Author: Winston Gieseke, USA TODAY

Plus: A toast to Beverly Cleary. Britney Spears takes steps to #free herself. And 1 million vaccines have been distributed at MLB stadiums.

Plus: Contra Costa County opens vaccine eligibility to people 50 and over, and less than 30% of students likely to return to LAUSD classrooms

Native American COVID deaths believed under-reported and the Moraga coyote has been captured and killed

Plus: New CDC requirements for vaccinated individuals, and a push for gender-neutral children’s sections at large retailers

The fight to open San Francisco schools comes down to desk spacing, and charitable donations increased in 2020

Plus: Petaluma to become first city to ban new gas stations, and where’s my California stimulus check?

Plus: Lady Gaga calls dog walker Ryan Fischer a ‘hero’ after shooting; Mr. Potato Head goes gender-neutral and a long-lost cat was found.

Plus: L.A. County essential workers to get “hero” pay, and an aggressive coyote continues to terrorize East Bay

Plus: Golden State’s new COVID-19 cases down 32%, and $600 state-issued stimulus checks approved for low-income households.

Plus: California loosens rules for high school sports, and a company will send your DNA into space for a price.