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Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the trailblazing lawmaker who made history as the first woman to lead the U.S. House of Representatives and a singular force in Democratic politics, announced Thursday that she will retire at the end of 2026 and not seek a 21st term in Congress.

Pelosi, 85, who has represented San Francisco in the House since 1987, announced her decision Thursday in a nearly six-minute cinematic love letter to the city and her constituents.

“I’ve always honored the song of St. Francis — ‘Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,’ — the anthem of our city,” Pelosi, who is a devout Catholic, says near the end of the mini film. “That is why I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know: I will not be seeking re-election to Congress.”

Interspersed with the montage of San Francisco scenes were nods to Pelosi’s signature legislative accomplishments, including the passage of the Affordable Care Act under President Barack Obama and the passage of former President Joe Biden’s infrastructure and climate agenda.

Pelosi is known for her political prowess, strict leadership and laser-focused vision that made her an exceptionally effective and fearsome speaker. She frequently twisted arms within her own party, quelling an uprising from the progressive flank of the Democratic caucus known as “the Squad” in 2018 and even backchanneling the pressure campaign that led to Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race.

She also gained a reputation for her not-so-subtle sass of President Donald Trump, going viral for ripping up his State of the Union speech and mockingly giving him the now-iconic “Nancy clap” of disapproval. Her antagonism of the president also made her a target for political violence. When Jan. 6 rioters stormed the Capitol in 2021, many were looking for her specifically. Pelosi’s husband of more than 60 years, Paul Pelosi, was brutally beaten by an intruder with a hammer who’d broken into the couple’s San Francisco residence looking for her.

Her video features clever shout-outs to the wide array of industries and interests that have supported — and tangled with — her over the years: labor unions, tech companies, public transit and housing advocates, environmentalists and entrepreneurs. She also notes the city’s struggles, focusing on the recovery from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the AIDS crisis.

“Here we don’t fear the future, we forge it,” Pelosi says. “From the Gold Rush to the miracles of science and technology, our city has always been the cradle of innovation, buzzing with optimism and creativity.”

Pelosi is a longtime force of the city and the Democratic Party, serving as chair of the California party from 1981 to 1983. She raised five children and was active as a volunteer in local politics for years, but didn’t seriously consider running for office until her 40s. She has spoken often of her Catholic upbringing in Baltimore, where her father served as mayor for 12 years. Her brother later followed in his footsteps.

Her announcement comes amid an outcry from Democrats to let a younger generation take the helm. State Sen. Scott Wiener, who has called Pelosi his mentor, announced last month that he would seek her seat next year.

Wiener joins a race that also includes progressive challenger Saikat Chakrabarti, the former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York.

Her idyllic video notably steers clear of any mention of Trump, who has threatened repeatedly to send troops and immigration agents to San Francisco.

“San Francisco, know your power,” Pelosi says. “We have made history, we have made progress, we have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so.”

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The privacy changes web browsers will be required to make under a new California law could set the de facto standard for the entire country, changing how Americans control their data when using the internet, according to experts.

Assembly Bill 566, recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, requires companies that make web browsers to offer users an opt-out “signal” that automatically tells websites not to share or sell their personal information as they browse.

“We expect it to have a national impact.”
— Emory Roane, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

It will likely be easier for companies to roll out the service for the entire country, rather than for users only in California.

“It’s such a trivial implementation,” said Emory Roane, associate director of policy at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, an organization that pushed for the legislation. “It’s really not that difficult technically.”

The legislation, a first of its kind in the country, was sponsored by the California Privacy Protection Agency, the state’s consumer privacy watchdog, as well as several consumer advocacy and privacy rights groups.

Under the law, browsers like Google’s Chrome and Microsoft’s Edge will have until the beginning of 2027 to create a way for consumers to select the signal. Combined with recent changes from other states, the new law could be a tipping point in how web traffic is treated in the United States.

“We expect it to have a national impact,” Roane said.

A national standard

California already offers privacy protections under the California Consumer Privacy Act, including a right to opt out from having their information sold.

