Activists Continue to Fight Against Echo Park Gang Injunction

Activists have been protesting an Echo Park City gang injunction enacted last September. Now, the Youth Justice Coalition is arguing that members of the community directly impacted by the gang injunction have the right to challenge it in court.

KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

Voting Rights Lawsuit Aims At Changing Whittier Voting System

A pre-trial in a voter rights lawsuit filed by Latino residents against the city of Whittier was heard this morning in downtown LA.

The motions hearing alleges discrimination against Latino voters of the east LA County city and violations to the California Voting Rights Act.

KPFK Reporter Shawn Raymundo has more on the ongoing lawsuit.



The voting rights lawsuit between three Whittier Latino Coalition members and the city of Whittier continued with a motions hearing.

Whittier residents Lisa Lopez, Miguel Garcia and Jafet Diego, filed the lawsuit in early August based on allegations that the city is violating the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.

Louis Reyes, spokesperson for the Coalition, says the plaintiffs want the city to change its at-large voting system to a voter-district method. He says the coalition members also want to expand the Whittier city council to five members and move all April elections beginning in 2016 to November when there is a larger turnout of voters.

After the lawsuit was filed in August, the City Council approved a separate special election for April so residents could vote whether or not to change the at-large election system to a voter-district system.

Reyes says the at-large system in Whittier violates state law, which dictates that local governments with racially-polarized voting patterns are required to establish voting districts. He says that in the last 100 years, there has only been one Latino elected to city council.

Reyes says getting Latinos to vote in elections has not been an issue but that voter participation should be a government priority.

According to Whittier demographics figures, Whittier has 85,363 residents and the Hispanic community represents nearly 69 percent of the population.

Whittier City Council member Fernando Dutra says the lawsuit is unfortunate for tax payers whose dollars will go toward the case despite the council already approving the special election in April.

In Los Angles, I’m Shawn Raymundo, Pacifica Radio, KPFK.

Lawmakers Examine Prison Spending

A State Senate budget committee took its first in-depth look at California’s prison spending as proposed in Governor Jerry Brown’s new budget plan, with a focus on how to rein in the growing cost of incarceration, and the effects of California’s “prison realignment” shift of some prisoners from state prisons to county jails. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Pomona Residents Speak Out Against Garbage Plant

Concerned Inland Empire residents lost a fight to stop a garbage processing plant from opening in their neighborhood.

The Pomona City Council on Monday night approved a 10 and a half acre, $14 million dollar waste transfer station. A large crowd of opponents protested the vote, accusing supportive council members of selling the community out. Most hailed from the city's low-income third district where the proposed site is scheduled to be built.

Pomona officials say the garbage plant will generate 50 full-time jobs and generate over a million dollars in annual revenue for the cash-strapped city. Critics say it will lead to a more toxic environment in a neighborhood already reeling from serious health issues.

KPFK reporter Agnes Radomski was at the very contentious city council meeting. She files this report from the Inland Empire.

Conservative Ron Unz Hopes To Boost CA Minimum Wage

California's minimum wage is set to get a one dollar boost in 2015 and again in 2016. But if a new ballot initiative gets enough signatures, California's will be voting in November to possibly double those increases. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

California Drought Threatens Water Systems

California's drought is taking a turn for the worse. The state's Department of Health said this week that 17 communities across California are on the verge of running out of water. Meanwhile, farmers are being warned that unless their crops receive significant amounts of rain in the next few months, production could see major declines. Alex Kekauoha reports.

