ALSO: Republican businessman Neel Kashkari finds himself in fourth place in the latest candidate poll for California governor. But his campaign may still be in good shape to make it through the primary.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Today's reports written by Max Pringle and Katie Orr.

It's a foggy morning in Petaluma at Ettamarie Peterson's Farm. Peterson, who now has about five hives in her yard, has kept bees for 21 years. She is the president of the Sonoma County Bee Keeper's Association and says times are tough right now. 

"Last year we didn't get much honey at all because of the drought," she says. "A flower that is dry isn't going to produce the nectar or the pollen." 

Other members in the association are having the same problem. There just isn't enough food for the bees and the colonies are not growing like they should. But, by planting for bees, Peterson says, home gardeners can help. 

  All this week, students at a Sebastopol elementary school have been seeing how close they can get to generating zero waste. It’s part of a program sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with a big emphasis on cutting down the use of plastics. We hear today from the teacher who’s been guiding that effort.

Although many other schools observed Zero Waste Week last month, the actions students are encouraged to take remain the same:

·  Say "NO thank you" to plastic straws when you are dining out

·  Replace plastic sandwich and snack bags in your lunch with reusable containers

·  Replace paper plates with reusable eco-friendly plastic plates

·  Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins

·  Say "NO thank you" to plastic bags at your local store and use your cloth bag instea

  ALSO: California tax officials say more than 11 million people have already filed their returns for 2013.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Today's reports written by Max Pringle.