LA Groups Promote ACA, Criticisms Persist

The national deadline has been reached in enrolling for health care coverage under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Some 500 people were in line by 11 a.m. to take advantage of a 19 hour enrollment drive sponsored by SEIU United Healthcare workers West in Los Angeles. Another 400-500 participants are expected by the midnight cutoff. KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has more.

Peta Protests Outside Of Canadian Consulate In Los Angeles

Covered California Makes Final Enrollment Push

The state of California has its own exchange which has signed up over a million people since opening last October, and today was making a final push to get as many residents covered as possible before the enrollment period ends. Scott Baba reports.

Yee Corruption Case Goes to Court

State Senator Leland Yee made a brief court appearance at a federal courthouse in San Francisco, where he’s facing charges of fraud and conspiracy to traffic in illegal fire-arms. Yee has dropped out of the race for secretary of state, and Friday the State Senate took the historic move of suspending him from the senate, though it was a suspension with pay, and Yee will continue to draw his 95 thousand dollar a year Senate salary. Yee’s lawyer raised questions about the federal charges after the court hearing. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Advocates Push to Extend Health Coverage to Undocumented Californians

Last Sunday was the fourth anniversary of President Obama’s signing of the Affordable Care Act, and Monday is the enrollment deadline for Covered California, the health insurance exchange created under the ACA. But not all California residents are eligible for coverage, a point immigrants’ rights advocates, doctors and researchers emphasized Friday afternoon at the Street Level Health Project in East Oakland. Pacifica’s Geoffrey Upton was there.

California Senate Suspends 3 Senators

The State Senate has voted to suspend 3 Democratic senators tangled up in separate cases involving voter fraud, corruption and perjury. This is the first time the California Senate has acted to suspend sitting members. The near-unanimous vote came after heated debate, along with promises to carry out new ethics training for state lawmakers and staff. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

SF Planning Commission Adopts a Proposal to Increase Access to Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

The San Francisco Planning Commission has adopted a proposal that would let storefront medical marijuana dispensaries to open closer to schools. The proposal seeks to increase patient access and decrease the clustering of dispensaries in the northeastern part of the city. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Senator Yee's Arrest Threatens Political Career and Key Legislation

State Senators are preparing to suspend San Francisco Senator Leland Yee, unless the embattled Democrat resigns in the wake of his arrest on charges of political corruption and conspiracy to traffic in firearms. The breaking scandal is shaking up politics at the state capitol, and could endanger a pending bill to limit juvenile solitary confinement. Christopher Martinez reports.

The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors approved new restrictions to housing vouchers for those with criminal records. The regulations are designed to comply with a U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development mandate that all applicants are treated equally for housing subsidies. But housing advocates note, this reverses a 2012 decision to apply more lenient standards to assist the chronically homeless.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

SF Proposes Legislation to Classify Cancer Among Firefighters as an Occupational Illness

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu met with the city’s firefighters today to unveil legislation that would allow firefighters with cancer to collect benefit without having to prove the cause of their illness. Pacifica’s Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Los Angeles Rallies to Stop Deportations

About 200 people rallied in Downtown Los Angeles for immigration reform. Among them, undocumented workers shared their stories in an effort to get President Obama to stop deportations.
KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has the story.

Report Finds Oakland Police Department Disproportionately Stops African Americans and Latinos

The Oakland Police Department disproportionately stops African Americans and Latinos – that was the finding of a new report released by the Oakland Police Department. The report found that even though African Americans and Latinos make up just over fifty percent of Oakland’s population, they account for almost eighty percent of police stops in the city. The report also found that the African Americans and Latinos who were searched were no more likely to have contraband than other racial groups. Nick St. Charles Filed this report.

Bill Would Speed Rape Kit Testing

A State Senate committee has approved a measure to speed up the testing of thousands of rape kits that are languishing in evidence lockers across the state. Supporters say the measure could identify serial rapists and bring justice for victims of sexual assault who undergo intrusive examinations after they’re raped. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Mary Virginia Jones Aka Mother Mary Released After 32 Years

Mary Virginia Jones, also known as "Mother Mary" was acquitted today after spending 32 years in prison for a crime she says was coerced into participating in. Jones was sentenced back in 1981 without the possibility of parole. Her pending release was celebrated by family and friends and attorneys for the innocent.

Community Organizers Hold Town Hall About Shuttering Recycling Centers

Community recycling centers are being shuttered at an alarming rate in San Francisco, this according to community organizers who held a town hall meeting today to discuss the growing and problematic loss. Scott Baba reports.

Medical Malpractice Initiative Headed Toward Ballot

A new ballot measure to re-vamp medical malpractice protections may be headed to the November ballot. Backers of the measure have turned in signatures for a proposed initiative that would raise California’s cap on medical malpractice awards for pain and suffering injuries - cap signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in 1975. The move sets the stage for an expensive ballot fight between trial lawyers and medical and business groups. Christopher Martinez reports.

