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☆ Death Toll from California Storms Rises to 16, Governor Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | Alicia A. Caldwell | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Thousands of people were under evacuation orders in California on Tuesday during the latest in a series of storms that the governor said has killed 16 people. The storm moved toward Southern California after beginning on Sunday night around the San Francisco Bay Area, forecasters said. The northern part of the state has experienced the brunt of the four earlier storms, which have caused widespread power outages and floods since Christmas.

Criminal hackers have posted an enormous trove of sensitive files to the internet from a San Francisco Bay Area transit system’s police department, including specific allegations of child abuse. BART’s chief communications officer, Alicia Trost, said in an email officials were investigating the posted files and that the hackers had not impacted BART services. The perpetrators are an established group of ransomware hackers, one of the many who attack specific organizations and either encrypt sensitive files or threaten to post them on the dark web. Ransomware hackers often demand a payment to not share files. More than 100 networks associated with local government agencies were successfully attacked by ransomware hackers last year, according to an Emsisoft survey.

☆ Death Toll from California Storms Rises to 14, Governor Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Thousands of people were under evacuation orders in California Tuesday during the latest in a series of storms that the governor said has killed 14 people. The storm moved toward Southern California after beginning on Sunday night around the San Francisco Bay Area, forecasters said. The northern part of the state has experienced the brunt of the four earlier storms, which have caused widespread power outages and floods since Christmas.

☆ Katie Porter Launches 2024 California Senate Bid, Isn't Waiting on Feinstein
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Katie Porter of California on Tuesday officially announced a 2024 Senate bid. Sen. Feinstein is up for reelection in 2024, but hasn't yet announced whether she'll run for another term. "In times like these, California needs a warrior in Washington," she said in her official campaign announcement on Tuesday. In entering the race, Porter is staking out a lane as an lawmaker who would usher in a different sort of governance. In November, Porter won a tough reelection race, edging out former California assemblyman Scott Baugh by four points (52%-48%).

☆ Video shows 8-car pileup after a Tesla allegedly using Full Self-Driving stopped in a highway tunnel
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Surveillance video shows a Tesla stopping in a San Francisco tunnel and the resulting eight-car pileup. The Tesla driver said at the time of the accident that he had been using the carmaker's Full Self-Driving software. The video from The Intercept reporter Ken Klippenstein shows the Tesla moving into the left lane with its blinker and quickly coming to a stop in front of another car. On the day of the pile-up, a witness to the scene, Shayna Kelly of San Francisco, told KTVU that she saw the Tesla abruptly swerving. A spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told Insider the agency had launched an investigation into the crash.

☆ Infrastructure innovation derailed: How Facebook's failed plan to turn a century-old railway into a commuter bridge may serve as a warning for The Boring Company
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Elon Musk's tunnel infrastructure company has completed just one known project. While reporters and consumers immediately questioned whether Musk was serious about creating The Boring Company, early progress on its development silenced critics for several years. It's unclear whether The Boring Company will submit additional bids for tunnel projects in the future or complete the scheduled additions to the Vegas Loop. Despite its failed plan to materialize the Dumbarton Rail Bridge project, Facebook has continued massive infrastructure undertakings, largely in the form of submarine cable acquisition and development. Representatives for Facebook and The Boring Company did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

☆ Democratic Rep. Katie Porter is eyeing a potential California Senate run in 2024: Politico
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Rep. Katie Porter of California is eyeing a potential 2024 Senate bid, according to Politico. Dianne Feinstein is up for reelection in 2024, but has not yet announced her intentions. Porter's potential entry into the race would likely offer a huge burst of momentum for progressives. Loading Something is loading. Feinstein, now in her fifth term, is widely expected to retire after the upcoming 2024 cycle, but neither she nor her campaign have commented on her intentions.

☆ A Tesla owner said self-driving mode got him home 'flawlessly' when he was 'probably drunk'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The owner of a Tesla said he used Full-Self Driving mode to get him home just after Christmas. On Twitter Spaces, he admitted being drunk and claimed the system drove him home "flawlessly." "I admitted the other day, I was a little bit tipsy after Christmas," the driver, whose Twitter handle is @denguyen73, said during a Twitter Spaces called "$TSLA - Musk Metldown Marathon." The probe is considering whether Tesla's claim to offer "full-self driving capabilities" defrauds consumers. These incidents often appear to occur when drivers use Tesla's Autopilot, which automatically accelerates, brakes, and steers on highways.

☆ Another Major Storm in California Leaves Two People Dead, Including a Child
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

At least two people died in Northern California as a powerful storm inundated the region with heavy rains and high winds, leaving more than 180,000 customers without power. The deluge began Wednesday and intensified overnight, according to the National Weather Service in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was caused by an atmospheric river, a ribbon of moisture in the sky that produces heavy rain, which took aim largely over the Bay Area.

