BRENTWOOD, Calif. - A boating accident in the San Joaquin Delta injured six people Saturday morning as dozens of high school teams launched for a fishing tournament.

Boats entered the water just before 7 a.m. from Orwood Resort for a bass fishing competition organized by the Student Angler Federation.

The collision happened about three-quarters of a mile south of the marina, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District firefighters were sent just before 6:55 a.m. to the Orwood Resort in Brentwood, just north of Discovery Bay, for a water rescue after receiving reports of the collision.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Brandon Burruss said units arrived at the scene and discovered that two boats had crashed in the delta, and one of the vessels landed on top of the other.

Another boat in the water managed to rescue the occupants before authorities arrived at the scene. Others managed to tow the two damaged boats back to the shore.

Witnesses describe collision

Boat captain John Wolfe, who was nearby, said one vessel slowed in a low-speed zone while another did not.

"Or boats get up on plane doing about 45, 55 mph, but there's one location down the slough that has a 5 mph zone, now whether that was permitted as a 5 mph zone, because it's only got one dock. One of the boats slowed down to go 5, the other boat that was behind it went right up on top, off to the side, and it wasn't pretty," Wolfe said. 

Another competitor, Rory Castle, described the impact.

"Next boat comes, hits it, about 15, 20 feet in the air, one boat goes off to the side, the other boat kind of goes off towards the middle. Luckily the kids were okay but the boat that was hit was hurt pretty bad. He got some injuries to his spine, his arm, and a facial injury too," he said. 

Rescue efforts and injuries

Several nearby teams rushed to help those involved before first responders arrived.

"You could see that the boat was severely damaged, there was a guy in the boat screaming," said boater Nathan Mundy of Elk Grove.

"Three were ejected out, their life vests expanded, they all made it to shore, but the ones that were in the boat were the ones that got severely injured," Wolfe said.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said only one of the boats involved slowed in a no-wake zone. 

Four of the six injured were sent to local hospitals. The office said the crash remains under investigation. 

Barry Sterud, youth director at the California Bass Federation, said about 50 teams of California high school students had gathered at the Orwood Resort to participate in the 2026 Student Angler Federation, which had a California Open Challenge in the San Joaquin Delta that set off from the resort that morning.

Sterud said each of the boats held a team of two teenage anglers and one adult boat operator.

Sterud said one teen suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung, and one adult remained hospitalized overnight.

"It was a pretty bad accident boaters are really going to have to work on safe boating and we need to drive these boats like the school buses here with all these kids on board, so keep these guys in your prayer," he later told the crowd of boaters. 

Organizers said safety protocols and boating rules are reviewed before each event.

"First of all, it's super unfortunate. There are a lot of rules. Everyone has a boater's card, everyone's up to legal and then the tournament director went over all the list of rules and stuff like that pre-tournament," said boat captain Brad Soto.

"So they'll send out a big document that's got all the rules and stuff, and it basically just talks about voter etiquette. We have a whole bunch of stuff, not getting too close to people, giving everyone their space, and then just being aware, just like if you're driving a car," said boat captain Jared Defremery.

The tournament continued and serves as a qualifier for a national championship in Kentucky in June.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A political analyst warned Sunday that the United States and Iran are on a collision course if diplomats fail to reach a deal before a two-week ceasefire expires Wednesday, as the Trump administration simultaneously grapples with self-inflicted damage to its standing among religious conservatives.

Conflict overseas

Vice President J.D. Vance, joined by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is expected to return to Islamabad Monday for a new round of negotiations with Iranian officials. 

The talks come after an initial round last weekend failed to produce an agreement, and as Iran's military has closed the Strait of Hormuz to Western shipping in response to an ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Nolan Higdon, a political history lecturer at UC Santa Cruz, said the core problem is that the key parties remain far apart on basic terms.

"The countries involved, particularly the United States, Israel and Iran, are on really different pages," Higdon said. 

Key sticking points include whether Lebanon was covered under the original ceasefire agreement and whether the reopening of the strait was to be immediate.

President Trump, writing on social media early Sunday, again threatened to resume bombing Iranian infrastructure — including bridges and power plants — if no deal is reached. 

He also suggested he may not extend the ceasefire even while maintaining the naval blockade.

Higdon said the window to prevent a broader conflict is narrowing. 

"It seems like this is escalating in real time," he said. "If there's not some sort of end to it very quickly, I think this could continue to spin out of control."

Controversy at home

On the domestic front, the administration faces a separate and compounding crisis centered on religion. 

A social media post depicting Trump in what many interpreted as a Jesus-like image, followed by a public exchange between Vance and newly elected Pope Leo, drew sharp criticism — including from within the president's own coalition.

"I think you saw a lot of long-term Trump supporters share publicly their disdain" for the Jesus image post, Higdon said. He added that Vance appearing to lecture the pope on theology risks alienating evangelicals, whom he described as a cornerstone of Republican support going back decades.

The controversy deepened when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recited what commentators identified as a line from the film "Pulp Fiction" during a prayer, mistaking it for scripture. 

Trump also drew criticism on Easter for remarks that some interpreted as dismissive of faith, including from conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.

Both the Vatican and Vance's office have since sought to de-escalate their public dispute, with the pope clarifying his criticism of wartime leaders was not directed specifically at Trump.

Higdon was unconvinced the damage had been contained, at least for Republicans.

"This really is just another one of those kind of self-inflicted wounds," he said. "The Republican Party is going against its base. That's generally not good for a party."

OAKLAND, Calif. - A Bay Area oncologist who was paralyzed in a surfing accident on his honeymoon has spent nearly two decades proving that a life-altering injury doesn't have to derail a dream.

Now he and his wife are making sure others don't have to figure that out alone.

Life-changing accident

Dr. Hoa Le, who has practiced oncology at Kaiser Permanente for 17 years, was in the middle of his medical residency when the accident happened. 

The surfing mishap left him with T12 paraplegia, eliminating all motor function and sensation from the waist down.

He was out of commission for roughly 15 months.

"Not a day went by that I wasn't thinking about medicine," Le said. "For me, that's the way I'm going to help."

When the frustration of recovery finally boiled over, he said, it became a turning point. 

"After a while it's okay to be tired of being tired. You want your life back. And that's what I did," Le said.

His wife, Dr. Jennifer Yang, said the shift in his attitude signaled to her that his mindset had changed.

"I knew there was a change in the tide when he just was like, 'I'm tired of this, I want to get back to work,'" she said. "We're a team and we just do this together."

Getting back to the grind

Le returned to complete his training and eventually found his footing in oncology.

He has also co-founded the Kaiser Santa Clara Disability Alliance with a cardiovascular surgeon colleague.

But one thing was missing during his recovery: someone who had been through it before.

