Antonio Lawson has been named executive director of Oakland’s police watchdog, stepping in as CPRA faces staffing and procedural shortfalls. His state-level legal background is central to the hire.

Stanford researchers report a nasal vaccine that blocked viruses, bacteria and allergens in mice. Human trials will require years of testing and funding.

A Vallejo man struck on Sacramento Street on Feb. 5 died after being hospitalized, police said. The Traffic Division is investigating and seeking tips.

An affiliate of AXS Opportunity Fund paid roughly $45.3M for the Concord Technology Center, a steep markdown from its 2018 price. The deal underscores continued distress in parts of the Bay Area office market.

A court security officer shot a man outside the James R. Browning Courthouse on Jan. 26 after the man allegedly advanced with a knife; federal prosecutors later charged him with assault.

A Bolinas citizens group filed an alternative petition to protect Duxbury Reef that emphasizes education, signage and adaptive management instead of a full fishing ban. State staff will review competing filings ahead of regional hearings this spring.

A federal judge refused to toss The Stanford Daily’s First Amendment challenge to State Department visa powers, finding students plausibly showed a chilling effect. The case now moves toward the merits.

Gov. Newsom designated John Reynolds as CPUC president and moved Alice Busching Reynolds to the CAISO board in a shuffle aimed at lowering bills and shoring up the grid.

SFO pulled in over $60M from ride‑hail fees in 2025 as demand rebounds and Waymo begins airport service. The fee windfall reshapes airport revenue and curbside options.

A traffic stop in American Canyon turned up a loaded Glock 26 and an extended 24‑round magazine; a 23‑year‑old Vallejo man was arrested and booked into Napa County custody.

Oakland’s Measure Z–funded school violence‑interruption teams face a June funding cliff as OUSD contends with a $100M budget shortfall. Evaluators call the pilot promising but limited by scale.

Authorities identified 53-year-old Stuart McLaughlin of Hillsborough as the skier who died at Northstar on Feb. 15.

Members of the Gallaher family underwrote 15,000 copies of an anti‑SMART book and mailed them across the North Bay as a June 2, 2026 sales‑tax renewal approaches.