California is taking a significant step toward establishing the country’s first official insurance standard for smoke damage, aiming to address a persistent and often overlooked issue affecting wildfire survivors. Every year, wildfires leave behind more than scorched land—they also blanket homes in soot and smoke that can carry toxic substances, even when structures remain standing. Currently, there are no statewide or national guidelines requiring insurers to cover the cost of testi

Nearly 100,000 California state workers will have their return-to-office mandate delayed by another year, thanks to a new agreement between the state and SEIU Local 1000, California’s largest public employee union. The revised deal, announced Sunday, pauses Governor Gavin Newsom’s previously mandated office return schedule for union-represented workers, shifting the timeline from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. The decision marks a significant development for thousands of public em

More than 1,000 athletes gathered in the heart of the South Bay this weekend to participate in the highly anticipated Special Olympics, a statewide celebration of athleticism, inclusion, and community spirit. Hosted at Santa Clara University, the event drew competitors from 35 counties across California, all converging to test their skills, share camaraderie, and represent the unifying power of sports. The vibrant atmosphere on Saturday was marked by the sights and sounds of fr

In a pioneering advancement for global healthcare, Chinese doctors have successfully conducted the world’s first satellite-powered robotic surgeries over a distance exceeding 5,000 kilometers. Utilizing the Apstar-6D satellite, the medical team led by Professor Rong Liu at the PLA General Hospital remotely operated from Lhasa on two patients in Beijing a 68-year-old with liver cancer and a 56-year-old with hepatic hemangioma. Both surgeries were complete

Summer is the perfect time to get away from it all, and you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a quick, stress-free escape from Livermore. If you're craving a spontaneous weekend adventure but want to keep it low-key, check out these five nearby destinations that offer a refreshing change of scenery without the hassle of long trips. Each location is just a short drive away and offers a variety of activities, from beach strolls to scenic hikes and char

Intel has begun a significant round of job cuts in California, with over 100 employees at its Santa Clara office impacted by the ongoing cost-cutting and restructuring plan led by CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The layoffs are set to begin on July 15, 2025, and are part of a broader workforce reduction strategy aimed at streamlining operations and reducing bureaucracy. Intel disclosed these layoffs in a filing under California’s WARN Act, which requires notification wh

Santa Clara came alive this weekend as Metallica headlined back-to-back concerts at Levi’s Stadium, delivering two nights of high-octane performances that drew fans from across the globe. Although the iconic metal band was originally formed in Los Angeles, San Francisco has long been their spiritual home, making this Bay Area stop particularly meaningful for both the band and their loyal followers. The double-header event was part of Metallica's ongoing global tour and celebrated th

The City of Milpitas in California is increasing its minimum wage again starting in early July, continuing its effort to align worker compensation with the rising cost of living in the Bay Area. This change is part of the city’s local ordinance that mandates an annual wage adjustment based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Under the current revision, all eligible workers within city limits must be paid a new hourly wage rate, which is

A Lake County man has become the latest victim in a wave of text scams impersonating California’s FasTrak toll service. These fraudulent messages are being sent to mobile phones across the Bay Area, falsely claiming that recipients owe unpaid tolls and directing them to fake payment sites. For 72-year-old Tracy Jeffords, the scam proved devastating. He lost more than $3,300 after entering his debit card details into a phony site linked through the fraudulent message. Jefford

Shanny Feigenbaum, a dedicated Scout from Livermore, California, has achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout the highest honor in the Scouts BSA program thanks to her impactful community project focused on wildlife conservation at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. Feigenbaum, a member of Troop 2942 sponsored by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, becomes the third Eagle Scout from her all-girls troop. He

Dublin residents can look forward to another season of fun and family-friendly entertainment as the city brings back its popular Picnic Flix outdoor movie series for summer 2025. Beginning June 20, free movies will be shown every Friday night at alternating locations across Dublin. Each event begins at dusk, around 8:30 p.m., but moviegoers are encouraged to arrive earlier to enjoy snacks, games, and activities provi

A long-established family-run jewelry store in Fremont became the target of a violent and coordinated smash-and-grab robbery on Wednesday, shaking the sense of safety for the owners and the surrounding community. The store, which has been part of the neighborhood for over three decades, was severely damaged when a group of 15 masked individuals rammed a vehicle through its front entrance and stole valuable merchandise within seconds. The break-in took place in broad daylight, leav

San Jose officials have canceled this year’s Independence Day fireworks celebration at Almaden Lake Park, marking the first interruption of the popular event in a decade. The decision comes after serious safety concerns were raised following incidents during last year’s celebration, which drew more than 30,000 visitors to the neighborhood. For longtime resident Cathie Bacosa, the cancellation is a relief. Last July 4, she awoke around midnight to a fire raging in her b

The much-anticipated Alameda County Fair 2025 kicks off Friday in Pleasanton, bringing with it a vibrant mix of entertainment, rides, food, and family-friendly attractions that will run through July 6. The opening night will feature a live concert by the legendary band WAR, followed by a spectacular fireworks and drone show at 9:30 p.m. Drone shows will continue nightly after each concert, excluding July 4. Concerts

Rite Aid, the once-prominent national pharmacy chain now navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is preparing to shutter 56 additional store locations across California, bringing the total number of confirmed closures in the state to 235 by 2025. As part of its ongoing financial restructuring efforts, the company is systematically downsizing its retail footprint, with California emerging as one of the hardest-hit states in this process. The latest wave of closures reflects the pharmacy chain’

An Air India flight operating from Hong Kong to Delhi was forced to turn back mid-air after the pilot identified a possible technical glitch on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The aircraft, designated as flight AI315, had already taken off from Hong Kong when the pilot made the precautionary decision to return to the departure airport to ensure passenger safety. While details on the specific nature of the technica

A search is underway on the other side of the world for a man who grew up in Northern California and was reported missing after venturing out alone on a hike in the Himalayas. Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, was last seen on the afternoon of June 6 after setting out on a glacial trek near Mount Triund, close to the town of Dharamsala in northern India. Samuel's family, who reside in California, are grappling with his sudden disappearance and the limited information that has followed.

In an unprecedented show of domestic force, President Donald Trump has deployed more military personnel to Los Angeles than currently stationed in Iraq and Syria combined. A total of 4,700 troops including over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines have been sent to quell immigration-related protests that have rocked the city for six consecutive days. For comparison, the Pentagon confirms that only 2,000 troops remain in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq.

In a controversial and incendiary statement, US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday called for California Governor Gavin Newsom to be "tarred and feathered" amid intensifying political clashes over the federal government’s deployment of troops to Los Angeles. Johnson made the comment during a House Republican leadership press conference, where he stopped short of advocating Newsom’s arrest but said the governor should be publicly punish

An emergency curfew was imposed in downtown Los Angeles as the city faced a fifth consecutive day of protests sparked by recent federal immigration raids. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of hundreds of U.S. Marines to control the escalating unrest, triggering backlash from California state officials. Despite opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom and other leaders, Trump activated 4,000 National Guard troops, asserting that the situation