Explosion at La Habra Metal Polishing Company Leaves 9 Injured

An explosion at a La Habra metal-polishing company has left 9 people injured, two critically with burns over 90 percent of their bodies. Many of the victims suffered facial and forearm burns in the explosion at Gorilla’s Plating and Polishing Corporation. The cause of the explosion has not been confirmed and is currently under investigation by Cal-Osha.

KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has more.

Immigrant Health Bill Passes Key Vote

A measure to expand health coverage for undocumented immigrants has passed a key hurdle in the State Senate. Supporters of Senator Ricardo Lara’s Senate Bill 1005 say it will close a gap in the new Obamacare health expansion, and make California a leader while the Federal government and other states are slow to help undocumented immigrants. Christopher Martinez files this report from Sacramento.

Federal Mediator to Help Settle Contract Dispute between Oakland Children's Hospital and Residents

Contract negotiations between doctors in residency and Children’s Hospital in Oakland have come to a stand still. The resident physicians want to bring in a federal mediator to facilitate a contract settlement. The doctors represented by the Service Employees International Union Committee of Interns and Residents have been in negotiations with the hospital for over a year. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Severe Fire Weather In Southern California

Record high temperatures, dry conditions and high winds are fueling fires throughout Southern California. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

Local Activists Push for Tighter Workplace Safety Regulations

A local activist group is paying tribute to workers who have suffered injuries, illnesses and even death while on the job.
The Southern California Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health or SoCalCOSH is kicking off Workers Memorial Week with a report outlining the hazards of workplaces across the state.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

Supporters and Opponents of Homesharing Rally in San Francisco

Supporters and opponents of so-called homesharing rallied outside San Francisco City Hall to call attention to a piece of legislation introduced by San Francisco board of supervisors president David Chui that would legalize short-term rentals. Homesharing industry leader Air Bed and Breakfast -- or Airbnb -- provides an online platform that connects landlords and tenants with short-term rentees. Supervisor Chui’s legislation would permit short-term rentals for ninety nights per year and require residents to occupy the units for the majority of the year. Supporters say the proposed law would allow low and moderate-income individuals to legally supplement their income. Opponents say the law will exacerbate the city’s housing shortage. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Rainy Day Rally Pushes Safety Net Funding

Students, teachers, health and welfare advocates are calling on lawmakers to put five billion dollars into restoring education and safety net programs slashed during the recession. State budget projections show a five billion dollar surplus. Governor Jerry Brown wants to split much of that money between a rainy day reserve fund and payments of state debt. Advocates want the state to prioritize schools, colleges and health and welfare programs. Christopher Martinez files this report from Sacramento.

Drought Impacts Food Aid Statewide

The California Department of Social Services announced last week that 24 counties impacted by the drought will begin receiving the first installment of $25 million dollars of food aid in May. The supplemental food assistance is part of a $687 million dollar drought relief bill signed by Governor Jerry Brown earlier this year. The food aid is targeted for counties that have a larger share of unemployment due to the effects of the drought on agriculture. Counties in Central California will be especially hard-hit. Unemployment in some communities in the western San Joaquin Valley are expected to be as high as 50 percent, as thousands of acres fallowed because of reductions in water allocations to farms. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Wildlife Experts Examine Rat Poison In Wild Animals

Southland wildlife experts say the use of rat poison is having a detrimental effect on local species. This was made evident by the poor health of P-22, a well known mountain lion that resides in the Griffith Park area.
KPFK’s Hessel Pineda has more.

Queer Youth Advocates Push State Legislation

High school students from across California gathered at the State Capitol in Sacramento to push legislation they say will help lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth be themselves at school and graduate. The event was the 9th Annual Queer Youth Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

L.A. County Sued Over Jail Suicide

A Palmdale woman who says the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department knew her husband was a suicide risk before he hanged himself in his jail cell is suing the county, claiming the death could have been prevented. KPFK Reporter John Matthews the story.

Thousands Turn Out for Free Medical, Dental Care

Thousands of people from across the Bay Area trekked through the rain Friday to the Oakland Coliseum for free health care. The services were offered by about 600 volunteer doctors, dentists and others, 98 percent of whom are members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The group also offered clinics at the Armory in San Francisco’s Mission District on Wednesday and Thursday, but organizers said Friday’s event was by far the busiest. Pacifica’s Geoffrey Upton was there and files this report.

