California Prepares Climate Protection Plan

California is preparing plans on how the State should prepare for the risks of climate change. The California Natural Resources Agency held the first in a series of meetings on the new “Safeguarding California Plan”, as it seeks input for an update to the State’s climate adaptation strategy. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

New Marijuana Initiative Gets Greenlight for Signatures

A new ballot initiative to legalize marijuana and hemp in California has been given the greenlight from Secretary of State Debra Bowen. Backers of the initiative will now work to gather over half a million signatures to qualify the initiative for the November 2014 ballot. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

West Hollywood Sued Over Fur Ban

West Hollywood recently became the nation's first city to ban the sale of fur. A local retailer is now taking the city to court to have the law overturned. KPFK’s John Matthews reports from Los Angeles.

LA County Approves Deal To Ship Prisoners To Taft

In an attempt to partially relieve L.A. County's overcrowded jails, the Board of Supervisors has approved a move to send over 500 prisoners to a facility in Taft, near Bakersfield. Critics are saying there are better alternatives. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

BART Talks

Representatives of the SEIU and ATU stood before the offices of CalTrans today to address new concerns about their negotiations with BART's management. On both sides of the table, all eyes are on the October 11 end to a state-ordered 60-day cooling off period during which the workers cannot walk out and management cannot lock out the workers. Some confusion has ensued following the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's announcement yesterday that it will allocate $21 million to a contingency fund that would support extended services among local transit agencies in the event that BART workers strike again. Laura Garzon Chica reports from Oakland.

Prisoners in Solitary Confinement Sue California

A prisoner lawsuit over long-term solitary confinement in California prisons is moving forward. A federal judge in Oakland set a trial date for late next year, and she’s likely to let the case move forward as a class-action case representing long-term prisoners in the so-called “Secure Housing Units”. Christopher Martinez reports.

Activist Force-Fed in Solidarity with Prisoners

An activist on day 80 of a hunger strike has undergone nasal tube feeding in front of the Oakland State Building, in order to depict the forced feeding of inmates at Guantanamo Bay. The action draws parallels between the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and inmates in California prisons who carried out a 60-day hunger strike this year over solitary confinement policies. Christopher Martinez reports from Oakland.

Bay Area Transit Officials Plan For Potential Strike

Bay Area transportation officials are planning for another possible BART strike the second week of October. Shuttle services and extended carpool hours are just some of the plans to alleviate traffic congestion if a strike does take place. But as transit officials plan for the worst, it's possible they could end up wasting nearly $1 million dollars in nonrefundable deposits for alternate transportation if a strike is called off. Today BART union members spoke out against their employer and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, calling some of the contingency plans a danger to public safety. Alex Kekauoha reports from Oakland.

Governor Signs Minimum Wage Hike

Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a measure to hike California’s minimum wage to 10 dollars an hour by 2016. It’s the first increase in the state’s minimum wage in six years. Brown joined supporters and the bill’s author Luis Alejo of Watsonville at a bill signing ceremony in Oakland. Christopher Martinez reports.

Bill Exposing Campaign Cash Goes To Governor Brown's Desk

This afternoon, campaign finance reform advocates joined a Sacramento lawmaker in downtown Los Angeles to urge Governor Jerry Brown to sign the only campaign finance reform measure to make it through the Legislature this year. KPFK’s John Matthews reports from Los Angeles.

LA County Officials Warn Of Public Health Threat If LA City Initiative Gets Voter Approval

Los Angeles County officials are predicting a public health threat if a ballot initiative to create a separate L.A. city health department passes. At meeting of the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, officials accused the proponents of the initiative of engaging in a vendetta against the county. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

San Francisco Approves Immigration Hold Limits

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a measure to limit police co-operation with federal immigration authorities. The vote came after the approval of amendments to let police hold some undocumented immigrants charged with violent crimes. Under the proposed ordinance, San Francisco police and sheriffs will refuse most requests to hold undocumented immigrants for immigration and customs officials. Christopher Martinez files this report.

DNA Could Help ID Missing From Guatemalan Civil War

Forensic experts are expanding outreach to Guatemalans living in Los Angeles hoping to identify victims of the country’s decades-long civil war. KPFK’s John Matthews reports from Los Angeles.

Federal Regulators Announce Citations For Edison And Mitsubishi Over San Onofre Safety Problems

Federal regulators have announced citations for Southern California Edison and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries over design flaws in steam generators at the soon-to-be-decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today also released the results of inspections into the troubled power plant. Pacifica's Dan Fritz has more from Los Angeles.

