“Social distancing.” In this time of coronavirus, it sounds straightforward: Avoid crowds. Don’t shake hands. Shield the elderly and infirm from infection. If necessary, go home and hunker down. In the complex real lives of California families, however, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s policy advice this week looked more like Michelle Cescatti...
Disney Parks Will Close Starting Saturday in Response to Pandemic
Disneyland announced that it's shutting down its California theme parks on Saturday over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park will be closed through the end of the month though there have been no reported cases of the new virus, the company said in a...
Coronavirus Could Take Big Bite out of California Budget
SACRAMENTO — From cruise ships to quarantines to school closures, California leaders have had plenty to worry about with the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Add one more thing to the list: The state's $222 billion annual budget. California is home to some of the largest and most successful companies...
Newsom: No Large Gatherings Due to Coronavirus
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom urged an end to gatherings of more than 250 people to counter the spread of new coronavirus, a move he said would cause “real stress" for many people and businesses but save lives. Newsom said California public health officials late Wednesday issued an updated policy saying “non-essential"...
Walters: Vice President Kamala Harris?
The high point — or low point — of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ campaign for president occurred last June during a multi-candidate debate when she lashed out at former Vice President Joe Biden on racial justice. “I do not believe you are a racist, and I agree with you when you commit...
Virus Death at California Senior Home Sparks Quarantine
SAN FRANCISCO — Seniors at a Northern California assisted living facility have been placed in a two-week quarantine after a resident — a woman in her 90s — died of the new coronavirus, officials said Wednesday. Carlton Senior Living confirmed in a statement that a resident of its Elk Grove...
PG&E Settles Key Battle Over $13.5B Wildfire Victims' Fund
SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas & Electric told a federal bankruptcy judge Tuesday that it has settled a dispute with disaster-relief agencies that threatened to siphon money away from a $13.5 billion fund earmarked for victims of catastrophic wildfires in California caused by the nation's largest utility. The breakthrough disclosed...
Newsom Warns of More Restrictions to Stop Virus
Gov. Gavin Newsom urged the state's nearly 40 million residents Tuesday to avoid sporting events, concerts and large gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and adamantly warned the elderly to stay away from cruise ships as he pondered measures to restrict cruise travel off the California coast. The...
Brand, Fellow Mayors Meet for Homelessness Talks with Newsom
The mayors of California's biggest cities had a “robust” discussion with Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, highlighting their opposition to his plan on how to spend $750 million to combat the state's homelessness crisis. California's homelessness count increased 16% last year while unsheltered populations declined in much of the rest...
Thousands Prepare to Get Off Ship Hit by Virus in Oakland
SAN FRANCISCO — Federal and state officials in Oakland prepared to receive thousands of people Monday from a cruise ship that has been idling off the coast of San Francisco with at least 21 people aboard infected with the coronavirus. Personnel covered head to toe in protective gear woke up...