Photo: Nina Riggio / Special to The ChronicleThe head of global security for Apple was indicted Monday for what prosecutors said was his role in an alleged bribery scheme to obtain gun permits in exchange for political donations, the Santa Clara District Attorney’s office said.Apple’s Chief Security Officer Thomas Moyer, 50, is accused of bribing members of the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office with iPads in a bid to secure concealed-weapon permits.Josh Rosenstock, a spokesman for Apple, said in an email that the company “conducted a thorough internal investigation and found no wrongdoing” after...…Photo: Nina Riggio / Special to The ChronicleThe head of global security for Apple was indicted Monday for what prosecutors said was his role in an alleged bribery scheme to obtain gun permits in exchange for political donations, the Santa Clara District Attorney’s office said.Apple’s Chief Security Officer Thomas Moyer, 50, is accused of bribing members of the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office with iPads in a bid to secure concealed-weapon permits.Josh Rosenstock, a spokesman for Apple, said in an email that the company “conducted a thorough internal investigation and found no wrongdoing” after...WW…

San Francisco on Sunday again avoided being banished to the state’s most restrictive purple tier, even as as coronavirus cases surged. But residents should not get their hopes up: It’s still likely to happen this week, officials said.The purple designation would place the city under California’s new curfew order within two days and force almost all indoor activities to shut down just in time for stuffing and turkey on Thanksgiving.Once San Francisco is downgraded to the purple tier, indoor operations such as museums, movie theaters, gyms and places of worship would be required to shut down...…San Francisco on Sunday again avoided being banished to the state’s most restrictive purple tier, even as as coronavirus cases surged. But residents should not get their hopes up: It’s still likely to happen this week, officials said.The purple designation would place the city under California’s new curfew order within two days and force almost all indoor activities to shut down just in time for stuffing and turkey on Thanksgiving.Once San Francisco is downgraded to the purple tier, indoor operations such as museums, movie theaters, gyms and places of worship would be required to shut down...WW…

Photo: Paul Chinn / The ChronicleSan Francisco loves to bask in how wonderful it is, and just last month, about nearly quashing coronavirus transmission.In early October, just 27 people a day tested positive in the city, which sat in the state’s yellow tier, meaning the virus risk was “minimal.” That allowed the city to open restaurants for indoor dining at 25% capacity and loosen other restrictions.But a few weeks can bring a dramatic change of fate — especially in the miserable year that is 2020.Now, San Francisco sits in the red tier, meaning the virus spread is “substantial,” and 105...…Photo: Paul Chinn / The ChronicleSan Francisco loves to bask in how wonderful it is, and just last month, about nearly quashing coronavirus transmission.In early October, just 27 people a day tested positive in the city, which sat in the state’s yellow tier, meaning the virus risk was “minimal.” That allowed the city to open restaurants for indoor dining at 25% capacity and loosen other restrictions.But a few weeks can bring a dramatic change of fate — especially in the miserable year that is 2020.Now, San Francisco sits in the red tier, meaning the virus spread is “substantial,” and 105...WW…

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission wants companies with 50 or more employees to cap car commutes to 40% of their workforce by 2035, as part of a state goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions.The transit planning agency voted unanimously Friday to advance the proposal. Other workers could walk, bike, or take public transit to offices or stay home. Carpooling would be subject to the cap. Agricultural businesses that lack public transit options would be exempt.The commuter mandate will require state legislation to be legally binding. That would likely spark future opposition, and...…The Metropolitan Transportation Commission wants companies with 50 or more employees to cap car commutes to 40% of their workforce by 2035, as part of a state goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions.The transit planning agency voted unanimously Friday to advance the proposal. Other workers could walk, bike, or take public transit to offices or stay home. Carpooling would be subject to the cap. Agricultural businesses that lack public transit options would be exempt.The commuter mandate will require state legislation to be legally binding. That would likely spark future opposition, and...WW…

