Mom went viral with kidnapping claim, but Petaluma police rule out crime

The Petaluma Police Department said on Thursday there is no evidence to corroborate Katie Sorensen's claims that the couple tried to kidnap children from a Michael's store on Dec. 7. 

More Californians stop seeking work as virus surges

More than 327,000 people stopped looking for work in California last month, a worrisome trend that has clouded the state’s economic picture during its worst outbreak of the coronavirus.

DNA ties same coyote to 3 East Bay attacks, officials say

Authorities believe a coyote that bit an employee at a Lafayette grocery store on Tuesday is linked to two other attacks in the area. 

The French Laundry received over $2.4M in PPP loans

The Michelin-star restaurant received two loans, both approved on April 30, according to the latest data from the Small Business Administration (SBA). 

Santa Clara County deputies under scrutiny for mask-free party

The photos surfaced as the county is seeing a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections in the general population and also among sheriff’s office staff and jail inmates.

Jeremy Bulloch, Boba Fett in first 'Star Wars' trilogy, dies

Jeremy Bulloch, the English actor who first donned a helmet, cape and jetpack to play Boba Fett in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, died Thursday. 

Health experts stress importance of bolstering vaccine confidence for communities of color

Research shows that communities of color are distrustful of the new COVID-19 vaccine. Experts say some minorities fear both the drug and data gathered from its use could be used for nefarious reasons.

Entire Bay Area goes into virus lockdown at midnight

The stay-at-home order goes into effect tonight at 11:59 p.m. It will remain in effect for at least three weeks and won't end until Jan. 8 at earliest.

San Francisco puts in place mandatory 10-day quarantine for those coming from outside Bay Area

The new order discourages unnecessary travel as San Francisco sees a surge in COVID-19 cases and ICU beds near capacity. Those who are traveling for critical needs or activities are exempt. 

US reports staggering 247,000 new COVID-19 cases and 3,600 deaths in single day

Nearly a quarter-million new COVID-19 cases, more than 3,600 deaths and 113,000 hospitalizations were reported in a single day in the U.S. on Wednesday, shattering previous records.

Man jailed for life over $20 marijuana sale has been freed

WWL-TV reported that Fate Winslow was released from Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola on Wednesday and was on his way back home after serving 12 years of a life sentence.

California judge extends strip-club exemption from lockdown

The scope of San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil’s preliminary injunction appeared to extend far beyond the two clubs that sued the state to potentially all of the thousands of restaurants in San Diego County.

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.

9 displaced in Oakland house fire in Lower Bottoms neighborhood

A house fire in Oakland is under control Wednesday afternoon, but as many as nine people were displaced and two structures damaged, Oakland fire officials say. 

Oakland police capture suspect in sex-assault spree

The suspect, 20-year-old Isaiah Meleke Lawrence has been charged with rape, attempted rape, kidnapping, and robbery. He's being held without bail.

Oakland police see disturbing trend of teens carrying out robberies, carjackings

Oakland Police Lt. Robert Muniz said the uptick in crime began in late November and has continued across the city. He said groups of teenagers are holding people up at gunpoint and robbing them or stealing their cars.