Housing Activists Protest 'Eviction Boot Camp'

Housing activists gathered Friday outside the offices of a San Francisco law firm that has been holding seminars for landlords designed to inform and advise them about how to navigate laws on rent control and eviction. Pacifica’s Geoffrey Upton was there.

Veterans Memorial Breaks Ground in San Francisco

A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A VETERANS MEMORIAL IN SAN FRANCISCO BROUGHT VETERANS AND CITY OFFICIALS TOGETHER. NICK ST. CHARLES REPORTS THAT THE MEMORIAL WILL GO UP NEXT TO THE CITY’S PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

Judge Allows SF Residents to Vote on Measure that Gives Voters Say on Waterfront Development

A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE HAS REJECTED A LAWSUIT THAT SOUGHT TO PREVENT SAN FRANCISCO VOTERS FROM WEIGHING IN ON BAYSIDE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS. THE COURT WILL ALLOW SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENTS TO VOTE ON PROPOSITION B -- A BALLOT MEASURE THAT, IF PASSED IN JUNE, WOULD REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT EXCEED WATERFRONT BUILDING HEIGHT LIMITS. A COALITION OF DEVELOPMENT PROPONENTS BACKED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS FILED THE LAWSUIT LAST MONTH TO REMOVE THE MEASURE FROM THE BALLOT. NICK ST CHARLES FILED THIS REPORT.

Activists Demand Investment in South LA Schools

South LA community groups are calling on the Los Angeles Unified School District to invest in the city’s most disenfranchised schools. The district is set to receive billions in funding from the passage of last year’s Proposition 30. Governor Jerry Brown’s ballot initiative raised income and sales taxes, generating additional funding for California public schools.
But local residents are concerned that the district’s most vulnerable students may be left behind. This, after the school board voted against appointing a new representative for South L.A’s District 1 to replace the late Marguerite LaMotte last December.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the details.

House Committee in Fresno Prods Senate on Drought Action

The House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee held a field hearing in Fresno amid rallying farmers to get Senate action on pending legislation to provide more water for the Central Valley agricultural region. Congressmen at the hearing and witnesses from Valley towns and farms were unified in decrying environmental regulations and calling on the US Senate to pass legislation that would build dams and relax rules that protect the Bay Delta’s wildlife and water quality. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

New Report Finds Gaps In LAX Security During Last Year's Shooting

A new report blames a lack of communication and coordination between agencies at the airport for a poor response to last year's LAX shooting that left a TSA agent dead. The agencies faced widespread criticism last year when it came to light that it took more than half an hour for the shot TSA agent to be taken to an ambulance. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Lawmakers Consider Juvenile Justice Reforms

State lawmakers are looking at juvenile justice as a part of the solution to the state prison crisis. They want to end what’s often called the “school to prison pipeline” that drives many low income youths into the juvenile justice system, and ultimately to state prison. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Activists In Echo Park Protest Media Lies About Ukraine And Venezuela

A protest against US Intervention in Ukraine, Syria and Venezuela was held last friday at a busy intersection in Echo Park. Activists accuse mainstream media of collaborating with Washington lawmakers to stir up cold war sentiments. Some protestors said the government is collaboratin with right wing fascist groups to overthrow the three democratically elected goverments who pose an obstacle to U.S. interests.

KPFK's Hessel Pineda has more. https://soundcloud.com/kpfa-fm-94-1-berkeley/activists-in-echo-park-protest

Bay Area Leaders and Rockefeller Foundation Discuss Catastrophe Response Development

With the state still recovering from several major fires last summer, and a major earthquake being felt only a few hundred miles away, bay area leaders met with the Rockefeller Foundation this morning to discuss ways that they might deal with and recover from major disasters as a part of a global program to address urban resilience. Scott Baba reports.

Lawmaker Seeks Solitary Confinement Changes in California Prisons

A State Senator is proposing sweeping changes to the way California prisons keep inmates in solitary confinement. Berkeley Democrat Loni Hancock has introduced a bill aimed at providing outside oversight, more humane conditions and a shorter process for prisoners to rejoin the general prison population. Her bill would also bar prisons from sending seriously mentally ill prisoners to solitary. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Obama Reaches 2 Million Mark with Deportations

https://soundcloud.com/kpfa-fm-94-1-berkeley/obama-reaches-2-million-mark

Immigrant rights activists say President Obama will meet a grim milestone this week as his administration has carried out 2 million deportations.
CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, took the opportunity to renew their efforts for a bipartisan solution to immigration reform.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

Family Of Woman Killed In A Crash With Police Cruiser Sues Hawthorne

Relatives of a woman who died after her car was hit by a police cruiser in Hawthorne last year are now suing the city for negligence. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has more on the story.

