Contra Costa Herald

824,000 students across 1,970 Golden State schools participate in events and activities to raise awareness of education options

By Lauren Forte, Manager of Communications, National School Choice Awareness Foundation

SACRAMENTO– More than 1,970 California schools will host special events this week—all designed to help parents learn more about the K–12 education options available for their children. The events are planned to coincide with National School Choice Week (schoolchoiceweek.com), which runs from January 25–31, 2026.

Events will include open houses, parent information sessions, award ceremonies, service projects, and skill-building contests—each aimed at celebrating students and teachers while helping families discover the many learning opportunities in their communities. To raise statewide awareness, Oakland Enrolls will host a charter school fair at Lazear Charter School in Oakland (1/31/26), and La Unión de Padres will host a school fair at the Santa Ana Zoo in Santa Ana (1/31/26).

National School Choice Week is organized by the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation and shines a positive spotlight on the benefits of choice and opportunity in K–12 education.

“California offers some education options, particularly public charter, magnet, and online schools, but barriers like limited open enrollment and restrictions on public charter growth continue to curtail options for families,” said Noelle Delaney, the California-based Chief Operating Officer of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “As school choice becomes the new normal across the country, our goal is to make sure California parents have timely, accurate, and jargon-free information—so they can understand their options and feel confident navigating them.”

Parents in the Golden State can select traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, homeschooling and microschooling and mix-and-match learning for their kids.

“California families are actively exploring their education options and looking for learning environments that fit their children’s needs,” said Kimi Kean, CEO of Oakland Enrolls. “We are committed to helping families navigate those choices and feel informed and supported throughout the process.”

To learn more about education options available to families in California, visit the National School Choice Awareness Foundation’s California School Choice website at https://schoolchoiceweek.com/california.

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We show parents how K–12 school choice can change their children’s lives, and then guide them through the process of finding schools that best meet their children’s needs. Our three charitable programs––National School Choice Week, Navigate School Choice, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares––raise equal awareness of the public, charter, magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional education options available for families. We are nonpolitical and do not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

San Francisco, CA – With the Super Bowl less than two weeks away and thousands of fans expected to visit the Bay Area, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is reminding consumers that preparation is just as important as excitement when attending an event of this size.

“Events of this scale bring a lot of excitement, but they also bring higher prices and increased risk for consumers,” said Alma Galvan, spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau. “Planning ahead, buying tickets from trusted sources, and understanding travel and lodging costs can help fans avoid unnecessary stress and financial loss.”

Protect yourself before you buy

Tickets for the Super Bowl are among the most sought-after and most expensive in sports. Unfortunately, that demand also attracts scammers.

The BBB encourages fans to:

• Purchase tickets only from official sources or reputable resale platforms
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially those found on social media
• Avoid sellers who request payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or peer-to-peer apps with no buyer protection
• Use a credit card whenever possible, as this can add an extra layer of protection

Consumers should also take time to research sellers, read refund policies carefully, and confirm ticket delivery methods before completing a purchase.

Travel and transportation

The Bay Area is preparing for a significant surge in travel related to this sporting event. Airports, highways, and public transportation systems will all experience increased traffic.

The BBB advises travelers to:

• Arrive early at airports and allow extra time for security and delays
• Consider multiple airport options, including San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland
• Plan transportation to and from the stadium in advance, including public transit and rideshare options

Hotel accommodations

The BBB is also reminding travelers to budget carefully for lodging. Hotel prices across the region have increased dramatically for Super Bowl weekend.

BBB recommends that travelers:

• Book lodging as early as possible to avoid higher prices and limited availability
• Compare pricing across nearby cities
• Review cancellation policies and additional fees carefully before confirming reservations
• Verify websites before making any purchases
• Confirm reservation numbers and confirmation emails before traveling to the Bay Area

A final reminder to fans

The Super Bowl will be an unforgettable moment for all those in attendance. With smart planning, fans can enjoy the event and all that the Bay Area has to offer without unnecessary stress or financial loss.

