San Francisco Dyke March

Today hundreds of people gathered for the Dyke March in San Francisco's Dolores Park, an event seen as more political than other Pride events occurring this weekend. Attendees danced, socialized, and celebrated the recent Supreme Court decisions addressing gay rights. Later, non-male identified individuals marched along with “dykes on bikes,” cyclists, and disabled participants riding on a cable car through the Castro. Arielle Zionts has more.

San Francisco Trans March Celebrates 10 Years

San Francisco’s Trans March is kicking off pride weekend with its own celebration tonight. The march is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a new route. The festivities started early today with a brunch for transgender youth and seniors. Tiffany Camhi reports.

As BART Plans to Strike on Monday, Bay Area looks at Alternative Transit Options

Bay area residents will be nervously awaiting word this weekend on the success of negotiations to avert a walkout by the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s two largest unions. The unions gave notice late last night that they will strike at midnight Sunday if there’s no new contract. Other transit operators are making plans to add extra services, but they would at most be able to absorb a fraction of the 400 thousand passengers BART carries every day. Arielle Zionts filed this report:

Some Cities Don't Fly Rainbow Flags

The rainbow flag is flying high over San Francisco City Hall as the city prepares for this weekend's blow out Pride parade -- the largest in the nation. But in other northern California cities, the prospect of raising the rainbow flag caused controversy. Karin Argoud reports from Napa.

Despite Legal Victories, Most Low-Wage Workers Don't Get Unpaid Wages Back

A new study released today on rampant wage theft in California shows that even with legal judgments in their favor, the vast majority of wronged workers don't receive a dime of pay they are owed. Only about 17% of workers that weren't paid what they were owed, and got state authorities to hold their employers accountable, actually get their money. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Governor Brown Signs State Budget

Governor Jerry Brown has signed the new state budget, marking the third year in a row the state has an on-time, balanced budget. The final budget includes some increases for schools and higher education, a phased-in middle class scholarship program, new mental health spending, and the lowest amount of line-item vetoes in several decades… since the last time Brown was governor. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

BART Requests Governor Not to Order Cooling Off Period

In the case that a new contract is not agreed upon between Bay Area Rapid Transit and their unions by the 30th, BART has requested Governor Jerry Brown not to order a 60 day cooling off period. This announcement comes on the heels of a nearly unanimous vote by the unions to authorize a strike if necessary. BART requested, and the unions agree, that citizens will be notified 72 hours in advance of a strike. Arielle Zionts reports:

San Francisco Celebrates Supreme Court Decisions on Prop 8, DOMA

Gay rights advocates gathered at San Francisco's City Hall this morning to await the Supreme Court's historic twin rulings on same-gender marriage. Hundreds of people packed the City Hall Rotunda where same-sex marriage supporters cheered on as they received news of the decisions. Shortly after the announcement Mayor Ed Lee, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and other officials joined the crowd to celebrate. Alex Kekauoha reports from San Francisco.

Gay Marriages Set to Resume in California

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Proposition 8 paves the way for same sex marriages to resume in California, likely by late next month. The court ducked the big issues of equal protection and gay rights, instead crafting a narrow ruling that rejected Prop 8 proponent’s legal standing to defend the marriage ban in court. The ruling leaves in place a lower federal court decision that declared unconstitutional California’s ban on lesbian and gay marriages. Christopher Martinez files this report from San Francisco.

BART Union Workers Authorize Strike

BART union members voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike if they cannot come to a contract agreement with BART officials by Sunday night, when their contract expires. The unions stressed that they are working hard to come to an agreement before Sunday and hope to avoid a strike. Sally Schilling reports.

Lawmakers Approve Juvenile Solitary Confinement Limits

A State Senate committee has approved a measure to put limits on solitary confinement at state and county juvenile correctional facilities. Critics of juvenile solitary confinement call it cruel and unusual punishment that can lead to mental and emotional problems, higher recidivism rates, and even suicide. Christopher Martinez reports from the state capitol.

