4-year-olds

Facing a $22 billion state budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom trims climate and transit programs but doesn’t cut $1.2 billion plan for transitional kindergarten, which studies show helps young kids succeed academically.

Oakland landlords

Nearly three years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, downtown Oakland still has a 25% office vacancy rate, up from 24% last fall, as more people continue to work from home and tech companies trim staffing.

Katie Porter

Southern California congresswoman is the first Democrat to announce a run for Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat when she retires as expected in 2024. But Porter will have to beat three or four other ambitious Dems to win.