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Tag: California

  • Letters: Protesters should celebrate a new beginning for Venezuela

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    Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.

    We should celebrate
    Venezuela’s new start

    Re: “Protests decry Trump’s actions” (Page A1, Jan. 5).

    How I would love to send the Bay Area protesters to South Florida, where residents are celebrating President Trump’s intervention in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, are responsible for “one of the most dramatic political, economic and humanitarian collapses in modern history,” according to a Miami Herald piece (“Venezuela left to grapple with wreckage Maduro leaves behind“) published Sunday.

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  • California Tax Revenue Getting a Boost From AI Boom — but for How Long?

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    As California becomes more dependent on tax revenue from the tech industry, its stake in the health of the artificial intelligence industry has grown.

    The state is seeing financial benefits from the AI boom, a new analysis by the Legislative Analyst’s Office shows. But the boom raises questions: Will it continue to be accompanied by a decline in tech and other jobs? Is it a bubble?

    Tax revenue from stock-option withholding paid by some of the state’s biggest tech companies made up about 10% of all income tax withholding in 2025, estimated Chas Alamo, the principal fiscal and policy analyst with the LAO. Alamo looked at tech companies’ public financial filings and other data through the second quarter of 2025. That figure would be about the same as 2024, and is up from more than 6% just three years ago, when he first did the analysis.

    The state’s biggest source of revenue is personal income tax. It’s common for tech companies to pay employees in stock options in addition to their base wages. Stock options that have vested and are fully owned by employees are treated like ordinary income for tax purposes, so companies pay withholding taxes on some of that income to the state and U.S. governments.

    Shining a spotlight on where the state’s tax revenue comes from is especially timely, when it needs all the revenue it can get. California is expected to have a nearly $18 billion budget deficit this year, with the state expecting to have to fill funding gaps because of cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration. But the state’s growing reliance on AI-driven revenue is risky for two reasons: fears that the technology is overhyped, and because AI’s rise threatens livelihoods.

    Alamo based his analysis on the performance of the state’s five most valuable tech companies by market value: Apple, Google, Nvidia, Broadcom and Meta. Shares of Nvidia, Broadcom and Google did especially well in 2025: They rose 25%, 46% and 59% for the year, respectively. Alamo also included Intel, Cisco, AMD, Intuit, PayPal, Applied Materials and Qualcomm in his analysis because they paid substantial amounts of withholding on their employees’ stock options.

    “We’re seeing a real boost to income-tax receipts because of this — for a relatively small number of employees,” Alamo told CalMatters. “If the AI market were to deteriorate, we could see these withholdings decline.”

    In other words, if the AI bubble pops, California could see a steep drop in tax revenue. That’s because there has been little job growth and wages are not rising, Alamo said, adding that the analyst’s office has been raising its concern over “the stagnant nature of the state’s labor market and broader economy” for the past couple of years. In September, the most recent data available, California’s unemployment rate rose to 5.6%, the highest among U.S. states.


    ‘AI is not a job-gainer’

    Despite the AI boom, the number of tech jobs in the Bay Area actually decreased from September 2024 to August 2025, according to the latest analysis by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, a think tank supported by the Bay Area Council, a business coalition. Jobs in the information industry were down 1.3% over that period, while jobs in professional and business services fell 1.5%. Some tech companies, such as San Francisco-based Salesforce, mentioned AI as a factor when they disclosed layoffs of thousands of employees.

    “Right now, on net, AI is not a job-gainer,” said Jeff Bellisario, executive director of the think tank. “The bigger question for us is, you put aside (tech companies’) valuation and think about the number of people employed in these companies.”

    Another analysis of employment data by the California Business Roundtable’s information arm, the California Center for Jobs and the Economy, shows a loss of more than 130,000 jobs in high tech, including manufacturing jobs, through the first quarter of last year.

    “Tech booms in the past have led to an employment boom,” Bellisario said. “This doesn’t feel like that.”

    There’s no consensus about whether this tech boom is set to go bust anytime soon. Some of the biggest AI optimists include Jensen Huang, chief executive of chipmaker Nvidia, who told investors in November: “There has been a lot of talk about an AI bubble. From our vantage point, we see something very different.”

    Another optimist is Dan Ives, longtime tech analyst and managing director at Wedbush Securities.

    “This is not a bubble,” he told CalMatters. “This is Year 3 of an eight- to 10-year buildout of the AI revolution.” Ives said AI could be huge for U.S. innovation, and that this moment in time reminds him “much more of a 1996 moment than a 1999 or 2000 moment.”

    In the mid-1990s, widespread adoption of personal computers and the advent of the graphical web browser paved the way for the dot-com boom and gave rise to companies such as Google, Netflix and PayPal. But by 2000 or shortly afterward, after the founders of those companies made their fortunes, many other internet companies had gone out of business — some in spectacular flameouts, such as Webvan or Pets.com.

    Today, there are signs that there are too many startups in certain subsectors, according to analysts at PitchBook, which tracks public and private capital markets. Among the ones they mentioned in their 2026 outlook: AI scribes in health care, which automatically generate medical notes; aerial defense drones; content development in gaming; personal assistant bots; and more. The analysts warned investors that startups would really need to differentiate themselves to bring value.

    Researchers for Allianz Trade, the global insurance company, wrote in a November brief: “The financial market frenzy over AI shows classic signs of an asset bubble: widespread consensus, unproven valuations and returns at times detached from earnings.” The researchers also said they were watching a lot of corporate spending on AI as concerns grow around tightening energy constraints. AI is driving demand for data centers, which are straining the electric grid.

    Discussion about a bubble aside, some tech-friendly experts point out that California’s reliance on AI means the state should help the sector succeed, such as by not overregulating it.

    “What’s important to remember is that California’s social safety net depends on a healthy tech industry, “ said Kaitlyn Harger, an economist for Chamber of Progress, a think tank funded by the tech industry. The financial cushion tech provides helps the state fund public-sector jobs, health services, education, social services and more, Harger said.

    California leads all states in trying to regulate AI, and is expected to fight against the president’s recent executive order to develop federal laws around AI that would supersede state laws.

    This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – December 2025

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    Associated Press

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  • New Museum Los Gatos to hold newspaper history tour on Jan. 16

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    Newspaper tour

    Follow the local newspapers of Los Gatos through the years with the New Museum Los Gatos on Jan. 16.

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    Nollyanne Delacruz

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  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California dies, reducing GOP’s narrow control of House

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    WASHINGTON — Republican Doug LaMalfa, a seven-term U.S. representative from California and a reliable vote on President Donald Trump’s agenda, has died, reducing the GOP’s narrow control of the House. He was 65.

    What You Need To Know

    • A former state lawmaker and rice farmer, LaMalfa had more than a dozen years in Congress, where he regularly helped GOP leaders open the House floor and frequently gave speeches

    • Trump expressed “tremendous sorrow” over LaMalfa’s death on Tuesday as he addressed a meeting of House Republicans

    • Details surrounding LaMalfa’s death were unclear

    • California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, must call a special election to replace LaMalfa, his office said

    LaMalfa died during a surgical procedure, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Department in California.

