Updating . .   

Studies of hospital workers suggest COVID-19 vaccines really do prevent coronavirus infections -- The COVID-19 vaccines being administered in the U.S. were authorized for use because they dramatically reduced the risk of getting the disease when tested in clinical trials. However, those trials didn’t test the vaccines’ ability to prevent a coronavirus infection — the first step on the road to COVID-19. Karen Kaplan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

L.A. County is now in the yellow tier. Here’s what the major reopening means to you -- In general, reaching this level allows expanded capacity at restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, amusement parks, sports venues and museums. Bars can also reopen indoors without the requirement that they serve meals, and saunas and steam rooms can reopen. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Breakthrough cases: Here’s how many vaccinated Sacramento County residents got COVID-19 -- At a glance, this appears to show that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at a rate roughly 60 to 85 times higher than those who’ve been fully vaccinated since the start of 2021. Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

Just one Bay Area county is still stuck in the red tier. Here's what's holding it back -- But Solano County, which has continued to struggle with higher case rates than the rest of the Bay Area, is still stuck in the red tier — the second-most-restrictive in the four-tier system. Kellie Hwang in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

California stimulus checks of up to $1,200 are heading to hundreds of thousands of residents -- Hundreds of thousands of Californians can expect a stimulus check, ranging from $600 to $1,200, soon, if they haven’t already received one. One-time $600 payments under the “Golden State Stimulus” are on the way for eligible Californians who file with Social Security Numbers and qualify to receive the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit. Kim Bojórquez in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

‘Heartbreak on top of heartbreak’: California’s first surgeon general navigates the pandemic -- As California’s surgeon general, the state’s top physician, she was glad to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to show others it was safe. But one of the most critical parts of the pandemic’s vaccine rollout — reassuring Black and brown communities that the vaccines available are safe — is an ongoing task. Marissa Evans in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Policy & Politics 

How California reopening and COVID declining could spell trouble for Newsom recall effort -- With the spread of COVID-19 plummeting in California, triggering reopenings across the state after a devastating year of lockdowns, the campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom from office could lose one of its strongest selling points by the time voters are asked whether to remove him this fall. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Newsom's AG pick will test California's mood on criminal justice -- Becoming California's top cop may have been the easy part. Keeping the job is another story. Jeremy B. White, Alexander Nieves and Richard Tzul Politico -- 5/6/21

Skelton: Regardless of Newsom’s motive, bid to end California oil production is a game-changer -- There are three ways to look at Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recently announced phaseout of fracking and desire to end all California oil production. The first two are both credible and the third is fact. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

CalBuzz: Why Gavin Will Crush Recall and Emerge Stronger -- The MSM chases Caitlyn Jenner like dogs in heat and John Cox’s big bear makes it official: the attempted recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom is a circus. Jerry Roberts and Phil Trounstine CalBuzz -- 5/6/21

In historic move, county removes barrier to tribal land expansion -- For more than 20 years, San Diego County has barred its 18 federally recognized tribes from expanding their reservations, a reaction prompted by concerns over a sudden surge of casino construction. Lauren J. Mapp in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/6/21

Is America the merciful nation immigrants want it to be? -- They are beckoned by the image of the United States as a welcoming and merciful nation. But a disturbing increase in racist and xenophobic attacks targeting Americans with Asian and Pacific Island backgrounds makes it brutally obvious that my country doesn’t always live up to its promise of acceptance. Tyrone Beason, Gary Coronado, Alejandro Tamayo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

California bullet train isn’t the jobs creator some claim -- Atop massive viaducts and bridges under construction for the bullet train in the San Joaquin Valley, the state has hung banners proudly proclaiming “5,000 workers and counting.” Ralph Vartabedian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Catlyn  

Caitlyn Jenner branded ‘the Phyllis Schlafly of the trans community’ after Sean Hannity interview -- Caitilyn Jenner may have told Sean Hannity Wednesday night that, as California’s governor, she sees herself being “a role model” for young transgender people struggling with societal prejudice, but that’s not how a prominent LGBTQ activist and others see her. Martha Ross in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/6/21