Income Inequality, Corporate CEO Pay Enter Debate at State Capitol

A State Senate committee has approved a bill aimed at limiting excessive pay to corporate executives in companies that pay low wages to workers. Supporters say the measure would help close a growing pay gap between corporate CEO’s and workers, and reduce income and wealth inequality. They’re hoping debate on the issue could make California a national leader on economic justice issues. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

SoCal Iranian Brothers Seek Justice Over U.S. Detentions

Four Iranian brothers who live in the San Fernando Valley are asking two international tribunals to rule they were unlawfully held by the United States on alleged immigration violations for more than 40 months shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has more.

USC Students Call on University to Cut Ties with Apparel Company

A group of student activists from a labor rights group occupied offices across the USC campus today in a protest against sweat shop products. The group is calling on the university to cut ties with Jansport, a sportswear apparel company. Activists say VF Corporation, its parent company, violates Bangledeshi worker’s rights.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

Wage Theft Bill Passes Legislative Hurdle

A State Senate committee has approved a measure aimed at helping low-wage workers fight wage theft. The Assembly Labor Committee approved Assembly Bill 2416 - the “Wage Theft Recovery Act” - on a 4 to 2 vote. The measure would let low-wage workers put a wage lien on employer’s property when they file a wage theft complaint. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Healthcare Workers Strike Alleging Understaffing in the Mental Health Department at Kaiser Oakland

More than sixty healthcare workers in the psychiatric department at Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland Medical Center went on strike today to pressure the company to increase staffing levels. Clinicians accuse Kaiser of understaffing the mental health department in order to cut costs. The strike comes as the workers negotiate a new contract with hospital management. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

State Senators Get Ethics Training

The State Senate took a day off from legislation and committee hearings to hold workshops on legislative ethics. The action comes in the wake of a series of senate ethics scandals that have led to the suspension with pay of three Democratic senators, including Senator Leland Yee’s indictment on charges that include gun-running to finance campaign debts. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Seniors and the Disabled Call on San Francisco Realtors to Not Oppose Ellis Act Reform

Housing activists held a rally today at the San Francisco Association of Realtors to call for a moratorium on evictions of seniors and the disabled. The activists also called on the realtor's association not to oppose an Ellis Act reform bill introduced in Sacramento last month. The Ellis Act was designed to allow landlords to sell their property in order to go out of business. Housing activists say real estate speculators have been using the law to evict seniors and the disabled in order to turn a profit. Pacific’s nick St. Charles filed this report.

Health Advocates Push Legislation to Increase Access for Poor

Doctors and state lawmakers are pushing a package of bills they say will increase access to health care for people on Medi-Cal. The state’s health program has seen a boom in enrollment under the federal Affordable Care Act, but advocates fear many low-income people will get health insurance but be unable to find a doctor who takes Medi-Cal unless California boosts doctor reimbursement rates and increases training for primary care doctors. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

PG&E Pleads Not Guilty in Indictment Over 2010 San Bruno Explosion

The utility company PG&E pleaded not guilty today to 12 criminal charges related to the deadly 2010 San Bruno natural gas pipeline explosion that killed eight and wounded dozens more. Scott Baba reports.

Is Prison Realignment Working?

California’s historic “prison realignment” - shifting some inmates from state prisons to counties - has been controversial from the beginning. Now, after two and a half years, opinions still differ on whether the move has been a success. A former state Corrections Secretary and two state lawmakers debated the issue at a forum presented by the Public Policy Institute of California. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Smaller Vessels Screened For Radiation At SoCal Ports

Incoming boats and ships were screened today as part of an ongoing operation to block illegal radiation sources from entering through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

Concern for U.S.-Russia Relations Tempers Hope for Ukraine Agreement

Thursday's Geneva agreement may represent a light at the end of the tunnel for the hostilities in Ukraine, according to Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of the Nation magazine. But, vanden Heuvel adds, U.S. sanctions against Russia and the drumbeat for war on the part of many American politicians threaten to undermine the future of diplomatic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia. Pacifica's Geoffrey Upton reports.

Nancy Pelosi Joins San Francisco's Religious Leaders to Call for Immigration Reform

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi joined undocumented immigrants, city officials and religious leaders for a foot washing ceremony at St. John Evangelist Episcopalian Church in San Francisco to call for immigration reform. Nick St. Charles filed this report from San Francisco's Mission District.

