California Policy and Politics

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How California’s insurance crisis could impact your ability to get a mortgage -- Unlike most homeowners in his situation, Mike Patterson isn’t insured through the California FAIR Plan because he couldn’t find insurance anywhere else. He’s on the FAIR Plan because he couldn’t find any other insurance that would satisfy his mortgage lender. Megan Fan Munce in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/5/25

Will Bay Area home sales bounce back in 2025? Here’s what the data shows -- The Bay Area could see more homes hit the market this year, which could slightly ease pressure on its sky-high prices. But uncertainty surrounding mortgage rates could result in a tumultuous year for homebuyers. Christian Leonard in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/5/25

In labor-friendly California, 2025 ushers in more worker protections -- Instead of breaking new ground, many of the changes represent expansions of existing protections, such as family leave and enforcement of workplace anti-discrimination laws. Suhauna Hussain in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/5/25

Bay Area homeless population rose to a record 38,891 people in 2024 -- The Bay Area’s homeless population grew 6% to an estimated 38,891 people in 2024, according to new federal data, extending a decade-long surge fueled by the housing affordability crisis, and drug and mental health challenges among those living on the region’s streets. Ethan Varian in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/5/25

Marines tighten access to Camp Pendleton in wake of New Orleans attack -- Camp Pendleton has tightened access to the sprawling Marine base in North County in the wake of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$-- 1/5/25

What California can learn from the place that invented the initiative -- The initiative and referendum arrived in California from Switzerland more than a century ago as tools for citizens to bypass a lobbyist-controlled state capital and make policy themselves. Emily Schultheis Politico-- 1/5/25

Barabak: California is growing again. Hurrah! Or ho-hum? -- The state’s recent population growth comes with caveats, but hopefully will put an end to the premature death notices and hyperbolic takeaways. At the least, it should end the groundless talk of mass “exodus.” Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/5/25

Daniel Lurie, team of volunteers clear S.F. trash during weekend of service -- The public was invited to the neighborhood cleanups, which began Saturday morning at Ocean Beach before moving to the Ingleside, Fillmore and Bayview later in the day. Trash bags and garbage grabbers were supplied to the volunteers. Warren Pederson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/5/25

Newsom: Vallejo won’t be getting CHP surge after residents beg for help -- The governor directed the CHP to expand its presence in Vallejo to help address understaffing there, but said he also wants to see the city’s police department fill vacant positions by contracting with the Solano County Sheriff’s Office for services. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/5/25

Artificial intelligence spots a wildfire in an OC canyon – and promptly alerts firefighters -- It was the first time the Orange County Fire Authority got pinged by AI about a vegetation fire without receiving a 911 call from a human being, the agency said. Marilyn Kalfus in the Orange County Register-- 1/5/25

Snoopy (permanently) on ice: Is the end nearing for iconic Bay Area theme park? -- California’s Great America appears set to scrap its winter run for the 2025 season, according to a message sent to some seasonal passholders. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/5/25

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Trump’s tax cuts are about to unleash chaos on the Hill -- Republicans are likely to face deep divisions in assembling a plan before — and after — it hits the floor. Brian Faler Politico-- 1/5/25

Republicans Lean Toward ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ for Trump Agenda -- Republicans look increasingly likely to try combining all of their top legislative priorities—tax cuts, spending cuts and border security—into a single large bill, aiming to push President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda through Congress in one fell swoop. Richard Rubin and Siobhan Hughes in the Wall Street Journal$-- 1/5/25

Trump Sees the U.S. as a ‘Disaster.’ The Numbers Tell a Different Story -- President Biden is bequeathing his successor a nation that by many measures is in good shape, even if voters remain unconvinced. Peter Baker in the New York Times$ -- 1/5/25

Trump is days away from having to confront the kinds of crises he’s long been railing against -- The president-elect is confronting a new year with a raft of challenges, from the attack in New Orleans to ongoing massive Chinese-linked hacks of critical systems. Lisa Kashinsky and Maggie Miller Politico-- 1/5/25

How Donald Trump’s Tech Picks Orbit Elon Musk -- The people set to shape tech policy in Trump’s administration have embraced Musk and joined in bashing big social-media firms. Amrith Ramkumar and Adrienne Tong in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/5/25

Biden Awards 18 Medals of Freedom, and Delivers One Unmistakable Message -- With a recipient list stocked with old-guard icons and political backers, the president signaled support for the establishment his successor wants to tear down. Michael D. Shear and Zach Montague in the New York Times$ -- 1/5/25

A Mountain Lion Attacked My Nephews. What Could Have Stopped It? -- As dangerous encounters in California continue to rise, local residents and wildlife experts are trying to figure out how humans and big cats can coexist. Malcolm Brooks in the New York Times$ -- 1/5/25

Biden administration grants California last-minute pollution waivers -- The Biden administration granted California permission Friday to enforce its zero-emission rules for lawn mowers and leaf blowers, a longtime object of Republican ire and a likely target of the Trump administration. Blanca Begert Politico-- 1/4/25

Federal court decision won’t change California net neutrality law -- Former Gov. Jerry Brown signed the measure into law in 2018, months after federal regulators in President elect-Donald Trump’s first administration repealed the net neutrality rules put in place under President Obama. Meg James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/4/25

Drilling could resume where a 1969 oil spill inspired Earth Day -- A plan by Sable Offshore to restart an oil pipeline that burst in 2015 has outraged Santa Barbara environmentalists. Joshua Partlow in the Washington Post$ -- 1/4/25

With negligible rain in 8 months, Southern California swings toward drought -- California is entering the fourth month of what is typically the rainy season, but in the Southland, the landscape is beginning to show signs of drought. Grace Toohey in the Los Angeles Times$ Jack Lee in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/4/25

Berkeley is legalizing a type of housing that could add thousands of units to the market -- For years, recently retired Berkeley City Councilmember Susan Wengraf has been hearing the stories of Berkeley homeowners who opt to leave unpermitted secondary housing units vacant. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/4/25

Badly burned workers, ‘chaotic’ scene inside O.C. warehouse where plane crashed -- Two occupants of the plane were killed and 18 people on the ground were injured in the crash, authorities said. Andrew J. Campa and Nathan Solis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/4/25

Huntington Beach pilot, teenage daughter, identified as victims of fatal Fullerton plane crash -- Pascal Reid and his daughter Kelly, a student at Huntington Beach High School, died in the crash, according to a memorial announcement by the school’s Girls’ Soccer Team posted on Facebook. Nathaniel Percy, Sydney Barragan and Jeff Gritchen in the Orange County Register -- 1/4/25

San Mateo sheriff seeks $10 million from county -- Embattled San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus has filed a $10 million claim against the county, alleging harassment and discrimination. Filed by civil rights attorney Brad Gage, the claim accuses the county and its officials of “discriminating, harassing, and defaming” Corpus, the first Latina sheriff in the county. Ryan Macasero in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/4/25

Antioch police reach oversight deal with feds over race discrimination investigation -- The Antioch Police Department must hire a consultant to review its hiring and disciplinary policies — among other things — under a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department to resolve a race discrimination investigation. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/4/25

California ranks last again in U-Haul move-ins, a sign of continued domestic out-migration -- South Carolina topped the ranking for the first time, followed by Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Arizona, the highest-ranked western state, came in sixth. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/4/25

‘Temporary fix’ gets L.A. County sheriff’s computer dispatch system back online -- Problems were first reported with the 38-year-old computer-aided dispatch system — known as CAD — around 8 p.m. Tuesday when deputies at multiple stations reported trouble logging onto their patrol car computers, officials told The Times in a statement. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/4/25

