Jesse Jackson, one of the nation’s most powerful voices for Black Americans, dies at 84
LAT, DAVID LAUTER/JOHANNA NEUMAN: "The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a child of Southern segregation who rose to national prominence as a powerful voice for Black economic and racial equality, has died.
Jackson, who had battled the neurodegenerative condition progressive supranuclear palsy for more than a decade, died at home surrounded by family. His daughter, Santita Jackson, confirmed his death with the Associated Press. He was 84. Jackson was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017 before the PSP diagnosis was confirmed in April."
Newsom betting big on AI
CW, CHRIS RAMIREZ: "It’s early to think of what California’s fiscal budget may look like by the time lawmakers finalize it in June. But Gov. Gavin Newsom is already banking on the tech industry to save the state from financial distress.
When the governor unveiled his budget in January, he credited a boom in artificial intelligence for a projected three-year, $42 billion windfall. His administration is counting on that money to balance the bulk of this year’s $349 billion budget that, amid federal funding cuts, is already proposing major reductions in state spending."
George Skelton: The billionaire who wants to be California governor
LAT, GEORGE SKELTON: "Tom Steyer must solve this dilemma: How does he convince financially struggling Californians they can trust a billionaire to be their governor? Because, after all, the former hedge fund titan doesn't exactly share their daily ordeal of scraping up enough money to pay for rent, groceries and gas in the run-down car."
How would the California ‘billionaire tax’ really work? We break it down
CHRONICLE, CHRISTIAN LEONARD: "By now, plenty of Californians have heard of it: A proposed “billionaire tax” that’s already prompted some uber-rich tycoons to hightail it from the Golden State — or at least threaten to do so.
It all started because millions of low-income and disabled Californians are in danger of losing health care thanks to cuts made by the Trump administration. Enter SEIU-UHC, a union representing healthcare workers, with an idea: Wealth disparities are growing, and billionaires are skirting the IRS, so why not make a couple hundred of the state’s richest people pick up the tab?"
Nithya Raman stunned the L.A. political world in 2020. Now, she wants to do it again
LAT, NOAH GOLDBERG: "Nithya Raman began her political career by defeating a well-funded incumbent with deep ties to the Democratic Party establishment.
Raman, an urban planner who was running to shake up the status quo, became the first person to oust a sitting councilmember in 17 years, stunning the Los Angeles political establishment with her defeat of David Ryu in 2020."
A chat with Clint Kellum of the Department of Cannabis Control (PODCAST)
CW, STAFF: "Today we welcome Clint Kellum, the new (as of November 2025) Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control. The CDCC licenses and regulates cannabis businesses, including regulation of cannabis growers, manufacture of cannabis products, and sales, transportation and tracking of cannabis goods. Kellum took the helm just after Governor Newsom signed AB 564, a bill to reset the state’s cannabis excise tax rate at 15% until 2028, giving California’s struggling legal cannabis market hope after a rough few years. Kellum explains what AB 564 means for the industry and the state, and looks at challenges and opportunities ahead. And, as always, we tell you who had the Worst Week in California Politics."
California judges defend their independence and the rule of law (OP-ED)
CALMATTERS, ROBERT GREENE: "When the rule of law is under attack, judges are among its natural defenders. But the very nature of their positions prevents them from doing or even saying much outside of their courtrooms. They have to avoid any appearance of bias or partisanship.
That’s why it was so noteworthy, nine years ago, when California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye stuck her neck out by calling on Trump administration officials to stop making immigration arrests in courthouses. Court is a place where witnesses, litigants, criminal defendants and anyone else should be encouraged to come without fear, in pursuit of justice, Cantil-Sakauye wrote. Using court as “bait” for arrests undermines that purpose, she said."
Altadena asked Edison to bury power lines. Some fire victims say that could cost them $40,000
LAT, MELODY PETERSEN: "Connor Cipolla, an Eaton wildfire survivor, last year praised Southern California Edison’s plan of burying more than 60 miles of electric lines in Altadena as it rebuilds to reduce the risk of fire.
Then he learned he would have to pay $20,000 to $40,000 to connect his home, which was damaged by smoke and ash, to Edison’s new underground line. A nearby neighbor received an estimate for $30,000, he said."
Newsom expanded free preschool. Now private daycares can’t afford to stay open
CALMATTERS, JEANNE KUANG: "There were once so many children at Frisha Moore’s Elk Grove preschool that families filled up the waitlist. Now, one of her playgrounds and two classrooms sit empty because one key group of kids has stopped coming.
Dozens of families in recent years have opted not to enroll their 4-year-olds at Moore Learning Preschool & Child Care Center, she said. Instead, they’re putting their children in transitional kindergarten, California’s new public pre-kindergarten grade."
California schools face a new budget hit: Soaring insurance costs after sex abuse lawsuits
CALMATTERS, CAROLYN JONES: "Since California made it easier for sexual abuse survivors to sue government agencies, victims have brought forth more than $3 billion in claims. But even agencies that haven’t been sued are facing financial hardship as a result of the law — through skyrocketing insurance premiums.
School districts, counties and other public agencies in every corner of California have seen their liability insurance premiums soar, in large part because of that law, which passed in 2019. Some districts have seen their yearly insurance costs jump by $1 million or more."
Legislator wants to roll back pay raises for CSU presidents, including at Fresno State
SACBEE, ROBERT KUWADA: "A bill introduced by a state lawmaker would repeal significant pay increases for California State University presidents that were approved by the board of trustees last November and set limits on compensation for non-union administrators, managers and contractors across the 22-campus system.
Those pay increases, coming amid a severe budget crunch, raised the base pay of 13 university presidents by 5% to 20%. The board also eliminated a policy that limited a president’s initial pay to no more than 10% of their predecessor’s pay, created performance bonuses and increased retirement benefits and housing stipends.
Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article314684346.html#storylink=cpy"
Worst of the storms is about to hit S.F. Here's when to expect downpours and hail showers
CHRONICLE, ANTHONY EDWARDS/GREG PORTER: "Thunderstorms with lightning, heavy rain and small hail raked across the North Bay and northern Contra Coast county early Tuesday morning as a cold storm system swept over the region. A flood advisory is in place for Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties until 10:15 a.m.
In Richmond in the East Bay, a strong cell moved over the city just after 7 a.m. with very heavy rain and multiple lightning strikes. Some residents in Vallejo were awoken by window-shaking thunder claps."
Warner Bros. Discovery reopens bidding, gives Paramount seven days to make its case
LAT, MEG JAMES: "Warner Bros. Discovery is cracking open the door to allow spurned bidder, Paramount Skydance, to make its case — but Warner’s board still maintains its preference for Netflix’s competing proposal.
Warner’s move to reopen talks comes after weeks of pressure from Paramount, which submitted an enhanced offer to buy Warner last week. Paramount’s willingness to increase its offer late in the auction attracted the attention of some Warner investors."
Bay Area home prices soar near BART. What happens if stations close?
CHRONICLE, RACHEL SWAN: "The homes in San Francisco’s Glen Park neighborhood have many hot amenities, from tiled fireplaces to spacious backyards.
But some residents cite one feature, above all else, that drew them to the area: They wanted to live near BART."