But advocates for the new law point out this still puts the burden on the consumer to navigate to web pages and individually select web pages to opt out from. The new tool will effectively automate that process, giving consumers a single toggle to keep their data protected.

“I would argue if you have to go to every individual website and click the link saying you ‘don’t want your information sold or shared,’ that’s not really a meaningful privacy right,” said Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, another organization that pressed for AB 566.

Already, some browser makers have voluntarily offered similar settings under a framework called the Global Privacy Control. Mozilla’s Firefox, for example, includes a setting called “tell websites not to sell or share your data.” With that setting on, the browser communicates to sites that the visitor wants the site to respect the user’s preference.

Several states, including Texas and New Jersey, have moved to force companies to respect such preferences, and California’s attorney general has even taken legal action against businesses that fail to do so.

But until now, browsers haven’t been required to offer a setting that uses the Global Privacy Control or another standard to communicate users’ preferences. “There are browser extensions but those aren’t very widely used,” said Nick Doty, senior technologist at the Center for Democracy and Technology.

Since it would likely be burdensome for companies to carve out a way to only allow the signal to be used by Californians, according to experts, the tool will likely be available across the country. How, exactly, that will look still remains to be seen. The legislation doesn’t require browser makers to use a specific standard. (Spokespeople for Google and Microsoft declined to comment on the companies’ plans.)

There’s still a risk that some websites may try to detect which state a visitor is from, and only respect the signal if they find the visitor is from a state that mandates it.

This is legally risky, though, according to Roane, who points out that AB 566 applies to residents of California, regardless of whether they’re using the web from California.

“If I’m safe saying I’m a resident and you’re assuming I’m not and you’re flagrantly not respecting my privacy wishes, that is a violation of the law,” Roane said.

Pushback from Google and the industry

The law didn’t get across the finish line without friction. As CalMatters reported in September, despite not being publicly against the legislation, Google organized opposition to the bill through a group it backs financially.

AB 566 also wasn’t the first attempt at such legislation. Newsom vetoed a similar, but slightly more expansive, version of the bill in 2024.

But now that the door is open, some advocates say they are going to continue to push to further expand privacy preferences.

Roane notes that legislation could be drafted that requires connected smart devices to offer an opt-out preference, or for vehicles that gather data on drivers to respect opt-out preference requests.

“We are finally, finally starting to have real privacy rights,” Roane said, “but we’re far away from them being really easy to exercise across the country and across the border and even in states like California where we have these rights.”

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Last night’s Eureka City Council meeting covered quite a bit of ground, but there weren’t any big-ticket items for the council to really dig into. As such, LoCO has cooked up a little agenda sampler so you, dear reader, don’t have to go through the trouble of watching the meeting yourself. Enjoy!

EPD Staffing is “In a Really Good Place”

Two years after the Eureka Police Department declared a “severe” staffing shortage, Chief Brian Stephens said the department has rebounded and is now “in a really good place.” Two new officers are advancing from field training to solo patrols this month, three recruits are preparing to graduate from the police academy next month and, for the first time since 2008, EPD’s dispatch team is fully staffed.

Stephens | Screenshot

“It may last, it may not, we’ll see, but we’re a long way ahead of where we were several years ago,” Stephens said while presenting EPD’s quarterly report. “We’re back on the right track of getting people the help they need in our community.”

Calls for service trended down in the third quarter, which, for some reason, is in keeping with previous years’ trends, Stephens said. Officer-initiated activity, on the other hand, is way up this quarter at 101 percent.

“Our traffic stops are up 257 percent for this quarter and 228 percent for the year,” he continued. “Our bike and [pedestrian] stops are up 315 percent, and then our public transport is up 480 percent and 482 percent, respectively. This [is attributed] to the change in the mission within the department to become proactive in our policing efforts, taking an approach utilizing traffic enforcement to also root out crime and other issues within the city.”

Councilmember Leslie Castellano thanked Stephens for the presentation, noting that the staffing increase is “really a testament to your leadership.” 

The council did not take any action on the item and agreed to accept the report.

