The UK will scan asylum-seekers’ faces for age checks—despite knowing the tech is flawed
Tests of age-verification technology show the risks of life-altering errors.
Public file
Tech
Topic file with published stories, monitored feeds, and source context.
990Stories
240Shown here
4Feeds
994Total signals
Want faster election results? California Democrats won’t clamp down on late voters
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Everyone agrees it would be nice to know the outcomes of California elections sooner. What they can’t agree upon is whether and how to make that happen. The state’s glacial pace of counting primary votes — it took a week before enough ballots […]
Obituaries: Local residents who have died recently
Local residents who died recently include Rachel Valentine, Marion Moreno, Eleanor Swent, Martha Enthoven and Demetrios Kanellakos.
Despite colleague’s concern, MVLA trustee to retain committee seat
After two Mountain View Los Altos High School District trustees clashed over an appointment to a city transportation committee, the board has found a path forward. Following a June 15 discussion, President Thida Cornes will continue to serve.
Mountain View’s free shuttle service suspended at least until June 24
In the wake of a licensing snafu, Mountain View’s free shuttle services will likely not be running again until Wednesday, June 24 at the earliest, according to a city news update.
Mountain View Whisman School District considers student weather safety policy
Mountain View Whisman School District students could see more formal protections from extreme heat, poor air quality, floods and sun exposure under a draft weather safety policy being reviewed by the district.
California turns to minimum wage hikes to offset high living costs. There’s a downside
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. There are three immutable aspects of economic life in California today. No. 1, Californians face the nation’s highest cost of living. It is 11% higher than the national average, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, including rents 53% higher than average […]
On Juneteenth, Californians should ask: What it will take for Black communities to thrive?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Kaci Patterson Kaci Patterson is the founder and chief architect of Social Good Solutions. She also founded the Black Equity Collective, where she serves as chief architect. Juneteenth is both a mirror and a question, reflecting the unfinished promises […]
Cal State faculty push to prevent AI tools from replacing them as schools and staff experiment
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The nation’s largest public four-year university may soon be barred from replacing faculty with generative AI as a bill backed by a union of professors comes nearer to reaching the governor’s desk. Few examples exist of the California State University’s attempting to replace […]
Mountain View celebrates new art at downtown train depot
With trains gliding by and bells clanging in the background, a group of local dignitaries and community members gathered at Mountain View’s train depot last week to celebrate the unveiling of a new public art display.
As global warming threatens corals, scientists search for reefs that can take the heat
Researchers say these coral strongholds may help repopulate more degraded reefs.
Rocket Report: Rebuild begins at Blue Origin launch pad; Relativity targets Mars
A French launch startup is scrapping the name of its rocket, apparently due to a trademark issue.
Sunday to mark the longest day of the year for half the planet
Sunday to mark the longest day of the year for half the planet
California labor union offers to scale back billionaire tax proposal after pushback
A California labor union is offering to scale back a proposal to temporarily increase taxes on billionaires
Fans are fuming after World Cup tickets they bought through resale sites fall through
The World Cup has been delivering thrills on the pitch, but fans have flooded social media with complaints about tickets that never arrived, orders canceled at the last minute and hours spent trying to sort out problems between FIFA’s ticketing system ...
Santa Clara County to fund legal aid for Bay Area ICE detainees
Santa Clara County will be the first in the region to fund efforts to release every Bay Area resident unlawfully detained by ICE.
Mountain View’s plans for future Terra Bella park grow with $9M land purchase
Mountain View is making inroads with a plan to add more parkland in the Terra Bella neighborhood, a part of the city slated for housing growth.
As the Pacifica Pier faces an uncertain fate, its closure has the community that calls it home reeling
Locals and visitors have rallied around Chit Chat Cafe and the city of Pacifica as crews work to stabilize the pier.
This lawmaker’s proposal could make California ‘the most secretive state in the country’
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. In March, Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco introduced a measure that would have made it more expensive for Californians to obtain government records. Amid opposition from transparency advocates and public access concerns from her own Assembly colleagues, though, the Downey Democrat diluted her proposal to […]
MVLA approves salary increases for school staff, teachers
The Mountain View Los Altos High School District school board green-lighted a number of different salary schedules for the upcoming year, including for teachers, non-teaching employees and trustees.
California is getting ready to increase a health insurance tax. Will it affect your premium?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Legislators this week approved a health tax bill meant to continue critical federal funding for the state’s Medicaid program, also known as Medi-Cal. Their approval comes despite warnings from health industry leaders that the tax, as designed, will raise premiums for privately insured […]
Mountain View doubles funding for heat pump water heater rebates
Mountain View residents looking to replace their gas water heaters may have more time to take advantage of city rebates after the Mountain View City Council approved an additional $500,00 for the city’s heat pump water heater rebate program.
California se encuentra en un punto muerto con el Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados por compartir datos de licencias de conducir con otros estados
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. This article is also available in English. Read it here. La Legislatura de California quiere frenar los planes para compartir información sobre los conductores de California – incluidos más de un millón de titulares de licencias de inmigrantes que carecen de autorización federal […]
Mountain View temporarily suspends free shuttle service in wake of expired state license
Mountain View suspended its free shuttle services Thursday morning after learning that the operator failed to renew a state license that is required to legally run the shuttles, according to a city news release.
What’s up this week: Author Cory Doctorow on AI; Juneteenth; jazz in the vineyard; Kid Cudi and more
This week, Cory Doctorow discusses how to make AI work for *us*; EPACENTER celebrates Juneteenth; Kid Cudi performs at Shoreline; a semi-incognito guitarist plays The Guild and more.
Review: Private lives become very public in romantic tangle of ‘The Cottage’
A couple’s canoodling in the country gets interrupted by friends, family and plenty of unhinged antics in modern spin on old-style farce.