Teens Win Settlement to Change "Abercrombie Look" Policy

Teen clothing retailer Abercrombie and Fitch has agreed to a legal settlement with the federal government and teenage Moslem workers who had refused to take off their hijabs - religious head-scarves. Abercrombie and Fitch had said the headscarves violated the company’s “look policy”, but the settlement follows rulings that the company policy violated federal and state religious discrimination laws. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Foreclosure Activists Re-Occupy Home

Housing rights activists gathered at a foreclosed and sold home in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood, in support of an evicted homeowner who is re-occupying his home. It’s the latest in a series of home “re-occupations” in an effort to fight fore-closures and hold banks and real estate speculators accountable for the housing crisis. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Local Environmentalists Applaud Federal Emissions Standards for New Power Plants

In an effort to stem global warming’s impact on public health, disease and extreme weather, the EPA today outlined its plan to limit the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions from new power plants. Environmentalists are welcoming the new restrictions. KPFK’s John Matthews reports from Los Angeles.

LASD Deputy Involved in Seventh Shooting

The chief attorney for the county's Office of Independent Review is raising questions about why a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was allowed back on patrol after his sixth officer-involved shooting. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick reports from Los Angeles.

Opponents Of Millennium Hollywood File Ethics Complaint

An ethics complaint has been filed to stop the controversial Millennium Hollywood skyscraper project from going forward. The plan is to build two giant residential buildings to flank the historic Capitol Records Building. It's drawn ire from residents opposed to any increased congestion in the area. The complaint alleges a conflict-of-interest between the interim general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, and his son, who worked with the Millennium developer's law firm, lead counsel on the project. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Climate Change in Central California

As climate change activists prepare for nationwide actions on Saturday, author and co-founder of the group 350.org, Bill McKibben has been touring the country to generate opposition to the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline. This week he was in Fresno to talk about the importance of grassroots organizing to that effort. In an exclusive interview with Pacifica radio, McKibben talked about the impact of global warming on California’s Agriculture, and water supply and ecosystem. Vic Bedoian reports.

Pray-in for Immigrant Families and the TRUST Act

Over two dozen religious leaders and immigrant activists gathered this morning on the steps of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office in downtown Oakland in what they called a "pray-in." Along with prayers they performed dances, songs, and litanies to urge Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern, President of the California State Sheriff's Association, to embrace California Assembly Bill 4, dubbed the TRUST Act. This measure by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) would limit deportation of undocumented immigrants held by police in local jails for minor, non-violent offenses. Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a previous, bolder version of the bill last fall, but activists hope that the revised bill offers compromises that both the state's sheriffs and governor can accept. Laura Garzon Chica reports:

Federal Surveillance Program Draws Protests

Press photographers, Arab American rights activists, and the American Civil Liberties Union are calling for changes to a Federal program they say targets innocent people for anti-terrorism surveillance. They’re sending a letter to Federal officials urging changes to the Federal “Suspicious Activities Reporting” program. They announced their action at the San Francisco Federal Building. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Court Upholds California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard

California is one step closer to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Today a panel of federal judges upheld California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, whose backers say reduces pollution, protects public health, and provides economic benefits. The law was contested by fuel makers claiming that it violates the U.S. Constitution, but today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said otherwise. Alex Kekauoha reports.

State Lawmakers Consider Alternatives to Lead-based Aviation Fuel

State lawmakers held a hearing near LAX today to explore the toxicity of lead in airplane fuel and possible alternatives. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Adult Film Actors Call For Condoms In Porn

The adult film industry plans to lift its moratorium on production this Friday saying that its actors are no longer at risk for contracting HIV on set. Three porn actors tested positive for HIV in the past month resulting in two industry shutdowns. Infected performers joined the AIDS Healthcare Foundation today to call on the adult industry to require that condoms be used on all film sets. KPFK’s John Matthews reports.

Big Pharma Case Raises Questions of Jury Discrimination

A Federal appeals court is considering whether or not gays and lesbians may be struck from a potential juror pool based on their sexual orientation. While California has long prohibited litigants in state court from striking panelists on the basis of sexual orientation, federal courts do not currently have the same standard. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has more.

Oakland Gets Money to Hire More Police

Oakland has topped the nation in a recent round of federal grant funding to hire more police officers. Federal and local officials gathered at the Oakland Federal Building to announce grants to hire 105 police officers and sheriffs in California, part of the federal “Community Oriented Policing Services, or “COPS” program. Four and a half million dollars will go to hire more officers in the Oakland, where lay-offs and retirements have shrunk the police department in recent years. Christopher Martinez reports from Oakland.

