The California Supreme Court ruled judges can’t impose fines and fees defendants can’t afford, prompting remands and new ability‑to‑pay hearings across the state.

Two former Alameda County DA employees say the county stalled on phone records and accuse officials of ‘gamesmanship’ in discovery. Court filings ask judges to compel texts and consider sanctions.

San Francisco fire officials are investigating a lieutenant after Instagram posts that appeared to cheer a recent ICE operation. The posts were removed after reporters sought comment.

Bay Area Jewish leaders demanded Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez resign after he reposted conspiracy-laced content about the Bondi Beach massacre. Martinez apologized and deleted the posts.

A former Alameda County DA victim advocate says she filed an FBI complaint alleging recall backers circulated an AI‑altered video of her; the recall group denies the claim.

A Civic Lens poll of 400 likely voters puts Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco atop early California governor polling, but strategists say a large undecided vote keeps the race fluid.

Contra Costa County anticipates losing nearly 93,000 residents' healthcare coverage and over $300 million in funding by 2029 due to changes in Medi-Cal policies.

Oakland City Council voted 7-to-1 to renew a $2 million contract with Flock Safety for license plate-reading cameras, despite privacy concerns and past data-sharing with federal authorities.

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 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.

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.

West Contra Costa School District experiences its first strike, with teachers demanding better pay and benefits, along with support for their international colleagues. Negotiations are stalled despite ongoing talks.

Oakland police say they’ve cut ties with a defunct local Crime Stoppers group and will no longer offer cash rewards — leaving at least one tipster unpaid and families worried. The move raises questions about oversight and whether the city will replace the program.