POLITICO • 24th April 2024

Climate offset proposal returns in California, with opponents taking notice

A first-in-the-nation effort in California to regulate the voluntary carbon offset industry sailed through the Legislature last year with no opposition — only to be vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Now, a second attempt by Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) is drawing scores of pushback amid what she says are rapid changes happening in the climate space.

POLITICO • 23rd April 2024

California Legislature aims to begin shrinking large deficit with early action budget cuts

Faced with a budget deficit of between $38 billion and $73 billion, depending on the estimate, the California Legislature passed an “early action” budget bill to shave $17.3 billion off the figure.

POLITICO • 5th April 2024

California to consider regulating AI algorithm bias again — with even higher stakes

Last year, California lawmakers attempted to establish greater regulations around companies using artificial intelligence — but they were unsuccessful amid broad industry opposition. Now that the bill is in its second iteration, the conversation around the technology has grown more expansive and a couple of industry stakeholders are working to advance the legislation.

POLITICO • 2nd April 2024

California reparations proposals could start with agency for implementation

California lawmakers are in the early stages of their push for reparations proposals, and are attempting to set up a framework for potential restitution in the form of compensation, grants and other assistance.

POLITICO • 28th March 2024

California lawmakers float stricter speech limits on campuses to address antisemitism

In the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, members of the state Legislature’s Jewish Caucus have been frustrated with what they view as an insufficient response to antisemitic incidents on California college campuses. Now, they’re hoping they’ll be able to force school leaders to implement limits on what is considered acceptable speech on campus.

POLITICO • 21st March 2024

California bill would target investors who turn homes into rentals, citing housing crisis

Many factors have contributed to California’s housing crisis, and one lawmaker is pinning some of the blame on investors.

POLITICO • 20th March 2024

California lawmakers seek tough balance in retail theft proposals

Retail theft has entered the spotlight in California, and is expected to be a key focus for legislative leaders this session as the perception of stores feeling less safe creeps into the public sphere.

POLITICO • 14th March 2024

As Congress stalls on AI regulation, sweeping California proposal would set benchmark

Of the many proposals introduced by California lawmakers to regulate artificial intelligence this year, perhaps the most sweeping one would implement a string of regulations for large AI models and set the tone for similar legislation around the country to address the burgeoning technology.

POLITICO • 6th March 2024

California lawmaker brings back complete streets proposal, adds speed-limiting technology

Drivers in California looking to get away with going over the speed limit may soon literally not have a choice, under a first-in-the-nation proposal that would require new vehicles to have technology that prevents vehicles from speeding.

POLITICO • 28th February 2024

California lawmakers bring back universal health care proposal, but lack funding plan

Two years after suffering a stinging defeat in an effort to bring universal health care to California, lawmakers and the California Nurses Association are trying again to make the Golden State the first in the nation to implement a single-payer insurance system.

POLITICO • 20th February 2024

Bipartisan group of California lawmakers bring back encampments enforcement measure

Republicans don’t often get to take control of the narrative in the California Legislature — but when it comes to addressing encampments dotting the streets of cities across the state, they may force the issue with an anti-camping proposal modeled after policies adopted in Democrat-run cities.

POLITICO • 14th February 2024

California to consider free condoms in high schools again, this time with funding request

Months after Gov. Gavin Newsom cited cost in rejecting a proposal to require California’s public high schools provide free condoms to students, state Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City) reintroduced the measure — and this time, she’s hoping to guarantee funding in the budget.

POLITICO • 7th February 2024

California lawmakers look to repeal income-based utility fee proposal

Two years ago, California lawmakers passed a budget trailer bill with a tucked-in provision authorizing the state’s utilities commission to create a fixed, income-based fee by this July that was intended to reduce bills for the poorest residents.

POLITICO • 30th January 2024

California bill targeting hydrogen production pinpoints high stakes in future of energy

California has long had noteworthy emissions targets, such as requiring all new vehicles to be electric by 2035. If a proposed bill makes it through the Legislature this year, the state could set yet another ambitious mandate by clamping down on the ways that hydrogen can be produced.

POLITICO • 25th January 2024

California bill seeks to slow rollout of robotaxis by giving power to locals

The fight between self-driving car companies and efforts to regulate them has reentered the spotlight this year in the California Legislature — and this time, it includes a labor-backed effort to shift control over robotaxis from the state to local jurisdictions.

