California Update

This photo, taken Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, shows one of the elevated sections of the high-speed rail under construction in Fresno, Calif. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via Capital Public RadioDespite confusion after Governor Gavin Newsom’s State of the State address this week, California is NOT abandoning its embattled high-speed rail project from the Bay Area to Southern California.

Story by Ben Adler.

Got more questions about high-speed rail in California?

Credit: Tmeers91, Wikimedia CommonsHospitals across California will soon have a new strategy for treating opioid-addicted patients. It’s called medication-assisted treatment, and it involves using a lower-intensity painkiller to taper people down from addiction.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Bike paths are being blocked into discovery Park even though water levels have not risen yet. But Sacramento County officials expect them to. Credit: Bob Moffitt / CapRadioNorthern California is expected to get drenched by a warm winter storm that began Monday. The Bay Area and the Central Valley may get up to five inches of rain. At least five feet of snow could fall in places like Tahoe.

California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia. Credit: Jack Gorton via Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 4.0]California Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia introduced a bill that would prohibit Teach for America trainees from working at low-income schools, saying they aren't qualified to teach those students.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioHumans have bred strawberries since at least the early 1700s. Now, for the first time, researchers at UC Davis and Michigan State Univ have the genetic "road map" for the cultivated strawberry. What does it mean for CA's 3-billion-dollar industry?

Story by Julia Mitric.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Fifteen million ballots have been mailed to California voters in advance of the Tuesday March 3rd presidential primary, but not all of the counties are handling the election the same way.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

A year after PG&E filed for bankruptcy a state lawmaker would like California to take over the utility. The idea is to use eminent domain as a tool to force PG&E stockholders to sell shares to the state.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: In this Nov. 9, 2018 file photo, Pacific Gas & Electric crews work to restore power lines in Paradise, Calif. - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via CapRadio)

Outgoing California state Treasurer John Chiang. Credit: Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio fileCalifornia's outgoing treasurer announced the results of an independent study which found establishing a public cannabis bank would pose a large legal and financial risk to the state.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Credit: Seth Perlman / AP / via CapradioCost will no longer be an obstacle for family members trying to access Gun Violence Restraining Orders. A new law taking effect in 2019 will get rid of fees for requesting the orders.

Story by Steve Milne.

Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D- San Diego discusses a proposed to significantly restrict when police officers can fire their weapons, during a news conference Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via CapradioA new California law that takes effect January 1st allows public access to police records in use-of-force cases.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

California state lawmakers reconvened Monday with plenty to address, including the pandemic and a looming eviction cliff. But in its first vote of the new year, the Assembly approved a resolution calling for President Donald Trump to step down.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: California Assembly chamber - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

Secretary of State Alex Padilla says President Trump is a clear and present danger to the nation and its security.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that three sports venues around the state.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

Governor Newsom wants to create a Housing Accountability Unit to ensure cities and counties meet housing production requirements.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Local governments in California would be legally required to pay to house the state’s growing homeless population under a recommendation announced today by the governor's task force.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom, answering questions on his 2020-21 state budget on January 10, 2020, told reporters: ““You want to know who’s the homeless czar? I’m the homeless czar in the state of California.” - Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)

Governor Newsom's budget proposal includes big plans for addressing climate change. It's in part because his administration says the Trump White House isn't doing enough.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Trinh Nguyen, of the Camarillo Fire Dept, monitors the advance of the Easy Fire as a helicopter makes a water drop Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, California - Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo / via CapRadio)

Advocates say prevention funding has been dwindling in the last couple years. The governor’s budget proposes $1.8 million in ongoing funding after the Legislature allocated $5 million in one-time funding last year.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: California Gov. Gavin Newsom presents his proposed 2020-2021 state budget Jan. 10, 2020 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

Gavin Newsom takes the oath of office as First Partner Jen Siebel Newsom and their four children stand beside him. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioGov. Newsom has proposed spending $40 million to extend free tuition for community college students toa second year in California. PolitiFact California is tracking this campaign promise on our Newsom-Meter and rates it 'In the Works.'

