September 12, 2018

12Sep

POLICY & POLITICS


Valley:


City of Fresno takes first swing at cannabis regulations. Public forum scheduled

Fresno Bee

Fresno took an important step Tuesday toward allowing commercial cannabis businesses to eventually set up – and officials hope residents and stakeholders will play a role in shaping its policy.​​ 

See Also:


Texts appear to show Leticia Perez's husband took money to arrange access for pot groups

Bakersfield Californian

The husband of Supervisor Leticia Perez appears to have asked for money to set up a meeting between his wife and a local marijuana dispensary group as supervisors were grappling with how to regulate marijuana in Kern County, according to a text message exchange obtained by The Californian.


State:


Sacramento judge strikes down 95-year-old California ban on handgun advertising signs

Modesto Bee

A federal judge in Sacramento rules the law prohibiting firearms dealers from using handgun images in advertising at their shops violates the First Amendment. The law had allowed only signs with shotguns or rifles.

See Also:


California's candidates for governor remain in standoff over debate schedule as CNN shelves plan to host faceoff

Los Angeles Times

With less than two months until election day, California’s two gubernatorial contenders remained locked in a standoff over whether they’ll meet to discuss the issues facing the state.


Koch-linked charity must disclose top donors to California, appeals court rules

Los Angeles Times

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that two conservative charitable groups, including one tied to the billionaire Koch brothers, must turn over a list of their top donors to the California attorney general.


Ahead in the governor's race, Gavin Newsom begins bus tour to help other Democrats

Los Angeles Times

Gavin Newsom kicked off a statewide bus tour Monday in the Santa Clarita Valley to bolster fellow Democrats in California’s contested congressional races, saying the party’s efforts to retake control of the House with President Trump in the White House was just as critical to the state as his campaign to become its next governor.


Will Enthusiasm Lead To Greater Turnout For California’s Young Voters?

Capital Public Radio

Experts say a number of factors stop young people from voting, including relocation and lack of connection to candidates and ballot measures.


Brown puts an old friend in a six-figure state job

San Francisco Chronicle

Juan Pedro Gaffney’s career as​​ a Bay Area choir director​​ would seem to make him an odd fit for a six-figure job with the state deciding whether people who say they were hurt on the job should receive workers’ compensation pay.


Federal:


While Kavanaugh turns D.C. into a circus, frustrated states take aim at Washington

Fresno Bee

The Senate’s rushed Supreme Court hearings are jarring some legal experts who say the political theatrics are distracting from massive changes in the way justices are vetted.

See Also:


Trump to Sign Order Allowing Sanctions on Foreigners Meddling in U.S. Elections

The Wall Street Journal

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order as soon as Wednesday that would authorize sanctions against foreigners who attempt to interfere in American elections, according to three people familiar with the matter.


U.S. Businesses Ramp Up Lobbying Against Trump’s Tariffs

The Wall Street Journal

As of June 30, nearly 450 entities employed lobbyists on trade issues—up from about 160 at the start of the year and about 100 when Mr. Trump took office, according to lobbying-disclosure reports compiled by the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics.


Can California Democrats Flip the House in November?

The Nation

By almost any measure, the Democrats’ chances of taking control of the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections depend in large part on California. Nationwide, the Democrats need to flip 23 Republican seats to take control of the House.​​ 


EDITORIAL: Trump's latest step backward on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: shutting down the PLO's Washington office

Los Angeles Times

The search for Middle East peace has been characterized by missed opportunities, stubbornness and willful misunderstanding.


Other:


Facebook Live Conversation on the New Census Figures on Poverty and Health Coverage​​ 

California Budget and Policy Center

This week, the US Census Bureau will release new national and state-level figures on poverty, income, health coverage, and other important topics. In addition to publishing same-day analyses on what these figures mean for our state, the California Budget & Policy Center will host a​​ Facebook Live​​ discussion this Thursday, September 13, at 2:00 p.m. PT.


