California

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#homelessness
fromThe Mercury News
13 hours ago
California

How California governor candidates say they will tackle homelessness

Homelessness and housing affordability are top concerns for Californians; gubernatorial candidates emphasize encampment enforcement and treatment for mental health and substance abuse.
fromwww.mercurynews.com
3 days ago
California

Walters: Homelessness crisis remains one of Newsom's biggest political liabilities

Gavin Newsom repeatedly pledged to solve homelessness but state efforts under his leadership have been ineffective despite billions spent, reorganizations, and a new action plan.
California
fromsfist.com
3 hours ago

California Forever Group Petitions Feds to Turn the Delta Into a Maritime Prosperity Zone

California Forever aims to build a new city in eastern Solano County anchored by a shipbuilding hub supported by a proposed Maritime Prosperity Zone.
California
fromSan Jose Inside
2 hours ago

CA Orders Elon Musk's AI Firm to Immediately Stop Sharing Sexual Deepfakes

California AG Rob Bonta ordered xAI to stop creating and distributing nonconsensual sexual images, citing violations of state public decency and recent deepfake pornography laws.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
9 hours ago

Newsom plans no new journalism funding despite $175-million funding deal with Google

California's budget proposal omits promised funding for the California Civic Media Fund, undermining the joint $175 million local journalism pledge with Google.
#billionaire-tax
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
11 hours ago

Billionaire tax plan draws fire from California top democrats

California's proposed one-time 5% wealth tax risks driving out venture capital and destabilizing long-term funding for health, education, and social services.
fromThe Oaklandside
9 hours ago

Fire injures 3 in downtown Oakland residential building

A large fire in a residential building at the corner of 19th and Broadway in downtown Oakland injured three people Monday morning. Dozens of firefighters rushed to extinguish the flames while traffic was blocked on Broadway between 17th and 20th streets. Residents were evacuated. The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known. Three people were injured by inhaling smoke and required hospitalization, according to the fire department. A firefighter also suffered a minor injury.
California
California
fromABC30 Fresno
12 hours ago

SoCal Edison lawsuits claim series of missteps made Eaton Fire more deadly

Southern California Edison sued county agencies, water providers, and SoCalGas, alleging failures in evacuations, water supply, and delayed gas shutoffs worsened the 2025 Eaton Fire.
California
fromBloombergtax
6 days ago

Proposed Digital Ad Tax on Social Media Stalls in California

California A.B. 796 to tax social media advertising revenue for youth mental health programs stalled after failing to clear the Assembly Tax and Revenue Committee.
#oakland
California
fromwww.eastbaytimes.com
5 hours ago

Speculative Ticketing Undermines Artists, Venues, and Fans Alike

Speculative ticket listings and deceptive websites enable scalpers, inflate prices, defraud consumers, and require legislative reform such as AB 1349 to protect fans.
California
fromSFGATE
15 hours ago

California county auction lets buyers bid on properties for as little as $100

Nearly 1,000 tax-defaulted Riverside County properties will be auctioned online in April, with minimum bids from $100 to $4.5 million, potentially raising $28.9M.
fromThe Mercury News
15 hours ago

North Bay reservoirs full after back-to-back atmospheric river storms

The surge of water, more than 22,400 gallons a second, plunged from the foot of Warm Springs Dam, launching a fine mist above. That was the spectacle of abundance last week at Lake Sonoma, the North Bay's largest reservoir, where the U.S. Army Corps was releasing what dam managers call an "oversupply" - the welcome product of heavy runoff from recent storms.
California
#california-state-parks
#san-jose
fromThe Mercury News
14 hours ago

After secret investigation, Oakley cuts off councilman's City Hall access

OAKLEY - An elected city councilman here has been effectively cut off from City Hall - barred from contacting the city manager or staff, stripped of access to his government email and routed through the city attorney for nearly all official business - following an investigation whose most critical findings the city has not made public. The extraordinary restrictions on Councilman George Fuller, which carry no expiration date and could last until his term ends in 2028, have alarmed civil liberties advocates
California
California
fromLos Angeles Times
16 hours ago