Before SpaceX IPO, investors in China secretly acquired stakes
One previously unreported SpaceX investor has ties to Chinese military contractors.
After Senate vote, Trump admin backs off plans to kill ocean monitoring
It's unclear whether the system is currently intact.
Apple patches high-severity eavesdropping vulnerability in Beats Studio Buds
The vulnerability, disclosed 12 months ago, affects multiple manufacturers.
Android verification is coming: Google confirms timeline and supported app stores
A new system service will roll out this month ahead of big changes starting in September.
One Tech Tip: Watch out for scams when buying World Cup tickets
Soccer fans should be on the watch for cyber scammers targeting those seeking last-minute World Cup tickets
NASA asks Northrop Grumman to stop working on lunar HALO module
"We are reassigning most affected employees across existing opportunities and programs."
As China looms, Taiwan makes more drones for defense and the US military
Taiwan's drone spending plans for defense could also boost business overseas.
FDA advisors unanimously vote to approve Moderna's mRNA after agency drama
In February, a Trump official refused to review the vaccine.
Microsoft discovers new lightweight backdoor that steals cryptocurrency
Crypto Clipper spreads over USB and communicates over Tor.
A bold satellite rescue mission came together in record time, but will it work?
"I consider this a success already, just from the fact that we're even going to try this."
The first long-duration resident of the ISS, a cosmonaut, has died
Two expeditions, two spacewalks, 322 days in space.
Hunter-gatherers in Siberia died of a plague outbreak 5,500 years ago
We can't blame the Neolithic Transition for the plague anymore.
Bernie Sanders unveils $7 trillion plan to give Americans control of AI industry
Biggest AI firms will likely recoil at Bernie Sanders' AI wealth fund.
FDA panel considers a first-of-its-kind flu vaccine using mRNA technology
U.S. health advisers are debating a new kind of flu vaccine
California union’s billionaire tax qualifies for ballot amid fierce opposition
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A union wants California’s billionaires to rescue the state’s healthcare system. The billionaires have other ideas. On June 17, an initiative to tax the state’s wealthiest residents qualified for the ballot, according to the secretary of state’s office, which verifies petition signatures. Gov. […]
Single-payer healthcare in California is possible. An economic and political thicket stands in the way
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Is there a pathway for California to create a universal healthcare system, one with benefits paid through a “unified financing system” that merges federal and state funds with costs now borne by employers and — probably — a new layer of taxation? The answer […]
Newsom promised to help Californians build new careers. Now, the money is running out
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Standing in a West Sacramento high school cafeteria in 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom promised fundamental reforms to the state’s job training programs. A few months later, he was in front of a fire truck in Modesto, and later, in a welding classroom in […]
Immigration raids have made skin color top of mind for a new generation of California Latinos
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Priscilla Preciado Priscilla Preciado is a Cal State Fullerton student studying communications with an emphasis in journalism. Over 30 years ago, my father, then a 21-year-old Chicano, was driving to a 7-Eleven in Tustin, where he had recently moved, […]
Two former 49ers join Saint Francis High School football coaching staff
Saint Francis High School is welcoming two big-time veteran football players to its coaching roster – NFL Hall of Famer Bryant Young and former professional quarterback Alex Smith, both of whom played for the San Francisco 49ers.
Europe explores energy security alternatives after Iran war's turmoil
The Iran war's impact on global fuel prices has pushed Europe to explore alternative trade and energy routes
A city's push for facial recognition on public buses ignites debate over security and privacy
Kansas City, Missouri, plans to boost security by installing facial recognition cameras on buses
Hulk, Punisher join Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer
Peter Parker to Bruce Banner: "I didn't know you could get that big."
"Dangerous" AI models are coming no matter what
AI models with advanced hacking capabilities will soon be the norm.
The Slate Truck's price may have leaked, starts at $24,950
The official launch takes place next week.
AI coding agents taught robots how to install GPUs and cut zip ties
Nvidia's self-improvement program for robots enlists teams of AI coding agents.
Tesco moving 40,000 server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's “abusive conduct”
Tesco claimed Broadcom hiked its VMware prices by about 175 percent in UK court filings.
Massive breach spills credentials for thousands of sensitive networks
The affected include Oracle, Lenovo, FedEx, a NATO contractor, and Fortinet.
California says AT&T lied to FCC in attempt to shut off old phone network
FCC considers AT&T petitions to preempt state rules and discontinue phone service.
Sooner than expected? Useful quantum error correction promised for 2028.
Elsewhere, beyond-classical quantum hardware, plus classical computing fires back.
Second carcass-eating fly species cleared by FDA for maggot wound therapy
Maggot therapy lacks robust data, but it has fans and a fail-safe "bacon therapy."
Mountain View looks to adopt stable budget amid economic uncertainty
The Mountain View City Council is expected to adopt a balanced budget next week for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, despite flattening revenues and rising costs, a trend that has defined the city’s financial outlook for the past couple years.
Peninsula homeowners try to cash in on World Cup visitors
For some Peninsula homeowners, the World Cup represented an opportunity to generate extra income by renting out spare rooms, guest houses and entire homes to visiting soccer fans. But while the tournament is drawing visitors to the Bay Area, some local listings still had availability in the days leading up to matches, suggesting the payoff may be smaller than many hosts expected.
"Truly evil" FDA rejection of gene therapy overturned after Trump official ousted
Gene therapy company UniQure had another FDA meeting after Vinay Prasad's exit.
Towers once planned for California shuttle launches leveled for SpaceX rockets
"Space Launch Complex-6 represents six decades of American innovation."
Ten months later, the $100 Google Home Speaker is finally available for preorder
Google's new smart speaker is more about Gemini than audio quality.