POLITICO • 18th January 2024

With AI threat looming, California lawmakers look to codify performer protections

The historic actors' strike that rocked Hollywood last year ended with an agreement between SAG-AFTRA and the studios that included what the union called “unprecedented provisions for consent and compensation that will protect members from the threat” of artificial intelligence. But California legislators, worried about the uncertainty of the burgeoning technology, are trying to codify consent protections around AI as law.

POLITICO • 11th January 2024

California Legislature pushes appointment transparency again over Newsom’s objections

In what one lawmaker described as a situation similar to “Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown,” a bill that would require the California governor’s office to reveal diversity data regarding gubernatorial appointees is back on the table after Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it for a third time last year.

POLITICO • 5th January 2024

California set to take up youth tackle football ban amid safety concerns

Football may be the most popular sport in the United States, but questions regarding the safety of the sport — especially around concussions and brain injuries — have been constant, with the NFL admitting in 2016 that there is a link between football and degenerative brain disorders like chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

POLITICO • 28th December 2023

California targets social media companies over CSAM with legal questions lingering

Recent efforts by California lawmakers to regulate social media platforms have run into legal challenges, but that hasn’t stopped the Legislature from continuing to set rules on an industry that they argue makes it too easy for hate speech and other inappropriate material to fester.

POLITICO • 21st December 2023

As evictions soar, California law aims to close loopholes in Tenant Protection Act

Four years after adopting major legislation capping rent increases and preventing unjust evictions to address the state’s housing crisis, the California Legislature sought to close loopholes in the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 with a follow-up bill this year that passed amid negotiations that went down to the wire.

POLITICO • 25th January 2024

LA Times layoffs show platforms need to pay for news, bill author says

The author of a proposal that would require Meta, Google and other large platforms to pay journalists is hoping the mass layoffs at the Los Angeles Times this week will spur momentum for the legislation.

POLITICO • 17th January 2024

Youth tackle football ban dead after Newsom vows veto

The debate over the American institution touched a nerve, opening Democrats to accusations of overreach during an election year, even as proponents said it was essential to protect children from serious brain injury.

POLITICO • 17th January 2024

Gavin Newsom chooses parental ‘freedom’ over banning youth football

Gov. Gavin Newsom saved California Democrats from themselves Tuesday night by killing their proposal to ban youth tackle football just as it threatened to become a national GOP talking point about government overreach in an election year.

POLITICO • 16th January 2024

Newsom vows veto for California youth tackle football ban

Gov. Gavin Newsom extinguished an effort to ban youth tackle football in California on Tuesday, vowing to veto a measure that was gaining support among Democrats but emerging as a new front in the culture wars.

POLITICO • 7th October 2023

Newsom vetoes a proposed ban on caste discrimination in California

In his veto message, Newsom said the bill is unnecessary because caste discrimination is already prohibited under existing civil rights protections that “shall be liberally construed.”

POLITICO Pro • 14th September 2023

California data broker bill goes to Newsom

California lawmakers have passed a bill that would give people more control over personal data collected by data brokers, sending the measure to the governor’s desk.

POLITICO • 8th September 2023

Elon Musk’s X sues California over content moderation law

Elon Musk’s X Corp. is asking a federal court to overturn a California law that attempts to control toxic online discourse by requiring social media platforms to disclose their content moderation policies.

Los Angeles Daily News • 8th February 2023

LA moves forward with hydrogen fuel for Playa del Rey power plant — but not without controversy

The Los Angeles City Council adopted an ordinance Wednesday that moves forward on a controversial plan to shift the Scattergood Generating Station, a power plant in Playa del Rey, to be powered by green hydrogen instead of natural gas.

Los Angeles Daily News • 7th February 2023

LA city lobbyists need to be clear that they are lobbyists, say reform-minded council members

In a step toward reforming Los Angeles’ lobbying ordinance for the first time in decades, the City Council’s ad hoc committee on governance reform recommended approval of an ethics commission report that would place stricter rules on people or organizations looking to impact city policy.

Los Angeles Daily News • 31st January 2023

LA City Council backs relocation help for tenants if rent rises 10 percent

The Los Angeles City Council gave preliminary approval on Tuesday, Jan. 31, to an ordinance requiring landlords to pay relocation assistance to tenants who move out following rent increases of more than 10%.