L.A.'s defense industry is booming. Federal funding crunch could change that

Funding lapse for SBIR threatens seed capital for defense tech startups like Gambit, hindering development and deployment of AI-driven unmanned battlefield systems.
California
fromThe Mercury News
14 hours ago

Bay Area events calendar for Jan. 23-29 weekly editions

A lineup of Bay Area events includes immersive dinosaur exhibits, classical and musical theater performances, a drag brunch, and a landscaping materials fair.
#san-leandro
fromPadailypost
16 hours ago

Big rig overturns on Highway 101

A big rig overturned this morning (Jan. 18) on northbound Highway 101, just south of Redwood City, after a collision that left the two drivers with minor injuries. One lane remained closed as of about 7 Monday night. CHP officers responded to the wreck near Marsh Road at about 10:50 a.m. and found the big rig on its side on the righthand shoulder.
California
California
fromThe Mercury News
12 hours ago

One year after Bay Area landlord's slaying, Zizians cases still grab headlines

The Zizians, a cult-like network, are linked to multiple murders across states, including the 2025 stabbing of Vallejo landlord Curtis Lind, tied to earlier violence.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
12 hours ago

Inmate found dead in cell of Contra Costa County jail

62-year-old Victor Jose Faria was found unresponsive and pronounced dead in his Martinez Detention Facility cell; the Contra Costa DA and sheriff's office are investigating.
#high-school-sports
#missing-person
fromSFGATE
5 hours ago

Arrest made in killing of California woman kidnapped from mall

Her husband knew she planned on picking up Easter candy for their 6-year-old son after work, so he wasn't initially worried when she didn't come home right away. But by 1 a.m., he was calling hospitals and law enforcement for help. A relative found her blue Honda Civic parked and locked at a nearby Big 5 Sporting Goods. Her purse and ID were inside, as was "evidence of a physical altercation," the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department said.
California
California
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

SoCal hiker went to search for lost friends. They were rescued; he was not

A hiker who searched for four lost companions was found dead at the bottom of a 150-foot rock face; the four were rescued.
#homicide
California
fromThe Mercury News
11 hours ago

'Rocky' the ram statue stolen from North Bay store, reward offered

A bronze ram statue named Rocky was stolen from outside the KUIU Dixon store on Dec. 31, prompting a police investigation and a $5,000 reward.
fromwww.thereporter.com
11 hours ago

Rocky' the ram statue stolen from North Bay store, reward offered

A bronze ram statue that has served as a familiar landmark outside the KUIU store on North Lincoln Street was stolen on New Year's Eve, prompting a police investigation and a $5,000 reward offer from the company. The statue, known as Rocky, was installed in June of 2024. It was cut from its pedestal in front of the store and loaded into a vehicle by two suspects in the early hours of Dec. 31, according to KUIU.
California
California
fromPadailypost
1 day ago

County wins health care tax, buys office building

Santa Clara County is purchasing a medical office building and funding the acquisition plus seismic upgrades with 30-year tax-exempt bonds.
California
fromtherealdeal.com
1 day ago

Insurance unlock? What new commissioner could mean for California resi

The California Insurance Commissioner race centers on proposals for transparency, pricing reform, disaster-response regulation, homeowner discounts for risk reduction, and public-private partnerships to address insurance challenges.
California
fromFortune
1 day ago

See the face of ICE's crackdown on normal Americans: a 21-year-old college student permanently blind in one eye | Fortune

A college student lost sight in one eye after being struck by a projectile fired by a federal officer during a Southern California protest.
California
fromThe Mercury News
1 day ago

Two lanes Highway 101 closed Sunday due to overturned big rig

Several northbound lanes on Highway 101 near Marsh Road were closed after an overturned big rig; motorists were urged to use alternate routes.
California
fromPadailypost
1 day ago

Appeals court says Valley Water director Eisenberg must return the report she took

An appellate court upheld an order requiring Valley Water board member Rebecca Eisenberg to return thousands of investigation pages taken from district offices.
#wrong-way-crash
California
fromLos Angeles Times
2 days ago