Domestic Workers Caravan for Bill of Rights

A new bill that would give California's domestic workers basic labor rights like overtime pay and meal breaks is one step closer to becoming law. Tiffany Camhi reports from the State Capitol.

Journalists Remember Michael Hastings' Legacy Amidst Conspiracy Theories

Rumors and conspiracy theories continue to circulate surrounding the death of Michael Hastings, a 33 year-old investigative journalist based in Los Angeles. The FBI’s LA bureau says it was not investigating Hastings before his death, as the award-winning reporter claimed. This comes just days after an anonymous source inside the LAPD said there was no foul play suspected in the fiery car crash that took his life. Today, friends and supporters of the Rolling Stone and Buzzfeed writer remember his legacy. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce has more from Los Angeles.

Native American Environment Role Approved by Committee

An Assembly Committee has approved a measure that would give California’s Native American tribal governments a voice in state environmental reviews that could affect tribal sacred sites or culturally important areas. The measure would allow tribes to weigh in early in the process under the state’s California Environmental Quality Act”, or CEQA. Christopher Martinez reports from the state capitol.

Unions Sue BART Over Labor Negotiations and Saftey Issues

Unions representing Bay Area Rapid Transit workers sued BART managers today, accusing them of refusing to bargain in "good faith" over health and safety issues. The unions' lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court came as employees geared up for a strike authorization vote on Tuesday, as contentious talks heat up ahead of a contract expiration at the end of the month. BART managers say the unions' focus on safety is a "smokescreen" to cover up the real issues of contention: pensions and health care. Arielle Zionts reports from Oakland

Solitary Confinement Protest in Los Angeles

Critics of solitary confinement in California prisons are protesting what they describe as an inhumane practice. The action in downtown LA today hopes to raise awareness of prisoners’ human rights concerns as California inmates prepare to launch another hunger strike. Pacifica's Alex Shapiro has the story.

Panel of Federal Judges Orders California to Reduce Prison Overcrowding

Governor Jerry Brown says he will ask the courts to stay what he calls an "unprecedented order" to release nearly 10,000 prison inmates by year's end. A panel of federal judges has rejected Brown's attempt to circumvent its long-standing order to reduce California's prison population. It's the latest step in an ongoing legal drama over how to improve inmates' medical and mental health care. The judges ordered Brown to expand good-time credits leading to early release as part of a plan to reduce prison crowding. The Governor has already filed notice that he intends to appeal Thursday's order to the U.S. Supreme Court. The federal judges stopped short of citing the Democratic Governor for contempt, but they again threatened to do so if he does not immediately comply with their latest order. Arielle Zionts has more:

Assembly Votes to Preserve Public Records Act

Public access to government records moved forward in the state legislature Thursday, after the Assembly approved a measure preserving California’s “Public Records Act”, and the Senate backed down from threats to let the measure languish without a vote. It’s part of a tug-of-war over California’s sunshine law mandate on local governments, and who should pay for local governments to comply with the law. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Activists March Across Golden Gate Bridge to Protest Keystone Pipeline

Earlier today hundreds of activists rallied and marched across the Golden Gate Bridge to protest the expansion of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The event was organized by National Nurses United, which at 185,000 members, is the largest union and professional organization of nurses in the country. Arielle Zionts reports

10 Arrests in Concession Workers Protest at AT&T Park

Ten demonstrators were arrested last night at a protest in support of AT&T Park concession workers at a San Francisco Giants game. Hundreds of union workers and their supporters gathered for the event. John Hamilton has more.

Controversial Prison Nominee Wins Approval

A State Senate committee has recommended approval of Governor Jerry Brown’s choice to head the state prison system, despite opposition from prison reform groups concerned about prison over-crowding and poor medical care. Christopher Martinez reports from the state capitol.

Environmentalists Decry Gov. Brown's Raiding Carbon Reduction Fund

California lawmakers are applauding the recent passage of the state budget with a projected surplus. But some are now asking, at what cost? Governor Jerry Brown decided to take $500 million from the greenhouse gas reduction fund in California and loan it to the general fund for a year. Brown's move comes in spite of legislation passed last year that money raised by cap and trade of carbon emissions would go to communities that are suffering from poor air quality. Environmentalists say the governor should stand by his calls to combat climate change and not take money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Sally Schilling reports.