Consumers who encounter suspicious ticket sellers or misleading travel offers are encouraged to report them to BBB.org/ScamTracker.

ABOUT BBB

The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for more than 110 years. In 2024, people turned to BBB.org more than 220 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 5.5 million businesses, and 725,000 times for BBB charity reports on 12,000 local and national charities. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States and Canada.

By Patrick McCarran, Real Estate Broker

It is a common misconception that the landlord’s or owner’s policy will cover the tenant’s possessions but that is false. A basic renter’s insurance policy is usually just a few hundred dollars a YEAR.

Perhaps you are in bed sleeping soundly and a rusty pipe bursts, drenching everything in dirty water or you turn away from the stove for just a brief moment, only to come back to a grease fire? You take your family to the movies only to come back to find your home ransacked and empty. This is a tragedy that does not have to happen. In the event of calamities such as these and more the owner’s policy will only cover the owner’s property. If you are the tenant you may have lost everything including the roof over your head in an instant. The renter’s policy may be used to replace your belongings and often pay for temporary housing or loss of use.  Coverage is also provided for personal liability protection and medical payments to others.

But wait there is more, remember when we talked about that fire, what if the bathtub or sink overflowed. Would you be responsible? If there is bodily injury or property damage to someone else, you may responsible through negligence if any of these incidents are deemed your fault.

Can someone sue for damage caused by your negligence if there’s nothing to take? Yes. We live in California, where anyone can and often will sue anyone for anything and everything. You might not have anything to take today, but the person holding that judgement will sit on it, renew it as necessary, and pounce when there’s finally something to collect. Is that the shadow you want to live under?

And don’t forget about other nearby homes and their insurance companies that are going to look at your assets, and your future earnings to recoup their loss.

How does the thought of giving half your paycheck to the other residents of the building for the next fifty years sound simply because you didn’t have California renters’ insurance liability coverage?

Some Basic Tips

• Shop around for homeowner’s insurance.   Compare prices, service, and coverage.
• Provide complete and accurate information to your agent or broker when requesting a quote or completing an insurance application.
• Read before signing.  Make certain the policy reflects the limits and deductibles, coverage purchased, keep a copy of all signed documents in a safe place with other vital records.
• Ask the broker or agent to explain any wording you find confusing.
• Keep an inventory of personal property, listing all of the items you own, the dates purchased, and the price. If possible, take pictures of important and valuable items.  You may want to videotape your home and possessions as well.  Keep these records in a safe place away from home, preferably in a safe-deposit box, the cloud, or a relative’s house.  And remember to update periodically.
• A Home Inventory Guide is available on the internet or drop me an email.
• Remember that most policies cover replacement cost not current value so just because your furniture may have seen better days does not mean its worthless.
• If you have anything of unique values such as an antique furniture or collector items tell you agent you may need a rider for additional coverage

You won’t know until you get a quote so get peace of mind — and full protection — call your insurance company today!

Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker He can be contact by phone or text at (925) 899-5536, pmccarran@yahoo.com or www.CallPatrick.com. Each office independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Damage was sustained by both the vehicle of the DUI driver who was arrested and the vacant building he crashed into in downtown Lafayette, early Saturday morning, Jan. 24, 2026. Photos: Lafayette PD

By Lafayette Police Department

Early Saturday morning, January 24, 2026, at approximately 20 minutes after midnight, Lafayette PD Officers were dispatched to a vehicle that had crashed into a vacant building at the intersection of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Moraga Road. Officers arrived on scene, contacted the driver, and subsequently arrested him for driving under the influence.

This incident is a reminder to plan ahead and use a designated driver or a rideshare if you’ve been drinking.

If you see something, say something. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies, or (925) 284-5010 for non-emergencies.