Hey SoCal • 27th January 2023

LA Council OKs 1-month grace period for tenants behind on rent

The Los Angeles City Council tentatively voted Friday to provide tenants who are behind on their rent with a one-month grace period prior to their landlord beginning eviction proceedings, adding to an ordinance adopted last week implementing universal just-cause rules for evictions.

Los Angeles Daily News • 11th January 2023

Kevin de León tells LA city council it should not punish a censured member

Embattled City Councilmember Kevin de León addressed his colleagues in the Los Angeles City Council chamber on Wednesday, Jan. 11, for the first time since a 2021 recording of his participation in a racist conversation was leaked in October.

Los Angeles Daily News • 23rd December 2022

Translation at LA City Council committee meetings still lacking, members say

A majority of Los Angeles residents speak a language other than English at home, yet translation services are not automatically made available at the City Council’s committee meetings.

Hey SoCal • 21st December 2022

Karen Bass launches program seeking to alter LA's approach to encampments

In what her office described as a “fundamental change” to Los Angeles’ approach to addressing encampments on city streets, Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive directive Wednesday launching a program that seeks to proactively bring unhoused residents indoors and prevent encampments from returning.

Hey SoCal • 16th December 2022

Mayor Bass signs EO to streamline affordable housing projects

Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive directive Friday expediting the approval and permitting process for fully affordable housing projects in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Daily News • 14th December 2022

Kevin de León casts shadow over LA City Council as Winter recess begins

The Los Angeles City Council began its winter recess this week after two tumultuous meetings, with all signs pointing to continued uncertainty in the chamber when it reconvenes during the second week of January over the presence of Kevin de León.

Patch • 13th December 2022

LA Council Meeting Devolves Into Chaos As Kevin de León Attends

Tuesday's council meeting devolved into chaos when de León walked into the chamber in the middle of a vote, slipping in quietly as he did last Friday.

Los Angeles Daily News • 12th December 2022

Mayor Karen Bass declares state of emergency on homelessness

Karen Bass, in her first official act as mayor of Los Angeles, declared a state of emergency on homelessness today in an effort to underscore the severity of the housing crisis in the nation’s second largest city.

Hey SoCal • 9th December 2022

De León attends LA council meeting, leaves after protests erupt

Embattled City Councilman Kevin de León attended Friday’s council meeting, but his appearance was brief as protesters immediately shouted for him to leave, and he was no longer present after a recess of around 45 minutes.

Hey SoCal • 8th December 2022

LA City Council committee hears feedback on de León censure

The Los Angeles City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform heard feedback over an item on potential consequences of censure for council members during its first meeting Thursday.

POLITICO • 4th September 2023

An effort to ban caste discrimination in California has touched a nerve

California would be the first state to explicitly ban the practice, but the process has been divisive.

Hey SoCal • 5th January 2023

As LA's COVID tenant protections expire, some fear eviction wave

The volume of eviction filings has begun to resemble pre-pandemic levels, according to Kyle Nelson, a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA and a member of the LA Renters’ Right to Counsel Coalition.

Los Angeles Daily News • 23rd September 2022

LA Councilwoman Heather Hutt defends nomination, looks to `hit ground running'

The job is a full-circle for Hutt who was often at City Hall as a child — and showed her report cards to Mayor Tom Bradley.

San José Spotlight • 29th June 2022

A $9,000 mortgage in San Jose? That's 'reasonable,' realtors say

What’s driving the soaring increase in mortgage payments in America’s 10th largest city? The easy answer is supply and demand, but that’s not all.

San José Spotlight • 7th June 2022

Milpitas official wants to redistribute City Council pay

A proposal by Milpitas Councilmember Karina Dominguez to eliminate health benefits for her and her colleagues and level the playing field for part-time city workers did not receive enough support for further discussion by the council during Tuesday’s meeting.

San José Spotlight • 31st May 2022

San Jose Barracuda ice hockey arena prepares to heat up downtown

The Sharks Ice expansion could help lift the economics of downtown San Jose, which has been slow to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patch • 27th May 2022

'Your Voice Should Be Loud': Volodymyr Zelensky Speaks At Stanford

The president of Ukraine spoke to a packed room of Stanford students on Friday, urging them to be a "generation of ambassadors."

