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PG&E jolted by billions in quarterly losses amid wildfire costs, sees exit from bankruptcy

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By George Avalos / Bay Area News Group

Utility suffers $3.6 billion fourth-quarter loss, $3.8 billion in wildfire expenses

PG&E posted a $3.62 billion loss for the final three months of 2019, but the embattled utility said Tuesday it’s on track to emerge from a bankruptcy quagmire linked to its liabilities for a string of lethal wildfires.

Tucked away in its multiple disclosures related to its financial results was the revelation of a new plan to spend $37 billion to $41 billion over the next five years in “infrastructure investments.”

Bill Introduced to Expand Enforcement Powers Over Utilities

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By Bay City News / NBC Bay Area 

The Utility Accountability and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2020 would hold utility companies accountable when their equipment is found to have started a wildfire.

A group of state legislators and Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley announced the introduction of a bill Tuesday that would give the state attorney general and local district attorneys the power to reprimand utility companies for failure to comply with safety regulations.

Bill Introduced To Expand Enforcement Powers Over Utilities

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By Bay City News Service / SF Gate

A group of state legislators and Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley announced the introduction of a bill Tuesday that would give the state attorney general and local district attorneys the power to reprimand utility companies for failure to comply with safety regulations.

What More can California do on Abortion Access?

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By Hannah Wiley / Sacramento Bee

While southern states are working to dismantle Roe v. Wade in their own capitols, California lawmakers revealed on Wednesday their plan to expand abortion care and access in the Golden State.

A crew of about a dozen Democrats and advocates, donned in pink clothing, joined Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California for a press conference announcing a 2020 reproductive healthcare package.

The four proposals include:

Expanding Medi-Cal’s family planning services to include the HPV vaccine

Pleasanton Police Report 28% Increase in Auto Burglary from Unlocked Cars

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By East County Today Staff / East County Today 

With all the auto burglaries in East Contra Costa County, here is a look at the City of Pleasanaton and data reported by the Pleasanton Police Department.

They report that in 2019, they took 282 reports of theft from unlocked vehicles–which was a 28% increase from 2018. In most cases, items were left in plain sight and note that these crimes are 100% preventable.

'Together we rise:' Tens of thousands take part in Women's Marches across Bay Area

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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Thousands took to the streets across the Bay Area Saturday for the fourth annual women's march, a movement to empower women politically.

Fewer people took part this year but organizers say the message is just as powerful.

The original march began in 2017, the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration, and drew hundreds of thousands of people in the nation's capital. The exact size of the turnout remains subject to a politically charged debate, but it's generally regarded as the largest Washington protest since the Vietnam era.

Local Lawmakers Want Funding to Purchase N3 Ranch for New State Park

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SACRAMENTO – Senators Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont, Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, and 15 other Bay Area legislators on Wednesday urged Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders to provide funding to help acquire the N3 Ranch in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and preserve it as public parkland.

“This once-in-a-generation opportunity would help create one of the largest parks in California, protect a crucial watershed, fight climate change and provide accessible backcountry wilderness to millions of Californians,” Senator Wieckowski said.