Supreme Court tackles homeless issue, pro-Palestinian protest takes root in Berkeley, death row cases under scrutiny

Supreme Court hears case that would impact the unhoused: Gov. Gavin Newsom and others argue that the lower court ruling that says camping bans violate the Eighth Amendment creates more harm than good. Over recent years, homeless advocates have used a 9th Circuit ruling to require cities to have shelter beds ready before closing encampments, burdening local government. Here is how the justices are reportedly leaning.

Demonstrations at Sproul Plaza: A dozen tents have been set up at UC Berkeley as students and their allies call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, cuts to study-abroad programs in Israel and a divestment from companies doing business with the Mideast nation. With three weeks left in the semester, a Berkeley spokesperson said it is prioritizing students’ academic interests. ••• Columbia University cancels in-person classes: The move comes as larger demonstrations have broken out at universities nationwide. The protests have tested the line between free speech and inclusivity.

• Passover begins: The protest started on the major Jewish holiday commemorating the ancient Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt.

Death row cases in jeopardy in Alameda County: A federal judge said there’s “strong evidence” that prosecutors made a conscious effort to keep Jewish and African American jurors off death penalty cases. Thirty-five cases may be impacted by the findings. 

Donald Trump’s hush-money case begins: Prosecutors said the former president “orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt” the 2016 presidential election while his defense attorneys called the case bogus. Trump is accused of falsifying business records as part of an effort to bury stories that would have hurt his White House bid. Here’s everything you need to know.

New leader for second place in congressional election: As a machine recount begins, the tally has changed from a tie to Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian leading Assemblymember Evan Low by one vote. 

Dead gray whale washes up on Alameda beach: The California Academy of Sciences initially reported the animal floating off the coast of Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, officials said. Find out how officials will move the 40-foot-long animal and do a necropsy.

Ex-Pleasant Hill officer remembered: Tobin Bolter was slain in the line of duty while working as a sheriff's deputy in Idaho. He was shot during a traffic stop when a man opened fire. 

EU nations reluctant to give up air defense systems: Ukraine is asking nations to supply the Patriot systems to help defend against Russian attacks. Only Germany has come forward with one Patriot missile battery. 

Police and court reports: Two unspecified threats against two high schools in Palo Alto and Orinda prompted a closure at one place and a lockdown at the other, authorities said. No injuries were reported.

• Richmond: A 29-year-old man was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter tied to a hit-and-run crash that killed a 6-year-old Little Leaguer, prosecutors said.

• East Oakland: A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot Sunday night, authorities said. Police found the teen with at least one gunshot wound and he was taken to the hospital where he died.

• Richmond: Jacobo Gil-Arvizu pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, assault and false imprisonment in the stabbing death of a woman he reportedly solicited as a prostitute. As part of the plea deal, he will spend 13 years and eight months in prison.

• San Jose: Nicholas Welker, a neo-Nazi who calls himself “King ov Wrath,” was sentenced to 3½ years in federal prison for threats against a journalist, prosecutors said.

Good news

Homes for Our Troops: When Marine Sgt. Kyle Garcia stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, his whole world changed. He lost a leg and damaged his right one. Amid his recovery, a nonprofit stepped up and gave him and his family a mortgage-free house that’s designed for his disabilities.

Business

PG&E CEO has hopes bills will fall soon: Patricia Poppe, the utility’s top boss, said the utility is looking for ways to curb the surge in monthly bills. She said one way to do that is to do less vegetation management. 

• China winning the electric car rivalry with U.S.: The Asian nation became the world’s foremost auto exporter, a report said, surpassing Japan with more than 5 million sales overseas. There are fears that the flood of cheaper Chinese EVs could destroy U.S. automakers.

• San Jose housing complex secures funding: Urban Catalyst is developing Aquino, a 272-unit apartment building, which will be near the Downtown West project. The $6.1 million is interim as the developer scouts for more financing. 

• Kroger and Albertsons to divest 579 stores: The grocery store giants plan to sell the locations to C&S Wholesale Grocers to head off antitrust concerns about their proposed merger. Union leaders protested the move that would sell 63 stores in California.