LA City Leaders Back Immigration Reform March

Los Angeles City leaders have announced their support for a mass mobilization Sunday for immigration reform. KPFK’s John Matthews has the story.

Fullerton City Council to Discuss Police Oversight

The Fullerton City Council is addressing oversight of the Fullerton Police Department at a council meeting tomorrow. Police accountability activists say oversight is long overdue. But, others are saying the decision item on the agenda is premature without substantial deliberation of the different options available. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has more.

Bill to Videotape Juvenile Confessions Awaits Governor's Action

A bill to reduce false convictions of juvenile murder suspects is awaiting action by the Governor, and the bill’s author is urging people to contact Governor Jerry Brown to support the measure. Senator Ted Lieu’s SB 569 would require the videotaping of interrogations when a juvenile is charged with murder. Christopher Martinez reports.

Immigrant Drivers License Bill Wins Last-Minute Approval

California is poised to join ten other states in allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers licenses. The State Senate and Assembly passed AB 60, the “Safe and Responsible Driver Act”, on the final day of session, just one day after the bill’s author had announced he would hold back the bill until next year. A flurry of community support and a final round of amendments led to the bill being revived by Latino Democrats in the Senate. Christopher Martinez reports.

CA Legislature Approves Driver Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Southland activists and lawmakers today hailed the passage of a bill that will provide California driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. It’s the culmination of more than 10 years of legislative struggles. KPFK's Jasmine Broderick has the story.

Los Angeles County Social Workers Demonstrate For Lower Caseloads

County social workers held demonstrations across Los Angeles County today. Thousands of workers picketed in front of offices of the Department of Children and Family Services, or DCFS, to call on the county to reduce their case load in the next round of bargaining. Pacifica's Dan Fritz was at the Wateridge office, where workers are the most overloaded. He filed this report.

Immigration Reform Advocates In Los Angeles Hope Avoiding War Raises Reform Profile

Immigrant rights groups in Los Angeles are forging ahead with plans for a mass march and rally later this month in support of immigration reform. In front of the downtown federal building this morning, the coalition announced new endorsements from clergy and diverse communities. The activists are hoping that a diplomatic solution to the Syria crisis will refocus national attention, and political capital, on getting comprehensive immigration reform passed. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

California Enacts the Nation’s First Ban on Lead Ammunition

California became the first state in the nation to enact a ban on lead ammunition. The legislation, which would ban the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting, was authored by Assemblyman Anthony Rendon of East Los Angeles. Assembly Bill 711 passed handily in both houses of the legislature but did have vigorous opposition from the gun lobby. Lean ammo is a leading cause of death for scavenger species in the wild. The ban will have a positive impact on wildlife and especially the California Condor, which is being successfully brought back from near-extinction through private and federal recovery programs. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Domestic Workers Rights Bill Goes to Governor

The legislature has approved a measure granting over-time pay for domestic workers. It’s a narrower version of San Francisco Assemblymember Tom Ammiano’s “Domestic Workers Bill of Rights”, a measure aimed at closing loopholes in labor laws that exclude domestic workers from some protections that most other workers enjoy. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

L.A. Nurses Unionize in Largest RN Union Win in Seven Years

Registered nurses voted last night to join the California Nurses Association/ National Nurses United in what is said to be the largest U.S. election win for non-union RNs in seven years. Mari Robinson reports.

Opponents of Willits Bypass Arrested

Two protesters in Willits, California locked themselves to a dump truck for over eight hours last night, in an attempt to stop the construction of the Willits Bypass. Mari Robinson reports.

California Coalition Rallies Against Prison Expansion

A coalition of social justice organizations held a rally calling on the California State Legislature to vote against sending inmates to out-of-state prisons. They instead want to focus on rehabilitation, and invest tax dollars into programs that create healthy and safe communities. KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has more.

BART Workers Address Safety Concerns

Bay Area Rapid Transit workers are speaking out on BART-related issues including overgrown vegetation on train tracks and inadequate lighting inside tunnels. Workers want the issues addressed in their contracts, but BART management is resisting. Alex Kekauoha reports from San Francisco.