Why States Still Matter

National Review

Since the Left is, broadly speaking, on the losing side of the American political game at the moment, it is the faction most enthusiastic about reform of the country’s governing institutions.


Black women’s electoral strength in an era of fractured politics

Brookings

Recent elections have revealed a new wave of electoral momentum for black women, but they remain under-represented as candidates nationwide. Using findings from a new database, Andre Perry examines the factors that are critical to success for black women candidates running for legislative or executive office in the United States.  


What do a porn star, a combative lawyer and a reality-TV contestant all have in common? Trump

The Los Angeles Times

But the habitues of Trump’s overlapping legal and political worlds are of a whole other order. A porn star. A pair of Playboy Playmates. A lawyer and fixer with a New York swagger and wiseguy vernacular suggesting he’s seen a few too many Martin Scorsese films.


OPINION: Playing the Civility Card

The Wall Street Journal

Yet the civility offensive is not without contradiction. How is it that those who presume they posses the moral standing to preach on Mr. Trump’s incivility are so conspicuously blind to the equally glaring outrages of his critics?


Annual 9-11 memorial held at California Memorial in Clovis

Fresno Bee

The 17th annual 9-11 memorial was held at the California Memorial in Clovis on Tuesday. Former New York City firefighter and honored guest Andy Isolano spoke to the crowd, presenting an American flag to former Pelco CEO David McDonald.

See Also:

AGRICULTURE/FOOD


Citrus greening research funding at risk in farm bill talks

Fresno Bee

A disease called citrus greening has devastated Florida’s citrus industry since its discovery in 2005. Agriculture officials are hoping they can stop it before California suffers the same fate.


If strike continues, Sun-Maid may use temporary workers to get plant up and running

Fresno Bee

Sun-Maid president Harry Overly said Tuesday that the Kingsburg raisin plant will be up and running on Wednesday, despite a strike by workers that shut down the factory for a day and a half.​​ 


Is your pot shop still open? County amends permit process for cannabis retailers

The Modesto Bee

The county will eventually allow up to seven cannabis dispensaries and Modesto will license up to 10. Surrounding cities like Riverbank, Ceres, Patterson and Oakdale — which saw the first of two dispensaries it is allowing open last week — are handling their own permitting, separate from the county.


Fueled by grants, recreational pot, Woodlake comes into its own

The Business Journal

It’s no secret the Valley’s first recreational cannabis dispensary has created a steady influx of cash and customers for the small town of Woodlake. But what many don’t know is that the city has been on the rise for the past few years, and adding a dispensary to the town is just one of many facets to its revitalization.


Would You Drink Beer Made With Recycled Water?

Capital Public Radio

California craft brewers are looking for innovative ways to be more sustainable. One challenge is how to use less water in a state plagued by drought. But are consumers ready for reclaimed water?


Misleading claim by ‘Fox & Friends’ on California kids meal bill

PolitiFact

Would a California bill really limit restaurant drink options for children to "only milk and water"?


CRIMINAL JUSTICE / FIRE / PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:


Bail bond firms gathering signatures for referendum

San Francisco Chronicle

Bail bond companies have started gathering signatures for a referendum to block​​ a new California law, the first of its kind in the nation, that would eliminate cash bail as a requirement for pretrial release from jail.


Ex-con therapists and doctors, or a second chance?

CALmatters

Brown has made greater use of the​​ power of pardon​​ and commutation of felons than any governor before him, gaining him national attention in the​​ Washington Post.

Now, he must decide a related issue: Should past felons be eligible for professional, state-issued licenses?


EDITORIAL: Attorney-client communications in jail are supposed to be confidential. They're not

Los Angeles Times

Multiple parties bear some portion of blame for the unacceptable recording of privileged conversations between defense lawyers and their clients in jails and prisons in Los Angeles and Orange counties and elsewhere around the nation.


Public Safety:


Hanford PD starts drone program

Hanford Sentinel

The Hanford Police Department has a new program that’s giving officers a vantage point they’ve never had before.