San José Spotlight • 19th May 2022

Santa Clara County prepares for 'another terrible fire year'

For George Huang, the fire chief for Cal Fire’s Santa Clara Unit, the term “fire season” is no longer in his vocabulary. It’s now simply “the fire year.”

San José Spotlight • 12th May 2022

Silicon Valley land trust saves residents from homelessness

For more than a year after Tafhari Siyani Benjamin Franklin moved into a fourplex on Reed Street in San Jose, the Navy veteran’s clothes were still in bins and bags.

Patch • 2nd May 2022

2.6K San Mateo County Students At Risk For Homelessness: Study

The study was believed to be the first to analyze the scope of student homelessness and housing instability in San Mateo County, one of the wealthiest counties in the state.

Patch • 30th March 2022

Davante Adams Unveils New Fitness Equipment In East Palo Alto

Adams, an NFL star and East Palo Alto native, spoke to Patch about giving back to his hometown and moving on to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Patch • 18th March 2022

Cupertino Councilmembers Make Unusual Request Of School Board

The request was unusual in that the council has no jurisdiction over the school district, which is overseen by its own independently elected board members.

Patch • 11th February 2022

San Bruno Memorial To Japanese Detainees Breaks Ground

Takeo Kato remembers sitting in the grandstand of San Bruno's Tanforan Racetrack in 1942. He remembers living in the horse stalls and sleeping on hay mattresses, the smell of horses wafting in.

Patch • 28th January 2022

Donor Gives $1M To Support Cantonese Language Classes At Stanford

The endowed gift from S.J. Distributors — founded in 2005 by Cantonese speakers — ensures that Cantonese classes will be offered indefinitely at Stanford, according to Save Cantonese.

Cupertino, CA Patch • 8th November 2021

Cupertino Vice Mayor Defends Chinese Exclusion Act As Not Racist

Liang-Fang Chao's emails to a parents group spurred a backlash in the Cupertino community.

Patch • 14th October 2021

Disrupting Philanthropy: East Palo Alto Nonprofit Launches pNFTs

Peninsula-based StreetCode Academy hopes that pNFTs, or Philanthropic NFTs, can help nonprofits raise money more efficiently.

Patch • 17th September 2021

Los Gatos 'Public Health Crisis': Police Face Dispatcher Shortage

The town has budgeted for eight dispatchers, but four have resigned or retired since July 2020. Those remaining reportedly are burnt out.

Patch • 13th August 2021

'Not Just A Language': The Fight To Save Cantonese At Stanford

Stanford didn't renew the contract of its only Cantonese lecturer, so students and alumni started a movement to preserve the language there.

Patch • 6th July 2021

Amid Rise In Anti-Asian Hate, KTSF Keeps The Bay Area Informed

KTSF, the Bay Area's Chinese-language news station, is uniquely positioned to cover the recent rise in anti-Asian hate.

Patch • 3rd June 2021

From Peninsula To South Bay, Outdoor Dining Is Here To Stay

The pandemic forced cities to implement outdoor dining programs to save businesses. The largely successful changes could become permanent.

Associated Press • 27th April 2024

Bryan Reynolds, Ke'Bryan Hayes hit back-to-back homers in 10th, Pirates beat Giants 4-3

Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes hit back-to-back homers in the 10th inning to help the Pittsburgh Pirates outlast the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Saturday night.

Associated Press • 26th April 2024

Patrick Bailey hits walk-off home run, Giants beat Pirates 3-0

Patrick Bailey hit a walk-off three-run homer, Kyle Harrison pitched six shutout innings and the San Francisco Giants beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Friday.

Associated Press • 20th April 2024

Patrick Bailey's 4-hit day, 2-run homer into McCovey Cove lift Giants over Diamondbacks 7-3

Patrick Bailey drove in three runs and had four hits, including a two-run homer into McCovey Cove, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-3 on Saturday.

Associated Press • 19th April 2024

Jordan Montgomery wins in debut, Diamondbacks get 22 hits in 17-1 win over Giants

Jordan Montgomery pitched six strong innings in , Blaze Alexander hit a grand slam and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Francisco Giants 17-1 on Friday night.

Associated Press • 14th April 2024

A's rally from 5 runs down, beat Nats 7-6 to win 3 straight series for first time since 2021

Abraham Toro hit a go-ahead, two-run single in a six-run sixth inning, and the Oakland Athletics rallied from five runs down to beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Sunday to win three straight series for the first time since 2021.