    A former state lawmaker and rice farmer, LaMalfa had more than a dozen years in Congress, where he regularly helped GOP leaders open the House floor and frequently gave speeches. His death, confirmed by Majority Whip Tom Emmer and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson, trims the Republicans’ margin of control of the House to 218 seats to Democrats’ 213.

    Trump expressed “tremendous sorrow” over LaMalfa’s death on Tuesday as he addressed a meeting of House Republicans, lamenting the loss of a lawmaker he championed as an ally for his agenda.

    “I was really saddened by his passing,” Trump said.

    The president said he considered not giving the speech to honor LaMalfa but decided to go ahead with it “because he would have wanted it that way.”

    Trump said the late congressman “wasn’t a 3 o’clock in the morning person” like other lawmakers he would call in the wee hours to lobby for their votes.

    “He voted with me 100% of the time,” Trump said. “With Doug, I never had to call.”

    Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York called for a moment of silence in honor of LaMalfa at the start of a panel at the Capitol commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

    Details surrounding LaMalfa’s death were unclear.

    David Reade, a former chief of staff of LaMalfa’s from the state legislature, became emotional remembering LaMalfa, who he said was committed to his district and proud of his family and Christian faith.

    “One of my great memories of Doug is that, you know, he would show up at the smallest events that were important in people’s lives in this district,” Reade said in a phone interview. “Whether it was a birthday, it was, you, know, a family gathering, it was the smallest organization in his district, and he would drive literally hundreds and hundreds of miles to be there.”

    LaMalfa represented Northern California’s 1st District, along the Oregon border, including Redding and reaching just north of Sacramento. He had planned to run for reelection despite his district being dramatically redrawn under a ballot measure passed by California voters in November. The measure, backed by Democrats, was designed to make it harder for LaMalfa and four other Republicans to win reelection.

    California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, must call a special election to replace LaMalfa, his office said. The election could happen as late as June, when California will hold its primary for the 2026 midterm.

    Hudson, the NRCC chairman, called LaMalfa “a principled conservative and a tireless advocate for the people of Northern California.”

    “He was never afraid to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families,” Hudson said. “Doug brought grit, authenticity, and conviction to everything he did in public service.”

    First elected to Congress in 2012, he was a regular presence on the House floor, helping GOP leadership open the chamber and offer his view local and national affairs.

    C-SPAN in a recent compilation said he gave at least one set of remarks for the record on 81 days in 2025. Only two other lawmakers spoke on the House floor more frequently.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • U.S. cuts the number of vaccines recommended for every child

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    WASHINGTON  — The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.

    What You Need To Know

    • The U.S. has taken the unprecedented step of dropping the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups say would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases

    • The overhaul to the federal vaccine schedule, announced Monday, is effective immediately and stops broadly recommending protection against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV

    • Protections against those diseases are now only recommended for certain groups deemed high-risk, or if their doctors recommend them

    • Officials say the overhaul won’t result in any families losing access or insurance coverage for vaccines, but medical experts say it creates confusion for parents and could increase preventable diseases



    The change is effective immediately, meaning that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now recommend that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases. What’s no longer broadly recommended is protection against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV. Instead, protections against those diseases are only recommended for certain groups deemed high risk, or when doctors recommend them in what’s called “shared decision-making.”

    Trump administration officials said the overhaul, a move long sought by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., won’t result in families who want the vaccines losing access to them, and said insurance will continue to pay. But medical experts said the decision creates confusion for parents and could increase preventable diseases.

    States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. While CDC requirements often influence those state regulations, some states have begun creating their own alliances to counter the Trump administration’s guidance on vaccines.

    The change comes as U.S. vaccination rates have been slipping and the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, according to federal data. At the same time, rates of diseases that can be protected against with vaccines, such as measles and whooping cough, are rising across the country.

    Review came at the request of President Trump

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the overhaul was in response to a request from President Donald Trump in December. Trump asked the agency to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and consider revising U.S. guidance accordingly.

    HHS said its comparison to 20 peer nations found that the U.S. was an “outlier” in both the number of vaccinations and the number of doses it recommended to all children. Officials with the agency framed the change as a way to increase public trust by recommending only the most important vaccinations for children to receive.

    “This decision protects children, respects families, and rebuilds trust in public health,” Kennedy said in a statement Monday.

    Trump, reacting to the news on his Truth Social platform, said the new schedule is “far more reasonable” and “finally aligns the United States with other Developed Nations around the World.”

    Among those left on the recommended-for-everyone list are vaccines against measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, chickenpox and human papillomavirus, or HPV. The guidance reduces the number of recommended vaccine doses against HPV from two or three shots depending on age to one for most children.

    Medical experts said Monday’s changes without what they said was public discussion or a transparent review of the data would put children at risk.

    “Abandoning recommendations for vaccines that prevent influenza, hepatitis and rotavirus, and changing the recommendation for HPV without a public process to weigh the risks and benefits, will lead to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths among American children,” said Michael Osterholm of the Vaccine Integrity Project, based at the University of Minnesota.

    Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics said countries carefully consider vaccine recommendations based on levels of disease in their populations and their health systems.

    “You can’t just copy and paste public health and that’s what they seem to be doing here,” said O’Leary. “Literally children’s health and children’s lives are at stake.”

    Most high-income countries recommend vaccinations against a dozen to 15 serious pathogens, according to a recent review by the Vaccine Integrity Project, a group that works to safeguard vaccine use.

    France today recommends all children get vaccinated against 14 diseases, compared to the 11 that the U.S. now will recommend for every child under the new schedule.

    Doctors’ groups criticize decision

    The changes were made by political appointees, without any evidence that the current recommendations were harming children, O’Leary said.

    The pediatricians’ group has issued its own childhood vaccine schedule that its members are following, and it continues to broadly recommend vaccines that the Trump administration demoted.

    O’Leary singled out the flu vaccine, which the government and leading medical experts have long urged for nearly everyone starting at age 6 months. He said the government is “pretty tone deaf” for ending its recommendation while the country is at the beginning of a severe flu season, and after 280 children died from flu last winter, the most since 2009.

    Even a disease that parents may not have heard of, rotavirus, could come roaring back if vaccination erodes, he added. That diarrheal disease once hospitalized thousands of children each winter, something that no longer happens.

    The decision was made without input from an advisory committee that typically consults on the vaccine schedule, said senior officials at HHS. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the changes publicly.

    The officials added that the new recommendations were a collaborative effort between federal health agencies but wouldn’t specify who was consulted.

    Scientists at the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases were asked to present to the agency’s political leadership about vaccine schedules in other countries in December, but they were not allowed to give any recommendations and were not aware of any decisions about vaccine schedule changes, said Abby Tighe, executive director of the National Public Health Coalition, an advocacy organization of current and former CDC employees and their supporters.

    “Changes of this magnitude require careful review, expert and public input, and clear scientific justification. That level of rigor and transparency was not part of this decision,” said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, of the American Medical Association. “The scientific evidence remains unchanged, and the AMA supports continued access to childhood immunizations recommended by national medical specialty societies.”

    Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic

    The move comes as Kennedy, a longtime activist against vaccines, has repeatedly used his authority in government to translate his skepticism about the shots into national guidance.

