Second Flu Punch Wallops North Bay Hospitals And Clinics
A larger second flu peak has hit Sonoma and Napa counties as H3N2 and rising wastewater signals push test positivity and hospital visits higher. Health officials urge vaccination and early treatment.
Bay Area Paychecks Squeezed As Health Costs Devour Family Budgets In 19 States
A Commonwealth Fund breakdown of federal data shows premiums plus deductibles took up about 10% of median family income in 2024, with wide state gaps that could squeeze middle‑class households. The burden is highest in some Southern states and lowest in D.C.
California's 988 Lifeline Stalls Out as State Fumbles Crisis Deadlines
A statewide plan to wire 9‑1‑1 into California’s 988 lifeline has stalled, leaving crisis centers unpaid and callers facing uneven routing. Providers and advocates are pressing for faster action as demand surges.
Stealth Superbug Fungus Invades California Hospitals, Hitting Sickest Patients Hardest
A drug‑resistant fungus, Candida auris, is spreading in California hospitals and nursing homes; the sickest patients are most vulnerable and facilities are tightening screening and cleaning.












