University Students Rally and Dance Against Budget Cuts

California university students marched, rallied and danced at the State Capitol -- urging lawmakers to refrain from making more cuts to the budgets of the state's university systems. Christopher Martinez filed this report.

Medical Marijuana Operators Oppose Tax Measure

A coalition of medical cannabis operators will oppose the Los Angeles ballot initiative to tax dispensaries. They want the city to fix its troubled medical marijuana ordinance and stop punishing the good operators.

Civil Rights Groups Sue F.B.I. for Surveillance of Socal Moslems

The ACLU and the Council on American Islamic Relations announced today that they have filed suit against the FBI for indiscriminate surveillance of Muslims in Southern California. The lawsuit was filed in a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles and names the FBI and seven of its agents and supervisors.
It says former FBI informant Craig Monteilh was ordered by his supervisors to target Muslims, violating their First Amendment right to freedom of religion.
The filing seeks class-action status, unspecified damages and a court order instructing the agency to destroy or return the information that Monteilh collected. Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce has more from Los Angeles.

Homeowners Rally Against Foreclosures

A group of local homeowners staged a rally outside a Wells Fargo bank branch in downtown Los Angeles this morning. They’re demanding that the bank participate in a statewide program called Keep Your Home California, which offers mortgage assistance through the California Housing Finance Agency. The program’s aim is to help struggling, unemployed homeowners avoid foreclosure. Organizers of today’s rally say Wells Fargo and other major banks have not committed to the program. Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce has more from Los Angeles.

Jerry Brown Makes Unprecedented Visit to Budget Committee

Governor Jerry Brown spent almost an hour in an unprecedented appearance at a Budget Committee hearing at the State Capitol. A joint Senate-Assembly conference committee is meeting to hash out a budget bill by March 10th. Governor Brown showed up to pitch his proposal and to urge lawmakers to put a tax extension package on the ballot for a June special election. Christopher Martinez filed this report from Sacramento.

State Democrats and Republicans Duel Over Taxes

Republican legislators have formed a new caucus vowing to oppose any tax hikes -- and to block Governor Jerry Brown's plan to put tax extensions on the ballot in June. Meanwhile, a Democratic lawmaker is introducing a measure to hike taxes on the wealthiest Californians to preserve education and safety-net health and welfare programs. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Obama Administration Says Defense of Marriage Act is Unconstitutional

In a dramatic policy shift, the Obama Administration says it will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 federal law that bars the recognition of same sex marriage. John Morin reports.

Attorneys Ask Court to Allow Gay Marriage While Legal Battle Continues

Lawyers with the American Foundation for Equal Rights have filed a new petition with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to lift the injunction against gay marriage while the federal court decides the fate of Proposition 8. Pacifica’s Dan Fritz reports.

New Report Denies Conspiracy in Killing of Journalist Ruben Salazar

The Los Angeles Office of Independent Review says there is no evidence that revered Chicano journalist Ruben Salazar was targeted for assassination by the Sheriff’s Department in 1970. Lead attorney Michael Gennaco says his office poured over thousands of documents over the past six months but found no conclusive evidence that Salazar was framed or murdered.
The report did acknowledge, however, that deputies on the scene used poor tactics and made mistakes that led to Salazar’s death. The review was requested by Supervisor Gloria Molina last August after new questions arose from an LA Times article on the 40th anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium and its tragic aftermath.
Activists who attended the press conference say they’re not satisfied with the review. They say the community many never know what really happened on August 29, 1970. Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

California Lawmaker Urges Limits on Chromium 6 in Drinking Water

California could become the first state in the nation to set standards for hexavalent chromium contamination in drinking water. San Jose Assemblymember Nora Campos has introduced legislation to set limits on a substance sometimes called the "Erin Brokovich chemical" after the investigator whose fight over the chemical was made into a movie starring Julia Roberts. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.
(pls note this correction to the audio: Brokovich was an investigator, not a lawyer)

Ahead of a joint congressional transportation committee hearing in Los Angeles tomorrow, members of the Bus Riders Union held their own “People’s Field Hearing.”
The federal hearing will feature public officials giving their recommendations on how the next Federal Transportation Act, possibly worth half a trillion dollars, should allocate those funds. No public comment will be taken at the hearing tomorrow. Members of the Bus Riders made their voices heard today. Pacifica’s Dan Fritz filed this report from Los Angeles.