Efforts to obtain additional information and the name of the driver were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check later for any updates to this report.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent time in Contra Costa County. George Gordon (far left), then-President of the Community College District Board, and an unidentified man, welcomed Dr. King to Contra Costa College in San Pablo in February 1964 for an on-campus speech. Board President Gordon and Dr. King on stage before his speech. (Right) Photos courtesy of Scott Gordon

Deadline: Feb. 1; Awards Celebration: Feb. 26

By Juliet V. Casey, Director of Marketing, Los Medanos College

Los Medanos College (LMC) is pleased to announce its call for nominees, recognizing community civil rights and social justice champions, and students whose activism sets them apart as emerging leaders. Use this form (or visit www.losmedanos.edu/mlk) to submit a nomination. The nomination deadline is February 1, 2026.

Award recipients will be honored at LMC’s 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Celebration at 11 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2026, in the Student Union Conference Center of the Pittsburg Campus, 2700 E. Leland Road.

Award Categories:

Emerging Leadership Award

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Emerging Leadership Award recognizes an LMC student or alumnus who embodies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and, who within the past year, has made a significant difference on the LMC campus or in the local community through advocacy and social justice. Emerging leaders in our community exemplify the principles of Dr. King and affect social change. Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Visionary Leadership Award

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Leadership Award recognizes a member of the East Contra Costa County community who demonstrates the qualities of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Visionary Leadership Award honors individuals who embody Dr. King’s strengths as a transformational, servant leader. Dr. King inspired others to shape the future articulated in his vision. He focused on the well-being, growth, and empowerment of others and the community he served. Dr. King said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable … Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

Beloved Community Award

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Award is presented to a local resident who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to service and who best represents the core values modeled by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Beloved Community Award is inspired by the term popularized by Dr. King – a global vision in which, as noted by The King Center: all people can share in the wealth of the earth; poverty, hunger, and homelessness will not be tolerated; racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood; and love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred. At the heart of the quest for the Beloved Community is agape love, which Dr. King described as “understanding, redeeming goodwill for all” – a love “seeking to preserve and create community.”

See video about the awards.

According to Martinez resident, Scott Gordon, whose father, George Gordon was President of the Contra Costa Community College Board in 1964, that February, Dr. King visited the county for a speech at Contra Costa College in San Pablo.

About LMC

LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Photo: CCC Sheriff’s Office

$170,000 for Crime Lab

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Forensic Services Division (FSD), a nationally accredited crime laboratory, has been awarded a competitive one-year grant of $170,000 to help keep our roadways safe from impaired drivers. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The FSD will use the funding to support the testing program for detecting alcohol and drugs in driving under the influence (DUI) cases. New equipment will be purchased to enhance the analysis of alcohol and other volatile substances in DUI cases. Supplies will also be purchased to support comprehensive analysis and enable detection of illegal, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs commonly found in DUI cases. Funding for the pro-grams runs through September 2026.

“This grant will improve testing capabilities, analysis, and turnaround times at the Forensic Services Division,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “Having rapid results will benefit county law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and improve public safety.”

New Walnut Creek Chief of Police Ryan Hibbs was sworn in Jan. 13, 2026. Photo: WCPD

By Walnut Creek Police Department

The City of Walnut Creek is inviting residents to a “meet and greet” opportunity with new Chief Ryan Hibbs. The free event will be held on Wednesday, February 4, in the Rotunda at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Residents are welcome to drop by any time between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the City of Walnut Creek.

On January 13, 2026, the Walnut Creek Police Department proudly recognized nine well-earned promotions during an oath of office ceremony in the Council Chambers!

What a great day for our team!

Police Chief Ryan Hibbs and department leaders were officially sworn in to their new positions during a ceremony inside the Council Chambers Jan. 13, 2026. Photo: WCPD

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding individuals on their achievements:

• Chief Ryan Hibbs
• Captain Jeff Slater
• Captain Holley Connors
• Lieutenant Guy Ezard
• Lieutenant Mike Watson
• Lieutenant Andrew Ha
• Sergeant Melinda Lomprey
• Sergeant Nick Olson
• Sergeant Rich Lopez

Thank you for your dedication to keeping Walnut Creek safe and for serving with integrity and professionalism. Congratulations!