Lawmakers Look at Teachers Retirement Funding

While Governor Jerry Brown’s “live within our means” budget proposes paying down state debts, the state faces additional future fiscal obligations amounting to tens of billions of dollars - chief among them, the cost of future teacher retirements. Democratic lawmakers have unveiled a plan to address teacher retirement costs in the coming year. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Healthcare Workers Launch Initiative To Cap Hospital Overcharging

A new effort to reign in hospital overcharges in California has been launched by healthcare workers. Spearheaded by SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, the state-wide initiative would cap hospitals from charging more than 25% of the actual cost. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

AB 109 Could Slow Prison's Revolving Door

Passage of AB 109 by the California Assemby two years ago has focused new attention on the problem of re-integrating formerly incarcerated people back into society. The legislation was brought about by Federal court rulings that force California to address its overcrowded prisons. AB 109’s solution is to transfer thousands of non-violent, non-sexual, non-serious offenders to county correction systems. The bill also provided billions of dollars to the counties to handle the influx. . But the new law provides little guidance to counties on how to use the money, or standards on how transitioning prisoners should be treated.
To look at some of the challenges and opportunities under AB 109, reporter Tom Herriman talked to two men, Michael Santos and Gary Scott, who have recently been navigating the re-entry process.

Counties Get Billions From State For Prison Realignment

In 2009, the US Supreme Court ordered the state of California to reduce its prison population, setting off some of the biggest changes ever seen in the state’s prison system. In response, the legislature passed AB109 a bill that would transfer thousands of prisoners and billions of dollars to county law enforcement agencies, and provided the biggest opportunity in the state’s history to reform and reshape California’s penal system. Tom Herriman reports on some of the most important developments, and some opinions from key participants in the system.

DMV Hears Comments on Immigrant Drivers Licences

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is starting the process of implementing the state’s new law to let undocumented immigrants get drivers licenses. The Department held its first public hearing in Sacramento to get public input on issues like what documents should be accepted and how much the new licenses should cost. Undocumented immigrants and activist groups gathered at the Secretary of State’s Office to have their first say on the new license regulations. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Legislature Cranks Through Bills

State lawmakers are racing the clock to pass bills before deadlines over the next two weeks. The state Assembly acted today on the easier measures, with votes on issues including beach bonfires and condoms for prison inmates. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Youth Justice Coalition Wants Alternatives to Building Prisons

The Youth Justice Coalition held a budget strategy meeting in response to the governor's proposed budget, which reportedly includes more spending on prisons than on schools.
The group says Brown’s budgetary priorities will lead to greater inequalities.
KPFK’s Alex Shapiro files this report.

Students Looking For Answers After Career Colleges Of America Fails

A free clinic was held this afternoon in South Gate for students affected by the recent closure of Career Colleges of America due to financial irregularities. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

Touring Kern County's Oil Reality

State regulators are currently developing regulations for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and other methods of extracting oil from the Monterey Shale formation that underlies a large area underneath Central and Southern California. There is much speculation about what could be the nation’s largest reserve of oil lies in rock strata thousands of below ground. Fracking has been used in Kern County’s oil fields for sixty years to squeeze additional oil out of depleted wells, but new technology could make oil development possible in other regions. To get a closer look, Pacifica reporter Vic Bedoian recently explored areas in Kern County where fracking has taken place and filed this report.

Study Looks at California's Voting Reforms

California’s voter turnout has been slipping for the last 20 years, a trend that may be widening the gap between Californians who vote, and the rest of the population. That trend is noted in a report by the Public Policy Institute of California that looks at recent voting reforms in the state. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Trial To Begin For Latino Police Officers Claiming Racial Discrimination By OC City Police Chiefs

In a trial set to begin next week, three Latino police officers in the Orange County city of Westminster say they have been discriminated against and denied promotions because of their race. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Different Styles Of Reform Among Candidates For L.A. County Sheriff

While L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca prepares to step down from office at the end of the month, candidates for the job have lined up. Wednesday, former Commander Bob Olmsted, who is campaigning as an agent of change and a whistle-blower, released a detailed plan for reform. Also, Assistant Sheriff James Hellmold officially kicked off his campaign with supporters at the First AME Church in Los Angeles. Pacifica's Dan Fritz was there and files this report.

Ground Broken on Crenshaw-LAX Line Amid Some Community Opposition

A new light rail project connecting parts of South Central Los Angeles, from Crenshaw to LAX, broke ground today. At a ceremony at the Expo/Crenshaw light rail station, US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the light rail will spur local economic development in the area. But, local activists held a demonstration against the project as is. They contend that the above-ground stops will devastate L.A.'s "last black business corridor." Pacifica's Dan Fritz has the story.