New law increases California’s auto insurance minimums -- For the first time in over five decades California is increasing its minimum auto insurance requirements this year, but the change isn’t expected to burn a hole in every driver’s wallet. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/4/25

As sexual misconduct lawsuit nears trial, Nathan Fletcher’s accuser drops assault, battery claims -- The dismissals were included in a flurry of recent documents submitted to the court in advance of a jury trial set for next month and a key hearing next week. Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Tribune$-- 1/4/25

Arellano: What I learned from watching Fox News after the New Orleans terrorist attack -- I don’t regret my decision to turn on Fox News on New Year’s Day, because it was a sobering, necessary reminder of the fetid information ecosystem that put Donald Trump in the White House. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/4/25

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New York Judge Sets Donald Trump Hush-Money Sentencing for Jan. 10 -- The president-elect will be allowed to appear either virtually or in person and won’t get prison time, judge says. Corinne Ramey in the Wall Street Journal$ Shayna Jacobs and David Nakamura in the Washington Post$ Ben Protess and Kate Christobek in the New York Times$ -- 1/4/25

Trump rails against justice system after sentencing news -- After clinching the presidency, Donald Trump’s string of legal woes appear to be all but behind him — but the president-elect slammed the justice system he contends unfairly targeted him after the New York judge overseeing his case scheduled his sentencing. Irie Sentner Politico -- 1/4/25

Trump Has Reeled in More Than $200 Million Since Election Day -- The president-elect has boasted about the donations for his inauguration, library and political activities from those seeking favor or perhaps in some cases, atonement. Kenneth P. Vogel, Maggie Haberman and Theodore Schleifer in the New York Times$ -- 1/4/25

Trump is days away from having to confront the kinds of crises he’s long been railing against -- The president-elect is confronting a new year with a raft of challenges, from the attack in New Orleans to ongoing massive Chinese-linked hacks of critical systems. Lisa Kashinsky and Maggie Miller Politico -- 1/4/25

Honduras Threatens to Expel U.S. Military as Latin America Gears Up for Trump Deportations -- In pushing back against President-elect Donald J. Trump’s plan, President Xiomara Castro threatened that a base hosting U.S. troops could “lose all reason to exist in Honduras.” Annie Correal in the New York Times$ -- 1/4/25

‘He owes them': MAGA activists worry about Musk’s influence over Trump in legal migration spat -- Some hardliners concede big H-1B reforms are tough. But they still say they have power in the next administration. Alice Miranda Ollstein, Holly Otterbein and Megan Messerly Politico -- 1/4/25

New York judge upholds Donald Trump’s hush-money conviction, schedules sentencing for Jan. 10 -- Donald Trump was found guilty in May of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Shayna Jacobs in the Washington Post$ Corinne Ramey in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/3/25

Newsom aims to limit unhealthy food in California, getting ahead of Trump administration and RFK Jr. -- Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Friday attempting to limit access to ultra-processed foods, a directive he cast as a continuation of California’s “nation leading” nutrition and health standards. Julia Wick and Taryn Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/3/25

Can California keep ICE away from schools? Lawmakers want to try as crackdowns loom -- California legislators want to limit deportation actions at schools, but they can’t ban immigration officials. Carolyn Jones CalMatters -- 1/3/25

As California tribes sue their gambling rivals, cities could be the losers -- After winning a costly legislative battle last year, California’s casino-owning tribes have sued their rivals in the gambling business. Cities could lose money if the tribes prevail in court. Ryan Sabalow CalMatters -- 1/3/25

3 million photos a day: Inside SFPD’s huge surveillance tech expansion this year -- The suspects were fleeing from car break-ins, store robberies and other crime scenes, slipping into the perceived anonymity of San Francisco’s streets. Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/3/25

‘You can’t live in fear and not have events’: Extra security mulled in Bay Area in wake of New Orleans truck attack -- Officials lament difficulty of stopping vehicle attacks when cars and trucks are ordinary tools of life. Jakob Rodgers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/3/25

Newton: Why 2025 will be a pivotal year for Mayor Karen Bass — and Los Angeles -- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has plenty to be proud of in her first two years as the chief executive of the largest city in the largest state in America. Violent crime is down. Public transit ridership has fought its way back up. She’s replaced the city’s police chief and outlasted an irksome district attorney. Jim Newton CalMatters -- 1/3/25

Sierra Nevada snowpack above average to start the year, a promising sign for state water supplies -- Lots of snow and rain so far this year in Northern California, while Southern California is unusually dry. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/3/25

California homeowner sues Liberty Mutual, claims insurance dropped over ‘demonstrably false’ photo -- As home insurance becomes increasingly unaffordable or unavailable for millions of Californians, a homeowner has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Liberty Mutual Insurance of canceling her policy and others for nonexistent defects based on unreliable aerial photography. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/3/25

Bass, McDonough announce new initiative to house LA veterans -- Under the new initiative, Los Angeles will work to increase the number of landlords who accept veterans’ housing vouchers, ease eligibility requirements for them to accept vouchers and speed up processing times within the city and county’s housing authorities. Emily Schultheis Politico-- 1/3/25

Business groups sue over California’s new ban on captive audience meetings -- The law, Senate Bill 399, went into effect Jan. 1 and makes it illegal to penalize an employee who refuses to attend a meeting at which their employer discusses its “opinion about religious or political matters,” including whether to join a union. Suhauna Hussain in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/3/25

Biden to create two new California national monuments protecting tribal lands -- In one of his final acts as head of state, President Biden is set to declare two new national monuments in California honoring tribal lands. The sites are in the rocky, mountainous desert near Joshua Tree and amid dense forests and pristine lakes near the Oregon border. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/3/25

Near-complete ban on agricultural burning finally takes effect in San Joaquin Valley -- Starting this week, San Joaquin Valley farmers are banned from burning agricultural waste in the field, a legislative mandate aimed at improving air quality that has been decades in the making. Rebecca Plevin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/3/25

Her mother’s killer was freed because of cancer. She wants to change California’s laws -- Mary Shojai was brutally murdered in her San Diego home in 2012. Her killer was released last year. Her daughter wants to change California’s reform laws. Mackenzie Mays in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/3/25

Man taken into custody after trying to drive off in a Waymo in downtown L.A., police say -- The concept behind a self-driving Waymo taxi can be a bit confusing, but one thing is clear: You don’t need to get behind the wheel. Nathan Solis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/3/25

College-bound students fear ‘outing’ undocumented parents on FAFSA financial aid form -- Many college-bound students with undocumented immigrant parents are hesitant to submit federal financial aid applications as President-elect Donald Trump vows to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/2/25

Garofoli: Can Democrats make progress on housing? Two Californians will be key -- Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie both must show voters that they can actually make changes that improve people’s lives — and building housing is at the top of the list. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/2/25

California almost legalized psychedelics. Now, supporters are looking for a good test case -- Two states legalized psychedelic therapies since 2020 and President Biden signed a law supporting studies of how they might help veterans. Proposals like those keep dying in California. Ana B. Ibarra CalMatters -- 1/2/25

Drug overdose deaths plummet in San Francisco. What’s changed? -- After surging during the COVID pandemic into a crushing public health emergency, drug overdose deaths in San Francisco plummeted in 2024, according to preliminary data compiled by city health officials. Hannah Wiley in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/2/25

Judge upholds jury’s $7.8M verdict in BART COVID vaccine case -- A federal judge on Monday blocked Bay Area Rapid Transit’s attempt to toss out a jury verdict that found the transit agency discriminated against six former employees who sought religious exemptions to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Maliya Ellis in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/2/25

