Reporter

John Woolfolk

John Woolfolk is a reporter for the Bay Area News Group, based at The Mercury News. A native of New Orleans, he grew up near San Jose. He is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism and has been a journalist since 1990, covering cities, counties, law enforcement, courts and other general news. He also has worked as an editor since 2013.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduces Nicole Shanahan as his running mate at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

RFK Jr. names wealthy Bay Area lawyer as VP pick for longshot White House bid

March 27, 2024 at 6:22 a.m.

Nicole Shanahan is an Oakland native and ex-wife of Google founder Sergey Brin.

A man trying to save a home from a wildfire in Vacaville, Calif., watches futilely as it goes up in flames, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (File: Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

California lets Allstate hike rates — but insurer still won’t write new home policies

June 15, 2023 at 4:33 a.m.

California granted Allstate a 4% rate hike requested in 2021, but the state's fifth largest home insurer isn't lifting its "pause" on new policies announced last fall.

San Francisco clean-energy startup aims for hydrogen breakthrough for trucking

May 26, 2023 at 2:41 p.m.

Verne aims to reduce CO2 emissions from the heavy duty trucking industry with hydrogen storage technology.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., arrives and takes her seat at a business hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill May 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. This was Feinstein’s first hearing after fighting a case of shingles and being absent from the Senate for almost three months. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

Poll: Two-thirds of Californians say ailing Feinstein unfit to serve

May 26, 2023 at 4:06 a.m.

Poll found 67% of surveyed voters say Dianne Feinstein is no longer fit to continue serving in the U.S. Senate, but little agreement over what she should do.

California fines Walmart $500,000 over illegal online brass knuckle sales

May 23, 2023 at 2:22 p.m.

California is among 21 states that outlaw metal knuckle weapons. Walmart agreed to pay $500,000 to settle claims by California authorities that the weapons were sold through its website in...

Fans dance during a music festival in Napa, Calif., on Friday, May 27, 2016.

Room rate was $249, but didn’t mention $90 in fees. California bill aims to stop that

May 22, 2023 at 10:52 a.m.

Bill would address consumer complaints that they're hit with extra fees that weren't advertised, but businesses say it isn't needed because state law already makes false advertising illegal and has...

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces the May budget revision on May 12, 2023, in Sacramento, Calif.

California canceled $200 million in Middle Class Tax Refunds to balance budget — did anyone miss out?

May 19, 2023 at 2:25 p.m.

California planned to issue Middle Class Tax Refunds to 23 million low and middle-income tax filers, but $200 million of the $9.5 billion budgeted for refunds wasn't sent.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) escorts Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) as she arrives at the U.S. Capitol following a long absence due to health issues on May 10, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Feinstein returns to Senate in a wheelchair, offers new details of lingering illness

May 10, 2023 at 3:48 p.m.

Feinstein in her first remarks since returning to Washington, D.C. after a bout of shingles in late February said the virus is still affecting her vision and balance and that...

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 15: U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) arrives for a Senate briefing on China at the U.S Capitol on February 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. Members of the Biden administration, including representatives from the Defense Department, briefed Senators on China and the recent suspected spy balloon that was shot down. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Sen. Dianne Feinstein returns to Washington, D.C., after prolonged absence

May 10, 2023 at 3:35 a.m.

Sen. Feinstein was traveling back to Washington D.C. after prolonged absence due to shingles that led to criticism she was holding up the Democrats' agenda, which she disputed.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) walks through the Senate subway on her way to a procedural vote on the Respect For Marriage Act at the U.S. Capitol on November 28, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Is Dianne Feinstein coming back? Democrats ‘panicking’ over her ongoing Senate absence

May 8, 2023 at 4:21 p.m.

With the Senate closely divided, Feinstein’s absence has put the agenda of Democrats in limbo.

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