    In May, Kennedy announced the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women — a move immediately questioned by public health experts who saw no new data to justify the change.

    In June, Kennedy fired an entire 17-member CDC vaccine advisory committee — later installing several of his own replacements, including multiple vaccine skeptics.

    Kennedy in November also personally directed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism, without supplying any new evidence to support the change.

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    Associated Press

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  • California’s ban on open carry in more populated counties is unconstitutional, appeals panel says

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    A federal appeals panel has ruled that a California law prohibiting open carry of firearms in heavily populated counties is unconstitutional.

    The ruling was issued Friday by two judges on a three-judge panel for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The judges found that the state’s policy of limiting open carry to counties with a population of less than 200,000 is inconsistent with the Second Amendment.

    “California’s legal regime is a complete ban on open carry in urban areas — the areas of the state where 95% of the people live,” they said in the decision.

    The dissenting judge disagreed and said California could limit open carry in more populated areas because it allows for concealed carry throughout the state.

    The ruling comes in a long-running debate over gun laws in the United States and in California, which has passed a series of restrictions.

    It came after Mark Baird, a Siskiyou County resident, filed a lawsuit asking the courts to restore the historical practice of open carry being allowed.

    Chuck Michel, president of the California Rifle & Pistol Association, said he expected state officials will seek a review of the ruling by the full appeals court.

    “It’s a very significant opinion,” Michel said, adding that a key question in the case is how a 2022 Supreme Court decision expanding gun rights should be applied.

    The press office for Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement on social media that the state’s law was carefully crafted to comply with the Second Amendment.

    “California just got military troops with weapons of war off of the streets of our cities, but now Republican activists on the Ninth Circuit want to replace them with gunslingers and return to the days of the Wild West,” the statement said.

    In a statement to CBS Sacramento, Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said it’s reviewing the opinion.

    “We are committed to defending California’s commonsense gun laws,” Bonta’s office said. “We are reviewing the opinion and considering all options.”

    Craig DeLuz is a California concealed carry permit holder and publisher of A2 News, who says allowing open carry permits in would change perceptions about gun rights.

    “It will remove a stigma which many on the left and many quite sadly in law enforcement want, which is if you’re a person carrying a gun and not wearing a badge you are a ‘bad guy,’ and so I think this addresses that,” DeLuz said. 

    California State Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) says the federal court ruling is bad for public safety.

    “I was truly alarmed by the decision,” Blakespear said. “I mean, this is not the ‘Wild West’ where everybody walks around with a gun on their waist. I mean, we see in other countries when there is a mass shooting, they tighten down on their gun laws.”

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    CBS Bay Area

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  • Warriors instant analysis: Steve Kerr ejected, Steph Curry fouls out in loss to Clippers

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    INGLEWOOD – Steve Kerr had finally had enough. After watching Steph Curry’s shot not count as an and-1, and then Gary Payton II’s blocked layup by John Collins not ruled as a goaltend early in the fourth quarter, the longtime Warriors coach lost it once there was a stoppage on a Curry foul.

    He berated the referees to such a degree that the usually mild-mannered coach had to be restrained by members of his staff at Intuit Dome on Monday. The officials gave him technical fouls in rapid succession, and Kerr had to make the long walk back to the locker room with 7:57 left in the game after being ejected for the fifth time in his career, and first time since Mar. 28, 2022.

    Terry Stotts, who coached Portland for nine seasons between 2012-21, took over as the Warriors’ acting coach. He oversaw a spirited effort that ultimately fell short as the Warriors lost 103-102 to a Clippers team missing James Harden.

    Golden State shot just 3 of 24 in the third quarter, but somehow remained in the game, thanks to 10-2 run to start the fourth, a run fueled by the energy of Payton and Gui Santos. And after Kerr’s ejection, the Warriors remained competitive and trailed 94-90 with 3:06 left after Jimmy Butler made two free throws.

    Curry cut the lead to just 101-100 with 1:05 left after his 3-pointer bounced off the rim and in, but he fouled out when he swiped down on Kris Dunn’s arm on the very next possession. Dunn’s two free throws extended the lead back to three points with 43 seconds remaining. Green’s layup made it 103-102  with 33 seconds left on the clock.

    Kawhi Leonard missed a long 3-pointer, and the Warriors had the ball with seven seconds remaining. However, Butler’s fadeaway from the baseline went long and the Clippers held on.

    Curry put up 27 points for the Warriors, while Butler scored 24 and Draymond Green dished out 12 assists. Leonard put up 24 points, and Kobe Sanders had 20 points. The Warriors actually had fewer turnovers than the point guard-less Clippers, winning the margin 20-7.

    The hosts led 31-19 after one quarter, but the Warriors cut the deficit to just 55-51 at halftime. This came despite Golden State being a ghastly 5 of 22 from behind the arc. The team finished 10 of 41 from behind the line. 

    The Warriors (19-18) begin an eight-game homestand against Milwaukee on Wednesday. 

    Draymond Green’s rough night

    Having been ejected from Monday’s game and having not finished three of the past eight games, Draymond Green was under a microscope Wednesday night. 

    After diving into the Warriors bench late in the second quarter, a crash that left his ribs bruised, he left the game but returned after halftime. That lasted all of two minutes, with Green leaving the game again after rolling his left ankle after defending a Leonard drive. He returned after the timeout. 

    Green drew a few groans from the mostly pro-Warriors crowd in SoCal when he took and missed a 3-pointer on three of the first four Golden State possessions, but he was an overwhelming positive overall. 

    Green finished the first half with a plus-11 in the box score, after being in the negative in 9 of his last 11 games. Despite giving up at least five inches and around 50 pounds to Ivica Zubac, Green used his low center of gravity to make it difficult for the Croatian center to get good position. 

    Stopping Kawhi

    Leonard, who entered the game with arguably the hottest hand in the NBA. He won the conference player of the week honor after averaging 41.3 points per game last week, which he supplemented by maintaining his NBA-best 2.17 steals per game. 

    The Warriors initially began the game in single coverage against the two-time Finals MVP, which led to him scoring 10 first-quarter points. But when they began to send doubles his way, usually asking a guard to dig down, that left Nic Batum open for back-to-back corner 3-pointers. 

    The only consistently positive outcomes for Warrior defenders came when they forced the midrange assassin to take a few steps back. Leonard was 0 of 6 from behind the arc in the first half. Leonard took only one 3-point shot in the second half. 

    Snoop Dogg stars

    Legendary rapper Snoop Dogg made his broadcasting debut when he joined the NBA on NBC television production as a commentator. The Long Beach native has plenty of fans among the Warriors, including Kerr and Moses Moody.

    Kerr joked about Snoop’s presence around the Olympic team in 2024 and said he looked forward to his pre-production meeting with the man. Moody, who counted “Gin and Juice” as his favorite Snoop track, saw the rapper’s presence at the regular-season NBA game as a positive.

    “I really like the niche that he’s carved out for himself now in the business space,” Moody said. “I like what he adds, and it’s cool to see it on the NBA stage.”

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    Joseph Dycus

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  • Storied Bay Area music venue to reopen under new name, ownership

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    Get ready for the next chapter in the history of one of the Bay Area music scene’s most storied addresses.