"There's really no mentorship for that. There's nowhere to turn," he said.

That gap became the seed of a larger mission. 

Le and Yang co-founded Reach Career Mentoring, a nonprofit connecting young people with disabilities to career mentors across all professional fields — not just medicine.

"The poverty rate and the unemployment rate is double in the community with disabilities compared to non-disabled," Le said. "We need to change that."

Le said he draws inspiration from an unlikely source: the X-Men. 

"Charles Xavier has an academy for the gifted, and I've always dreamt of having something like that for our community with disabilities," Le said.

More information is available at reachcareermentoring.org. 

The organization is also active on LinkedIn and Instagram.

FAIRFIELD, Calif. - The California Highway Patrol on Sunday released video of an officer stopping a Corvette that was caught speeding down a Fairfield freeway at nearly 150 mph.

A Solano CHP officer was stopped on the shoulder of the westbound side of Interstate 80 just after 5:10 p.m. on Wednesday when the cruiser’s dash camera picked up the white Corvette barreling past the officer at about 148 mph, according to a CHP statement.

The officer quickly caught up to the Corvette and pulled it over.

"The driver is now facing two points on his driver license, steep court fines, a likely driver license suspension through the DMV, and increased insurance rates as a result of those points," the CHP said.

The CHP emphasized that driving at such high speeds is very dangerous and advised motorists to slow down and obey posted speed limits.

SAN FRANCISCO - Day one of a partial closure along Interstate 80 brought slower traffic through parts of San Francisco but avoided the widespread gridlock officials had feared.

Caltrans shut down eastbound lanes between 4th and 17th streets over the weekend to complete rehabilitation work on a key stretch leading to the Bay Bridge.

The bridge itself remains open, along with all westbound lanes.

The project includes replacing bridge joints and repairing the roadway on the 71-year-old structure. 

Drivers were detoured onto city streets including Folsom and Bryant, while officials urged the public to use transit.

Travelers turn to public transit

At the San Francisco Ferry Building, many riders said they changed their plans to avoid potential delays.

"I was like, do you want to take the train or the ferry or the BART, and we knew it was going to be a beautiful day, we just came from the SF Art Fair and we were like, it'd be so nice to take the ferry for the first time," said Ariel Flight of Alameda, who hopped on at Jack London Square. 

Others said the switch made their trips easier.

"I have a baby shower tonight here in the city in Pac Heights, and normally I would drive in, but I decided to take the ferry this weekend so I could avoid the traffic," said Xanadu Bruggers of Alameda.

Festival crowds remain strong

The closure coincided with the final weekend of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, which drew large crowds.

Organizers said they had concerns about turnout.

"We were definitely concerned, but now seeing everyone out here didn't seem that it impacted it, so we're very grateful for that," said co-chair Yuki Nishimura. "Day one of this weekend is going fantastic. We have so many people coming out here today, we have the sunshine."

Festival organizers partnered with BART and Muni to encourage public transportation.

"Take public transit if you can, and just come out and walk over to the festival. We have the grand parade tomorrow as well," Nishimura said.

What’s next

Transit agencies said they are prepared for increased ridership throughout the weekend.

Eastbound lanes of I-80 are expected to reopen Monday at 6 a.m.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Two people were killed and a third was critically injured in a shooting in East Oakland on Saturday night.

Oakland Police Department officers were sent about 8:15 p.m. to the 6400 block of Foothill Boulevard to investigate multiple ShotSpotter activations in the area, according to a department statement.

Officers found two men with gunshot wounds at the scene, and they were taken to a hospital, where one of them died.

A woman was found shot in the 2800 block of 64th Avenue, and she was declared dead at the scene, police said.

Neither victim was identified by authorities.

An investigation into the killings is ongoing, and no suspect information or motive was immediately available.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose emergency physician Dr. Mohammad Subeh is traveling to Lebanon to join an international medical team, aiming to support local hospitals and secure essential supplies despite the ongoing risks of violence and destruction.

Driven by a lifelong philosophy of service, Subeh is providing aid in a conflict zone, drawing on his previous experience practicing medicine under fire in Gaza.

Heading toward the front lines

Dr. Mohammad Subeh, a San Jose-based physician, is traveling to Lebanon to join an international medical team. 

Despite a ceasefire, he reports ongoing destruction of civilian homes and entire villages, highlighting the volatility of the region.

Driven by a childhood mission to help others, Subeh views his medical practice as a way to fulfill a humanitarian purpose. 

He will be operating out of ambulances, relying on the protections afforded to medical personnel under international law.

Before departing, he faced the emotional weight of discussing the potential dangers with his wife, children, and mother to prepare for the risks involved.

Strengthening local healthcare

The primary objective of the mission is to ensure that local hospitals in Lebanon can manage the surge of patients. 

Subeh and his team are also focused on securing critical medical equipment and supplies for the region.

The San Jose-based emergency medicine physician recently shared images of the destruction in Lebanon following Israeli bombings. 

"Yes, they are more distant, but as of today, the destruction of civilian homes—an entire village destroyed," Subeh said. "It’s not easy dropping everything. Leaving your homes. These homes are centuries old with lots of memories."

For Subeh, the decision to enter a conflict zone is rooted in a lifelong philosophy.

"For me personally, I have always been taught since I was a child: You have to find ways to help fellow human beings," he said. "I have been lucky to practice medicine. Hopefully, this is a way I can fulfill part of that purpose."

That purpose comes with significant personal risk. 

Subeh is no stranger to operating under fire; he previously practiced in Gaza while missiles struck only a block away. 

He described the experience as "very intense" and "scary."

"That is a risk you have to process," Subeh said. "You have to talk to your loved ones. Having to sit and potentially say goodbye to my wife, my children, my mother."

Subeh said his primary goal is to ensure local hospitals can manage the influx of patients while securing much-needed medical equipment and supplies.

HAYWARD, Calif. - Hayward police are investigating after a driver in a stolen Camaro slammed into a semi-truck during an illegal Saturday morning street takeover that was caught on video.

Illegal sideshow

The Hayward Police Department told KTVU that reports of the sideshow at Clawiter and Depot roads started coming in just before 1:45 a.m. Authorities added there were reports of at least 60 cars in the area.

Video from the scene showed a large crowd of spectators gathered at the intersection as a light blue Camaro performed doughnuts in the middle of the street.

The Camaro repeatedly slams into the curbs as it spins in the intersection, losing several pieces as it crashes, the video shows.

The car also bowls over spectators at least three times in the video. Several of the bystanders manage to get to their feet and scramble away, though the video depicts one man struggling to get to his feet as blood pours from his mouth.

Hayward police said they did not receive any reports of injuries.