The Levi Strauss Heir Elected to Save San Francisco -- A mayor-elect with ties to the tech sector but no political experience plans to take a heavy-handed approach to turning the city around. Jim Carlton in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/1/25

Scripps Health and Anthem Blue Cross part ways, affecting potentially 125,000 San Diego patients -- Hopes for last-minute deal that would keep popular health system in-network fail to materialize by new year. Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 1/1/25

‘Our own little Y2K’: L.A. County Sheriff’s computer dispatch system crashes on New Year’s Eve -- A few hours before the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve, the computer dispatch system for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department crashed, rendering all patrol car computers nearly useless and forcing deputies to handle all calls by radio, according to officials and sources in the department. Keri Blakinger in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/2/25

A tiny foot wiggle gives family hope following Butte County school shooting -- A 5-year-old boy injured in an early December school shooting in Butte County is able to wiggle his left foot and feel some sensation in both legs, according to an update from his mother on social media. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/2/25

New year in California starts with laws affecting K-12 education -- New California state laws will protect the privacy of LGBTQ+ students, ensure that the history of Native Americans is accurately taught and make it more difficult to discriminate against people of color based on their hairstyles. Diana Lambert, Emma Gallegos EdSource in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/2/25

Is Living on Top of a Costco the Answer to Affordable-Housing Crisis? -- New development in Los Angeles includes plans for 800 apartments, pool above bulk-goods warehouse. Rebecca Picciotto in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/2/25

Arellano: L.A. County’s Hall of Administration should stand, Janice Hahn says. And not because of her dad -- The Hall of Administration was named after Janice Hahn’s father in 1992. She argues it shouldn’t be razed, even after the county bought a nearby skyscraper. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/2/25

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The Five Biggest Roadblocks to Trump’s Immigration Agenda -- President-elect’s advisers will confront funding issues and legal challenges to turn campaign rhetoric into policy. Michelle Hackman and Tarini Parti in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 1/2/25

California may lose a popular carpool program — and the traffic impact could be huge for everyone -- The popular program that has allowed more than 1.1 million California motorists to drive solo in carpool lanes in their low and zero-emission vehicles for more than two decades is set to expire this coming year. Matthias Gafni in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 1/1/25

Heightened security, moment of silence mark Rose Parade following Louisiana terror attack -- After patrolling the Rose Parade for decades as members of the Pasadena Police Department, Keith and Shelley Jones joked that they’d had their fill of the petals and pageantry and would never return. Connor Sheets, Jasmine Mendez, Hailey Branson-Potts and Justino Aguila in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/1/25

Cannabis cafes, A.I. and parking: How new California laws could affect you in 2025 -- California lawmakers passed roughly 1,200 bills last year, including some that resulted in unforeseeable wins by Republicans, promising protections for consumers and small strides for those in the entertainment industry. Anabel Sosa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 1/1/25

New California crime laws seek to deter retail theft, property crimes -- Experts say time will tell if laws taking effect Jan. 1 will work. Caelyn Pender in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 1/1/25

Draft California plan doesn’t do enough to shield immigrants from Trump deportations, advocates say -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has drafted a conceptual plan to help undocumented immigrants under threat of deportation after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/31/24

Developers making millions from ‘affordable housing’ program lobbied California lawmakers to shut down regulation -- With their lucrative ‘middle-income housing’ deals under threat, developers spent thousands to lobby legislators who wanted to regulate program. Kate Talerico in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/31/24

$1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot sold in Northern California remains unclaimed -- A $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot, marking the fifth-largest prize in the game’s history, remained unclaimed three days after Friday’s drawing. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/31/24

Monthly bill relief comes into view for PG&E customers -- PG&E customers who reckoned with a series of rate increases in 2024 can expect a respite in early 2025 as combined monthly bills are poised to be only a bit higher compared to a year ago. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/31/24

New law inspired by ex-lawmaker’s DUI adds to alcohol education in California schools -- California public schools will expand alcohol education in 2025 thanks to a new law. The law’s author, Wendy Carrillo, wrote the legislation following her DUI arrest, saying she didn’t want students to make the same mistakes she did. Ryan Sabalow CalMatters -- 12/31/24

Pandemic social safety net programs expire: 2024 California income inequality year in review -- While pandemic-era safety net programs ended, 2024 saw an increase in guaranteed income pilot programs. Wendy Fry CalMatters -- 12/31/24

These new California laws will go into effect in 2025 -- From parking rules to health care coverage and more, here’s a quick look at 10 new laws that may impact your lives this new year. Kaitlyn Schallhorn in the Orange County Register -- 12/31/24

Californians move right on criminal justice: 2024 year in review -- Californians voted to increase penalties for some crimes, reversing years of criminal justice policy changes. Nigel Duara CalMatters -- 12/31/24

Artificial intelligence and chip money: 2024 California technology year in review -- California lawmakers created new restrictions on student cell phones and deepfakes and face a rapidly expanding AI sector. Ryan Tate CalMatters -- 12/31/24

Gas prices and water fights: California environment 2024 year in review -- In 2024 California continued efforts toward environmental leadership, from voter-approved bonds to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to reduce gas prices. Alejandro Lazo and Alastair Bland CalMatters -- 12/31/24

California baby food labels will soon reveal levels of lead and mercury in their products -- Beginning Wednesday, baby food makers that sell products in California will have to make a major shift toward transparency and provide a QR code on their packaging that takes consumers to test results for the presence in their product of four heavy metals: lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. Jenny Gold in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/31/24

San Diego’s low-wage workers are getting another cost of living pay raise but is it enough? -- Minimum wage workers still worry about being able to make ends meet while local restaurants fret that higher labor costs could make it more expensive to dine out. Lori Weisberg in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/31/24

Schools continue to rebound, thanks to influx of funding: 2024 year in review -- Attendance and test scores are up in California schools, but next year may be more challenging. Carolyn Jones CalMatters -- 12/31/24

Skelton: Jimmy Carter was the right candidate for 1976, but was he the right president? -- Jimmy Carter was the right presidential candidate for his time in 1976 — a smiling, homespun, anti-Washington outsider promising truth and decency. He was a natural populist, but he appealed to voters’ better angels, not their worst natures. He preached love, not hate. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/31/24

Morrison: Far right and far out: Extremists have a long history in Southern California -- Despite California’s kumbaya vibe, a deep lode of hate and racist one-upmanship undergirds Southern California. Patt Morrison in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/31/24

Laguna Beach is the DUI arrest capital of California. Now, police are taking extreme action -- The roughly seven-mile stretch of Coast Highway in Laguna Beach is known worldwide for its postcard-perfect views and gateway to the city’s eclectic art and retail scene. But it is also ground zero for drunk drivers. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/31/24

California’s tech titans say H-1B visas are vital. Will Trump defy MAGA and support them? -- Of all the rich and powerful people cozying up to President-elect Donald Trump, few have rushed to Mar-a-Lago faster than the crowned heads of big tech, including California’s own chiefs of Google and Meta. Don Lee and Queenie Wong in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/31/24

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How Elon Musk Has Planted Himself Almost Literally at Trump’s Doorstep -- For much of the period since Election Day, the billionaire has been staying at a $2,000-a-night cottage at Mar-a-Lago, giving him easy access to the president-elect. Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Swan and Ryan Mac in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/31/24