    Best known for hosting Boz Scagg’s legendary Slim’s hotspot for decades, and then a more recent (and much shorter) stint as YOLO Nightclub, the venue located at 333 11th St. in San Francisco will now transform into the home of The Budda.

    The venue’s name references East Bay rapper Budda Mack, who is backing the new club.

    “San Francisco, Bay Area get ready for the opening of my night club in SF,”
    Mack posted on Instagram. “January is about to be different. A new chapter is opening with THE BUDDA night club 333 11th street San Francisco CA — a new club bringing energy, culture, and unforgettable nights to the city.

    “This isn’t just another venue, it’s a movement. Lock in, stay tuned, and prepare yourself… THE BUDDA is coming.”

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    Jim Harrington

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  • Post-Holiday Detox: Reset Your Mind, Body and Soul at These California Retreats

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    The holiday season is a cheerful time that brings loved ones together in celebration, but it is also a recipe for losing one’s routine. Between the rich foods, alcohol and sweets, many walk into January feeling burned out and overindulged, bringing remnants of holiday stress into the new year.

    While wellness resorts offer a nice reprieve, some of us need a proper detox to get our minds and bodies right as we walk into 2026. In California, several resorts and retreats prioritize purification, offering guests customized schedules that focus on fitness, nutrition and mindset.

    In Big Sur, Alila Ventana treats guests to panoramic views, open-air Japanese hot baths and restorative treatments at their world-class spa, while The Ranch Malibu takes a more disciplined approach to detoxification, with regimented routines and workout classes.

    If you’re looking to create a more intentional relationship with food, consider a stint at The Ashram in Calabasas, where plant-based cuisine is painted in a more versatile light, or embark on a more intense journey with an all-liquid diet at the celebrity-loved We Care Spa.

    From a beachfront resort on the sandy dunes of Monterey to a zen retreat near Palm Springs, we’ve rounded up the best hotels for a holiday detox in the new year.

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    Allie Lebos

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  • Acalanes’ Joel Isaac is Bay Area News Group’s prep football coach of year

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    Joel Isaac navigated Acalanes through off-season tragedy, led Dons to undefeated regular season and berth in NCS’s top playoff division.


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    Nathan Canilao

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  • ‘The best place to hear live music in San Francisco’ is closing down

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    The Bottom of the Hill — once dubbed as “the best place to hear live music in San Francisco” by Rolling Stone magazine — is set to close its doors at the end of 2026.

    The popular music venue, which booked early-career gigs by Green Day, Oasis, Alanis Morissette, The Strokes and other acts that would go on to headline major arenas and festivals, will host its last gig on New Year’s Eve, according to a post made on the Bottom of the Hill’s Facebook page.

    “We make this announcement with great difficulty,” the post reads. “This legendary business will have lived to the ripe old age of 35, a long stretch in San Francisco for an independent rock ‘n’ roll venue of our size. It has been a wonderful trip, and we are full of stories and memories. We have hosted tens of thousands of musical artists and have been a community partner as well, holding numerous benefits, school recitals, weddings, birthdays, and memorials. Let’s have one more solid year of memories together and bid a fond farewell to a legendary venue.”

    The closing will mark the end of one of the Bay Area’s marquee independent music venues — one of the very few that aren’t booked by a major concert promoter. Yet, thankfully, the club owners are giving people plenty of advance notice so that music fans from all around the Bay Area will have12 months to visit and bid farewell to the club, which has also hosted such great bands as the Throwing Muses, the Donnas, Queens of the Stone Age, Neutral Milk Hotel, the White Stripes and the Dandy Warhols since originally opening its doors at the corner of 17th and Missouri streets in the Potrero Hill district in 1991.

    “We will curate one more year of great shows, enticing bands that make up our history to come back for one final play on our stage,” the Facebook post reads. “Let’s celebrate, for one more spin, how far we came, how many bands we hosted, how many amazing people we worked with.

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    Jim Harrington

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  • The Best Red Carpet Looks at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards

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    Ariana Grande. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    A mere four days into the new year, and the first awards show of 2026 is upon us. Tonight, the Critics’ Choice Awards celebrate the best in film and television, recognizing the finest actors, directors, writers, costume designers, editors and more in the industry.

    Along with the usual categories, the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards will include four new honors, for Best Variety Series, Best Sound, Best Stunt Design and Best Casting and Ensemble. Chelsea Handler is hosting the awards show for the fourth year in a row, and the ceremony will once again take place at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in Santa Monica, California.

    It’s always an A-list guest list; this evening’s presenters include Ali Larter, Alicia Silverstone, Allison Janney, Arden Cho, Ava DuVernay, Bradley Whitford, Billy Bob Thornton, Colman Domingo, Diego Luna, Ejae, Hannah Einbinder, Jeff Goldblum, Jessica Williams, Justin Hartley, Justin Sylvester, Kaley Cuoco, Keltie Knight, Marcello Hernández, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Noah Schnapp, Owen Cooper, Quinta Brunson, Regina Hall, Rhea Seehorn, Sebastian Maniscalco and William H. Macy.

    Sinners leads the film pack with a staggering 17 nods, followed by One Battle After Another‘s still-impressive 14, while Netflix’s limited series, Adolescence, scored the most for television with six, followed by another Netflix show, Nobody Wants This, with five.

    Before the awards are handed out, however, the stars will walk the red carpet in the first major fashion moment of 2026. Last year’s show brought us standout looks like Margaret Qualley in ethereal Chanel, Colman Domingo in a brown leather Hugo Boss ensemble, Cynthia Erivo in black peplum Armani Privé and Mikey Madison in vintage Giorgio Armani, so we’re just going to have to wait with bated breath to see what this season’s nominees bring to the table. Below, see the best red carpet fashion moments from the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards.

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Leighton Meester and Adam Brody. Getty Images

    Leighton Meester and Adam Brody

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Jessica Biel. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Jessica Biel

    in Lanvin 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Jacob Elordi. Getty Images

    Jacob Elordi

    in Bottega Veneta 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Elle Fanning. WWD via Getty Images

    Elle Fanning

    in Ralph Lauren 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Ariana Grande. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Ariana Grande

    in Alberta Ferretti 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Chase Infiniti. WireImage

    Chase Infiniti

    in Louis Vuitton

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Amanda Seyfried. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Amanda Seyfried

    in Valentino

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Natasha Lyonne. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Natasha Lyonne

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Britt Lower. Getty Images

    Britt Lower

    in Bottega Veneta 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Michael B. Jordan. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Cri

    Michael B. Jordan

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Jessica Williams. WWD via Getty Images

    Jessica Williams

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Keri Russell. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Keri Russell

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Meghann Fahy. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Meghann Fahy

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Adam Sandler and Jackie Sandler. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Adam Sandler and Jackie Sandler

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Jessie Buckley. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Jessie Buckley

    in Dior 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Rose Byrne. Getty Images

    Rose Byrne

    in Valentino 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Ego Nwodim. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Ego Nwodim

    in Carolina Herrera 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Kristen Bell. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Kristen Bell

    in Elie Saab 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Michelle Randolph. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Michelle Randolph