Community Reacts To Kelly Thomas Verdict During City Council Meeting

Hundreds of people attended the Fullerton City Council meeting last night to raise their concerns surrounding the Kelly Thomas beating and last Monday's not guilty verdict. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

Annual Japanese Dolphin Hunt Sparks Outcry

The annual hunt and slaughter of dolphins at an infamous Japanese cove is underway as fishermen capture and kill hundreds of wild dolphins. While the Japanese tradition fuels the food and entertainment markets, the practice is facing considerable outcry from the international community. Activists are staking out the cove to shine light on what they call inhumane practices toward the marine mammals. Alex Kekauoha reports.

Governor Brown's State of the State Speech Urges Fiscal Restraint

Governor Jerry Brown gave his State of the State speech at the State Capitol, emphasizing his budget message of fiscal responsibility and avoiding spending hikes in order to guard against future recessions. Republican lawmakers generally approved of Brown’s message, but some Democratic lawmakers say the speech avoided important issues like re-investing in safety net health and welfare programs, and reining in prison spending. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Bill Aims at Reducing Rape Kit Backlog

State Assemblymember Nancy Skinner is pushing a measure to deal with a backlog of thousands of untested rape kits held by local law enforcement agencies. She wants to give police and sheriffs departments a deadline for sending rape kits to crime labs, with another deadline for those labs to test rape kits and up-load results to a national DNA database. Christopher Martinez reports.

Activists Call For Homeless Bill Of Rights

Homeless advocates are planning actions across California this weekend to promote a Homeless Bill of Rights. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

Local Groups Campaign for Higher Wages in Hotel Industry

A Los Angeles economic justice group wants to double the minimum wage for some workers in the city. While President Obama has backed congressional Democrats' proposal to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour, a local worker advocate wants hotel employees to earn a minimum of $15 an hour.

KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has more.

Lawmakers Hold First State Budget Hearing

State lawmakers have taken their first formal look at Governor Jerry Brown’s state budget proposal. The Assembly Budget Committee held its first budget hearing at the State Capitol Thursday, with several Democrats suggesting the state should consider spending more on restoring past cuts to health and welfare safety net programs for people hurt most by the recent recession. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Unseasonably Dry Weather Aids Wildfire in Southern California

A blaze that was allegedly set by a trio of people tossing papers into a campfire scorched about 1,700 acres today in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, destroying five homes and leaving three people, including two firefighters, with minor injuries. Unseasonably dry weather conditions and heat helped accelerate the spread of the fire. KPFK’s Larry Buhl reports.

Woman Who Fell From Police Car Accuses LAPD Of Sexual Assault

A woman who tumbled out of a moving LAPD squad car last year says she fell out of the vehicle to avoid being sexually assaulted by an officer. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

Fifteen Counties Approved To Split $500 Million For Jail Expansions Across California

A state board has approved $500 million to 15 counties to expand local jails and programs to accommodate the influx of prisoners sent to counties from the state under the program known as "realignment." Governor Brown is still under federal pressure to reduce the state's prison population. His budget is calling for another $500 million for county jail expansions. Community groups urged the Board of State and Community Corrections to prioritize alternatives to incarceration. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan Gathers Public Feedback in Fresno

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan, or BDCP, is the Brown administration’s comprehensive attempt to resolve the problem of providing water for Valley farmers and metropolitan residents, while restoring the delicate ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The 34 thousand page document, has taken seven years to develop. The centerpiece is a huge tunnel system under the Delta, to divert water directly from the Sacramento River into the state’s water infrastructure going south. Twelve meetings will be held throughout the state over the next two months for public review and comment. The controversial plan is being pushed by Westside Valley agricultural districts and Southern California water marketing agencies. It is broadly opposed in the Delta by the region’s cities and farmers as well as by fishing and recreation advocates. Northern California farmers and most of the state’s environmental groups are also critical of the plan. BDCP officials kicked off the statewide tour in Fresno on Wednesday. Vic Bedoian filed this report.

