A state audit found EDD paid about $4.6 million in monthly fees for thousands of cellphones and hotspots that went unused. Auditors urged tighter monitoring and a 90‑day cutoff rule.

A San Francisco federal judge rejected the Education Department’s bid to delay reviews of borrower‑defense claims, setting firm deadlines that could trigger automatic relief for many borrowers.

A Rohnert Park father says 20 days in ICE custody after a missed app check-in pushed him to consider voluntary departure while his lawyer filed a habeas petition.

Mayor Daniel Lurie’s new charter working group is stacked with business and philanthropic leaders, and critics say public input was restricted. The composition raises questions about whose priorities will shape any ballot measure.

State records show $278.4M for CAPI this year, a program that pays monthly benefits to elderly and disabled immigrants. The move coincides with an LAO warning of an $18B budget gap.

A nonpartisan report warns California could face a more than $1.8B shortfall next year as cap‑and‑trade receipts fall short of new fixed spending rules. Lawmakers may have to trim programs or shift costs.

Salinas' City Council unanimously approved sending officers to guard Super Bowl LX and six World Cup matches at Levi's Stadium, with officials promising local patrols won't be affected.

Bay Area activists sue the Trump administration, challenging courthouse detentions and a policy shift leading to re-arrests of immigrants. They argue these actions violate procedural norms and established policies.

San Jose officials are pushing local rules and funding to shield immigrant residents as the city prepares for the 2026 Super Bowl and World Cup. Councilmember Peter Ortiz has authored a memo and wants $1.5M for immigration defense.

Mayor Matt Mahan led gubernatorial hopefuls through the new Cherry Avenue tiny‑home village and blamed Sacramento for cutting homelessness funding. He urged the next governor to step in.

Palo Alto city leaders voted to ban "vanlording," prohibiting renting RVs on public streets, with violators facing fines and towing. Concerns were raised about the impact on those reliant on RVs for housing due to costly traditional housing.

A draft ordinance from Supervisor Bilal Mahmood would bar ICE from using city parks, parking lots and public plazas as staging grounds while allowing targeted arrests. The Board could vote in January 2026, setting up a likely legal clash with the federal government.

Former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy has died at 61. He's remembered for saving the local hospital and creating a fiber-optic network. Flags will be at half-mast for seven days.