A federal judge temporarily blocked the Education Department from withholding roughly $4.9 billion from California after the state sued over FERPA findings about gender‑identity records.

Hundreds rallied in Oakland and Concord on Valentine’s Day to protest ICE and local surveillance; organizers vowed legal and community support as courts and funding fights loom.

A private nonprofit tied to Gov. Gavin Newsom has underwritten tens of thousands in travel and event costs, raising questions about transparency and donor access.

AB 1605 would let judges order a 'no alcohol sale' notation on licenses or Real IDs for serious or repeat DUI offenders, a move modeled on Utah's interdiction law. Supporters say it limits access to alcohol; critics warn of enforcement and due‑process issues.

AB 1727 would make collecting, testing or selling someone else’s DNA without express consent a crime, with felonies for the most serious violations and narrow exemptions.

New filings show Mayor Barbara Lee raised roughly $31,000 in late 2025 as she weighs a possible 2026 run, while unions and PACs continue to pour money into Oakland politics.

Sen. Alex Padilla introduced two bills that would send federal money to water recycling, canal repairs and farm pilot projects across California.

Union leaders converged in Sacramento and told Gov. Gavin Newsom their 2028 backing depends on his AI policy, citing his veto of SB 7 and demanding enforceable worker protections.

Two longtime members of Berkeley’s Police Accountability Board resigned, saying the board’s recommendations were ignored and reforms rolled back, leaving several seats open.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford joined 18 attorneys general in opposing a federal rollback of nursing‑home staffing standards, warning the change threatens resident safety.

The state RIPA board’s new report analyzes 5.1 million stops and finds persistent racial and housing disparities. It ties profiling to public‑safety harms and offers nine recommendations.

A mayor‑appointed working group urges Oakland to shift to a strong‑mayor charter while adding council safeguards and public review.

Tim Simmons, a 17‑year RPD veteran, is Richmond's new police chief and has prioritized hiring, neighborhood policing and a review of license‑plate reader data.