This is Sheriff Youngblood's nightmare scenario

Bakersfield Californian

What's the fastest way for a Kern County Sheriff's deputy to get a raise these days? Answer: Get hired by the Bakersfield Police Department.​​ 


Shooters are twice as deadly when a semiautomatic rifle is in the mix, study finds

Los Angeles Times

Any time a shooter opens fire in a school, a church or anywhere else, the consequences can be deadly. But the danger is about double when a semiautomatic weapon is involved.


California orders NRA to stop selling ‘self -defense’ firearm insurance without state license

San Francisco Chronicle

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has ordered the National Rifle Association to stop selling liability insurance in the state without a license.


She Escaped Domestic Abuse And Is Seeking Asylum. Now A Policy Change Makes Her Future Uncertain​​ 

Valley Public Radio

Hundreds in the San Joaquin Valley and thousands in the nation are in limbo after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced gang and domestic violence doesn't qualify as a valid asylum claim in the United States anymore. But for people who have an open asylum case citing domestic violence, it's unclear what's going to happen.​​ 


US judge strikes down California ban on handgun ads

AP News

A U.S. judge on Tuesday struck down a nearly century-old California law that banned handgun ads at gun shops, saying the state failed to show it would prevent suicides or crime


Fire:​​ 


Forest-thinning measures likely dead in Congress, despite Trump, California Republicans

Fresno Bee

For more than a month, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue have been calling for a rollback of environmental regulations on forest-thinning projects they argue will help reduce the risk of wildfires, including the ones ravaging California.


California Wildfires: Latest Updates And What You Need To Know

Capital Public Radio

Firefighters are battling several major wildfires throughout California — including one north of Redding, near where the Carr Fire killed eight people and burned some 1,100 homes in a frightening start to the fire season. Here are the latest updates on the fires we are tracking in Northern California.

See Also:


ECONOMY / JOBS

Economy:


Bondsmen: Cash bail law could harm downtown economy

The Business Journal

A law designed to end cash bail in California is being heavily contested by bond companies and civil rights activists alike, with opponents warning it could have detrimental effects not only to the justice system, but to local economies.


Are you in the middle class?

Bakersfield Californian

The middle class is shrinking, are you still part of it? A new tool from Pew Research Center lets you determine your income level — lower, middle, upper — with an online calculator that compares your economic well-being to others nationwide and locally.


America's malls are dying. Owners are hoping virtual reality and fitness centers will save them

Los Angeles Times

Mall operators are trying out virtual reality and other non-retail concepts, including luxury health and fitness offerings and haute cuisine, to combat rising vacancy rates brought about by the success of Amazon.com and other e-tailers.

See Also:


A major bank is offering payday-style loans. Will others follow suit?

Los Angeles Times

U.S. Bank says it will offer nearly instant small loans to its customers, becoming the first bank to provide such a product since federal regulators cleared the way earlier this year amid continuing concerns over the costs of payday loans.


Tech stocks lead market to gains amid recovery from last week's slump​​ 

Los Angeles Times

U.S. stocks rallied Tuesday as technology companies continued to recover from their recent losses. Big technology companies slumped last week as executives from Facebook and Twitter appeared before Congress at hearings about election meddling and political bias.


U.S. securities laws may cover initial coin offerings, judge says in big win for feds

Los Angeles Times

A federal judge has ruled that U.S. securities laws may cover an initial coin offering, handing the government a victory in its effort to regulate billions of dollars in cybercurrency offerings much as stocks are.


Small-Business Optimism Hit Record High in August

National Review

Optimism among small-business owners reached a record high in August as Republican-passed tax cuts and deregulation began to bear fruit, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.


Middle-class income hit an all-time high of $61,372 last year, U.S. Census Bureau says

Washington Post

The median U.S. household experienced a sizable jump in income from the prior year, the U.S. Census Bureau reports.


U.S. Proposing New Round of Trade Talks With China

WSJ

Discussions aimed at giving China another opportunity to resolve trade conflicts before new U.S. tariffs are imposed.


