Yosemite has declared the start of its 2026 fire season and is urging visitors to follow campfire, smoking and parking rules as fuels dry. Park officials warn restrictions could tighten as conditions worsen.

Chicago buyout firm Thoma Bravo agreed to take Limerick‑based Kneat private in an all‑cash deal valuing the life‑sciences validation software maker at about C$650M.

Monique Vandenberg, a trailblazing Santa Clara County battalion chief, died April 30 after a battle with a job‑related cancer. Colleagues renewed calls for better protections.

A gated Saratoga estate at 22525 Rolling Hills Road is listed for $18.998M, underscoring a climb in the city’s luxury tier as Bay Area buyers return.

Reports say federal investigators have opened compliance reviews of four Northern California districts, including SFUSD, over LGBTQ instruction and parental‑notice rules.

A 30-year-old Martinez man died after his motorcycle went off SR 9 south of SR 35. CAL FIRE and CHP say the cause is under investigation.

A disturbance call in Santa Rosa ended with officers finding a loaded 9mm hidden behind a child car seat and a woman booked on weapons charges.

A Victorian facing Alamo Square Park sold for $9.125M, setting a new neighborhood record after the home was listed at $11 million. The sellers were tied to Stripe co‑founders John and Patrick Collison.

Newsom’s May Revision would cap business tax credits starting in 2027; life‑sciences and tech groups warn it could cost jobs and investment across California.

Meta says a flaw in its AI account‑recovery tool let attackers reset passwords and hijack 20,225 Instagram accounts; high‑profile handles were briefly taken. The company has disabled the tool and is securing impacted users.

A Ninth Circuit judge has been charged after a parking‑lot altercation in Idaho Falls; surveillance video and a new misconduct complaint have prompted parallel criminal and ethical reviews.

A late-night fire forced Berkeley's animal shelter to close temporarily; sprinklers protected dozens of pets while investigators probe the blaze.

Shoji, chef Ingi “Shota” Son’s cafe-turned-cocktail bar at 140 New Montgomery, pairs viral matcha with izakaya-style plates and theatrical cocktails. Expect lines by day and reservations at night.