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Affirmative action ruling, politics stir fears of fallout for corporate responsibility efforts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

With corporate stances on issues such as diversity and the environment under fire as “woke capitalism,” about 375 professionals gathered in Denver for a conference focused in part on continuing their companies’ efforts without becoming casualties in the current culture conflicts.The Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals held its annual gathering in downtown Denver last week in the midst of politicians and right-leaning activists taking aim at using social and environmental considerations to help guide business decisions and investments. On the eve of the conference, the group released a survey showing that 65% of the respondents worry about the future of companies’ commitment to diversity and inclusion efforts and 60% are changing how they talk about the work to the public.Efforts to advance “justice, inclusion, and sustainability are being politicized and even demonized,” the association’s CEO Carolyn Berkowitz said in written ...

Walters: California housing gap defies state construction incentives

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

Every recent legislative session has produced at least one effort to ameliorate California’s chronic shortage of housing — and sometimes several.They generally make it easier for developers to navigate through the often obtuse permitting process and thus more difficult for local opponents of housing projects to block construction.This year’s session was typical, its most prominent product being Senate Bill 423, which extends an earlier permit streamlining effort for affordable housing known as Senate Bill 35 and — of particular note — makes it applicable to the state’s coastal zone. The latter provision is important because it reduces opportunities for NIMBYs to use the California Coastal Commission’s land use powers to block developments.Earlier streamlining measures had exempted the coastal zone but the pro-housing movement prevailed, arguing that affluent elites living along the coast should share their space with those who need shelter.“With the strengthened SB...

California DOJ claims Vallejo police violated U.S. Constitution

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

The California Department of Justice alleges that Vallejo police have violated people’s constitutional rights for years, engaging in “biased policing,” “using unreasonable force” and conducting illegal traffic stops and arrests — all with inadequate oversight and accountability.The City of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Department denied the DOJ’s claims in a stipulated judgment filed concurrently with the state’s civil complaint Monday. Though it admits no wrongdoing, the city agreed to a flurry of new police reforms to be carried out under the supervision of an independent evaluator and under threat of consequences in Solano County Superior Court.All parties say they expect to implement the new reforms — which the DOJ alleges will stop Vallejo police from violating people’s rights — within five years.What the state claimsThe civil complaint filed by the California Attorney General’s office accuses Vallejo police of violating the U.S. and California Constitutions.In addition to mai...

Bay Area maker of Jelly Belly jelly beans sold to Chicago based firm

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

One of Fairfield’s largest employers and family owned companies, Jelly Belly, has been sold to Chicago based firm Ferrara Candy Company.Mayor Kathrine Moy of Fairfield said the company told local employees that all of their jobs are safe, and Jelly Belly will remain in Fairfield. Jelly Belly, which has been owned by the Rowland family since it’s inception, was founded in Illinois in 1896, but now has locations in California and Thailand as well.“Since our inception almost a century and a half ago, Jelly Belly Candy Company has been focused on providing exciting new flavors and continuous innovation, and we are extremely proud of the deep affinity we’ve built with our fans around the world,” said Lisa Brasher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jelly Belly. “Ferrara’s interest reflects the substantial value of our storied brand, built on our team’s many successes, and the opportunity to drive continued growth. We look forward to being a part of this impressive company.”Ferrara,...

“Not for beginners!”: Santa Cruz’s big swell collides with high tide

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

PLEASURE POINT — High temps, high surf and high tide collided in a flurry of water rescues around noon Wednesday.“We’re busy,” Central Fire Protection District Division Chief Scott Cullen was quick to summarize while parked out at East Cliff Drive and 36th Avenue between back-to-back calls.Nearby, cliff spectators nearly outnumbered surfers taking their chances against monster waves in the distance. The day was the first of a projected minor two-day heat wave, where coastal Bay Area and Central Coast areas were forecast to see daytime temperatures in the upper 80s to mid-90s through Thursday.In advance of what is expected to be a long four-day swell, the National Weather Service issued a beach hazard statement stretching from Point Reyes south to Big Sur, warning those hitting the beaches of an increased threat of sneaker waves and current activity. Out on the water, powered by a west-northwest swell, large breaking waves in the 12-foot range were expected to peak Thursday and Frida...