Why Voters Are Still Wary 10 Years After the Economic Collapse

Roll Call

In exit polls from the 2008 presidential election, 85 percent of voters said they were worried about the direction of the nation’s economy, with 50  percent “very worried.”​​ 


FACT CHECK: Who Gets Credit For The Booming U.S. Economy?

NPR

The U.S. economy is chugging along. Employers added 201,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate held steady at a low, 3.9 percent. Average wages in August were nearly 3 percent higher than they were a year ago.

See Also:


Fiscal responsibility? Pffft. The House GOP tees up another tax-cut vote

The Los Angeles Times

Desperate to hold on to their majority in the House, GOP leaders are planning to bring up a new set of tax-cut proposals soon that would dole out more favors to certain constituents —​​ especially those with higher-than-average incomes.


Regulations and taxes stifle family businesses

CALmatters

Family business owners look to the next quarter-century, not just the next quarter. We treat our employees as extended family. As a result, many of them stay with us for decades. And we strive to provide top-quality products and services. But instead of helping us grow, Sacramento too often piles on new taxes and regulations that make it more difficult for us to remain in business. We ask lawmakers a simple question: When will enough be enough?


EDITORIAL: Trump policies could trade away recovery

San Francisco Chronicle

Which president deserves more credit for the nation’s longest economic recovery: Barack Obama, who presided over the beginning and the bulk of the turnaround after supporting extraordinary measures to pull the country out of the Great Recession? Or Donald Trump, who boasted about it more?


Jobs:


Health care, retail, and restaurants are hiring the most workers in Fresno this month

ABC30

Considering a career move, or just curious about Fresno's emerging employment landscape? Here's a look at how the latest labor trends are playing out in the local area right now.


EDUCATION


K-12:


For most high school students graduating this year 9/11 is history not a memory

ABC30

On 9/11 we're reminded to "Never Forget." But students born after 9/11 never knew about that dark moment in our history so its important educators and adults fill in the gaps.


Talking with your toddler could boost IQ scores

ABC30

If you talk with your toddler, it may make them smarter later in life. In fact, they could have a higher IQ score.


Central Union schools receive Monsanto grant for STEM in agriculture

Hanford Sentinel

Before the students began their fun, back-to-school assembly Wednesday, a representative from Monsanto, an agriculture company, presented the Central Union Elementary School District STEM teacher, who teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and some student representatives with a check to fund their coming robotics project at Stratford Elementary School.


SUSD takes first steps towards moving headquarters

Stockton Record

San Joaquin County’s largest school district might be getting a new home address. Trustees discussed and approved next steps for a possible relocation of the district’s administration building and further potential use of its current property that is said to be 100 years old.


Sleepy kids, logistics at odds as legislation weighed

San Francisco Chronicle

Middle and high school students do better when they get an extra hour or so of sleep, according to research and, many parents would say, common sense.

See Also:​​ 


Dollars for Child Care and Preschool in 2018-19 Near Pre-Recession Levels With Boost From One-Time Funding

California Budget & Policy Center

For the fifth year in a row, funding for California’s subsidized child care and development system has increased. This system provides critical child care and early learning opportunities for a limited number of children from low- and moderate-income families, but state funding was cut dramatically during and after the Great Recession, while federal funding for subsidized child care remained relatively flat.


Higher Ed:


New Institute At Fresno State To Build Trust Between News Media, Consumers

Valley Public Radio

Fresno State’s new​​ Institute for Media and Public Trust,​​ led by former Fresno Bee editor Jim Boren aims to close the credibility gap between news producers and consumers, and address the issue of media literacy.


Thousands of students storm Rabobank Arena for College Night

Bakersfield Californian

Future college students packed Rabobank Arena Monday evening for the 19th Annual Kern County College Night.

Apprenticeships:

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ENVIRONMENT/ ENERGY

Environment:


Fresno sits at the crossroads of California’s climate-change policies

Fresno Bee

Delegates at the San Francisco Global Climate Action Summit should come to Fresno. Our city is at the crossroads of California’s climate change policies, in the heart of a valley that has been trying unsuccessfully for nearly three decades to reduce ground-level air pollution to safe levels.


