Senior Breaking News Reporter

Jakob Rodgers

Jakob Rodgers covers breaking news for The Mercury News and the East Bay Times. Prior to arriving here in 2021, he worked at The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he spent nearly a decade covering crime, the military and the public safety net, including health care and social services. Before that, he covered education and general assignment stories at The Greeley Tribune in northern Colorado. You can reach him at 408-920-5836.

Autopsy: OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji died of suicide

February 17, 2025 at 11:02 a.m.

The cause of Suchir Balaji's death ran counter to claims Balaji's family has aired in recent months that questioned the circumstances of his death.

Congressman Ro Khanna calls for ‘full and transparent’ investigation into death of OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji

January 16, 2025 at 9:51 a.m.

"I am heartbroken by your loss. Given your very serious concerns about foul play, I do believe that there should be a full and transparent investigation into the death by...

Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAi employee, in San Francisco, on Oct. 3, 2024. Balaji helped gather and organize the enormous amounts of internet data used to train the startup’s ChatGPT chatbot. (Ulysses Ortega/The New York Times)

OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco apartment

December 13, 2024 at 4:42 p.m.

A former OpenAI researcher who raised concerns about the company is dead at 26.

Hayward PD: Man kills mother of his 5-year-old child, remains at large

May 17, 2023 at 2:57 p.m.

At a press conference Wednesday, Hayward's police chief vowed to find the shooting suspect and asked for the public's help in tracking him down.

Magnitude 4.7 earthquake rattles Bay Area, Central Coast

April 5, 2023 at 7:59 a.m.

The quake struck at 3:23 p.m. about 20 miles south of Gilroy, just outside the small community of Tres Pinos.

CHP vehicles block traffic on Alpine Road in Portola Valley, Calif., where a falling tree struck a truck causing a fatality, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Deadly ‘bomb cyclone’ hammers Bay Area, cuts power and fells trees ‘all over the place’

March 22, 2023 at 4:17 a.m.

Wind gusts reached 80 miles per hour in parts of the Bay Area during an all-day rain event, the latest of a string of strong storms.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference on February 1, 2023 in Sacramento, Calif.

Gov. Newsom proposal would add billions for mental health treatment beds

March 20, 2023 at 8:07 a.m.

A $5 billion bond measure could go before voters in 2024 if the state Legislature first approves.

The Cathedral of Christ the Light church is photographed in Oakland, Calif.

Diocese of Oakland considers bankruptcy filing amid crush of sex assault lawsuits

March 17, 2023 at 9:34 a.m.

Bishop Michael C. Barber said the Diocese of Oakland expects to face about 330 recently-filed lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by its priests.

Hoover Tower at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

Employee charged with lying about Stanford University rapes that shook campus

March 18, 2023 at 8:30 a.m.

Authorities allege the woman made up assault claims to get revenge on a co-worker; advocates fear the prosecution could deter reporting from legitimate abuse survivors.

Caltrans workers clear a storm drain on Interstate 580 eastbound in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Atmospheric river storm brings headaches, traffic jams and wet weather, but Bay Area escapes severe damage

March 10, 2023 at 4:09 p.m.

Light rain forecast over the weekend, with more storms possible next week

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