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read more about the Newsom-Meter.

Crews from PG&E work to install new utility poles and restore power to those affected by the Valley Fire on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Credit: Cal Fire PIO Berlant / TwitterCalifornia lawmakers say PG&E ratepayers and wildfire victims must be protected ahead of shareholders and Wall Street creditors as the utility goes through bankruptcy. But they’re not yet sure how — or if — they can act to ensure that outcome.

Story by Ben Adler.

Peter Lee, of Covered California, says enrollment is down 10%, due in part to the elimination of the individual mandate penalty

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Santa Anita Park in Southern California continues to struggle with horse fatalities after 37 died at the track last year. A death Sunday resulted from two horses colliding during training. It’s the fifth fatality at the track since late December.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Santa Anita Racetrack - Rennett Stowe from USA [CC BY 2.0])

A new book by the founding editor of NPR's Morning Edition details how a dormant prison newspaper at San Quentin was brought back to life.

Story by Steve Milne.

(Photo: Courtesy of UC Press)

Some health experts are commending the governor for taking a firm stance against youth vaping epidemic. They say taxes will deter kids from buying. But there’s a concern about how this will play out for adults

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Jane Khomi / Getty Images)

Governor Gavin Newsom says steps are being taken to accelerate the rate COVID-19 vaccinations are given. He also says he'll release details of a plan to get small businesses more pandemic aid on Friday

Story by Mike Haggerty.

(Photo: Jose M. Osorio - AP)

State prosecutors will begin investigating all police shootings that result in the death of unarmed civilians, taking over that responsibility from local authorities.

Story by Scott Rodd.

The first California snow survey of the year showed the snowpack is about half of the average for this time of year. But with months of the rainy season ahead, that’s not a terrible place for the year.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Paychecks are going up in the new year for California's minimum wage workers. In the North Bay, Petaluma and Santa Rosa now have the highest minimum wage pay at $15.20, while Novato and Sonoma businesses must offer at least $15.

Story by Steve Milne.

Find more new laws taking effect in 2021.

Legislators from both parties say mental health, drug treatment, and increased housing production need to be part of the solution.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Tents housing homeless line a street near the LAPD Central Community Police Station in downtown Los Angeles - Richard Vogel / AP / via Cap Radio)

California already has policies in place to curb climate change. But some lawmakers and environmental advocates want existing goals accelerated.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Billy Wilson / Flickr / via Cap Radio)

If you're caught smoking at a state park or beach in the new year you could be fined $25, but that fine grows to around $200 with court fees. It's part of a new law only allowing vaping and smoking on paved surfaces at state parks.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Barry Smith, the chief ranger for the Gold Fields District of California State Parks, says it could take up to a year to get all the smoking ban signs created and established in all the state’s parks - Ezra David Romero / Capital Public Radio)

Democrat Gavin Newsom was sworn in as California's 40th governor on Jan. 7, 2019. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioAt his speech outside the Capitol Monday, new California Gov. Gavin Newsom promised wider access to child care, housing, health care, and employment.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

PolitiFact California fact-checked claims in Gov. Gavin Newsom's inauguration speech on rising rents, sluggish wage growth, and California's rainy-day fund.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read more Politifact California fact checks.

Gavin Newsom takes the oath of office as First Partner Jen Siebel Newsom and their four children stand beside him. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioAs California’s new Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom was sworn into office attendees were talking about his lofty and expensive policy promises.

Story by Sally Schilling.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

California Sen. Kamala Harris claimed at the Democratic debate that she “disagreed” with President Obama’s immigration policy that partnered local and federal law enforcement. PolitiFact California found there's more to the story.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., listens to questions in the spin room after the Democratic primary debate hosted by NBC News at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Art, Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Miami - AP Photo/via Politifact.com)

California is one of the country's top oil-producing states and the new state budget includes $1.5 million dollars to explore how to decrease demand and supply on fossil fuels. The goal is to figure out a way for California to become carbon neutral.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Billy Wilson / Flickr / via Capital Public Radio)

Speaking to a crowd at a Sacramento community college Monday — the first day of the new fiscal year — Newsom celebrated new investments in early childhood education, health care and homelessness.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon/Capital Public Radio)

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

• As California lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown debate who should pay for the billions of dollars in wildfire damages striking the state, Californians might wonder how much government help is available to rebuild their homes. The answer? Not much.