☆ Attention laid-off tech workers: Non-tech companies are hiring. Here's how recruiters and career coaches recommend pitching yourself.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Rebecca Knight | Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Research shows most of the well-paying tech jobs on offer today are in non-tech industries. And yet research suggests that well-paying tech jobs are abundant — they're just not in the tech industry. Around 60% of the top 100 employers of tech talent were from sectors like healthcare, consulting, defense, and banking. Another pro-tip: Using the language of the industry you're targeting. "Exceeding in the softer skills is something that will set aside most of the tech talent from each other honestly."

☆ California braces for powerful atmospheric river storm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An aerial view shows the damage after rainstorms caused a levee to break, flooding Sacramento County roads near Wilton, California, U.S., January 1, 2023. Another atmospheric river storm is threatening California with flooding, landslides, and power outages on Wednesday as millions of residents recover from several destructive storms, one of which caused a levee breach this weekend. Flood watches are in effect across Central and Northern California, where the ground has become more saturated and vulnerable to flooding and rapid runoff. San Mateo County, located south of San Francisco, declared a local state of emergency and activated its emergency operations center. In south Sacramento County, responders are attempting to repair part of a 34 mile levee system along the Cosumnes River, which protects land made up mostly of vineyards and cattle ranches, before the storm is set to arrive on Wednesday.

[1/5] High water levels caused by stormwater flood Discovery Park, located in the convergence of the Sacramento River and the American River, in Sacramento, California, U.S. January 4, 2023. The latest "atmospheric river" - an airborne current of dense moisture flowing from the ocean - was expected to drench much of California ahead of a Pacific storm front bringing additional showers to low-lying areas and more snow to the Sierra Nevada Mountains through Thursday. Authorities warned that heavy downpours would likely unleash flash flooding and mudslides, especially in areas where the ground remains saturated from rains that soaked northern California days earlier. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to support the state's winter weather hazards response, and activated California's flood operations center. A separate storm system hovering on Wednesday over parts of the Midwest was forecast to drift off the East Coast by Friday.

☆ Storm dumps heavy rain and snow across California
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A powerful storm brought drenching rain or heavy snowfall to much of California on Saturday, snarling traffic and closing highways as the state prepared to usher in a new year. Weather service meteorologist Courtney Carpenter said the storm could drop over an inch of rain in the Sacramento area before moving south. The rain was welcomed in drought-parched California, but much more precipitation is needed to make a significant difference. Humboldt County, where a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck on Dec. 20, also saw roadways begin to flood, according to the National Weather Service’s Eureka office. Another round of heavy showers was forecast for Tuesday or Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Oxnard said.

☆ The U.S. passed a historic climate deal this year — here's a recap of what's in the bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

The IRA's provisions have major implications for clean energy and manufacturing businesses, climate startups and consumers in the coming years. As 2022 comes to a close, here's a look back at the key elements in the legislation that climate and clean energy advocates will be monitoring in 2023. Taking aim at methane gas emissionsSome pumpjacks operate while others stand idle in the Belridge oil field near McKittrick, California. Mario Tama | Getty ImagesThe package imposes a tax on energy producers that exceed a certain level of methane gas emissions. And the bill has a hydrogen production tax credit, which provides hydrogen producers with a credit based on the climate attributes of their production methods.

☆ Startups find better access to talent as top tech companies cut jobs, freeze hiring
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Jennifer Elias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

More than 50,000 tech workers were let go from their jobs in November, according to data collected by the website Layoffs.fyi. “Given the tech layoffs and lower hiring by the big-tech companies, folks are looking for smaller tech companies to join,” said Christopher Fong, founder of Xoogler.co, a network for ex-Google employees. In the absence of the stability that the largest tech companies once offered, workers are looking to startups and midsize companies that offer greater flexibility and, in some case, the opportunity to have a bigger impact. “I tried not to think a lot about tech layoffs when interviewing," Bell said. Lauren Illovsky, talent partner for Alphabet's CapitalG venture firm said “hiring has gotten a little easier" for the group's portfolio companies.

☆ I moved to the US to pursue a career in academia before realizing it's a broken system. Here's how I pivoted to climate tech and found a job that made me happier than ever.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He was on track to become an academic but pivoted to climate tech for a better work-life balance. But now I work in climate tech, and I've never been happier. Building an online presence helps candidates stand out in a competitive job marketBuilding my online presence really set me apart from the typical candidate. I also launched a newsletter called Geospatial Jobs to compile open positions in climate tech for thousands of subscribers. Take advantage of the high demand for climate-tech jobs todayNow is the best time to break into climate tech.

☆ 9 tech companies that have ditched San Francisco offices in 2022 are a warning sign for cities to rethink their reliance on big firms
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

San Francisco should be a cautionary tale for cities that rely on tech firms to fill office space. At least nine companies have exited office space in the city, . Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff told Bloomberg that San Francisco needed "more diversity" in its economic and tax base, as well as more residential homes and cultural attractions downtown. Meta is planning to leave some of its office space in San Francisco. PayPal left its office in San Francisco this summer.