About Chief Hibbs

Hibbs, a 23-year police veteran who has been with the Walnut Creek Police Department for 16 years, was selected in October 2025 by City Manager Dan Buckshi to serve as the City’s new Chief of Police. Earlier this month, Mayor Kevin Wilk announced that Hibbs had stepped into his new role which occurred on Dec. 31.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as the next Police Chief for the Walnut Creek Police Department. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Chief Jamie Knox for his nearly five years of dedicated service to both the department and our community,” said Hibbs. “I am committed to upholding our department’s tradition of integrity and community partnership, strengthening trust with the residents, and supporting the women and men who keep Walnut Creek a safe, welcoming and vibrant place for everyone.”

He previously served as Captain of the Administration Services Division, overseeing Professional Standards, Investigations, Dispatch, Records and Department Administration.

Hibbs holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from National University, an Administrative of Justice degree from Lassen Community College, and is completing a graduate degree at California State University, Dominguez Hill.  He is a graduate of the Drucker Executive Leadership Institute and the Peace Officer Standards and Training Executive Development Course and is an active member of several professional law enforcement organizations.

Replaces Retired Chief Jamie Knox

Retired Chief Jamie Knox. Photo: WCPD

Former Chief Jamie Knox, who retired at the end of 2025, led the Walnut Creek Police Department since 2021, capping a distinguished 30-year law enforcement career that began in Roseville in 1995. He previously held leadership roles in Novato and San Leandro and holds degrees in Emergency Management and Organizational Leadership, along with FBI National Academy credentials

As Chief, he oversaw historically low crime rates, expanded staffing, and spearheaded a recruitment campaign that brought in 68 new hires. He prioritized combating organized retail theft through targeted operations and regional partnerships, and championed initiatives like the 30×30 campaign for women in policing, Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology deployment, and revitalization of the Police Cadet Program.

His tenure also emphasized community engagement, officer wellness through the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) program, and modernization efforts including drone deployment and updated branding.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Knox said, and that he was “grateful for the dedication of the men and women of this department and the support of our community.”

Thank you, Chief Knox for your leadership, dedication, and the example you have set! We wish you the best in your well-deserved retirement!

““I’m always happy when we can promote from within. Ryan…will be a strong leader as we go forward following Chief Knox’s retirement,” Buckshi said in October. “I am thankful to Chief Knox for his many contributions and leadership, and I look forward to working with Capt. Hibbs in his new role.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: CC Animal Services

$25 licensing fee may apply

We’ve had many dogs waiting weeks — even months — and they need help NOW. We urgently need our community to step up. If you’ve ever thought about fostering or adopting, now is the time. Even short-term fostering can save lives and make a huge difference!

Please share this post. If you can’t foster or adopt, sharing helps these dogs reach the people who can.

View available pets: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/2424/Available-Animals

Learn about our Dog Foster Program (we provide all supplies): https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7846/Dog-Foster-Program

Adoptions are free, but a $25 licensing fee may apply. Stop by Tuesday–Saturday from 10am–5pm (open until 7pm on Wednesdays). We’re located at 4800 Imhoff Place in Martinez.

Kaiser says allegations related to Medicare risk adjustment resolved

“The settlement agreement reached with the Department of Justice contains no admission of wrongdoing and addresses historical Medicare Advantage documentation practices.”

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

SAN FRANCISCO — Affiliates of Kaiser Permanente, an integrated healthcare consortium headquartered in Oakland, California, have agreed to pay $556 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting invalid diagnosis codes for their Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees in order to receive higher payments from the government.

The settling Kaiser Permanente affiliates are Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc.; Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado; The Permanente Medical Group Inc.; Southern California Permanente Medical Group; and Colorado Permanente Medical Group P.C. (collectively Kaiser).

Under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare beneficiaries may opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in private health plans offered by insurance companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations, or MAOs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays the MAOs a fixed monthly amount for each Medicare beneficiary enrolled in their plans. CMS adjusts these monthly payments to account for various “risk” factors that affect expected health expenditures for the beneficiary. In general, CMS pays MAOs more for sicker beneficiaries expected to incur higher healthcare costs and less for healthier beneficiaries expected to incur lower costs. To make these “risk adjustments,” CMS collects medical diagnosis codes from the MAOs. The diagnoses must be supported by the medical record of a face-to-face visit between a patient and a provider, and for outpatient visits, must have required or affected patient care, treatment, or management at the visit.