Some California schools get three times more funding than others. Here’s why
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. At Pinedale Elementary in Fresno, there’s almost no classroom aides, after-school tutors or behavioral counselors. Literacy activities and parent workshops are scarce. Field trips? Almost non-existent. The school survives on one of the lowest per-pupil expenditures in the state: $16,700 a year, nearly […]
Higher ed funding for California veterans is under threat. How a $12 billion bond could help
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Jason Williams Jason Williams is a Marine Corps veteran and a doctoral candidate studying chemistry at UCLA. He founded a nonprofit supporting veterans and participated in the Veterans in STEM program. Angel Fulgencio Angel Fulgencio works in domestic violence […]
As ballot deadline nears, will California’s billionaire tax actually go to voters?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Early 20th century political reformers such as Hiram Johnson saw the initiative process — placing measures on the ballot for voters to decide — as an antidote to a Legislature controlled by moneyed interests. However, 125 years after voters adopted the process, it’s […]
He spent 19 years in isolation on death row. Then the handcuffs came off
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Johnny Morales struggled to find sleep. He dozed off for a few moments, but officers came to his death row cell and woke him a little after midnight. They needed to inventory and box up his belongings. He was leaving San Quentin. Hands […]
Windows and Linux users: The deadline to update Secure Boot keys is near
What you need to know about the expiration of keys securing your machine's boot sequence.
Native NACS ports, infotainment upgrade for MY27 Porsche Taycan
The bigger battery is standard and there are now simulated "E-Shifts."
AI executives gather at G7 as Europeans seek checks on American dominance
Artificial intelligence takes center stage Wednesday at the G7 meeting in France
SpaceX purchases Bay Area AI coding startup for $60 billion
SpaceX hopes to boost its AI company, which has fallen behind key competitors.
New commission takes aim at California’s broken public defense system
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A new commission made up of legislators, public defenders, academics and advocates seeks to push California — one of just two states that don’t pay for basic public defense — to begin providing resources and enforcing minimum standards for county public defender systems. […]
Omakase World Market brings diverse array of dining options to South San Francisco campus
The San Francisco-based Omakase Restaurant Group is the force behind a number of Bay Area dining spots, from the Michelin-starred Niku Steakhouse to the dumpling chain Dumpling Time. Now, with the June 16 opening of Omakase World Market in South San Francisco, diners can find highlights from a number of Omakase projects – plus some brand-new ones – all in one place.
Santa Clara County LGBTQ+ office hits 10 years of service
The Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs on Friday celebrated its 10-year anniversary amid a Pride Month flag raising ceremony, resource fair and inclusive “lavender” graduation for LGBTQ+ high school and college students.
School board declines to vote on MVLA superintendent’s contract extension
The Mountain View Los Altos High School District trustees were scheduled to vote to add another year to Superintendent Eric Volta’s employment agreement Monday, but board President Thida Cornes instead announced that no formal action was necessary to keep Volta at the helm.
Ballet company holds ‘A Last Dance’ and its leaders plan a new beginning
Following the closure of Peninsula Lively Arts, its artistic staff will launch a new dance school and company in July.
Asian chicken wing joint Wing So Good is coming to Mountain View
A fried chicken wing restaurant promising “shatter-crisp wings” is coming to the former space of La Salsa at the corner of San Antonio Road and El Camino Real in Mountain View.
Android 17 starts hitting Pixel phones and watches today
Pixels will get their OTA in the coming weeks, but don't expect monumental changes.
Pentagon boasts of using AI to write reports mandated by Congress
Pentagon also claims 1.5 million personnel are using generative AI tools.
US approval of Paramount/Warner Bros. deal surprised DOJ lawyers, report says
Trump admin green-lighting $111B deal "reeks of corruption," Sen. Warren says.
Anthropic "pauses" token-based billing for its Claude Agent SDK
Move originally planned for Monday would have heavily increased power users' costs.
Among the large new rockets Amazon was counting on, only Europe has delivered
"As for Arianespace, they have definitely stepped up."
Cockroaches scurry around with thousands of pieces of bacterial genomes
Transferring genes across species doesn't just happen in microbes.
Year of free HPE software a “step in the correct direction” in VMware rivalry
Partner tells Ars that HPE should be giving out more free VM Essentials licenses.
Cape Verde's Vozinha becomes Instagram sensation thanks to his saves
Vozinha gasped and laughed in shock when shown the number of new Instagram followers he had gained after helping tiny Cape Verde hold off powerhouse Spain in his team’s World Cup debut
Trump admin tries to block Clean Air Act lawsuit over xAI's gas turbines
NAACP lawsuit says xAI uses gas turbines without permits for Grok data center.
African and Commonwealth nations in Kenya urge quick execution of a key treaty protecting oceans
African and Commonwealth nations have called for a swift implementation of a landmark treaty protecting the high seas
Critical Copilot vulnerability allowed hackers to steal 2FA code from users
SearchLeak exploit shows why the industry's approach to LLM security fails over and over.
The Ars Technica 2026 Reader Survey: Let your voice be heard!
Tell us how you read Ars, and what you'd like to see more (or less!) of on the front page.
5.5 magnitude earthquake rattles Tokyo region but no danger of a tsunami, meteorological agency says
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.5 has shaken eastern Japan including Tokyo
Mobileye is entering the US robotaxi market with standalone service
The service will leverage its Moovit platform to launch in an a US city in 2027.
Nvidia's Huang pledges AI will boost manufacturing jobs. A test will come in Texas
Nvidia is betting on artificial intelligence to revive U.S. manufacturing
Dan David Prize awards 9 scholars $300,000 each for research on the human past
Nine scholars from around the world have been awarded $300,000 each to advance their careers
Leaked financial docs show OpenAI is losing billions of dollars a year
Audited accounting shows growing revenues being dwarfed by R&D, other expenses.