✕While many Bay Area have remained shuttered through the coronavirus pandemic, for months one San Francisco spot has played host to a lineup of dance parties, live performances and standup comedy shows., in the city’s Dogpatch neighborhood, has benefited from its remote location and vast 40,000-square-foot space. A full-service kitchen and cafe, Madame Zola’s Fortune, on its premises has also helped keep it running.“Being here really allowed us to use the unique qualities of the venue to do something,” says Andrea Kirk, the Midway’s assistant general manager.Its warehouse and outdoor stage...…✕While many Bay Area have remained shuttered through the coronavirus pandemic, for months one San Francisco spot has played host to a lineup of dance parties, live performances and standup comedy shows., in the city’s Dogpatch neighborhood, has benefited from its remote location and vast 40,000-square-foot space. A full-service kitchen and cafe, Madame Zola’s Fortune, on its premises has also helped keep it running.“Being here really allowed us to use the unique qualities of the venue to do something,” says Andrea Kirk, the Midway’s assistant general manager.Its warehouse and outdoor stage...WW…

Photo: Jae C. Hong / Associated PressCalifornia has that will apply to all counties experiencing . Right now, that makes up about 95% of the state. early next week, which would place the city under the curfew order.Here’s what you need to know:Q: When will the curfew go into effect?A: The order takes effect Saturday at 10 p.m. and will continue for one month in all counties that are currently in the state’s most restrictive purple tier of economic reopening. In those counties, the stay-at-home order will last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day of the week.Q: Who will be affected by this...…Photo: Jae C. Hong / Associated PressCalifornia has that will apply to all counties experiencing . Right now, that makes up about 95% of the state. early next week, which would place the city under the curfew order.Here’s what you need to know:Q: When will the curfew go into effect?A: The order takes effect Saturday at 10 p.m. and will continue for one month in all counties that are currently in the state’s most restrictive purple tier of economic reopening. In those counties, the stay-at-home order will last from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day of the week.Q: Who will be affected by this...WW…

San Francisco’s homeless department said it will slow down a much-criticized plan to move more than 500 homeless people out of city-funded hotel rooms before Christmas, following news that it will get millions of dollars from the state to support the program.On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $62 million in funding for counties sheltering vulnerable residents in hotel rooms during the pandemic. It’s unclear how much funding will go toward San Francisco, where more than 2,300 homeless people are staying in hotels.But word of the slower move-out didn’t appease some members of the Board of...…San Francisco’s homeless department said it will slow down a much-criticized plan to move more than 500 homeless people out of city-funded hotel rooms before Christmas, following news that it will get millions of dollars from the state to support the program.On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $62 million in funding for counties sheltering vulnerable residents in hotel rooms during the pandemic. It’s unclear how much funding will go toward San Francisco, where more than 2,300 homeless people are staying in hotels.But word of the slower move-out didn’t appease some members of the Board of...WW…

A San Francisco supervisor has vowed to introduce legislation requiring sprinklers in older buildings after a large fire broke out at a high-rise apartment complex in San Francisco’s Financial District early Friday morning — for the second time in two years.The Fire Department was investigating whether a battery from a charging scooter ignited the blaze, according to a document reviewed by The Chronicle.The east tower of the Gateway apartment complex at 440 Davis Court caught flames around 1:20 a.m. Friday morning, displacing 15 people and injuring five. The fire damaged three units and may...…A San Francisco supervisor has vowed to introduce legislation requiring sprinklers in older buildings after a large fire broke out at a high-rise apartment complex in San Francisco’s Financial District early Friday morning — for the second time in two years.The Fire Department was investigating whether a battery from a charging scooter ignited the blaze, according to a document reviewed by The Chronicle.The east tower of the Gateway apartment complex at 440 Davis Court caught flames around 1:20 a.m. Friday morning, displacing 15 people and injuring five. The fire damaged three units and may...WW…