Chinese Companies Have Sidestepped Trump’s Tariffs. They Could Do It Again -- The companies have found plenty of new channels to the U.S. market — demonstrating the potential limits of the tariffs Donald Trump has promised to impose. Ana Swanson in the New York Times$ -- 12/31/24

Jimmy Carter’s Life, in 17 Objects -- Items from his family, the military, his political career and long post-presidency — and two he made himself. Bill Marsh, Tony Cenicola in the New York Times$ -- 12/31/24

State takes final step to fix California’s troubled home insurance market -- The California regulation will allow insurers to charge homeowners higher premiums to protect themselves from catastrophic wildfires. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ Megan Fan Munce in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/30/24

Elon Musk speculates on OpenAI whistleblower's cause of death as mother demands FBI probe -- Elon Musk weighed in Sunday on questions about the circumstances of the death of Suchir Balaji, an OpenAI whistleblower found dead at his San Francisco apartment last month. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/30/24

‘You don’t get red-pilled overnight’: California’s political players explain what happened in 2024 -- With the dust barely settled on the 2024 election in California, the biggest political players in the state are constructing their post-mortems — determining what to make of the mixed results from the Democratic stronghold that saw a deep plunge in voter turnout. Melanie Mason Politico -- 12/30/24

Newsom’s plan to support immigrants doesn’t do enough to shield them from Trump deportations, advocates say -- An internal draft memo obtained by The Times shows the governor’s office is considering building regional hubs to coordinate support for undocumented immigrants. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/30/24

Jimmy Carter, nation's longest-living former president, dies at 100 -- As the nation's 39th president, Carter said he tried to forge a "competent and compassionate" U.S. government. Emma Hurt, Erin Doherty, Jacob Knutson Axios Todd S. Purdum Politico Cameron McWhirter and Betsy McKay in the Wall Street Journal$ Kevin Sullivan and Edward Walsh in the Washington Post$ Rick Rojas and Peter Baker in the New York Times$ Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/30/24

‘A man of rare character’: California leaders pay tribute to Jimmy Carter -- California lawmakers expressed their condolences Sunday after former President Carter’s death at 100. He was remembered for the role he played in a post-Watergate world and for leaving one of the most impactful post-presidency legacies in history. Anabel Sosa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/30/24

Barabak: History gets Jimmy Carter wrong, both underrated and overrated -- The narrative of Jimmy Carter being overwhelmed by inflation and Iran’s ayatollah fails to account for his many achievements. But he was no saint. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/30/24

Arellano: In 2024, Latinos finally became Americans at the ballot box -- Forty years ago this November, Cesar Chavez gave a speech at San Francisco’s Commonwealth Club that was as much of a promise as a warning. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/30/24

‘Stop, stop, stop’: Air traffic control intervenes as planes near each other on LAX runway -- An investigation is underway after a private jet carrying a college basketball team was ordered to stop as it neared a runway where another aircraft was taking off at Los Angeles International Airport. Lila Seidman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/30/24

Emergency room workers are facing more attacks. A new California law increases penalties -- A new California law imposes harsher penalties for assaulting emergency room workers. It responds to rising attacks on health care workers, despite concerns from progressives and prison-reform advocates. Ryan Sabalow CalMatters -- 12/30/24

These homeowners’ PG&E bills reveal California’s dramatic shift on solar -- Amid the push for green energy in California, some consumers have gotten a better deal than others. Consider the case of Kris Moe and Adrian Macneil. Chase DiFeliciantonio in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/30/24

Electric air taxis are taking flight. Can they succeed as a business? -- Investors are pouring money into the high-risk, high-reward proposition that quieter, greener and battery-powered aircraft can revolutionize travel. Lori Aratani in the Washington Post$ -- 12/30/24

Mexico has a plan for Trump’s deportation promises — on both sides of the border -- From opening new shelters for deportees in Baja California to creating a mobile app to notify consulates of impending detention, Mexico is working on a plan ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Alexandra Mendoza in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/30/24

Box office was down in 2024. Here’s why Hollywood is still in recovery mode -- While 2024 box office revenue was still below 2023 totals — and crucially, below pre-pandemic figures in 2019 — the theatrical turnaround still has the film industry breathing a sigh of relief. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/30/24

California’s huge health care expansion has an unintended consequence: Closure of addiction, mental health treatment options -- Some treatment options are blinking out in San Mateo County after reforms to Medi-Cal. Grant Stringer in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/30/24

Protections for nesting gulls (among other uniquely Californian headaches) delayed repairs to Santa Cruz wharf -- When the last 150 feet of Santa Cruz’s iconic wharf plummeted into the ocean Monday, city leaders were still grappling with damage it had sustained two years earlier during back-to-back winter storms. Kate Talerico in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/30/24

Green crabs have invaded habitats. Sea otters might be the solution -- A recent study found sea otters are eating thousands of green crabs at a California reserve, reducing the invasive species’ population. Kyle Melnick in the Washington Post$ -- 12/30/24

How an S.F. man’s 1898 Supreme Court victory established birthright citizenship -- As President-elect Donald Trump vows to repeal birthright citizenship, a descendant of Wong Kim Ark reflects on his family’s role in its history. Ko Lyn Cheang in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/30/24

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Trump endorses Johnson for speaker -- "He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement," Trump wrote in a Monday social media post. Nicholas Wu and Meredith Lee Hill Politico -- 12/30/24

Trump voters increased most in Bay Area’s lower income cities -- Support for President-elect Donald Trump has grown in nearly every city and town in the Bay Area since 2016, including significant inroads in some of the Bay Area’s most Democratic strongholds. Harriet Blair Rowan in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/29/24

How Donald Trump transformed mass culture -- We pulled together four Politico reporters and writers to weigh in on broader changes in mass culture, and what it says about America’s acceptance of Trump and its turning away from “woke” culture. Politico -- 12/29/24

Chabria, Barabak: After a bruising election year in America what will 2025 bring? -- How do you summarize — or make sense of — 2024? It’s been a year of upheaval, division, winners and losers. And perhaps most disturbingly, a year that has exposed fault lines in American democracy that at times seem too wide to cross. Anita Chabria and Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/29/24

Trump weighs in on debate among supporters to back H-1B visa program -- President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday appeared to step into a raging debate among his supporters over visas for skilled workers on the side of Elon Musk, telling the New York Post he has “always liked the visas.” Jessica Garrison in the Los Angeles Times$ Will Oremus in the Washington Post$ -- 12/29/24

Can Trump persuade the Supreme Court to stand aside so he can solve the TikTok problem? -- President-elect Donald Trump is telling the Supreme Court that he can make a deal that will resolve the national security dispute over TikTok and preserve the video site for 170 million Americans. David G. Savage in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/29/24

Trump team says Canada, Greenland, Panama comments are part of a broader plan -- In the past several weeks — and before he has been sworn in for his second term — President-elect Donald Trump has threatened trade wars with both of the United States’ closest neighbors, mused about taking over Greenland, blustered about bringing the Panama Canal back under American control and suggested making Canada the 51st state. Jacqueline Alemany and Cat Zakrzewski in the Washington Post$ -- 12/29/24

Trump Weighs In on Immigrant Visa Debate but Offers Little Clarity -- Instead, he has been a frequent and longtime user of the similarly named, but starkly different, H-2B visa program, which is for unskilled workers like gardeners and housekeepers, as well as the H-2A program, which is for agricultural workers. Ken Bensinger in the New York Times$ -- 12/29/24

9 Political Issues That Bit the Dust This Year -- This was a year of firsts — but also a year of lasts. Politico -- 12/29/24

