News

Environment

California Moves On Climate Change, But Rejects Aggressive Cuts To Greenhouse Emissions

September 26, 2021

Drought, wildfires, extreme heat: California lawmakers cast climate change as the culprit in an emerging series of public health threats, setting aside billions to help communities respond.

Contractor’s Deal On California Rent Relief Gets More Lucrative

September 25, 2021

The state is relying on a private contractor to get rent relief to California tenants and landlords, and just increased the lucrative deal.

As UC Makes Room For More Californians, Can It Afford To Lose Out-Of-State Students?

September 25, 2021

Out-of-state UC students are having a bad year. The Legislature made plans to have the UC enroll fewer of them to make way for more in-state students. Meanwhile, tuition is going up $8,000 for future out-of-state students.

California Coronavirus Updates: Those Who Are Immunocompromised Or Over Age 65 Will Benefit The Most From Vaccine Booster

September 25, 2021

Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed booster shots for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans, opening up a major new phase in the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine drive, according to the Associated Press.

Booster Shots Are Coming. Here's How To Figure Out If You Need One

September 25, 2021

With the back and forth on boosters from government agencies, many Americans are wondering if they really need an extra shot. Here is what the science says about who needs a booster now — and why.

Newsom Signs Bill For Native American Monument To Replace California Colonizer

September 24, 2021 | Ed Fletcher

Legislation creating a process for replacing the statue honoring Spanish missionary Junipero Serra with a monument honoring local tribes is signed by the California governor.

Environment

PG&E Is Charged With Manslaughter In A California Wildfire That Killed 4

September 24, 2021

Pacific Gas & Electric was charged Friday with manslaughter and other crimes after its equipment sparked a Northern California wildfire that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes last year, prosecutors said.

State Government

Historic California Reparations Task Force Discusses Community Engagement, History of Slavery

September 24, 2021 | Janelle Salanga

The group, designed to examine what reparations might look like and compile educational resources about slavery and its impact, met on Thursday and Friday.

Woman Arrested Near Fawn Fire As Thousands Evacuated In Shasta County

September 24, 2021

As of Friday morning, more than 25 buildings have been destroyed and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuations for several areas north of the city of Redding.

California State Of Mind | Episode 41

Participation, Baby! How Some Cities Are Experimenting With A Community Budget Process

September 24, 2021

If your city leaders asked you how to spend millions of tax dollars, what would you suggest? Some cities in California have been experimenting with a participatory budget process. Hear how it works and why it seems to be gaining momentum.

Al Capone’s Personal Items To Be Auctioned In Sacramento

September 24, 2021 | Megan Manata | Vicki Gonzalez

Famed Chicago mob boss Al Capone’s personal belongings are being auctioned for the first time by his family in Sacramento. Items like pistols, jewelry and family photographs are all up for auction.

Health Care

CDC Director Backs COVID Booster Plan And Makes An Additional Recommendation

September 24, 2021

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on a series of recommendations from a panel of advisers late Thursday. In addition she also recommended boosters for high-risk workers.

State Government

A New Law In California Aims To Protect Workers At Retail Warehouses Like Amazon's

September 24, 2021

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 701 on Wednesday. It aims to address the impact of speed quotas on warehouse worker injuries and health.

Health Care

A CDC Panel Backs Booster Shots For Older Adults, A Step Toward Making Them Available

September 23, 2021

Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended a third dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for people 65 and older as well as others at a high risk of severe illness.

Sacramento Zoo Explores Relocation To Larger Site In Elk Grove

September 23, 2021 | Ed Fletcher | Nick Miller

A beloved landmark is considering up-and-leaving its longtime city digs for a bigger home in the suburbs.

PolitiFact California

Can You Handle The Truth: Fact-Checking Claims About Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases

September 23, 2021 | Chris Nichols

Breakthrough cases are rare but are fueling misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines, which are safe and effective at preventing the disease.

Health Care

The FDA OKs Pfizer-BioNTech Booster For People 65+ And At High Risk For Severe COVID

September 22, 2021

A third shot of the vaccine can be given at least six months after the two-dose regimen of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to the authorization. A booster rollout could begin this week.

Students With Disabilities Across California Stuck In Limbo

September 22, 2021

Some parents are being forced to decide between risking sending their kids with disabilities to school and getting all their needs met or keeping them at home and forfeiting their special education services.

As Sacramento Opens New Navigation Center For Unhoused People, A New Lawsuit Threatens To Block Other Shelters From Moving Forward

September 22, 2021 | Janelle Salanga

A navigation center on X Street opened Tuesday to welcome homeless people, their pets and partners. It’s one of the shelters the city is hoping can address a growing homelessness crisis. But there’s still some criticism and concern.

Environment

How Indigenous Knowledge Is Changing The Way California Tracks The Effects of Climate Change

September 22, 2021 | Manola Secaira

For a long time, Indigenous knowledge has been ignored in Western science and academia. A recent report challenges this trend, by including tribal perspectives in research on the indicators of climate change.