Top of the morning’s news
- Gov. Jerry Brown’s finance director raised the specter of mid-year budget cuts, increasing the likelihood that the state will slash education and social services. Capitol Alert; LA Times
- Police cleared out the Occupy Cal encampment of about 20 tents in front of Sproul Hall early this morning, a day after the encampment was re-erected in defiance of university orders. Two people were arrested. Chronicle
- Mayor Ed Lee ratcheted up pressure on Occupy SF, calling it a public health nuisance and demanding “dramatic changes” at the encampment that has swollen to more than 200 tents. Chronicle
- Gov. Jerry Brown has a 46 percent favorability rating in the latest USC Dornsife/LA Times poll, up from 44 percent in April. PolitiCal
"This is a termination that we view as absolutely and completely retaliatory. They've canned the guy in every way they possibly can. This is really outrageous."-- Nanci Clarence, lawyer for a whistleblower whom she claims was fired from Archway Property Services for telling the Chronicle that employees were allegedly directed to donate $500 to Mayor Ed Lee’s election campaign.
Other news
- Raw milk from a Fresno dairy was recalled after five children, including two siblings in Contra Costa County, became ill from bacteria believed to have been found in the milk. Chroncle
- An alleged Union City gang member could face life in prison after being convicted of attempted murder for shooting a Fremont police officer who tried to arrest him in Oakland. Chronicle
- Despite the start of the Dungeness crab season, Bay Area crab fishermen and their buyers remain at a standoff over the price the fishermen will be paid, with many fisherman holding out for $2.50 per pound as opposed to the $2 many buyers are offering. Mercury News
- Richmond has resorted to asking—or is it begging?—Chevron to stop pursuing a multimillion tax refund, saying the oil giant doesn’t need the money. Contra Costa Times
- Tex Watson, Charles Manson’s self-proclaimed right-hand man who was convicted of orchestrating the Tate-LaBianca murders 42 years ago, was denied parole from Mule Creek State Prison—his 14th such rejection. AP
- Oakland has recorded its 107th homicide, more than in all of 2010. Oakland Tribune
- A computer stolen from Sutter Medical Foundation offices in Sacramento in October held information on more than 4 million patients, some of it dating to 1995, the health network disclosed Wednesday. AP
- Christopher Travis, the Cal student shot by campus police Tuesday after brandishing a gun at the Haas School of Business, died of his wounds. Contra Costa Times
- Millbrae is disbanding its police force and entering negotiations with the San Mateo County sheriff’s office to take over its law enforcement. AP
