Latest News
The Almost Daily Briefing, April 20, 2026
The Almost Daily Briefing
Published news articles from local, regional, and national media on topics of interest to the #LoveLafayette Community
LOCAL NEWS
Did Someone Say Infrastructure? $3.7M For Lafayette Cozy-Up To Lamorinda Neighbors, Transit - A newly secured $3.7 million state grant pushes Lafayette’s long-planned Aqueduct Pathway closer to construction, setting up a major upgrade in how residents reach downtown and the regional transit system without relying on cars. (Patch) Related:
- Lafayette Just Landed $3.7 Million for a Major Downtown Trail (East Bay Telegraph)
- Key Portion Of Aqueduct Pathway To Be Funded By $3.7 Million From State (SF Gate)
- Lafayette Secures $3.7M State Funding to Construct Portion of Aqueduct Pathway (Contra Costa News)
Layoffs, service cuts, sales tax hike: How Berkeley plans to close a nearly $30M budget deficit - The city could close a fire station, lay off police and slash hours at pools and community centers if voters don’t pass a tax increase in November. Even if the tax hike passes, Berkeley’s winter homeless shelter and Mobile Crisis Team could still be axed. (Berkeleyside)
‘Cruel’ and ‘irresponsible’ federal cuts jeopardize homelessness services in Contra Costa, officials say - More than 14,000 unsheltered residents sought support through Contra Costa County in 2024, receiving emergency mental health care and other dental or medical care, homelessness prevention and diversion services, or placement in permanent housing – all offered under the county’s Continuum of Care program. (East Bay Times)
OTHER NEWS
California eases plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes in wildfire zones - California officials released revised wildfire safety rules allowing some plants and small trees within 5 feet of homes in high-risk areas. The new regulations will be phased in over five years and give local fire agencies flexibility to tailor requirements based on neighborhood factors. The rules apply only to properties in wildfire-prone regions overseen by Cal Fire, including parts of the Bay Area. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Gov. Gavin Newsom calls special election to fill Eric Swalwell’s seat - California law specifies timelines during which a special election may be scheduled, with a primary election nine or 10 weeks beforehand. Newsom has called for the primary for Swalwell’s 14th Congressional District to take place on June 16, with a runoff occurring on Aug. 18 if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. (East Bay Times)
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Transportation & Circulation Commission
Parks, Trails & Recreation Commission - Parks Subcommittee
Lafayette Planning Applications Received
Major Development Projects Map
Lafayette Community Information & Emergency Radio AM 1670
Shop, Dine & Gather in Lafayette
HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND CITY PLANNING
Infamous East Bay housing project that has faced more than a decade of opposition heads - An infamous East Bay housing development that has survived a decade of opposition and public hearings must once again face the city's planning commission. [Editor’s Note: The article’s summary is incorrect: high-density housing has been built in Lafayette in recent decades.]
With limited dollars, this East Bay city asks how it can make the biggest impact on affordable housing - With limited funds in a pot meant to help spur affordable housing development, Martinez electeds have asked city staff to think up more inspiring pathways for spending the money. Just more than $460,000 makes up the balance of the city’s Affordable Housing Fund, an amount staff and councilmembers know can do little in the way of building new homes for residents. Multi-family housing costs in the area of tens of millions to develop, Michael Cass, assistant director of Community and Economic Development, said during a City Council meeting Wednesday. Eager to find an impactful way to spend the money, staff have proposed using those dollars to support an incentive program that would encourage accessory dwelling unit development. (East Bay Times)
BART plans major housing at East Bay station. The trade-off: 400 parking spots lost – For commuters who regularly park at West Oakland Station, the change could be vexing. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Oakland hills housing plan stokes fears of fires and education gaps - A proposal to build well over 100 homes in the Oakland hills at a shuttered university site has stoked fears of fires, along with concerns about an erosion of educational opportunities in the area. BH Properties has proposed the development of 165 single-family residences at the Holy Names University site in Oakland, according to preliminary plans on file with city officials. (Mercury News)
Santa Clarita changes pave way for more ADUs (The Signal)
San Jose looks for new ways to pay for affordable housing - Under consideration are city-issued certificates sold to private investors and equity claims on projects built with municipal dollars. (Mercury News)
San Marcos leads North County in meeting housing goals - It’s just over halfway through the 6th Cycle of the Housing Element process, leaving cities around three and a half years to reach their mandated housing production goals for various income categories. (The Coast News)
They lost their homes to fire. Now they're rebuilding with all-electric - According to the Building Decarbonization Coalition, an electrification advocacy group, all-electric homes cost $3,000 to $10,000 less to build than mixed fuel homes in Los Angeles. That savings helps when it comes to buying appliances like heat pumps, which are the most efficient but tend to be more expensive up front. (Yahoo!News)
When E-Bikes Meet the Law: CA’s Fight Over Safety, Speed, And Accountability - The case unfolding in Burlingame reflects a rapidly growing issue across California and the nation: e-bike riding is surging among children and teenagers, and so are injuries. (Lamorinda Patch)
After three pedestrian deaths in 10 days, Hayward adopts safer streets plan - Hayward launched its Safe Streets program in 2023 and was still in the planning and community feedback stages of the project when the incidents in February occurred. The City Council held a work session on March 24 as part of an emergency acceleration of the city’s Local Road Safety Plan. (Mercury News)
La Mesa bans e-bike riders under 12 amid growing safety concerns - Another city is taking action as concerns over e-bike safety continue to grow across San Diego County. This week, La Mesa joined a list of local cities tightening rules, with councilmembers unanimously voting to ban e-bike riders under the age of 12. (ABC10 San Diego)
MIXTAPE
Contra Costa County DA’s Office again sees increase in prosecution requests in 2025
East Bay housing market heats up in Alameda, Berkeley, Lamorinda
Antioch launches transparency portal for controversial Flock cameras
San José residents sue the City, saying Flock Safety cameras allow ‘mass surveillance’
San Francisco’s latest housing crisis for the ultra-rich? A ‘mansion shortage’
83 CA Hospitals Could Face Closure After Federal Medicaid Cuts, New Report Shows
MEANWHILE IN ANOTHER LAFAYETTE
Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has completed $1.9 million in improvements to Parc International, refreshing the downtown venue with upgraded amenities and enhanced safety features. The project finished just in time for the 40th annual Festival International de Louisiane, which will take place April 22-26, 2026.
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Photo Gallery: Lafayette celebrates Columbian Park Zoo's season opening
AND FINALLY…
Humanoid robot chases wild boars in the Polish capital Warsaw
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The Almost Daily Briefing (ADB) is an aggregation of links to news articles from local and regional newspapers, magazines, websites, and other news sources. Its purpose is to alert readers to current issues and affairs that may impact Lafayette. The ADB does not promote, favor, disfavor, support, reject, or endorse any position, candidate, campaign, or proposition, and nothing about the ADB, including the selection, presentation, arrangement, or content of the links presented should be construed as an advocacy position.
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