Kaiser owns and operates MAOs that offer MA plans to beneficiaries across the country. In a complaint filed in the Northern District of California in October 2021, the United States alleged that Kaiser engaged in a scheme in California and Colorado to improperly increase its risk adjustment payments. Specifically, the United States alleged that Kaiser systematically pressured its physicians to alter medical records after patient visits to add diagnoses that the physicians had not considered or addressed at those visits, in violation of CMS rules.

“More than half of our nation’s Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, and the government expects those who participate in the program to provide truthful and accurate information,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s resolution sends the clear message that the United States holds healthcare providers and plans accountable when they knowingly submit or cause to be submitted false information to CMS to obtain inflated Medicare payments.”

“Medicare Advantage is a vital program that must serve patients’ needs, not corporate profits,” said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California. “Fraud on Medicare costs the public billions annually, so when a health plan knowingly submits false information to obtain higher payments, everyone — from beneficiaries to taxpayers — loses. We have an obligation to protect the American taxpayer from waste, fraud, and abuse and we will relentlessly pursue individuals and organizations that compromise the integrity of the Medicare program.”

“The federal government supports the health care of millions of beneficiaries by paying hundreds of billions of dollars every year to Medicare Advantage Plans,” said U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado. “Medicare relies on the accuracy of the information submitted by those plans. This resolution sends a clear message that we will hold health care plans accountable if they seek to game the system and pad their profits by submitting false information.”

“Deliberately inflating diagnosis codes to boost profits is a serious violation of public trust and undermines the integrity of the Medicare Advantage program,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This outcome demonstrates HHS-OIG’s commitment to protecting Medicare through a unified approach — leveraging the expertise of our investigators, auditors, and counsel, alongside our law enforcement partners. We will continue to hold accountable any entity that seeks to compromise the integrity of the risk adjustment program.”

“Healthcare programs funded by the public are meant to support patients, not pad corporate bottom lines. False claims and the submission of fraudulent information weaken the Medicare system and place an unfair cost on American taxpayers who expect honesty and accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani of the FBI San Francisco Field Office. “This settlement reflects the FBI’s continued commitment to holding accountable those who put profits over patients and abuse federal healthcare programs.”

The settlement announced today resolves allegations that, from 2009 to 2018, Kaiser engaged in a scheme to increase its Medicare reimbursements by pressuring physicians to add diagnoses after patient visits through “addenda” to patients’ medical records. The United States alleged that Kaiser developed various mechanisms to mine a patient’s past medical history to identify potential diagnoses that had not been submitted to CMS for risk adjustment. Kaiser then sent “queries” to its providers urging them to add these diagnoses to medical records via addenda, often months and sometimes over a year after visits. In many instances, the United States alleged, the diagnoses added by the providers had nothing to do with the patient visit in question, in violation of CMS requirements.

The United States further alleged that Kaiser set aggressive physician- and facility-specific goals for adding risk adjustment diagnoses. It alleged that Kaiser singled out underperforming physicians and facilities and emphasized that the failure to add diagnoses cost money for Kaiser, the facilities, and the physicians themselves. It also alleged that Kaiser linked physician and facility financial bonuses and incentives to meeting risk adjustment diagnosis goals.

The United States alleged that Kaiser knew that its addenda practices were widespread and unlawful. Kaiser ignored numerous red flags and internal warnings that it was violating CMS rules, including concerns raised by its own physicians that these were false claims and audits by its own compliance office identifying the issue of inappropriate addenda.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of certain claims brought in lawsuits under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Ronda Osinek and James M. Taylor, M.D., former employees of Kaiser. Under those provisions, private parties are permitted to sue on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned United States ex rel. Osinek v. Kaiser Permanente, et al., No. 3:13-cv-03891 (N.D. Cal.) and United States ex rel. Taylor v. Kaiser Permanente, et al., No. 3:21-cv-03894 (N.D. Cal.). The relator share of the recovery will be $95 million.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of California and the District of Colorado, with assistance from HHS-OIG, HHS-Office of Audit Services, and the FBI.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The matter was handled by Fraud Section Attorneys Braden Civins, Edward Crooke, Gary Dyal, Michael R. Fishman, Martha Glover, Seth W. Greene, Rachel Karpoff, Laurie Oberembt, and Jonathan Thrope, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Lo for the Northern District of California, with the assistance of Jonathan Birch and Alan Lopez, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Traskos for the District of Colorado.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Kaiser Responds: Allegations Related to Medicare Risk Adjustment Resolved