Tobacco Retailer License and Nitrous Oxide Ordinances

Last month, the city council approved a ban on nitrous oxide sales and introduced new rules for tobacco retailers. At last night’s meeting, the council unanimously voted to finalize the ordinances, which are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The nitrous oxide ban is part of a nationwide effort to limit the availability of the substance — commonly referred to as laughing gas or whippits when used as an inhalant — which has surged in popularity among teenagers and young adults in recent years. 

Earlier this year, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors became one of the first California counties to pass a retail ban on nitrous oxide in unincorporated areas of the county. The City of Eureka and other local municipalities have been working on their own ordinances since last year.

During its last meeting on Oct. 22, the council asked staff to make an exception for restaurants and coffee shops that use nitrous oxide as a charging agent to make fresh whipped cream. Staff agreed to add the following section:

This section does not apply to the sale or distribution of nitrous oxide by a wholesale distributor of food supplies directly to the location of a food preparation facility located in the City of Eureka, provided that that transaction is documented by a manifest stating the date, time, quantity, and type of nitrous oxide product delivered and certified by the food preparation facility individual in charge in charge on site that the product has been received by that facility solely for the purpose of food preparation.

The council approved the ordinance — linked here — in a 5-0 vote.

City Manager Miles Slattery also went over the amendments the council had requested for the Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance, which aims to reduce accessibility to tobacco products by placing new limits on tobacco retailers’ licenses. Under the ordinance, licenses are nontransferable. 

“A tobacco retailer’s license is nontransferable and is valid only for the person and location of license issued, and unless it is suspended or revoked for cause, for the period indicated,” the ordinance states. “If the business is sold, the new owner must apply for a license for that location before acting as a tobacco retailer.”

The ordinance also bans tobacco retailers from operating within 600 feet of a school or community center. Per the council’s request, staff added additional language to clarify the definition of a community center, which ranges from spas to music studios to rooftop recreation facilities.

“Basically, a community center is anything but a tobacco retailer,” Slattery joked. 

After a bit of discussion, the council approved the ordinance in a 5-0 vote. 

Before moving on to the next item, Councilmember Renee Contreras-DeLoach noted, “These two back-to-back things, I just think we’re doing something really good. We have an opportunity to make things a little bit safer for kids and their families … and I’m grateful.”

So long, Marina Center Project

The council also briefly discussed the official end of the “Marina Center” project, a controversial mixed-use development proposed by Rob and Cherie Arkley that, had it come to fruition, would have transformed the Balloon Track, the old railyard on Waterfront Drive, into a retail district anchored by a Home Depot. 

The Arkleys, through their commercial real estate firm Security National, bought the 43-acre property and rallied the community to get a measure on the November 2010 ballot to rezone the site for new development. Measure N passed with nearly 70 percent of the vote that year, but since the property lies in California’s Coastal Zone, it required approval from the California Coastal Commission. 

The City of Eureka submitted the proposal to the commission for consideration, but its staff deemed the request “incomplete,” noting that the proposed zoning changes were incompatible with the Coastal Act. The proposal hasn’t gone anywhere in the last 15 years.

Why is this coming up now, you ask? Development Services Director Cristin Kenyon described the agenda item, which was pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion, as an “administrative cleanup item that’s been needed for some time now.”

“It’s now been 15 years, and the measure has not been certified by the Coastal Commission,” she said. “Staff and the city and the property owner still support a vision of infill development at the site, but have recognized that Measure N isn’t the path to get there.”

Kenyon noted that the property owners are cleaning up the site, but couldn’t say what their plans are for the future.

The council approved the request to withdraw the Measure N local coastal program amendment in a 5-0 vote.

Eureka Emergency Operations Procedure

A little earlier in the meeting, the council received a presentation on the city’s 2025 Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which takes a “whole community” approach to emergency response that integrates community partners, neighbors and other stakeholders in all phases of management.