SpaceX to acquire AI coding platform Cursor for $60 billion
Separately, neither could compete. Now they hope they can.
Trump admin abandons fight against wind energy as clean energy output surges
Legal victories have dampened the Trump admin’s efforts to halt wind and solar power.
CalMatters journalism honored as ‘impeccable,’ ‘beautifully-written’ and ‘the definition of public service’ in Golden State Journalism Awards
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. CalMatters won five of this year’s Golden State Journalism Awards, for public health reporting, criminal justice reporting, education reporting, courage in journalism and impact in journalism. The awards are given by the Sacramento Press Club for politics and public policy reporting across the […]
Capitol’s perpetual rivalry on display as Newsom and legislators clash over budget
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A few months after his inauguration as governor in 1999, Gray Davis uttered a few words that rattled the Capitol. While being interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle’s editorial board, the Democrat expressed frustration about his differences with legislative leaders, and declared that […]
During Garden Grove evacuations, did seniors and people with disabilities get out safely?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Kelley Barrett Kelley Barrett is a retired nonprofit administrator who advocates for people with disabilities. When officials ordered tens of thousands of residents to evacuate during the Garden Grove chemical emergency in Orange County last month, the instruction sounded […]
Your medical provider might be recording your mental health care visits
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. In 2024, Kaiser Permanente announced the rollout of Abridge. Described in a press release as “ambient listening technology,” the AI-powered scribe is designed to help clinicians including mental health providers securely capture clinical notes during patient visits. But what the description fails to […]
Long-awaited Stevens Creek Trail extension moves ahead
After more than 10 years of delays, caused by a lack of funding and staffing, Mountain View is moving forward once again with plans to extend Stevens Creek Trail to connect to the city of Sunnyvale, as well as Mountain View and Alta Vista high schools.
Summer tree pruning: What to cut and what to leave alone on the Peninsula
Early summer often sparks the annual debate over when to prune. While tree trimming is commonly associated with winter dormancy, this season can also be an important window for thinning and shaping certain trees, depending on the species, their health and your goals.
Commodore’s newest gadget is a flip phone that blocks social media and browsers
Commodore's Call Back 8020 is a phone “where the customer is not the product."
6.7 magnitude earthquake shakes part of Indonesia
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has shaken central Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, injuring at least eight people
Japan's tech business SoftBank rolls out OpenAI 'patches' against cyberattacks
Japanese technology giant SoftBank Group Corp. is launching a service using OpenAI technology to protect against the looming threat of cyberattacks
Trump administration urged to ease restrictions on Anthropic AI models
A group of cybersecurity executives and experts is asking the Trump administration to lift its directive preventing the use of Anthropic’s latest artificial intelligence models by foreign nationals, saying the move could help U.S. adversaries more than...
Fox’s $22B Roku acquisition aims to expand its reach into smart TVs, advertising
Fox plans to take over Roku's streaming hardware, OS, and FAST services.
A Chinese rocket breaks apart dangerously close to the Starlink constellation
The rocket's breakup likely generated 100 to 150 new pieces of space junk.
Chipmaker Nvidia seeks to raise over $25B in first bond deal since 2021
Debt sale set to test investor appetite for further exposure to AI sector amid a deluge of borrowing.
UK to ban social media for kids under 16, may impose overnight curfews
Critics say bans push kids to riskier alternatives and can be beaten with VPNs.
Heart protection from COVID shots remains amid updates, study finds
Despite continued benefits, anti-vaccine rhetoric has driven down vaccination.
Key mission for Europe's commercial space enterprise scrubbed again
Isar Aerospace is not hurting for money, but it is sorely lacking in the currency of flight experience.
Newsom says he’s on Trump’s ‘hit list’ as Justice Department interviews governor’s friends
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday accused President Donald Trump of placing him on a political “hit list” and directing federal investigators to go on a “fishing expedition” for a crime it could use to indict him. The Democratic governor declared that the president […]
Contemporary Mexican restaurant Alisios opens at Menlo Park’s Springline development
Burma Love was the first restaurant to land at Springline. On June 11, it debuted a new concept at the Menlo Park development, cementing itself as the final addition to a now-full list of restaurant tenants.
Crews extinguish half-acre vegetation fire near Shoreline Park in Mountain View
A fast-moving fire burned about half an acre near Shoreline Park in Mountain View Saturday night before firefighters stopped it from spreading farther.
MVLA school board members clash over committee assignments, conflicts of interest
Two Mountain View Los Altos High School District board members are at odds over committee appointments, with Catherine Vonnegut arguing that Thida Cornes’ membership on a city advisory body constitutes a conflict of interest.
Zuckerberg, other tech moguls celebrate Trump's birthday at White House UFC match
President Donald Trump celebrated his birthday with a UFC match at the White House.
Taser manufacturer Axon launches 'Hot Ones' rip-off series on YouTube
The conversation is not nearly as spicy as the wings.
Stanford graduates urged to be optimistic, seek justice in clashing ceremonies
Whacky walks, customized gowns and euphoric cheers marked Stanford University’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, where more than 5,000 graduates marked major life milestones and where attendees had a chance to hear from two speakers, both immigrants, who in many ways epitomize the current moment in America’s history.
Campaign donors spent millions on Board of Equalization races. But not for Lieber’s seat
Current state lawmakers dominated fundraising in races for California’s little-known Board of Equalization, drawing heavily from interests with business before the Legislature.
