News
General news, updates, and journalism
Coalition campaign seeks $30 minimum wage in Alameda County
A coalition of community organizations at a news conference in Oakland last week launched a campaign to raise the minimum hourly wage to $30 for companies in the city and Alameda County. The post Coalition campaign seeks $30 minimum wage in Alameda County appeared first on Pleasanton Weekly.
Details emerge as county DA charges police officer with accepting bribe, sex to protect brothel
A police officer took money and free sex from a brothel in exchange for keeping the illegal operation safe from law enforcement and competitors, according to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. The post Details emerge as county DA charges police officer with accepting bribe, sex to protec
Antioch: Felony Battery Victim Dies from Injuries
On March 13, 2026, at 5:42 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the 700 block of W. 1st Street for a report of a physical fight in progress. While en… The post Antioch: Felony Battery Victim Dies from Injuries appeared first on Contra Costa News.
Dublin Accepting Applications to Sell Fireworks
DUBLIN — Nonprofits planning to sell “safe and sane” fireworks in Dublin this summer can apply online at tinyurl.com/4wzyrdr9.
Voters to Decide Fate of 80 Local Tax and Bond Measures in June
The post Voters to Decide Fate of 80 Local Tax and Bond Measures in June appeared first on CalTax.
State finds ‘systemic’ failures in how a California school district handles sex abuse allegations
Attorney General Rob Bonta issues sweeping reforms for the El Monte Union High School District after an investigation found “systemic” failures in its handling of staff sexual misconduct allegations.
Nevada utility to Lake Tahoe: Find electricity elsewhere
Lake Tahoe’s longtime power supplier, NV Energy, will cut off the region next year. It has said data centers are driving “unprecedented” demand.
Scrubbing César Chávez from California
I’m CalMatters reporter Ryan Sabalow, and I’m pinch hitting for Lynn today. No more César Chávez Day, California. Democratic leaders said Thursday they’re going to fast-track legislation to rename the March 31 holiday “Farmworkers Day.” The move came a day after the New York Times published a bombs
Pebble Beach golf, Maui resorts, European tours: How special interests woo California lawmakers
Why learn about policy in Sacramento when you can do it in Maui? Special interests spent at least $1.2 million sending lawmakers to luxury destinations last year and handing out perks.
If California forces state workers to commute, it passes up $225 million in savings. Can we afford that?
State workers must go to offices four days a week starting July 1. But if lawmakers let them telework, they’d save on gas and reduce carbon emissions.
It’s supposed to be a race for governor, but candidates and voters seem disengaged
Two Republican candidates are leading the pack of 10 main candidates for governor, while lukewarm Democratic support is split eight ways.
Record heat, melting snow: What does it mean for California’s reservoirs?
A record-baking heat wave is scalding California, with major consequences for the state’s most important reservoir: its snowpack. Providing about a third of the state’s water supply, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is a vital source of spring and summer runoff that refills reservoirs when the state need
Concannon Begins Planting for the Future
Shown here in an aerial view, the bottling plant at the northwest corner of the Concannon Vineyard estate was the property’s last major addition in 2012. Its closure at the end of 2024 ended years of heavy industrial truck traffic,…
Science@Play Productions Set to Explore AI-Enhanced Brain Implants, Neural Interfaces
LIVERMORE — “The Moon is Always Full,” the second of two Science@Play productions this spring from the Shakespeare & Performing Arts Regional Company (SPARC), will be presented in a dramatic reading at the SPARC Theater Studio, 2172 Railroad Ave., on…
New General Plan Exhibits UGB and BART Uncertainty
LIVERMORE — The city’s next general plan, the overarching policy document intended to guide city decisions through 2045, has reached its final stages prior to its expected adoption this summer.
Whether We Want It or Not, AI Is Here, and Our Leaders Need to Understand It
Our state legislators have lately been receiving briefings on artificial intelligence software from a group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The belief is that the scientists at the lab would be more objective and neutral than... well, anyone else.
1,100 Miles of Levees, $300M/Year Ask: The Delta's Flood Protection Funding Crisis
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has over 1,100 miles of levees — many built in the 1800s — protecting communities, farms, and critical water infrastructure. SB 872 proposes $300 million annually for repairs. The Sacramento Weir expansion is set for completion by December 2026.
CalPERS Hits 79% Funded After 11.6% Return — But $265 Billion in Pension Debt Persists Statewide
CalPERS reported an 11.6% investment return and 79% funded status. CalSTRS is at 75%. But total statewide public pension debt exceeds $265 billion — and Stanford researchers estimate the market-basis unfunded liability exceeds $1 trillion.
Californians Paid $27 Billion for Wildfire Prevention — Now a New Rate Structure Reshapes Bills
CPUC authorized $27 billion in wildfire prevention cost recovery from ratepayers between 2019-2023. PG&E rates are up 101% in a decade. Now a new base services charge and restructured per-kWh rates are reshaping how Californians pay for electricity.
CalTax Members and Officials Celebrate Association’s 100th Anniversary
The post CalTax Members and Officials Celebrate Association’s 100th Anniversary appeared first on CalTax.
Fourth Straight Year of Budget Problems: California Faces $18B Deficit Despite Record Tax Revenue
The Legislative Analyst's Office projects an $18 billion budget deficit for 2026-27 — roughly $5 billion larger than the administration estimated. Income tax collections are growing at double-digit rates, but the LAO warns the revenue is tied to unsustainable stock market gains.
Bay Area Transit Gets $590M Emergency Loan — But the $800M Annual Deficit Remains
Reality of gang violence in Northern California
Puff piece fails to mention plans to drain the Santa Ynez reservoir
Walnut Creek this AM. Fire season over; no drought; normal temperatures