On the organization’s website, Kaiser responded to the settlement with, “The settlement agreement reached with the Department of Justice contains no admission of wrongdoing and addresses historical Medicare Advantage documentation practices.

“Kaiser Permanente has reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve a dispute regarding certain documentation practices impacting some Medicare Advantage risk adjustment submissions between 2009 and 2018. The agreement resolves a False Claims Act lawsuit and has no admission of wrongdoing or liability. We chose to settle to avoid the delay, uncertainty, and cost of prolonged litigation.

“Multiple major health plans have faced similar government scrutiny over Medicare Advantage risk adjustment standards and practices, reflecting industrywide challenges in applying these requirements. The Kaiser Permanente case was not about the quality of care our members received. It involved a dispute about how to interpret the Medicare risk adjustment program’s documentation requirements.

“We remain unwavering in our mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.”

Asked if any of the affiliates operate in Northern California and if so, which ones and were any of the hospitals in Contra Costa County included, Elissa Harrington, Senior Media Relations & Public Relations Representative for Kaiser Permanente Northern California, did not respond.

Further Information:

Case Nos. 3:13-cv-03891, 3:21-cv-03894

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Source: Richmond PD

CA DOJ investigating under AB 1506

By Allen D. Payton

According to the Richmond Police Department PIO, Lt. Don Patchin, on January 22, 2026, a Richmond Police detective was involved in a critical incident on westbound Interstate 80 near Highway 4.

Earlier that morning, CHP received multiple reports of a gold or gray Nissan sedan driving recklessly, striking vehicles, and obstructing traffic. The vehicle was later encountered stopped and blocking a lane of westbound I-80 by an RPD detective who stopped to render aid.

The detective contacted an individual standing near the vehicle who was holding a metal object. Unconfirmed information indicates the individual may have been swinging the object at passing vehicles prior to the detective’s arrival. During the encounter, an altercation occurred, and the detective discharged their service weapon.

The individual was transported to a local trauma center, where he later died from his injuries. The detective sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital.

Because it is currently unclear whether the individual had a weapon in his possession at the exact moment the shooting occurred, California law requires the California Department of Justice to assume the lead investigation. DOJ’s involvement does not imply wrongdoing and is mandated under these circumstances.

This investigation is in its early stages. We are committed to transparency and will provide updates as information becomes available and legally releasable.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information is urged to contact the Department of Justice at 916-210-2871.

CA Attorney General Investigates Under AB 1506

According to the Attorney General’s Press Office, the information provided below is based on preliminary details regarding an ongoing investigation, which may continue to evolve.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), is investigating and will independently review an officer-involved shooting (OIS) that occurred on January 22, 2026, in Hercules, California. The OIS incident which resulted in the death of one individual occurred around 7:20 a.m. and involved the Richmond Police Department.

Following notification of this incident, DOJ’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team initiated an investigation in accordance with AB 1506 mandates. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review. Anyone who has information related to either OIS incident and wishes to report it may do so by calling (916) 210-2871.

More information on DOJ’s role and responsibilities under AB 1506 is available here: https://oag.ca.gov/ois-incidents.

As previously reported, according to Ted Asregadoo, PIO for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, because the incident took place on an interstate highway, the California Highway Patrol has primary jurisdiction over the investigation. The California Attorney General’s Office will lead the legal investigation based on the specific circumstances of the incident. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office’s participation in the investigation is in accordance with the County’s Law Enforcement-Involved Fatal Incident protocol.