Why California must keep children 16 and under off addictive social media platforms
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Samuel Chapman Samuel Chapman is the CEO of Parent Collective Inc., which advocates for social media safety for children and fentanyl crisis education and activism. The last time I saw my son alive, nothing felt unusual. There was no […]
California lawmakers want to cut funds for local news at exactly the wrong time
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Martin Reynolds Martin G. Reynolds is co-executive director of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education and former editor-in-chief of The Oakland Tribune. Last year, California did something remarkable. The state made a groundbreaking $15 million public investment […]
California Democrats have a budget deal. Here’s where they want to spend more than Newsom
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California lawmakers are expected to adopt a $356 billion state budget today that would largely avoid or delay billions of dollars in social service cuts Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed last month. Then, the (real) budget negotiations can begin. Today’s vote is only a […]
California admits using high-risk AI — including systems it failed to report last year
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A year ago, California officials had to report under a new state law how they used automated systems to make important decisions about people’s lives. They said they never did — a startling answer for a number of reasons, sources told CalMatters at […]
New CalFresh work requirements put 67,000 in Silicon Valley at risk of losing food assistance
As many as 67,000 people in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are at risk of losing CalFresh food assistance benefits in coming months, according to the CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, a regional food bank.
F1 in Spain: An old-fashioned strategy fight can still be thrilling
Armed with a ton of new upgrades, Ferrari came to Spain full of confidence.
Good news—we have extra time before the Sun ends life on Earth
Will the Sun roast Earth’s plants or starve them?
20 years of Intel Macs: Why Apple switched, and why it switched again
Remembering the ups and downs of the Intel Mac era as it finally winds down.
Users cry foul after AMD stripped memory crypto from its consumer CPUs
AMD's stripping of TSME from consumer CPUs appears to be a deliberate, covert move.
The UK is banning children's social media use. Here's what other countries are doing
Britain plans to ban people under 16 from using social media apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube to protect them from harmful content
Wisconsin beagle farm closing, hundreds of dogs to be sent to Florida rescue group
A Wisconsin beagle breeding farm that’s drawn animal welfare protests is closing and its remaining dogs are being taken in by a Florida rescue group
Fox buying streaming platform Roku in cash-and-stock deal worth about $22 billion
Fox Corp. is buying streaming platform Roku in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $22 billion
Georgia's vote-counting method will soon be banned. Lawmakers will try to find a fix this week
Georgia lawmakers are expected to try to clean up an election mess of their own making when they return to the Capitol this week for a special session
Starmer says Britain will ban under-16s from using a range of social media apps
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain will ban under-16s from using various social media apps
Some anglers praise forward-facing sonar, others say high-tech fishing ruins a day at the lake
The use of advanced sonar to catch fish has some anglers divided about the point of heading out onto the lake
Developers pitched a Calif. data center to fix this city's woes, residents want anything else
Monterey Park residents now get to decide what they want instead.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai passes on artificial intelligence in Stanford commencement address
College graduates nationwide have been booing speakers that mention the technology.
Did a medieval flying monk spot Halley's comet, twice? It's complicated
University of Leicester historian thinks Eilmer of Malmesbury saw two different comets: in 1018 and 1066
OpenAI hit with multistate probe into possible user harm as IPO looms
Several states are probing the safety of OpenAI customers using its chatbot.
Survivors of sexual assault in California prisons should be freed
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Elizabeth Lozano Elizabeth Lozano survived sexual abuse while incarcerated in California. Now free, she advocates for women in prison. Along with at least 1 in 4 women in this country, I’m a survivor of sexual assault. I am also […]
From rockets to brain implants, here's a look at Elon Musk's vast empire
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and now first-ever trillionaire, controls a lot of different businesses
Review: Disclosure Day is big on action, light on ideas
There's nothing new or surprising, but it's still an entertaining film from one of our greatest directors.
Some people are making guns with 3D printers. A new law seeks to cancel their print jobs
Legislation in two of the nation's most populous states could force 3D printers to come equipped with technology blocking them from making guns
Threads of underground fungal networks are long enough to reach beyond the Solar System
Researchers have quantified the length and mass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks globally.
California Legislature in standoff with DMV over sharing driver license data with other states
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The California Legislature wants to stall plans to share information about California drivers — including more than 1 million immigrant license holders who lack federal authorization to live in the U.S. — with a little-known nonprofit agency made up of motor vehicle administrators […]
UC Berkeley’s plans for massive Moffett space center raise housing concerns
For the better part of a decade, NASA Ames and UC Berkeley have been planning to build a $2 billion space center at Moffett Field, but few details about the massive project have been publicly known. That changed recently with the release of a nearly 1,400 page environmental report.
Mountain View 1960s rancher sells for $602K above asking price
Each week, Embarcadero Media takes a look at home sales activity along the Midpeninsula in the communities of Atherton, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley and Woodside.. Here’s a look at sales recorded the week of June 8.
SpaceX is now a public company valued for its AI potential, so what comes next?
As of today, SpaceX is owned by investors who will want to see it make money.
Anthropic shuts down Fable, Mythos models following Trump admin directive
Commerce dept. worries that a Fable 5 "jailbreak" could be a national security threat.
Cameras, sensors, and 3D body scans: All the tech helping eliminate blown calls
This World Cup, refs will use digital twins of each player to view plays from every angle.
Pentagon reviews are blocking wind farms, putting jobs at risk, lawsuit says
A coalition of renewable energy groups is suing Pentagon officials over their failure to complete national security reviews for new onshore wind farms on private lands
A Bosnian song about disillusionment with the American Dream becomes a World Cup banger
The opening lyrics couldn’t be plainer: “I am from Bosnia; take me to America.”
Lawsuit: ChatGPT validated suicidal woman's distrust of crisis lines
Did chatbot abandon mental health guardrails when a vulnerable user pushed back?
The biggest race in the world? The 24 Hours of Le Mans is this weekend.
More than 350,000 spectators will watch 62 cars compete, day and night.
