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2. Despite this week’s sunny, warm weather, scientists say that the El Niño weather pattern off the West Coast remains strong, the Mercury News$ reports. Climatologists say that the Bay Area should see more rain through April. But so far, predictions of a wet winter haven’t panned out for the region. Oakland is running at just 86 percent of normal for rainfall, while San Francisco is at 93 percent.
[jump] 3. State lawmakers have introduced a bill that would earmark $23 million in state funds for an earthquake early warning system, the LA Daily News$ reports (h/t Rough & Tumble). Geologists say such a system, which is already being used in Japan, could save thousands of lives when the next big quake strikes.
4. California legislators also have introduced a new bill that would allow gig workers — like drivers for Uber and Lyft — to organize as a union in order to bargain for better pay and benefits, the SacBee$ reports. The legislation follows a decision by the Seattle City Council in December to allow gig workers there to unionize. Gig economy companies have vigorously opposed such proposals.
5. Lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington, DC are also proposing legislation that would force smartphone companies like Apple to unlock electronic devices when a judge issues a search warrant to law enforcement, the Chron reports. Privacy activists, however, contend that only smartphone owners should be able to unlock their encrypted phones because of concerns about hackers.
6. And in a dramatic example of how bad San Francisco’s housing market has become for low-income people, Catholic nuns who dedicate their lives to feeding the poor in the Tenderloin are being evicted from their home by a landlord who is seeking a 50-percent rent hike, the Chron$ reports.
2. Despite this week’s sunny, warm weather, scientists say that the El Niño weather pattern off the West Coast remains strong, the Mercury News$ reports. Climatologists say that the Bay Area should see more rain through April. But so far, predictions of a wet winter haven’t panned out for the region. Oakland is running at just 86 percent of normal for rainfall, while San Francisco is at 93 percent.
[jump] 3. State lawmakers have introduced a bill that would earmark $23 million in state funds for an earthquake early warning system, the LA Daily News$ reports (h/t Rough & Tumble). Geologists say such a system, which is already being used in Japan, could save thousands of lives when the next big quake strikes.
4. California legislators also have introduced a new bill that would allow gig workers — like drivers for Uber and Lyft — to organize as a union in order to bargain for better pay and benefits, the SacBee$ reports. The legislation follows a decision by the Seattle City Council in December to allow gig workers there to unionize. Gig economy companies have vigorously opposed such proposals.
5. Lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington, DC are also proposing legislation that would force smartphone companies like Apple to unlock electronic devices when a judge issues a search warrant to law enforcement, the Chron reports. Privacy activists, however, contend that only smartphone owners should be able to unlock their encrypted phones because of concerns about hackers.
6. And in a dramatic example of how bad San Francisco’s housing market has become for low-income people, Catholic nuns who dedicate their lives to feeding the poor in the Tenderloin are being evicted from their home by a landlord who is seeking a 50-percent rent hike, the Chron$ reports.
