California intensifies PG&E oversight for tree trimming failures
In a unanimous vote, the CPUC placed PG&E into step one of the enhanced oversight and enforcement process for failing to focus vegetation management around power lines with the highest risk of causing a catastrophic wildfire.
'We’re suffering:' Rampant trial delays in SF anguish victims
Dozens of serious cases have been languishing in San Francisco for years without going to trial. The coronavirus made an already dysfunctional system even worse.
San Jose residents waiting months to get permits for fire-damaged homes
San Jose residents whose homes were damaged by fire are furious after waiting months to get a permit from the city.
California unemployment benefits system back online, accountability demanded
Intermittent outages over several days caused many unemployed Californians to be unable to access their online accounts or certify their claims.
Santa Clara University's president placed on leave amid investigation
Rev. Kevin O'Brien is accused of misconduct involving conversations in adult settings and has been placed on leave while the Jesuit West Province investigates. He has been Santa Clara University's president since 2019.
Mental health worse for children with special needs during pandemic
Across the state, in-person learning or intervention for those with learning disabilities is limited. Data shows depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide among young people are up.
Oakland pays $13.4 million to lawyers defending city in Ghost Ship lawsuit
Legal bills show Oakland paid outside lawyers for more than 27,000 hours to defend the city in the Ghost Ship lawsuit.
Hundreds of Fairfield apartments still sit empty a decade later
Governmental red tape has kept 300 affordable housing units standing as a ghost fleet of former military homes with no concrete plan forward.
Vaccines for teachers set aside, but how long until they're all vaccinated?
Some of California’s 300,000 teachers have already been vaccinated, but many of those who haven’t, and their unions, say they don’t feel safe to return unless they’ve been vaccinated and schools improve ventilation.
'Oakland looks like a trash can': Neighbors form vigilante patrols to curb crime
For months, neighbors have complained to the City of Oakland about crime, encampments, prostitution and illegal dumping, but with little change, they've decided to take matters into their own hands.
Californians with disabilities are not prioritized for COVID vaccine, and fear for their lives
Many people with disabilities, especially people who need caretakers to live independently, are at a high risk of dying from COVID but are not prioritized in the state's vaccine rollout plan.
Despite pandemic eviction bans, people are still losing their homes
The California eviction moratorium currently expires on January 31. Some people are losing housing despite the moratorium, and others who can't pay are harassed by landlords.
School credit cards charged for hot air balloon ride, oysters and trips
Records show Mill Valley School District credit cards were charged for lavish lunches, groceries, high-priced hotels and luxury transportation. Between 2014 and 2019, more than $163,000 was spent, concerning some parents.
San Francisco sees record 699 fatal drug overdoses in 2020
San Francisco saw a record 699 fatal drug overdoses in 2020 a 63% increase over the previous year. Experts believe the coronavirus pandemic may be exacerbating the death toll.
Payouts for killings and injuries plummet for Bay Area police departments undergoing reforms
Bay Area law enforcement agencies engaged in long-term reform efforts -- including having independent oversight -- are paying much less in civil penalties for injuring or killing people than many departments left to police themselves, a KTVU investigation has found.
A look at the most notable police payouts in the Bay Area
KTVU requested the public records of settlements, jury awards and civil judgments from 12 of the Bay Area’s largest law enforcement agencies that had to pay out damages stemming from excessive force and wrongful death lawsuits since 2015. The analysis shows that for the most part, agencies that have been under major reforms over the last decade or more, such as Oakland and San Francisco paid out significantly less than departments with no oversight, such as the Alameda County Sheriff and Vallejo police.
Homeless hotels closing in Alameda County amid COVID-19 surge
Most hotels will close to those experiencing homelessness in early 2021, according to Alameda County, as funding runs short and efforts focus on permanent affordable housing.
California EDD whistleblower blames management for unemployment fraud
An employee with the California Employment Development Department said thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are being processed because of lax management, little oversight and an inability to properly flag suspicious claims.
More athletes describe years of mistreatment by Cal soccer coach
Nearly two dozen current and former Cal women's soccer players have contacted KTVU to share disturbing accounts of verbal abuse, bullying, and mistreatment by their long-time coach. Their stories stretch back more than a decade and they all say they were brushed off when they complained.
Grandma ends up bruised in Santa Rita Jail after calling 911 for help
Jolynn McCabe's situation - calling dispatch for a non-criminal emergency that ended in handcuffs and injury - puts a renewed focus on reforming police departments and what society can do better to help those facing a mental health crisis.