Dec 22 Newsom taps California election chief Padilla for U.S. Senate By Kathleen Ronayne, Associated Press California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Tuesday as the state's next U.S. senator to fill the seat being vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Continue reading
Dec 22 California desperately searches for more nurses and doctors By Daisy Nguyen, Associated Press Much of California has exhausted its usual ability to staff intensive care beds, and the nation's most populated state is desperately searching for 3,000 temporary medical workers to meet demand. Continue reading
Dec 21 California could see 100,000 hospitalizations in January By Don Thompson, Associated Press Dr. Mark Ghaly, California's secretary of health and human services, says the state fears some hospitals will exceed even their existing surge capacity. Continue reading
Dec 18 COVID-19 models plot dire scenarios for California hospitals By Brian Melley, Associated Press Hospitals were on the brink of being overrun with nearly 15,000 coronavirus patients when Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement Tuesday. Continue reading
Dec 14 California subpoenas Amazon over worker safety during COVID-19 pandemic By Associated Press California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is asking a judge to order Amazon to comply with subpoenas issued nearly four months ago as part of an investigation into how the company protects workers from the coronavirus. Continue reading
Dec 11 California’s health order falling on many deaf ears By Amy Taxin, Olga R. Rodriguez, Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press Los Angeles County Health Director Barbara Ferrer is warning of catastrophic consequences if more people don't heed orders to stay home and within their own household members. Continue reading
Dec 08 California uses text alert to warn millions of COVID-19 spread By Associated Press Both regions came under increased restrictions this week after the total capacity of hospital intensive care units dropped below 15 percent. The restrictions will remain in effect for at least three weeks. Continue reading
Dec 07 Biden picks Xavier Becerra to lead HHS and oversee pandemic response By Associated Press If confirmed by the Senate, Becerra will be the first Latino to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Continue reading
Dec 05 California’s San Joaquin Valley enacts stay-home order By Olga R. Rodriguez, Juliet Williams, Robert Jablon, Associated Press Much of the state, including Southern California, is on the brink of the same restrictions, and some regions have opted to impose them even before the state mandate kicks in. Continue reading
Dec 04 Biden officially secures enough electors to become president By Michael R. Blood, Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press California has certified its presidential election and appointed 55 electors pledged to vote for Joe Biden, officially handing the Democrat the Electoral College majority needed to win the White House. Continue reading