Caitlyn Jenner backs border wall, conservative positions in TV interview -- Caitlyn Jenner staked out a host of conservative stances and spoke highly of former President Donald Trump during an interview Wednesday, her first big TV appearance since announcing she will run for California governor. Dustin Gardiner in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

Caitlyn Jenner Offers Vague Generalities, Moments of Humanity in Fox TV Interview -- Reality TV celebrity Caitlyn Jenner gave her first television interview Wednesday night since her entry into the California governor’s race two weeks ago caused a media frenzy. And if her debut sit-down is any indication, the 71-year-old former Olympic athlete has a lot of distance to make up if she has any hope of winning the gold in the recall election. Scott Shafer, Guy Marzorati KQED -- 5/6/21

Water  

Entire Bay Area has gone from 'severe' to 'extreme' drought levels in just 2 weeks -- According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire Bay Area is now in the “extreme” drought category, along with nearly three-quarters of California. Kellie Hwang in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

Street  

L.A. County sheriff refuses to name deputies who open fire, defying state’s high court -- After his son was shot and killed in October, Fred Williams Jr. asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for the name of the deputy who pulled the trigger. Alene Tchekmedyian, James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Woman goes on racist rant during L.A. County traffic stop, tells deputy ‘you’ll never be white’ -- The April 23 exchange in San Dimas was recorded on the deputy’s personal body camera, which captured the woman calling him a “murderer” and a “Mexican racist,” after he pulled her over for using her cellphone while driving. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

EDD Backup  

Why can’t Gavin Newsom fix California’s unemployment center? Phone lines still jammed -- Today, thousands still can’t get through every day on the Employment Development Department’s phone line. Billions of dollars have been paid in fraudulent claims. Improving the technology remains a work in progress. David Lightman and Lara Korte in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

California unemployment claims improve — but backlog worsens -- California workers filed fewer unemployment claims last week — but the state’s labor agency is falling behind again in its uneven efforts to whittle down a mountain of backlogged claims, separate government reports show. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/6/21

Also . . .   

Bell: San Diegans ponder fate of school they founded in Afghanistan -- When former nurse Fary Moini and lawyer Steve Brown broke ground for a school in Afghanistan in November, 2002, it was the beginning of a commitment that has spanned nearly two decades and still runs strong. Diane Bell in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/6/21

Monterey Bay Aquarium animals ready for their closeup with reopening set for May 15 -- After being closed for more than a year during the pandemic, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is set to reopen to the public May 15, and some animals appear happier about it than others, officials say. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Meet the TikTok angel of street vendors -- With a million followers donating thousands of dollars, a young Latino makes TikTok videos to raise money for Los Angeles street vendors. Jacqueline Garcia CalMatters -- 5/6/21

California Policy and P  olitics Thursday Morning  

California reports 3,100 ‘breakthrough’ COVID cases among the vaccinated -- Between Jan. 1 and April 28, California public health officials recorded 3,084 breakthrough cases of COVID-19 in people who were fully vaccinated. That’s out of 12.9 million people who were fully vaccinated. Ken Carlson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

61 migrant children at Long Beach, Pomona centers are being treated for COVID-19 -- "The cases are either all asymptomatic or very mild symptoms," said Zhan Caplan of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "The children are getting excellent care from UCLA Health, our medical provider." The item is in the San Bernardino Sun$ -- 5/6/21

As yellow tier arrives, some LA County coronavirus rules remain tougher than state’s -- Striding into the least-restrictive yellow tier of the state’s economic-reopening blueprint, Los Angeles County will deploy its loosest business restrictions since the pandemic began on Thursday, May 6. But some rules in the county’s public health ordered will remain tougher than the state’s, including a 75% capacity cap at grocery and retail stores. The item is in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/6/21

California to spend $33 million to combat vaccine hesitancy, reach more communities -- California plans to shift its strategy for COVID-19 vaccination, as demand has been slowing while more than one-third of adults still have not received a first dose. Michael McGough in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