Harbor Landlord Takes Security Measures, Escalating Battle With Boat Dwellers

The battle over Pete's Harbor in Redwood City is escalating with boat-dwelling tenants saying their landlord might be guilty of false imprisonment. Pete's harbor was once packed with boats before owner Paula Uccelli evicted tenants in the hopes of selling the property to a developer. But questions over her legal right to do so are stalling the process. Now, with a handful of boaters left fighting to stay, Uccelli has fenced up the property and hired security, which tenants say impedes their ability to come and go at will. Alex Kekauoha reports from Redwood City.

Democrats Seek Lower Vote Threshold for Local Taxes

California voters have lowered the super-majority needed to pass a state budget, allowing a majority budget vote. They’ve also elected a two-thirds supermajority in each house of the legislature. Now legislative Democrats want to amend the State Constitution to let local communities raise their own local taxes with a 55 per cent majority vote, instead of the two-thirds super-majority required now under the state’s Proposition 13. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Marcus Bookstore Fights Potential Eviction

Historic Marcus Bookstore in San Francisco is in danger of closing its doors. The iconic bookstore named in honor of Marcus Garvey has been a center of African-American and progressive literary life in San Francisco. The property was sold at a foreclosure auction in April. Now its supporters are urging the new owners to work out a deal that could keep the bookstore in operation. Saadia Malik reports.

LGBT Flag Flies Over S.F. City Hall

San Francisco mayor Ed Lee helped raise the LGBT pride flag over San Francisco City Hall in the lead up to largest pride parade in the nation. The celebrations come as the country awaits a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 ban on same sex marriage. Adriel Tacqueshel reports.

Prison Fungus Could Lead to Prisoner Transfers

Lawyers representing California prisoners are asking a Federal judge to transfer thousands of inmates from what they describe as “toxic prisons” in the central valley. They made their case in a Federal court in San Francisco, following dozens of deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations at 2 prisons. The deaths and sicknesses are caused by a deadly fungal disease that can cause chest pains, fever, blindness, and even death. The illness has no known cure. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Delta Advocates Sue to Halt State Plan

A statewide coalition of environmental groups announced today they will file a lawsuit against the Delta Stewardship Council over the recently-adopted Bay Delta Conservation Plan. The Delta Stewardship Council is the state agency with charged with oversight of the plan. The legal action asserts the Delta Plan, as adopted, violates several state laws and should be set aside. Governor Jerry Brown’s administration is seeking to fast-track federal approval of the plan to build twin tunnels, thirty-five miles long, under the Delta to export water to central and southern California. The groups contend the plan would have a devastating impact on the ecology and economy of northern California. The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco Superior Court. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Richmond Mulls Eminent Domain to Save Underwater Homes

Richmond city leaders are considering a far reaching plan to help homeowners stuck with underwater loans. City officials say they are contemplating using eminent domain to seize the loans from banks, pay fair market value for them, and help homeowners refinance into affordable loans. Reporter Sharon Sobotta attended a townhall meeting that rolled out the proposal in Richmond this weekend.

Phone App Challenges Malibu Billionaires' Beach Blocking Efforts

A local tech duo is fighting what they call illegal behavior by Malibu billionaires to keep visitors away from public beaches. The partners have released a free phone app that tells visitors where they can access 17 public beach entrances which neighbors have tried to keep private. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce has more from Los Angeles.

BART Calls in State Mediator to Assist in Labor Negotiations

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system has called in a state mediator to assist with labor negotiations before its employees' union contracts run out. Arielle Zionts reports.

Lawmakers Pass State Budget

State lawmakers have passed a budget bill that makes modest restorations in some health and welfare programs, but uses conservative projections to balance the state budget. This marks the 3rd year law-makers have passed an on-time budget, something Democrats say shows the success of reforms like a majority-vote budget process that has ended a de-facto Republican veto power over state spending plans. Christopher Martinez files this report from the state capitol.

