Newton: Will California voters believe Big Oil or Jane Fonda?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

When Hiram Johnson and the California Progressives adopted the referendum, ballot initiative and recall process just over a century ago, they had a fairly specific goal in mind. They sought to reserve power for the people in instances where big business, specifically the Southern Pacific Railroad, wielded corrupt influence.The reforms were meant to allow the electorate to remove the officials responsible, pass laws over their objections, or undo their acts. People over business.Yet next fall Californians will consider a referendum sponsored by big business to undo the act of the people’s elected leaders — a recurring theme in recent years. The specific matter at issue is Senate Bill 1137, a 2022 law that bans oil drilling within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, hospitals and the like. Oil companies responded by circulating petitions to challenge the legislation with a referendum, and voters will get the opportunity to decide its fate this year.“It’s an egregious attack on d...

Tech, biotech layoffs jolt Bay Area job market as staff cutbacks widen

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

Tech and biotech companies have revealed plans to slash the jobs of hundreds more of their Bay Area workers, capping off a brutal year for employment reductions in the technology sector.Related ArticlesEconomy | What to expect at work in 2024 Economy | ‘Not your grandparents’ post office:’ The future USPS being tested in California Economy | Bay Area adds jobs in November, fueled by big South Bay gains Economy | Tech company plans big-time upgrade of San Jose campus Economy | California raising minimum wage for 2 industries. Others could see pay hikes, too Renesas Electronics, Western Digital, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Talis Biomedical disclosed decisions to conduct employment reductions affecting their workers in the Bay Area, according to official WARN letters that the companies sent to the state Employment Development Department.Here are the details for the most recent plans for staffing cutbacks b...

PG&E electric and gas monthly bills hop over $290 mark to start 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

OAKLAND — PG&E customers are ringing in 2024 by paying a fresh round of skyrocketing electric and gas monthly bills that are rising far faster than the Bay Area inflation rate.The increases in monthly PG&E charges officially became effective on New Year’s Day and are slated to begin appearing during the January billing cycles for the utility’s ratepayers.Related ArticlesEconomy | Hundreds of new Bay Area housing units could be left sitting vacant as they await PG&E equipment Economy | PG&E restores power to more than 18,000 customers in San Jose Economy | Palo Alto power outage affects thousands; faulty transformer thought to be the cause Economy | PG&E bills might rise due to Diablo Canyon nuclear plant vote Economy | California less likely to have blackouts thanks to solar, big batteries PG&E monthly bills are expected to average roughly $294.50 a month for th...

Fire department investigating cause of blaze at Rancho San Antonio Monday night

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

(BCN) -- The Oakland Fire Department said it is investigating a fire that occurred in the city's Rancho San Antonio neighborhood Monday night.The blaze struck a three-unit apartment building in the 1500 block of International Boulevard, according to firefighters.The fire was put under control at approximately 10:22 p.m., crews said. An adjacent structure had minor damage, the fire department said. No casualties were reported.Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc.

Stock market today: Wall Street heads lower on the first trading day of 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — With the robust gains of 2023 in the rear view mirror, Wall Street was poised to open with losses on the first trading day of 2024. Futures for the S&P 500 lost 0.8% before the bell Tuesday, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.6%.Investors and economists will get a trove of employment data this week, with the government reporting on November job openings Wednesday, weekly jobless claims Thursday and the closely-watched December jobs report on Friday.Stocks fell Friday on Wall Street from their near all-time highs amid easing inflation, a resilient economy and the prospect of lower interest rates which buoyed investors. Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s benchmark fell more than 1% and Shanghai also declined after data showed more signs of weakness in the Chinese manufacturing and property sectors. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong sank 1.6% to 16,784.00 and the Shanghai Composite index dropped 0.4% to 2,962.28. Investors were selling property developers ...

Hermoso testifies in sexual assault case after kiss at Women’s World Cup

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales passes a police van as he leaves after testifying at the National Court in Madrid, Spain, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. Spanish state prosecutors formally accused Rubiales last week of alleged sexual assault and an act of coercion after Rubiales kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the title on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)(AP/Manu Fernandez) The former president of Spain's soccer federation Luis Rubiales passes a police van as he leaves after testifying at the National Court in Madrid, Spain, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. Spanish state prosecutors formally accused Rubiales last week of alleged sexual assault and an act of coercion...

An incoming Virginia delegate wants to expand use of speed cameras

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

When they reconvene this month, Virginia lawmakers will consider a proposal to allow local governments to install speed cameras wherever they deem them necessary, with penalties of up to $100 for violations.Bill patron Del.-elect Mike Jones, D-Richmond, said the legislation is intended to increase speed enforcement and reduce the number of traffic fatalities.“It gives localities the decision of whether they want to do it or not,” said Jones. “So it’s not a ‘shall’ — every locality will have it — but for the ones that are concerned with this, it would help them out.”State law currently allows local governments to install speed cameras in work and school zones as a way to drivers to go slower around children and construction workers. Jones’ bill would go further, allowing their placement in “any location deemed necessary” by local governments.However, the use of more cameras to enforce speed laws has previously sparked controversy over privacy and public perceptions that the technolog...

DC police ask for public’s help in finding dog stolen during burglary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

A pit bull named Lola was taking during a burglary in D.C. on New Year's Eve. (Courtesy D.C. police) A pit bull named Lola was taking during a burglary in D.C. on New Year's Eve. (Courtesy D.C. police) A dog is missing from a D.C. home following a burglary, and police are asking for the public’s help in finding the animal.Just before 7:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, two people knocked on a door in the 100 block of Atlantic Street in Southeast, according to D.C. police.The two suspects then “pushed” themselves into the home and assaulted the homeowner before taking a dog named Lola and fleeing the area, according to police.Lola is a black 7-month-old female pit bull with a white stripe on the to...

South Korean opposition leader is stabbed in the neck. Police say attacker approached for autograph

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:58 GMT

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is seen after he was injured in Busan, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Lee was attacked and injured by an unidentified man during a visit Tuesday to the southeastern city of Busan, emergency officials said. (Sohn Hyung-joo/Yonhap via AP)(AP/Sohn Hyung-joo) South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is seen after he was injured in Busan, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. Lee was attacked and injured by an unidentified man during a visit Tuesday to the southeastern city of Busan, emergency officials said. (Sohn Hyung-joo/Yonhap via AP)(AP/Sohn Hyung-joo) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s tough-speaking liberal opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, was stabbed in...