The stolen Camaro eventually crashed into the front of a semi truck that was stopped at the intersection, prompting several members of the crowd to jump on the crashed car and throw pieces of wreckage onto the vehicle as it began to emit smoke from under the hood.

One bystander who was filming the sideshow approached the driver of the semi-truck immediately after the crash for his reaction.

"Why? Why are you guys tearing up cars? Why?" the driver asked.

Hayward police said the occupants of the Camaro fled the scene on foot before officers arrived, and units who responded were able to disperse the sideshow without further incident.

Authorities confirmed that the Camaro was reported stolen out of San Jose.

No arrests were made in connection to the sideshow.

SAN FRANCISCO - 2026 NFL Draft prospect Julian Neal is anticipating an emotional roller coaster during the NFL Draft.

"I tell people jokingly I'm going to be so nervous I might not even watch it. I might be sleeping somewhere. I'm going to have dad come wake me up," said Neal.

Defying expectations

Before his rise to stardom, Neal said his peers didn't think he could ever be in this position.

Even his trainer, Rico Armstrong, was hesitant to invest in him at first.

"I always remembered he had a broken wrist. So I just kind of threw him to the side, ‘go over there,’ and I really didn't take him seriously, but he was doing everything," said Armstrong.

The Mission High School graduate went on to become the first football player out of San Francisco public schools since 2001 to sign their national letter of intent to play at the division one level.

After four years at California State University, Fresno, Neal decided it was time for a fresh start.

College commitments

He entered the transfer portal and committed to Stanford. But after Stanford went through coaching changes, he chose to end his college career as an Arkansas Razorback.

"I played against the top people in the nation, I played against first round draft picks and I just want that to be known and when you turn on the tape you can't say anything about it," said Neal.

Neal's breakout year at Arkansas earned him an NFL combine invite where he displayed his athletic ability in front of a plethora of NFL scouts.

NFL Network analyst Charles Davis gave Neal a suggestion to prosper in the league.

"I watch him and I think ‘safety.’ I see him. He's a big strong corner back. Do you see that body? When you watch him play and how physical he is with transitions, it would not surprise me at all to see him transition back to the safety spot and be a really good player," said Davis. "He mentioned something about how my body looks and how big I am. So I can see where he's going with that. Corner is what changed my life, but I wouldn't be opposed to switching to safety and being an all-pro."

Parlaying with pros

Since the combine, Neal has had visits with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and participated in the 49ers local pro day.

Neal expressed he would be grateful to play for any franchise, but he admitted playing for the 49ers would be special since he grew up rooting for them.

"I was able to see the stadium literally from my window. So as a kid, being able to see those fireworks and just sitting at the window by myself… it's just like ‘dang I need to be there one day’ and I need to make my city proud," said Neal.

Neal's trainer, Armstrong, said he has been training athletes for more than three decades.

He said he made a promise to himself 20 years ago that this would be his last year training kids at the division one level. So it will be an emotional moment when he hears Neal's name called during the draft.

"I definitely think there will be some emotions, little tears, but I think we had our tears during trial. We went through a lot of trial," Armstrong said. "But we just stuck with it, ‘let’s get back to work.' So that's the satisfaction for me that he fought through it, so that will leave a tear for sure."

The NFL Draft begins on April 23rd and Neal is projected to be selected on day three of the draft.

OAKLAND, Calif. - A bill that aims to make it easier for juveniles to be tried as adults is up for a final committee vote on Tuesday, which will determine whether it advances in the California Assembly.

Assembly Bill 2024, called "Lorenso's Law," failed to pass Tuesday with a 4-3 vote. Two Democrats and two Republicans supported the bill, while three Democrats voted against the bill.

San Francisco Assemblyman Matt Haney did not attend that Public Safety Committee meeting, and his vote could be a deciding factor next Tuesday.

"Lorenso's Law" named after teen who was stabbed

AB 2024 is named after Lorenso Sanchez, 17, a high school sophomore from Corcoran, California, who was killed in an attack by a group of teenagers at a shopping mall.

The boy's mother, Julia Sanchez, said after the suspects were arrested, she was upset to learn the 15-year-old suspect who allegedly stabbed her son would be tried as a juvenile, and the maximum sentence if convicted would be seven years.

"These juveniles, if they take someone's life, they should do the time," Julia Sanchez said. "They didn't only take my son's life away, they also took our lives away. We can't go back to the life we had."

Last Tuesday, Julia Sanchez spoke out in support of Assembly Bill 2040, authored by Republican Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo of Tulare.

What AB 2024 says

Current California law says juvenile suspects can be tried as adults when "The court shall find by clear and convincing evidence that the minor is not amenable to rehabilitation."

AB 2040 would replace "clear and convincing evidence" with "a preponderance of evidence."

"The jury would have the ultimate decision," Nina Salarno, District Attorney of Modoc County, said. "But the 'clear and convincing' is so high at that standard, it is difficult for prosecutors to meet that bar."

The bill touches on an issue impacting recent high-profile Bay Area crimes.

Juveniles have been charged in last year's Santana Row killing of David Gutierrez, 15, as well as the robbery and fatal shooting of Derbing Alvarado, 15, in Oakland.

The Valley Fair Mall shooting last December injured multiple people, and the district attorney said juveniles were at fault.

Opponents share concerns

Skeptics of AB 2024 say juveniles are developing and courts already have a path to transfer the worst cases.

"The Supreme Court recognized in Roper v. Simmons, juvenile cognition means they are not as deterrable or as responsible as adults. With crime historically low today, it makes no sense to run the experiment again," UC Berkeley Law Professor Jonathan Simon said.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - A Broadway musical about ordinary people rising to extraordinary circumstances during one of history's darkest moments has come to the Bay Area — and it has deep roots here.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's production of 'Come From Away' is running now through May 10 at the Mountain View Performing Arts Center.

Story of a small town

The Tony Award-winning show tells the true story of Gander, Newfoundland, a small Canadian town of about 7,000 residents that suddenly found itself host to more than 7,000 stranded airline passengers when international flights were grounded following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"The people in this small town took care of all of these passengers from around the world," said Michael Gene Sullivan, one of the show's 12 actors, in an interview. "They gave them housing, they made them food. The show is very much about the humanity and the kindness — people being their best selves at the worst possible time."

Sullivan plays multiple roles in the production, including Nick, a British businessman bound for Texas, and Doug, a local air traffic controller — sometimes switching between the two within the same scene using nothing more than a hat or jacket change.

The production

The minimalist staging relies heavily on chairs, which actors rearrange to suggest different locations, keeping the focus squarely on character and story. 

The show runs an hour and 45 minutes without an intermission, and its music is woven continuously into the narrative rather than delivered as standalone numbers.

All characters in the production are based on real people, drawn from interviews conducted by the show's writers and composers.

