in medical care and a younger demographic of those infected are no match for the relentless spread of the coronavirus. Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money, Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

In Bay Area, 17 pediatric patients are among those hospitalized with COVID-19 -- The highest number of pediatric patients hospitalized in the Bay Area with COVID-19 at any given time was on Aug. 10, when there were 18. But officials only began tracking hospitalizations by age on July 23.  Lauren Hernández in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

‘We have failed’: How COVID-19 affects California’s 800,000 farmworkers -- Against the backdrop of a global health crisis and a summer of unprecedented wildfires, California’s 800,000 farmworkers continue to sustain the state’s annual $50-billion agricultural industry in order to make a living and provide for their loved ones. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/20

Orange County expands coronavirus saliva testing program to all residents -- Orange County leaders this week doubled down on the latest push to make COVID-19 testing easier and more accessible to the masses. Ian Wheeler in the Orange County Register -- 12/10/20

Vaccine  

Here’s how California plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine in coming weeks -- With U.S. regulators expected to clear the way this week for the first COVID-19 vaccine, California could soon begin its historic and complex rollout of millions of immunizations, a much-anticipated turning point in a state where over 20,000 people have been killed by the virus. Soumya Karlamangla, Maya Lau, Laura J. Nelson, Jaclyn Cosgrove in the Los Angeles Times$ Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle Hannah Wiley, Kim Bojórquez, and Jeong Park in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/20

CVS to hire 100-plus San Diego pharmacists, technicians ahead of COVID-19 vaccine rollout -- CVS Health, owner of the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chain, plans to hire 120 San Diego pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in preparation for the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine. Jonathan Wosen in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/10/20

Stand and Fight  

Backlash to Newsom’s lockdown order grows — rural communities refuse to comply -- Little changed this week at Steve’s Sportsmans Cafe, despite the new, far-reaching shutdown orders that cover much of the Sierra foothills. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

‘Stay open and fight for your rights,’ say San Diego businesses defying shutdown order -- While the vast majority of San Diego County businesses are complying with the latest stay-at-home order, some restaurants and gyms are taking their chances, saying they have no choice but to remain open. Lori Weisberg, Rob Nikolewski in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/10/20

Policy & Politics 

Gavin Newsom appoints former farmworker as his judicial appointments secretary -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday the appointment of Luis Céspedes to serve as his judicial appointments secretary, a seat previously held by current California Supreme Court Associate Judge Martin J. Jenkins. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/20

Midway through plagued first term, Newsom’s career hits make-or-break point -- How California’s governor manages a critical COVID surge and its economic blows will likely define his political future. Will he recover from recent stumbles? Laurel Rosenhall CalMatters -- 12/10/20

Smith: Why fight? California could have a Black and Latino senator — if Feinstein retires -- When the leader of California’s Legislative Black Caucus talks about why it should be a Black woman who replaces Kamala Harris in the U.S. Senate, she often comes back to the old adage about political power. “If you don’t have a seat at the table,” Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) told me, “then you’re on the menu.” Erika D. Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Education

Sacramento school district principals offer to slash their pay to help avoid budget cuts -- Hours before the Sacramento City Unified School District board is scheduled to debate budget cuts, the districts principals and assistant principals offered to reduce their salaries by 2%, and called on the superintendent and teachers to do the same to save the struggling district from a state takeover. Sawsan Morrar in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/20

To spring break or not? California colleges weigh options as pandemic worsens -- Like a number of colleges across California, USC is swapping its traditional spring break for five single-day breaks scattered throughout the semester, in hopes of cutting down on the spread of COVID-19. Meghan Bobrowsky, Matthew Reagan and Emily Forschen CalMatters -- 12/10/20

Fewer high school graduates enrolled in college this fall amid COVID-19 pandemic, study shows -- The number of students enrolling in college immediately after high school plunged nearly 22% this fall over last year, hitting high-poverty, urban schools hardest — a likely reflection of the coronavirus-related toll on higher education plans, according to a national survey released Thursday. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Water     

California’s water wars have created a dilemma in the delta: fishing or fresh water? -- A half-billion-dollar plan to keep salt water from spoiling California’s most vital water supply could destroy prime bass habitat — and a way of life for fishermen. Kurtis Alexander, Santiago Mejia in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Also . . .   

