Airport Workers Strike in Oakland

On the heels of a one-day strike by fast food workers across the country and in ten Bay Area cities, some 180 Oakland Airport workers hit the picket lines Friday. Members of Unite HERE Local 2850 called the 1-day unfair labor practices strike after a year of unsuccessful labor talks. The union says managers want to cut pay for new hires that is already as low as $9.75 an hour, as well as eliminating pensions and paid meal breaks. Other management proposals include drastically reducing vacation and sick days, and making workers pay as much as $600 dollars a month for health benefits. Christopher Martinez reports from Oakland.

Los Angeles Fast Food Workers Strike for Better Wages

Fast food workers in Los Angeles joined thousands of their counterparts in a national day of action for better wages. Organizers of the walkout say the average worker can’t survive on a yearly salary of $11,000. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

A Public Bike Sharing Program Launches in the Bay Area

Today five cities in the Bay Area celebrated the launch of Bay Area Bike Share, California's first public bike sharing program and one of the first in the nation to bring shared bikes to commuters on a regional, multi-city level. Now in a pilot stage, the program offers 700 bikes at 70 stations strategically located in centers of employment and dense residential neighborhoods of San Francisco, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and San Jose. It is scheduled to include 1000 bikes at 100 stations by early 2014. Bay Area Bike Share is the much anticipated outcome of a trailblazing partnership involving numerous public agencies that all aim to encourage transit use and bicycling as a realistic alternative to driving. These five local cities join over 500 municipalities around the world and more than two dozen U.S. cities that also host bike sharing programs. Laura Garzon Chica reports.

Lawmakers Approve Governor's Prison Plan

An Assembly budget committee has unanimously approved Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to meet a court-ordered prison population cap, but the measure has drawn opposition from prisoner rights advocates. The move comes as the State Senate is considering another plan to reduce the prison population by improving rehabilitation and revamping prison sentencing laws. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Caged Activists Protest Against Airlines Importing Monkeys For Testing

Thursday morning, animal rights activists in Los Angeles targeted the US headquarters of China Southern Airlines with a protest to urge the airliner to stop shipping primates to laboratories in the US. China is the largest exporter of primates to the US. But, other leading Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines, have all ended the practice of shipping primates to be headed to labs for experimentation and often death. Pacifica's Dan Fritz was there and files this report from Los Angeles.

L.A. Overturns Mural Ban

After a decade-long ban on murals, the Los Angeles City Council has tentatively approved a new ordinance to allow murals on privately-owned buildings. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Board Of Supervisors Calls For Restoration Of The Voting Rights Act

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted today to support efforts to restore a portion of the federal Voting Rights Act, struck down by a recent US Supreme Court ruling. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

NYPD Conducts Secret Investigations Targeting Muslim Worshippers

An Associated Press report published Wednesday reveals that the New York City Police Department has secretly labeled entire mosques as terrorism organizations and circumvented laws to enable them to spy on Imams and Muslim worshippers, often without specific evidence of criminal wrongdoing. With thousands of Americans civil liberties at risk of violation by the NYPD, activists are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to take action. Alex Kekauoha reports.

Conflicting Prison Plans Head to Legislature

Senate Democrats have rejected Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to increase prison capacity, presenting their own plan to deal with prison overcrowding and poor prison health care. The State faces a December 31st deadline to slash prison overcrowding by almost ten thousand inmates. A new Senate plan calls for a deal with lawyers for the prisoners, and a new commission that could recommend sentencing reforms to slash the number of people who are sent to prison. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Port Truck Drivers Stage One-Day Strike in Carson

A group of truck drivers who service the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach took part in a 24 hour strike that concluded this evening. They say the company they work for has intimidated drivers in order to prevent them from forming a union. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

Lawmakers Debate NSA Surveillance

State lawmakers debated a pair of resolutions responding to recent revelations about NSA surveillance of phone and internet records of American citizens. Two Republican lawmakers proposed resolutions urging limits to NSA surveillance after revelations from Edward Snowden and others about national security programs. The resolutions, both by Republican lawmakers, died in committee when Democratic lawmakers declined to vote on the measures. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Abortion Access Bill Goes to Governor Brown

The State Senate has passed a measure aimed at making it easier for women to get early-term abortions, especially in the more than half of California counties that have no abortion providers. Assembly Bill 154, the “Early Access to Abortion” bill, would allow trained nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives perform early term abortions. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Fresno Dismantles Homeless Camps

