Millions of Californians experienced ‘act of hate,’ many at businesses, survey says
SacBee's ISHANI DESAI: "Millions of Californians experienced at least one “act of hate” in a year — many at businesses — according to a new survey which captures the “potential prevalence” of statewide hate and offers a more in-depth look at such crimes reported to law enforcement.
The survey goes beyond hate crimes documented by the state Attorney General in an annual report that recorded 4,329 of hate events or offenses, according to the most recent report tallying incidents in 2023. That document also noted district attorneys and elected city attorneys filed charges in 463 cases."
A ‘silent threat’: California officials announce hearing into wildfire victim underinsurance following Chronicle investigation
The Chronicle, SUSIE NEILSON/MEGAN FAN MUNCE: "California officials plan to hold a hearing later this month to discuss solutions to widespread underinsurance among wildfire survivors, following a Chronicle investigation that exposed the severity of the issue and tied it to insurance companies’ use of flawed algorithms to write homeowner policies.
In an April 29 meeting of the California State Board of Equalization, the agency tasked with overseeing property taxes on homeowners, Vice Chair Sally Lieber suggested the hourlong informational hearing in light of the Chronicle’s “very substantial and needed journalism around algorithmically driven underinsurance of properties across California, especially in wildfire-prone areas.” In a letter to the board, Lieber said the hearing would focus on the impact such algorithms have on disaster recovery and to discuss possible legislation."
READ MORE -- Investigation into false evacuation alerts sent during L.A. fires places blame, calls for more regulation -- LAT, JENNY JARVIE
Trump’s attacks on transgender Americans are a test in California’s governor’s race
LAT, LAURA J. NELSON: "In a ballroom packed with more than 1,000 people raising money for LGBTQ+ youths, veteran California legislative leader Toni Atkins didn’t mince words: To be a gay or transgender teenager right now, she said, must feel like “a rug has been pulled from beneath your feet.”
In her fiery speech at the annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, Atkins, who is running for California governor, said President Trump and other Republicans are working to “legislate our trans siblings out of public life.”"
Why a contentious project to raise California’s Shasta Dam could move forward under Trump
CALMatters, ALASTAIR BLAND: "Near the southern flank of Mount Shasta, springs and snowmelt converge to form the McCloud River. This Sacramento River tributary, held sacred by the Winnemem Wintu tribe, teemed with Chinook salmon before Shasta Dam, built in the 1940s, blocked their annual migrations.
“The winter run was the main sustenance source for the Winnemem Wintu throughout history,” said tribal member Gary Mulcahy. “We consider them the grandfather of all salmon.”"
Looking good for Kamala Harris, not so much for Karen Bass, poll shows
LAT, SEEMA MEHTA: "California voters have sharply differing views over two of the state’s most prominent Democrats, according to a new poll.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to decide by the end of the summer whether she runs for California governor in 2026, has near universal name recognition among California voters, and 50% view her favorably, according to a survey by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies that was co-sponsored by The Times."
The Micheli Minute, May 12, 2025
Capitol Weekly's CHRIS MICHELI: "Lobbyist and author Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week in Sacramento.
Trump administration investigates L.A. County over federal benefits for unauthorized immigrants
LAT, JENNY JARVIE: "The Trump administration announced Monday that it has launched an investigation into California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, a state program that provides monthly cash benefits to aged, blind, and disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for Social Security benefits due to their immigration status.
The investigation began in Los Angeles, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles field office issuing a Title 8 subpoena to California’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security said in a news release."
Immigrant children face legal cases without lawyers. A CA bill could change that
SacBee's STEPHEN HOBBS: "A young boy leaned forward and held his head in his hands.
For several minutes his grandmother had been talking about him with federal immigration judge Loreto Geisse, in a Sacramento courtroom. Geisse sensed the 11-year-old wasn’t following along closely. “Are you bored?” the judge asked the boy, who The Sacramento Bee is not naming to protect his privacy."
U.S. and China take a step back from sky-high tariffs, agree to pause for 90 days
LAET, JAMEY KEATEN/DAVID MCHUGH/KEN MORITSUGU: "U.S. and Chinese officials said on Monday they had reached a deal to roll back most of their recent tariffs and call a 90-day truce in their trade war to allow for more talks on resolving their trade disputes.
Stock markets rose sharply as the globe’s two major economic powers took a step back from a clash that has unsettled the global economy."
OPINION: A California sex trafficking bill was indecently distorted by Republicans
SacBee's ROBIN EPLEY: "Now that the histrionics have calmed — and before California Republicans pick another topic to distort with lies, over-dramatic outrage and public tantrums — it should be said that the California GOP didn’t succeed in anything last week other than showing the dishonesty at the heart of who they are.
Assembly Bill 379 was all the rage (literally) in Sacramento for two weeks because it sought to enhance penalties for the solicitation and trafficking of minors. But what angry rants on Facebook won’t illuminate is that this was also about trying to get the complexities of lawmaking right."
OPINION: California must lead on climate change mitigation
Capitol Weekly's SARA ZIMMERMAN: "The Trump administration has reversed our nation’s longstanding commitment to addressing climate change by directing the U.S to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, slashing funding for clean energy projects, fast-tracking fossil fuel production, and attacking environmental justice efforts. These actions will exacerbate the dangers of a changing climate that Californians are already experiencing, including year-round wildfire risk, violent storms, extreme heat, prolonged droughts, sea level rise, and more.
California’s leaders know we must continue to lead the fight against this existential threat. It’s been nearly two decades since the groundbreaking law, AB 32, established our state’s ambitious goals for reducing climate-harming greenhouse gas emissions. But there is much more to do."
Newsom again urges cities to ban homeless camps
LAT, TARYN LUNA: "Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday again urged California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments, increasing his pressure campaign on local governments to follow the state’s lead and remove tents from sidewalks and other public property.
“There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets,” Newsom said in a statement. “Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history. They asked for legal clarity — the courts delivered. Now, we’re giving them a model they can put to work immediately, with urgency and with humanity, to resolve encampments and connect people to shelter, housing, and care. The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.”"
Berkeley homeless encampment spurs neighborhood outrage: ‘Actual humanitarian crisis’
The Chronicle, ANNA BAUMAN: "Wedged between tree-lined residential streets in North Berkeley sits Ohlone Park, a greenway spanning several blocks where dogs romp within a fenced enclosure, neighbors catch up over coffee and commuters cruise past on foot and on bikes.
Over the past six months, the park has also been the site of a growing homeless encampment where at least two dozen people have pitched tents and stowed their belongings in the grassy expanse, angering neighbors who are fed up with finding overflowing garbage, discarded needles and human feces in their neighborhood park."
Crime is down everywhere in S.F. — except in these two neighborhoods
The Chronicle, DANIELLE ECHEVERRIA: "After a year of historically low crime numbers, San Francisco has continued to see an impressive decline in crime so far this year. But a Chronicle analysis revealed that reports in one area aren’t seeing such a decrease: SoMa and Mission Bay.
The two neighborhoods, which are both in San Francisco Police Department’s Southern District, have both seen apparent increases in property crime in the first four months of 2025 compared with the same period last year, driven by upticks in larceny theft, which includes crimes like shoplifting and car break-ins."