California cities get letters from Trump advisor warning about interfering with immigration enforcement -- California officials, along with dozens of others across the country, received letters this week from Stephen Miller’s nonprofit, America First Legal, warning them of the consequences for interfering with or impeding illegal immigration enforcement. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ Wendy Fry and Jeanne Kuang CalMatters -- 12/28/24

Northern California gas station sells winning $1.22 billion Mega Millions ticket -- The ticket, sold at Sunshine Food and Gas in Cottonwood, a small town in Shasta County, matched all six numbers in Friday night’s drawing, ending a three-month dry spell without a top-prize winner. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/28/24

‘Ghost stops’: Lieutenant claims LAPD officials were warned about troubled gang unit -- A Los Angeles police lieutenant has filed a legal claim against the city, alleging his superiors ignored his warnings about misconduct in an anti-gang unit until it became a public scandal, leading to him facing termination. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/28/24

Newsom keeps California Highway Patrol in Oakland as city remains mired in governing crisis -- With the city of Oakland in limbo, awaiting special elections to replace two politicians recalled from office, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he will keep California Highway Patrol officers on city streets as he continues to pressure local officials to drop a policy that limits police chases. Anabel Sosa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/28/24

Santa Cruz officials say rebuilding pier might not be ‘feasible’ or ‘appropriate’ -- The iconic Santa Cruz wharf might never be rebuilt after giant swells caused the end of the pier to collapse into the sea, city officials said Friday, citing climate change as a significant factor to be considered. Molly Burke in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Kate Talerico in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/28/24

California homelessness grew only 3% — but still has more unhoused people than any other state -- California’s homeless population rose 3% from early 2023 to early 2024, according to a new national report released Friday, which showed the Golden State was doing a better job than most states at stemming the tide of homelessness. Maggie Angst in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/28/24

Marin County school district paid $17.5 million to alleged victims of sexual abuse -- The Tamalpais Union High School District in Marin County has paid $17.5 million to four alleged victims of sexual abuse by former tennis coach Normandie Burgos. Burgos, who’s accused of sexually abusing former students at Tamalpais High, is serving 255 years at Mule Creek State Prison in Amador County. Molly Burke in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/28/24

Varsity Gray: A Times investigation into what really happened in the college admissions scandal -- When the Varsity Blues scandal hit in 2019, it rocked American academia in unprecedented ways. Five years later, a Times investigation revisited the scandal with a trove of new documents that offer a more complex view. Matt Hamilton and Harriet Ryan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/28/24

Valley fever cases surge in California, already way up from recent years -- Valley fever cases are skyrocketing in California, with this year’s tally already far exceeding the number recorded in all of 2023 and set to climb even higher once figures from the typically active month of December are reported. Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/28/24

San Francisco’s ‘war on cars’ gets even more intense as threats of violence fly -- As complaints about public transit and the scarcity of parking reach a boiling point, BART and Muni are facing financial troubles that could spur cutbacks in service. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/28/24

Go phish! Scammers target FasTrak system users with threatening texts -- Metro ExpressLanes said it would never send text messages asking for sensitive information or requesting payment and those messages should be ignored. Andrew J. Campa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/28/24

Got an apartment and need some renters insurance? Be prepared to pay more -- Renters insurance is getting harder to come by and more expensive in California as insurers pull back from the state’s troubled homeowners market, which has been hard hit by wildfires. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/28/24

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Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can decide app’s future -- The president-elect said that pushing back a potential ban on the app would give him a chance to negotiate a way to ‘save the platform.’ Lisa Bonos in the Washington Post$ Adam Liptak in the New York Times$ Brendan Bordelon and Christine Mui Politico -- 12/28/24

Federal government nears debt-ceiling limit, Yellen warns -- The Treasury Department on Friday said the government is beginning to run out of money to finance its debt obligations. Jeff Stein in the Washington Post$ Alan Rappeport in the New York Times$ Michael Stratford Politico -- 12/28/24

Trump Backers Battle Online Over Skilled Immigrants -- A fierce dispute erupted in the president-elect’s camp between immigration hard-liners and tech industry leaders including Elon Musk. Ryan Mac and Ken Bensinger in the New York Times$ Andrew Howard and Samantha Latson Politico -- 12/28/24

RFK will have an early opportunity to influence what Americans eat -- If confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy would be responsible for naming some of the people tasked with rewriting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Marcia Brown Politico -- 12/28/24

California stiffened penalties for theft — and more changes are coming -- Californians accused of certain drug and retail theft crimes may already be facing stiffer penalties under an initiative voters passed this year, alongside related bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law. Cayla Mihalovich CalMatters -- 12/27/24

How homes for quadriplegics lost out on a raise after Californians passed Prop. 35 -- Congregate living health facilities, which assist quadriplegics and others with serious medical needs, say they have relied on the same level of payments from the state for decades. Emily Alpert Reyes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/27/24

Barbara Lee talks legacy, regrets and unpopular opinions as she leaves Congress -- On her first day in the House, she signed a petition to bring campaign finance reform legislation to a vote. In her last days, she opposed legislation authorizing defense funding and policies that included a GOP provision to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Shira Stein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/27/24

Arellano: An Oscar-winning L.A. council member? Gov. Danny Trejo? Gustavo’s 2025 predictions -- The good news: None of the predictions I made in last year’s annual Gustradamus column came true. If any did, it would have been a sign that the apocalypse is nigh. The bad news: The apocalypse is here. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/27/24

California’s economy of ups, downs and uncertainty: 2024 year in review -- Despite a budget deficit and continued high costs, there was good news and bad news for the California economy in 2024. The next year will depend in part on what the Trump administration does. Levi Sumagaysay CalMatters -- 12/27/24

Health laws, bird flu and Trump preparation: 2024 year in review -- California’s health system changed in 2024 but lawmakers face a busy future with bird flu, vaccines, and abortion access all on the docket. California’s health system changed in 2024 but lawmakers face a busy future with bird flu, vaccines, and abortion access all on the docket. Ana B. Ibarra CalMatters -- 12/27/24

Legal battles and funding woes: California housing 2024 year in review -- California officials continued to fight with cities that don’t want to build more housing and everyone struggled to find more money to pay for new housing. Felicia Mello CalMatters -- 12/27/24

2024 year in review: How did California pay for everything? -- The California state budget has been a rollercoaster over the past few years. Big deficits generally mean cutting plans and programs. Mikhail Zinshteyn CalMatters -- 12/27/24

Bay Area could see 30-foot-tall waves again amid high surf advisory -- The advisory, which spans from the North Bay down to Big Sur, is expected to remain in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday until 4 p.m. Sunday. Maggie Angst in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/27/24

Why Santa Cruz Harbor was so devastated by storm surge -- As damages exceed $20 million, experts work to prevent additional wreckage by removing submerged boats, broken pilings, shattered piers and other debris. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/27/24

OpenAI whistleblower death: Parents want to know what happened to Suchir Balaji after apparent suicide -- The parents of a former OpenAI researcher known for recently blowing the whistle on the company’s business practices are questioning the circumstances of their son’s death last month. Jakob Rodgers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/27/24

As Hollywood Struggles, the Region’s Economy Feels the Pain -- Film production has failed to bounce back after major strikes last year, and competition from other locales has gotten stiffer. Kurtis Lee in the New York Times$ -- 12/27/24

Talking to children about homelessness and addiction is part of parenthood in S.F. -- Walking through San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, Tatiana Alabsi and her 11-year-old son, Sami, often must navigate tents, people in drug-induced stupors, and groups congregating over stolen goods or drugs. Maggie Angst in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/27/24

