COVID hospitalizations are rising again after more than two months of persistently high case rates in the Bay Area and California. But the doctors who treat these patients are seeing consistent indications that for most, the disease is less severe than…
California’s ‘insurer of last resort’ accused of wrongly denying wildfire claims
After the CZU Lightning Complex Fires ripped through the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2020, Sarah Mapel’s home was one of the few in her Boulder Creek, California, neighborhood left standing. But after returning to the three-bedroom house built out of old-g…
Tesla’s Autopilot chief quits company after feds announce expanded safety probe
The head of Tesla’s controversial “Autopilot” program said Wednesday he was quitting the company, weeks after news broke of an expanded federal probe into the driver-assistance feature’s safety. “It’s been a great pleasure to help Tesla towards its goa…
Dieter Kurtenbach: Welcome to the rebuild — the Sharks’ trade of Brent Burns marks the real start of the Mike Grier era
Actions speak louder than words. So while newly-hired Sharks general manager Mike Grier isn’t calling his plan for the team a “rebuild”, his first few days on the job tell a different story. Grier has wasted no time — he’s tearing down a roster that wa…
Court orders California to pause denying pandemic rent aid
An Alameda County, California judge has ordered the state housing department to pause denying applications for pandemic rental assistance after tenant advocates filed a lawsuit alleging officials have unfairly withheld aid from struggling renters. Advo…
Why Sharks GM Grier was the man to break the NHL’s front-office color barrier
There were many mornings that Mike Grier got up for school to learn that his dad had already left for work. There were many days that his dad wouldn’t make it home for dinner, or even for the kids’ bedtime. Bobby Grier was a coach and scout for the New…
Cal product Korey Lee has day to remember as Astros beat Athletics
OAKLAND, Calif. — It was a day to remember for Houston catcher Korey Lee, but another one to forget for the Athletics. Lee, a first-round draft pick out of Cal in 2019, had three hits and drove in three runs in a 6-1 win over the Athletics Sunday befor…
Giants’ Carlos Rodón cements All-Star case with complete game victory vs. Padres
SAN DIEGO — Stuck in a skid that has jeopardized their season, the Giants at times over the past few weeks have been hard to watch. All year, though, Carlos Rodón’s starts have made for can’t-miss baseball. In a 3-1 win Saturday against the Padres, Rod…
With pinch-hit heroics, Giants snap season-long skid against D-backs
PHOENIX — Rejoice, San Francisco, the season-worst skid is over. To break out of this funk, prevail for the first time in seven games and give a jolt of life back into a season that appeared to be in peril, the Giants reverted to their winning ways fro…
Alex Cobb gives SF Giants best effort this season but backslide on supposedly easy home stand continues vs. White Sox
SAN FRANCISCO — Since signing with the San Francisco Giants, most of Alex Cobb’s first season here has been derailed by poor defense or health issues. His expected ERA: sterling. The actual number: not so much. Opening a three-game weekend series with …