The greater Sacramento region will be placed under California’s most restrictive coronavirus rules this week because capacity in hospital intensive care units has fallen below 15%. It joins the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions that are already in the strictest category, and several counties in the San Francisco...
A New Face to the GOP: Diverse Candidates Win in California
LOS ANGELES — It had been over two decades since a Republican captured a Democratic-held congressional district in California. This year, Republicans took four. The stunning victories have California GOP leaders talking about a comeback after years of teetering on the brink of irrelevance in the heavily Democratic state. Even...
After Complaints, California Says Playgrounds Can Stay Open Under COVID Order
California changed its rules overnight Wednesday to allow outdoor playgrounds to stay open in regions under strict stay-home orders, apparently swayed by broad criticism that shutting them down would harm children who have few options to safely romp outside. On its website, the state said playgrounds could stay open to...
Walters: California Is No. 1 — in Rough Highways
Much has been said and written about the nation’s stark political divisions and a state-by-state map of November’s presidential election confirms them. The 50 states were evenly divided between President Donald Trump and his successful challenger, Joe Biden, but the latter triumphed by winning the more populous states. This week, another map was...
How California Renters Are Bracing for an Eviction Tsunami
Two million Californians could be forced from their rental homes early next year, and the bad omens are happening now, all around them. They’re in the credit card bills they stack in a corner, the personal relationships they test by borrowing money, the hours waiting on the phone hoping to...
Woman Fatally Swept Out to Sea in Northern California Was Utah Magazine Editor
SALT LAKE CITY — The editor of Salt Lake magazine has died after she was swept into the ocean in Northern California. Mary Malouf was visiting Humboldt Bay, located on the coast near the Oregon border. She walked out on the North Jetty with her adult son to watch the...
Walters: California Politicians Play Musical Offices
Those of certain age might remember the once-popular parlor game called musical chairs. A row of chairs would be set out and players — always one more than the number of chairs — would walk around them as music played and when it stopped, they would scramble to sit in...
3 Counties Want Out of Southern California Virus Region
Three counties northwest of Los Angeles want to be separated from the state-designated Southern California region for determining the extent of pandemic restrictions based on the availability of intensive care unit beds. Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties plan to seek approval to create a smaller Central Coast...
California Unveils Smartphone Tool to Trace Virus Cases
California is rolling out a voluntary smartphone tool to alert people if they spent time near someone who tests positive for the coronavirus as cases and hospitalizations soar throughout the state. Californians will be able to activate the tool in their iPhone settings or on Android phones by downloading the...
PG&E Cancels Monday Power Shutoff in Fresno, Other Valley Counties
Citing improved conditions, Pacific Gas & Electric canceled plans to turn off power to Central California customers Monday to prevent the risk of wildfires being ignited in windy, dry weather. About 8,500 customers in Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tulare and Tuolumne counties were notified they would not be subjected to a...