Catch Me Up: Daily news roundup for May 28, 2025

This Daily News Roundup for the 24 hours from 4:00 PM Tuesday 5/27 to 4:00 PM Wednesday 5/28 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 Wednesday, May 28th, 2025. Here is a look at some of the top stories from across the region.

The Bay Area is bracing for its first mini-heat wave of the season later this week, with inland temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, a warming trend begins Thursday, May 29th, 2025, peaking on Friday, May 30th, 2025. Highs are forecast to reach the 90s to low 100s, prompting a Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 8 PM for the North Bay, East Bay, South Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains, and Central Coast. Meteorologist Roger Gass stated that areas like Livermore, Concord, and Santa Rosa could see temperatures near 100 degrees on Friday, with far inland locations like Brentwood and Discovery Bay potentially hitting 106 degrees. The weather service also warns of an elevated fire risk on Friday and Saturday, May 31st, 2025, due to low humidity and dry vegetation, though calm winds are expected. Coastal areas may find some relief from a persistent marine layer. Temperatures are expected to cool significantly starting Saturday.

Meanwhile, five more gray whales have died in the San Francisco Bay Area over the past week, bringing the total number of whale deaths this year to more than a dozen. The California Academy of Sciences announced today, Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, that the causes of death for these recent whales are still under investigation. Two whales died on Monday, May 26th, near Alcatraz Island and Point Bonita. Last Thursday, May 22nd, two others were found dead near Berkeley and off Southeast Farallon Island. This year, 13 gray whales and one minke whale have died in the region, with three deaths linked to likely vessel strikes. Officials note this is the highest number of gray whale deaths since 2021. The Marine Mammal Center also reports an unusually high number of gray whale sightings in San Francisco Bay this year, with 33 individuals confirmed compared to just four in 2024. Researchers are still investigating the reason for this spike, and boaters are urged to slow down and be “whale aware,” as gray whales are difficult to spot.

Shifting our focus to local governance, San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department is grappling with significant budget cuts and a massive maintenance backlog. According to a report from San Jose Spotlight, the city faces a projected $35.6 million budget deficit for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with the parks department slated for a $2.5 million funding decrease. Department spokesperson Sheena Talosig stated that with a $550 million maintenance backlog, staffing levels are insufficient to meet needs. Deputy Parks Director Avi Yotam added that cost-saving measures include the closure of Yosemite Family Camp due to wildfire damage. The department is initiating community outreach this summer to explore a potential ballot measure for sustainable maintenance funding. Park staff has decreased significantly over the past two decades, with fewer employees now responsible for more acreage, leading to a severe strain on services.

In Santa Cruz, city officials announced on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, that the city has secured a $30 million state grant to build a new residential treatment facility for adults with substance use disorders. The funding, from the California Department of Health Care Services, will establish the Coral Street Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center. This 50-bed, non-medical facility will offer round-the-clock, recovery-focused care, particularly for unsheltered individuals, veterans, and those with disabilities. Mayor Fred Keeley stated the award is a significant step forward, addressing a critical gap in the city’s homelessness response by providing access to residential treatment. City Manager Matt Huffaker emphasized that the center aims to reduce long wait times for care, which often leave individuals unsheltered. The project is part of the state’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, funded by Proposition 1, a bond measure approved by California voters in March 2024. Construction funding is expected to be available in 2026.

In other regional news, California public schools are reporting a significant surge in homeless students, with numbers increasing by over nine percent for yet another year. According to EdSource, nearly 20,000 more homeless students were enrolled by October 2024, marking a 37 percent rise over the last decade. This increase is attributed to worsening family financial troubles and improved identification efforts by schools. While federal funds from the pandemic-era American Rescue Plan, specifically the Homeless Children and Youth, or ARP-HCY, grant, greatly aided schools in identifying and supporting these students, there are currently no plans to replenish this one-time funding. This has led to concerns that services and staff will be cut, potentially causing many homeless students to fall through the cracks. Advocates are pushing for the state to match federal funds to ensure continued support.

Finally, Craig Missakian was sworn in on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, as the new U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California. Appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Missakian is a veteran prosecutor known for his work on national security cases, including the prosecution of a Chinese spy and an investigation into the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack in Libya. Missakian stated his commitment to protecting public safety, combating violent crime, fraud, and safeguarding the district’s technology and critical infrastructure. He replaces Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick Robbins, who took over after Ismail Ramsey was dismissed in February as part of a nationwide reshuffling by the Trump administration. Missakian’s notable career also includes prosecuting complex cases involving public corruption and cybercrime, and spearheading a health care fraud investigation.

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