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Growing signs Omicron is leveling off in California -- The shift is uneven across the state, but the numbers suggest California could be reaching a crest in the latest surge. States on the East Coast that were hit earlier by the Omicron wave have already started to see a sustained decline in infections. Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

ICU beds are filling up, as lagging effects of LA County’s booming COVID case counts emerge -- Public health officials on Tuesday, Jan. 18, confirmed a nearly 10% increase in patients admitted to intensive care units in Los Angeles County compared to last week — a sign that the lagging effects of the staggering surge in overall cases are beginning to play out. Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 1/19/22

Hispanic women were more likely to contract COVID during pregnancy, study says -- Maria Vega made the financially tough choice to leave her fast-food job and become a stay-at-home mother in October 2020, in the middle of a global health pandemic and the parallel economic crises it unleashed. Shwanika Narayan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Biden to give away 400 million N95 masks starting next week -- The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to U.S. residents starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. Zeke Miller Associated Press -- 1/19/22

COVID School  

As LA schools backtrack on COVID vaccine, dozens more districts push to mandate it -- At least 40 California schools have tried to implement their own vaccine mandate ahead of the state mandate that will take effect next fall. Jennah Haque, Melissa Newcomb and Caroline Ghisolfi CalMatters -- 1/19/22

Omicron surge worsens teacher shortage, closing more California schools to COVID -- The omicron variant of COVID-19 has hit California’s teacher workforce so hard that many schools are weighing closure and in some cases forced to dip into emergency days. The quality of instruction is suffering, but some teachers say they still prefer this to remote instruction. Joe Hong CalMatters -- 1/19/22

An existential moment for California schools -- “It is so bad.” That was Simi Valley Unified School District Superintendent Jason Peplinski’s stark assessment of the situation facing California schools as the omicron variant infects record numbers of staff and students, forcing many campuses to announce or consider temporary closures, CalMatters’ Joe Hong reports. Emily Hoeven CalMatters -- 1/19/22

Policy and Politics  

Lopez: Dear Karen Bass and others, L.A. needs a real homeless plan we haven’t heard before -- OK, here we go. In the city of sprawling encampments, broken promises and simmering frustration, the mayoral derby is under way. Eric Garcetti, after 20 years in power as a councilman and mayor, will soon be leaving City Hall here in the homeless capital of the United States. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

Street  

A Tesla on autopilot killed two people in Gardena. Is the driver guilty of manslaughter? -- On Dec. 29, 2019, a Honda Civic pulled up to the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Gardena. It was just after midnight. The traffic light was green. Hayley Smith, Russ Mitchell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

Education  

Study shows widespread conflict over critical race theory in schools, including in some Bay Area districts -- The effort to stifle the teaching of race and racism in schools has prompted 54 bills in 24 states in the past year, while nearly 900 school districts nationwide serving 17.7 million students have grappled with similar bans on race-based instruction in public classrooms. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

UC Davis students rebel against fees for sports. As costs rise, should they bankroll athletics? -- For 27 years, UC Davis students have funded a significant portion of the university’s athletic programs out of theirpockets. Now, some are saying enough is enough. Ryan Sabalow and Joe Davidson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/19/22

Climate  

Highway 37, a major Bay Area corridor, could be fully underwater as soon as 2040 -- California State Route 37, the major throughway that bridges the divide between Highway 101 and Interstate 80 and serves thousands of drivers daily in the North Bay, is in dire straits. Joshua Bote in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/19/22

Climate  

Wildfire Risk in California Drives Insurers to Pull Policies for Pricey Homes -- Worried about wildfire exposure and frustrated by state regulations, insurers in California have been cutting back on their homeowner businesses. Now, affluent homeowners are feeling more of the pain, as two of the biggest firms offering protection for multimillion-dollar properties end coverage for some customers. Leslie Scism in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/19/22

California Policy and Politics Wednesday Morning  

Number of S.F. hospital patients with COVID nears all-time high -- The Bay Area’s postholiday omicron surge may be tapering off, but health officials remain on high alert as hospitalizations continue upward — San Francisco is on the cusp of its COVID patient record — and California’s infection rate hovers in reach of the all-time high. Aidin Vaziri, Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

South Bay hospitals declare internal disasters as patient crush continues -- Chris Van Gorder, chief executive officer of Scripps Health, said that the emergency department at Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista had 73 patients mid-afternoon filling its 24 emergency beds and 23 more inside tents in the parking lot. Twenty more were in beds set up in emergency room hallways with additional spaces taken in areas traditionally used for recovery from surgical procedures or medical imaging. Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/19/22

Federal website offering coronavirus tests hits some snags on its beta day -- Americans on Tuesday were able for the first time to request coronavirus tests from a federal website, but some reported hitting snags that prevented them from finalizing orders of a critical diagnostic tool. Anumita Kaur in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

Hundreds sign petition to repeal Stanford University’s COVID-19 booster vaccine mandate -- Nearly 1,600 people have signed the petition started by Stanford PhD candidate Monte Fischer a week ago asking the school to take back its Dec. 16 decision requiring everyone to get boosters unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Aldo Toledo in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/19/22

