In California: A new internet privacy law returns power to consumers

Arlene Martinez | USA TODAY

It's Arlene Martínez, bringing you news for your last Friday in 2019.

But first, Christmas cash burning a hole in your pocket? Here's a list of small, largely independent California boutiques ready to help you spend that money.

In California is a roundup of stories from newsrooms across the USA TODAY Network and beyond. Sign up for M-F delivery here!

'I always feel like somebody's watching me'

Who could know a 1984 song would become so accurate? Today, Americans' every move is tracked across the internet by a trillion-dollar industry that mines and stockpiles thousands of their data points to target ads at them. You don't need to feel like you're being watched — you are.

But starting Wednesday, Californians will have the right to see what information companies are collecting about them and request they stop selling it. The landmark California Consumer Privacy Act has the potential to become a national law if other states follow or companies extend those rights beyond our state lines, privacy advocates say.

Here's a big thing to know about the new law: You have to take action. That means you need to send companies a form requesting the details on what they've sold and directing them not to sell anything else. Within 10 days, expect confirmation that your request has been received. Within 45 days, you should get a response (which may be to request more time). The nonprofit Common Sense has some sample forms (i.e. Snapchat, Spotify and TikTok) and an FAQ.

Read more about ways to protect your internet life:

In 2016, 3 billion users were exposed to hackers in the biggest U.S. breach in history. Can you guess the company behind it? Answer's at the bottom.

Brees talks 2004 Chargers, and the worst NFL pre-season predictions

“Worst mistake ever” – Drew Brees, on the (then) San Diego Chargers’ decision to bring in a little QB competition in 2004. I’d say it worked out for the longtime Saints quarterback and expected Hall of Famer.

NFL reporters and editors with the USA TODAY Network revisit their worst preseason predictions (alas, the 5-10 Chargers will not take home the Lombardi Trophy).

Of the 11 professional sports teams that call Los Angeles and Orange County home these days, a family of four on a budget of $100 can only afford to see this one.

L.A. Clippers' Kawhi Leonard, a Riverside native who played two seasons for SDSU, is the 2019 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.

Who's watching $8 billion meant for local jails?

California's Public Safety Realignment initiative of 2011 transferred people convicted of certain nonviolent crimes, as well as those who would not need to register as sex offenders, from prisons to local jails. At the time, the overcrowded conditions of the prisons violated protections against cruel and unusual punishment, and inmates weren't getting the mental health and medical treatment they needed, courts ruled.

Many inmates were transferred to local jails, along with about $8 billion since 2011, which was designed to cover the costs of the diversion. But lax spending rules and limited scrutiny from both state and county officials have allowed county officials to use those dollars to cut their own costs elsewhere, a McClatchy and ProPublica investigation has found.

Shasta County's civil grand jury said the sheriff's office used realignment money instead of county funds to pay for its work-release program; in Monterey County, a civil grand jury found money targeted for education courses went instead to cover a guard's salary.

The Sacramento Bee's Jason Pohl breaks down more of the findings in this Twitter thread.

200-year-old redwood tree kills a man

A 200-foot-tall redwood tree fell and killed a man visiting Muir Woods National Monument on Christmas Eve. Recent storms may have contributed to the "rare and isolated event."

Churches, schools, Boy Scout groups and many other organizations will likely be hit by a wave of childhood sexual assault lawsuits expected to emerge Jan. 1, when a new state law opens the door to cases previously beyond the statute of limitations.

Households impacted by Pacific Gas & Electric Co.-caused fires have until Tuesday to file a claim to receive a portion of a $13.5 billion settlement.

Interstate 5 through the Grapevine, out of commission since Wednesday night due to snow, reopened just before 11 a.m. Friday.

Around Hollywood (and in Palm Springs)

"Palm Springs," a movie starring Andy Samberg, of "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and (wildly under-acclaimed) "Popstar" fame, is making its Sundance Film Festival debut in 2020.

USA TODAY makes 'Popstar' history.

Quentin Tarantino will receive the Director of the Year Award at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival for the film "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood." The festival kicks off on Jan. 2.

Box-office winner: "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood" is Tarantino's biggest debut ever.

And your answer to which company exposed the most information, as measured by users: Yahoo's data breach of 2016.

In California is a roundup of news compiled from across USA TODAY Network newsrooms. Also contributing: Los Angeles Times, PolitFact, KTLA, New York Times, ProPublica, McClatchy.