Tom Vacar

San Francisco

Consumer Editor and Investigative Reporter at KTVU-TV (Oakland, CA)

Articles

50% of California homeowners are under insured

1 week ago | ktvu.com | Tom Vacar

There is no law requiring you to buy homeowner’s insurance. However, to qualify for a mortgage, your lender will likely require it. (iStock) The California Board of Equalization, the state's tax collector, held a hearing over concerns about lower revenues to finance state operations stemming from wildfires. Long recoveries deny the state many forms of revenue as people struggle to rebuild. The Board heard some big surprises.
50% of California homeowners are under insured

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Tom Vacar

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Board of Equalization, the state's tax collector, held a hearing over concerns about lower revenues to finance state operations stemming from wildfires. Long recoveries deny the state many forms of revenue as people struggle to rebuild. The Board heard some big surprises. It turns out that what your homeowners insurance company told you was enough to replace your home is based on a big lie.
Sausalito's housing-crisis struggle: Build 724 units by 2031

1 week ago | ktvu.com | Tom Vacar

Sausalito's City Council on Tuesday approved hundreds of new units to be scattered throughout the town. The North Bay city is one of the Bay Area's greatest tourist attractions, where the proof of its sincerity will be tested by actually getting the units built. Posted May 27, 2025 10:39pm PDT
Sausalito's housing-crisis struggle: Build 724 units by 2031

1 week ago | ktvu.com | Tom Vacar

Mayor of Sausalito Joan Cox Sausalito's City Council on Tuesday approved hundreds of new units to be scattered throughout the town. The North Bay city is one of the Bay Area's greatest tourist attractions, where the proof of its sincerity will be tested by actually getting the units built. California's housing shortage is between 3 and 4 million units. Availability and affordability are the most serious impediments to solving it.
Sausalito's housing-crisis struggle: Build 724 units by 2031

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Tom Vacar

SAUSALITO, Calif. - Sausalito's City Council on Tuesday approved hundreds of new units to be scattered throughout the town. The North Bay city is one of the Bay Area's greatest tourist attractions, where the proof of its sincerity will be tested by actually getting the units built. California's housing shortage is between 3 and 4 million units. Availability and affordability are the most serious impediments to solving it.
Can a great opening weekend for summer travel last?

1 week ago | ktvu.com | Tom Vacar

Projections held that 45.1 million people in the United States were expected to drive or fly more than 50 miles from their home this Memorial Day Weekend. The final numbers are not in yet, but it may be that the actual final number of holiday voyagers exceeds that predicted figure. It's been a very good holiday weekend for travel, but can it last?
Can a great opening weekend for summer travel last?

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Tom Vacar

The BriefDomestic travel numbers were projected to be strong for the holiday weekend, but international travel has seen a considerable drop. Projected drops in international tourism revenue are exacerbated by domestic concerns regarding the strength of the country's economy. Tariff anger, possibilities of unfriendly treatment and a strong U.S. dollar devaluing the purchasing power of foreign currency also contribute to declines in international tourism. OAKLAND, Calif.
California Attorney General calls roundtable on tariff distress

2 weeks ago | ktvu.com | Tom Vacar

On Friday morning, California business folks met with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to discuss what they face on the front lines of the tariff and trade war imposed on the Golden State. They had plenty to say. Tariff pushback What they're saying: High prices in California have always been a challenge. But with tariffs, businesses and consumers alike face additional, expensive goods, even on necessities.
California Attorney General calls roundtable on tariff distress

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Tom Vacar

SAN FRANCISCO - On Friday morning, California business folks met with California Attorney General Rob Bonta to discuss what they face on the front lines of the tariff and trade war imposed on the Golden State. They had plenty to say. Tariff pushbackWhat they're sayingHigh prices in California have always been a challenge. But with tariffs, businesses and consumers alike face additional, expensive goods, even on necessities.
Details about BART's Tuesday fire emerge at board meeting

2 weeks ago | ktvu.com | Tom Vacar

The BART Board of Directors met on Thursday to get some surprising details about Tuesday's fire at San Leandro station. The fire shut down almost a third of the system. More permanent repairs are underway, but questions remain. Service is stopped in the area circled in red. Though all 50 BART stations are now operating, Tuesday's fire at San Leandro BART still leaves the Green Line closed and could now last into the early part of next week.