The City of Fresno began bulldozing homeless encampments today as advocates for the homeless decried the act, calling the City’s policy callous and ineffective. The action marks a renewal of an attempt by authorities to destroy communities of homeless people who have been living in a variety of hand-built shelters at the edge of downtown Fresno. Similar camps were taken down in 2011, with most homeless residents dispersed throughout the city with nowhere else to live. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Federal Court Defends Water Release for Klamath River

A federal judge in Fresno ruled Thursday in favor of the Bureau of Reclamation’s plan to release water into the Klamath River in order to save the fall Chinook Salmon from a deadly epidemic. Last week Judge Lawrence O’Niell had issued a temporary injunction to halt the planned release from Trinity Lake in Northern California. The additional water flow is critical to saving the fish from an outbreak of a parasite that kills the fish. The Westlands Water District sued to stop the action, saying the water was already promised to their farmers in the San Joaquin Valley. Members of the Hoopa and Yurok Indian tribes journeyed to Fresno for two days to voice their concerns. On Wednesday they spoke to the Westlands board of directors, and Thursday demonstrated in front of the Federal Court building. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Chelsea Manning Supporters Gather in San Francisco

Over a hundred people gathered in San Francisco last night in solidarity with the former Army Private Bradley Manning, who had just received the stiffest penalty ever handed down in the U.S. for leaking classified materials to the press. Speakers included peace activists, prisoners' rights advocates, and members of the LGBQT community. Dance performances, poetry, and folk songs enlivened the rally. Supporters praised the now openly transgender whistleblower, who introduced herself to the world today as Chelsea Manning. They directed strong statements to President Obama and military officials who have the power to pardon Manning or at least commute her sentence of 35 years in prison. Laura Garzon Chica reports.

As Bay Area commuters prepare for the opening of the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, new details about the quality of California's infrastructure are raising concerns about the thousands of other bridges across the state. According to experts, 12 percent of California's aging bridges are structurally deficient and in need of repairs. Alex Kekauoha reports.

Are L.A. County Jailers Being Held Accountable For Jail Violence?

An attorney monitoring jail reform in Los Angeles County has announced that the so-called "bad apples" from within the Sheriff's Department have all been removed. At a meeting of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, attorney Richard Drooyan told the Board members that those responsible for the culture of Deputy-on-prisoner violence have either retired or been removed. But, civil rights advocates say removal from their posts is just a good first step. They're urging federal criminal prosecution. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Groups Fight For State Funding For AB 109 Probationers And Parolees

Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck has released a report that says the state's prison realignment program, AB 109, costs the LAPD over $18 million a year. Under AB 109, the County has taken over probation populations previously supervised by the state. Los Angeles police officers have been working with the County to conduct compliance checks among former prisoners. And, Beck says his department is due some of the money the state pays to L.A. County to do the job. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports.

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Meets Opposition

Supporters of a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights met substantial opposition as they reintroduced the legislation in a state legislature committee. Labor and grassroots advocates of private home caregivers say the proposal is long overdue but critics say it would force some sick and elderly patients to move out of state for affordable care. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce has the story.

Activists Accuse Utility of Squashing Solar Roof Panel Progress

Latino and environmental groups are moving forward with a California clean energy campaign despite legal threats against it. The campaign includes a minute-long video spoof in which a Southern California Edison executive explains his company’s desire to crush the solar panel industry and buy off Latino politicians in order to keep residents purchasing dirty energy. SCE sent the campaign’s founding groups a letter saying it would take legal action if the video wasn’t removed and claims against the utility company weren’t immediately stopped. Pacifica KPFK's Ernesto Arce has more on the story.

L.A. Officials Fight for Special Order 7

A Los Angeles City Council member and police officials say they plan to fight a judge's ruling against Special Order 7, the Los Angeles Police Department's policy that allows licensed friends and family of unlicensed immigrants to pick up their impounded cars for them, free of charge. Earlier this week, Superior Court Judge Terry Green ruled that Special Order 7 violates state law, which requires that unlicensed drivers' cars be impounded for 30 days. At a summit with representatives of Latin American countries at Los Angeles City Hall, L.A. City Council member Gil Cedillo vowed to fight the ruling. Pacifica's Dan Fritz was there and files this report.