L.A. County suspends some parking fines amid coronavirus spike, stay-at-home order -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will temporarily stop enforcing street-sweeping parking restrictions as residents are again being urged to stay home amid an unprecedented coronavirus surge. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Curbside Santa a new pandemic norm as parents try to keep the season’s magic alive -- Charles Jennings has played the part of Santa Claus since he was 19 years old. This year he’ll be ho-ho-hoing from home as pandemic restrictions have forced him online with his new business, Virtual Santa Claus Visits. Tony Bravo in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

California Policy and P  olitics Thursday Morning  

California has its most coronavirus deaths in a single day as cases, hospitalizations continue to surge -- More Californians died of COVID-19 on Tuesday than any other day, the latest milestone in an accelerating pandemic that is infecting and hospitalizing residents at levels far eclipsing any seen before. Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

ICU  

San Francisco could run out of ICU beds in 17 days if coronavirus infection rate continues -- San Francisco will run out of intensive care beds in 17 days if the current rate of infection remains stable, the director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health said Wednesday. “That is if things don’t get worse and they very well may,” said Dr. Grant Colfax at a virtual news briefing. Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

How Bay Area hospitals are coping with a surge of ICU patients and nursing shortages -- Bay Area hospitals are struggling to ensure they have enough intensive care beds, and the highly trained nurses to staff them, as a surge of critically ill COVID-19 patients threatens to overwhelm these indispensable medical units. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Why intensive-care unit beds are focus of coronavirus shutdowns -- That metric, established by the California Department of Public Health, is the most-recent wonky medical term to take a starring role in gauging the state’s fight against the coronavirus — and it is one that officials say is key to preventing the healthcare system from being overrun. David Rosenfeld in the Orange County Register -- 12/10/20

Fatigue  

Graph shows what could happen if SF residents don't stay home -- The reproductive rate, or Rt, is an important metric used to predict the spread of a virus, and San Francisco's director of health, Dr. Grant Colfax, said in a Wednesday press conference that he's closely tracking this indictor now as COVID-19 spirals out of control across the state and in the city. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 12/10/20

San Francisco warns that hundreds will die if guidelines ignored: ‘The virus knows no holidays’ -- Another 500 San Francisco residents could die of COVID-19 over the next few months if people continue to disregard pleas to stay away from others and the virus keeps spreading widely, according to a dire forecast from public health leaders Wednesday. Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

California was faring better than the U.S. What happened? -- Nine months in and facing new shutdowns, Californians are suffering from pandemic fatigue and are less compliant with public health measures, Reingold said. Colder weather also pushed more people indoors, where the virus spreads much more easily. Evan Webeck in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/10/20

Here’s where Sacramento-area COVID-19 numbers stand as region enters stay-at-home order -- The Sacramento area learned Wednesday that it will have to enter a stay-at-home order, the tightest restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic since March, no later than 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee$ Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Covid and Children  

First child in L.A. County dies from COVID-19-related MIS-C -- A child died this week from the coronavirus-linked multisystem inflammatory syndrome, known as MIS-C, the first such reported death in Los Angeles County. This also marks the county’s first COVID-19-related death of a child. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Lopez: Want to knock out your holiday shopping in an hour? Say bon appetit with restaurant gift cards -- Thomas Penfield, a retired San Diego County lawyer, sent me an idea that just might help restaurants survive pandemic lockdowns. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Eviction  

Coronavirus study: Lifting eviction moratoriums leads to higher COVID-19 case rates, deaths -- As the state faces its most stringent business shutdowns since spring and as moratoriums protecting many from eviction threaten to sunset, California lawmakers have started debating more protections for vulnerable renters and landlords whose finances were affected by the pandemic’s deepening economic crisis. Laurence Du Sault CalMatters -- 12/10/20

Work Around  

Manhattan Beach repurposes closed outdoor dining areas for public seating -- Though Los Angeles County has ordered restaurants to suspend outdoor dining through the holidays, the city of Manhattan Beach has implemented a plan to allow residents to continue using the space. The city has repurposed newly closed outdoor dining areas as public seating areas where people can sit and potentially dine out. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Covid and Jobs  

Placer County faces bleak winter for jobs as COVID-19 stay-at-home order takes effect -- Between August 2019 to August 2020, Placer County lost 89,500 jobs, with the leisure and hospitality sector shedding the most at 32,200 jobs. The accommodation and food services industries were hardest hit next, losing 23,600 jobs. Molly Sullivan in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/20

With outdoor dining ban in effect Friday, Sacramento restaurants brace for ‘hard hit’ -- It’s hard to miss Cicada Cantina’s outdoor setup driving south from Sacramento into Elk Grove on Highway 99. The Mexican restaurant and bar at 9105 W. Stockton Blvd. laid out 20 tables with propane heaters under an enormous white tent professionally driven into the concrete. Benjy Egel in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/20

The coronavirus pandemic is hitting families that are already struggling the hardest -- According to a new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California, 43% of households making less than $40,000 a year have seen their earnings shrink. And with little to nothing to spare, 42% of low-income families are cutting back on food. Emily DeRuy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/10/20