Associated Press • 13th April 2024

MacKenzie Gore strikes out 11 as Nationals beat Athletics 3-1

MacKenzie Gore tied a career high with 11 strikeouts, CJ Abrams hit an RBI triple and the Washington Nationals beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 on Saturday.

Associated Press • 12th April 2024

Kevin Durant scores 28 points, Jusuf Nurkic makes late free throw as Suns beat Kings 108-107

Kevin Durant scored 28 points, Jusuf Nurkic made a late free throw and the Phoenix Suns rallied to beat the Sacramento Kings 108-107 on Friday night.

Associated Press • 9th April 2024

Kuzmenko scores power-play goal in OT, Flames beat Sharks 3-2 to stop skid

Andrei Kuzmenko scored a power-play goal 2:58 into overtime and the Calgary Flames came back to beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Associated Press • 7th April 2024

Crouse, Schmaltz, Keller each have goal and assist in Coyotes' 5-2 win over Sharks

Lawson Crouse, Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller each had a goal and an assist, and the Arizona Coyotes beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Sunday.

Associated Press • 6th April 2024

William Eklund nets hat trick with OT goal, and Devin Cooley gets first win as Sharks beat Blues 3-2

William Eklund scored in overtime to finish a hat trick, Devin Cooley made 34 saves in his first NHL win, and the San Jose Sharks beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Saturday.

Associated Press • 2nd April 2024

Domantas Sabonis has 22 points, 20 rebounds as Kings beat Clippers 109-95

Domantas Sabonis had 22 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists, and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-95 on Tuesday night.

Associated Press • 31st March 2024

A's get first win on Toro's walk-off walk, beat Guardians 4-3 before just 4,118 fans

Pinch-hitter Abraham Toro forced in the game-ending run when he drew a four-pitch bases-loaded walk from Eli Morgan, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Sunday for their first win this season.

Associated Press • 30th March 2024

Kwan homers, Guardians get 15 hits and rout A's 12-3 before crowd of just 5,425

Bay Area native Steven Kwan homered and reached base four times, and the Cleveland Guardians had 15 hits in a 12-3 rout of the Oakland Athletics before a Saturday afternoon crowd of just 5,425.

Associated Press • 29th March 2024

Dante Exum hits late 3-pointer, Kyrie Irving scores 30 in Mavericks' 107-103 win over Kings

Dante Exum hit the winning 3-pointer with 27.5 seconds to go, Kyrie Irving had 30 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Sacramento Kings 107-103 on Friday night for their sixth straight win.

Associated Press • 26th March 2024

Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson each score twice in Stars' 6-3 win over Sharks

Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson each scored twice, Jamie Benn added a goal and two assists, and the Dallas Stars beat the San Jose Sharks 6-3 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight win.

Associated Press • 21st March 2024

Brayden Point scores twice, Nikita Kucherov has 4 assists in Lightning's 4-1 win over Sharks

Brayden Point scored two goals, Nikita Kucherov had four assists and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Thursday night for their fifth straight win.

Associated Press • 13th March 2024

Sabonis has triple-double as Kings beat Lakers 120-107 for 4-game season sweep

Domantas Sabonis had 17 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-107 on Wednesday night.

Associated Press • 10th March 2024

Rockets beat Kings 112-104 but lose leading scorer Alperen Sengun to injury

Fred VanVleet scored 22 points, Jalen Green added 19 and Houston beat the Sacramento Kings 112-104 on Sunday after the Rockets lost leading-scorer Alperen Sengun to a right knee and ankle injury.

Associated Press • 7th March 2024

Islanders pull away with 2nd-period burst, beat reeling Sharks 7-2

Bo Horvat opened New York’s four-goal, second-period burst with his 25th goal and the Islanders routed the San Jose Sharks 7-2 on Thursday night for their fifth straight win.

Associated Press • 6th March 2024

Darius Brown II's seven 3-pointers lead No. 22 Utah State past San Jose State 90-70 for MWC title

Darius Brown II scored 21 points on seven 3-pointers, Mason Falslev had 20 and No. 22 Utah State beat San Jose State 90-70 Wednesday night to clinch a share of the Mountain West Conference regular-season title.