• Bullet train to Vegas: The $12 billion project that would connect Sin City to Los Angeles has started construction, officials said. The goal is to have the trains ready by the start of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

• Amazon suit could impact online sales: The families of 15 people who died after purchasing an allegedly mislabeled chemical are suing the retail giant saying it is responsible for the death of their loved ones. The company is now under scrutiny for products it sells and the federal government could mark it as a distributor of goods. 

Sports

49ers: General manager John Lynch is ready to get to work. He says the team has 22 players with first-round grades, but he thinks it might be harder to strike gold in the later rounds because the talent isn't as good thanks to the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness deals. ••• Check out the latest on the 49ers.

• Status of Brandon Aiyuk: Lynch said he wants the star wide receiver to be part of the team, but he has received calls about him.

• Success in the middle rounds: San Francisco has 10 picks in this NFL Draft and if they keep them all, it would be the biggest class since 2017. Here’s a round-by-round look at their pre-draft roster, showing how the 49ers have found stars at all levels of the draft.

Giants vs Mets: San Francisco got timely hitting from Nick Ahmed and Matt Chapman while Keaton Winn turned in a solid performance in a 5-2 win over New York. ••• Check out the latest on the Giants.

• Bullpen help: The Giants activated Luke Johnson from the injured list and sent Nick Avila to Triple-A. The changes won’t stop there though.

Athletics at Yankees: Zack Gelof hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and that was enough for Oakland to beat New York 2-0. Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected five pitches into the game. ••• Check out the latest on the Athletics.

Sharks: More players departed than arrived in San Jose this season. General manager Mike Grier said the most painful part of the rebuild is over and now it’s time for the Sharks to rise again. Here’s who is likely staying and going for San Jose. ••• Check out the latest on the Sharks.

• Post-season call-up: Although the Sharks aren’t making the playoffs, the team’s broadcasting duo of Randy Hahn and Bret Hedican will call games for TNT Sports.

Bay FC: Alex Loera, the first player in the history of the expansion franchise and a rising NWSL star, said she is out for the season. She suffered an injury in the game against Kansas City.  ••• Check out the latest on Bay FC.

College sports: The Bears and Cardinal are going into the ACC toting a $37.6 million operating shortfall from the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, the Hotline’s Jon Wilner said. Here’s a more detailed look at their books. ••• More college sports

• Four Corners schools: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah had a combined $34.1 million operating shortfall in 2023, financial reports said. Their situation should improve as they enter the Big 12, Wilner said

Things to do

Is it “superbloom” season?: Last year, the winter rains brought an explosion of color to the hillsides. Will a year of normal precipitation create another one? Here’s what scientists are saying about the once-in-a-lifetime event. 

Debunking internet gardening tips: Banana peels don’t make “magical DIY fertilizer” and ice cubes may not be so great for your orchids. Here’s the truth behind these supposed miracle tips and what you should do instead. 

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Mary J. Blige, Cher and Foreigner are among those who will be celebrated in Cleveland. Find out who else made it. Hint: One of them famously snorted a line of ants. 

NEEDTOBREATHE in the Bay Area: The popular alt-rock act will kick off the 2024 concert season at the Toyota Pavilion at Concord. Discover the other acts coming to the venue. 

“Tales of Kenzera: Zau” review: Surgent Studios founder Abubakar Salim created this video game as a tribute to his father, and with it, he found a way to deal with and convey his grief over his passing. 

Chris Pratt upsets architecture fans: The “Guardians of the Galaxy” star bought a 20th-century modern “treasure” in Los Angeles’ Brentwood and demolished it, a report said. The Zimmerman House was built in 1950 and was one of the earliest works of Southern California architect Craig Elmwood.  

And finally, coffee lovers should rejoice. Ethiopia, Africa’s biggest coffee producer, has revised rules allowing foreign companies to buy the commodity direct from farmers and processors. It opens up the birthplace of coffee to businesses around the world. 

— Gieson Cacho

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