Napa and Sonoma wineries, still open for tastings, saw plenty of weekend visitors despite lockdown news -- While some Bay Area counties have enacted strict stay-at-home orders this week, nothing has changed yet in Napa and Sonoma counties — and their wineries and tasting rooms remain open for visitors. Esther Mobley in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Lake Tahoe is shutting down to tourists on Friday -- Vacation travel to Lake Tahoe will be banned for at least three weeks starting Friday due to a regional rise in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations. Gregory Thomas in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Lopez: Want to knock out your holiday shopping in an hour? Say bon appetit with restaurant gift cards -- Thomas Penfield, a retired San Diego County lawyer, sent me an idea that just might help restaurants survive pandemic lockdowns. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Repay EDD  

Some unemployed Californians could be forced to repay part of pandemic benefits -- Nearly a million Californians who received Pandemic Unemployment Assistance have been told they could have to repay some of their benefits if they can’t document the 2019 income they reported on their unemployment application. The repayment could amount to hundreds or thousands of dollars. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

California Economy  

Californians gloomy about economy but largely back Newsom’s handling of it, poll says -- A majority of Californians approve of how Gov. Gavin Newsom is handling the economy during the coronavirus pandemic, even as their outlook for the state turns increasingly pessimistic, according to a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Margot Roosevelt in the Los Angeles Times$ Katie Orr KQED -- 12/10/20

California recovery will lag United States rebound, experts say -- California’s weak economy will take longer than the nation to recover from its coronavirus-induced maladies due to strict business lockdowns imposed by state and local government agencies, according to a downbeat economic forecast released Wednesday. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/10/20

Policy & Politics 

Some unhappy Californians not giving up on recalling Gov. Gavin Newsom -- Between the COVID shutdowns, the shuttered schools and his ill-fated trip to the French Laundry, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is having a rough time of it. But things could get even rougher if the grassroots effort to recall him takes off and qualifies for the ballot. Phil Matier in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Newsom hires a Capitol insider with experience — and strong interest ties -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s outgoing chief of staff Ann O’Leary had to contend with criticisms that she was a Sacramento outsider. Her successor as a top Newsom lieutenant, Jim DeBoo, won’t have that problem. Jeremy B. White and Victoria Colliver Politico Sophia Bollag and Lara Korte in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/10/20

Newsom faces new pressure to name Black woman to Harris seat -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing new pressure to name a Black woman to the Senate seat held by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — even as expectations grow that he’ll pick Secretary of State Alex Padilla for the role. Carla Marinucci Politico -- 12/10/20

Skelton: In Becerra as first Latino health secretary, Biden gets a team player who’s tough in a fight -- In Xavier Becerra, President-elect Joe Biden is getting a team player, savvy politician and competent manager — who excels at being in the right place at the right time. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Rep. Barbara Lee has concerns about retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as Pentagon chief -- Rep. Barbara Lee urged President-elect Joe Biden last month not to nominate a defense secretary who had worked with a military contractor. But the Oakland Democrat is tabling that concern when it comes to retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Democrats' slim House margin could keep California members from plum jobs -- California Democratic House members hoping for a plum appointment from Gov. Gavin Newsom are facing a major roadblock: Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Carla Marinucci Politico -- 12/10/20

California congressman: Talking to anti-mask lawmakers like ‘talking to a brick wall’ -- California Rep. Ami Bera complained Wednesday that many of his fellow members of Congress still do not wear masks inside the Capitol, and compared efforts to convince them to cover their faces to “talking to a brick wall.” Quint Forgey Politico -- 12/10/20

California tax revenue ‘windfall’ now uncertain -- That $26 billion dollar “windfall” that California lawmakers learned about last month may not withstand a second round of economy-squelching lockdowns, and the risk of losing what little leverage they have is a top concern for state budget writers. Will Shuck Capitol Weekly -- 12/10/20

Gov. Newsom’s Companies Got $3 Million In Relief Loans -- Companies affiliated with California Gov. Gavin Newsom received nearly $3 million in federal loans created to help small businesses survive the pandemic, more than eight times the amount originally reported, according to newly released information from the U.S. government. Don Thompson Associated Press Stephanie Sierra and Lindsey Feingold KGO ABC 7 -- 12/10/20

Street  

L.A. vowed to cut police and help disenfranchised areas. Now that plan is under fire -- Six months ago, following massive protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez announced a dramatic step at City Hall: She and her colleagues would cut police spending by $150 million.David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Oakland formed a task force to help defund the police. Now some members want the city to reconsider -- When Black Lives Matter protests shook the ground beneath Oakland City Hall this summer, the City Council laid out an ambitious goal: cut the $300 million police budget in half, and invest the savings in social services. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Police Shot Him In The Face With A ‘Less-Lethal’ Weapon. It May Have Killed His Dream Of Becoming A Police Officer -- Foucha Coner eventually regained sight in his right eye, but his future remains blurry. The projectile that police fired at him during a downtown Sacramento protest could have been a foam bullet, a beanbag, or a pepper ball. He doesn’t know for sure, but it left a gash near his eye. Scott Rodd Capital Public Radio -- 12/10/20