☆ Wanted: Two lighthouse keepers for tiny island in San Francisco Bay. Must have 'high-quality culinary experience' and a captain's license.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two custodians for a historic lighthouse and hotel in San Francisco Bay are being recruited. The East Brother Light Station is looking for two people to become lighthouse keepers for two years on the tiny island just off Point San Pablo in Richmond. Former innkeepers Tiffany Danse (left) and Tyler Waterson (right). Run boat service to the mainland. Run boat service to the mainland again," the Chronicle wrote.

Its elimination had led to increased concerns about the well-being of vulnerable users on Twitter. Eirliani Abdul Rahman, who had been on a recently dissolved Twitter content advisory group, said the disappearance of #ThereIsHelp was "extremely disconcerting and profoundly disturbing." AIDS United said a webpage that the Twitter feature linked to attracted about 70 views a day until Dec. 18. In one of its blog posts about the feature, Twitter had said it had responsibility to ensure users could "access and receive support on our service when they need it most." Musk has said he wants to combat child sexual abuse content on Twitter and has criticized the previous ownership's handling of the issue.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried's law professor parents have stuck close by their son through the fallout from FTX's collapse. Here's what we know about them.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced cofounder and former CEO of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, is moving back in with his parents. ReutersBankman-Fried, who faces multiple fraud charges tied to the spectacular collapse of FTX, was released on $250 million bail Thursday, shortly after he landed in the US after being extradited from the Bahamas. As part of his bail terms, Bankman-Fried, who also cofounded crypto trading firm Alameda Research, is required to stay at his parents' home while he awaits trial. His parents, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, live in a multimillion-dollar home in Stanford, in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to news reports and state records. Zillow estimates the value of the five-bedroom home at about $4 million, while Redfin's estimate is $3.1 million.

Huawei, known for its telecoms equipment and smartphones, signed or renewed over 20 patent licensing deals this year, said Steven Geiszler, the company's U.S. chief intellectual property counsel. "By getting a return on our R&D investment, it allows us to re-invest and re-invent," Geiszler said, referring to research and development. Huawei generated about $1.2 billion globally from licenses over the three years ended 2021, or roughly hundreds of millions of dollars annually, Geiszler said. Its full-year sales figures for 2022 will not be tallied until next year, and the licensing unit's profits or losses are not accounted for independently, he said. As publicly disclosed technology, the patents are not subject to the U.S. restrictions, Geiszler said.

☆ A Tesla in 'full-self-driving' mode caused an 8-car crash in California and injured 9 people, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla's unexpected "phantom braking" problem caused an eight-car pileup, according to CNN. Tesla's latest "Full Self-Driving" software can be engaged on surface roads. The driver of the vehicle that caused the crash told authorities his Tesla was in "full-self-driving" mode at the time of the accident, CNN reports. In the report, the California Highway Patrol said it could not confirm if the "full-self-driving" software was active at the time of the crash, per CNN. In previous complaints to NHTSA, Tesla owners have recounted incidents in which their vehicles unexpectedly and violently brake at highway speeds.

Sinead McSweeney, global vice president for public policy, has left Twitter, according to two sources. The layoffs and departures of a high-ranking leader comes as regulators around the globe question Twitter's content moderation work and protection of user data after Musk cut the staff from more than 7,000 to under 2,000. The public policy team is responsible for interacting with lawmakers and civil society on issues including free speech, privacy and online safety. Nick Pickles, senior director for global public policy strategy, has taken over McSweeney's role, the two sources said. One source told Reuters that half of the 30 remaining members of Twitter's public policy team were cut on Wednesday, implying 15 people were laid off.

☆ Crews work to restore running water, power to quake-rattled northern California
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Steve Gorman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] CalTrans workers assess damage to a bridge after a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern California, in Rio Dell, California, U.S. December 20, 2022. Property inspections also continued a day after the quake, with at least 30 homes and a grocery store declared structurally unsafe from quake damage, officials said. Most of the damage occurred in the hard-hit town of Rio Dell, whose 3,400 residents remained without running water on Wednesday, the county sheriff's office reported. The cities of Eureka and Rio Dell have done likewise. On Tuesday night, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Humboldt County to support emergency response efforts there.

☆ Tesla under investigation by NHTSA for two more crashes that may have involved Autopilot or FSD
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla offers a standard driver assistance package called Autopilot in all its new cars today. Another recent crash added to NHTSA's list involved a 2020 Tesla Model 3, the company's entry-level sedan. According to data obtained from NHTSA by CNBC, the agency is looking into at least 41 crashes involving Tesla vehicles where automated features such as automatic emergency braking, or more extensive driver assistance system features included in Autopilot, FSD, and FSD Beta were involved. The California DMV has accused Tesla of engaging in false advertising around its driver assistance systems. Amid tough economic conditions, Tesla has recently offered steep discounts on its cars in the US, Canada, Mexico and China.

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