Should California’s right-to-die law expand to include people with dementia? One legislator wants to consider it -- State Sen. Catherine Blakespear wants to engage stakeholder groups to discuss possible changes to the law, but she faces strong opposition. Kaitlyn Schallhorn in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/27/24

Being a ‘bedroom community’ comes at a cost for those south of Silicon Valley -- While communities to the south send thousand to jobs, many struggle with lower revenue and changing lifestyles. Luis Melecio-Zambrano in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/27/24

Migrants and End of Covid Restrictions Fuel Jump in U.S. Homelessness -- Homelessness soared to the highest level on record this year, driven by forces that included a surge in migrants seeking asylum, a national housing crisis and the end of pandemic-era measures to protect the needy, the federal government reported on Friday. Jason DeParle in the New York Times$ -- 12/27/24

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Trump’s AI pick sparks vitriol between tech and MAGA supporters — and anti-Indian sentiment -- Sriram Krishnan, a general partner at VC heavyweight Andreessen Horowitz, has advocated for removing country-specific caps on green cards. Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/27/24

MAGA vs. Musk: Immigration Fight Cracks Populist-Tech Bro Alliance -- Tesla CEO’s argument to welcome high-skilled immigrants stokes worries about foreigners taking American jobs. Tim Higgins in the Wall Street Journal$ Pranshu Verma and Cat Zakrzewski in the Washington Post$ -- 12/27/24

Will Trump’s proposed tariffs cause gas prices to go up in California? What experts say -- The price of gasoline in California should remain stable if President-elect Donald Trump imposes stiff tariffs on Canada and Mexico, experts say. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 12/27/24

Mexico Worries Trump Will Order Strikes Against Drug Cartels -- Mexico’s new president cracks down on organized crime to blunt criticism from incoming U.S. administration. José de Córdoba in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/27/24

Trump wants federal workers back in the office. It may be a tall task -- President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for a return-to-office mandate for federal workers will face stiff resistance and union contracts that guarantee remote work. Lisa Rein in the Washington Post$ -- 12/27/24

These MAGA farmers could be ruined if Trump follows through with mass deportations -- California farmers could soon enjoy bumper crops thanks to President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to lift water restrictions. But who will pick them if he follows through on his deportation threats? Camille von Kaenel Politico -- 12/26/24

Gavin Newsom faces national spotlight: 2024 year in review -- Newsom got involved in national politics during the presidential election and has decisions to make with a second Trump administration imminent. Alexei Koseff CalMatters -- 12/26/24

Healthcare is Newsom’s biggest unfinished project. Trump complicates the task -- Nearly six years after he took office vowing to be California’s “healthcare governor,” Democrat Gavin Newsom has steered tens of billions in public funding to safety net services for the state’s neediest residents while engineering rules to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Californians. Angela Hart and Christine Mai-Duc KFF Health News in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/26/24

Get up to speed fast on these new California laws taking effect in 2025 -- Here are some of the most noteworthy 2025 laws that go into effect on Jan. 1. CalMatters -- 12/26/24

California lawmakers are resurrecting these bills for another shot at becoming law -- The insulin cap bill, by state Sen. Scott Wiener, is one of many making a return appearance during the new legislative session. Lawmakers regularly bring back legislation that did not make it across the finish line for another try at becoming law. Molly Burke in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/26/24

After a Christmas lull, towering waves will wallop California coast again -- Waves up to 30 feet high were expected to crash ashore in Northern California between Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory, warning swimmers and boaters to beware of dangerous conditions. Tony Briscoe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/26/24

Legislature gets used to special sessions: 2024 California year in review -- The California Legislature butted heads with Gov. Gavin Newsom and grappled with a budget deficit in 2024. Sameea Kamal CalMatters -- 12/26/24

California sees an uptick in registered lobbyists -- California saw its biggest increase in registered lobbyists last session since at least 2011, when a change in the law caused the number to more than double. Sameea Kamal CalMatters -- 12/26/24

Most medical debt can no longer hurt your credit score under new California law -- A new state law will keep medical debt off your credit report, sparing a hit to your all-important credit score. This is a big deal for California where millions struggle with unpaid medical bills. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2025. Ana B. Ibarra CalMatters -- 12/26/24

Bay Area home sales are up 14% from last year, as once-reluctant buyers return to market -- Prices remained steady in November even as sales climbed. Kate Talerico in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 12/26/24

These California homeowners paid millions to have ADUs built. The best they got were permits or port-a-potties, they say -- The alleged scheme is so brazen that both state and federal agents have begun reviewing the allegations to determine whether criminal charges should be filed, plaintiffs told The San Diego Union-Tribune. Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/26/24

Will the U.S. Ever Be Ready for a Female President? -- Democrats wanted to end the electability debate. After Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat, a conversation that has frustrated and foiled two generations of female candidates rages on. Lisa Lerer and Jess Bidgood in the New York Times$ -- 12/26/24

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Trump’s top border adviser says he will bring back family detention -- Tom Homan oversaw implementation of the “zero tolerance” policy that separated more than 4,000 children from their parents during Trump’s first term. Nick Miroff in the Washington Post$ -- 12/26/24

After backing Trump, low-income voters hope he doesn’t slash their benefits -- Voters in the struggling Pennsylvania city of New Castle backed Trump hoping he’d curb inflation. But the incoming president will be under pressure to cut spending. Tim Craig in the Washington Post$ -- 12/26/24

Trump’s Tariff Plan to Hit Affordable Cars the Hardest --Finding an affordable car in the U.S. has already become a challenge for many budget-constrained Americans. New import tariffs on Mexican-built vehicles threaten to make the problem worse. Sean McLain in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/26/24

For some Latinos, ‘prosperity gospel’ led them to Trump -- The set of beliefs has overtaken traditional theologies centered on the poor. Some experts say that helps explain a shift among Latino Christians to Trump. Michelle Boorstein in the Washington Post$ -- 12/26/24

A Reflective Biden Harbors Some Regrets as His Term Winds Down -- President Biden will seek solace and “relief” during a visit with Pope Francis next month, according to people familiar with his plans. His public comments have offered a glimpse into what is on his mind. Katie Rogers in the New York Times$ -- 12/26/24

Newsom’s team mulls immigrant support plan to counter Trump deportations -- An internal memo obtained by Politico shows the governor’s office is considering different ways to help undocumented immigrants and their families. Lindsey Holden Politico -- 12/25/24

Assist or Resist: Local Officials Debate Trump’s Mass Deportation Threat -- Communities are divided on how much to cooperate with immigration agents. In San Diego, the sheriff has vowed to defy a new policy protecting migrants. Tim Arango and Hamed Aleaziz in the New York Times$ -- 12/25/24

Multiple L.A. sheriff’s deputies relieved of duty as feds probe beating of trans teacher -- At least eight Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have been relieved of duty amid a federal investigation into the beating of a transgender man last year in a 7-Eleven parking lot, according to several law enforcement sources. Keri Blakinger in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/25/24

In-N-Out owner says Oakland restaurant was closed for safety of customers and staff -- The In-N-Out in Oakland earlier this year became the first location in the restaurant chain to be permanently closed, a decision the owner of the fast-food company recently doubled down on by blaming rampant crime, slow police response times and “absolutely dangerous” conditions for customers and staff. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/25/24

California limits junk fees: New law blocks fines for declined ATM withdrawals -- A new California law will prohibit state-chartered banks from charging fees for withdrawals that are instantaneously declined. Levi Sumagaysay CalMatters -- 12/25/24