San Francisco’s Department of Public Health rejected the Warriors’ ambitious plan to bring back more than 9,000 spectators to games during the upcoming NBA season, while pledging to work with the team to host fans at Chase Center once the coronavirus pandemic eases.Health Officer Tomás Aragón’s letter to the Warriors, a copy of which was obtained by The Chronicle, raises the possibility of allowing 25% capacity (about 4,500 fans) if San Francisco reaches California’s yellow tier of coronavirus case rates. The county recently moved two levels from the yellow tier to the more restrictive red...…San Francisco’s Department of Public Health rejected the Warriors’ ambitious plan to bring back more than 9,000 spectators to games during the upcoming NBA season, while pledging to work with the team to host fans at Chase Center once the coronavirus pandemic eases.Health Officer Tomás Aragón’s letter to the Warriors, a copy of which was obtained by The Chronicle, raises the possibility of allowing 25% capacity (about 4,500 fans) if San Francisco reaches California’s yellow tier of coronavirus case rates. The county recently moved two levels from the yellow tier to the more restrictive red...WW…

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom apologized Monday for attending a birthday dinner party this month at the French Laundry in Napa County, an attempt to win back public trust for his coronavirus response strategy as California enters a dangerous new stage of the pandemic.Newsom said he was acknowledging his mistake so he could move forward with the work he was “sent here to do,” leading the state through what has rapidly become the worst surge of the virus yet. The governor admitted he should have left the dinner party when he saw there were more people in attendance than he has advised...…SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom apologized Monday for attending a birthday dinner party this month at the French Laundry in Napa County, an attempt to win back public trust for his coronavirus response strategy as California enters a dangerous new stage of the pandemic.Newsom said he was acknowledging his mistake so he could move forward with the work he was “sent here to do,” leading the state through what has rapidly become the worst surge of the virus yet. The governor admitted he should have left the dinner party when he saw there were more people in attendance than he has advised...WW…

Every shoreline park is unique — shaped by conditions that differ from site to site as surely as each day’s shifting tides.But even within this reality, Township Commons on Oakland’s waterfront is a startling act of urban reinvention that, with time, should pull people from across the city to an area that until now has been off the map.Part historic restoration, part sculptural intervention, the 4.5-acre landscape replaces a mostly demolished shipping terminal that dates to 1930. It’s also the first public space in the initial phase of Brooklyn Basin, a 65-acre development south of Jack...…Every shoreline park is unique — shaped by conditions that differ from site to site as surely as each day’s shifting tides.But even within this reality, Township Commons on Oakland’s waterfront is a startling act of urban reinvention that, with time, should pull people from across the city to an area that until now has been off the map.Part historic restoration, part sculptural intervention, the 4.5-acre landscape replaces a mostly demolished shipping terminal that dates to 1930. It’s also the first public space in the initial phase of Brooklyn Basin, a 65-acre development south of Jack...WW…

Photo: Jana Asenbrennerova / Special to The ChronicleSan Francisco’s public school students would start returning to classrooms by Jan. 25 under a timeline approved unanimously by the school board Tuesday night.But the date is not a given. County health officials would have to authorize the reopening, ensuring the district has met health and safety requirements, including ventilation, social distancing protocols and well stocked pandemic supplies.And with rising coronavirus case rates, the future is all but uncertain in terms of what can be open two months from now.In addition, the district...…Photo: Jana Asenbrennerova / Special to The ChronicleSan Francisco’s public school students would start returning to classrooms by Jan. 25 under a timeline approved unanimously by the school board Tuesday night.But the date is not a given. County health officials would have to authorize the reopening, ensuring the district has met health and safety requirements, including ventilation, social distancing protocols and well stocked pandemic supplies.And with rising coronavirus case rates, the future is all but uncertain in terms of what can be open two months from now.In addition, the district...WW…

Most of the Bay Area and restricted retailers and gyms as the went into effect Tuesday, the latest blow to local businesses and workers as coronavirus cases surge once again.San Francisco, which worsened from the least-restrictive yellow tier to red, closed nonessential offices for the third time this year, ensuring that downtown will remain a ghost town. With those limits in place and many potential customers still cloistered at home, shopkeepers, restaurateurs and other business owners are worried about survival.Eight of the Bay Area counties banned indoor dining, with only San Mateo...…Most of the Bay Area and restricted retailers and gyms as the went into effect Tuesday, the latest blow to local businesses and workers as coronavirus cases surge once again.San Francisco, which worsened from the least-restrictive yellow tier to red, closed nonessential offices for the third time this year, ensuring that downtown will remain a ghost town. With those limits in place and many potential customers still cloistered at home, shopkeepers, restaurateurs and other business owners are worried about survival.Eight of the Bay Area counties banned indoor dining, with only San Mateo...WW…