Crude Oil on Trains Spurs Legislative Proposal

Sacramento Assemblymember Roger Dickinson is introducing legislation he says will help protect communities from train accidents involving crude oil. The move comes as rail shipments of crude oil are skyrocketing, and activists warn of catastrophic accidents involving the highly flammable crude oil shipped on trains as much as a mile long through cities and communities across the country. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

U.S. Appeals Court Overturns Ruling on Water Contracts and Delta Protection

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned a lower court ruling on the impact of long term water contracts on the endangered Delta Smelt. The eleven member panel unanimously ruled that the federal Bureau of Reclamation should have consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before deciding that contracts with California water users would not affect the environment of the Bay Delta and its species. Yesterday’s ruling will send the matter back to Federal District Court decide how federal and state agencies should manage water flow into and out of the Delta while still protecting the species that live there. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Minimum wage fight not over yet for Seatac Airport workers

The City of SeaTac Washington, with a population of about 25,000, grew up around seatac airport which is entirely within city boundaries. The airport takes up nearly a third of the city’s 10 square miles. 35 million passengers a year pass through the airport, making it the 15th largest in the U.S.
In November 2013, Seatac became the U.S. City with the highest minimum wage, $15 an hour, as a result of a ballot initiative -- AN EFFORT spearheaded by airport workers and a coalition of labor and community groups. By Comparison, the minimum wage for San Francisco airport workers is $12.74 an hour and $12.66 an hour in the rest of the city. Workers at Oakland airport are covered by California’s minimum wage law which is $8 an hour now and goes up to $9 July 1. Activists in Oakland are CURRENTLY gathering signatures now to put a $15 minimum wage law on the November ballot.
Tom Herriman recently talked to several workers at SeaTac airport to find out how the new Seatac minimum wage law, which passed by 77 votes, came about and how it’s working out. (Photo: Hosea Wilcox, Seatc Airport baggage Handler.)

Whittier's Residents Challenge At-Large Voting System

An East LA city may see changes to the process of electing its city council members. A non jury trial has been scheduled for next year to determine whether Whittier should replace its current at-large balloting system with voting districts. Three Latino residents filed a lawsuit last August against the city, alleging the current system is unfair to the city’s more than half Latino population.
KPFK's Agnes Radomski has the story.

14 Injured After Fire Truck Slams Into Monterey Park Eatery

A pair of fire trucks collided at a Monterey Park intersection today, sending one of the trucks careening into a restaurant, injuring at least 14 people. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has more.

The Board of San Francisco's Municipal Transportation Agency Approves Two-Year Budget

The board of San Francisco's Municipal Transportation Agency has approved a 1.8 billion dollar budget for the next two years that increases fares for adults, provides free Muni passes for low-income eighteen year olds and eliminates metered parking on Sundays. The board will consider free Muni passes for seniors and the disabled pending a review of the agency's fiscal health next year. The budget’s approval comes amid increasing public pressure to make municipal transit more affordable for low-income riders. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Immigrant Farm Workers Organize Against Union Busting at Sakuma Bros. Farms

Immigrant farm workers delivered a letter to the US Department of Labor and the Mexican consulate in San Francisco urging officials not to send guest workers from Mexico to work on a berry farm in Washington state. The workers at Sakuma Bros. Farms say their employer has applied to bring guest workers from Mexico to replace workers who have been organizing for a higher wage and better working conditions. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Bilingual Education May Head Back to Ballot

A State Senator wants to overturn the 16-year-old ballot initiative that largely banned bilingual education in California. He’s proposing a bill that would put the issue on the ballot in 2016. He says multilingual education would benefit students and help meet the needs for a multilingual workforce in the global economy. Christopher Martinez reports.

Bell Corruption Mastermind Robert Rizzo Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison

The alleged mastermind of the city of Bell's corruption scandel has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly 9 million dollars in restitution. Robert Rizzo's prison time will begin at the end of May. Pacifica's Dan Fritz reports from Los Angeles.

10 Dead In California Truck-Bus Crash

Counselors were sent to 16 Los Angeles Unified School District campuses and other schools across the Southland today after 10 people - including five students - died in a crash between a big rig and a school bus. The bus was transporting high school students on a field trip visit to Humboldt State University. KPFK reporter John Matthews has more.

Protesters Target Google Lawyer in San Francisco Evictions

Anti-eviction protesters gathered Friday morning in San Francisco’s Mission District to stop a Google employee shuttle bus, in protest against a Google executive’s planned eviction of several longtime residents from a property he recently purchased in the area. Pacifica’s Geoffrey Upton was there and filed this report.