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Ethan Hawke. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Ethan Hawke

    in Bode 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Sarah Snook. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Sarah Snook

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Paul Mescal. WireImage

    Paul Mescal

    in Gucci 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Emily Mortimer. Getty Images

    Emily Mortimer

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Mckenna Grace. Getty Images

    Mckenna Grace

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Quinta Brunson. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Quinta Brunson

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Renate Reinsve. WireImage

    Renate Reinsve

    in The Row 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Mia Goth. WWD via Getty Images

    Mia Goth

    in Dior 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Ginnifer Goodwin. WireImage

    Ginnifer Goodwin

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Kaley Cuoco. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Kaley Cuoco

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Noah Schnapp. WWD via Getty Images

    Noah Schnapp

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Chloé Zhao. Getty Images

    Chloé Zhao

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Chase Sui Wonders. WireImage

    Chase Sui Wonders

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Justine Lupe. Getty Images

    Justine Lupe

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Odessa A’zion. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Odessa A’zion

    in Ott Dubai 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Chelsea Handler. Getty Images

    Chelsea Handler

    in Monique Lhuillier

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Sara Foster. WWD via Getty Images

    Sara Foster

    in Monique Lhuillier

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Erin Foster. Getty Images

    Erin Foster

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Bella Ramsey. WireImage

    Bella Ramsey

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Alicia Silverstone. Getty Images

    Alicia Silverstone

    in Stella McCartney 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Red Carpet
    Erin Doherty. Getty Images for Critics Choice

    Erin Doherty

    in Louis Vuitton

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Ali Larter. Getty Images

    Ali Larter

    in Nina Ricci 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Sheryl Lee Ralph. Getty Images

    Sheryl Lee Ralph

    in Tony Ward Couture 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Jackie Tohn. Getty Images

    Jackie Tohn

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Rose McIver. Getty Images

    Rose McIver

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Danielle Brooks. Getty Images

    Danielle Brooks

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Hannah Einbinder. Variety via Getty Images

    Hannah Einbinder

    in Louis Vuitton 

    31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals31st Annual Critics Choice Awards - Arrivals
    Ejae. Getty Images

    Ejae

    The Best Red Carpet Looks at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards

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    Morgan Halberg

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  • Santa Anita rained out again Sunday, set to resume racing Thursday

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    Santa Anita horse racing was canceled again Sunday as a rainy period in Southern California stretched to nearly two weeks.

    The track in Arcadia had also called off racing Saturday. It’s scheduled to resume Thursday, the first of two Thursday cards added to make up for rainouts.

    The announcement by Santa Anita management came shortly after 7 a.m. Sunday. As of 8:30, Los Alamitos hadn’t yet announced if its Sunday night quarter-horse and thoroughbred races would go ahead after Saturday’s were canceled.

    Santa Anita’s winter-spring season was supposed to begin Dec. 26, but opening day was postponed to Dec. 28 after accurate forecasts of four days of wet weather starting Dec. 23. Racing also was rained out Dec. 31 — a scheduled makeup day — and Jan. 1 and 3. The track had planned to have seven days of racing by now but has been able to have only three.

    It’s the most rainouts at Santa Anita in a short period since California began routinely canceling or postponing racing in wet weather after a spike in the number of horse deaths at the Los Angeles area’s largest track in early 2019 coincided with an extended period of rain. There was a similar period of rainouts in January 2023, a year Santa Anita ended up running four fewer days than scheduled during its season.

    As of Sunday morning, AccuWeather’s forecast early Sunday for the Arcadia area called for a higher than 50% chance of rain in the morning hours, worsening to higher than 80% from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa Anita’s nine-race card, including the Las Flores Stakes, a Grade III sprint for fillies and mares, was scheduled to begin at noon.

    After showers Monday, no rain is predicted for an extended period.

    “We are grateful for the support of our stakeholders these last two weeks,” Santa Anita general manager Nate Newby said in Sunday’s announcement. “It hasn’t been easy, but the safety of the horses will always come first. We’re looking forward to building on the strong momentum from our first few days and getting back to business.”

    The postponed opening day ended up drawing a crowd of 41,962, biggest since 2016 for a Santa Anita opener.

    The nine races scheduled to start Thursday at noon include two stakes on turf, the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares and the Eddie Logan Stakes for 3-year-olds, both of which were originally scheduled for Dec. 28.

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    Kevin Modesti

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  • Inman: 10 things that caught my eye in 49ers’ 13-3 loss to Seahawks

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    SANTA CLARA – Two partially smoked cigars rested on a table in Levi’s Stadium’s visitors locker room, an hour after the Seattle Seahawks’ 13-3 humbling of the 49ers in Saturday night’s battle for the NFC’s top seed and the NFC West crown.

    To the victor went the spoils of loud music, commemorative swag, and Don Thomas Clasico Robusto cigars.

    Yeah, that tops the Seahawks eating turkey legs on Levi’s Stadium’s field on Thanksgiving 2024. Tight end George Kittle didn’t take offense, however.

    “I would do the same (expletive),” Kittle said. “They won the division, the (No.) 1 seed, in a rival stadium. Good for them.”

    He and the 49ers actually accomplished the same in 2019 in Seattle en route to the Super Bowl. Perhaps the Seahawks plan to come back to Levi’s Stadium to finish those cigars in five weeks after Super Bowl LX.

    That is not the 49ers’ immediate concern. They haven’t lost back-to-back games all season and now must win as a wild card on the road, as they did in 2021 as a sixth seed at Dallas and Green Bay before succumbing to the eventual champion Rams.

    Here are 10 things that caught my eye as the 49ers faceplanted in the biggest regular-season game of Levi’s Stadium’s 12-year history:

    1. PRECIOUS PURDY

    Less than two minutes remained in a sure-fire defeat when Brock Purdy got drilled in the back by a 260-pound linebacker, then crunched from the front by 310-pound Leonard Williams. Purdy, remarkably, lived to talk about what he “thinks” was only a left-shoulder nerve stinger that temporarily floored him before he walked off after that fourth-down incompletion. His right thumb appeared bloodied by impacting Williams’ hand, too.

    “I got hit and the left shoulder sort of lit up,” Purdy said. “I feel good right now. We’ll see how I feel (Sunday).”

    Last time he faced the Seahawks, he reported a turf-toe injury the next day, an injury that would shelve him for a total of eight games. Then came a scintillating resurgence over a six-game win streak – against inferior foes – before the Seahawks creamed him with a season-high three sacks and eight hits.

    Yes, Mac Jones rescued the 49ers through the season’s first half. But the 49ers are paying Purdy to lead them through what is now a tough but not unconquerable playoff path.

    2. TRENT WILLIAMS FACTOR

    Coach Kyle Shanahan said it was “too risky” to play left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle). Saving them for the playoffs seems smart, for here comes the elimination round. Both players certainly could have helped an offense that matched Shanahan’s lowest-scoring output since his 23-3 debut in 2017 against Carolina.

    The 49ers are 4-13 without Williams in the starting lineup since 2020.

    Austen Pleasants made his first career start in Williams’ place, and right tackle Colton McKivitiz said Williams’ absence didn’t prompt changes to the Seahawks’ scheme, which uses a lot of inside twists.