Bay Area single-family home prices hit another record high in October and sales were up 19% over last year, defying the usual slowdown that hits the real estate market in fall, according to a California Association of Realtors out Tuesday.“Typically by September we should have the end of home-buying season,” said Oscar Wei, the association’s senior economist. The busy season was extended this year because mortgage rates hit in October and the market is still playing catch-up from April and May, when sales fell off a cliff amid stringent shelter-in-place rules.Also, “the home-buying season...…Bay Area single-family home prices hit another record high in October and sales were up 19% over last year, defying the usual slowdown that hits the real estate market in fall, according to a California Association of Realtors out Tuesday.“Typically by September we should have the end of home-buying season,” said Oscar Wei, the association’s senior economist. The busy season was extended this year because mortgage rates hit in October and the market is still playing catch-up from April and May, when sales fell off a cliff amid stringent shelter-in-place rules.Also, “the home-buying season...WW…

SACRAMENTO — Although the coronavirus pandemic has largely grounded the global travel industry, it did not stop the annual political conference that brings California lawmakers to Hawaii for five days of policy discussions and schmoozing with corporate sponsors.The conference, which has been hosted by the Independent Voter Project every November for more than a decade, is taking place this week at the on Maui’s southwest shore.“Somebody has to be first to say, ‘OK, we’re going to do a group event safely,’” Dan Howle, chairman and executive director of the Independent Voter Project, said in...…SACRAMENTO — Although the coronavirus pandemic has largely grounded the global travel industry, it did not stop the annual political conference that brings California lawmakers to Hawaii for five days of policy discussions and schmoozing with corporate sponsors.The conference, which has been hosted by the Independent Voter Project every November for more than a decade, is taking place this week at the on Maui’s southwest shore.“Somebody has to be first to say, ‘OK, we’re going to do a group event safely,’” Dan Howle, chairman and executive director of the Independent Voter Project, said in...WW…

Increased demand for San Francisco’s free coronavirus testing services, presumably in preparation for planned Thanksgiving gatherings, has stressed the city’s infrastructure and prompted the mayor and health director to warn against what they characterized as a dangerous strategy.Complaints have been coming in recently that the Embarcadero testing site, which is part of the CityTestSF program, has been overrun by people seeking tests before traveling ahead of next week’s holiday.The primary complaint, according to several officials, has been that uninsured San Franciscans, essential workers...…Increased demand for San Francisco’s free coronavirus testing services, presumably in preparation for planned Thanksgiving gatherings, has stressed the city’s infrastructure and prompted the mayor and health director to warn against what they characterized as a dangerous strategy.Complaints have been coming in recently that the Embarcadero testing site, which is part of the CityTestSF program, has been overrun by people seeking tests before traveling ahead of next week’s holiday.The primary complaint, according to several officials, has been that uninsured San Franciscans, essential workers...WW…

Photo: Liz Hafalia / The ChronicleWelcome to MicroClimates, The Chronicle’s climate change newsletter. If someone forwarded you this email, you can .A few months ago, I came across a notable nugget of information: Mission Bay had one of the lowest residential greenhouse gas emissions per person in the country, according to a .The pointed to a concerning finding — residential energy use in wealthy ZIP codes in the U.S. produces 25% more heat-trapping emissions than poorer ZIP codes on average. In some cases, the difference in nearby ZIP codes in the same metro areas was four times as much.So...…Photo: Liz Hafalia / The ChronicleWelcome to MicroClimates, The Chronicle’s climate change newsletter. If someone forwarded you this email, you can .A few months ago, I came across a notable nugget of information: Mission Bay had one of the lowest residential greenhouse gas emissions per person in the country, according to a .The pointed to a concerning finding — residential energy use in wealthy ZIP codes in the U.S. produces 25% more heat-trapping emissions than poorer ZIP codes on average. In some cases, the difference in nearby ZIP codes in the same metro areas was four times as much.So...WW…