Oakland City Workers Vote for Strike Authorizatioin

Oakland city workers have voted to authorize union leaders to call a strike if there's no progress in contract talks. Two city unions want a salary hike and a no concessions contract. The city says it doesn't have enough money to meet the unions' demands. Tiffany Camhi reports.

Innocence Project Urges Governor to Grant Prisoners Clemency

Three attorneys with The California Innocence Project who have been walking for the past 48 days, making their way from San Diego to Sacramento, arrived today at San Quentin State Prison. They stopped at San Quentin to visit one of their clients, Guy Miles, who has been in prison for 13 years for a crime the attorneys say he did not commit. The attorneys' "Innocence March" will end next week at the state capitol in Sacramento, where they will urge Governor Jerry brown to grant clemency to the 12 California prisoners who they say were wrongfully convicted. Sally Schilling reports from San Quentin.

Fracking Bill Falls Short

Moves to regulate the controversial oil drilling technology called “hydraulic fracturing,” or fracking, have run into opposition in the legislature, and the latest measure to regulate fracking has apparently died in an Assembly committee. Fracking has drawn opposition over fears of water contamination from the chemicals used in the process to allow oil extraction from shale deposits. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

The Largest Insurer in the Nation Sued Over Alleged Rx Discrimination Against HIV and AIDS Patients

A lawsuit has been filed against the largest insurance provider in the country over its mail-order prescription drug program for HIV positive patients. United Healthcare is subject to a class action lawsuit, represented by the Los Angeles-based group Consumer Watchdog. The lawsuit seeks to stop United from forcing HIV/AIDS patients to order prescriptions by mail, cutting out local pharmacists. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Mulls Starting Over with Re-alignment Programs

Service providers that work with repeat offenders in Los Angeles County, released from state prison under the AB 109 realignment plan, are fighting for their jobs. Dozens defended their work to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today. Responding to reports that a majority of the low-level offenders released to L.A. County under realignment are not receiving "reentry" services at all, some members of the board are calling for a shake-up in the programs. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Officially Closes

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in between Los Angeles and San Diego is closing down for good. Southern California Edison made the announcement this morning. Environmental activists say it’s a huge victory and an important day for anti-nuclear power causes. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has the story.

California to Investigate Child Protective Agencies After Boy's Death

Los Angeles, Orange, and Sacramento County child protective agencies are scheduled to be targeted for investigation. A state legislative committee approved the request for an audit following the death of an 8-year-old boy. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has more.

Protests Targets Facebook Over Keystone Oil Pipeline

Five climate activists were arrested for protesting at the Facebook Shareholders Meeting in Millbrae. They appose the actions of a Facebook lobbying group FWD.US which has funded ads praising key lawmakers who support immigration reform. Some of the ads, though, highlight the lawmaker's support for the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline and Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Saadia Malik filed this report from outside the Facebook shareholders meeting in Millbrae.

Lawmakers Reach Budget Deal

State lawmakers are poised to vote on a new state budget this week, after a Monday night deal that resolves the last disagreements between Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers. The spending plan largely follows the Governor’s proposal, with a few partial restorations to health and welfare programs that legislative Democrats had wanted. Christopher Martinez reports.

Obama Administration Drops Efforts to Restrict use of Morning After Pill

The Obama Administration says it will reverse course and take steps to comply with a judge's order to allow unrestricted access to emergency contraceptives without a prescription. Advocates for reproductive rights welcomed the decisions. The Obama Administration had sought to maintain age restrictions on access to the morning access pill. Adriel Tacqueshel reports.

Food Truck Compromise Clears S.F. Supervisors Panel

Food trucks looking for hungry customers on San Francisco streets would have to locate at least 75 feet from any restaurant and could only operate in a single spot at most three times a week. That's under an ordinance proposed by San Francisco supervisor Scott Weiner that cleared a key committee. John Hamilton reports.