RFK Jr. melts down over NYT report, admits he blacklists reporters
NYT reported Kennedy is disengaged. Kennedy's response seems to show NYT is right.
When it comes to total water use, AI data centers are a drop in the bucket
Even moderately sized data centers can have an outsized local impact.
$130 billion in data center projects blocked by protests so far this year
Winning fight against AI data centers gives people a "taste of political power."
Ukraine's one-time test used fully autonomous drones to kill Russian soldiers
Full autonomy is rare, but Ukraine is installing AI modules on drones and robots.
Have politics finally come for the National Academies of Science?
A pending report on climate attribution may be setting the stage for conflict.
Here's what Jeff Bezos' new startup Prometheus will do
It isn't the only startup tackling physical AI, but it's one of the best-funded.
Controversial FISA spying law expires tonight. The spying will continue.
Section 702 of FISA to expire tonight, but certification lasts until March 2027.
PeopleSoft 0-day affecting hundreds of organizations steals gigabytes of data
Vulnerability in the Oracle-owned PeopleSoft software is about as critical as they come.
California Democrats threaten to block Newsom priorities over imperiled climate deal
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California Senate Democrats want to put the brakes on a new program by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration that steers free pollution permits to oil refineries and other major polluters — and they’re using the state budget to force the issue. In the spending […]
Fast fashion fills California’s landfills. Thankfully a recycling fix is in sight
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Guest Commentary written by Mattias Wallander Mattias Wallander is the CEO of USAgain, a clothing and textiles recycling company. As the chief executive of a textile reuse company, I spend a lot of time thinking about what happens to clothes after people are […]
California scales back golden mussel safeguards at vital reservoir, alarming experts
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The state of California is walking back protections meant to keep destructive golden mussels out of Lake Oroville, one of the largest and most important reservoirs in the state. The move follows a new state-funded risk assessment that the invasive species poses a […]
5 things to know about California’s backlog of police shooting investigations
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Under growing pressure from a restive public during the summer of 2020, the Legislature passed a bill that put police shootings of unarmed people under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Justice. The belief, at the time, was that pulling investigations from […]
California has a top-ranked economy. It’s also one of the nation’s most unequal
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California’s next governor — most likely former Attorney General Xavier Becerra — will inherit a raft of knotty, unresolved issues. Some, such as the high rate of homelessness and very high cost of living, predate current Gov. Gavin Newsom. Others, such as the […]
Rocket Report: Nova moving through test campaign; SpaceX IPO launches Friday
"If I needed to fly on another vehicle, what would that look like?"
Verizon sent man a refurbished phone with MDM, then deleted his data remotely
Failure raises questions about how Verizon prepares refurbished phones for new users.
Pokémon Go players unwittingly contributed to tech with military drone uses
The repurposing of Pokémon Go data for AI training continues to draw scrutiny.
Ebola cases in DRC rise to 676 as Kenya protests erupt over US plans
Outbreak responses are still playing catch-up as US works to isolate itself.
Japan's struggling flagship H3 rocket returns to flight
Japan’s H3 rocket has returned to flight with the debut of its new low-cost variant
Meta to open new Bay Area store after hit product takes off
The retail concept is set to open its first Bay Area site on the Peninsula.
Review: Plenty of ooze and ahs in hilarious production of ‘The Toxic Avenger’
Los Altos Stage Company stages over-the-top comic-horror musical that turns a Superfund problem into a super-fun show. The show runs through June 28.
What’s up this week: Jazz with Anthony Wonsey; Art on the Square; a ukulele master, Pride events and more
This week, pianist Anthony Wonsey comes to Meyhouse; Redwood City’s Art on the Square turns 20; Jake Shimabukuro plays The Guild; Filoli celebrates Pride; “God of Carnage” at The Pear Theatre and more.
Private made public: Pamela Walsh Gallery features blue-chip art from personal collections
‘In Good Company’ brings together works by Wayne Thiebaud, Manuel Neri, Willem de Kooning, Auguste Rodin and others.
California se apresura a ofrecer nuevas subvenciones de ayuda financiera para la formación laboral a corto plazo
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. This article is also available in English. Read it here. La ayuda financiera federal es el motor del sistema de educación superior del país, inyectando miles de millones en préstamos y becas estudiantiles solo en California, y este verano, el Departamento de Educación […]
Caltrain board adopts framework for dealing with long-term budget deficits
Caltrain’s Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently approved a long-term financial plan to address projected budget deficits if the agency does not secure additional external funding via a regional ballot measure.
California scrambles to offer new financial aid grants for short-term job training
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Federal financial aid is the engine of the country’s higher education system, pouring billions in student loans and grants into California alone, and this summer, the U.S. Department of Education plans to expand aid for students enrolled in short-term job training programs. Except […]
Newsom handpicked a generation of California politicians. Can they help him run for president?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The governor’s race was looking so dire for Democrats earlier this year that many started to criticize Gov. Gavin Newsom for not telling them how to vote. The thinking seemed to be that the large field of small candidates needed a big brother […]
If Xavier Becerra is California’s next governor, he’ll be a workhorse rather than a show horse
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. In the eight decades since the end of World War II, 11 men have served as governor of California — counting Jerry Brown twice. Six, beginning with Earl Warren, have been Republicans and the remaining five, including current Gov. Gavin Newsom, have been […]
Mountain View City Charter update heads to November ballot
This November, Mountain View voters will get the chance to decide whether to approve technical updates to the City Charter that largely focus on revising outdated language and clarifying certain provisions.
Bay Area officials issue statement supporting immigrants ahead of FIFA World Cup
With the Bay Area set to host its first FIFA World Cup 2026 match on Saturday, local officials signed off on a joint statement supporting the belonging of diverse identities in the Bay Area.
