Phil Galer, a 25-year Pittsburg PD veteran, was sworn in as the city’s 11th police chief today, stepping into leadership after Steve Albanese’s retirement.

UCOP has added about $30 million to systemwide legal reserves for 2026–27 as outside‑counsel costs and federal litigation pressure force higher spending. The change follows costly settlements and a string of government actions affecting UC campuses.

A June trial in San Jose will test whether Santa Clara unlawfully sidelined religiously exempt employees and whether they deserve back pay.

A major Mahan backer has asked for a $1 million refund after a pro‑Mahan PAC closed, raising new questions about where millions in ad money went.

A DOE national lab ran 'what‑if' simulations of Bay Area power, water and telecom links to help planners shore up the region before World Cup matches.

Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the U.N. Security Council to press Hamas to disarm, saying weapons removal is a precondition for rebuilding Gaza. The move ties reconstruction to verified decommissioning.

A Bay Area News Group review found Mayor Matt Mahan missed seven of 19 San Jose council sessions while campaigning for governor. The absences include regional board meetings as the June 2 primary nears.

Gov. Newsom signed an executive order directing California to study AI‑driven job disruption, from WARN updates to severance, training and a public dashboard.

PAUSD associate superintendent Dr. Guillermo Lopez accepted an offer to be Azusa Unified’s next superintendent and will depart June 30, pending a June 16 board vote.

Pleasanton’s Alternate Response Unit won an Alameda County EMS award after hundreds of evaluations and a drop in student psychiatric holds.

Supervisors set a proposed renewal of Measure M — the county’s one‑eighth‑cent parks sales tax — for the November ballot, preserving roughly $15.5M a year for parks and wildfire work.

A draft budget for 2026–27 leaves East Palo Alto with an estimated $4.7M general‑fund gap, pushing staff to recommend reserve draws and spending limits.

Mayor Lurie will tap $34M from a federal reserve to help thousands keep Medi‑Cal and CalFresh, funding hires, outreach and a mobile enrollment truck ahead of new work rules. The city says the step is a short‑term bridge while longer fixes are pursued.