Assembly Approves Fracking Bill

The State Assembly has approved a measure to regulate a controversial oil drilling method called “hydraulic fracturing,” or fracking. Opponents of fracking had wanted a ban or moratorium on fracking because of fears about pollution from chemicals injected into oil and gas wells in the fracking process. The compromise bill increases regulations but falls short of the ban some environmentalists had wanted. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Rim Fire Recovery Effort Launched

The Rim Fire is now 80 percent contained but still burning into Yosemite National Park. Cal Fire reports that the southern edge is approaching two groves of Giant Sequoia trees. But as more than 2700 fire fighters continue to battle the blaze, conservation activists are already planning recovery efforts in the wake of the largest fire in Sierra Nevada history. Tuesday, the Tuolumne River Trust announced a plan to take immediate action on reclaiming impacted forest and river areas that have been burned. Vic Bedoian has this report.

Lawmakers Back Prison Compromise Plan

Governor Jerry Brown and state lawmakers have announced a compromise plan to meet court orders to reduce prison overcrowding by the end of the year. The compromise includes Governor Brown’s original plan – renting new prison beds – as a “Plan B”, if requests to alter the court plan are rejected by the federal judges. The plan is getting support from democratic and republican lawmakers, but some prison reform advocates are calling on lawmakers to reject the Governor’s fallback plan to expand prisons. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

BILL TO IMPROVE SAFE DRINKING WATER PROGRAMS STALLS IN STATE SENATE

A bill aimed at speeding up funding for California’s clean drinking water program has been stalled in the State Senate. Assembly Bill 145 was placed in the suspense file by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week after it had been approved in the Assembly and by several Senate committees. The bill could still be taken up in amended form, or die if it remains suspended in the current legislative session. AB 145 would transfer jurisdiction of the California Safe Drinking Water Act and the State’s Revolving Fund for clean water from the Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board. The measure is supported by environmental groups but opposed by organizations representing municipal water agencies. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

L.A. Teachers File Unfair Labor Charges Against District, Accusations of Anti-Union Bias

Officials with United Teachers Los Angeles have announced a pair of unfair labor practice charges against LAUSD, claiming the district retaliated against a dozen teachers, resulting in financial hardship for the teachers and disruption of students. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Immigration Rights Measure Moves Forward in San Francisco

Immigrant rights activists in San Francisco are celebrating a victory, as measure to end cooperation with a Federal deportation program moves closer to becoming law. A Board of Supervisors committee unanimously approved a proposed ordinance that would bar local police and sheriffs from participating in the Federal “Secure Communities” program that reports undocumented arrestees to immigration officials. Under the measure, San Francisco would join localities like Santa Clara County and Illinois’ Cook County in resisting the federal deportation program. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Activists Display Banners Raising Awareness of Foreclosures

Dozens of Occupy LA activists and their supporters dropped huge banners over the most congested freeways in the city this afternoon. Many of the banners are still visible now from overpasses on the 60 Pomona Fwy, the 10 San Bernardino Freeway and the Hollywood 101 freeway near downtown LA. KPFK reporter John Matthews has the story.

Senate Democrats' Prison Plan Moves Forward in Legislature

A State Senate committee has approved a prison plan focusing on rehabilitation, mental health and substance abuse treatment, instead of Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to rent more prison beds. The move comes as California faces a December 31st court deadline to reduce prison over-crowding. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Activists Protest Nancy Pelosi's Support For Syria Strike And N.S.A.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is urging House Democrats to support military action against the Syrian regime following the August 21st chemical weapons attack that killed civilians. Today, anti-war and civil liberties activists gathered outside Pelosi's San Francisco office to protest impending military action and her support for the National Security Agency's surveillance practices. Alex Kekauoha files this report from San Francisco.

L.A. City Lawmakers And Activists Push For A Fracking Ban

A pair of Los Angeles lawmakers are backing an effort to ban fracking within the City of Los Angeles and along the city's water supply route. The two city council members, Paul Koretz and Mike Bonin, were joined by environmentalists Wednesday morning to launch the effort. They're also calling on Governor Jerry Brown to enact a statewide moratorium. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Lawmakers Support Student Bankruptcy Resolutiojn

State lawmakers are rushing to pass measures in the final two weeks of the legislative session, with pending measures dealing with prisons, gun and ammunition control, fracking, sexual identity and discrimination, and other controversial issues. In the first day of floor debate after the summer recess, State Senators moved to approve a resolution calling on Congress to pass federal measures on college debt, urging repeal of laws that exclude student loans from federal bankruptcy laws. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

LA Protest Urges No War on Syria

Los Angeles activists spoke out over the weekend against a proposed military action against Syria. Two people were arrested and a few dozen were cited when LAPD says protestors took to the streets without a permit and blocked downtown traffic. Rally organizers say anti-war voices are more important than ever as Southern California Congress members ask their constituents for feedback on the escalating international crisis. Pacifica KPFK’s Ernesto Arce files this report from Los Angeles.