Thieves ram Sunglass Hut store at Marin County mall

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

Thieves used a vehicle to ram a storefront at a Corte Madera mall early Wednesday, authorities said.Central Marin police were called around 4:23 a.m. to Sunglass Hut at the Village at Corte Madera, according to a statement from the agency.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Northern California mother, two sons plead guilty in $600 million nationwide catalytic converter theft scheme Crime and Public Safety | Letters: More flexibility | Theft not so bad | Advancing diversity | Corporations not covered | U.S. support Crime and Public Safety | Here’s how San Jose’s smash-and-grab prevention funds will be spent Crime and Public Safety | Crime isn’t the full story: What else is affecting retailers in urban areas, in 4 charts Crime and Public Safety | One arrested, four others sought in San Jose smash-and-grab robbery at Gucci store Police said the suspects drove the vehicle from the parking l...

20 scary books and horror novels to read this Halloween

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

You may have stocked up on treats, inflated the giant skeleton in your front yard, and dusted off your old “Monster Mash” seven-inch, but if you’re a book lover, your Halloween planning isn’t complete until you’ve shored up your spooky reading list.Luckily, you still have time. There’s no greater Halloween pleasure than reading a scary horror novel in between trips to the front door to give candy to trick-or-treaters. You can’t go wrong with the classics or the suggestions from a horror master, but if you’re looking for something a little more contemporary, there’s more than enough to choose from.This year, authors have wasted no time bringing the scares to readers whose favorite part of the seat is the edge. Here are 20 horror books from 2023 to read under a blanket at home (or, if you’re really brave, at that abandoned amusement park near the old cemetery that the locals prefer not to talk about). Isabel Cañas, “Vampires of El Norte” (Berkeley)Cañas’ follow-up to her well-received...

California man who killed woman, 5 dogs in pursuit crash gets 49 years to life

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

A Los Angeles man was sentenced to 49 years to life in state prison Wednesday, Oct. 18, for killing a woman and five dogs in a violent crash while fleeing police in the Belmont Heights neighborhood of Long Beach in 2019.Javier Olivarez Jr., 48, was convicted by jury of second-degree murder, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle causing death, driving or taking a vehicle without consent and six counts of animal cruelty for fleeing police and causing the crash that killed Jessica Bingaman, 41, of Long Beach on May 7, 2019.Bingaman’s mother, Don-Ann Lawson, felt relief after hearing the total sentence.“Praise God,” she said outside the courtroom. “Our prayers have been answered. We didn’t want him out in society to hurt anyone else.”Lawson and Bingman’s daughter, Reagan, flew from Pennsylvania for the hearing, which came four months after they gave victim impact statements in June.“I needed him to see me,” Lawson said. “I needed him to know (Jessica Bingaman) was loved.”Duri...

26% payment spike pushes US housing affordability to record low

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

American house hunters continue to bend under the weight of soaring mortgage rates and sticky house prices.The National Association of Realtors affordability index decreased to 91.7 in August, marking the lowest level in data back to 1989, according to data out Friday. A level below 100 means a household with a median income doesn’t earn enough to qualify for a mortgage on a median-priced home.Ponder the plight of the typical American house hunter over the past year through August …Median price: Rose 3.7% to $413,500.Mortgage rates: 7.15% from 5.29%.Estimated payment: Up 26% to $2,234 a month, assuming 20% downpayment.Payment share of incomes: 27.3%, up  from 22.6%.Qualifying income: Up 26% to $107,232.“The highest mortgage rate in two decades is detrimentally limiting the homeownership opportunity for many middle-class households,” Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said in an emailed statement. “Unintentionally, no doubt, the Federal Reserve is widening social inequality with on...

Costco’s CEO Craig Jelinek stepping down

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:32 GMT

Costco Wholesale Corp. said Chief Executive Officer Craig Jelinek is stepping down Jan. 1 and will be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer Ron Vachris.Jelinek has been at the helm of Costco since 2012, and before that served as president and COO. The company’s shares have grown by more than 500% over his 11-year tenure, and revenue has more than doubled.Vachris, who was elevated to the COO role in February 2022, was considered a leading candidate for the CEO role. He started at the company 40 years ago as a forklift driver and has subsequently served “in every major role related to Costco’s business operations and merchandising activities,” Costco said in a statement.Related ArticlesBusiness | Bay Area maker of Jelly Belly jelly beans sold to Chicago based firm Business | 31 stores in California on Rite Aid closure list Business | Rite Aid files for bankruptcy, will close more stores Business | Head into shopping season read...