Richmond Lawmakers Take Step to Enact Local Minimum Wage

Lawmakers in the City of Richmond want to give voters the chance to enact the highest minimum wage in Northern California. The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to have its staff develop proposals to raise the local wage as high as $15 per hour. If the council approves one such proposal, the city's voters would have the final say this November whether the new wage becomes law. Geoffrey Upton reports.

Sutter Nurses Protest Hospital Cuts, Layoffs

The battle between Sutter Health and its nurses rages on as the non-profit hospital plans to lay off hundreds of workers and kill patient services. Registered nurses at Sutter's Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley held a large protest this morning, accusing hospital management of corporate greed, neglecting patient safety, and violating contracts. Alex Kekauoha reports from Berkeley.

Activists Rally Against Wage Theft

Unions, workers and immigrant rights activists rallied at the State Capitol to call for legislation to end wage theft. They’re backing a measure that would make it easier for workers to collect wages illegally denied by unscrupulous employers. They say wage theft is a major problem for low-income workers, especially women and immigrants, amounting to losses of more than a billion dollars a year in Los Angeles alone. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Upland Razes Tent City, Over 100 Homeless Displaced

Homeless advocates are criticizing the city of Upland for bulldozing a tent city on private land early Tuesday morning, forcing about a hundred people to move. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Southern California.

Uncovered Worker Health Measure Approved by Lawmakers

The Federal Affordable Care Act is bringing health care to millions of people who were previously uninsured, but even when the act takes full effect, millions of people will be left out. A Democratic Assemblymember is proposing a measure aimed at extending health insurance to farmworkers and undocumented immigrants who are not covered by the federal health reform program. The measure is drawing both support and criticism from some advocates for immigrant health. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Abortion Notification Measure Rejected by State Lawmakers

A legislative committee has rejected a measure to require parental notification for minors seeking abortions. The measure is the latest in a series of measures aimed at limiting minor’s access to abortion, including proposals rejected by the Legislature and ballot initiatives rejected by California voters. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

Transit Strike Ban Fails In Legislature

A Republican-sponsored bill to ban strikes by public transit workers has died in a State Senate committee. Senate Republican leader Bob Huff introduced his measure after lengthy and troubled labor negotiations at the Bay Area Rapid Transit District that included two strikes and the deaths of two workers during a transit shutdown. The measure drew opposition from labor unions and community groups, and failed to garner support from BART management or other public transit agencies. Christopher Martinez files this report from the State Capitol.

The City of Los Angeles Seeks to improve infrastructure for the disabled

Rally Held To Protest Police Brutality in Rigoberto Arceo Killing

A police brutality rally was held in a southeast LA community over the weekend.

The group Justice 4 Rigoberto Arceo protested outside the LA County Sheriff’s Department’s Cudahy station. They say Arceo was shot and killed last May by Sheriff Deputies even while following orders and unarmed.

His slaying has been the subject of a heated controversy.

KPFK reporter Alex Shapiro files this story.

New FCC Chair Visits Oakland

Two months after taking his post as head of the Federal Communications Commission, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler visited Oakland Thursday for a standing-room-only town hall meeting. Wheeler heard from community members voicing their concerns about media consolidation and lack of ownership diversity, as well as their severe dissatisfaction with the accessibility and affordability of broadband internet and phone services. Attendees also urged Wheeler to address demands for net neutrality and rural connectivity. Several people spoke out about the high cost of phone calls to prisoners, the needs of people with disabilities, and the potential health impacts of wireless radiation. Laura Garzon Chica filed this report.

CA Lawmakers Urge DMV To Speed Up AB60 Implementation

Lawmakers are asking the director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles to expedite the implementation of Assembly Bill 60, which will allow undocumented residents to apply for driver’s licenses. KPFK reporter John Matthews has more.

Anti-Poverty Activists Urge Budget Restorations

Anti-poverty activists around the state are reacting to Governor Jerry Brown’s budget proposal. They’re blasting the budget plan for failing to restore years of draconian cuts made during the recession years that slashed health and welfare programs, while California endures the highest poverty rate in the nation. Christopher Martinez files this reports from San Francisco.