Urban Farm Occupation Underway in San Francisco

Tree sitters and activists are refusing police orders to vacate the site of the former Hayes Valley Farm in San Francisco. Mark Mericle has more.

Activists Rally at Google Shareholders Meeting

Workers rights activists and groups representing consumers and share-holders gathered at the Mountain View headquarters of Google, Inc. They’re calling on the Silicon Valley tech giant to take more progressive policies on workers and political action. Christopher Martinez reports from Google headquarters.

Compton Elects Aja Brown as Mayor

Early Wednesday morning former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley conceded to his opponent, 31-year-old Aja Brown, a political newcomer and newcomer to the city. Brown won comfortably with 64 percent of the votes, paving the way for an historic and symbolic victory for Compton, a city still struggling with unemployment and diminished services over the past few years. Pacifica's Dan Fritz files this report from Los Angeles.

Federal Government Sued Over Voluntary Departures Program

(KPFK News - Los Angeles) The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the federal government this morning over its voluntary departures program. The group alleges officials pressure undocumented immigrants to sign their rights away before forcing them out of the country. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce has more.

Foreclosure Victims to Receive $1500

More than 200,000 Californians who were victims of wrongful foreclosures will each receive checks for about $1500 this month. The restitution to foreclosure victims is part of the $52 billion National Mortgage Settlement, involving five major banks: Wells Fargo, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Ally Financial and Citigroup. The claims against the home lenders were that the institutions lost refinancing applications and engaged in a practice that is now illegal in California, known as dual tracking. The lenders would consider homeowner applications for refinancing while at the same time proceeding with foreclosing on them. Sally Schilling reports.

State Workers Rally for Contract

The largest union of state employees held a rally at the state capitol Wednesday, the day after negotiators for the State rejected the union’s latest proposals. Thousands of members of Service Employees International Union Local 1000 gathered on the capitol steps to send a message that they’re “all in” to support a new contract with raises and guarantees of no more work furloughs. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

S.F. Security Officers Stage Civil Disobedience

Police arrested about ten Union security officers as they blocked rush hour traffic on San Francisco's Market Street today, in an act of civil disobedience ahead of a planned strike. Members of United Service Workers-West, a local of the labor giant SEIU, have been working without a contract since the end of 2012. David Bacon filed this report from San Francisco.

S.F. Police Officer Charges Racial Profiling in His Arrest

A veteran San Francisco police officer is accusing three other officers of racial profiling after he was pulled over by them. The officers allegedly asked inappropriate questions in a stop that eventually led to a physical confrontation. Adriel Taquechel reports.

Budget Conference Committee Considers Restoring Past Cuts

A Conference Committee is working its way through the state budget, less than 2 weeks before the deadline for a new state budget. The Senate – Assembly committee began the week with discussions on the health and welfare portions of the budget. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Massive Health Rally Opposes State Medi-Cal Cuts

Thousands of health care providers gathered at the State Capitol for what they’re calling “the largest health care rally in state history.” They’re calling on Governor Jerry Brown and lawmakers to restore a billion dollars in looming cuts to Medi-Cal. The cuts to providers in the Medi-Cal system had been on hold because of a law-suit, but a recent court ruling paves the way for cuts the activists say could force lay-offs and reduced care for low-income Californians who rely on Medi-Cal. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Compton Residents Go to the Polls to Elect a New Mayor

Compton residents are at the polls today to decide a new mayor. They're choosing between a former mayor who is awaiting retrial on corruption charges and younger newcomer activist and urban planner pledging to clean up corruption.

Report Reveals Lack of College Readiness for African-American and Latino Students in Silicon Valley

On Wednesday the nonprofit group Innovate Public Schools released the report Broken Promises: The Children Left Behind in Silicon Valley Schools. The report shows the huge disparities between African-Americans and Latinos compared to Whites and Asians when it comes to college readiness. The Innovate organization hopes to present strategies for academic achievement in these communities to ensure every student in the Silicon Valley has the chance to enter college and attain professional success. Irene Rible filed this report from San Jose

SF Pride Hosts Debate on Bradley Manning as Parade Grand Marshall