California Democratic Lawmakers Press Forward with Budget Plans

The struggle to close California's massive budget gap is moving into a new phase. A budget conference committee is getting ready to reconcile the slightly different versions of the state budget approved by the State Senate and Assembly. Democrats will have a tougher battle to persuade Republican lawmakers to allow a June ballot measure extending temporary taxes. Christopher Martinez reports.

Central Valley Farmers Warn Industrial Agriculture Is Not Sustainable

California's Central Valley gave birth to industrial-style agriculture. But some farmers are rethinking that approach. Vic Bedoian reports on a conference focused on ways to develop sustainable agriculture that can preserve the environment while feeding the world.

State Senate Budget Committee Restores Some Proposed Funding Cuts

The California State Senate committee making its way through Governor Jerry Brown's proposed budget cuts has put back some money into services for people with developmental disabilities. Brown proposed a whopping 750 million dollar cut. The Sacramento Bee reports that the State Senate Budget Committee reduced the hit to the Department of Developmental Services to 476 million dollars.Brian Edwards-Tiekert attended the committee hearing and filed this report.

ACLU Report Documents Immigration Enforcement Costs

A new report from the American Civil Liberties Union says police and sheriff departments are spending local tax dollars to enforce federal immigration laws across California. Pacifica’s Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Paleteros Warned Against Selling Near Schools

An immigrant rights group has launched a campaign to educate ice cream vendors in Los Angeles about a little known city ordinance. CHIRLA says the push cart sellers,known as paleteros, have lodged complaints about increasing run-ins with police.
Many of the paleteros weren’t familiar with a city law that prohibits sales of any kind within 500 feet of a school between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ernesto Arce reports from Los Angeles.

Congressional Budget Cuts Are Double Whammy for California

California faces a double whammy. Governor Jerry Brown is proposing devastating state budget cuts and reductions favored by Congressional Republicans could also have a harsh impact. Tina Bachemin reports.

Democratic State Senators Offer Regulatory Reform

The Democratic State Senate leader is offering regulatory reform. It's a sweetener aimed at attracting business and Republican support for a ballot measure that would extend temporary taxes as part of a deal to close the state's yawning budget deficit. Brian Edwards-Tiekert reports.

ACLU Says V.A. Misusing Land Meant to House Homeless Veterans

The American Civil Liberties Union has called for an investigation into the federal Department of Veterans Affairs management of land in its West Los Angeles campus.
The ACLU claims the VA is violating the terms of its deed in leasing portions of the land for third-party uses that do not benefit veterans, including private tennis courts and theaters. Pacifica’s Dan Fritz filed this report from Los Angeles.

Landmark Ruling Against Chevron Pollution in Amazon

A court in Ecuador's Amazon has ordered Chevron to pay 8.6 billion dollars in damages for pollution caused in the headwaters of the Amazon. Indigenous groups which filed suit said while they welcomed the award, it fell short of what they'd hoped for. John Hamilton has the story.

Oakland Teachers Protest Banks

Oakland School teachers said today they're not impressed by charitable contributions by Wells Fargo and Bank of America. They said the government should bail out schools and not banks. Mark Mericle has the story.