"It doesn't deny any of that fear and anxiety people had," Sullivan said. "But it also shows people overcoming it."

The production carries particular significance for the Bay Area. 

TheatreWorks helped develop 'Come From Away' through its annual new play development program before it went on to Broadway — a pipeline that has launched multiple award-winning productions. 

"A lot of their shows have gone on to Broadway and won a lot of awards, and 'Come From Away' is one of those shows," Sullivan said. "TheatreWorks does an amazing job of developing plays."

'Come From Away' runs through May 10 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.

SAN FRANCISCO - A verbal dispute over a blocked sidewalk may have escalated into a deadly hit-and-run Monday afternoon in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, according to prosecutors.

Valantino Cash Amil, 30, was charged Thursday with murder and one count of fleeing the scene of an accident. The murder charge includes an allegation that Amil used a deadly weapon to commit the crime, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office said.

Amil remains in custody without bail.

The collision

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. near Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue. Prosecutors said Amil was driving a black 2024 Mercedes-Benz E350 and had just finished filling up at a Chevron station. As he attempted to merge into traffic, his vehicle partially blocked the sidewalk.

Dannielle Spillman, 74, was walking along the sidewalk and seemed to "take exception" to the vehicle blocking her path, the district attorney’s office said in a news release. 

Authorities said Amil and Spillman exchanged words as she walked from the driver’s side toward the front of the car. While in front of the vehicle, Spillman allegedly poured liquid from a water bottle onto the hood of the Mercedes.

Amil then accelerated into Spillman, knocking her onto the hood and windshield, prosecutors said. After driving several feet, Amil slowed down, causing Spillman to slide off and land directly in front of the car.

Amil then allegedly drove over her and fled the scene.

Spillman was pronounced dead at the scene 10 minutes later. Amil was arrested nearly two hours after the incident.

Defense attorney blasts charges

Outside court, defense attorney Seth Morris said his client was scared and panicked while trying to protect his wife, 4-month-old son and 10-year-old daughter in the car with him, and that he saw the pedestrian as a threat "who was belligerent, who was trying to reach into the car, trying to hurt them."

Morris says the family was headed to Disneyland to celebrate the birthday of Amil's daughter, who turned 11 while he was in jail.

"By charging him with murder, when he acted in lawful, self-defense, when he panicked, when they're being attacked in the streets, is outrageous, and it needs to be stopped," Morris said.

Remembering Dannielle Spillman

While the medical examiner has not yet publicly identified the victim, those who knew her identified her as Spillman, a transgender woman who had lived in San Francisco for more than 20 years.

Derrick Guerra, a case manager at a San Francisco non-profit that combats isolation among the aging LGBTQ+ population, said Spillman had been his client for nearly a year. He described her as a woman who loved playing guitar and talking about music.

Guerra said that Spillman recently shared that she felt San Francisco was safer for trans women in the 90s than it is today.

"She was telling me recently she was nearly assaulted and that a man had recently tried to hit her," Guerra said.

Spillman’s death marks the eighth pedestrian fatality in San Francisco this year.

Guerra said a vigil is currently being planned in her honor.

SAN FRANCISCO - Update: The victim killed in the hit-and-run crash was identified on Wednesday by someone who works at a San Francisco social services' agency for the aging LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities. 

The suspect who allegedly fled from a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in San Francisco on Monday afternoon has been arrested, officials say. 

On Wednesday, the victim killed was identified as a 74-year-old transgender woman, according to someone who knew her. 

Driver arrested

30-year-old Valentino Cash Amil, of San Francisco, was taken into custody after police said their officers coordinated with the police department's Real Time Investigation Center (RTIC), which has access to high-tech surveillance tools. 

Police said their investigation led them to Amil's vehicle traveling on the freeway after the crash on Mission Street and South Van Ness Avenue at around 3:20 p.m. 

The police RTIC has access to drones, automated license-plate readers (ALPR) and other technology to address crime. Police said they used cameras and ALPRs to track down Amil's vehicle. 

Police said the suspect's vehicle exited the freeway and was then stopped by police, with assistance from the SF sheriff's department, in the area of Potrero Avenue and 18th Street. That's where police said Amil was detained without further incident. 

The adult pedestrian who was killed has not been identified by the medical examiner. They said they would have that information once their next of kin has been notified. 

Derrick Guerra, a case manager at a San Francisco non-profit that combats isolation among the aging LGBTQ+ population, said the victim was 74-year-old Dannielle Spillman. 

Spillman was one of Guerra's clients for almost a year. He said she was not homeless and is often misgendered. Guerra's main job was to advocate for his client, a transgender woman, who he said loved playing guitar and talking about music with him. 

"I'm a huge music lover," said Guerra. "She had been in San Francisco for a long time, over 20 years. She was telling me recently she was nearly assaulted and that a man had recently tried to hit her." 

Guerra said that Spillman recently told him that it was safer as a trans woman in San Francisco in the '90s than it is now. Guerra said he felt the crash was deliberate based on video he had seen of the crash that was posted online. 

Guerra said a vigil is in the works for the victim. 

Witness Richard Conway Jr. described what he saw moments after the crash. This witness misgendered Spillman in his account of what happened. 

"I kind of came up this way to see if I can render aide and the gentleman was already deceased," he said. "He was laying on his back with his feet out, and he had no socks on. He had a pair black Velcro-closing sneakers like you'd buy at Walmart, and just the impression I got he's probably a homeless gentleman."

This crash marks the 8th traffic-related pedestrian death in San Francisco for 2026. 

High-injury intersection 

The intersection where the hit-and-run occurred is on the 2024 Vision Zero High Injury Network map. The map shows data compiled by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, where severe and fatal injury information from police and medical officials is used to identify street segments in San Francisco that are prone to a high number of fatalities and severe injuries. 

The San Francisco Police Department on Tuesday released a video on social media saying they are "out in force" along the city's high-injury network to conduct high-visibility traffic stops. 

The pedestrian advocacy group Walk San Francisco said almost all traffic deaths so far this year have been pedestrians. 

Showing compassion for all of this year's victims and their loved ones, Walk SF executive director Jodie Medeiros said, "We all deserve to be able to get around safely in our city." 

"According to the City’s traffic fatality tracker, eight of the nine people killed in traffic crashes this year were pedestrians; no motorists have died in traffic crashes," Walk SF's statement read. "The City’s traffic fatality tracker can be viewed here, note that information is not up-to-the-minute."

The group said the intersection of Mission and South Van Ness is wide and sprawling. Both streets are around 125 feet wide with seven travel lanes. They added that the intersection is in the 13% of streets that make up 74% of injuries or deaths. 