Santa Anita slot machines removed by state Department of Justice

State law enforcement removed Historical Horse Racing betting machines from Santa Anita after installation, citing legal and tribal-compact concerns.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

Santa Barbara County officials crack down on unsanctioned Deltopia spring break rager

Santa Barbara County approved a 72-hour ban on amplified music during Deltopia weekend due to repeated deaths, riots, arrests, overdoses, and enforcement challenges.
#vehicle-burglaries
California
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

One dead and five injured in early Sunday morning crash near Griffith Park

A 25-year-old man died and five others were injured in a five-car crash on northbound I-5 near Los Feliz Boulevard; investigation is ongoing.
California
fromABC7 Los Angeles
1 day ago

New photos show 2 cars believed to be involved in Stockton mass shooting that left 4 dead

Two suspected vehicles are linked to a targeted November Stockton mass shooting; 17 people were shot at a child's birthday party and four were killed.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 days ago

Cal holds on to beat No. 14 North Carolina in Berkeley

California held off No. 14 North Carolina 84-78 after building a 20-point lead, powered by strong three-point shooting and 20/19/19 scoring from Camden, Ames, and Pippen.
California
fromThe Mercury News
1 day ago

Nominations open for Sunnyvale's 2026 Community Awards

Sunnyvale is accepting nominations through June 1 for 2026 Community Awards across civic, education, business, arts, environmental, and volunteer categories.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

Man killed wife, daughter, then himself in Lakewood shooting, authorities say

A Lakewood man allegedly killed his wife and youngest daughter, wounded himself, and fired at his eldest daughter who survived.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
1 day ago

Nominations open for Sunnyvale's 2026 Community Awards

Sunnyvale is accepting nominations for 2026 Community Awards across multiple categories; nominations are due by June 1 at https://bit.ly/491q7R6.
California
fromTravel + Leisure
2 days ago

The 'Western Home of Golf in America' Has 9 Incredible Courses, a New Bunker Bar With Mountain Views, and a Game-changing Academy

PGA West offers championship-caliber courses, top-tier amenities, and year-round desert weather, making it an ideal winter golf destination for pros and amateurs.
California
fromsfist.com
3 days ago

Day Around the Bay: Over 200 California State Parks Will Be Free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

California commits $412 million for homeless programs, cities restrict ICE access to facilities, and state park fees waived for MLK Day.
California
fromSFGATE
3 days ago

Newsom sets date for special election to fill Rep. LaMalfa's seat

A special election for California's 1st Congressional District will be held Aug. 4 to fill the seat through the end of 2026.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 days ago

Walters: State's politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results

California's K-12 system has rising per-student spending and reported local gains but continues to underperform nationally, especially in fourth-grade reading for Black and Latino students.
California
fromABC7 San Francisco
3 days ago

North Bay reservoirs reach capacity after winter storms, ending drought fears

Marin and Sonoma reservoirs are full after heavy rains, with monitored releases and continued conservation urged to manage supply and prevent flooding.
fromLos Angeles Times
2 days ago

With a nudge from industry, Congress takes aim at California recycling laws

"California's policies have slowed American commerce long enough," Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) said in a post on the social media platform X announcing the bill.
California
California
fromLos Angeles Times
2 days ago

Uber - a target of car crash lawsuits - pushes for law to limit California lawyer fees

Uber-backed initiative would cap attorney fees at 25% in vehicle collision cases, which lawyers say will reduce access to legal representation and income.
California
fromwww.latimes.com
3 days ago

Edison sues L.A. County and other agencies, saying they share blame for Eaton fire deaths, destruction

Southern California Edison sued Los Angeles County, water agencies and companies including SoCalGas, alleging their failures worsened the deadly Eaton wildfire and its damages.
fromSFGATE
3 days ago

Another travel delay on I-80 creates pain point on route to Tahoe

"to reduce impact on traveling public."
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
3 days ago

Mountain View: Vacant building red-tagged after transients start fire

MOUNTAIN VIEW Police on Thursday took into custody at 16-year-old girl and a 58-year-old man, two of three people who had been living in an vacant, unsafe building and started a fire by lighting up a Duraflame log. Mountain View Building Division inspectors later red-tagged the building at 1599 and 1601 North Shoreline Boulevard after deeming it unsafe and uninhabitable, according to a news release Friday.
California
fromEngadget
2 days ago