Thousands of L.A. Teachers To Receive Layoff Notices

The Los Angeles School District -- the second largest in the nation -- has voted to send layoff warning notices to more than seven thousand workers, including four thousand teachers. The School Board vote was 5-2. The exact number of layoffs won't be determined until an expected June vote on Governor Jerry Brown's plan to extend several temporary taxes. The number will also be affected by the outcome of negotiations between the LAUSD and teachers over furloughs and health care costs. Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Immigrant Rights Activists Face Los Angeles Jail Terms

Labor, student and grassroots community groups gathered outside of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s downtown office this morning to demand that political protestors not be jailed for their nonviolent civil disobedience. Last year, a coalition of students and community groups held civil disobedience rallies to call for passage of the federal Dream Act on behalf of undocumented students. The actions also opposed an anti-immigrant Arizona bill and urged an end to federal immigration raids. Last month, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich filed criminal charges against several activists for blocking traffic for up to five hours. They face up to a year in jail.Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

Housing Rights Activists Denounce Proposed Federal Cuts

Housing rights activists warned that President Obama's proposed budget cuts for a variety of federal housing programs could put families out on the streets. John Hamilton reports.

Valentine's Day Protest for Same Sex Marriage

Same sex marriage proponents protested across the country on Valentine's Day. Some of them committed civil disobedience after they were denied marriage licenses. John Hamilton has the story.

Arizona Appeals Order to Reinstate Benefits for State Workers' Domestic Partners

The state of Arizona today argued its case in favor of denying benefits to domestic partners of gay and lesbian state workers. Arizona cut off benefits to the same sex partners of state employees in 2009, citing budget problems. The San Francisco based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case. Cameron Jones reports.

Report Details Vision for Future of State Parks

The California State Parks Foundation and the Save the Redwoods League have issued a call to action in a detailed report they say provides a statewide vision for the future of California state parks. Misha Cornelius reports.

California Lawmaker Wants Local Voters to Decide on Increasing Vehicle License Fee

San Francisco State Senator Mark Leno wants to allow local California voters at the county level to decide whether to restore the vehicle license fee to pay for critical programs otherwise facing the budget ax. One of former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's first actions after taking office following the recall of Democrat Gray Davis was to roll back the license fee. Mark Mericle reports.

KPFA Host Fined for Campaign Violation

In the small Sonoma County city of Cotati, the Fair Political Practices Commission has leveled a total of nearly $37,000 in fines in a campaign finance scandal. The FPPC fined six people, including a former Cotati City Councilmember and a volunteer host of KPFA's new 8 a.m. "Morning Mix" program which replaced KPFA's popular Morning Show whose hosts were laid off by Pacifica's Executive Director. John Han reports.

KPFA Host Fined for Campaign Violation

In the small Sonoma County city of Cotati, the Fair Political Practices Commission has leveled a total of nearly $37,000 in fines in a campaign finance scandal. The FPPC fined six people, including a former Cotati City Councilmember and a volunteer host of KPFA's new 8 a.m. "Morning Mix" program which replaced KPFA's popular Morning Show whose hosts were laid off by Pacifica's Executive Director. John Han reports.

Haiti Issues Passport to Ousted President Aristide

Haiti has issued a diplomatic passport to former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, opening the door for him to return after seven years in exile. The U.S. government did not block the recent return of former dictator Baby Doc Duvalier, but continues to say that Aristide should not come home. Judith Scherr reports.

L.A. Push Cart Vendors Protest Law Enforcement Crackdown

After years of increasingly severe crackdowns, push cart vendors in the area of MacArthur Park are organizing a collective to fight for their right to sell in the Westlake neighborhood. Yesterday, a few dozen vendors held a rally to say they’re fed up with the near daily sweeps by three different law enforcement agencies: the LAPD, the LA County Sheriff’s Department and the CHP, California Highway Patrol.
Their actions come after an undercover Sheriff’s operation on Tuesday led to a violent confrontation that was caught on a cell phone camera. In the photo, a youth who was cited for selling pirate DVDs was wrestled to the ground. The Sheriff Department says its looking into the incident. Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

S.F. Businesses and Workers Support Nation's First Paid Sick Leave Law

A report on the impact of San Francisco's paid sick leave ordinance says businesses and workers generally support the nation's first legislation requiring paid sick days. Tina Bachemin reports.