"This is the second traffic fatality on Mission Street and the second traffic fatality on South Van Ness Avenue this year," Walk SF's statement read. 

Just last month, the group said Mayor Daniel Lurie's office launched a Safe Streets Task Force that is focused on improving traffic safety. 

Some of the solutions being discussed and implemented include pedestrian bulb-outs, turn calming, pedestrian safety islands (elevated curbs), and hardened daylighting, which creates better sight lines between people driving and people walking along crosswalks. 

But these solutions need the help of city politicians if they are to be fully implemented. 

"Streets can be designed and enforced to make us dramatically safer," said Medeiros. "There are many proven solutions to reduce the chance of a crash and save lives. It’s a matter of bringing more solutions to many more places."

Neighbors describe the area as busy and unpredictable.

Nick McKeon, who lives nearby, said the crash highlights ongoing safety concerns.

"It's just sad, I feel like these instances could not be happening if people just drove a little safer," he said. "This is obviously a super busy road, both directions, and people do go quite fast. The lights take a long time right here, so there's often jaywalking, but we've had a lot of people existing out here looking for money or kind of camped out in the streets as well."

Flock cameras, police technology and privacy

License plate reader technology has recently come under fire. A number of Bay Area cities has dumped the technology over privacy concerns, namely the possibility of data being shared with federal agencies, something Flock – the ALPR San Francisco contracted with under Mayor London Breed in 2024 – has denied. San Francisco has some 400 Flock cameras under its initial contract. 

Privacy advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU of Northern California, have spoken out about the use of surveillance technology, saying residents' rights are threatened and have warned of police overreach. 

However, law enforcement officials, including the sheriff's office, have been looking to increase their use of technology. 

Walk SF even cites data from speed cameras (not to be confused with Flock cameras). They added that speed cameras at Bryant and 3rd streets led to more citations than any other camera in the city from October to December 2025 when making their point about how fast vehicles drive through the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood. 

SFPD TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT: Officers recently conducted an operation on the Van Ness corridor to ensure drivers were following the law. We'll continue to prioritize enforcement along the city's High-Injury Network. pic.twitter.com/d0QBCV8fO6

— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) April 14, 2026

UNION CITY, Calif. - A thief in Newark made off with a rental truck full of equipment for a high school speech and debate tournament in Union City that draws over a thousand students from across the state.

"It's just emotional exhaustion, the what-ifs: if I had just placed it here, if I had checked on it then," Mikendra McCoy, president of the California High School Speech Association said.

Rental truck with gear stolen from Newark hotel

McCoy, who traveled from Carlsbad (San Diego County) said a U-Haul truck filled with gear was stolen from her hotel in Newark either late Wednesday night or early Thursday, just as students and organizers were preparing for a speech and debate tournament being held this weekend at James Logan High School in Union City.

Staff at the volunteer group moved quickly to buy replacement gear from Target and Amazon. 

"I mean, instantaneously you do the things right, you jump into action and find a way to fix it because you have students depending on us, and this tournament is too important to let the excellence of what we do be hindered by the choices of one," McCoy said.

Thieves steal & clean out @uhaul full of gear on eve of big speech & debate tournament at James Logan High in Union City put on by @CHSSAWeb for thousands of students across CA.@NewarkCA_Police investigating theft of truck at hotel. @ACSOSheriffs found it empty. 4:20,5 p.m. @KTVU pic.twitter.com/J398Y2jRTT

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) April 17, 2026

Newark police documented the theft of the 20-foot truck from the Residence Inn. 

Inside the truck was $10,000 in equipment for the tournament, which draws 1,500 students. The stolen items included technical equipment, risers, printers, signs, even 500 "Cali the Cado" mascot stuffies.

But also taken were donated business wear and ties for students unable to bring the professional clothing that they need to deliver their speeches in front of judges.

"They have a clothing emergency at the tournament, or maybe they get here, and they go, 'Oh gosh, my best that I was able to get, isn't quite as good as everybody else," tournament director Angelique Ronald said. "We have new and gently used beautiful clothes that they can just take."

Truck found empty

Alameda County sheriff's deputies found the truck abandoned and empty at an apartment complex near Hayward. A lock was found broken.

"Then I said, 'Is there anything in the truck, can you just tell me if anything's in the truck?'" McCoy said. "And he said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry, you'd be disappointed, there's nothing.'"

Noah Martinez, captain of the speech and debate team at James Logan High, had this message for whoever stole the truck.

"You always have to think about who's on the other end of the stuff you're doing, because, you know, you stole a van, and it really affects the entire speech and debate community in California," Martinez said.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on X @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan

SAN FRANCISCO - A 76-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and speeding following a crash in San Francisco’s Chinatown that killed a man working in the area.

Zhuo Ming Lu, 76, is accused in the March 27 crash that left 49-year-old Cutberto Zamora-Martinez, of San Joaquin County, dead.

Suspect was trying to park

Authorities said Lu was attempting to park near Grant Avenue and Jackson Street when his vehicle jumped the sidewalk and crashed into the landmark New Lung Ting Café, also known as the Pork Chop House. The vehicle also struck two pedestrians, including Zamora-Martinez.

Zamora-Martinez died from his injuries.

He had been working in the area, according to a GoFundMe page. A San Francisco Police Department source close to the investigation told KTVU the victims were carpet installers arriving for work.

The fundraising page described Zamora-Martinez as a husband and father who was the sole provider for his family and "a humble man who wanted the best for his family."

Before his arrest, Lu had been cooperating with investigators. Authorities have not confirmed what caused the crash.

Some residents questioned whether the driver’s age or a possible confusion between the brake and gas pedals may have been factors.

"Maybe if people hit a certain age, you got to get retested for your driver’s license is something I was thinking about," said Keith Hong, who works next door to the crash site.

Another case involving an elderly driver

In an unrelated case, Mary Fong Lau, 80, was sentenced to probation after killing a family of four, two parents and their young children. in March 2024. Authorities said Lau struck the victims as they waited at a Muni stop on their way to the zoo.

Lau pleaded no contest to four felony counts of vehicular manslaughter, and a judge accepted the plea. A Superior Court judge cited her age, remorse and lack of criminal history in the sentencing decision.

She was placed on probation for two years, banned from driving for three years and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk were closed for the remainder of Friday after a power outage. 

Widespread outage 

The Boardwalk's website posted a notice that said the rides are closed. A widespread power outage had impacted the area. 

Rides started shutting down some time before 4 p.m. 

TV-station KSBW reported at its height, nearly 19,000 PG&E customers were without power. The utility told the station the outage was linked to a Santa Cruz substation. KTVU reached out to the utility for more information. 

A Boardwalk spokesperson told KTVU that since the power went out close to their scheduled closing time, they decided to close the rides and outdoor attractions. 

