Morning News Round-Up –- 11.25.08

This is obviously a national story, but good news locally. Obama named Cal economics professor Christina Romer to his Council of Economic Advisors. Good stuff.

While professors joining high-ranking positions in the Obama administration get a lot of ink, the East Bay has something else to be proud of…Malia Obama’s election-night dress was designed in Oakland by Biscotti.

Step 1: Retire.
Step 2: Get pension.
Step 3: Get rehired to your old job with a bump in pay.
That’s the way it seems to be going at Cal. The UCPD Police Chief Victoria Harrison did it – her bump in pay was $10K. The Regents are reconsidering some policies…sounds like a really good idea.

The good news: Oakland’s crime statistics are going in the right direction, according a new study. The bad news is Oakland is moving from 4th to 5th highest crime rate…Richmond is 9th. The OPD staffing is now at a record high thanks to a new group of officers.

Perhaps this will help with the crime rate…

First metal detectors at airports…then high schools…now Oakland's Cole Middle School. That’s because a gun discharged in a classroom recently.

This is an unbelievable story with reach through several Watch Dog sites. Two Petaluma teenagers ensnared their teacher to respond to an online posting. Ok, innocent enough, right? Well, the 34 year old teacher showed up for a date with the fake online personality in San Mateo – and she was supposed to be 15…NBC is looking into signing up the two teenage vigilantes.

Watch Dog predicts that garbage will take center stage for most local communities. Here’s why. The crashing financial markets have also affected the commodities markets. Falling commodities markets mean that recycling is less profitable -- or not profitable at all. Meaning less incentive to recycle for companies which may contribute to declining recycling rates. So, garbage companies may seek higher rates from their regulators to offset the loss in recycling revenue.

All the votes have been counted in the Eden Township Healthcare District race. It wasn’t as high-profile as other races, but it took longer to count…Vin Sawhney and Rajendra Ratnesar won.