California AG sends cease and desist to xAI over Grok's explicit deepfakes

Bonta's office demands that xAI immediately cease and desist from creating "digitized sexually explicit material" when the depicted individual didn't consent to it or if the individual is a minor. It also demanded that xAI stop "facilitating or aiding and abetting the creation... or publication of digitized sexually explicit material" of nonconsenting individuals and persons under 18 years of age.
California
California
fromThe Mercury News
2 days ago

Decades-old Bay Area rape cases linked through DNA to Texas man

Lashay Durisseau, a Texas man, was identified by DNA and linked to seven cold rapes and kidnappings across multiple jurisdictions between 1994 and 2008.
California
fromSan Jose Spotlight
3 days ago

Pruneyard Cinemas in Campbell not closing - San Jose Spotlight

Pruneyard Cinemas reached a landlord agreement to resolve a long rent dispute and will remain open instead of closing.
California
fromwww.thesanjoseblog.com
2 days ago

FurCon Downtown San Jose Guide

FurCon fills Downtown San Jose with furry costumed attendees during the first long weekend of the year, and local businesses offer specials to suit-wearing participants.
California
fromPadailypost
3 days ago

Wenzlau sentencing in sex case set for March 12

Palo Alto volunteer Robert 'Bob' Wenzlau admitted to child pornography and attempting to meet a minor; faces prison time and lifetime sex-offender registration.
fromPadailypost
3 days ago

Family settles lawsuit with swim club over drowning death

The case centered on the death of Sumanth Kolar, 38, of Palo Alto, who jumped off a diving board and immediately struggled to stay afloat around 5 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2023. His two middle children, age 7 and 9, looked for the lifeguard, whose station was about 10 feet away, but 17-year-old lifeguard Brendan Ho was at the other end of the pool at 3539 Louis Road, the suit said.
California
California
fromThe Mercury News
2 days ago

Gilroy: Father hit by car, dies after dropping kids off at school

A father was killed and the mother seriously injured in a crosswalk collision near an elementary school involving a teen driver.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
3 days ago

In San Francisco, Newsom rails again proposed billionaire tax, vows to protect homeless Californians

California seeks to protect wealthy business leaders and unhoused residents while opposing a proposed 5% one-time wealth tax on billionaires to raise $100 billion.
California
fromwww.berkeleyside.org
4 days ago

The Wire: Get cash from Kaiser after $46M settlement; Cal scientists' search for extraterrestrial life

Bay Area faces institutional closures, funding threats, legal responses, privacy settlements, public-safety incidents, and active scientific inquiry that affect residents and organizations.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
3 days ago

Echoing Trump, Newsom vows crackdown on corporate homebuying in California

Institutional investors' buying of single-family homes increases rents and undermines home ownership, prompting California to pursue regulatory, tax, and enforcement actions.
California
fromSan Jose Inside
4 days ago

Newsom Reneges on State Share of $175M Deal with Google to Boost Local Journalism

Newsom's budget omits funding for the California Civic Media Fund, cutting state support to $10 million and jeopardizing the $175 million Google-state journalism deal.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
3 days ago

Leaked memo reveals California debated cutting wildfire soil testing before disaster chief's exit

Nancy Ward retired after FEMA led cleanup but refused to fund soil testing, and Cal OES privately considered ending state-funded soil testing.
California
fromwww.ocregister.com
4 days ago

How I'd split California, economically speaking

California divides into a populous coastal West and a less-populous inland East with divergent demographic and population trends since the pandemic.
California
fromSan Jose Spotlight
3 days ago

Santa Clara County looks to consolidate independent boards - San Jose Spotlight

Santa Clara County is consolidating control over independent agencies and public land by replacing appointed boards with county-managed governance to improve oversight and long-term planning.
fromLos Angeles Times
3 days ago

Wildfire victims decry state law protecting utilities from cost of disasters they cause