Governor's Budget Proposal Slashes Debt, Fails to Restore Service Cuts

Governor Jerry Brown has unveiled his budget proposal, a 107 billion dollar spending plan that includes hikes for public schools and higher education, as well as health care and prisons. The budget avoids the deep cuts the state has seen in recent years, mainly because of an improving economy, the voter-approved proposition 30 taxes, and a four billion dollar windfall from capital gains. Brown’s budget plan has garnered cautious support from Republican lawmakers, but some critics say the state should spend more on restoring past cuts to health and welfare safety-net programs. Christopher Martinez files this report from the State Capitol.

Fresno Tenants Sue Valley's Biggest Slumlord

Fresno tenants filed a lawsuit today against one of the Central Valley’s biggest landlords to repair substandard housing. The action is being brought by Tenants Together, a statewide tenant rights organization based in San Francisco. The suit alleges that the Fresno-based company, JD Homes Rentals, operates a large portfolio of slum housing that it fails to maintain, leaving residents in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Tenants Together, along with a coalition of local social justice groups, seeks court intervention to ensure that the thousands of units managed by the company are repaired. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

2020 Commission Says L.A. Is In Trouble

A new report says Los Angeles is in danger of becoming a city in decline as it struggles with poverty, poor schooling, traffic jams and what the authors calls a crisis of leadership. KPFK reporter John Matthews has more.

Protesters Challenge Sonoma Officials on Andy Lopez Case

Protesters crowded a Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday demanding action in the case of Andy Lopez, the 13-year-old slain by a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy in October. Meanwhile, Lopez's parents amended the complaint in their lawsuit against the county, claiming that the deputy had a history of using excessive force, held extremist views, and had publicly advocated problematic policing tactics.

Alameda County Declares New War On Poverty

America's poverty rates are higher than they have been in decades and now elected officials at both the local and federal level are calling for renewed efforts in combating economic hardship. Poverty rates in one San Francisco Bay Area county are so bad that officials there are declaring a new war on poverty aimed at improving access to quality food and education. Alex Kekauoha filed this report from Oakland.

Transitional Kindergarten For All Plan Unveiled

Governor Jerry Brown will be releasing his budget proposal Friday, with plans for how to spend or save California’s new budget surpluses. Democratic Senate leader Darrel Steinberg is already staking out ground for his top priority - a new early childhood education proposal for transitional kindergarten for all 4 year olds. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Immigrant right's group rallies in bakersfield to raise awareness of immigration reform

A Los Angeles immigrant right's group traveled to Bakersfield today as part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness of comprehensive reform. Although the recently recessed Congress didn't take on the issue, activists are hoping to pressure Republican lawmakers to change their stance. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles rallied outside of Congress member Kevin McCarthy's office with a holiday message.
KPFK Reporter Hessel Pineda has the story.

Motives for Sobriety Checkpoints Questioned

Sobriety checkpoints set up by Southern California law enforcement agencies are prevalent during the holidays. Studies show that more drivers take to the road under the influence of alcohol and other substances.

Authorities say the checkpoints, funded by the California OTS, Office of Traffic Safety, are carried out in order to keep people safe from drunken drivers. But activists claim the majority of those arrested don't pose a danger to other drivers.

KPFK’s Alex Shapiro files this report,

Activists Rally for GMO Food Labelling

State lawmakers have returned to the capitol in Sacramento to begin the 2014 legislative session, where they were greeted by activists pushing for labeling of genetically engineered foods. The activists are building on momentum from their narrow defeat at the ballot in 2012, and other victories across the nation as other states take action to label genetically modified food. Christopher Martinez reports from the State Capitol.

BART Board Approves Contract Agreement, but Tensions Linger

The Bay Area Rapid Transit board has voted to approve a revised contract agreement with its two largest unions, after months of troubled negotiations, strikes, and a last-minute dispute over an alleged mistake in the last agreement that had been approved by negotiators and the unions. The vote sets the stage for a four year contract, but it may not heal the wounds opened in the hard-fought struggle. Christopher Martinez files this report.