South Los Angeles Gardeners Win Battle in City Council Over Parkway Plants

South Los Angeles community gardeners won a major victory in the Los Angeles City Council Wednesday. The Council voted unanimously to waive enforcement of a city law that makes planting gardens on public parkways illegal. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

California Coastal Commission Launches Investigation into Offshore Fracking

The California Coastal Commission has opened an investigation into offshore fracking after revelations that the practice has occurred off the coast, under the radar of regulators, since the late 1990's. At a meeting of the Coastal Commission, opponents of fracking called for a moratorium on the practice until a full investigation is concluded. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports.

Richmond Mayor Visits Wells Fargo Headquarters

The mayor of Richmond and several supporters showed up unannounced at Wells Fargo Bank's Downtown Headquarters in San Francisco to demand it drop a lawsuit fighting a novel plan to refinance hundreds of "underwater" mortgages. McLaughlin wants Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank to withdraw the lawsuit filed last week against the city and its financial backer. Richmond is seeking to use the power of eminent domain to force lenders to refinance loans at market value on homes that are worth less than their mortgages, thus reducing the amount owed. Mayor McLaughlin hoped to set up a meeting with Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf. Laura Garzon Chica reports.

New Bay Bridge Span To Open After Labor Day

The new eastern span of the Bay Bridge is set to open just after Labor Day weekend. That was the unanimous decision of the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee. The decision to proceed with connecting the new span over Labor Day weekend comes in spite of the discovery of failed anchor bolts in the new bridge earlier this year. The committee has already approved a retrofitting project for the bridge to correct the structural problems with the bolts. That retrofitting will not be complete until December, but the committee approved an interim fix today that would allow the bridge to open in just a few weeks, allowing traffic across the new bridge while crews finish the retrofit. Sally Schilling reports.

Rallies Nationwide Protest Budget Cuts to Head Start

Rallies nationwide today called on Congress to restore federal funding to Head Start, the early-childhood development and education program for low-income children and their families. Mari Robinson reports from the action in Oakland.

San Francisco City College Reacts To Federal Crackdown On Accrediting Commission

New developments in the City College of San Francisco accreditation quarrel are bringing hope to students and faculty. On Tuesday the U.S. Department of Education informed the Accreditating Commission for Community and Junior Colleges that it was out of compliance with federal regulations following the commission's threats to remove City College's accreditation. Wednesday marked the first day back to school for students and faculty who were thrilled about the news and eager to get back into the classroom. Alex Kekauoha reports from San Francisco.

Immigration Advocates Rally in Bakersfield

Several thousand immigration reform advocates descended on the Bakersfield office of Congressman Kevin McCarthy today demanding a fix to the nation’s immigration system, including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers. Some 350 bus and carloads of activists came from all corners of California in what is being called the largest caravan in the state’s history. McCarthy is the House of Representatives majority whip, which is the third most powerful position in the body. Leaders of the action say they want to highlight the urgency of immigration reform in the immigrant, Latino and Asian communities. Over 4 million people have deported in the past ten years because of Congressional inaction on immigration reform. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

U.S. Attorney General Announces Reforms To Federal Law Enforcement Policies

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that federal law enforcement policies will undergo revisions in response to an overcrowded prison system. Speaking to members of the American Bar Association in San Francisco this morning, Holder said too many low-level offenders are occupying federal prisons and announced reforms to reduce prison occupancy without neglecting public safety. Alex Kekauoha files this report from San Francisco.

State Releases Economic Analysis of Bay Delta Tunnels

The Brown Administration has released its draft economic analysis of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. The State had already come out with a twenty thousand page planning document covering the environmental impacts of the project that aims to restore the Delta’s declining ecosystem while creating a more stable water supply for California’s farms and cities. The document claims the project will enhance California’s economy by some 5 billion dollars, while creating or saving one-million jobs over the next 50 years. The economic analysis was fleshed out this week in meetings of the BDCP working group and opponents of the plan. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Gay Teacher Fired After Wedding Photo Makes Front Page

A former student from a San Gabriel Valley Catholic girls school has launched a petition to reinstate a popular teacher who was recently fired. The instructor was reportedly let go from the school after a local newspaper showed him exchanging marriage vows with his male partner. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce has more from Los Angeles.

