Local Walmart Workers Join National Ride For Respect.

Dozens of Southern California workers walked off the job to protest Walmart’s retaliation against workers who speak out against work conditions. The group left Pico Rivera yesterday and headed to Walmart headquarters in Arkansas for a “Ride for Respect.” Organizers say the week-long, nationwide caravan is in the spirit of the civil rights movement. KPFK’s Alex Shapiro has the story.

Opposing Groups Clash Over Parent Trigger Law in South LA

A debate over the parent trigger law has erupted after a petition gathering effort at Weigand Elementary School in Los Angeles. Some parents are claiming that they were coerced into signing the petition. KPFK's Jasmine Broderick has the story.

Activist Proposes Sanctuary Camp for Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz documentary filmmaker Brent Adams is starting a campaign to create an organized, self-regulated homeless community called a sanctuary camp. Sanctuary camps are cropping up all over the country and are proving to be a successful model for providing homeless people with a safe place to sleep so they can begin to rebuild their lives. Irene Rible files this report from Santa Cruz.

Health Activists Oppose Nursing Care Cuts

East Bay health care providers are calling on state lawmakers to halt payment cuts they say could devastate nursing care units across the state. They’re supporting a measure that would stop the state from slashing payments to Med-Cal providers, including hospital-based skilled nursing facilities. Christopher Martinez reports from San Leandro.

Delta Tunnel Plan Finances Examined by Critics

Governor Jerry Brown’s latest price tag for the proposed peripheral tunnel is up $24.5 billion. The cost estimate for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan was released Wednesday was up by a billion dollars just since a February estimate. That estimate is for construction and restoration and does not include the interest on bonds needed for financing the project. The administration says that two-thirds of the bill will be paid for by water users and the rest by the public through a bond measure to be on the 2014 ballot. A panel of experts who are critical of the BDCP estimates weighed in last week. They contend the project won’t achieve the stated goals of providing reliable water or restoring Delta ecology, while urban residents will be stuck paying higher bills. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Alameda County Officials Warn Against Cuts to Health Safety Net

California Governor Jerry Brown plans to cut funding counties use to take of the indigent and uninsured. Brown cites expansion of the state’s Medi-Cal program under the federal Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare. But health officials say millions of Californians will remain uninsured and dependent on county safety net programs. Saadia Malik reports.

Activists Prepare Chevron Protests

Environmental Justice activists are preparing for a protest outside of the headquarters of the Chevron in the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of San Ramon. Shareholders the the country's second largest oil company hold their annual meeting tomorrow. Adriel Tacquechel filed this report.

Salmon Groups Call for Tougher Pesticide Regulation

Advocates for the fishing industry are calling for tougher regulation of two widely-used pesticides in California. Last week the Golden Gate Salmon Association and the Pacific Coast Fishermen’s Association submitted comments to the Central Valley Water Board, as it considers expanding oversight of pesticide runoff into the region’s waterways. The Pacifica Coast fishing industry has long been concerned that pesticide-contaminated streams harm salmon, and impacts their livelihood. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

LGBT Rights Bill Wins Historic Majority Vote

The California Legislature has passed a measure to strip tax exemption from youth groups that discriminate against gays and lesbians. The measure passed with a 2/3rds majority, giving lesbian and gay activists a victory they’re hailing as an historic milestone. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Senate Passes Gun Violence Bills

The State Senate has passed a package of bills aimed at reducing gun violence. The 7 measures are aimed at closing loop-holes in regulations banning assault weapons, and regulating ammunition sales and hi-capacity magazines. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Bolts Keep Bay Bridge Timeline Uncertain

The new eastern span of the Bay Bridge was projected to open on Labor Day, but after a series of setbacks that have required retrofitting and further review, officials say the opening date is still up in the air. The project to create a seismically sound replacement for the eastern span of the Bay Bridge has been delayed by failed bolts and more recently by a welding mistake in the bridge's bike path railing. The Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee told transit officials that it is still figuring out how long it will take to replace the failed bolts and to conduct testing on the rest of the bridge's bolts. Sally Schilling reports from Oakland.

AAPI Ready for Day of Action in Support of Family Unity in Immigration Reform Legislation

Asian American and Pacific Islander advocacy groups have announced a planned Day of Action in Washington to call on lawmakers to put families first in immigration reform legislation. In Los Angeles, members of the Korean American community are preparing for the June 5th action with fundraisers and a clear message: expand the family visa program to bring together adult children and siblings. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

BART Bicycles

Sally Schilling Reports.

