Oakland, whose thriving African American community for decades shaped black identity for the nation, lost nearly a quarter of its black population in the past decade, U.S. Census data shows. SFGate 

Rep. Barbara Lee urges President Barack Obama to reduce  U.S. troops in Afghanistan. IbaBuzz

Reports of BART seat contamination may be overstating danger. Golden Gate [X]press News

California Legislation Fights Ongoing Foreclosure Crisis. California legislators are taking the ongoing foreclosure crisis head on, with a new slate of bills known as the Homeowners Protection Act. CBS 5 Local

669 area code introduced to Santa Clara Co. KGO