Governor Calls for BART Cooling Off Period

Governor Jerry Brown has announced he’ll seek a 60-day cooling off period to avoid a BART strike. He made the announcement Friday afternoon, after receiving a report from his 3-member board of investigation that said a strike could harm public health and safety. Christopher Martinez reports.

Covered California offers more affordable healthcare options

The Affordable Care Act is just five months away from enacting many of its health insurance reforms, including mandatory health coverage for all Americans. California’s health insurance marketplace, Covered California , rolled out its plan today at a public forum in San Francisco. The event was attended by California lawmakers, including House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Tiffany Camhi reports.

Youth of Color Speak to State Lawmakers

A state legislative committee is hearing calls for action to help young men of color, a need that has become all the more visible in the wake of events like the killing of Trayvon Martin in Florida. The committee was formed a year ago, and now it’s looking at progress, and needs for further action in California. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Mobile Home Residents Say They Can't Afford to Stay or Go

A Southern California city is fighting what one of its council members calls the deplorable conditions of its mobile home parks. This week, the El Monte City Council unanimously approved a rent stabilization ordinance which prevents park owners from charging what city officials call exorbitant rents. Most mobile home park residents are low and fixed income and say they’re stuck in their homes. Tenants’ rights organizations call them the most vulnerable residents of all. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.

BART and Unions go back to the bargaining table

Bay Area Rapid Transit and its unions are back at the bargaining table today. The contract negotiations come one day after Governor Jerry Brown’s board of inquiry heard hours of testimony from both sides. The public hearing revealed wide differences in the contract proposals from management and BART’s unions and months of strained relations between negotiators. This morning, BART’s board of directors called a special meeting between labor negotiators to kick-start the bargaining process again. Tiffany Camhi reports.

Richmond Residents March on Banks Demanding Relief for Underwater Mortgages

Around 2 dozen residents of Richmond marched to Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase today to deliver a letter and petition in support of the city asking banks and real estate agents to allow it to purchase and refinance underwater mortgages. If the banks and real estate agents do not cooperate, the city has threatened to use eminent domain. Meanwhile, several banks have filed a lawsuit claiming that the city of Richmond's proposed use of eminent domain is unconstitutional. Arielle Zionts reports:

State Senator Goes Shopping, Pushes Domestic Workers Bill

Activists are joining State Senator Leland Yee in pushing a bill that will provide protections for domestic workers. The Senator filled-in for a domestic worker today as he helped a disabled woman during a shopping trip to Target in downtown San Francisco. The symbolic gesture is meant to bring light to a profession that advocates say needs more attention from state legislators. Alex Kekauoha reports from San Francisco.

Activists Continue to Occupy the Berkeley Post Office

For the 10th day in a row, today activists occupied the Berkeley post office. The activists, along with the mayor and city council of Berkeley, are trying to stop the federal government's attempt to sell the historic post office. They say the move is part of the larger trend of seizing historic post offices in an attempt to privatize the whole us postal service. Arielle Zionts reports:

State Agencies Grapple with Hunger in California

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture held its meeting in Fresno Tuesday to focus attention on the critical issue of hunger in the state, and especially in the Central Valley. The board advises the Governor on issues concerning food production and consumption. The meeting brought state officials together with food and hunger experts to find better ways to combat the food insecurity that is prevalent, even in agriculturally rich regions. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Lawmakers Consider Drone Regulations

State lawmakers are considering two measures to regulate “unmanned aircraft systems,” or drones. Tuesday morning, the Assembly Public Safety Committee held an informational hearing to air some of the issues around drones, with drone supporters talking about potential benefits, and civil liberties advocates warning about potential abuses like warrantless mass surveillance. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

AC Transit Faces Possible Strike

While Bay Area Rapid Transit riders can relax knowing that workers will not strike this week, AC Transit riders may have to utilize other transit options if a contract agreement with its union is not reached by 12am on Wednesday. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 192 says its fighting for fair wages, health care, and worker protections. AC transit says it has no contingency plan in the event of a strike because the buses cannot run without the operators. Arielle Zionts reports from Oakland:

Santa Ana Police Shoot Unarmed Homeless Man After Insult

Family and friends of a 22 year-old homeless man say he was shot and killed by Santa Ana police for simply insulting a female officer. They’re protesting at Santa Ana City Hall to call for accountability in the shooting death which they say should have been avoided. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce has more from Los Angeles.