    3. WAIT AND SEE

    Kittle campaigned for the Arizona Cardinals (3-13) to upset the Los Angeles Rams (11-5) so the 49ers could climb up to the No. 5 seed and open against the NFC South’s champion, either Carolina or Tampa Bay.

    After spending his bye weekend streaming NFL games while duck hunting, McKivitz won’t be doing that Sunday as he instead recovers from Saturday’s workload.

    “Why not have it hard and go win three road games? That’s just the road we’re going to be on, and why not?” McKivitz said. “It’s basically playoff football. That is what it was today. At least we get to play another and we’re not going home today.”

    If the 49ers stay the No. 6 seed, they’ll open at either the Chicago Bears or the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. The wild-card round is next Saturday through Monday.

    4. COSTLY INTERCEPTION

    Christian McCaffrey scolded himself for having a Purdy pass, tipped as it were, to ricochet off his hands and into those of Drake Thomas for a comeback-killing interception at the Seattle 3-yard line with 12:21 left.

    McCaffrey vowed to learn from it. Purdy defended him, saying the ball “came out weird” after the tip Purdy blamed on himself. “But Christian’s a baller. He’s going to live to play the next play and he’s a Hall of Fame running back. So, dude should walk out with his head up.”

    5. McCAFFREY’S TOTALS

    That dude McCaffrey walked up to the starting lineup all 17 games, ran for 1,202 yards and had a team-high 102 receptions for 924 yards, leaving him 76 receiving yards shy of a 1K/1K season.  He’s the 49ers’ first player with 100 receptions since Terrell Owens in 2002.

    He set the 49ers’ record with 413 touches this season, and his 2,126 scrimmage yards are second-most. He also scored 17 touchdowns. But his average of 3.9 yards per carry was his lowest since his 2017 rookie year (3.7).

    6. COSTLY FUMBLE MISS

    The 49ers trailed only 10-3 when a golden opportunity presented itself: Sam Darnold, after having his foot stepped on by his center, fumbled an exchange with running back Zach Charbonnet. Defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos dove for the ball, only for it to end up in Charbonnet’s hands for a 3-yard loss at the Seattle 25.

    “The ball just bounced,” said Gross-Matos, who helped secure last Sunday’s 42-38 win over the Bears by hitting Caleb Williams on a final throw that bounced incomplete in the end zone.

    7. THIRD-DOWN WOES

    Two plays after that fumble, the Seahawks converted a third-and-17 play, not via a Darnold pass but rather a Kenneth Walker run for 19 yards through an onlooking defense. Consider it an ugly stepchild to the third-and-15 that ignited the 2019 Niners’ Super Bowl loss to Kansas City City.

    Why did the 49ers miss so many tackles, not just on that play but throughout the evening (16 per Pro Football Focus)? Linebacker Tatum Bethune cited how the 49ers were just playing aggressively, but they still have to make tackles. The Seahawks converted 6-of-13 third-down plays.

    8. OFFENSIVE ISSUES

    The 49ers were just 2-of-9 on third-down plays, which went against their NFL-best conversion rate (51%) but was fitting against Seattle’s NFL-leading third-down defense (32.4%).

    What perhaps stung most was a fourth-and-1 play that backfired into Purdy getting pressured into an incompletion toward Kyle Juszczyk from the Seattle 39 with 9 ½ minutes until halftime.

    Afterward on the sideline, Purdy’s film review revealed he could have hit Kittle: “I didn’t have a clear picture, but we got back to the sideline and it was like, ‘Dang, he was there.’”

    9. LINEBACKER DEPTH

    The exits of Bethune (groin) and Dee Winters (ankle) prompt serious concerns about who’ll man that unit in the playoffs. Eric Kendricks got called up from the practice squad a third straight game and has the veteran experience to play the “Mike” role and relay Robert Saleh’s calls, and so does Curtis Robinson, who started three games before being deactivated the past three. There’s also Luke Gifford, and a Garrett Wallow who fans discovered after his costly facemask penalty in punt coverage Saturday.

    Fred Warner? He hasn’t practiced or even been seen conditioning on a side field since his Oct. 14 ankle repair, although he has certainly pushing hard behind the scenes. Any heroic comeback doesn’t figure to happen until later in the playoffs.

    Rookie Nick Martin went on Injured Reserve two weeks ago from a concussion. The 49ers’ leading tacklers this game: cornerback Renardo Green and safety Ji’Ayir Brown, each with eight.

    10. SUPER SEAHAWKS

    The Seahawks set a franchise record with their 14th win, and they remarkably improved to 15-2 on the road in two seasons under coach Mike Macdonald, topped only by George Seifert’s 16-0 road start in his first two seasons with the 1899-90 49ers.

    “I mean, they’ve been showing that they’re one of the best teams in this league all year,” Shanahan said. “That didn’t feel much different than the team we played in Week 1 (a 17-13 49ers comeback win). I thought the game was a little bit similar in terms of the battle on both sides, just to get in the end zone. But, they’ve earned the No. 1 seed. They played like that throughout the whole year and we’re going to have to earn the chance to get to play them again.”

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    Cam Inman

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  • Leonardo DiCaprio on the Importance of Creating Cinema Over Content at Palm Springs Film Festival

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    PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) — Leonardo DiCaprio emphasized the importance of creating cinema over content at the Palm Springs Film Festival Friday night.

    “Movies are still meant to be experienced, together, in a theatre. Right now, that belief matters more than ever. Original films are harder to make and harder to protect. But movies still matter, not content, but cinema. Stories made by people meant to be shared in a dark room in a communal experience,” he said.

    The “One Battle After Another” actor accepted the award via a pre-recorded video. Variety reported that he was be unable to attend the film festival due to the ongoing political conflict with Venezuela, which led to the cancellation of multiple flights out of the Caribbean, where the actor was spotted vacationing over the holiday season. His co-stars, Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor, accepted the award on his behalf.

    The 37th annual International Film Awards at the festival in Palm Springs, California, kicks off Hollywood’s whirlwind award season, honoring some of the film industry’s most anticipated award contenders.

    The glamorous night was full of long, heartfelt speeches, each emphasizing the importance of unity amongst artists and the importance of keeping original storytelling and movie theaters alive.

    While accepting the Icon Award, Actor Michael B. Jordan told his colleagues to continue to tell original stories that build unity.

    “The films were honoring tonight inspire each other to do more, to be better, to see each other more clearly and make the world a brighter place. And maybe when the lights come up in the theater, we could step back into the sun together,” said the actor.

    Cyrus accepted the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award for her song “Dream As One” in “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” The recording artist hopes artists will pivot to becoming more community-focused instead of seeing each other as competitors.

    “Numbers can make it feel like a sport, but performance runs so much deeper than a scoreboard, because each artist can bare their soul in a completely unique way and every contribution leaves its own mark on history,” she said.

    Jane Fonda briefly led the audience in a breathing exercise before presenting “Hamnet’s” Chloe Zhao, Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley with the Vanguard Award. Fonda credited the call to the action to director Chloe Zhao, who would routinely lead similar exercises before festival screenings of “Hamnet.”

