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California regulators slapped PG&E with a $2.1 billion fine for igniting a series of deadly wildfires that landed the beleaguered utility in bankruptcy.

The penalty imposed Thursday in an administrative law judge’s decision boosts the punishment that had been agreed upon in a $1.7 billion settlement announced in December. It is the largest penalty ever assessed by the California Public Utilities Commission for the utility’s role in the catastrophic wildfires of 2017 and 2018 caused by PG&E’s outdated electrical grid and negligence.

California could have the first case of community transmission of COVID-19 in the United States, according to California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell.

After the CDC confirmed a new case of coronavirus in Solano County that appears to be unrelated to travel outside the country, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials held a news conference on Thursday.

Voters across the Bay Area will weigh in Tuesday on a spate of housing-related measures, including local tax increases to pay for homeless services and affordable housing construction, as well as proposals to slow office development and cap rent increases.

Each year, as the region’s severe housing shortage and affordability crisis continues, cities and counties turn to the ballot to address the issue. Here is a roundup of Bay Area measures related to housing costs and construction.

Santa Clara voters are renewing debate over the city’s council district lines.

On March 3, residents will choose between voting for council members in six districts or three districts. Measure C has divided city leaders and caught the attention of the city’s most famous occupant — the 49ers.

First Asian American Elected on the Santa Clara City Council

San Francisco City officials have given the green light for the return of Teatro ZinZanni to the Embarcadero after an absence of nine years.

For just over a decade, from 2000 to 2011, the beloved entertainment spot attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists and locals to Pier 29 with its popular blend of circus, cabaret, comedy and dinner—all of it served up in a vintage wooden tent lined with mirrors and stained glass known as the “spiegeltent.”

After two dry months in a row, state water officials say California’s snowpack is at 46% of normal for this time of year.

As usual, the California Department of Water Resources on Thursday conducted the third monthly snow survey of 2020 at the Phillips Station snow course in the Sierra Nevada, south of Lake Tahoe.

After two dry months in a row, state water officials say California’s snowpack is at 46% of normal for this time of year.

As usual, the California Department of Water Resources on Thursday conducted the third monthly snow survey of 2020 at the Phillips Station snow course in the Sierra Nevada, south of Lake Tahoe.

Two Portlanders have been recognized as finalists for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Citizen Honor Award.

Oregon Democratic U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer announced in a statement Wednesday that Keanon Lowe and Ricky Best received nominations for “demonstrating extraordinary heroism while risking their lives for the well-being of those in their community.”

Governor Gavin Newsom and state health officials said Thursday they are combing the community where the new case of novel coronavirus was transmitted to find out where and how the patient contracted the disease, and to isolate people she came in contact with.

At a press conference at the state capitol, Newsom said the CDC has committed to sending 10 personnel to California to assist with investigating locations the patient went, and interviewing people who were in contact with her.

Governor Gavin Newsom and state health officials said Thursday they are combing the community where the new case of novel coronavirus was transmitted to find out where and how the patient contracted the disease, and to isolate people she came in contact with.

At a press conference at the state capitol, Newsom said the CDC has committed to sending 10 personnel to California to assist with investigating locations the patient went, and interviewing people who were in contact with her.

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See if you can guess what this sound is.

(SOUNDBITE OF CRACKLING)

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President Trump has put his No. 2 in charge of the U.S. response to the new coronavirus.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

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This is one of more than a dozen states that will vote next week on Super Tuesday. And it's one of the places where we're launching a year-long NPR series called Where Voters Are.

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