BART Strike Averted Last Minute, Unions Call for Fair Contract

Bay Area Rapid Transit trains were up and running this morning, thanks to Governor Jerry Brown. Last night, 2 hours before the contract deadline, Brown issued a week long injunction against any work stoppages and appointed a 3-person panel to investigate the negotiations between BART and its unions. Meanwhile, unions rallied outside the Lake Merritt station, calling for a fair contract and for BART to stop its media campaign against the unions. Arielle Zionts reports:

State Assembly Returns to a Full Agenda

The State Assembly has returned from its summer recess, a week ahead of the Senate. Assembly Speaker John Perez spoke to reporters at the State Capitol about some of the work remaining in the final weeks as lawmakers deal with about 1,000 bills working their way through the legislature. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

BART and unions remain far apart on contract

BART’s unions officially announced a 72-hour notice of a strike last night. The Board of Directors at BART called a special meeting this morning to address the ongoing negotiations with its unions. With a possible strike just days away, both sides admitted that they are not close to a compromise. Tiffany Camhi reports.

Richmond, CA Files Lawsuit Against Chevron for 2012 Fire

This morning the city of Richmond filed a lawsuit against the Chevron refinery. The city is seeking accountability and compensation for last August's explosion and fire and for what critics call years of safety violations, environmental pollution, and political interference. Arielle Zionts reports:

Kettleman City Residents React to Proposed Expansion of Toxic Waste Dump

Last month the State Department of Toxic Substances Control issued a draft permit to expand the toxic waste landfill located near the Central Valley town of Kettleman City. The town’s residents got their first look at the plan Wednesday at a public open house hosted by the DTSC. Over the years many people in Kettleman City have expressed concern about possible health impacts posed by the landfill just three miles from town. They have also criticized State agencies for not taking their concerns seriously enough. The farmworker town gained national attention in 2010 after a spike of tragic birth defect struck a dozen families over a five year period. The State launched an intensive environmental investigation after demands from residents and environmental justice advocates. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

BART Workers Announce Strike

Unions representing Bay Area Rapid Transit workers have given notice they will strike on Monday, shutting down the rail line that carries 400 thousand people a day across the Bay Area. Unions and BART management have failed to resolve pocketbook and safety issues, setting the stage for a BART strike that could be even longer and more disruptive than the strike in July. Christopher Martinez reports from Oakland.

Laundry Workers Say Luxury Hotels in LA Use Sweatshops

(KPFK News - Los Angeles) A group of laundry workers and their union gathered at LA Live to call on the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels to end their contract with an industrial launderer who they say is a labor violator. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report.

Community Activists Call On Westfield Malls To Pay Fair Share Of Taxes

A new report funded by union groups and their allies is calling out Westfield malls for not paying its fair share of property taxes. The Westfield Group is California's largest retail landlord, and according to the report, counties in California are getting stiffed by Westfield by at least 40 million dollars. Members of the community took their grievances to Westfield's upscale Century City mall in a protest today. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports.

Anti-Gay Russian Laws Spark Boycotts And Severed Ties In Los Angeles

Backlash against harsh anti-gay laws in Russia has sparked an international boycott movement against Russian vodka. Owners of gay bars and clubs in West Hollywood, an enclave with gay and Russian communities, gathered this morning symbolically to dump Stoli vodka into the gutters. Protesters say they are sending a message to the Russian government and Vladimir Putin, to take a stand against the new anti-gay laws and increasingly violent attacks on gay people. But, some gay rights activists say the vodka brand is the wrong target. KPFK’s Larry Buhl was at the dumping ceremony in West Hollywood, and files this report.

Activists Call for Compassionate Release of Lawyer Lynne Stewart

Today activists and members of the National Lawyers Guild rallied in San Francisco for the compassionate release of Lynne Stewart, an attorney known for defending poor and politically controversial clients. They say it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment to keep Stewart, who is dying of stage 4 breast cancer, locked up in a prison medical facility. Arielle Zionts has more:

BART management stands firm on contract proposal

The unions represented by Bay Area Rapid Transit workers are expected to give 72-hour notice of a strike today. It could be the second BART shutdown of the summer if an agreement on a new labor pact is not reached by Sunday. BART management spoke out this afternoon in downtown Oakland, pointing to rising benefit costs as the main problem in negotiations. Tiffany Camhi reports.