1. The odds that an El Niño weather pattern will develop off the California coast has increased to 85 percent, raising hopes of a wet winter this year for the drought-stricken state, the Mercury News$ reports. Scientists also say it looks as if it will be a strong El Niño event. El Niño weather patterns — which are marked by warm ocean currents — have often resulted in heavy precipitation in California.
2. A consumer advocacy group — Consumer Watchdog — is blaming increased gasoline exports from California for the recent spike in pump prices in the state, the Chron$ reports. Oil companies in California set a record for exports late last year, leaving the state with less gasoline — and thus higher prices. Consumer Watchdog is calling on the state to increase regulation of the oil industry.
4. The BART board of directors voted to run longer trains on the Pittsburg/Bay Point, Dublin/Pleasanton, and Fremont lines under a $1.6 billion budget package, the Chron reports. Overcrowding on BART has soared in the past few years as the economy has rebounded.
5. The Berkeley Police Department admitted that the heavy-handed tactics it used — including teargas and baton strikes — against anti-police violence protesters late last year escalated tensions between cops and demonstrators, the Trib$ reports.
6. And the Golden State Warriors won Game 4 last night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, tying the NBA finals at two games apiece and setting up Game 5 in Oakland on Sunday.
