Catch Me Up: Daily news roundup for July 11, 2025

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This Daily News Roundup for the 24 hours from 4:00 PM Thursday 7/10 to 4:00 PM Friday 7/11 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 Friday, July 11, 2025. Here is a look at some of the top stories from across the region.

The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to change the airport’s name yet again, this time from “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” to “Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.” This move aims to prioritize Oakland in the name while highlighting its location on the San Francisco Bay. The decision comes a little more than a year after the board first changed the name from “Oakland International Airport,” a move that prompted a lawsuit from San Francisco over copyright claims and allegations of traveler confusion. San Francisco officials called the new proposed name “disingenuous” and “confusing.” Oakland officials, meanwhile, noted that San Francisco’s airport also added “San Francisco” to its name decades ago. Thursday’s vote was a first reading; another vote is scheduled for July 24. Regardless of the name, the airport code will remain “OAK.”

Shifting our focus to a tragic event, the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office today released the names of the seven people who died in a massive explosion and fire at a fireworks storage facility earlier this month. The July 1 explosion near Esparto leveled at least one building and ignited a 78-acre fire. Among the victims are four individuals from the Bay Area: Neil Justin Li, 41, and Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, both from San Francisco; and brothers Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, and Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, both from San Pablo. Authorities used DNA analysis for identification, and autopsies were completed Thursday. The official causes of death are pending toxicology results. The tragedy led to the cancellation of Fourth of July fireworks shows in several Bay Area communities that stored their supplies at the facility.

In San Francisco, a man has been convicted in connection with a violent home invasion robbery and carjacking that occurred in the city’s Crocker Amazon neighborhood in February 2024. Montana Jones, 22, was found guilty by a jury of four counts of first-degree residential robbery with firearm enhancements, one count of carjacking with a firearm enhancement, and one count of first-degree residential burglary with a “hot prowl” enhancement. Prosecutors stated that Jones was one of four armed men wearing ski masks and gloves who drove from East Oakland and forced their way into a residence by identifying themselves as police. Inside, sleeping residents were confronted at gunpoint, with some being struck and assaulted. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the verdict “delivers justice to the victims.” Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 25.

Meanwhile, a new federal budget signed into law by President Donald Trump is expected to have significant impacts on health care and social services across California. The budget reduces Medicaid funding, known as Medi-Cal in California, by $1 trillion over the next 10 years. This could cost the state $28.4 billion and result in 3.4 million Californians losing coverage. New requirements, including work mandates and co-pays for many Medi-Cal enrollees, are set to take effect by Dec. 31, 2026. Additionally, many enrollees in Covered California, the state’s subsidized health plan marketplace, can expect average premium increases of 66%, or $101 per month, starting next year due to the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Hospitals and clinics also face financial challenges, potentially leading to reduced services or closures. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier held a town hall discussing how Contra Costa County’s health system alone could see annual cuts of over $120 million.

In related news, California Attorney General Rob Bonta visited Napa this week to discuss the impact of federal budget cuts on the AmeriCorps program. In April, nearly $400 million in grants were slashed, and approximately 85% of the program’s workforce faced termination notices. California joined 22 other states in a lawsuit, which led to a federal judge issuing a preliminary injunction last week, halting further dismantling of AmeriCorps and ordering funding restored. Napa County Office of Education officials shared the trauma of losing 92 AmeriCorps members who provided tutoring to hundreds of students, though some were rehired with other funding. State Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday called the cuts “unfair and illegal,” arguing that they weaken communities by removing vital services. Attorney General Bonta shared his own impactful experience as a civil service worker, emphasizing the program’s importance.

Finally, some news from the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens: Tenzing, a beloved 12-year-old male red panda, has passed away after a rapid decline in health caused by a parasitic infection. Tenzing, a Himalayan red panda, was a fan favorite since his arrival in 2014, known for his playful charm, somersaults, and even artistic talents. He was part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, a program dedicated to preserving the genetic diversity of endangered species. Zoo officials stated that Tenzing lived a “rich and full life,” helping to raise public awareness for red pandas, which are classified as endangered with fewer than 10,000 estimated to remain in the wild.

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