Dead humpback whale washes up near Oceano Dunes

Fresno Bee

California State Parks employees found a dead humpback whale on the beach at the Oceano Dunes in San Luis Obispo County, California, on Monday. Officials said the whale was a juvenile and was about 20 feet long.


EPA change to Obama-era rule on methane leaks could lead to more greenhouse gases

ABC30

EPA is proposing changes to an Obama-era rule that regulates methane emissions from oil and natural gas, the latest change to rules intended to combat climate change.


At Jerry Brown's climate summit, one deadline will overshadow all the others

Los Angeles Times

The political leaders coming from around the world for Gov. Jerry Brown’s climate action summit this week will grapple with a lot of urgent deadlines to drive down emissions, but one date is especially exasperating.

See Also:


Gov. Brown blasts Trump’s latest retreat from global warming as bordering ‘on criminality’

San Francisco Chronicle

Gov. Jerry Brown blasted a proposal that seeks to weaken regulation of methane, saying President Trump’s failure to recognize global warming “borders on criminality.”


PG&E agrees in settlement to protect S.F. Bay from chemical runoff from utility poles

San Francisco Chronicle

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has agreed to protect San Francisco and Humboldt bays from runoff of dangerous chemicals on utility poles in a settlement with an environmental group.


Strong Support for California’s Climate Leadership

Public Policy Institute of California

From September 12 to 14, Governor Jerry Brown will co-chair the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. This gathering of world leaders will review achievements to date and discuss next steps in meeting the international goals established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


California’s War on Climate Change

CALmatters

CALmatters’ Julie Cart explains in a​​ video primer​​ why believers are so thick on the ground here: “Modern environmentalism was really born in California, and that sensibility is still embedded in the state’s DNA.”


They Defied Trump on Climate Change. Now, It’s Their Moment of Truth.

The New York Times

The gathering in San Francisco, which is spearheaded by Governor Brown, will bring leaders and civil society groups from around the world to discuss ways that states, cities and businesses can work together to reduce their emissions.


Energy:


California to rely on 100% clean electricity by 2045 under bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown

Los Angeles Times

All of California’s electricity will come from clean power sources by 2045 under legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday, the latest in a series of ambitious goals set by the state to combat the effects of climate change.​​ 

See Also:


States See Energy Boom Along With Economic Expansion

Pew Trusts

An oil and gas bonanza in Southwestern states may be helping to drive the continuing national economic boom.


HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:


Dementia, Cognitive Decline Associated With Air Pollution

Valley Public Radio

Particulate matter, also known as PM, is a major health risk: It’s known to cause asthma attacks and other respiratory flare-ups in the short term, and exposure over the long term has been associated with reduced immune function and cardiovascular problems.


Dying To Get Out: Stigma, ‘Copycat Effect’ Drive Youth Suicide In Rural Amador County

Capital Public Radio

Many young people say they don’t have a healthy way to express feelings of being trapped and misunderstood. And teens who live in remote places are more likely to seek a fatal escape.


Drug executive: It's a 'moral requirement' to charge patients the highest price

Los Angeles Times

Nirmal Mulye defended Martin Shkreli, the former drug company CEO who became the face of the industry’s profiteering.


Youth use of e-cigarettes is an ‘epidemic,’ FDA chief says as he announces new enforcement efforts to curb sales to minors

Washington Post

Commissioner Scott Gottlieb dramatically escalated his efforts to stop teenage vaping on Wednesday, detailing recent action against more than 1,300 retailers for allegedly selling e-cigarettes to minors and warning manufacturers of a potential ban of flavored e-cigarette liquids.


EDITORIAL: Proposition 8: Vote no on cynical union power play

San Diego Union-Tribune

Let’s be blunt: Voters should reject​​ Proposition 8​​ on Nov. 6. It would limit the profits of kidney dialysis clinics on the spurious grounds someone somewhere needs to force owners to spend more on “direct patient care and health-care improvements.”