Power has since been restored and indoor arcade games and miniature golf are open. 

A photographer posted a video on social media from the X account: @NativeSantaCruz just before 4 p.m. He said people were being evacuated from rides. His video shows some people still on the rides, but none were in operation. 

This interruption happened on the same day a section of the 100-year-old wharf is hosting its soft opening after a two-year closure for reconstruction. The wharf's south end had collapsed during winter storms in 2024. 

The Boardwalk spokesperson said operations should be back to normal on Saturday. 

A large power outage that stretches from Aptos to the North Coast has hit Santa Cruz, including the Boardwalk where they’re evacuating the rides, including the Sky Glider pic.twitter.com/rQrOnZuBQw

— Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) April 17, 2026

BERKELEY, Calif. - Skeletal remains discovered Wednesday at a University of California, Berkeley construction site belong to an Indigenous person, university officials confirmed.

The remains were found at an undisclosed campus-owned construction site, according to the university’s Strategic Communications team.

Coroner investigation

Following the discovery, the Alameda County Coroner’s Office conducted an investigation to determine the origin of the remains.

"The Alameda County Coroner's Office determined the remains were likely historical Native American remains, and not connected to any crime," the university said in a statement.

The university’s Governmental and Community Relations office, which manages issues regarding Indigenous remains, is now coordinating with the California Native American Heritage Commission to ensure respectful and appropriate next steps.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - One person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Friday morning in San Jose.

Crash details

The crash occurred around 11:56 a.m. near Lucretia Avenue and Story Road. One person died at the scene, according to the San Jose Police Department.

Investigation ongoing

Authorities have not said what led up to the crash, but it involved several vehicles. Witnesses said the crash spanned several blocks and involved five cars, though police have not confirmed the number.

Witnesses described a silver verhicle weaving in and out of traffic, first hitting a Tesla near the enterce to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo before hitting three other cars near Lucretia Avenue.

"One car is coming from back — very high speeds, and crashed into two to three cars," said Mohinder Singh, who saw the crash.

Singh said he saw an elderly man and woman inside one of the involved vehicles.

Road closures

Road closures remained in place for several hours as officers investigated the cause of the crash and who was at fault.

Wintesses also said the intersection where the crash occurred is notoriously busy, located near a Walmart, school, and gas station. 

OAKLAND, Calif. - An Alameda County Superior Court Judge has found the man accused of fatally shooting beloved Oakland football coach John Beam mentally incompetent to stand trial on a murder charge, KTVU has confirmed. 

Case remains suspended

Coach Beam, 66, who spent more than two decades leading Laney College's football program after earlier coaching at Skyline High School, was shot and wounded on the Laney College campus at the Field House on Nov. 13. He would later die from his wounds. 

The judge cited psychiatric evaluations of the suspect, Cedric Irving Jr., 27, in his decision to side with the Alameda County public defenders. 

The criminal case was suspended in January pending Irving's psychological evaluation. The case remains suspended. 

UPDATE: I've confirmed @AlamedaSuperior judge deems Cedric Irving Jr. mentally incompetent to stand trial on murder charge in shooting death of@LaneyCollege AD John Beam, citing psych evals & siding w/@ACDefenders. Criminal case still suspended. h/t @peraltacitizen pic.twitter.com/VuVJfIAhvS

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) April 17, 2026

The suspect claimed he had killed Coach Beam because of "witchcraft" and that Beam was, "haunting his dreams and messing with his body." However, prosecutors argued his ability to coordinate a legal firearm transaction suggested "preplanning and competence" rather than mental instability. 

Investigators said Irving had legally obtained a .22-caliber Walther handgun that was used in the killing. Court documents show he visited Elite Armory in Castro Valley on Oct. 15 to begin the legal transfer process. 

A background check of Irving, by the California Department of Justice, showed he had no prior criminal history. 

Remembering Coach Beam 

Beam, who would serve as the longtime athletic director at Laney College, touched many throughout the community. He was remembered as a trusted mentor to generations of young athletes. 

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco is bracing for what officials warn could be the worst traffic congestion the city has seen in decades as a major section of the Bayshore Freeway prepares to shut down for the entire weekend.

Starting Friday at 11 p.m., the eastbound side of Interstate 80 will close between 17th and Fourth streets. The closure, which lasts until 6 a.m. Monday will prevent motorists from traveling eastbound across the Bay Bridge via the standard route.

Crews are scheduled to perform rehabilitation work on the 71-year-old Central and Bayshore Freeway viaducts. According to Caltrans, the project involves replacing bridge joints and repairing the road surface.

A main artery temporarily severed

The shutdown includes the southbound and northbound connector ramps between U.S. Highway 101 and eastbound I-80. Caltrans officials are urging the public to plan ahead, suggesting that weekend traffic could mirror or exceed the gridlock typically seen during weekday rush hours.

"That's the main artery area for many folks that leads up to the Bay Bridge," said Pedro Quintana, Caltrans public affairs manager.

The Bay Bridge, known as the "workhorse" of bridges, carries upward of 270,000 motorists daily. With the annual Cherry Blossom Festival expected to draw large crowds this weekend, the timing has residents and commuters on edge.

"I can't believe they're going to close the freeway for that long," said Travis, a San Francisco resident. "How are people going to get around?"

Transit agencies step up

Transportation officials are pointing to mass transit as the only reliable way to avoid a horrendous mile-and-a-half stretch of gridlock. BART, in particular, is preparing for a surge in passengers.

"When large freeways do close down for the weekend, we do see a bump in ridership, so we’re very much looking forward to that," said Alicia Trost, BART chief spokeswoman.

To manage the overflow on city streets, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will deploy personnel to the most impacted areas.

"We're going to be sending out SFMTA parking control officers to control the traffic through some of the busier intersections to make sure pedestrians are staying safe," said SFMTA spokesman Michael Roccaforte.

Navigating the detours

For those who must drive, there are a few detour routes to navigate the closure. Drivers arriving from the Peninsula should exit at Ninth Street and travel along Bryant Street before re-entering the freeway at the Fifth Street onramp. Meanwhile, those traveling from Highway 101 are advised to use Folsom Street to reach the Essex Street onramp for bridge access.

Local taxi drivers, like Amid, say they are already planning to stick to lesser-known side streets. "You know I have to use the back roads," he said. "That’s all there is."

The 55-hour closure is expected to conclude in time for the Monday morning commute, leaving behind a smoother road surface but, as many residents fear, a weekend of frayed nerves.

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Department of Public Health on Tuesday confirmed the first case of clade 1 mpox in a city resident.

The case occurred in an unvaccinated adult who has been hospitalized and whose condition is improving. The person reported they had been in close contact with someone who had traveled internationally.

