California

School and youth sports have been on hold since last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)

State allows outdoor youth sports to resume statewide amid declining Covid-19 cases

San Francisco among counties with case loads low enough to qualify

School and youth sports have been on hold since last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)
Then-California secretary of state Alex Padilla speaks during a news conference in 2018 in San Francisco. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/TNS)

Senator Alex Padilla named chair of immigration subcommittee

The former California Secretary of State is the first Latino to serve in this role

Then-California secretary of state Alex Padilla speaks during a news conference in 2018 in San Francisco. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/TNS)
A law proposed by state Sen. Scott Wiener would ease restrictions on alcohol service in eateries and music venues.<ins></ins>

Reform to state liquor license laws could benefit future of Shared Spaces

State Sen. Scott Wiener proposal includes more flexibility for bars, restaurants and music venues

A law proposed by state Sen. Scott Wiener would ease restrictions on alcohol service in eateries and music venues.<ins></ins>
COVID coronavirus (Shutterstock).

California’s first cases of South African COVID variant found in Bay Area

Two cases of the more contagious COVID-19 variant first discovered in South…

COVID coronavirus (Shutterstock).
Alice Stebbins holds a copy of her wrongful termination suit against the California Public Utilities Commission. Stebbins was fired from her position as executive director after she alleged that $200 million in fines and fees was missing. (Andri Tambunan/Special to ProPublica)

Utility companies owe millions to the CPUC. The problem? The state agency can’t track what it’s owed.

By Scott Morris Bay City News Foundation The California Public Utilities Commission…

Alice Stebbins holds a copy of her wrongful termination suit against the California Public Utilities Commission. Stebbins was fired from her position as executive director after she alleged that $200 million in fines and fees was missing. (Andri Tambunan/Special to ProPublica)
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said “supply is the issue” slowing efforts to vaccinate residents. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Newsom, local leaders celebrate opening of state’s largest vaccination site at Levi’s Stadium

By Jana Kadah Bay City News Foundation The largest COVID-19 mass vaccination…

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday said “supply is the issue” slowing efforts to vaccinate residents. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Governor Gavin Newsom addresses a press conference held at the launch of mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 in Los Angeles (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Ads in Newsom recall hit the air this week as California signature deadline nears

Lara Korte The Sacramento Bee The campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom…

Governor Gavin Newsom addresses a press conference held at the launch of mass COVID-19 vaccination site at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 in Los Angeles (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Miguel Santiago, D-Chula Vista, expressed his views Thursday Feb. 4, 2021 on the state's handling of the recent surge in unemployment claims. (Examiner screenshot)

California lawmakers call for reform after unemployment system breakdown

State legislators introduced a package of initiatives at a news conference Thursday…

Miguel Santiago, D-Chula Vista, expressed his views Thursday Feb. 4, 2021 on the state's handling of the recent surge in unemployment claims. (Examiner screenshot)
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State Supreme Court rejects challenge to Prop. 22

Lawsuit alleging measure violates California law could be re-filed in lower court

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Starting in July, penalties in California will increase for people cited for texting while driving. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

A look at some of California’s new laws

Changes affect wages, criminal justice, workplace protections and more

Starting in July, penalties in California will increase for people cited for texting while driving. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
A drop in salmon in the Tuolumne River in 2020 is cause for concern.<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>

Salmon dwindling while SFPUC fiddling

Decreasing numbers in Tuolumne demand science-based solutions

A drop in salmon in the Tuolumne River in 2020 is cause for concern.<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly advised fans to watch Sunday’s Super Bowl in their own households. Examiner screenshot

Health officials fear Super Bowl, Chinese New Year could fuel another surge

As excitement builds for Super Bowl Sunday, California’s top health official warned…

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly advised fans to watch Sunday’s Super Bowl in their own households. Examiner screenshot
Philip DeFauw, 58, of White Lake, Mich receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination from the Oakland County Health Division Vaccinator Sarahanne Kevelin, 24, of Clinton Twp., Mich. at Suburban Showplace in Novi, Mich. on Jan. 23, 2021. DeFauw says he retired as a middle school band teacher after 33 years and now substitute teaches with special-needs children that don’t wear masks. “My doctor said don’t go back, but now I can,” says DeFauw.

CA teachers union wants schools in ‘purple’ counties to stay closed for 100 days; vaccinations for staff

By Diana Lambert EdSource The California Teachers Association has told Governor Gavin…

Philip DeFauw, 58, of White Lake, Mich receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination from the Oakland County Health Division Vaccinator Sarahanne Kevelin, 24, of Clinton Twp., Mich. at Suburban Showplace in Novi, Mich. on Jan. 23, 2021. DeFauw says he retired as a middle school band teacher after 33 years and now substitute teaches with special-needs children that don’t wear masks. “My doctor said don’t go back, but now I can,” says DeFauw.
Anti-eviction signs decorate the Rodney Drive apartments in Los Feliz. (Christina House/Tribune News Service)

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill to extend COVID-19 eviction protections through June

Patrick McGreevy Los Angeles Times Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed an…

Anti-eviction signs decorate the Rodney Drive apartments in Los Feliz. (Christina House/Tribune News Service)
California has been hit with massive unemployment benefit fraud with improper payments going to claims in the name of people including inmates on death row at San Quentin State Prison, shown in a file image. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

State failed to heed warnings of unemployment benefit fraud for months, audit says

Patrick McGreevy Los Angeles Times California officials in charge of the state’s…

California has been hit with massive unemployment benefit fraud with improper payments going to claims in the name of people including inmates on death row at San Quentin State Prison, shown in a file image. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
State Sen. Scott Wiener hopes to make businesses disclose their carbon footprint. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Wiener bill would require corporations to report and cut down carbon emissions

Andrew Sheeler The Sacramento Bee Large California corporations would be required to…

State Sen. Scott Wiener hopes to make businesses disclose their carbon footprint. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Assemblymember David Chiu introduced a bill that would assist formerly incarcerated who are at risk of homelessness. <ins>(Ellie Doyen/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

David Chiu: Closing 5 California prisons would free up money to house former inmates

By Hannah Wiley The Sacramento Bee A California Democrat wants to keep…

Assemblymember David Chiu introduced a bill that would assist formerly incarcerated who are at risk of homelessness. <ins>(Ellie Doyen/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
In this file photo, Estella Flores, right, and Maria Mora, left, are reflected in a window as they look for information in front of the closed California State Employment Development Department on Thursday, May 14, 2020 in Canoga Park, Calif. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

EDD’s lack of planning deprived jobless Californians of needed benefits, audit finds

Patrick McGreevy Los Angeles Times Poor planning and ineffective management left California’s…

In this file photo, Estella Flores, right, and Maria Mora, left, are reflected in a window as they look for information in front of the closed California State Employment Development Department on Thursday, May 14, 2020 in Canoga Park, Calif. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
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Man found with five ‘fully operational’ pipe bombs allegedly targeted Governor Newsom

A Napa County man was charged Tuesday with violations of federal weapons…

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(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Do housing tax credits work as well as they could?

By Scott Littlehale In the first half of 2020, investors in Idaho…

(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)