Republican Andy Vidak Takes Valley Senate Seat

Republican Andy Vidak defeated Democrat Leticia Perez in a special election held in California’s 16th State Senate District. Vikak won seat outright by a decisive ten-point margin with 52 percent of the vote to Perez’ 42 percent. The election was held to fill the seat held by Democrat Michael Rubio, who recently resigned for a job in the private sector. The term runs until the next general election in 2014, but Vidak’s decisive victory could have implications for the political future of the southern San Joaquin Valley. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Scientists Issue Climate Call-To-Action

Governor Jerry Brown has joined with researchers and climate scientists to issue a “call to action” on climate change. More than 500 scientists have signed on to a consensus statement created at Brown’s urging, in the hopes of spurring action on what Brown calls global threats to all humanity. Christopher Martinez reports.

LA Officials Reconsider Leimert Park Metro Station

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has joined County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in speaking out in support of a metro station in what is considered the center of black culture in Los Angeles. The City Council voted to pledge $40 million in Measure R funds towards the Leimert Park stop in the Crenshaw district. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has the story.

Disability Activists Rally for Capitol Action

Several thousand disabled activists gathered at the State Capitol for the 10th Annual Disability Capitol Action Day. The event has become a cornerstone of legislative activism for the disability community, as well as a showplace for service programs, a celebration of diversity, and one of the largest cross-disability events in the nation. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

U.C. Hospital Workers on Strike Gain Support From State Lawmaker

University of California medical workers took to the picket lines today for the second day of their strike. In San Francisco, A.F.S.C.M.E. union workers rallied outside the U.C.S.F. Parnassus Medical Center where S.E.I.U. union members joined in solidarity. Workers also garnered the support of state Senator Leland Yee. Yee, who previously pushed legislation to reduce costly salaries for U.C. executives, assured workers that the state legislature supports their cause. Alex Kekauoha reports from San Francisco.

Rally Urges GAP to Adopt Garment Safety Standards

International labor rights activists rallied outside the headquarters of the Gap in San Francisco while shareholders met inside. The rally urged the GAP to adopt international safety standards in the wake of the deaths of hundreds of garment workers in Bangladesh. Adriel Tacquechel reports.

Health Care Workers Strike UC Medical Centers

Nearly 13,000 health care workers at University of California hospitals around the state walked out on the first day of a two-day strike. Vocational nurses, respiratory therapists and radiology technologists say they've been unsuccessful in addressing at the bargaining table what they called chronic understaffing and reckless cost-cutting. Saadia Malik reports.

City College Activists Fight for Quality Public Education at CCSF and in Chicago

A coalition of community activists rallied outside City College of San Francisco’s Mission campus on Monday, offering their solidarity to Chicagoans fighting school closures, even as they press for the restoration of classes and staffing levels at CCSF. John Hamilton reports from San Francisco's Mission District.

Immigrants Rally for Rights at Capitol

Immigrant rights activists from across California gathered at the state capitol for the annual “Immigrant Day.” They’re flexing their power after an election season that saw a big bump in the Latino vote, and a new awareness from politicians who see a rising Latino and immigrant voting power. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

LAUSD Bans Suspensions for 'Willful Defiance'

The Los Angeles Unified School Board voted to ban the suspension of students for willful defiance. LAUSD has become the first school district in the state to take this controversial stance. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has the story.

Assembly Approves Limits on Deportation Program

The State Assembly has approved a measure that would limit local police cooperation with the federal “Secure Communities” deportation program. It’s a second try for San Francisco democrat Tom Ammiano’s “Trust Act”, after an earlier version was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

University of California Health Care Workers Prepare For Strike

University of California health care workers across the state marched outside U.C. medical facilities today, accusing the U.C. system of undercutting wages and retirement plans while executives receive exorbitant raises. Today's actions came as workers prepared to strike next week and coincided with a U.C. Regents meeting in Sacramento, where thirteen students and workers were arrested while protesting. Alex Kekauoha reports from San Francisco.