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press 2016Airbnb unveiled long-anticipated plans to go public Monday, defying concerns that the coronavirus pandemic had permanently hurt its business of short-term rentals and revealing the underlying strength of the San Francisco company’s business.The stock offering, which could take place as soon as December, will likely make Airbnb’s founders and investors billions and turn many employees into millionaires. While taxes on their windfall and spending by the newly wealthy will bolster state and local coffers at a time when such revenue is badly needed, it is...…Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press 2016Airbnb unveiled long-anticipated plans to go public Monday, defying concerns that the coronavirus pandemic had permanently hurt its business of short-term rentals and revealing the underlying strength of the San Francisco company’s business.The stock offering, which could take place as soon as December, will likely make Airbnb’s founders and investors billions and turn many employees into millionaires. While taxes on their windfall and spending by the newly wealthy will bolster state and local coffers at a time when such revenue is badly needed, it is...WW…

The world’s biggest firebreak, a nearly 800-mile line cut into the western slope of the Sierra Nevada during the Great Depression, once protected California’s forests from the state’s ceaseless infernos.Built in three years, the Ponderosa Way snaked from the Pit River in the Cascade Mountains down to the Kern River near Bakersfield. Thousands of unemployed men joined Civilian Conservation Corps camps up and down the state, grading steep ravines, erecting steel bridges and stacking stones to create culverts.One fire historian called it the “Great Wall of California.” Another the “Mother of...…The world’s biggest firebreak, a nearly 800-mile line cut into the western slope of the Sierra Nevada during the Great Depression, once protected California’s forests from the state’s ceaseless infernos.Built in three years, the Ponderosa Way snaked from the Pit River in the Cascade Mountains down to the Kern River near Bakersfield. Thousands of unemployed men joined Civilian Conservation Corps camps up and down the state, grading steep ravines, erecting steel bridges and stacking stones to create culverts.One fire historian called it the “Great Wall of California.” Another the “Mother of...WW…

Just 2 hours and 52 minutes into the new year, San Francisco recorded its first overdose death. The victim, a 71-year-old man, was found sitting upright and unresponsive in a drab apartment building at the corner of Eddy and Leavenworth streets. He marked the first opioid-related loss in what would quickly become a horrifying and record-breaking year for the city's drug crisis.By the end of August, 466 had died of overdoses, putting San Francisco on track to losing at least two people a day by the end of the year. That compared to 441 in all of 2019.More than 40% of all overdose deaths this...…Just 2 hours and 52 minutes into the new year, San Francisco recorded its first overdose death. The victim, a 71-year-old man, was found sitting upright and unresponsive in a drab apartment building at the corner of Eddy and Leavenworth streets. He marked the first opioid-related loss in what would quickly become a horrifying and record-breaking year for the city's drug crisis.By the end of August, 466 had died of overdoses, putting San Francisco on track to losing at least two people a day by the end of the year. That compared to 441 in all of 2019.More than 40% of all overdose deaths this...WW…

Photo: Jessica Christian / The ChronicleBART riders have likely dodged station closures and weekend shutdowns — at least for now — but the transit agency might lose up to 40% of its staff to early retirement as it struggles to fill a huge budget hole.BART’s board of directors will vote Thursday on a retirement incentive plan that could slim its workforce by as much as 40% as the agency tries to avert layoffs, though it expects a much smaller share of employees to take the buyout.Also on Thursday, BART staff will inform the board about service changes going into effect in March. The change...…Photo: Jessica Christian / The ChronicleBART riders have likely dodged station closures and weekend shutdowns — at least for now — but the transit agency might lose up to 40% of its staff to early retirement as it struggles to fill a huge budget hole.BART’s board of directors will vote Thursday on a retirement incentive plan that could slim its workforce by as much as 40% as the agency tries to avert layoffs, though it expects a much smaller share of employees to take the buyout.Also on Thursday, BART staff will inform the board about service changes going into effect in March. The change...WW…