Man charged with attacking medical workers at Tustin vaccination site -- Prosecutors allege he punched one medical assistant five times and a second medical assistant twice before bystanders were able to pin him down. He refused to follow commands from a Tustin officer, who had to use a taser to subdue him before handcuffing him, prosecutors added. Sean Emery, Eric Licas in the Orange County Register -- 1/19/22

Pfizer’s New Covid-19 Pill Works Against Omicron in Lab -- Pfizer Inc.’s new Covid-19 pill, Paxlovid, was effective against the Omicron variant in laboratory tests, an encouraging early sign the drug will be an important tool while the strain spreads. Jared S. Hopkins in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/19/22

Omicron hasn’t peaked in U.S., surgeon general says, warning that ‘next few weeks will be tough’ -- The United States has not yet reached a national peak of the omicron variant, the nation’s top doctor said, urging caution even as the explosion of cases has started to plateau in some areas. Paulina Firozi in the Washington Post$ -- 1/19/22

US faces wave of omicron deaths in coming weeks, models say -- The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, but COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing and modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the wave subsides in mid-March. Carla K. Johnson Associated Press -- 1/19/22

COVID School  

Another Oakland teacher sickout stopped classes at three schools — and students say they’ll skip classes all week -- A third teacher sickout halted instruction in three Oakland schools on Tuesday while an unknown number of students boycotted class, the latest in a string of protests over safety demands amid the omicron surge. Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Policy and Politics  

Los Angeles chosen to host Summit of the Americas, a key gathering of region’s leaders -- Los Angeles has been chosen by the Biden administration to host this year’s Summit of the Americas, a key gathering that U.S. officials hope will help mend diplomatic fences in the Western Hemisphere. Tracy Wilkinson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

Mike Bonin recall drive failed to turn in enough valid signatures, city clerk says -- City Clerk Holly Wolcott, whose office has been reviewing recall petitions for several weeks, concluded that the Bonin recall group had 25,965 valid signatures, about 1,350 short of the number needed. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

California Democrat Adam Gray to run for Congress in Merced-centered district -- Assemblyman Adam Gray, a moderate Democrat who has represented the areas around Merced in the state Legislature since 2012, announced he would run for Congress in a district that covers his hometown and parts of Stanislaus County. Gillian Brassil in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/19/22

Mayor Breed files ballot measure seeking to expand police access to surveillance cameras -- Mayor London Breed on Tuesday filed a ballot measure that will ask San Franciscans to expand and clarify the circumstances under which police can monitor surveillance cameras in real time, advancing a key element of her plan to crack down on crime in the Tenderloin and citywide. Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Investigation into S.F.’s acting DBI director finds no evidence of wrongdoing -- An investigation into allegations that Interim Department of Building Inspections Director Patrick O’Riordan favored politically connected developers in a previous role a decade ago found no evidence of wrongdoing, according to City Attorney David Chiu. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Police break up fracas at Orange County Republican meeting -- Police were called to step in after a group of conservatives wearing orange shirts that said “RINO hunters,” with crosshairs making a target of the “O,” tried to storm a Republican Party of Orange County meeting in Costa Mesa on Monday night. The group was led by Nick Taurus, a self-proclaimed American Nationalist who last year spearheaded a protest during a town hall for Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, that turned violent. Brooke Staggs in the Orange County Register -- 1/19/22

Monte Sereno councilwoman convicted of illegal voting in Oregon -- Monte Sereno Councilwoman Rowena Turner was convicted of illegal voting last October in Oregon circuit court after allegations that she voted in both California and Oregon for years gained public attention in 2020. The Republican councilwoman, along with her husband Ahval Turner and son Sean Edward Turner, pleaded “no contest” to charges of illegal voting during the November 2018 general election in Josephine County, Ore., where she owns a vacation home. Hannah Kanik in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/19/22

Walters: California politicos now talking tough on crime -- It is amusing — and a little pathetic — to see California’s liberal politicians slide to the right in response to an upsurge in crime. Dan Walters CalMatters -- 1/19/22

Taxes  

Proposed Oakland business tax changes would hit larger companies harder -- Oakland officials are considering a November ballot measure that could add an extra $32.7 million to the city’s coffers by increasing taxes for larger companies — a move that the city’s finance director cautioned could result in the loss of more than 2,000 jobs. At the same time, the measure would cut taxes for small businesses, many of which have struggled during the pandemic. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

CalPers  

CalPERS board president announces resignation after cancer diagnosis -- CalPERS Board of Administration President Henry Jones is resigning from the board Friday to focus on his recovery from cancer, he told the board over the weekend. Wes Venteicher in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/19/22

Downtown SF  

San Francisco's only Abercrombie & Fitch to permanently close -- The Ohio-based company, which also owns abercrombie kids, Hollister Co. and a lingerie line Gilly Hicks, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But a significant drop in foot traffic around Market Street and Union Square in tandem with a major shift to online shopping during the pandemic have contributed to a string of other closures in the area, including DSW, Uniqlo, Gap, H&M and Nordstrom Rack. Amanda Bartlett in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 1/19/22