Health Activists Oppose Cuts to County Health Programs

More than a thousand health care activists rallied at the state capitol Wednesday, calling on Governor Jerry Brown to protect health care safety net programs. The action comes the day after Brown released a budget plan that would shift 300 million dollars from county health care to the state as the new federal health care act kicks in. Counties, health care and civil rights advocates fear that could jeopardize public health programs and services for the 3 to 4 million Californians who will remain uninsured. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Brown's Budget Pleases Republicans, Disappoints Poor

Governor Jerry Brown has released the final version of his budget plan, the so-called “May Revise.” Brown boasts that the budget is balanced and fiscally responsible, but some critics say it leaves massive holes in essential services by under-funding health and human service programs. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Father Sues Vallejo Police for Fatal Shooting of Teenager

A federal lawsuit charges Vallejo police officers methodically carried out an "extrajudicial" killing of a teenage boy as he begged them not to shoot. The suit charges 17 year old Jared Huey had his hands in the air and was yelling "Don’t Shoot!" and "No! No!" in the moments before two officers fired 10 to 20 bullets at him as he hid behind a backyard fence. Jared's father, Michael Huey, is seeking unspecified damages for excessive force, wrongful death and other charges. Huey was shot after a police chase following a convenience store robbery. Karin Argoud reports.

Formerly Incarcerated Activists Lobby for Rights

Prisoners’ rights advocates from across the state gathered at the State Capitol to rally for what they call a “Formerly Incarcerated People’s Quest for Democracy.” They visited lawmakers and briefed legislative staff on issues ranging from solitary confinement of juveniles to voting rights for former inmates. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Advocacy Group Promotes Progressive School Policy for Men of Color. A statewide organization which advocates on behalf of boys and men of color held a briefing in Los Angeles this morning. The group addressed harsh school discipline measures and came up with new policy ideas it describes as a more common sense approach. Pacifica’s Alex Shapiro has the story.

LA Coalition Rallies Around Campaign Finance Reform

A group of community organizations marched in support of Proposition C, a nonbinding resolution for campaign finance reform. The measure will be brought before voters in Los Angeles on May 21. KPFK Reporter Jasmine Broderick has more.

LA Home Affordability Drops

A new report by the California Association of Realtors shows that the number of families able to afford their own home has again decreased. Activist groups, meanwhile, continue to push for home ownership saying it plays a critical role in healthy communities. KPFK's Michael McTernan has more.

Michael Rubio's State Senate Seat Up for Grabs

Democratic State Senator Michael Rubio was a rising star in the Legislature, poised to lead an effort to change the California Environmental Quality Act, when he unexpectedly resigned to work for Chevron. A special election will be held on May 21st for a temporary replacement for his southern San Joaquin Valley seat. It’s a largely agricultural district bounded by Fresno in the north and Bakersfield to the south. The Democratic Party has to win the seat in order to maintain its legislative supermajority. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Berkeley Medical Marijuana Shop Faces Federal Seizure

Federal authorities are trying to seize the property of one of the longest operating medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. The Berkeley Patients Group is fighting back, with support from its patients and city officials. Alex Kekauoha reports from Berkeley.

Supervisor Modifies Plan To Rename SFO After Gay Icon Harvey Milk

San Francisco Supervisor David Campos has backed away from his proposal to rename San Francisco International Airport after gay rights icon and former San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk. Campos is now proposing naming an airport terminal after Milk. That idea is not likely to face the same opposition the original proposal unexpectedly encountered. Sally Schilling reports.

Report Recommends Changing Oakland Police Investigations

Oakland Police barely investigated burglaries last year, according to a report the city commissioned to create a plan for better policing. The Bratton Group has released its first findings and recommendations on how to reduce burglaries, robberies, shootings and homicides in Oakland. Christopher Martinez reports from Oakland.

Villaraigosa Asks Union To Give Back Scheduled Pay Raise

Los Angeles city worker unions showed up to City Hall this morning to protest Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s budget proposal. The Mayor wants the city to hold off on scheduled pay raises for the next three years. The union coalition countered saying it’s been taking a hit for years and wants its due. KPFK’s Alex Shapiro has more.

Officials Say Applying for CalFresh Won't Affect Immigration Status

A community forum was held in East LA to address eligibility for the state CalFresh program. It aimed to clarify misinformation that applying for the program could have a negative impact on an applicant’s immigration status. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has more.