The steps of San Francisco’s City Hall were lined with 187 pairs of shoes Sunday afternoon, each pair representing a Bay Area resident whose life ended in a traffic crash.In a solemn ceremony — part of a World Day of Remembrance — pedestrian advocates gathered to recite the names of all those killed by cars in the past six years. The 100 or so mourners who gathered placed flowers by the shoes in memory of those who had been hit by cars.Some of the victims were on skateboards, some were on bikes. Most were walking. Every 15 hours on average, someone is taken to San Francisco General Hospital...…The steps of San Francisco’s City Hall were lined with 187 pairs of shoes Sunday afternoon, each pair representing a Bay Area resident whose life ended in a traffic crash.In a solemn ceremony — part of a World Day of Remembrance — pedestrian advocates gathered to recite the names of all those killed by cars in the past six years. The 100 or so mourners who gathered placed flowers by the shoes in memory of those who had been hit by cars.Some of the victims were on skateboards, some were on bikes. Most were walking. Every 15 hours on average, someone is taken to San Francisco General Hospital...WW…

Muni’s Central Subway, once scheduled to run beneath downtown San Francisco to Chinatown by the end of 2018, won’t start carrying passengers until at least spring of 2022.The most recent delay was blamed on the coronavirus “and other complexities,” according to a post on the Municipal Transportation Agency’s website. The opening most recently had beenBut the coronavirus pandemic has slowed progress on the subway. Tom Maguire, the agency’s deputy director, said large construction crews who often work shoulder to shoulder had to be quarantined after three separate outbreaks of the...…Muni’s Central Subway, once scheduled to run beneath downtown San Francisco to Chinatown by the end of 2018, won’t start carrying passengers until at least spring of 2022.The most recent delay was blamed on the coronavirus “and other complexities,” according to a post on the Municipal Transportation Agency’s website. The opening most recently had beenBut the coronavirus pandemic has slowed progress on the subway. Tom Maguire, the agency’s deputy director, said large construction crews who often work shoulder to shoulder had to be quarantined after three separate outbreaks of the...WW…

Niner gold: It cost a whopping $3 million, but 49ers owner Jed York finally managed to bust up the opposition on the Santa Clara City Council that has been questioning the team’s management of city-owned Levi’s Stadium.York and the team poured the money into independent expenditure committees during the recent campaigns for council seats, backing four candidates and opposing four other candidates. The opponents included two female incumbents who have resisted the 49ers on everything from the team’s efforts to reduce its rent to the 10 p.m. curfew on concerts at the stadium.Three of the four...…Niner gold: It cost a whopping $3 million, but 49ers owner Jed York finally managed to bust up the opposition on the Santa Clara City Council that has been questioning the team’s management of city-owned Levi’s Stadium.York and the team poured the money into independent expenditure committees during the recent campaigns for council seats, backing four candidates and opposing four other candidates. The opponents included two female incumbents who have resisted the 49ers on everything from the team’s efforts to reduce its rent to the 10 p.m. curfew on concerts at the stadium.Three of the four...WW…

Photo: Noah Berger / Special to The ChronicleThe transit district that runs the Golden Gate Bridge, buses and ferries decided Friday to lay off 146 employees, mostly bus drivers, rather than pursuing an option to raise tolls on the bridge as it grapples with a looming budget crisis.The board of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District voted 11-5 for the cuts, postponing them from Dec. 5 as originally proposed to Jan. 4 after the holidays. The district chose to make the cuts as it runs out of federal emergency funds at the end of this month that it has largely been using...…Photo: Noah Berger / Special to The ChronicleThe transit district that runs the Golden Gate Bridge, buses and ferries decided Friday to lay off 146 employees, mostly bus drivers, rather than pursuing an option to raise tolls on the bridge as it grapples with a looming budget crisis.The board of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District voted 11-5 for the cuts, postponing them from Dec. 5 as originally proposed to Jan. 4 after the holidays. The district chose to make the cuts as it runs out of federal emergency funds at the end of this month that it has largely been using...WW…