Teachers And Students Rally For Principal Under Investigation

Last week, the principal of a South Los Angeles high school was removed from campus without explanation. Now a group of teachers and community groups are demanding answers. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has more on the story.

Protesters, Elected Leaders Demand Removal of CCSF Special Trustee

Dozens of protesters rallied outside San Francisco City Hall Friday afternoon, demanding the reinstatement of the elected Board of Trustees of the City College of San Francisco and the removal of the appointed special trustee currently governing the college. Inside City Hall, supervisors held a hearing on a resolution calling for the same steps. Pacifica’s Geoffrey Upton reports.

Court Strikes Down Environmental Review of Kern Water Bank

In a pair of rulings last week a Sacramento Superior Court Judge struck a blow against the operation of the Kern Water Bank. It is the most significant decision to date concerning the environmental impact of the nation’s largest underground water banking system. The ruling by Judge Timothy Frawley comes after twenty years of lawsuits against the privately-owned water bank by environmental groups and fishing organizations. Another suit was filed by Kern County farmers whose wells have been negatively affected by the water bank’s operations. The ruling could impact how water is allocated and delivered throughout California. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Public Art Fights Gender-based Street Harrasment

A Brooklyn-based artist has brought her public art project to Los Angeles. The series addresses gender-based street harassment in urban areas.

KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has the story.



You can follow Jasmine Broderick on Twitter @jazzybroderick

Arrested Protestors Allege Mistreatment and Unsanitary Conditions at Santa Rita Jail

Female activists protesting against police misconduct last month say they faced mistreatment at the hands of Alameda County Sheriffs Deputies. The activists say they experienced harassment and unsanitary conditions at Santa Rita Jail. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Temp Workers Describe Sweatshop Conditions in Contracted-Out Jobs

State lawmakers are looking at the growing shift from traditional full-time work to sub-contracted or “temporary” jobs. An Assembly committee heard charges of abuses including wage theft, lack of meal and rest breaks, and intimidation of workers employed by temporary employment agencies. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

LA Salvadoran's Call for Post Electoral Peace

Members of Los Angeles’ Central American community are calling for peace in El Salvador following news that the country’s military might get involved in disputed elections this week.
The runner up in the Salvadoran presidential election is challenging its results, and has asked the country’s electoral tribunal to throw out the results. Norman Quijano of Arena, the right-wing Nationalist Republican Alliance, trailed FMNLF’s Salvador Sanchez Ceren by just 0.22 percent.
With concerns arising over a contracted dispute, organizers within SoCal’s Salvadoran community want the election results honored without violence.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

CA Democrats Support Marijuana Legalization and Ban on Fracking

The California Democrat Party concluded its state convention in downtown LA this weekend. In a move seen at odds with Governor Jerry Brown, party delegates included the legalization of marijuana and a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing as part of the party platform.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has more.

Homeless Advocates Sue LAPD and Skid Row Security Patrol

A homeless advocacy group in downtown Los Angeles has filed suit against the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department, Central City East Association, and others for violations of First Amendment and other civil rights.
LA CAN, the Los Angeles Community Action Network says downtown so-called purple-shirt security patrols are carrying out an anti-homeless agenda.
KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has the story.

Follow Jasmine Broderick on Twitter @jazzybroderick

Lawmakers Hold Hunger Hearing

State lawmakers are taking a look at hunger in California. They heard from policy experts and local officials about ways to increase California’s low participation rates for the CalFresh program, formerly known as Food Stamps. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Weighs In on Crisis

The Ukranian state of Crimea is preparing for a referendum this Sunday to decide its future geopolitical affiliations, despite Ukraine's interim government declaring the vote unconstitutional. As the world waits to see how tensions between Ukraine and Russia will escalate, experts are weighing in on the matter. Today former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifner, spoke out about Russia's interest in Crimea and the politics behind the crisis. Alex Kekauoha reports.

Attorney General Harris And Other Leaders Vote To Reduce Truancy

National Transit Ridership Highest Since 1956

Americans made more use out of buses, trains, and subways in 2013 than they have in over half a century, according to a recent ridership report released by national transit experts. Scott Baba reports.

Lawmaker Unveils Utility Security Legislation

Electric utilities could have to beef up security to prevent terrorist attacks, under a proposed measure by State Senator Jerry Hill. The San Mateo democrat has unveiled legislation that would require electric utilities to develop security plans to prevent sabotage and attacks that could threaten the power grid. The move comes after an attack last April by shooters who fired on an electricity transformer near San Jose, causing more than 15 million dollars worth of damage. Christopher Martinez reports.