“Through these collaborative efforts, the city will be better prepared to meet the needs of its residents and daytime populace alike, especially those with disabilities and others with access and functional needs,” the EOP states. “This plan also demonstrates how the city complies with and implements the requirements of the California Emergency Services Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to protect the lives, property and environment of the residents of Eureka.”

Bauer | Screenshot

In the event of an emergency, the city manager would serve as the director of emergency services. In the absence of a city manager, “designated staff may assume that role,” the EOP states. Councilmember Scott Bauer asked if staff would be willing to add a specific staff person to the role of “designated staff” so there’s a clear chain of command. 

“I mean, if a building falls on [the city manager], he’s not going to be able to designate anybody,” Bauer said with a chuckle. “If there’s a big earthquake, it could be a problem.”

“You’re not supposed to smile when you say that,” Slattery said.

“That’s the same thing I was thinking,” Contreras-DeLoach said. “Not because any of us are planning for a building to fall on our city manager!”

Staff underscored the importance of spreading the word to community members, given that the EOP takes a “whole community” approach. Public Works Analyst Kristin Galt said staff will work on a public information campaign and host a community meeting sometime in the coming months to let folks know about the new plan.

The council unanimously agreed to adopt the plan, which can be read in full here.

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Press release from Food for People:

Food for People, the food bank serving Humboldt County, will hold two emergency food distributions on Thursday, November 13 in response to the continued delay of SNAP (CalFresh) benefits and the government shutdown’s effect on furloughed federal workers. The distributions will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the northwest parking lot at the College of the Redwoods campus and at the Hoopa Valley Food Distribution parking lot.

The federal government shutdown and resulting delay in issuing November SNAP (CalFresh) benefits and the furlough of some federal workers is causing hardship and food insecurity for thousands of Humboldt County residents. Though the federal government has announced that it will issue partial November CalFresh benefits after being ordered by two court orders, this does NOT make CalFresh benefits immediately available, as there are many steps to moving the process forward, and households will likely only receive a portion of their usual amount. Benefits will remain delayed, and no one knows exactly when they will become available.

At College of the Redwoods, vehicles will be staged in rows in the northwest part of the main parking lot starting at 11 a.m., volunteers and Food for People staff will move people as quickly as possible to distribution points where food will be loaded into vehicles. The Hoopa Valley Food Distribution building will also be set up for drive-thru pick ups and will be hosted by Hoopa OES, TANF and The Resource Center. The drive-thru food distributions will offer households a mix of non-perishable food, perishable staples and fresh produce.

Food for People and their partners ask that people attending the drive-up food distributions not line up early to prevent traffic hazards, allow room for set up, and to make the lines move as fast as possible. Foods will be available to all while supplies last. The distributions will take place rain or shine.

College of the Redwoods’ main campus is located at 7351 Tompkins Hill Rd in Eureka. The campus can be reached off of Highway 101 by using the Tomkins Hill Road exit (Exit 698). The Hoopa Valley Food Distribution is located at 12479 CA-96 in Hoopa.

More information is at this link.

Press release from College of the Redwoods:

College of the Redwoods is proud to announce that its Fire Academy has officially been approved as an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP) by California State Fire Training (SFT) under the Office of the State Fire Marshal. This recognition signifies that CR meets the highest state standards for fire service education and training delivery.

A Major Milestone for the North Coast

Becoming an ARTP means College of the Redwoods is now authorized to deliver State Fire Training curriculum and certify completion of coursework that leads to Fire Fighter I and other professional fire service certifications recognized across California and positioning it to serve as a regional training hub, supporting fire agencies across Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino counties. The accreditation follows an extensive multi-year review of curriculum alignment, instructor qualifications, facilities, equipment, safety protocols, and partnerships with local fire agencies.

“This accreditation is a tremendous achievement for our students, our instructors, and the entire North Coast fire service community,” said Sean Robertson, Fire Academy Director at College of the Redwoods. “It is the result of years of work to develop a fire program that delivers Fire Fighter I certification and will open new doors for our graduates to immediately attain fire service careers.”

Robertson’s remarks were echoed by regional partners who have worked closely with the academy since its inception. 