    Guillermo del Toro stood alongside his “Frankenstein” cast to receive the Visionary Award.

    The director revealed he recently lost his older brother and reflected on the relevance of Mary Shelley’s classic novel as the world continues to grapple with emerging technology and division. For del Toro, it’s relevance means two things: “We never learn, and sometimes the only way to talk about humanity is through monsters.”

    Timothèe Chalamet received the Spotlight Award, and focused his speech on his “Marty Supreme” character’s pursuit of greatness and making his dreams come true.

    Mahershala Ali presented Ethan Hawke with the Career Achievement Award, reminiscing on how Hawke’s performance in “Reality Bites” was one of many films that inspired his early acting days.

    Hawke’s acceptance speech gave credit to the friends and collaborators that left a mark on who he is today and remembered the influence the late River Phoenix had on his life.

    “I stand here in front of you a sum accumulation of all of the individuals who helped shape me,” said the actor.

    Hawke made his way to the stage a second time for a “First Reformed” reunion with former co-star Amanda Seyfried to present her with the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress.

    Seyfried was quick to point out the unexpected full-circle moment while receiving the same award as DiCaprio.

    “I want to thank Leo for inspiring me to be an actor. So, it’s weird. It’s amazing to get this award. It’s the same title of the award, so it’s like sharing it with him? Sort of? Maybe,” said the actor.

    The night continued with laughter from actor and comedian Adam Sandler after Laura Dern presented him with the Chairman’s Award. Sandler accepted his award with none other than a short stand-up routine about what his life would have looked like if he had chosen a quieter life instead of working in entertainment.

    “I’d probably still have a deal with Netflix. But I’d be paying them a monthly fee so I can watch ”Stranger Things” last season,” said the comedian.

    The cast of “Sentimental Value” accepted the International Star Award as an ensemble. Rose Byrne took home the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress, for her work on “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” poking fun at the idea of receiving a breakthrough award in her 40s. The show concluded with Kate Hudson accepting the Icon Award, Actress for her work in “Song Sung Blue.”

    Award season continues with the 31st annual Critics’ Choice Awards and next Sunday with the 83rd annual Golden Globes.

    Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – December 2025

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    Associated Press

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  • Contributor: California’s place in enslaved people’s struggle for freedom

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    In one version of U.S. history, California is a place where slavery was prohibited from the founding, in the 1849 state constitution, and where that ban was reaffirmed by the state’s ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865. In another telling, it was a place that had ended the practice some 30 years earlier — when it was part of Mexico.

    Despite being on the periphery of the Spanish empire and Mexico before becoming part of the United States, California had an important place in the larger struggle by enslaved people for their freedom. California connects Mexican and U.S. history while also serving as a reminder that there are few corners of the Western Hemisphere that are untouched by the legacy of slavery.

    The story of the rise and fall of African enslavement is often presented as a national story in the United States — and a mostly Southern one — rather than as the hemispheric phenomenon that it was. Enslaved Africans could be found as far south as Chile and Argentina all the way up to Canada. Likewise, the end of slavery was not solely brought about by the Civil War in the U.S., but also by centuries of resistance through rebellions, wars, sabotage and self-emancipation, across the entire Americas. This, too, was part of California’s story.

    After the Spanish toppled the Mexica empire in 1521, they wasted little time bringing captive Africans to the place they called New Spain — a vast territory that would later expand to the north to include New Mexico and California. By the 1530s there were reports of conspiracies to revolt, as well as the establishment of colonies by escapees from slavery. The leader of one such community, Gaspar Yanga, forced Spanish authorities to recognize its autonomy, after troops failed to vanquish him in 1608. This land outside of Veracruz became the first free Black town in Mexico, today known as Yanga. It was a significant victory at a time when an estimated 130,000 Africans were brought to New Spain, resulting in one of the highest African slave populations in the 17th century Americas.

    However, by the 18th century the center of enslavement had shifted farther north, toward the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, and the numbers dropped in Mexico. In addition, there was still Indigenous labor in Mexico, which was often exploited. This was also the case in the lands that would become California, as well as New Mexico, where indentured and often “detribalized” Indigenous people, known as genízaros, were often forced into a servitude that often bore more than a passing resemblance to slavery.

    In 1829, president of a now-independent Mexico, Vicente Guerrero, who was of partial African descent, abolished slavery. This triggered an immediate outcry in the Texas territory, which was largely populated by slave-owning immigrants from the U.S. By 1836 Texas was independent, and slavery in Mexico was officially finished the following year. Now Mexico became a land of possible refuge for people fleeing enslavement in Texas or nearby places such as Louisiana. It was far closer than the Underground Railroad leading to the northern states or Canada. Historian Alice Baumgartner has estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 enslaved people escaped to Mexico from the U.S.

    However, this potential zone of freedom was significantly reduced by the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. In the aftermath of that conflict, 51% of Mexico was ceded to the United States. This included New Mexico, which had been part of Spain’s empire since the early 1600s, and California, which was colonized in 1769. Ultimately, the entire territory would form the states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

    People in the lands ceded from Mexico were forced to confront the issue of slavery anew as part of the U.S. Gold miners were racing to California, and some were from the South, bringing enslaved people to work on their claims. By the time of statehood in 1850, according to one estimate, there had been around 500 to 1,500 enslaved people brought to California, their status obscured even after the state constitution was enacted. Although the shadow of Southern slavery stalked California, some people managed to find freedom in those early years. However, in 1852, California enacted a Fugitive Slave Law, which applied to people who were brought before statehood and led to many being sent back to the plantations of the South. The Utah and New Mexico territories — which would not become states until 1896 and 1912 — passed slave codes, which permitted slavery and were meant to regulate the treatment of people in servitude or bondage, both Black and Native Americans.

    Farther south, however, most of the new republics of Spanish America had ended their involvement with the slave trade and implemented gradual emancipation measures as early as 1811, and with final abolition in place by the mid-1850s. Had California remained part of Mexico, it would have been in this larger, earlier wave of abolition, rather than seeing the continuation or return of enslavement.

    Slavery shaped the Americas for four centuries, blighting the entire hemisphere. The long struggle to dismantle it did not happen only in the U.S. or only in the South; in fact, in Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil it continued for decades after the U.S. Civil War. Simple narratives such as “California banned slavery at its founding” and “slavery ended in 1865” obscure much of its connection to this larger story. What happened to California illuminates the unevenness of abolition and the many false promises of freedom. It also serves as a reminder of the need for a wider lens when thinking about enslavement and freedom throughout the Americas today.

    Carrie Gibson is the author of the forthcoming “The Great Resistance: The 400-Year Fight to End Slavery in the Americas” and of “El Norte: The Epic and Forgotten Story of Hispanic North America.”