Southern California Edison says that with the help of those state laws it expects to pay little or even none of the damage costs of the Eaton fire, which its equipment is suspected of sparking. But in recent filings to state officials, fire victims and consumer advocates say the law has gone too far and made the utilities' unaccountable for their mistakes, leading to even more fires. "What do you think will happen if you constantly protect perpetrators of fires," said Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network.
California
California
fromTelecompetitor
3 days ago

California awards $21M in last-mile broadband funding

CPUC approved four Last Mile FFA grants totaling up to $21 million to expand high-speed broadband to 1,752 locations across Contra Costa, Inyo, and Monterey counties.
California
fromABC7 San Francisco
3 days ago

Oakland rolls out speed cameras at 18 locations across city; 60-day warning period underway

Oakland launches automated speed cameras at 18 locations with a 60-day warning period, then issues fines for speeding while protecting license-plate data and limiting images.
fromwww.mercurynews.com
4 days ago

NTSB investigation: PG&E says crews attempted to alert residents before Hayward gas explosion

Before a home near Hayward exploded last month and sent three people to the hospital with serious injuries, Pacific Gas & Electric crews knocked on doors to alert anyone inside the home of a gas leak in the area, but no one responded, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by federal investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board report also found that a PG&E worker turned away firefighters responding to the leak because utility crews believed they did not need assistance.
California
California
fromwww.pressdemocrat.com
3 days ago

Bay Area man arrested, charged for second time in two months on suspicion of soliciting sex acts

A Santa Rosa man was arrested on charges including pandering and drug possession after allegedly violating pre-trial release by soliciting a sex worker online.
California
fromThe Mercury News
3 days ago

Bay Area man arrested, charged for second time in two months on suspicion of soliciting sex acts

Michael Tarvid, 63, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and pandering after allegedly soliciting a sex worker while on pre-trial release.
fromThe Mercury News
4 days ago

Letters: It's the right time for Mahan to make gubernatorial run

His age, energy and accomplishments in San Jose place him a cut above all others in this crowded race. When I saw him running up my street distributing flyers announcing a community meeting on the topic of a homeless encampment in my neighborhood, I thought, this man is destined for greatness. When I heard him speak to a crowded audience, his focus and passion stood out. He sold me on his ideas moving forward.
California
California
fromSFGATE
4 days ago

PG&E told fire crews they didn't need help shortly before Hayward home exploded

PG&E told fire crews they did not need assistance with a gas leak roughly 90 minutes before a Hayward home exploded, injuring residents and employees.
California
fromStreetsblog
4 days ago

$3 Million Now in the Bank to Support Signature-Gathering Effort for Regional Transit Measure - Streetsblog San Francisco

A regional campaign raised almost $3 million and began signature gathering to qualify a five-county sales tax aimed at preventing Bay Area public transit service cuts.
California
fromStreetsblog
4 days ago

Papan Wants to Draw a Legal Line Between E-Bikes and Electric Motorbikes - Streetsblog California

California bill would cap e-bike motor output at 750 watts to reduce high-powered e-bike crashes and clarify vehicle classification for safer streets.
fromwww.mercurynews.com
3 days ago

San Jose: Stockton teen arrested in shooting that injured one at Story Road shop

The shooting was reported around 2:50 p.m. Jan. 10 at a business in a strip mall in the 3000 block of Story Road near South White Road, according to a San Jose police news release. An investigation determined that the suspect had a brief interaction with a man inside the store before firing at least one round at him then fleeing in a vehicle, police said. The victim was treated at a local hospital and is expected to survive.
California
California
fromwww.sandiegouniontribune.com
3 days ago

5 women allege California city staffer used their photos to create sexually explicit AI images

Five women sued Chula Vista and a former employee, alleging he used AI-manipulated photos from social media to create sexualized images without consent.
California
fromABC7 San Francisco
3 days ago

Teen driver kills man in Gilroy crash with 2 pedestrians, police say

A teenage driver struck two pedestrians in a Gilroy crosswalk, killing a man and seriously injuring a woman; drugs, alcohol and speed are not considered factors.
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