Today's reporting by April Ehrlich (Jefferson Public Radio) and Ben Adler.

Original Source

Democratic Assemblywoman Autumn Burke announced she tested positive after having contact with someone carrying the virus. Lawmakers are currently on summer recess, but it’s believed she contracted it while the Legislature was in session.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: The California Capitol in Sacramento on March 31, 2020 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

Regulators made thousands of in-person visits over the holiday weekend to bars, restaurants and other establishments across the state. However, they issued fewer than 60 citations.

Story by Scott Rodd.

California filed a motion Monday for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce methane emissions as laid out under federal law.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

A statue of missionary Junipero Serra is the latest to come down as protests against racial injustice continue. Activists say the effort to “de-Sutter, de-Serra, and de-Columbus” Sacramento is ongoing.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

California Senate passes proposal for $21 bllion wildfire liability fund.

Governor Newsom has said he wants the legislation passed by the end of the week. Ratings agencies have signaled they may downgrade the bond ratings of some California utilities if the state fails to act soon.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Flames consume a car dealership as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of people fled a fast-moving wildfire Thursday in Northern California - Noah Berger / AP Photo / via Capital Public Radio)

The largest earthquake in more than two decades has Californians again grappling with the prospect of major damage from quakes. But a majority of homeowners lack earthquake insurance.

Story by Nick Miller.

Try the insurance calculator at EarthquakeAuthority.com

(Photo: Surface rupture associated with the 6.4 magnitude July 4 earthquake near Ridgecrest, CA - Ben Brooks and Todd Ericksen, United States Geological Survey - USGS.gov [Public Domain])

Physicians and health advocates want the state to broaden guidelines for adverse childhood experiences screenings.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo credit: Love Krittaya (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

California is poised to reinstate the individual mandate to purchase health insurance that President Trump and congressional Republicans ended two years ago.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo by Rich Pedroncelli/AP/via NPR)

Adel Sambrano Ramos head was bandaged as he appeared in court Monday. The defense attorney said nothing after the proceedings, but the prosecuting attorney had plenty to say.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

(Photo: Adel Sambrano Ramos, left, huddles with his court-appointed attorney, Diane Howard, during his first court appearance in the shooting death of Sacramento Police officer Tara O'Sullivan in Sacramento County Superior Court - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via Capradio)

A recent gut-and-amend bill would change the election code to permit undocumented immigrants to run for local Democratic Party positions.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo by Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio News)

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

• The Red Cross has set up a shelter due to the Pawnee Fire in Lake County that has forced three-thousand people to evacuate.

Today's reporting by Ben Bradford and Drew Sandsor.

Original Source

California progressives saw the vote for a new state party chair as a chance to push the party to the left—and increase diversity in leadership.

Story by Scott Rodd.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra discusses the lawsuit his office has filed to Purdue Pharma for its painkiller Oxycontin, during a news conference, Monday, June 3, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via CapradioCalifornia's attorney general sued Purdue Pharma saying its sales and marketing of OxyContin helped fuel the opioid crisis.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

The governor said at the California Democratic Party Convention that decisions about vaccines should be made between parents and their doctors. A new bill would give state health officers the final say on which kids can skip vaccines.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Denise Morse says the cruise was great until last Thursday when the announcement was made: stay in your cabins and don't come out.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

(Photo: The Grand Princess cruise ship heads under the Golden Gate Bridge to a port in Oakland, Calif., on Monday. The ship's more than 2,400 passengers are headed to either medical care or quarantine due to the coronavirus - Ezra Shaw / Getty Images / via CapRadio)

Mayors from California’s biggest cities say they believe local governments are best positioned to address homelessness. But that means they oppose a key piece of Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: California Gov. Gavin. Newsom enters the chambers before his 2020 State of the State - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)