Rare shrub found in Presidio to get federal protection, Bay Area freeways more congested as the economy improves, San Jose officials want to know if Giants are behind roadblocks to A’s stadium plans, more.
- A Franciscan manzanita bush thought to be extinct until a single shrub was discovered in the Presidio in 2009 will be given federal Endangered Species Act protection. Chronicle
- One barometer of an improving Bay Area economy: traffic congestion is increasing on area freeways. Mercury News
- Those hoping that the 2012 state legislative session would see a slew of new environmental laws have reason to be disappointed: all but a handful of them died. Mercury News
- Suspecting the Giants’ involvement, San Jose officials are stepping up efforts in court to see who’s behind a group opposed to a new ballpark for the A’s downtown. Mercury News
- There’s discord among musicians over the Fremont Symphony Orchestra’s removal of its longtime music director and business manager. Fremont Argus