Will you stop wearing a mask outdoors? Here's what 4 COVID experts say they're doing -- As of Monday, those who have been fully inoculated against COVID-19 are no longer required to wear masks outdoors, except in crowded settings like performances, sports events and festivals. Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

Catlyn  

Caitlyn Jenner to critics: ‘I move on’ she says in interview -- Caitlyn Jenner, a Republican whose campaign for California governor has elicited angry reaction from some members of the LGBTQ community, said Wednesday that “I move on” when it comes to her critics. Michael R. Blood Associated Press -- 5/6/21

Jenner: 'I am all for the wall' at the border -- Republican reality TV star and former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner told Fox News that she is "all for the wall" — former President Trump's controversial southern border effort — and called it crucial to control illegal immigration. Carla Marinucci Politico -- 5/6/21

In Fox interview, Caitlyn Jenner declares herself ‘outsider’ in California governor race -- In her first major interview as a candidate for California governor, Caitlyn Jenner sought to appeal to Trump Republicans – telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity she’s an “outsider” looking to “disrupt” politics as usual. Maanvi Singh The Guardian -- 5/6/21

Policy & Politics 

Michelle Steel apologizes to GOP supporters for working on bipartisan bill -- Republican Rep. Michelle Steel is facing backlash after video from a recent political event shows her apologizing to GOP supporters for working with Democrat Katie Porter on a resolution condemning hate crimes against Asian Americans. Brooke Staggs in the Orange County Register -- 5/6/21

Court upholds California governor’s use of emergency powers -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s use of emergency powers to make far-reaching policies during the pandemic was upheld Wednesday by state appellate judges who rejected a lower court finding that the Democrat had done too much unilaterally. Don Thompson Associated Press Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ Lara Korte in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

S.F. shifts $3.75 million from law enforcement budgets to support Black business communities -- Mayor London Breed on Wednesday announced the distribution of a $3.75 million award intended to support training, technical assistance and neighborhood revitalization in San Francisco’s historically Black and African American small business communities. Vanessa Arredondo in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

Federal immigration officials moving to deport Omar Ameen back to Iraq -- Iraqi refugee Omar Ameen is facing deportation proceedings despite a Sacramento judge’s ruling last month that there was not enough evidence to extradite him back to his home country to face trial in the slaying of a police officer there, officials confirmed Wednesday. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

Scripps Ransomware  

State regulator watching Scripps Health ransomware attack closely -- The California Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that it is monitoring the ransomware attack that has severely impacted Scripps Health facilities throughout San Diego County, but has thus far determined that emergency procedures under way since Saturday have been adequate to ensure patients are safe. Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/6/21

Street  

Sacramento Bee sues city seeking release of records in Darell Richards police killing -- The Sacramento Bee is suing the city of Sacramento for failing to release documents regarding the police killing of Darell Richards, more than two years after the shooting. The city is withholding the documents despite a law the California Legislature passed in 2018 that requires their release, The Bee alleges. Theresa Clift in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/6/21

Photojournalists sue LAPD, L.A. County sheriff over alleged abuses at protests -- The lawsuits come amid heightened tensions between local police and the media after a year in which reporters and photographers have repeatedly alleged abuses by officers — including verbal harassment, physical assaults and baseless detentions and arrests — as they’ve sought to cover street demonstrations. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Suspect in shooting of off-duty LAPD officer had been arrested twice in past three months -- A 24-year-old “transient” has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly broke into an off-duty Los Angeles police officer’s vehicle and shot him with his own service weapon, court records show. James Queally, Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Mother who survived Orange mass shooting but lost two children leaves hospital -- Blanca Tamayo was dying when she arrived at UCI Medical Center. She had been shot in the head five weeks ago and her two children and ex-husband were among the four killed in a mass shooting in Orange. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ Roxana Kopetman in the Orange County Register -- 5/6/21