Human Services:


Fresno County delays approving free animal adoption center

ABC30

It has been six years since Fresno County split with the SPCA because of public controversy over their high animal kill rate, and set up its own, supposedly temporary animal shelter.


Modesto police accuse police department of nearby town of dumping homeless people in city

ABC30

Police in Modesto are accusing a nearby police department of dumping homeless people in their city.​​ 


Hospitals Comply With Violence Prevention Rules, But Rules Only Go So Far

Valley Public Radio

Those who work in health care are at increased risk of workplace violence. Although hospitals in the Valley have preventive measures in place, some are finding that it’s not until an incident happens that a facility knows what more to improve.  


Adventist Health hosts employee orientation; Tulare hospital's reopening gets near

Visalia Times-Delta

Adventist Health completed two days of orientation for about 100 employees on Tuesday, taking one step closer to reopening Tulare hospital.

See also:


With a single sentence, Obama moves Medicare for all into the political mainstream

Los Angeles Times

In a​​ speech Friday​​ that was noteworthy primarily for its unvarnished criticism of President Trump, Obama made a passing reference to issues that could be winners for Democratic candidates, including Medicare.


Nearly 600 Russia-Linked Accounts Tweeted About the Health Law

The Wall Street Journal

A newly identified group of nearly 10,000 tweets shows that while Russian trolls often focus on such hot-button issues as Hillary Clinton’s email or athletes kneeling during the national anthem, they also target substantive and divisive policy areas like health care.


IMMIGRATION

It’s an immigration crisis few know of. And Fresno County might be at the center of it

Fresno Bee

Thousands of immigrants in the Fresno region and nation could face deportation to a country that’s rarely discussed in the daily news cycle, and in some respects has been forgotten.

US to triple number of beds at tent camp for immigrant children

Stockton Record

That’s a 20 percent increase in the number of beds for unaccompanied minors, now at 12,800, in the controversial network of more than 100 shelters overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


LAND USE/HOUSING


Land Use:


Advocates urge approval for animal shelter plan. Neighbors say ‘not in my backyard’

Fresno Bee

Emotions ran high at a Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11 before a scheduled vote to change zoning and allow a business owner to build an animal shelter in northwest Fresno.


Adventist Health to build new hospital in Northwest Bakersfield

Bakersfield Californian

Sharlet Briggs, president/CEO of Adventist Health Bakersfield, said the hospital will be built off Coffee Road near Brimhall Road, next to what will become the Bakersfield Commons, a 250-acre mixed-use development that will include retail, residential, recreational and other types of space.


Housing:


New development underway in 52-acre parcel in Clovis

ABC30

Clovis city leaders will consider zoning changes to be in compliance with state law regarding affordable housing. Clovis City Manager Luke Serpa says the state is demanding more high-density housing.


THE APPROACHING BATTLE FOR RENT CONTROL

Democratic Socialists of America

Well-organized and heavily funded, the opposition to rent control initiatives in California has a track record of campaigning hard and often successfully against such efforts. In particular, the California Apartment Association, representing landlords throughout the state,​​ unleashes a heavy stream of cash to kill rent control proposals​​ whenever they’re made.


PUBLIC FINANCES


Jerry Brown signs bill on disputed foreclosure funds

San Francisco Chronicle

A new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown allows the state to keep $331 million that a court had designated for programs to help California homeowners who had been hit with foreclosures by banks accused of abusive practices.


Millions of taxpayers could wind up owing for 2018

CBS News

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently​​ issued a report​​ warning that more than 4.5 million taxpayers will come up short next April, unless they act now to adjust their withholding amounts.


A Gas Tax Economics Lesson

The Wall Street Journal

The larger lesson is that sooner or later the middle class always gets the bill for bigger government. Higher income and corporate taxes drive the affluent out of the state, which​​ means less revenue. That leaves the middle class to pay in higher sales, property and now gasoline taxes.​​ 


Executive Order on Strengthening Retirement Security in America​​ 

The White House

It shall be the policy of the Federal Government to expand access to workplace retirement plans for American workers.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 23 percent of all private-sector, full-time workers lack access to a workplace retirement plan.


