Top of the morning’s news
- Tensions mounted over Occupy Oakland as four members of the City Council, critical of Mayor Jean Quan’s inaction, said they favor the immediate removal of the protestors’ encampment, and were shouted down by protesters during a news conference with clergy and other community leaders to press the issue. Chronicle
- It was an unruly afternoon and night at UC Berkeley after police in riot gear turned back two attempts by students to set up an Occupy Cal encampment outside Sproul Plaza, with at least six students and one faculty member arrested. Chronicle
- Piers Morgan says he’s giving up his judge gig on “America’s Got Talent” to focus on his CNN interview program, “Piers Morgan Tonight.” Media Decoder
- After two months, Anderson Cooper’s daytime syndicated talk show has tepid ratings, but several big station owners have signed up for another year. Media Decoder
- Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin has stirred controversy over her plans to skip a Veterans Day memorial in order to attend an Occupy rally. Contra Costa Times
- In a move that appeared taken from Gov. Jerry Brown’s playbook, President Barack Obama has ordered cutbacks on federal workers’ use of cellphones, travel and vehicles, among other items. Oakland Tribune
"This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."-- Ex-Penn State coach Joe Paterno’s statement, shortly before being fired as part of a child sex abuse cover-up scandal that also cost the university president his job.
Other news
- The Bay Citizen reports a legal battle is shaping up between Oakland police and the ACLU of Northern California over public documents related to the Oct. 25 police raid of the Occupy Oakland encampment and its aftermath.
- Nearly 700 Medicare beneficiaries in Marin County will be forced to switch their Medicare Advantage health plans by Dec. 7 after Anthem Blue Cross announced it has withdrawn its plan. Marin IJ
- Caltrans’ opens a mile-long extension of the carpool lane on southbound Interstate 680 in Walnut Creek and Alamo today. Contra Costa Times
- Steve Jobs was nominated as Time magazine’s Person of the Year, which, if he wins, would be the first time for the award to be presented posthumously. Mercury News
- California homes and businesses have installed 1 gigwatt worth of rooftop solar panels, a milestone achieved by only five countries. AP
