One Lawsuit Loophole Closed. How Many to Go?
Needle Nose Flyer – Issue 4426
⚖️ Is Your Website Still a Risk?
Gov. Newsom signed SB 690 on Sept. 30. It ends private lawsuits under the “pen register” section of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), a 1960s wiretapping law. Since 2023, plaintiffs’ firms have used that section to sue businesses over ordinary website cookies, and many businesses settled rather than fight. Now only the Attorney General can bring those claims, and the change also reaches some pending cases.
👉 The point: It’s a win, but not the finish line. CIPA’s traditional wiretapping sections are untouched, and plaintiffs’ attorneys are already reworking their claims, with website chat boxes and search bars likely next. Newsom himself asked lawmakers to go further in 2027.
ALSO …
A Tesla Semi caught fire Tuesday evening on I-880 in Hayward with no crash involved, shutting the freeway in both directions for hours. The cause is under investigation. Two issues ago we asked whether your next delivery would come by electric truck. This is the second Semi fire to close a California interstate in about two years.
🌱 Two Seed Rack Brands, One Owner?
Walnut Creek-based Central Garden & Pet has bought Burpee, the 150-year-old packet seed and young plant brand. Central already owns Ferry-Morse, so two of the best-known names on the seed rack now share a California parent. Burpee will run as a standalone business under its current leadership.
🐈 Does Your Store Have a Cat on Staff?
Store cats have gone from mousers to marketing. Picking up on a Wall Street Journal story, Inc. asked a Wharton marketing professor why it works. His answer: personality, as long as it’s genuine. A Colorado Ace owner says customers come in just to see her cats, stay longer, and buy something while they’re there. Got a store cat? Share a photo with us.
🚨 Cameras Catch a Back-Room Burglar
A burglar took about $8,000 in merchandise from the back room of Miller’s Ace Hardware in Citrus Heights early Tuesday. Security footage helped police identify him, and an officer found him hiding in nearby bushes with the stolen goods. He was arrested on felony burglary charges.
Meet:
🎙️ Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
A longtime partner in exposing PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act), Prop 65 and CIPA lawsuit abuse against California small businesses. CALA just launched the CALA Report podcast.. The first episode features Jim Monagle on what SB 690 means for California businesses, nonprofits and consumers.
CHANGES
🟢 Shafer’s Ace Hardware is putting the finishing touches on a new Ferndale store.
🔴 Village Ace Hardware (Coronado) will close Dec. 31 after more than 30 years as owner Glenn Shirer retires.
SEEN
🔨 How Do You Open a Pomegranate?
Via General Builders Supply (GBS), Madera, on Facebook
Published – Thursday, October 29, 2026