TRANSPORTATION


223,654 Solo Drivers to lose California carpool stickers

Mercury News

223,654 Solo Drivers to lose California carpool stickers.


Valley residents eligible for up to $9,500 to replace high polluting vehicles

ABC30

The replacement option offers $2,500 to $9,500 for residents in the eight-county Valley air basin. The amount is based on the replacement vehicle and the applicant's household income.


Kern County names new airport director

Bakersfield Californian

The Kern County Board of Supervisors have named Mark Witsoe as the new director of airports for Kern County. The director position is responsible for all seven airports within the county, including Meadows Field, Buttonwillow, Lost Hills, Kern Valley, Poso, Taft and Wasco.

Injuries are the untold part of the scooter trend, doctors and victims say

San Francisco Chronicle

Injuries are the part of the electric scooter story that hasn’t yet been fully told. No one has an official count, but doctors in many cities are sharing anecdotes about people being sideswiped, brakes failing and riders colliding with cars or hitting pedestrians when they illegally scoot on sidewalks.


The Tesla board's dilemma: How do you solve a problem like Elon?

Los Angeles Times

As a company, Tesla is at an inflection point. Musk has promised sterling financial results in the next quarter or two, but his credibility is so low that even if he delivers the numbers he promised, investors may be skeptical that they’re genuine.


Caltrans Unveils 2018 California State Rail Plan

SCV News

Caltrans released the 2018 State Rail Plan on Monday, calling it a bold vision for state rail that aims to boost the economy, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve safety statewide over the next 20 years.


High Speed Rail from Bakersfield and Palmdale could take 25 minutes

KGET

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has been planning a path from Bakersfield to Palmdale for over a decade.


Who Do You Imagine When You Imagine Biking in Cities

PublicCEO

Lugo’s biking activism began in Los Angeles, the city that taught her about being Mexican-American. The term “Chicana,” was not one she heard growing up in a Latino enclave of mostly first-generation immigrants in Orange County’s San Juan Capistrano, Lugo tells Next City in an interview.


Transit Advocates: Is the White House Purposefully Delaying Project Funds?

Governing.com

Advocates say the Federal Transit Administration is sitting on nearly $1.8 billion that’s supposed to help build light rail lines, streetcars and subway improvements. Delaying these projects, they argue, could increase costs for local transit agencies.


Alex Padilla defends the DMV

CALmatters

Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a Democrat, called the errors “absolutely frustrating and beyond disappointing,” but he was more forgiving than the GOP candidates who have made sure voters hear all about the DMV’s issues.​​ 


WATER


Why some are concerned over water board chairwoman’s ties to Bay Area institute

Modesto Bee

Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the State Water Resources Control Board, has considerable influence over decision-making that could leave more water in rivers for salmon at the expense of irrigation districts in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.


Candidate Andrew Janz Says Pumping "At 100 Percent Capacity," Water Infrastructure Needed

Valley Public Radio

We discuss how Janz might balance environmental and economic priorities when it comes to water, and how California state laws are changing public safety.


EDITORIAL: Proposition 3: Two biggest reasons to oppose water bond in November election

San Diego Union-Tribune

Proposition 3, which asks voters to approve $8.9 billion in bond funds for water projects, has a surface appeal. The state’s need for improved water infrastructure and new water storage facilities is plain. But there are strong reasons to reject it.


“Xtra”


Yosemite National Park hosts adaptive climbing program for disabled veterans​​ 

ABC30

Several other disabled veterans are overcoming their challenges and climbing the Yosemite granite walls to commemorate the lives of those lost on September 11.


Visalia Basket Weaving Event Explores Native American "Roots"

Valley Public Radio

This weekend, the Tulare County Museum in Visalia is hosting an event in collaboration with the California Indian Basketweavers’ Association, and in honor of California Native American Day.