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Contraband, negligence jeopardizes Santa Rita Jail detainees’ heath and safety, grand jury report finds

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June 29, 20220

DUBLIN — Allegations of scandal and negligence have long plagued the Santa Rita Jail, but a new Alameda County civil grand jury report shows the extent to which challenges have persisted at one of the nation’s largest detention centers. The 35-page report said that visitors at Santa Rita Jail could enter the 33-year-old facility without being searched or presenting ID. That a steady stream of contraband, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, threatened detainees’ safety. That lackluster COVID policies culminated in needless outbreaks. And that the former medical director was discovered self-prescribing opioids on the clock, while detainees struggled to acquire health services. The jail has room to house just shy of 3,500 individuals, but was only at 65% capacity in February, the report,

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Letters: Limit justices | Lying to Congress | Religious wedge | Court’s agenda | Second Amendment

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June 29, 20220

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Members of Congress must limit justices’ terms I urge members of Congress to pass Rep. Ro Khanna’s Supreme Court Term Limits Act now. There has never been a more urgent need to have these justices restrained by something other than the icy hand of death. Justice Clarence Thomas has indicated that he intends to spend every one of his remaining years on the court ruling out of spite, intending to get even with liberals by inflicting as much pain as possible. We actually need more judges. The number of justices should also be expanded to 13, the same as the number on circuit courts. The number nine is not sacred. I urge my elected officials to seize the opportunity they have with a Democratic majority. I do not

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After testimony of former White House aide, what’s next? |Opinion

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June 29, 20220

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, is reflected in a cellphone as he talks with the media after a hearing.Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press As the member of the U.S. House go on vacation for the July 4 holiday, the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol is hoping to conduct some interviews. Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said at Tuesday’s hearing the committee would reconvene in the weeks ahead, but it hoped to speak to more witnesses. Because of the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, he said, attempts to “hide the truth from the American people will fail.” “If you’ve heard this testimony today and suddenly you remember things you couldn’t previously rec

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LA Animal Services ending appointment requirement on Tuesdays, Thursdays

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June 29, 20220

Appointments will no longer be needed to visit Los Angeles animal shelters on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning July 5, officials said today. The shelter system has required the appointments on weekdays as a way to reduce crowding during the coronavirus pandemic, drawing criticism from some community members and animal rights advocates who complained that the rules made it harder for the public to adopt pets and relieve the shelters of overcrowding. “In an effort to better serve our community and encourage more opportunities for the pets in our shelters to be adopted, we are pleased to operate without appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays, joining Saturday and Sunday that welcome walk-in visitors,” said Annette Ramirez, interim general manager for LA Animal Services. “This decision is mad...

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Bay Area wins millions in state funding to address family homelessness

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June 29, 20220

The Bay Area won more than $5 million in grants to help house homeless families — the latest funds allotted from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $12 billion package to address the statewide crisis. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness recently doled out a total of $17 million to 10 cities and counties around the state. Oakland, Livermore and Santa Clara County were among the recipients. “No child should have to spend their formative years experiencing homelessness,” Newsom said in a news release. “With these grants, communities throughout the state will have the resources to innovate and find solutions to family homelessness so that all of California’s children can go to bed each night with a roof over their head.” Santa Clara County won about $2.5 million to serve 318 unhoused pregnant

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SF Giants end June on losing note despite LaMonte Wade Jr.’s return

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June 29, 20220

SAN FRANCISCO — LaMonte Wade Jr.’s return to the lineup Wednesday set the Giants up to close the month of June on a high note, but instead it ended in a loss for the seventh time in their past 10 games. Even with Wade back at the top of their lineup, the Giants weren’t able to muster enough offense in a 3-2 loss to the Tigers, splitting this two-game interleague series and ending the month of June at 14-14. Of their 14 losses this month, Wednesday’s was the seventh that came by just one run. Evan Longoria gave the Giants his third homer in five games — his eighth of the season, raising his OPS to .847, second on the team only to Joc Pederson — with a solo shot in the first inning, but the Giants managed only one more run the rest of the way while leaving the bases loaded twice. The most da

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U.S.-Mexico Border Patrol data: San Antonio incident marks deadly trend

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June 29, 20220

AP The death toll continues to rise after a trailer filled with dozens of migrants was discovered in San Antonio Monday, with 53 now deceased and over 12 hospitalized. It’s believed to be the deadliest smuggling event to occur along the U.S.-Mexico border. The grim discovery, made by an employee of a local business who heard a cry for help, is the latest example of what has become an increasingly deadly journey across the southern border. “Tragically, it’s certainly not unique,” said Matthew Soerens, U.S. director of church mobilization and advocacy for World Relief’s refugee resettlement agency. Related At least 50 migrants found dead in San Antonio May was a rec