Where to find World Cup watch parties, family-friendly festivities and special promos on the Peninsula
Whether you’re a diehard soccer spectator or a casual fan looking to watch games in a fun atmosphere, make it a goal to read up on The Six Fifty’s guide to local World Cup-oriented events to prepare.
The first complex cells had genes from a complex mix of species
Our ancestors' genomes were built through successive waves of gene transfers.
Alaskans will be flying blind after NSF decommissions ocean monitoring network
Alaska's multibillion-dollar fishing industry and vulnerable coastal communities at risk.
"This cannot continue": Xbox leaders lay out "hard truths" behind sagging brand
Brutal self-assessment paints a picture of a Microsoft gaming division in crisis.
Did Iron Age Britons remove brains of the dead?
Archaeologists found apparent scrape marks inside a skull; long bones may have been sharpened into tools.
F1 teams spend millions on their simulators—what makes them different?
Latency, bandwidth, and fidelity all matter when you're chasing milliseconds.
After nearly breaking, NASA's Deep Space Network "worked well" on Artemis II
"Some missions are using more than what their paperwork would say."
AcuRite admits new app falls short, delays old app’s May shutdown to fix problems
The old app "still needs to be retired," AcuRite tells us.
Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden try to fight censorship with bipartisan JAWBONE Act
Cruz/Wyden bill would help Americans sue federal officials over censorship.
The skills people still perform better than AI, according to workplace experts
Many workers fear machines will supplant them as adoption of artificial intelligence accelerates
Brazil reports drop in Amazon deforestation rates, pushing back on US tariff accusations
Brazilian officials have announced a significant drop in deforestation rates
Several things I like about macOS 27 Golden Gate that have nothing to do with AI
AI aside, Golden Gate includes a bunch of subtle-but-helpful improvements.
Kids rely on AI before adults for homework help, health and personal problems, study finds
Many children and teens are turning to artificial intelligence for help with homework, questions about their health and body and personal problems before turning to an adult, according to a new national survey from Common Sense Media.
Puppet power! Summer Puppetry Festival returns to Menlo Park
Library hosts festival with performances, workshops and talks, and even a Zoom call with a puppet legend, June 15-Aug. 26.
Take a peek inside Asia Live, a highly anticipated food emporium opening at Westfield Valley Fair
An ambitious project celebrating the diversity of Asian cuisine is opening Tuesday at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara.
French-Italian bistro and wine bar The Rendezvous opens in Palo Alto
Fans of French bistro Pastis, a staple of Palo Alto’s Cal Ave for more than a decade before it closed in 2022, can once again enjoy its signature escargot, mussels and pate at The Rendezvous, a new bistro and wine bar on Page Mill Road.
Mian Sichuan Noodle debuts full-service restaurant Bloom & Vine in downtown Mountain View
At many Chinese restaurants, ordering Peking duck requires a reservation. The popular Beijing poultry takes about two days to prepare. But at downtown Mountain View’s newest restaurant, Bloom & Vine, reservations aren’t necessary.
Logitech’s foldable mouse is for people who refuse to carry a mouse with them
The Mobi Fold is an $80 Bluetooth mouse with a silicone-wrapped hinge.
Man sues Florida cops over arrest spurred by "93% match" in facial recognition
Lawsuit: "Police let an error-prone AI system stand in for an investigation."
Diabetes org apologizes for ejecting scientists over criticism of Trump
For days after the stunning incident, the ADA had doubled-down on the choice.
Underground detector unveils first major findings about mysterious ghost particles
A massive underground detector aimed at understanding the mysterious ghost particles in our universe has released its first major findings
Scientists discover a deep whale graveyard that is teeming with life
Scientists have unearthed marine communities thriving on a millions-year-old whale graveyard
Human-driven sea-level rise increased frequency of extreme coastal flooding: Study
Human-driven sea level rise has increased how often extreme coastal flooding occurs around the world, according to a study released Wednesday
GM Energy introduces V2G support and new energy storage battery chemistry
There are more than a quarter of a million V2G-capable GM EVs on the roads already.
Racist comments targeting politicians tripled since Meta relaxed its rules
Violent threats against lawmakers have also surged on Facebook.
The 2026 Honda Prelude review: Didn't expect such a head-turner
Honda's $42,000 hybrid coupe looks great, handles well, and gets 44 mpg.
Valve kills its retail gift card program due to scammers
Move also cuts off a massive market of legit users who buy cards with physical cash.
OB-GYNs release their own vaccine schedule, rejecting RFK Jr.'s meddling
Thirteen other medical groups have already endorsed the independent schedule.
Cheap Iranian drone downed $25 million US Army helicopter—maybe by chance
The US military struck Iran again after an Iranian drone’s lucky midair strike.
Nobody needs AI to search the Internet, court says in ruling against Google
Google AI Overview court loss in Germany could spell doom for AI search industry.
We managed to glean some interesting details about the Artemis III mission
"I was on the phone with Blue Origin leadership that night, all the next day, all through the weekend."
Google DeepMind releases DiffusionGemma, a model that runs local AI 4x faster
Diffusion AI is most common in image generation, but it can make text outputs much faster.
Split verdict on California health taxes as cost-of-living anxiety takes its toll
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California voters are delivering a split decision on whether they want to pay more sales tax to support healthcare services: Los Angeles County’s measure is clinging to a narrow lead, while Contra Costa County’s went down in defeat, a divide experts attribute to […]
Two huge California unions clash over money, political clout this election season
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. In 1863, just 13 years after California became a state, its superintendent of public instruction, John Swett, founded the California Educational Society with 100 members, all men. It was the genesis of what became the California Teachers Association, a trade union that achieved, […]
How a George Floyd-inspired California law accidentally weakened police accountability
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. In 2020, with the death of George Floyd still dominating the national conversation over police accountability, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law taking away responsibility for investigating fatal police shootings from local authorities and putting it in the hands of the state attorney […]
Mountain View opens cooling centers as temperatures spike
Summer doesn’t officially start until later this month, but hot weather is coming early, with the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory for Mountain View on Thursday.