Reproductive Rights Activists Stage Call-In for Choice

A national reproductive health provider is mobilizing its supporters across the country to defend its Title X funds. Republican-controlled Congress unveiled a plan today to cut the entire $327 million program which clinics like Planned Parenthood rely on to provide its services. Title X offers free or low-cost reproductive and general healthcare to 1.7 million youth and adults.
Conservative lawmakers say taxpayer money is funneled into abortion services but reproductive health advocates say the funds go towards critical healthcare for low-come people across the country. This morning, Planned Parenthood held a phone banking session at its downtown Los Angeles headquarters to defend reproductive rights.
Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Protest Opposes Developmental Disability Service Cuts

Disability rights activists are calling on Governor Jerry Brown not to go through with an almost 1 billion dollar cut to disability services.The cuts would build on a half a billion dollar cut already imposed. Advocates say the cuts could lead to institutionalization for many people with disabilities currently living independently.
Dan Fritz filed this report from Los Angeles.

Homeless Families At Risk of Further Cuts

President Obama is preparing to release his federal budget for the fiscal year that begins in October. Advocates warn that the cuts in federal housing dollars will lead to putting more families out on the streets. Glenn Reeder has more.

No Charges Against Police Who Killed Oakland Barber

The Alameda County District Attorney has declined to bring charges against two Oakland police officers involved in the fatal shooting of an Oakland barber. John Hamilton reports.

Judge Visits Death Chamber at San Quentin

The legal case challenging California's lethal injection executions moved into a new phase, with a federal judge visiting the new execution chamber at San Quentin Prison. Prison officials built a new death chamber after the judge cited problems with the old one. While Judge Jeremy Fogel inspected the the death chamber, disability rights advocates protested outside the gates about state spending priorities. Christopher Martinez filed this report.

Jewish Peace Group Supports Moslem Students at UC Irvine

A national Jewish peace group says its members should face the same criminal charges as Muslims who disrupted a speech by the Israeli ambassador at a Southern California university last year. The Orange County District Attorney’s office charged 11 Muslim student protesters with conspiracy to disrupt the diplomat’s speech on the UC Irvine campus. The Jewish Voice for Peace says it will deliver 5,000 petitions to the prosecutor admitting that its members also committed the alleged crime. The peace group is asking the DA to drop the charges of conspiracy to disrupt an event. It's also condemning the prosecution of the Muslim students. Pacifica’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

ACLU Witnesses Deputies Beating Inmate at Los Angeles Jail

Los Angeles County Sheriff authorities have launched an internal investigation into allegations that two sheriff’s deputies beat and tazed an unconscious inmate at the downtown Twin Towers Correctional Facility. An American Civil Liberties Union monitor who witnessed the violence gave a sworn statement to federal authorities this week, saying the deputies beat inmate James Parker for two minutes. Pacifica’s Dan Fritz reports.

Congresswoman Jane Harman Announces Resignation

Los Angeles Area Congresswoman Jane Harman has announced she'll resign her Congressional seat to become head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Harman is a Blue Dog Democrat. Her resignation may clear the way for a more liberal Democrat to take her place representing the solidly Democratic district. More from Mark Mericle.

Governor Brown Wants to Eliminate Enterprise Zones

California lawmakers are considering billions of dollars of cuts to safety net health and welfare programs. At the same time, they're looking at tax expenditures some call a boon for large corporations. Christopher Martinez reports on Governor Jerry Brown's call for an end to tax breaks for businesses in enterprise zones.

AOL To Buy Huffington Post

Media giant AOL has announced it will buy the popular internet news site the Huffington Post for 315 million dollars. John Hamilton reports.