Twitter expands offices at S.F. headquarters despite remote work trends -- Twitter has expanded its San Francisco headquarters by around 80,000 square feet despite its embrace of remote work, a move that runs counter to the scores of other tech companies downsizing during the pandemic. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Workplace  

These are the jobs Bay Area employers are having the hardest time filling -- Which job is harder to fill in the Bay Area right now, software engineer or deli worker? According to data from jobs site indeed.com, both take about the same amount of time, pointing to how massive numbers of workers quitting to seek out new jobs and better pay could be reshaping the local labor market. Chase DiFeliciantonio in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Tenderloin  

Tenderloin emergency: S.F. opens service center; police say they won’t force those on streets to go there -- San Francisco opened a linkage center at U.N. Plaza on Tuesday to connect people in the Tenderloin to housing, drug treatment and other services, a major component of Mayor London Breed’s initiative to address conditions and overdose deaths in the neighborhood. Mallory Moench in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

EDD  

Sacramento unemployment fraud scheme topped $2.75 million, used 166 IDs, officials say -- When Sacramento law enforcement officials arrested 35-year-old Jamie Williams-Major and six others last year they thought they’d broken up an unemployment fraud scheme involving more than $250,000 in phony payments. Turns out, the total was 10 times higher, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert’s office announced Tuesday. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 1/19/22

Street  

At candlelight vigil, S.F.’s Asian American community unites to remember Michelle Go -- Portsmouth Square in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown was aglow with candlelight Tuesday evening as about 100 mourners gathered to remember Michelle Go, a woman with Bay Area roots who was killed in New York City on Saturday. Andres Picon in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Terrifying video, 911 calls released three years after Borderline mass shooting -- “I have a bullet wound right here,” the panicked caller can be heard telling a 911 operator, his voice trembling. “I have my best friend shot.” “I’m in the bathroom,” a young woman whispers, her voice barely audible. “I no longer hear the shots being fired.” Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ Brian Melley and Christopher Weber Associated Press -- 1/19/22

Man charged with murder of nurse waiting for bus at L.A.’s Union Station -- Kerry Bell, 48, was taken into custody shortly after Sandra Shells was punched in an unprovoked attack Thursday morning, causing her to fall and strike her head at East Cesar Chavez Avenue and North Vignes Street, police said. She died of her injuries days after the attack. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

A woman’s French bulldog was snatched in West Hollywood. She found him in Philadelphia -- For days, Rachel Avery could barely eat or sleep, staying by the door each night in case someone returned her French bulldog, recently snatched from her porch in West Hollywood. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

Cliff House  

S.F. Cliff House building is on track to reopen as a restaurant in late 2022 -- The restaurant space that dramatically overlooks San Francisco’s Lands End, formerly known as the Cliff House, may finally serve some food again this year. Janelle Bitker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/19/22

Education  

L.A. Unified agrees to $14.7-million settlement with sex abuse victims -- Attorneys representing seven students who were molested by their former elementary school teacher have reached a $14.7-million settlement with Los Angeles school officials. Gregory Yee in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

California college students can get $10,000 for community service under new program -- Sacramento college students will soon be able to participate in a new community service program aimed at helping them pay for college and reducing the amount of debt they take on. Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ Jocelyn Gecker Associated Press -- 1/19/22

New classrooms at UC Riverside let students attend remotely or in person -- In an Intro to Machine Learning computer class last fall at the University of California Riverside, some students attended in person. Others joined remotely, tuning into the class on Zoom from home. Students even had the option of watching a recorded version of lectures on their own time rather than attending in real time. Michael Burke EdSource -- 1/19/22

Water  

California drought: January is a rainfall bust. How big of a problem is that? -- After a soaking wet December that ended fire season, delivered more 15 feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada, and boosted hopes that California’s severe drought might be coming to and end, dry weather is back, in a big way. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/19/22

In wealthy LA enclave, harsher penalties for wasting water -- In a wealthy enclave along the Santa Monica Mountains that is a haven for celebrities, residents are now facing more aggressive consequences for wasting water. Kathleen Ronayne Associated Press -- 1/19/22

Also . . .   

After quitting BLM, co-founder Patrisse Cullors is healing: ‘I really thought I was gonna die’ -- Patrisse Cullors cries when she remembers the fear she felt while checking into treatment for a mental breakdown, how she prayed during the entire ride to the facility. Donovan X. Ramsey in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22

Marty Roberts of beloved L.A. lounge act Marty & Elayne dies at 89 -- Marty Roberts, one half of the irrepressible, crowd-pleasing lounge duo Marty & Elayne — the beloved L.A. partnership that serenaded everyone from Frank Sinatra to Nicolas Cage and stole the 1996 film “Swingers” out from under Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau — died from cancer on Thursday. He was 89. RJ Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/19/22