"SFDPH is closely monitoring mpox. While clade I mpox cases remain rare in the United States, clade II mpox cases continue to occur in San Francisco and throughout California," San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said in a press release. "This development reminds us just how important it is to be fully vaccinated against mpox if you are at risk. With summer travel and events quickly approaching, now is a great time to seek the mpox vaccine."

SFDPH, in a release announcing the case, stated the current exposure risk is low for individuals who are not in higher-risk groups.

The department encourages anyone at risk of contracting the virus to receive both doses of the mpox vaccine, which protects against clade I and clade II, which are different strains.

The vaccine is available through healthcare providers and local pharmacies. Residents who are uninsured or have difficulty accessing care can visit locations listed at sf.gov/mpox.

The vaccine is safe for the immunocompromised, including those living with HIV and people taking immune-suppressing medications. People can receive their second dose if it’s been at least 28 days since their first dose. There is no need to restart the two-dose series if it’s been over 28 days since the first dose.

The 2022 mpox outbreak in the United States and California was caused by clade II mpox. In the United States, both strains are spread primarily through close skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual activity.

Both strains cause similar symptoms, which may represent as a flu: fever, swollen lymph nodes, or fatigue. Following that, a rash that looks like pimples or blisters.

Anyone with a rash that looks like mpox should contact their healthcare provider to get tested, talk to their partners, and take steps to prevent the spread of infection.

Anyone is susceptible to mpox, but most reported cases in the United States are among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender persons who have sex with men.

Reported cases in the United States are rare, and public health officials are monitoring to determine if clade I mpox is more severe than clade II.

OAKLAND, Calif. - California has long had a problem of declining enrollment; it's been cited as one of the key reasons for budget cuts across many Bay Area school districts, many of which have been forced to close schools. 

Declining enrollment

But new state Department of Education data, analyzed by reporters at the nonprofit news site, Ed Source, shows the largest enrollment drop since the pandemic.

For the 2025-26 school year, enrollment in California public schools from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade fell by 1.3%. While the percentage appears small, it represents a loss of 74,960 students statewide.

The trend is not isolated to the public sector. 

Data indicates that K-12 private schools in California saw a 6.6% decrease in enrollment, while the number of children registered for homeschooling declined by 3.7%.

"The big surprise to us was that the state Department of Finance predicted 10,000 students," said Michelle Quinn, executive editor of EdSource, noting that overall, there are 5 million students in the state's public schools. "But it was a 75,000 drop. And that was more than double the decline last year from the prior year. So what we're seeing is an acceleration of the decline."

State officials pointed to several factors driving the population shift. 

Fewer children 

Long-term demographic trends show families have been having fewer children over the past decade. 

However, officials also noted that the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions are factoring into this year's numbers. 

Immigration fears

Despite reassurances from local leaders, some immigrant families fear sending their children to school, and the overall number of immigrants moving to California has decreased over the past year.

Parents were concerned about the drop in numbers.

Catherine Tseng, a parent

"It's a big deal," said Catherine Tseng, a parent in Dublin. "Our classes are too big. If we get fewer kids, it just means less funding all around. It's going to be less resources."

And parent Miguel Bendezu said it's not like taxes are dropping either.

"The expenditures are going up, less resources," he said. "That's the most concerning."

Financial implications

The decline carries significant financial implications, as funding for California's public schools is tied to average daily attendance. 

With fewer students in the classroom, districts receive less state funding, an outcome that impacts local economies and the communities surrounding the schools. 

State officials said they do not expect the downward trend to change in the coming years.

SAN FRANCISCO - The Pride flags at Philz Coffee are staying up, the company announced in a news release Friday. 

‘Made a mistake’ 

Following a series of "meaningful, in-person" conversations between Philz Coffee CEO Mahesh Sadarangani and San Francisco Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford, the San Francisco-born coffee chain retreated on its earlier decision to take the rainbow flags down from its stores, which was first reported April 9 in the San Francisco Chronicle. 

"I made a mistake, and I am sincerely sorry," Sadarangani said in a written statement. 

He said he realizes that the Pride flag is a symbol of safety and belonging for the LGBTQIA+ community, and the new policy he wanted to enact of taking them down "failed" his customers and the wider community. 

He said any Pride flag that was taken down can be put back up. 

Sadarangani never fully explained why he wanted the flags taken down. 

In a statement to the Chronicle last week, he would only say that Philz "was working toward creating a more consistent, inclusive experience across all our stores, including removing a variety of flags and other decor." At the time, the company did not answer a list of detailed questions the Chronicle sent to its public relations firm.

But Sadarangani also said that, flags or no flags, the company’s support for the LGBTQIA+ community remains unchanged.

Petition and public

The decision to take the flags drew immediate criticism and an online petition that was reported across the country, from the Today Show to the New York Post.

The company statement said that going forward, each of the company's 82 stores will also feature locally created artwork "shaped by the voices of team members and the neighborhoods they serve, a living expression of the diverse communities Philz is proud to be part of."

In the same statement, Ford applauded the move to reinstall the Pride flags, which she said are especially important now, in a "climate that feels more threatening every day." 

Philz Coffee was founded in San Francisco in 2003 and moved its headquarters to Oakland in 2024.

OAKLAND, Calif. - An iconic Oakland institution known for its whimsical, storybook offerings for kids is set to kick off its 2026 grown-ups-only events later this month.

Children’s Fairyland said it is celebrating the magic of spring by hosting its first "Happily After Hours" party of the year, designated for those 21 years and older and "curated for the forever young at heart."

With an Alice in Wonderland theme, guests are invited to "tumble down the rabbit hole" for Fairyland’s "Mad Tea Party," an event that transforms the children's play area into a space for adults to experience a memorable night of music, dancing, cocktails, and food from local vendors and food trucks.

Organizers said guests can expect to enjoy a "proper tea party," theatrical surprises, like cabaret performers, as well as a live performance from the Bay Area’s DJ heyLove, who will pump out music with dancers invited to take over a black light dance floor. 

Attendees are encouraged to don "imaginative costumes" and dress up for the theme. 

Tapping into your inner kid

The event offers a chance for adults to tap into their inner kid’s love for imaginative play and wander and explore the magic of the historic theme park. 

"Guests are invited to hop aboard the Jolly Trolly for delightful evening rides, play inside of the Alice in Wonderland tunnel and maze, and explore other storybook sets like the Old West Junction," Fairyland said in a press release. "With 10 acres of lush gardens, attractions, water features, and whimsical structures, there is something magical to discover with every corner turned".

Located on the shores of Lake Merritt, Fairyland has been a part of the community since 1950. It’s considered the country's first ever storybook theme park and is credited for helping Walt Disney imagine and create Disneyland.  

