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.

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.

Oakland inspection failures persist 4 years after Ghost Ship fire

An audit found the city of Oakland let 2,400 buildings go unchecked, violating state law and potentially putting people and businesses at risk.

Surviving the Game: Allegations of abuse in Cal's soccer program

Women from UC Berkeley's soccer team break their silence about what they allege was emotional abuse, bullying, intimidation, and mistreatment from their long-time coach.

Most people dying indoors as overdoses surge in San Francisco, data shows

San Francisco has seen the most overdoses ever this year, and most people are dying indoors, a KTVU investigation found. Experts believe social isolation during the coronavirus many be causing more people to die.

PG&E charges $4,685 for one hour of work, Orinda homeowner says

Three months after a contractor hit a gas line and PG&E made an emergency repair, the homeowner was billed by the utility for confusing charges and even his own dirt.