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    Carrie Gibson

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  • Judge panel rules California’s open carry ban unconstitutional

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    A dissenting panel of federal judges for the Ninth Circuit on Friday deemed California’s open carry ban in most counties unconstitutional.The ruling comes following a challenge by Mark Baird, who the San Francisco Chronicle identifies as a gun owner from Siskiyou County. Baird specifically challenged California’s restriction on open carry in counties with a population greater than 200,000.(Video Above: California ammunition background check law is unconstitutional)The panel ruled 2-1 in Baird’s favor. In favor of Baird, Judge Lawrence VanDyke noted that the restrictions apply to roughly 95% of the state’s population. And for those counties with populations under 200,000, the judge notes that those wanting to open carry need to apply for a license allowing them to do so, but that the ability to secure the license is “unclear.””California admits that it has no record of even one open-carry license being issued, and one potential reason is that California has misled its citizens about how to apply for an open-carry license,” the ruling’s summary states, referring to the opinions of VanDyke and Judge Kenneth K. Lee. The panel held that the open carry ban was inconsistent with the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms as applied to states under the Fourteenth Amendment. It also referred to the standard applied in 2022’s New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which established that “historical record makes unmistakably plain that open carry is part of this Nation’s history and tradition.”Judge N. Randy Smith, who dissented in part, noted that “open carry is not conduct that is covered by the plain text of the Second Amendment.” Smith also noted that reasoning in the Bruen case allows California to lawfully eliminate one manner of public carry to protect citizens, “so long as its citizens may carry weapons in another manner that allows for self-defense.”Smith asserted that because California allows concealed carry, it may restrict open carry.While the court primarily sided with Baird, it also rejected his related challenge to California’s licensing requirements in counties with fewer than 200,000 residents. Those counties may issue open-carry permits.See the full ruling here. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office slammed the ruling on social media Friday. “California just got military troops with weapons of war off of the streets of our cities, but now Republican activists on the Ninth Circuit want to replace them with gunslingers and return to the days of the Wild West. California’s law was carefully crafted to comply with the Second Amendment and we’re confident this decision will not stand,” the Newsom’s office said.KCRA 3 has reached out to California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Office for comment.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    A dissenting panel of federal judges for the Ninth Circuit on Friday deemed California’s open carry ban in most counties unconstitutional.

    The ruling comes following a challenge by Mark Baird, who the San Francisco Chronicle identifies as a gun owner from Siskiyou County. Baird specifically challenged California’s restriction on open carry in counties with a population greater than 200,000.

    (Video Above: California ammunition background check law is unconstitutional)

    The panel ruled 2-1 in Baird’s favor.

    In favor of Baird, Judge Lawrence VanDyke noted that the restrictions apply to roughly 95% of the state’s population. And for those counties with populations under 200,000, the judge notes that those wanting to open carry need to apply for a license allowing them to do so, but that the ability to secure the license is “unclear.”

    “California admits that it has no record of even one open-carry license being issued, and one potential reason is that California has misled its citizens about how to apply for an open-carry license,” the ruling’s summary states, referring to the opinions of VanDyke and Judge Kenneth K. Lee.

    The panel held that the open carry ban was inconsistent with the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms as applied to states under the Fourteenth Amendment. It also referred to the standard applied in 2022’s New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which established that “historical record makes unmistakably plain that open carry is part of this Nation’s history and tradition.”

    Judge N. Randy Smith, who dissented in part, noted that “open carry is not conduct that is covered by the plain text of the Second Amendment.” Smith also noted that reasoning in the Bruen case allows California to lawfully eliminate one manner of public carry to protect citizens, “so long as its citizens may carry weapons in another manner that allows for self-defense.”

    Smith asserted that because California allows concealed carry, it may restrict open carry.

    While the court primarily sided with Baird, it also rejected his related challenge to California’s licensing requirements in counties with fewer than 200,000 residents. Those counties may issue open-carry permits.

    See the full ruling here.

    Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office slammed the ruling on social media Friday.

    “California just got military troops with weapons of war off of the streets of our cities, but now Republican activists on the Ninth Circuit want to replace them with gunslingers and return to the days of the Wild West. California’s law was carefully crafted to comply with the Second Amendment and we’re confident this decision will not stand,” the Newsom’s office said.

    KCRA 3 has reached out to California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Office for comment.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Ground delay temporarily in place Saturday night at LAX

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    There was a ground delay at Los Angeles International Airtport on Saturday night temporarily affecting incoming flights, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    Flights coming to LAX were delayed an average of 98 minutes, the FAA website showed around 10:50 p.m. The delay order included all contiguous U.S. flights. An FAA advisory listed staffing as the impacting condition for the delay.

    Spokespersons for the FAA and LAX couldn’t be reached for comment late Saturday night.

    It appeared the delay, which ABC7 reported started around 7 p.m., had been lifted by around 11:30 p.m.

    By then, LAX no longer appeared on the FAA’s list of airports affected by delays.

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    Ruby Gonzales

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  • California residents can use new tool to demand brokers delete their personal data | TechCrunch

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    California is giving residents a new tool that should make it easier for them to limit data brokers’ ability to store and sell their personal information.

    While state residents have had the right to demand that a company stop collecting and selling their data since 2020, doing so required a laborious process of opting out with each individual company. The Delete Act, passed in 2023, was supposed to simplify things, allowing residents to make a single request that more than 500 registered data brokers delete their information.

    Now the Delete Requests and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) actually gives residents the ability to make that request. Once DROP users verify that they are California residents, they can submit a deletion request that will go to all current and future data brokers registered with the state.

    But that doesn’t necessarily mean that all your data will be deleted immediately. Brokers are supposed to start processing requests in August 2026, then they have 90 days to actually process requests and report back. If they don’t delete your data, you’ll have the option to submit additional information that may help them locate your records.

    Companies will also be able to keep first-party data that they’ve collected from users. It’s only brokers who seek to buy or sell that data — which can include your social security number, browsing history, email address, phone number, and more — who will be required to delete it.

    Some information, such vehicle registration and voter records, is exempt from deletion because it comes from public documents. Other information, such as sensitive medical information, may be covered under other laws like HIPAA.

    The California Privacy Protection Agency says that in addition to giving residents more control over their data, the tool could result in fewer “unwanted texts, calls, or emails” and also decrease the “risk of identity theft, fraud, AI impersonations, or that your data is leaked or hacked.”

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    The penalty for data brokers who fail to register or fail to delete requested consumer data is $200 per day, plus enforcement costs, according to the agency.

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    Anthony Ha

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  • California introduces a one-stop shop to delete your online data footprint

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    Californians can now put a stop to their personal data being sold around on an online trading floor, thanks to a new free tool. On January 1, the state launched its Delete Request and Opt-out Platform, shortened to DROP, that allows residents to request to delete all of their personal information online that’s been harvested by data brokers.

    According to the California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy), which was responsible for DROP’s release, it’s a “first of its kind” tool that imposes new restrictions on businesses that hoard and sell personal info that consumers didn’t provide directly. The process requires verifying your California residency before you can send a “single deletion request to every registered data broker in California.”

    On the other end, CalPrivacy will require data brokers to register every year and to process any deletion requests from DROP. Data brokers will also have to report the type of information they collect and share, while also being subject to regular audits that check for compliance. If any data broker is found skirting the requirements, they could face penalties and fines.

    Besides being the first in the country to offer this type of comprehensive tool that deletes online personal data, CalPrivacy said it’s one of four states, including Oregon, Texas and Vermont, to require data broker registration. According to the agency, data brokers will start processing the first deletion requests from DROP starting August 1, 2026.

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    Jackson Chen

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