Fresno Forum Seeks to Stop Bullying of Sikh Students

In the wake of a national survey that revealed widespread bullying of Sikh students, local communities are stepping up their efforts to combat discrimination against them. At a forum held in Fresno last night Sikh community leaders came together with local educators and the public to learn more about the 500,000 Sikhs that live in the United States, and what they can do to create a safe environment in the schools that teach their children. The San Joaquin Valley is home to 35,000 Sikhs. Vic Bedoian filed this report.

The San Joaquin Tops the List of America’s Most Endangered Rivers

The conservation group American Rivers released its annual list of the nation’s most endangered waterways today, and topping that list is the San Joaquin River. Outdated water management and excessive water diversions were cited as the reason why the Central California river is considered at greater risk than any other in the country. Nearly 4 million people live in, and depend upon, the watershed of the San Joaquin and its tributaries. The river supports more than two million acres of agriculture along with declining species of wildlife. The San Joaquin River’s major tributaries also generate hydro power and drinking water for San Francisco Bay Area. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

L.A. 2020 Commission Offers Plan To Boost Economy

Los Angeles needs more tourists, a unified port and a higher minimum wage. These ideas were among more than a dozen recommendations proposed today by the Los Angeles 2020 Commission to encourage growth and lift the city from an uneven economic recovery. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the story.

Activists Protest Intelligence Sharing Centers

Privacy activists met in front of the federal building in San Francisco to call for the dismantling of regional intelligence hubs known as fusion centers. The centers facilitate information sharing between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The activists say fusion centers create an unprecedented level of information awareness that threaten civil liberties. Rallies were scheduled today in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, Boston, Dallas and Charlotte for a national day of action. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Wrongful Convictions Measure Passes State Senate

The State Senate has passed a measure aimed at reducing wrongful convictions. The bill by Democratic Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco could help some prisoners get another chance in court if their conviction was based on false or out-dated evidence from an expert witness. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Nurses at San Francisco General Hospital Allege Staffing Shortages

Nurses rallied today in front of San Francisco General Hospital to urge the city to increase staffing ratios in the emergency room. The nurses allege staffing shortages have had an impact on patient care. The rally comes as the nurse’s union, The Service Employees Union International Local 1021, negotiates with management for a new contract. Nick St. Charles filed this report.

Universal Pre-School Bill Gains Support

Early childhood educators have declared this the “Week of the Young Child”, and now state lawmakers have given a first round of approval to a measure that would create universal pre-kindergarten pre-school in California. The measure is a top priority for Democratic Senate leader Darrel Steinberg. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Solitary Confinement Bills Pass First Hurdles

Two measures to limit the use of solitary confinement in California prisons have passed their first hurdles in the State Legislature. The bills are aimed at reducing the state prison system’s use of solitary confinement practices that critics blast as human rights violations that amount to torture. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Activists Creates Awareness Of Petition To Save Orcas

A corporate watchdog group joined a sixth grade student from Malibu to deliver over 100,000 signatures to a state assembly committee. Some of Us DOT ORG says it was inspired by the young girl who petitioned her school to cancel a trip to Sea World and go whale watching instead.

KPFK reporter Hessel Pineda has more on the story.

Former Braceros Demand Back Pay from Mexican Government

Former Braceros and their families in Los Angeles are calling on the Mexican government to recover wages they say went unpaid for decades of labor under the guest worker program. About 10 percent of Bracero’s wages were deducted from their paychecks and deposited to a savings fund in Mexico, ensuring workers would return from the U.S.
The former laborers held a press conference in front of the Mexican consulate in MacArthur Park to address what they called the “perceived progress” with the reimbursement program under new Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the story.

NDRC Report Explores Dangerous FDA Loophole

Federal protections to keep unsafe additives out of our food may contain a dangerous legal loophole that allows manufacturers to bypass FDA inspection. That's according to a report put out by the Natural Resources Defense Council today. Scott Baba reports.

ACLU Activists Rally For Student, Welfare, Drug Law Reforms

Civil liberties activists gathered at the State Capitol for their annual conference and lobby day, raising issues ranging from immigration and surveillance to the rights of students and mothers receiving welfare. They capped their weekend conference with a rally on the steps of the State Capitol, and visits to state lawmakers in the heated days of legislative hearings. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Water Agencies Urged to Take Action on Dry Northern California Streams

With snow levels at a near-record low, a third dry year in California is leaving waterways in Northern California on the verge of drying up. In the Northern Sierra, the snowpack is only 23 percent of average so far this year. Now, a coalition of Northern California environmental groups, Indian tribes and fishermen are urging the State and Regional water boards to the Federal Clean Water Act to save salmon and other species at risk. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Activists Rally Downtown Calling For 'Robin Hood' Tax On Wall Street

A coalition of labor union and community activists marked the day that the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated 46 years ago with nationwide rallies including one in Los Angeles that calls for a tax on some Wall Street transactions. Activists say HR 1579, the Robin Hood Tax, will help reduce income inequality. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has more.