Why Amazon and Starbucks workers are striking now, and what it means for labor under Trump -- Striking Amazon and Starbucks workers in California and elsewhere have long pushed for union contracts. The Trump administration is unlikely to be on their side. Levi Sumagaysay and Jeanne Kuang CalMatters -- 12/25/24

Eyewitness shares chilling video of moments just before and after Santa Cruz Wharf collapse -- Michael Brantley wasn’t sure about joining his 14-year-old son, Jason Clock, to fish on the Santa Cruz Wharf on Monday. His wife warned them to watch out for big swells when she dropped them off. Molly Burke in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/25/24

The Santa Cruz Wharf needed repairs. A court battle followed instead -- City leaders and concerned residents have for years grappled with, and at times battled over, how best to protect Santa Cruz’s historic wharf, which partially collapsed following a winter storm on Monday. Danielle Echeverria, Megan Fan Munce, Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/25/24

Lyft lawsuit accuses San Francisco of overcharging it $100 million in taxes -- According to court documents, the ride-hailing company argues that the city’s tax calculations wrongly included driver compensation as part of its revenue. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/25/24

Kaiser mental health strike enters 10th week. ‘I haven’t had any thoughts of giving up.’ -- For the tenth straight week, Kaiser Permanente mental health care workers picketed Southern California medical centers Monday, preparing to take a few days off for the Christmas holiday before returning to their vigil Thursday. Paul Sisson in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/25/24

The Big Companies Funding Trump’s Inauguration Despite Denouncing Jan. 6 -- The Wall Street Journal has identified at least 11 companies and trade associations that are backing the inauguration, which is on track to be the most lucrative ever, after earlier pledging to suspend or reconsider political-action committee donations after Jan. 6. Rebecca Ballhaus, Dana Mattioli, Shalini Ramachandran and Maggie Severns in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/25/24

How to have a Trumpy Christmas, and make the president-elect richer, too -- Donald Trump is profiting off his election in unprecedented ways as his family business sells $92 MAGA hat Christmas ornaments and $22 golden wrapping paper. Cat Zakrzewski in the Washington Post$ -- 12/25/24

Will Trump Cut Short the Biden Clean-Energy Boom? Investors Are Nervous -- President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to roll back many of the rules and subsidies that have attracted billions of dollars from the private sector to renewable energy and electric vehicles. Lydia DePillis in the New York Times$ -- 12/25/24

Elon Musk’s ‘Move Fast and Break Things’ Attitude Clashes with Washington --The Tesla and SpaceX founder is used to breaking things to make them better. Washington won’t like that. Calder McHugh Politico -- 12/25/24

History Shows Big Changes in ‘Big Government’ Are Hard to Achieve --Past efforts to shrink the federal bureaucracy, including basic things like selling off unused government buildings, have come up short. Republicans are set to try again. Carl Hulse in the New York Times$ -- 12/25/24

Why scientists say we are fighting H5N1 bird flu with one hand tied behind our backs -- When, where and how the H5N1 bird flu virus may evolve and its capacity to spark a pandemic is hard to predict — in part, some researchers say, because of federal restrictions on gain-of-function research. Susanne Rust and Karen Kaplan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/24/24

How the high-speed rail project trains workers and provides thousands of jobs in the Central Valley -- The Central Valley Training Center opened in 2020 to offer a pathway to a trade for regional residents to learn and one day work for the high-speed rail. Today, 223 students have graduated from the program. Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/24/24

Newsom set a major housing goal for 2025. Here's how far short the state has fallen -- While running for governor in 2017, Gavin Newsom laid out an ambitious goal: He would “lead the effort to develop the 3.5 million new housing units we need by 2025 because our solutions must be as bold as the problem is big.” Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/24/24

Skelton: Why California should go back to free college tuition -- Atop my Christmas wish list is free tuition for all California undergrads at public universities. We had that for generations before shortsighted politicians took it away. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/24/24

California judge orders university with Marin campus to close -- Olivet University, a Christian Bible school in Southern California with a campus in Mill Valley, has been ordered to close by a state judge, who said it provides inadequate education and forces some students to work without pay. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/24/24

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Dreamers’ Make Emergency Plans as Trump Vows to Deport Millions -- Students lacking permanent legal status are scrambling to prepare in case an immigration crackdown hits campuses. Jim Carlton in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/24/24

This company rates news sites’ credibility. The right wants it stopped. -- NewsGuard, which prizes its nonpartisan criteria, has become a prime target of the GOP’s battle against disinformation watchdogs. Will Oremus and Naomi Nix in the Washington Post$ -- 12/24/24

Trump’s Wish to Control Greenland and Panama Canal: Not a Joke This Time -- In recent days the president-elect has called for asserting U.S. control over the Panama Canal and Greenland, showing that his “America First” philosophy has an expansionist dimension. David E. Sanger and Lisa Friedman in the New York Times$ -- 12/24/24

Biden’s death penalty commutations include two convicted in California ransom murders -- The two men granted reprieve from the death penalty for their crimes in California are Soviet immigrants Jurijus Kadamovas and Iouri Mikhel, who were sentenced in 2007. Kadamovas and Mikhel were convicted of kidnapping and murdering four businessmen and a woman in 2001 and 2002. Shira Stein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/23/24

‘More of a Purple Look’: California Has Changed, and So Will Its Resistance to Donald Trump -- The state’s Democrats are still planning to lead the resistance to Donald Trump, but they are also grappling with changes in their own political landscape. David Siders Politico -- 12/23/24

California bans schools from forcing teachers to ‘out’ LGBTQ students -- New California law prevents schools from requiring staff to notify parents if a student identifies as LGBTQ. It’s in response to some districts requiring staff to notify parents when students identify as a gender other than what’s in their official files. Carolyn Jones CalMatters -- 12/23/24

New law could help tenants facing eviction stay in their homes -- Voters said no to expanded rent control, but tenants facing evictions will have more time to fight to keep their homes under a new California law. Felicia Mello CalMatters -- 12/23/24

Salvation Army volunteers find rare gold coin in Napa donation bucket -- Volunteers discovered the 1-ounce South African Krugerrand gold coin while counting donations after a day of bell ringing at Napa’s Bel Aire Plaza, Larry Carmichael, a corps officer of the Salvation Army of Napa, told the Chronicle on Sunday. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/23/24

Ethics report alleges Gaetz paid 17-year-old for sex -- A yearslong House Ethics Committee investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz found “substantial evidence” that the Florida Republican committed statutory rape, solicited prostitutes and used illegal drugs, according to a copy of the report obtained by Politico. Olivia Beavers Politico -- 12/23/24

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In Arizona speech, Trump jokes Musk is ‘not going to be president’ -- “No, he’s not going to be president, that I can tell you,” Trump said with a laugh at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix on Sunday, his first major speech following the November election. “And I’m safe. You know why? He can’t be. He wasn’t born in this country.” Madison Fernandez Politico -- 12/23/24

GOP Spending Rebellion Is Ominous Sign for Trump’s All-Republican Government -- The DOGE caught the CR, and the road only gets bumpier from here. Richard Rubin in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/23/24

Trump signals plans to use all levers of power against the media -- Press freedom advocates say they fear that the second Trump administration will ramp up pressure on journalists, in keeping with the president-elect’s combative rhetoric. Sarah Ellison and Jeremy Barr in the Washington Post$ -- 12/23/24

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wants to Ban Drug Ads on TV. It Wouldn’t Be Easy -- Attempts to restrict pharmaceutical advertisements have failed many times over the years, often on First Amendment grounds. Rebecca Robbins in the New York Times$ -- 12/23/24

