San Bruno wants the PUC to be tougher on PG&E, DiFi defends NSA phone snoops, 49ers’ new stadium breaks the $1.3 billion barrier, more.
Politics and Government
Senator Dianne Feinstein defended the government’s controversial phone records collection program, saying it has helped to foil terrorist plots. AP
San Bruno wants the state Public Utilities Commission, under fire for being too soft on PG&E, to make the utility pay up for the deadly 2010 explosion and fire. Chronicle
SFPD chief Greg Suhr, recalling his encounter with serial murderer Richard Ramirez, who died Friday while on Death Row, during a 1980s San Francisco burglary investigation: “He scared me.” Bay City News Service
Atherton waits, without holding its breath, to be reimbursed for extra security during one of President Obama’s fundraiser swoop-ins in April. The Almanac
New questions surround the case against corrupt former Santa Clara County supervisor George Shirakawa Jr. after prosecutors tack on another charge as he’s about to be sentenced. Mercury News
Media, Arts, Books, Place
San Francisco’s community radio station KPOO 89.5 turned 40 and threw itself a party. Mission Local
Media observer Ken Doctor speculates on what a Koch Brothers-owned LA Times might look like. Newsonomics
One of San Jose’s oldest standing structures, the 1830s Roberto-Sunol adobe, is being donated by the family that owns it to a non-profit to be preserved as a museum. Mercury News
The Philadelphia Inquirer lifts its paywall temporarily (for U. S. Open coverage) after getting its head handed to it by a non-paywalled rival following a big local story. Romenesko
News and noteworthy
Might want to clip and save: Angela Hill’s shortlist in the Oakland Trib for where to find some of the Bay Area’s trendiest doughnuts.
The 49ers are kicking in another $100 million for undisclosed technological upgrades at their new Santa Clara stadium, pushing the tab past $1.3 billion. Mercury News
Another limousine bursts into flames, this time in Walnut Creek, and this time carrying women mostly in their 90s, but a caregiver helps get everyone out and nobody is injured. Contra Costa Times
Rough weekend for high school graduates with outdoor commencements: 25 people were treated for heat-related problems at schools in Contra Costa County. Contra Costa Times
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich was arrested over the weekend for boating while intoxicated at Nevada’s Lake Mead. AP
Obituary: Norma Rees, 89, longtime Cal State Hayward president who oversaw the university’s name change to Cal State East Bay. Oakland Tribune
SFO gives Muslim cabbies their own cleansing station for washing hands and feet before daily prayers. Chronicle
Former A’s slugger Frank Thomas has been busy in the Bay Area the last few days promoting his new beer brand—at Costco stores. Contra Costa Times
San Jose officials are apparently pretty proud of the naming rights deal struck on the soon-to-be SAP Arena once HP’s name is removed. Mercury News
