Catch Me Up: Daily news roundup for May 15, 2025

This Daily News Roundup for the 24 hours from 4:00 PM Wednesday 5/14 to 4:00 PM Thursday 5/15 is based on news articles created by Bay City News reporters and editors. We prompted ChatGPT to analyze the articles produced by our staff and to choose 5 stories to highlight. Then we used ElevenLabs and other tools to help us convert the text into audio based on the voice of Leslie Katz, one of our Bay City News editors. This content was verified by a human editor.

Hello, and welcome to Bay City News for Thursday, May 15th, 2025. Here is a look at some of the top stories from across the region.

First, Governor Gavin Newsom is asking the state legislature to fast-track the Delta Conveyance Tunnel project, as part of a revised state budget. The proposal, aimed at modernizing California’s water infrastructure, has drawn opposition from environmental groups and various stakeholders in the Sacramento San wah-keen Delta region. According to Ryan Endean, a spokesperson for the Department of Water Resources, or DWR, the proposed changes would streamline permitting and land acquisition processes and set time limits for legal challenges. Opponents, including Scott Artis of the Golden State Salmon Association, express concerns that the tunnel could harm Delta ecosystems and salmon populations. State Senator Jerry McNerney has also voiced objections, suggesting investment in alternative water solutions. However, Jennifer Pierre, representing the State Water Contractors, supports the project, highlighting its potential for increased operational flexibility in water management and citing public support.

Turning to San Francisco, hundreds of city workers rallied outside City Hall on Wednesday. They were protesting potential layoffs as the city faces a projected budget deficit exceeding $800 million for the upcoming fiscal years. Mayor Daniel Lurie has requested that city departments prepare proposals for 15% budget cuts. In response, labor unions, such as the Service Employees International Union, or SEIU Local 1021, and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, or IFPTE Local 21, are urging the mayor to pressure major corporations, including Airbnb and Uber, to drop lawsuits they have filed against the city. Union leaders argue that these legal actions, seeking recovery of allegedly overpaid taxes, contribute significantly to the budget shortfall. District 7 Supervisor Jackie Fielder specifically called on Airbnb to withdraw its suit. An Airbnb spokesperson stated that the company is in compliance with its tax obligations and remains committed to San Francisco. Mayor Lurie is expected to release his budget proposal in June.

Meanwhile, in San Mateo County, the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, announced on Wednesday its plans to address a hazardous slippery section of state Highway 92 near Half Moon Bay. The decision follows weeks of public complaints and pressure from local officials concerning multiple incidents of vehicles spinning out of control. The dangerous area is located on an eastbound hairpin turn just before the highway’s intersection with Skyline Boulevard, where water from a naturally occurring spring has been seeping onto the road surface. Caltrans officials report that the water flow has been diverted, and the agency is now developing plans to install new drainage pipes and repave the affected section. San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller and Assemblymember Marc Berman were among those who had urged Caltrans to take immediate action. A specific timeline for the completion of these repairs has not yet been announced.

In other news, San Francisco police are investigating a stabbing that took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Mission District. According to the police department, officers were dispatched to the vicinity of 21st and 22nd streets at about 4:44 p.m. following reports of a stabbing. At the scene, police found an individual with injuries that appeared to be related to an assault. During their investigation, officers learned that a second person had independently arrived at a local hospital with an apparent stab wound, which was described as life-threatening. The current condition of this person was not immediately available. Detectives remained at the scene to continue their investigation into the incident. Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the stabbing to contact the San Francisco Police Department.

Shifting our focus to Sonoma County, an armed man was arrested on Monday evening in Rohnert Park after allegedly leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reported that members of its Narcotics Unit attempted to arrest Jason Whitmire, 50, of Rohnert Park, on three outstanding warrants. Whitmire allegedly fled in a vehicle, nearly striking two detectives, and initiated a pursuit through Rohnert Park, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour before crashing his vehicle. He then reportedly attempted to flee on foot. Detectives pursued and, after Whitmire allegedly resisted, he was taken into custody with the assistance of a sheriff’s K-9 unit. A loaded firearm was reportedly discovered in his vehicle. Whitmire was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of multiple felonies and remained in custody as of Wednesday.

Finally, supporters of the Head Start early education program are expressing ongoing worries about potential federal funding cuts, despite the program not being explicitly targeted for elimination in President Trump’s recently proposed 2026 budget. The program serves more than 750,000 children from low-income families across the nation, with over 73,000 of those children in California. Head Start provides educational services, dental screenings, free meals, and support for parents, including child care and job assistance. Melanie Cotrill, the executive director of Head Start California, stated that significant concern about funding levels persists. She warned that if Head Start were to be defunded in California, it could result in 80,000 children losing care and 26,000 employees losing their jobs, affecting families like that of Timeisha Seymore, who credits the program with helping her attain a degree and secure employment.

And those are some of the top stories we’re following. Thank you for joining us for Bay City News.