Campaign Donations to Get More Scrutiny Under New Law

Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill aimed at cracking down on anonymous political campaign contributions. Assembly Bill 800 by Menlo Park Democrat Richard Gordon will give the state Fair Political Practices Commission new power to audit suspicious campaign contributions before elections. Christopher Martinez reports.

LA Performance Reimagines Greek Tragedy, Gender Identity

A New York-based artist has brought his experimental dance theatre piece to Los Angeles for the weekend. The performance, which runs through Sunday at REDCAT, tackles issues of gender identity and equality.

KPFK’s Jasmine Broderick attended the West Coast premier last night, and has the story.



Choreographer/Artist Trajal Harrell stopped by KPFK to discuss his work.



Follow Jasmine Broderick on Twitter @jazzybroderick

Women Launch Fast to Urge Lawmakers to Pass Immigration Reform

Several dozen immigrant women rallied in San Francisco’s Mission District to urge President Obama to halt deportations. The women are joining activists in thirty-five states around the country for a 24-hour rolling fast to take place over the next month. Pacific’s Nick St. Charles filed this report.

The Anti-Defamation League Releases it's Yearly Anti-Semitic Audit

The Anti-Defamation League has released its yearly audit of hate incidents across the country. The group says this latest report, detailing incidents from across the country, shows some good news: that anti-Jewish attacks are down. But authors caution that anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish prejudice is alive and well.
KPFK’s Natalie Johnson reports.

UCLA Report Predicts Employment Growth In California

Economists at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management have released their annual Economic Forecast for the nation, state, and Southern California. Forecasters concluded that even with the ongoing drought here in California and severe winter weather on the East Coast, employment should continue to grow over the next three years, although slightly slower locally than originally thought. KPFK Reporter John Matthews has the details.

City Officials Vow to Fix LA Streets

Potholes and uneven, dangerous sidewalks have long been a concern of Los Angele residents. Now, city leaders have a proposal to fix the problem.
City Council members Joe Buscaino and Mitchell Englander are calling for a half cent city sales tax to fix LA’s worst streets and sidewalks. They’re calling it the “Save Our Streets LA” project.
KPFK’s Agnes Radomski has the details.

Supreme Court Eliminates Overall Caps on Political Campaign Contributiuons

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM HAS UNDERGONE ITS BIGGEST SETBACK SINCE CITIZENS UNITED. THE SUPREME COURT HAS ELIMINATED LIMITS ON THE OVERALL AMOUNT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN DONATE TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS. THE COURT’S FIVE TO FOUR RULING IN MCCUTCHEON VERSUS THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION FOUND THAT AGGREGATE CAPS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT. PACIFICA’S NICK ST. CHARLES FILED THIS REPORT.

Flame Retardant Chemicals Challenged by Lawmakers

Consumers could learn whether the furniture they buy contains potentially toxic flame retardant chemicals, under a bill approved by a State Senate committee. The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held a hearing on the safety and effectiveness of flame retardant chemicals, followed by a vote to approve a labeling measure by San Francisco Senator Mark Leno. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Local Reaction to Supreme Court Finance Decision

Political leaders and activists across California are criticizing the Supreme Court's McCutcheon decision, which some are already calling Citizen's United 2.0. Pacifica's Dan Fritz files this report from Los Angeles.

Families Shattered by Deportations

On March 10, over 150 people crossed the U.S.-Mexico border through the Otay-Mesa port of entry between San Diego and Tijuana in an attempt to return to the U.S. and reunite with their families. The group included men women and children had been deported or denied re-entry by the U.S. Immigration service. All of them filed applications for asylum in the U.S. and were placed in detention while the applications were being processed. The group is among millions of immigrant families that daily face the threat of separation from spouses, children or parents because of stepped –up enforcement of immigration laws. Nearly 2 million people have been deported during the 6 years of President Obama’s administration. Tom Herriman reports from San Jose, California.

Lawmakers Approve Ethics Legislation

State lawmakers have approved several packages of ethics measures, as the Senate reels from the recent legal controversies over three democratic senators convicted or charged with fraud, perjury, corruption and gun-running. The seven anti-corruption measures passed out of Assembly and Senate committees with little opposition. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.