Inside China’s alleged spy scheme to influence governments in L.A. County and far beyond -- Federal prosecutors allege that one Chinese spy operation was underway in the San Gabriel Valley with the aim of gaining political allies to the country’s cause. Richard Winton and Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/22/24

California lawmakers push for ‘essential’ funds for high-speed rail before Trump takes office -- California lawmakers are urging the Biden administration to approve more than half a billion dollars in funding for the state’s embattled high-speed rail project ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/22/24

Florida is winning the political battle with California as Trump takes office -- The rivalry between California and Florida reached a high mark in November 2023 when Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, faced off against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, on Fox News over which state held a better model for the country. Noah Bierman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/22/24

Potential risk of a constitutional convention sets stage for a fight between Newsom and a fellow Democrat -- Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, wants to rescind Gov. Gavin Newsom’s open call for a constitutional convention on gun safety. Julia Wick in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/22/24

Emergency room visits at this Loma Linda hospital are long — really long -- Patients typically spent roughly seven hours at the Loma Linda emergency room before leaving — the third-longest duration nationwide, a Times analysis found. Emily Alpert Reyes, Alex Wigglesworth and Ben Poston in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/22/24

Despite years of warnings, local jails confined mentally ill men together. One recent unreported death highlights the risks -- For years, San Diego County jails have been triple-bunking people in cells designed for no more than two. State regulators have repeatedly told the Sheriff’s Office to stop the practice, and the department itself has acknowledged that it’s dangerous and violates state code. Kelly Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/22/24

Striking S.F. hotel workers unanimously approve contract with Hyatt -- The union cautioned that the city’s hotel strikes are not over, with about 650 workers still on strike at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, the city’s largest hotel. Workers at Hilton’s Parc 55 hotel voted in August to authorize a strike and could walk off the job at any time. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/21/24

California college accreditor will keep DEI language in standards, reversing course -- The accrediting commission that governs close to 200 California and Hawaii colleges said this week that it would keep “diversity, equity and inclusion” language in its standards, reversing course after proposing to drop the language last month. Maliya Ellis in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/22/24

LAUSD settles lawsuit over federal money it unlawfully denied to Archdiocese schools -- Los Angeles Unified has settled a 3-year-old lawsuit with the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over how much federal Title I funding low-income students within the archdiocese are entitled to receive. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 12/22/24

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How Trump and Musk set off the shutdown crisis — but got little in return -- Some time after Donald Trump won the Nov. 5 election, he told House Speaker Mike Johnson that he wanted the federal debt limit taken care of before he took office, according to people close to both leaders. That’s all they agree on. Isaac Arnsdorf, Marianna Sotomayor, Marianne LeVine and Liz Goodwin in the Washington Post$ -- 12/22/24

Trump threatens to retake Panama Canal -- In two lengthy Truth Social posts Saturday evening, Trump accused Panama of charging U.S. vessels exorbitant rates to pass through the critical waterway. He also claimed that the treaties enabling Panama to take control of the canal in the first place also allow for the U.S. to take it back. Eric Bazail-Eimil Politico -- 12/22/24

Biden could foil Trump’s plans to resume federal executions -- President Joe Biden is promising to flex his clemency powers again before he leaves office next month, buoying the hopes of capital punishment opponents that he’ll take a big step toward making good on his campaign promise to end the federal death penalty. Josh Gerstein and Brakkton Booker Politico -- 12/22/24

The Week the GOP’s High Hopes Collided With Reality -- Musk’s new influence and Trump’s impulsive style threw the party into a familiar form of chaos. Molly Ball in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 12/22/24

Who is the politician at the center of the latest Chinese influence scandal? -- The relationship between Arcadia Councilmember Eileen Wang and Yaoning “Mike” Sun deepens questions around what Wang knew about an alleged plot to push pro-China policies. Rebecca Ellis and Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/21/24

Plans to transform an iconic San Francisco highway into a park ignite recall furor -- San Francisco residents voted to permanently close the Upper Great Highway to cars and turn it into a park. That sparked a recall effort against a local lawmaker. Hannah Wiley in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/21/24

TSA officers stunned by ‘extremely concerning’ discovery in woman’s carry-on at LAX -- The officer opened the bag in front of the passenger and was shocked to see what was inside: 82 fireworks, three knives, two replica firearms and a canister of pepper spray — none of which are allowed in carry-on luggage. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/21/24

San Diego official resigns suddenly over ‘security reasons’ -- Supervisor Nora Vargas was heavily involved in a recent effort to enact a “sanctuary” immigration policy in San Diego County. Lindsey Holden, Eric He and Will McCarthy Politico Emily Alvarenga in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 12/21/24

They were locked up 17 years ago for a murder. L.A.’s new district attorney is setting them free -- In a dramatic courtroom scene that one wrongly convicted woman called “a Christmas miracle,” a Los Angeles County judge on Friday vacated the murder sentences of two people — 17 years after they were locked up — and ordered their immediate release. Connor Sheets, Jessica Garrison and Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/21/24

Barbara Lee lays out timeline for her decision on Oakland mayor’s race -- Oakland Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, who is ending her congressional career next month, said Friday that she will decide by early January whether she will run for mayor of Oakland. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Dustin Gardiner Politico -- 12/21/24

S.F.’s population drops once again in an ominous sign for the city’s recovery -- San Francisco’s population fell slightly this year even as California’s grew, another setback in the city’s efforts to recover from the pandemic, according to state data released Friday. Roland Li, Aseem Shukla in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/21/24

Five UC campuses reach deal to resolve civil rights complaints over Gaza protests -- The University of California system agreed to resolve nine open U.S. Department of Education investigations into alleged discrimination against Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, Muslim and Arab students and employees at five campuses. Shira Stein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/21/24

COVID stays low, but flu and RSV cases rise in California ahead of winter holidays -- For the first time in five years, Bay Area residents will be able to enjoy the holidays largely free of concern over the coronavirus. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/21/24

Education

Tensions brew over trans athletes at Riverside high school, as conservative protests grow -- As controversy brews over the rights of transgender athletes, some are calling on the Riverside Unified School District to defy California’s anti-discrimination laws. Rebecca Plevin, Allen J. Schaben in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/21/24

Street

S.F. prosecutors bring first charges against suspected drug dealer using newly passed Prop. 36 -- San Francisco prosecutors filed multiple weapon and drug charges against a man accused of selling narcotics in the city’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 12/21/24

Video of jailer appearing to slam inmate into wall sparks calls for DOJ investigation -- Two lawmakers from California have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate a violent incident at Men’s Central Jail in 2022, when a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy appeared to bash a handcuffed inmate’s head into a concrete wall, leaving a gaping, 3-inch wound. Keri Blakinger in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 12/21/24

POTUS 47

Trump’s wake-up call: Republicans are willing to defy him -- Over the past 48 hours, 38 House Republicans rejected the stopgap spending bill that the president-elect publicly threw his weight behind after tanking Speaker Mike Johnson’s original proposal to keep the federal government running past Friday. Lisa Kashinsky and Holly Otterbein Politico Marianne LeVine, Hannah Knowles and Liz Goodwin in the Washington Post$ -- 12/21/24

6 policies stripped from GOP bill after Trump, Musk rebellion -- Health care reforms, a crackdown on junk fees, pay hikes for lawmakers and more were jettisoned from the legislation. Jeff Stein, Tony Romm and Daniel Gilbert in the Washington Post$ -- 12/21/24