“We’re incredibly proud of our strong partnership with College of the Redwoods and the dedication they’ve shown in achieving accreditation for their Fire Academy,” said Sean Wilson, Battalion Chief – Humboldt-Unit Training. “This accomplishment not only raises the standard of firefighter training in our region but also strengthens our shared commitment to serving and protecting the local community. Together, we’re ensuring that the next generation of firefighters is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and professionalism our residents deserve.”

As one of the academy’s key partners, CAL FIRE underscored the importance of regional collaboration in building a strong and sustainable training network for Northern California.

“CAL FIRE is proud to officially recognize College of the Redwoods as an Accredited Regional Training Program,” said CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit Chief Kurt McCray. “This accreditation reflects the College’s commitment to excellence and its critical role in preparing the next generation of firefighters for service in Northern California. CAL FIRE looks forward to leveraging progress toward local firefighter training and career opportunities through our partnership with College of the Redwoods.”

The CR Fire Academy, based at the College’s Eureka campus, provides immersive, hands-on training in structural and wildland firefighting, rescue operations, fire behavior, incident command, and teamwork under live-fire and simulated emergency conditions. Each cohort works closely with experienced instructors from local fire agencies including Humboldt Bay Fire, Arcata Fire, and CAL FIRE, building both technical proficiency and leadership skills.

“Receiving accreditation for our Fire Technology Program from a peer-driven organization is a significant milestone for College of the Redwoods and reflects our commitment to offering high-quality and innovative programs that meet the needs of our students and the workforce,” said Dr. Keith Flamer, President of College of the Redwoods. “Being in a position to offer an accredited Fire Technology Program has been a dream for the College for a long time.”

College of the Redwoods extends its deepest gratitude to CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit for its exceptional partnership and generosity. CAL FIRE has provided instructors, training support, equipment, and countless other resources that have been instrumental in the academy’s growth and success.

CR would also like to thank their partners, Humboldt Bay Fire, Fortuna Fire, Arcata Fire, the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association, and the Humboldt County Fire Instructors Association. Their collaboration has elevated the program’s capacity to deliver safe, effective, and realistic fire service training experiences. Special thanks to Humboldt Bay Fire and Fortuna Fire for providing access to their training grounds, which allows CR’s cadets to gain invaluable hands-on experience in real-world environments.

Supporting Student Safety and Program Growth

As enrollment in the Fire Academy continues to grow, so does the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and training resources. College of the Redwoods invites community members, alumni, and local businesses to support the program through two dedicated funds administered by the CR Foundation.

Fire Technology Scholarship Fund — This scholarship fund helps CR students cover the costs of their personal protective equipment necessary for fighting fires.

Fire Technology Operational Fund — This operational fund helps the department cover the costs of training equipment, supplies, and materials.

Donations to either fund can also be made through the College of the Redwoods Foundation at www.redwoods.edu/foundation by designating a gift to the Fire Academy Program.

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Press release from the Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom:

As a significant storm moves through Northern California this week, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced proactive efforts to pre-deploy specialized emergency response crews to help protect communities in Del Norte and Humboldt counties including 32 personnel and nine fire engines beginning Tuesday evening until Thursday morning.

We’re taking early action to bring emergency resources and personnel to California communities ahead of the storm.

Local fire agencies identify when conditions in communities may require additional resources and submit requests to the state for support. The staging locations and response assignments are coordinated by local officials. The California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System remains available for local fire officials to request additional resources during an incident if necessary.