This is the fifth year the adults-only events are been held. 

Organizers said last year, the series drew more than 900 attendees. This year, the theme park hopes to bring in even more people. 

SEE ALSO: Free concerts: Al Green, Public Enemy, Patti LaBelle among acts to perform in this annual Bay Area festival

Party details

The Mad Tea Party will be held on Friday, April 24. It will be Fairyland’s first of a series of five adults-only events scheduled for this year. 

Tickets are on sale now. The cost is $28 per person and $23 for Fairyland members.

Only those 21 and older will be admitted and guests must present a valid ID for entry.  

Already sold out is the special "Gilded Chrysalis Experience," a VIP lounge package.

For $200, the package covers priority entry for four people. It includes reserved seating at the top of the famed Dragon Slide, a bottle of sparkling wine, and light bites.

A focus on accessibility 

Fairyland officials said the ticket costs were lowered from last year, after hearing from community members who advocated for making the theme park accessible for everyone.

"We like to keep these events affordable," said Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Morgan Rothenbaum.

She added that the structure of the adults-only parties was modified to allow organizers to adjust the price. 

"We want to make sure we are providing fun for everyone," Rothenbaum said, "Everyone has access to fun."

SEE ALSO: Free concerts: Al Green, Public Enemy, Patti LaBelle among acts to perform in this annual Bay Area festival

The money raised from these adults-only events helps support the theme park's programs and its "broader mission," Rothenbaum explained, while also giving grown-ups a chance to experience the magic of this community gem. 

"These events contribute to expanding access through programs like Fairyland for All, which provides $5 admission and a pathway to free family membership for qualifying families, and underwriting field trips for local schools," Rothenbaum shared. "More broadly, these events help create the magical, informal learning experiences that make every day at Fairyland special—arts & crafts on weekends, Toddler Storytime on Fridays, and more.

Other adults-only events this year

Four more adults-only events are scheduled for the 2026 season, with varying themes but all focused on community. 

The themes and dates are: "Fairyland for Grownups" on Aug. 15, "Drawn Together," on Sept. 25, a Halloween-themed party on Oct. 23, and "Twas the Night" on Dec. 11.

"While each event varies, they've become a meaningful and growing source of support for Fairyland," Rothenbaum said, "allowing us to continue investing in both the guest experience and community access.

For more information and for tickets, click here.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a special election to fill the congressional seat left behind by Eric Swalwell, who resigned this week from the US House of Representatives amid sexual abuse allegations.

East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell represented California's 14th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. That covered parts of Alameda County, including Castro Valley, Dublin and Livermore.

Even before he resigned amid sex assault allegations, Swalwell gave up his opportunity to run for re-election during the 2026 midterms when he opted to run a campaign for California's next governor. That's because, per California law, a candidate can't run for two offices at once.

As a result, Newsom called for a special election on June 16 to fill the vacant seat as soon as possible, most likely to avoid losing a Democrat seat in the House and giving Republicans an edge. Republicans already hold a slight majority in the House, 218 members compared to 213 Democrats.

While the temporarily elected House member would only serve for about four months, they could be part of key votes during the lame-duck period of Congress, the period after the midterm elections and before the new Congress is sworn in January.

"In this high-stakes margin in a very close House vote, one way or another, every seat matters, hence the pressure to call a special election," said Sonoma State University professor David McCuan. 

That means voters in the East Bay could vote for the same seat up to four times in the next five months.

According to the California Secretary of State's office, nine candidates signed up to run for the 14th District seat.

Who is running for 14th District Seat in the midterm elections Nov. 3?

These are the candidates, and their party affiliations, confirmed to be running for Congress:

Democratic Party

• Victor Aguilar, Jr.
• Carin Elam
• Melissa Hernandez
• Matt Ortega
• Rakhi Israni Singh
• Aisha Wahab

Republican Party

• Wendy Huang
• Dena Maldonado

No Party Preference

• Suzanne Chenault

Election timeline for the 14th District 

The nine candidates will be on the ballot during the midterm primary on June 2.  That ballot will also include other congressional races and a primary for the governor's race. The top two candidates of this election then face off in the general election Nov. 3. 

But Newsom's special election adds more dates.

A special primary is set for June 16, two weeks after the midterm primary.

The special primary will give another set of candidates the opportunity to fill the vacant District 14 seat until January 2027.

If no candidate wins the majority vote during the special primary, then the two candidates with the most votes will appear in a special runoff election on Aug. 18.

The winner will temporarily be the House representative and replaced by the winner of the November general election.

What's at stake? 

Sonoma State University professor David McCuan says the general election candidates will now have to weigh whether it's worth it to jump into the special election.

He explains why a candidate would want to enter the special race and how some could perceive it as an advantage.

"You may not want to advantage someone else who seems to be the incumbent even though they're only serving just temporarily to fill out Eric Swalwell's term," he said. "It's a bit of giving the person the advantage of being perceived as having the incumbency-like quality."

Additionally, McCuan says candidates focus on the acronym known as M.O.R.E. in politics. That stands for mindset; money, organization, resources and endorsements.

He says candidates may consider sparing their money and resources if they're confident they could win the general election.

Who's entering the special election and who is not? 

KTVU reached out to each of the nine candidates running to replace Swalwell in the general election, asking if they plan to enter the special election race. This story will be updated as candidates respond.

Yes

On Wednesday, business owner and florist Dena Maldonado was the first candidate to confirm to KTVU she is entering the special election race, telling KTVU "if you're not first, you're last." 

"I am running to defend constitutional freedoms, protect parents rights, and restore transparency in our community." she said. "I will show up for you. Please show up for me to vote. I appreciate your time as always. It is the most valuable thing we have."

A representative for State Senator Aisha Wahab sent the following statement to KTVU:

"Yes, the Special Election will be a priority."

No

Local businessman Matt Ortega said he will not enter the special election.

"The broken system that allowed this man to reach the heights he did is the same broken system that allowed housing, health care, and child care to be out of reach for working families," he said. "I'm running on the boldest agenda for long-term change of anyone on the ballot and not interested in a four-month vanity term."

In a statement released to KTVU, Suzanne Chenault says she will keep the general election as her priority.

"Indeed I would be honored to gain the seat vacated by Congressman Swalwell in the special election called by Governor  Newsom.  However, insofar as I am a candidate for the seat in the primary, my initial focus will be the upcoming June 2nd election."

Undecided

A representative for nonprofit director Carin Elam released the following statement: "As we await more details on the special election, Carin and her family are discussing next steps and will make a decision soon."

Wendy Huang simply told KTVU she is still deciding. "I’m looking into it, and I’ll get back to you," she said.

A member of Rakhi Irani's campaign says the Fremont-based attorney is still weighing her options.