Los Angeles Hosts CA Democrats

Members of the California Democratic Party gathered today in downtown Los Angeles for the first day of their annual convention. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has more on the event.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan Proposes Plan to Bring 10,000 New Residents to the City

MAYOR JEAN QUAN PROPOSED A PLAN LAST NIGHT AT HER STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS TO ADD TEN THOUSAND NEW RESIDENTS TO OAKLAND. THE MAYOR ALSO LAUDED NEW PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES AND EFFORTS TO REFORM THE CITY’S AILING POLICE DEPARTMENT. NICK ST. CHARLES FILED THIS REPORT FROM OAKLAND CITY HALL.

Safeway to Be Bought in $9.2 Billion Merger Deal

Bay Area-based supermarket chain Safeway announced Thursday that it has agreed to be bought by a private equity group in a $9 billion leveraged buyout deal -- one of the biggest such deals since the financial crisis. If the deal goes through, Safeway, the nation's second largest grocery store chain, would be merged with Albertsons, the nation's fifth-largest. The companies say the merger will be good for consumers and shareholders. KPFA's Geoffrey Upton reports.

Senate Unveils New Ethics Rules

State senators have unveiled legislation to ban gifts from lobbyists and make political donations more transparent and accountable. The move comes after a series of political scandals including the suspension with pay of two state senators charged with fraud and corruption. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Group Demands California Fix Jobless Insurance System

Unemployed residents and community members involved with the ``Fix Unemployment Now!'' campaign held a protest today to draw attention to unemployment check problems in California.

They rallied outside the downtown LA offices of a consulting firm that they hold responsible for glitches that led to delayed and erroneous checks. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

Title 1 Schools Get An Arts-Based Education in Los Angeles

A nonprofit national arts-based program is expanding to two local LAUSD elementary schools. Dream A World Education presented a visual art workshop at Braddock Drive Elementary School in Culver City this week.
KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick has more.



Follow Jasmine Broderick on Twitter @jazzybroderick

California, Israel Sign Trade and Research Pact

California Governor Jerry Brown and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Silicon Valley to sign a trade and research pact. The agreement is aimed at fostering joint research and business relationships. Outside the meeting, some protesters urged the Governor to not partner with Israel because of that nation’s occupation of Palestine. Christopher Martinez reports.

Activists Urge SFMTA to Allow Seniors and the Disabled to Ride Public Transit for Free

Activists are urging San Francisco's Municipal Transportation Agency to allow seniors and the disabled to ride public transportation for free. Pacifica's Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Delta Advocates Say Tunnels Expected to Worsen Environmental Problems

Two Delta advocacy groups said Tuesday that the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to build water diversion tunnels will worsen environmental problems in San Joaquin Valley and threaten water quality for farmers and residents in the region. The Bay-Delta coalition Restore the Delta along with the national group Food and Water Watch contend the tunnels would mainly serve the largest agricultural concerns, while increasing the contamination of waterways with dangerous levels of Selenium. The groups also charge that large volumes of water delivered through the tunnels will be used for hydraulic fracturing in the Valley’s oil and gas basins. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

SFMTA Restricts Parking of Oversized Vehicles

The Board of Directors at San Francisco's Municipal Transit Authority approved restrictions today on parking oversized vehicles at select locations throughout the city. Homeless advocates say the new policy will displace those living in their vehicles. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Update on the Irvine 11

A panel of Orange County Superior Court judges have upheld convictions against students known as the Irvine 11, on misdemeanor counts for disrupting a speech by the Israeli ambassador to the United States at UC Irvine.

LAFD Investigated for Discriminatory Hiring

The Los Angeles City Fire Commission has called for an investigation into the Fire Department’s hiring practices. This comes on the heels of criticism in regards to the department’s mostly white candidate pool. The department has also been criticized for recruiting relatives of current firefighters. KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

Los Angeles City Council Bans E-Cigarettes Indoors

The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to ban e-cigarettes from most public spaces where tobacco smoking is banned. A proposal to exempt bars failed by two votes. Pacifica's Dan Fritz has more from Los Angeles.

San Francisco Ending Sale of Plastic Water Bottles on Public Property

Bottled water could be a thing of the past in San Francisco. The city is making an effort to reduce waste and increase availability of tap water in public spaces. Today the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted on an ordinance to ban the sale and distribution of plastic water bottles on public property. Alex Kekauoha reports from San Francisco.

Community College Students Rally at State Capitol

Community College students marched to the State Capitol for their annual “March in March” rally and lobbying day. They say the state’s 2.3 million community college students are “California’s best investment.” Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

San Francisco Lawmakers to Regulate Electronic Cigarettes

San Francisco lawmakers proposed new legislation regarding electronic cigarettes today. Scott Baba reports.