Sidelined from protests after an injury, L.A. man sues to ban police projectiles -- After a Los Angeles police officer shot Jones in the face with a projectile during a major protest in May, his doctor told him he was lucky to be alive — and might not be if he were struck in a similar way a second time. So, fearing for his life, Jones said he kept off the streets, feeling his political voice had been stifled. Until now. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

San Diego police officers allowed to wear ID numbers instead of name tags during protests -- The San Diego Police Department has authorized its officers to not wear their name tags during protests if a department leader gives them the OK. Instead officers would wear a tag with an ID number on their uniforms. David Hernandez in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/10/20

Education 

Cal State announces plans for fall 2021 reopening of its 23 campuses -- Six days before its application window closes, the California State University system serving nearly half a million students has announced a plan for all 23 of its campuses to reopen next fall after more than a year of virtual instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nina Agrawal in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Conservative youth group will offer Burbank students free copies of sidelined books -- A conservative youth organization announced Monday that it would provide students in the Burbank Unified School District with free copies of five challenged books that were recently made non-mandatory reading. Dorany Pineda in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Fewer Kindergartners Could Signal Big Educational, Financial Troubles For Sacramento City Schools -- Ann Crisp says her family tried doing “Zoom-school” for their 5-year-old son Lennon earlier this year, but it just didn’t work. Pauline Bartolone Capital Public Radio -- 12/10/20

San Diego Unified may cut $155 million from budget, approves 370 early retirements -- San Diego Unified’s school board approved an interim budget that projects $155 million in cuts next school year and $41 million the following year. Kristen Taketa in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/10/20

S.F. is embracing a totally new elementary school assignment process. Will it create more diverse classrooms? -- What is now something of a chaotic, random process to get a seat at an elementary school will become a restricted, zone-based system with families guaranteed a spot in one of about 12 schools — but not a specific school. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

Another step toward universal preschool in California? -- Long a goal of early childhood advocates, universal preschool came a step closer to becoming reality this week. Karen D'Souza EdSource -- 12/10/20

Santa Ana Unified School District adjusts grade scale, making D more accessible -- The Santa Ana Unified School District has recently given its students something of a head start to help them avoid getting “F” grades. Steve Fryer in the Orange County Register -- 12/10/20

When helping family comes before going to college -- Maria was supposed to be a UC Davis student right now, attending online classes, balancing the stresses of being a freshman and worrying about exams. Instead, she’s babysitting and cat-sitting in Marin County, so she can earn money to help support her family. Betty Márquez Rosales EdSource -- 12/10/20

Housing  

Facebook Pledges $150 Million to Build Affordable Housing in the Bay Area -- Facebook will focus $150 million to build 2,000 units of extremely low-income housing as part of the social media company's pledge in October 2019 to spend $1 billion on affordable housing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Facebook says this new Community Housing Fund would be the largest of its kind in California. Rachael Myrow KQED -- 12/10/20

Cannabis  

Cannabis regulators may loosen California rules to help struggling industry -- With California’s licensed pot shops still struggling to compete with the illicit market and facing the new challenges of COVID-19, a state panel that advises regulators on cannabis sales recommended Wednesday that several restrictions be relaxed to give legal businesses a better shot. Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/10/20

Inmates   

They Were Released From Prison Into ICE Detention in a Pandemic. Now They're Seeking Damages -- Four men who were set to be released from California prisons earlier this year but were instead handed over to federal immigration authorities for potential deportation are seeking thousands of dollars in damages from the state. Farida Jhabvala Romero KQED -- 12/10/20

Thousands of California Inmates Waiting for Access to Addiction Treatment -- More than 6,000 California prison inmates are awaiting the doctor's appointments they need to receive addiction-treatment medication, according to a prisoner advocacy group. Holly McDede KQED -- 12/10/20

Also . . .   

Well, it’s happened, someone hacked God’s Twitter account -- God’s Twitter account has been hacked. The popular Twitter account @TheTweetOfGod, run by comedy writer David Javerbaum, appeared to have been hacked Wednesday night. Vanessa Arredondo in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/10/20

POTUS 46  

How Biden aims to Covid-proof his administration -- Small and infrequent public events. Repeated testing of staff, reporters and the president-elect. Aides debating policies and Cabinet picks without ever meeting face-to-face. Preparations for a pared-down, mostly virtual inauguration. Alice Miranda Ollstein and Daniel Lippman Politico -- 12/10/20

POTUS 45  

Trump looks to jump into Texas case to overturn election results -- President Donald Trump is seeking to intervene in a Supreme Court case brought by the Texas attorney general that tries to toss the results in a handful of battleground states that Trump lost — the president’s latest, and potentially last, long-shot legal avenue to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Zach Montellaro, Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein Politico -- 12/10/20