Prepare now

Governor Gavin Newsom urges all Californians to stay alert and take proactive steps to stay safe as heavy rain and flooding potentially impact the state this week. Protect yourself and your loved ones by following these official California safety recommendations:

• Sign up for emergency alerts and follow instructions from local officials.​
• Prepare an emergency go-bag with essential supplies, water, medication, and important documents. Find a full checklist here.​
• Stay off the roads whenever possible. If travel is unavoidable, check real-time conditions and drive at reduced speeds, avoiding standing water or debris on the roadway.​
• Never walk or drive through floodwaters—turn around, don’t drown. Even six inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet, and as little as one foot can carry a vehicle away. ​
• Avoid parking under trees or power lines during high winds or heavy rain, as saturated soil can cause trees to uproot or fall unexpectedly.​
• If you see a downed power line, always assume it is energized—stay back at least 30 feet and call 9-1-1 or your utility provider.​
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults or those with disabilities or access and functional needs, to ensure they are safe.​
• Stay updated on storm impacts and emergency information at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services or prepare ahead through Listos California. /li>

For more information on fire safety and general preparedness, visit Ready.ca.gov.

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Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated attempts to thwart California’s burgeoning offshore wind industry, local leaders and renewable energy advocates remain steadfast in pushing for a floating wind project that benefits North Coast residents.

While the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent decision to cancel nearly half a billion dollars in federal funding dealt a major setback to the heavy lift marine terminal planned for Humboldt Bay, some renewable energy advocates see the extended timeline as an opportunity to work with coastal communities to build a stronger, more inclusive offshore wind project.

“The silver lining that I see: Maybe what the President is doing is giving us the gift of time,” Dan Jacobson, senior advisor with nonprofit political organization Environment California, told the Outpost. “A lot of these clean energy projects — geothermal, battery storage, offshore wind — take a long time to develop … and if you don’t do them right, then they’ll never get off the ground.”

Jacobson spends most of his time lobbying for environmental policy at the state capitol, but every so often, he heads up to Humboldt to talk offshore wind with a coalition of elected and tribal officials, environmentalists, workforce organizers and other local stakeholders. This week, he’s meeting with local stakeholders to discuss next steps for offshore wind planning.

“I can appreciate the sort of static that we’re getting from the federal government, but let’s come back and … build the coalitions that need to get built,” Jacobson said. “The demand for energy is hockey-sticking up, and the people who seem the least interested in clean energy issues — like these data centers — they’re going, ‘We don’t care where we get the energy, we just want it.’ And even at the federal level, you see a lot of bipartisan support for these programs, and I think we’re going to see more of that.”

To set the solid foundation needed for a successful floating offshore wind project, local stakeholders and energy developers need to meet with the folks who will be most affected by port development, including Samoa Peninsula residents. 

Colleen Clifford, a representative of the Peninsula Community Collaborative, lives just down the road from the site where the gigantic floating wind turbines would be assembled. She’s been working with the Humboldt Bay Harbor District and other stakeholders to find “innovative” ways to reduce potential impacts wherever possible.

“We want to have a voice at the table when we determine community benefits or any funding opportunities that could help offset problems associated with the development,” Clifford said. “It’s really important to be a part of these coalitions. … I think a lot of the people who come out against [the project] are among the most misinformed. Our mission is to keep people abreast of what’s going on, and I think our biggest challenge is people’s capacity to pay attention because there have been a lot of changes and there’s a lot of misinformation out there.”

Another key component in creating a successful project is assembling a homegrown workforce that will support it. Cody Freitas, district representative for Operating Engineers Local #3, said the floating wind project presents a unique opportunity to bring back our underutilized port.

“There used to be jobs for people, and they could stay, they could raise a family and sustain themselves in this area. We need to bring some of that back,” Freitas said. “If we have industrialization on our bay, renewable energy is a great way to do it. Other projects have come into this area, and they’ve died for multiple reasons. And a lot of that is because there hasn’t been a really strong alliance between labor and environmental groups in the community.”

That alliance is key, Jacobson said.

“These coalitions have to be built and organized, and legislators — just like community members — have to be educated,” he continued. “What I want to do is make sure all of these folks — not only here, but on the Central Coast and down in Long Beach — know [when and where] they can provide public comments because the more community input we have on this, I think the better it’s going to be. It’s never going to be 100 percent perfect, but it’s going to be a lot worse than perfect if we don’t have the engagement.”

So that’s where things are at for now. There may be some offshore wind legislation coming up early next year, but, for now, local stakeholders are still meeting and looking for new funding opportunities to move the project forward. 

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