Communities push for affordable housing as part of Stanford growth plan
As Stanford University prepares to apply for a major campus expansion, residents and city leaders from surrounding communities have been clamoring for the new growth plan to include plenty of affordable housing, according to the university.
El republicano Steve Hilton se enfrentará a Becerra en noviembre por la gobernación de California
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. This article is also available in English. Read it here. El republicano Steve Hilton pasará a la segunda vuelta de las elecciones generales de noviembre en la carrera por la gobernación de California, donde se enfrentará al demócrata Xavier Becerra en una contienda […]
El producto químico que provocó las evacuaciones de Garden Grove se almacena en toda California
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. This article is also available in English. Read it here. Los bomberos desplegados cerca de una instalación aeroespacial en Garden Grove durante el fin de semana del Día de los Caídos se enfrentaron a dos posibles escenarios catastróficos : o bien un tanque […]
SpaceX wants regular investors to help its stock launch. Here's what to know.
When SpaceX makes its debut on the U.S. stock market, it wants smaller-pocketed, mom-and-pop investors to play a big role in what may be the biggest IPO ever
At World Cup stadiums, there will be zero tolerance for drones because of the threat they pose
Fans who hear the whirring sound of a drone over a stadium might see it as a nuisance but law enforcement has long viewed those aircraft as a potential weapon of mass destruction
Taiwan fires rockets in China's direction from a US-supplied mobile launching system in drill
Taiwan's military has sent rockets in China's direction from “shoot and scoot” launchers in a demonstration of how it might defend itself against an attack
Motorists sue Westchester County over 1.6 billion license plate scans
Civil rights groups have sued on behalf of New York residents to stop Westchester County, New York, from using nearly the nearly 600 license plate readers they have installed around the county
Commonwealth Fusion makes the physics case for its 400 MW reactor
Five peer-reviewed papers update the design and model its expected output.
Three key vital signs make up the "urban pulse" of a city
Cities are dynamic, not static grids, and urbanization is a "spiky," cyclical, and asynchronous process.
Locked in heated rivalry with researcher, Microsoft fixes 0-day they disclosed
A separate zero-day also disclosed by Nightmare Eclipse appears to be patched as well.
Starlink charges $10 monthly hardware fee in move away from one-time purchases
Starlink, SpaceX's top moneymaker, also raised service prices by $5 to $10.
Bay Area Air District slaps Tesla's Fremont factory with 17 violations in one day
The agency issued Tesla 45 violation notices this year and 369 in the past five.
Planned office complex near San Antonio Road sparks debate
As Palo Alto prepares to create a new residential community along San Antonio Road, city leaders are confronting a question that had dogged prior planning efforts: How much office space should the new neighborhood accommodate?
Ya está definida la contienda por el puesto de comisionado de seguros de California: Kim contra Allen
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. This article is also available in English. Read it here. Por primera vez desde que el cargo de comisionado de seguros de California se convirtió en un puesto electivo, dos demócratas competirán por el cargo en noviembre. Los dos candidatos más votados en […]
Mountain View looks to tackle downtown office vacancies as rate tops 30%
As Mountain View enters the third year of its 10-year plan to revitalize the local economy, the city is seeing retail vacancies trending down in the heart of town, while downtown office vacancies are increasing.
Pratt out, Raman in: What Los Angeles voters can now expect in the mayoral race
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. As the Los Angeles mayoral election returns piled up, the tide steadily turned against Spencer Pratt, driving him out of the runoff and delivering the No. 2 slot to City Councilwoman Nithya Raman. On Monday, the Associated Press called it. The 44-year-old progressive, […]
What $7.25M gets you in Palo Alto: The historic ‘Crown Jewel of College Terrace’ built for early Stanford Latin professor
For more than a century, the two-story Queen Anne at 2275 Amherst St. has stood as one of Palo Alto’s most ornate Victorian residences — admired from the street, featured in magazines and carefully maintained through generations of families. Now, the historic home is on the market for the first time in more than a decade with a listing price of $7.25 million, or the equivalent of about $2,161 per square foot.
Election update: Republican Steve Hilton to face Becerra in November
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Republican Steve Hilton will advance to the November general election in the race for California governor, setting up a longshot contest against Democrat Xavier Becerra in which he’s promised to slash spending and regulations if elected. Hilton, a British American former Fox News […]
The chemical that caused the Garden Grove evacuations is stored all over California
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Fire officials near a Garden Grove aerospace facility stared down two potentially bad outcomes over Memorial Day weekend: Either an industrial tank could explode, or it could unleash large amounts of a toxic chemical into the air. For many, it was the first […]
Here comes sunshine: ‘World’s first’ Grateful Dead drag band plays The Guild
The seven-piece Nashville-based BERTHA brings extra sparkle to favorite Grateful Dead songs. The band performs June 11.
This Bernie Sanders-endorsed Democrat will try to oust California’s toughest GOP incumbent
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Democratic college professor Randy Villegas will take on Republican Rep. David Valadao in the Central Valley district that Democrats have made a target in their national campaign to win the House. Villegas overcame Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, a physician and moderate Democrat backed by […]
These teens have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Mental health is taking a nosedive
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Elias Avalos felt like he was running in circles during his junior year of high school, losing motivation, and burning out. He juggled four AP classes and felt the pressure of being the child of Salvadoran immigrants. “I’ve been dealing with feelings of […]