Parents "Stand for Children" at State Capitol

Working parents are calling on the legislature to restore past cuts to the state’s child care system. They’re building on optimism from President Barak Obama’s recent “pre-school for all” proposal and signs of an improving state budget. Almost 700 parents, early childhood educators and their allies rallied on the steps of the state capitol to call for state action. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Short-term Solution Preserves Firefighter Levels in Los Angeles

With a unanimous vote of the Los Angeles City Council, more than one and a half million dollars will go towards firefighter overtime in order to avoid the city's fire chief's plan of pulling firefighters from fire trucks to ambulances. The fire chief is under pressure to reduce response times on emergency medical calls. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Mental Health Proposal Aims at Cutting Overcrowding

State Senate leader Darrel Steinberg has unveiled a plan to increase mental health crisis programs. He’s touting it as a way to ease prison and jail over-crowding, in the wake of the Governor’s recent court-ordered prison population plan. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Assembly Member Hernandez Calls for Fair Distribution of Measure B Funds

A San Gabriel Valley state assembly member is calling on LA County officials to fairly distribute funds raised through the passage of a property tax measure back in 2002. KPFK's Alex Shapiro has more.

State Files Prison Plan Under Protest

Governor Jerry Brown has filed a plan to reduce prison over-crowding, submitting the plan under protest minutes before a midnight deadline. The Brown Administration wants to end federal court orders to reduce over-crowding. Prisoner rights activists are blasting Brown’s plan as a return to failed policies of expanding prisons instead of reforming criminal sentencing laws. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

U.C. Medical Workers Hold Strike Vote

After a Ten Month Contract Dispute, AFSCME 3299 says 13,000 patient care technical workers at the University of California are holding a strike vote. The union represents a total of more than 22,000 service and patient care technical workers at the University of California’s 10 campuses and five medical centers. Karin Argoud reports

Officials Want Flame Retardants Out of Insulation

Foam insulation is the latest target of critics concerned about cancer causing chemicals in flame retardants. Berkeley Assembly member Nancy Skinner has proposed legislation that would update California building standards by regulating the types of chemicals that can be in insulation. Adriel Taquechel reports.

'Save Wyverwood' Marches to City Hall to Stop Demolition of Community

A few hundred protestors marched from Boyle Heights to City Hall in a last ditch effort to save the largest housing complex in Los Angeles. The contingent arrived at City Hall where they summoned Council member Jose Huizar who pledged his support for their cause. Although Wyvernwood activists say they’re making inroads in their quest to stop demolition of the 69-acre complex, others say plans for a $2 billion luxury condo and commercial center is a done deal. Pacifica’s KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report.

May Day Rallies Focus on Gang of Eight Immigration Proposal

Thousands of activists took to the streets of Southern California to commemorate International Workers Day. The main call this year is for comprehensive immigration reform, a version which was recently presented to Congress. In downtown LA, several thousand people marched through the heart of the city calling for an end to the separation of families and a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented workers residing in the country. KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report from LA.

Rescuers Still Looking For Help with Sea Lion Pup Beachings

Environmentalists and marine mammal experts are keeping the call for help going to save the lives of hundreds of sea lion pups that have beached themselves on the California coast in recent months. Although the rate of beaching has declined recently, caregivers are still rehabilitating many ill pups. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Immigrants Demand Rights at Oakland May Day

More than 200 people from various immigrant rights groups gathered at Fruitvale Plaza in Oakland demanding rights for all immigrant workers. They criticized Washington's proposals for reforms for not including domestic and farm workers' rights. Sally Schilling reports.

Lawmakers Approve Immigrant Worker Protection

A bill to protect immigrant workers from workplace retaliation has won approval from an Assembly committee. It marks the second day in a row state lawmakers have approved legislation to protect workers from being coerced into silence by threats they’ll be reported to immigration authorities. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Listing of Immigrants Rights Actions on May Day

May Day events focusing on immigrants rights are happening throughout Northern and Central California. Here's a listing of major actions: • San Jose 3pm: Rally at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (2020 E. San Antonio St) 4pm: March to City Hall • Oakland 3pm: March from Fruitvale Bart Plaza to Josie del la Cruz Park • San Francisco 3pm: March beginning at 24th & Mission with a 5 pm rally at Civic Center • Santa Rosa 4:30pm: March from 665 Sebastopol Rd. (near Dutton Ave.) to Julliard Park • Fresno 4pm-7pm: March & Rights Fair at Fresno Co. Superior Court 1100 Van Ness Ave. Also in Oakland tonight, organizers of a campaign to raise the minimum wage in Oakland to $15 dollars an hour plan to kick off their efforts with a 6 pm May Day march through downtown. They'll gather at 14th and Broadway at 5.