Here's what's happening in the Bay Area, as curated by KALW news:
SB 128, California's right-to-die bill, denied // San Jose Mercury News
“Just weeks after it appeared headed for passage, California's right-to-die bill ran headlong into some Democratic lawmakers' fears that doctors might coerce the poor to end their lives when they become seriously ill -- and was shelved for the year.
“Sens. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, and Bill Monning, D-Monterey, conceded Tuesday that their legislation -- dubbed a "death with dignity" bill by proponents and an "assisted suicide" measure by opponents -- didn't have enough support from members of the Assembly Health Committee to advance to the Assembly floor."
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Gun in fatal San Francisco shooting belonged to federal agent // Los Angeles Times
“Mexican national who has been deported multiple times for illegally entering the United States pleaded not guilty to a murder charge Tuesday in the shooting death of Kathryn Steinle, who was strolling on the tourist-friendly Embarcadero with her father last week when she was shot once in the back.
“Later Tuesday, law enforcement sources confirmed that the gun used in the shooting belonged to a federal agent, but no details were available about how the suspect may have obtained the weapon, or whether it had been lost or stolen.”
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Feds to decide whether state’s last nuclear plant stays or goes // SF Gate
“Federal regulators have restarted the process of deciding whether California’s last nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, will remain open for decades.
“And like most everything else in Diablo’s long, contentious history, the move is sure to provoke a fight.
“The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has reported that it would once again begin processing a request from plant owner Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to renew Diablo’s operating licenses, set to expire in 2024 and 2025. That request has been on hold since shortly after Japan’s 2011 Fukushima disaster rekindled fears of nuclear danger.”
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Richmond: Inside a former Ford plant, a robot takes step into the future // Silicon Valley News
“ More than 80 years ago, Model A's rolled out of the gleaming new Ford assembly plant at the edge of the San Francisco Bay. Today the brick "daylight factory" with tall ceilings and an open floor plan is where state-of-the-art technology of a different era is manufactured -- wearable robots that help humans walk, lift heavy items and run faster.
“Welcome to Ekso Bionics, a robotics company whose products include an external wearable body frame that soldiers can put on under their uniforms to help them carry heavy loads, as well as a device people with spinal cord injuries can wear to help them during their rehabilitation."
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SF police arrest man, find 600 images of child porn on computer // SF Gate
“A 35-year-old man who allegedly sent lewd messages to teenage girls and collected dozens of child pornography videos was arrested last week at his home on Capp Street, San Francisco police said Tuesday.
“Police served a search warrant on Juan Cristano-Ramirez on June 30, after investigators caught him engaging in sexually explicit chats with underage teenage girls through various messenger applications. After searching the suspect’s laptop, police found more than 600 images of child pornography, and videos showing young children engaged in sexual acts with adults.”
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Mountain lion spotted roaming through SF four times in past week // San Francisco Examiner
“Four mountain lion sightings believed to be of the same animal have been reported throughout San Francisco in the past week, authorities said Tuesday.
“The sightings began in Sea Cliff and the western Presidio on June 30, according to a joint statement from the Presidio Trust, Animal Care and Control and the National Park Service. Another sighting was reported in the 1000 block of Gough Street on July 1, and the most recent sighting occurred near Lake Merced on July 3.”