Huntington Beach latest to create non-police team to handle mental health, homeless issues -- Come summer, Huntington Beach is expected to launch a mobile crisis response team to handle a variety of mental health and behavior-related calls for service, rather than dispatching police when no crime, violence, or event involving a weapon is unfolding. Theresa Walker in the Orange County Register -- 5/6/21

LAPD officer arrested on child pornography charges -- A veteran Los Angeles police officer was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography and distributing obscene images of a minor, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Workplace  

Minimum-wage workers say Oakland should do more to stop labor violations -- Despite Oakland’s adoption of worker protections before and during the pandemic, two Latina women say they experienced labor violations that the city hasn’t resolved. Shwanika Narayan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

California hospitality workers celebrate right to return to work -- SB 93 guarantees about 700,000 laid-off housekeepers, cooks, waiters and bartenders an opportunity to return to their jobs. Jacqueline García in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/6/21

Alameda County is legalizing home kitchen restaurants -- The ordinance creates a process for cooks to get permits for what are known as “Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations,” or “MEHKOS,” which were mostly illegal throughout California until a state law was passed in September 2018. Annie Sciacca in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/6/21

Job postings are slow in tech hubs like the Bay Area, but not because of a lack of tech jobs -- The data suggests what has been suspected for months, that businesses relying on the traffic of tech sector employees saw a decrease in business as tech companies closed their offices and allowed workers to telecommute from home. Chase DiFeliciantonio in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

Education  

Many colleges require vaccines immediately, but CSU and UC stick with plan to wait on FDA -- Colleges and universities across California are making plans to require their students to be vaccinated for Covid-19 ahead of the fall term, but there are significant differences from one campus to the next. Michael Burke EdSource -- 5/6/21

Homeless  

Here’s where Oakland wants to build new homeless housing -- Oaklanders could soon see tiny homes, yurts, RV parks and more pop up everywhere from Lake Merritt to East Oakland after the City Council this week proposed a range of new ideas using vacant lots to house the city’s homeless residents. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/6/21

Border  

Federal charges filed against alleged boat captain in deadly smuggling wreck -- A man accused of piloting the boat that broke up on the rocks of Point Loma in a deadly human smuggling attempt has been charged in San Diego federal court, according to a complaint filed Wednesday. Kristina Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/6/21

Water  

Marin County is first in region to limit outdoor watering with mandatory rules -- The Marin Municipal Water District is imposing more mandatory water restrictions on residents, with the goal of reducing overall water use in the district by 40%. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 5/6/21

Fire  

Woman charged with starting 63,000-acre Delta wildfire in 2018 -- The charges related to the Delta fire include two counts of arson that caused great bodily injury during a state of emergency and 16 counts of arson of a structure, property or forest land during a state of emergency. Leila Miller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Also . . .   

Mays is overflowing with youthful memories, but focuses on kids' futures -- To sit and talk with Willie Mays is to walk into the Polo Grounds or Candlestick Park, hang with Monte Irvin or Bobby Bonds, lose your cap running first to third, and make a basket catch or three. John Shea in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21

Kobe Bryant crash photos didn’t violate Vanessa Bryant’s privacy, county argues -- There was no invasion of Vanessa Bryant’s privacy amid allegations that Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies shared grim photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna and seven others, Los Angeles County lawyers said in seeking to dismiss a lawsuit by her. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/6/21

Yosemite: Giant sequoia grove reopens after 100 mph winds topple 15 ancient trees -- Mariposa Grove, a landmark of Yosemite National Park first set aside for protection by Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and visited by millions of people since then, reopened to the public Wednesday, more than three months after a raging storm with 100 mph winds toppled giant sequoia trees, felled dozens of others and wrecked facilities. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/6/21

There are only about 200 California condors in the wild. About 10% landed on one woman's deck -- The birds, one of the largest flying birds in the world — their wing span can extend beyond 9 feet, showed up sometime over the weekend at the Tehachapi home, Mickols’ daughter told The Chronicle. The rare raptors have been troublesome guests ever since. Matthias Gafni in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/6/21