Superior Court Tentative Ruling Against Cap and Trade

A San Francisco Superior Court judge has issued a tentative ruling against parts of California's cap and trade plan to reduce global warming. The challenge came from an environmental justice group which said aspects of the plan could increase pollution in some hard hit areas with harmful effects on the health of low income and minority communities. Misha Cornelius reports.

Protesters Demand Safety for Migrants Traveling Through Mexico

Central American migrants crossing through Mexico risk rape, theft, abduction and even death. A protest at the Mexican consulate in San Francisco called on Mexican authorities to intervene to protect the migrants. Mark Mericle has more.

P.U.C. Orders PG&E To Decrease Gas Pipeline Pressure

The California Public Utilities Commission has ordered PG&E to lower the operating pressure on certain gas transmission pipelines following an investigation that found the utility exceeded allowable pressure limits -- increasing the risk of explosion. Mark Mericle reports.

Sports Benefits Touted for Low Income Girls

Girls in low income neighborhoods and communities of color have the fewest opportunities to participate in sports. New funding has been obtained for Oakland girls. Sabrina Jacobs reports.

U.S. Attorney Warns Oakland Against Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance

The city of Oakland is considering a new proposal to license medical marijuana farms, while the U.S. attorney's office has sent a letter warning that any city medical marijuana farm ordinance breaks federal law. Tina Bachemin reports.

Lawmakers Urged Not to Cut Service to Developmentally Disabled

California's budget crisis remains front and center at the State Capitol, where budget committees held a series of standing room only hearings on Governor Jerry Brown's plans to cut twelve and a half billion dollars from the state budget. Different committees held hearings on proposed cuts to prisons, home care for the aged and disabled and services for people with developmental disabilities. Christopher Martinez reports.

L.A. To Vote on Pensions, Marijuana and Oil Severance Taxes

Efforts to mobilize voters for the March 8 local election have begun across Los Angeles. Seven council members are up for re-election, but mostly against under-funded opponents. 10 charter amendments and propositions are on the ballot. Most of them are designed to help patch the city’s $350 million dollar projected deficit. Pacifica’s Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Tenants Affected by Foreclosure Crisis

California tenants are suffering in large numbers from the foreclosure crisis. A new report says more than 200 thousand tenants were forced from their homes when their landlords went into foreclosure. John Hamilton reports.

State Lawmakers Unveil Green Technology Bills

State Democratic lawmakers have unveiled a package of bills they say they will create jobs and address climate change. Democratic leaders are hoping for speedy action on the measures they say will create jobs in the long term and maintain a key role for California in green technology. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Los Angeles Stadium Plan Moves Forward

The Los Angeles City Council has moved forward with a process to negotiate with a private developer to build a new NFL stadium at the downtown Convention Center. Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Blue Shield Delays Rate Hike

Blue Shield of California says it will delay new rate hikes for individual policyholders by 60 days. The health insurer had at first declined to suspend its rate hike despite a request from the state's new insurance commissioner. The rate hike would boost rates for some consumers by 59% over last fall's rates. John Hamilton reports.

L.A. Bus Riders Union Opposes More Service Cuts

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Agency has begun a series of public meetings ahead of passing proposed bus line cuts this year.
The cuts are opposed by members of the Bus Rider's Union, who along with other community groups, are calling for Metro not to impose further cuts while funding from sales tax revenue is on the rise. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports.

Supporters Say Adult Day Care Saves Lives and Dollars

Dozens of seniors, people with disabilities and advocates rallied in Sacramento to oppose cuts to a health care program aimed at keeping people out of nursing homes. 300 adult day health care programs provide services to more than 30,000 Californians, including health, nutrition and other services. The programs are funded by 135 million dollars in state money and an equal match from the federal government. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Firefighters Urge End to Toxic Flame Retardants

California has a one of a kind law requiring fire retardant chemicals in furniture, upholstery and pillows. But the chemicals may be creating health and environmental damage, without any effect on stopping fires. Christopher Martinez reports.