Feinstein's Proposed Water Bill Leaves Some Californians Feeling Dry

This week, California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer introduced “The California Emergency Relief Act.” In contrast to a Republican House bill from two weeks ago, their bill includes some environmental regulations, as well as larger funding for long-term drought relief efforts.

Activist in San Mateo Finds Herself Evicted

A community activist who advocates on behalf of families who have been evicted with out reason, now finds herself and her neighbors facing eviction. She leads residents to act against the new owner of the apartment building. Helen Higinio filed this report from San Mateo.

Medicare Anniversary Includes Push for Single Payor

Nurses, community leaders and health care activists rallied in Oakland to celebrate Medicare’s 50th anniversary. Their event featured music, speakers, and a pie raffle, marking their call to Protect, Improve and Expand Medicare to cover everyone. Christopher Martinez reports from Oakland.

San Francisco Cyclists Protest Crackdown on Stop Sign Violations

Last night in San Francisco cars lined up for blocks behind hundreds of protesting cyclists at the intersection of Waller and Steiner at rush hour. Other than the intermittent honking of outraged motorists, conversation and the tinkling of bicycle bells were the only sounds filling the busy streets.

The traffic jam was an effort by the Wigg Party, a cycling advocacy group, to let police and neighbors know that asking bicycles to come to a full and complete stop at each stop sign does more to interrupt the flow of traffic than it does to promote safety.

SFPD Park Station is cracking down on cyclists who don't come to a complete stop at stop signs after a spate of complaints from residents along the Wiggle, a bicycle thoroughfare. The display annoyed neighbors who fear for their safety when crossing the street.

SFPD said that though enforcement is at officer discretion, they would rather cite and individual than later file an accident report. Until the law changes, enforcement will continue as usual.

Local District Supervisor London Breed says that bicycles are not cars and should be treated differently. She supports introducing the Idaho rolling stop for cyclists and admitted that when on a bicycle, that's what she does.

Domestic Violence, Immigration Rights Actvists Stand with Nan-Hui Jo

Immigrant rights and domestic violence groups are celebrating the release of undocumented mother Nan-Hui Jo from immigration detention. They say her conviction for child abduction and the deportation proceedings show flaws in an immigration system that separates families and a criminal justice system that penalizes domestic violence survivors. Christopher Martinez files this report from San Francisco.

Senate HELP Committee Discusses sexual Assault on College Campus

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, known as the HELP committee, met today to discuss combating campus sexual assault. The Higher Education Act, the law that governs how federal money is distributed to Universities and students is up for renewal this year and the HELP committee heard testimony from University of California President Janet Napolitano, along with other higher education officials and advocates. Mike Kohn files this report.

Delta Tunnel Plan Draws Opponents at Open House

Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to build massive water tunnels through the Bay Delta is continuing to draw opposition from environmentalists and other activists. The plan is open for comment on a draft Environmental Impact Report, with public meetings Tuesday in Sacramento and Wednesday in Walnut Grove. Opponents call the plan a boondoggle that would harm endangered species in order to benefit big agriculture in southern and central California. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

"Don't Pulp Our Fiction!" Berkeley Residents Fight for their Books

Librarians active and retired as well as concerned community members gathered on the front steps of the Berkeley Public library downtown today. They fear new policies will decimate the library book collection and want guarantees against punitive action for library workers who speak out against excessive weeding.

Animal Rights Activists charged as Terrorists

Two Oakland-based animal activists have been charged with Terrorizing the fur-industry. Joseph Buddenberg and Nicole Kissane are accused of traveling more than 40,000 miles releasing thousands of Minks from farms as well as vandalizing the homes and businesses of fur industry members. Animal rights advocates and lawyers argue that the classification of animal rights activists as Terrorist is unjust. Pacifica's Mike Kohn Files this report

Highland Hospital Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Jeopardy

Nurses, healthcare professionals, former patients, and community members gathered outside of Highland Hospital this afternoon to protest Alameda Health System's plans to close the Substance Abuse Treatment Center.

San Francisco Tenants Demand Protection from Eviction

In San Francisco, groups of demonstrators gathered on the steps of City Hall to demand more rights for both tenants and landlords. Supporters of the bill say that landlords take advantage of current eviction laws and try to remove tenants for minor infractions in order to raise rent. Small property owners say that it's hard to maintain a residence in San Francisco due to high taxes, and the inability to increase rents means they are unable to maintain their residences.

Bernie Sanders Responds to Criticism Regarding Race

Presidential contender Bernie Sanders responds to criticism over what many say was his dismissive attitude towards race after he found himself interrupted during last week's Netroots Nation Conference. KPFA's John Banister has the story.

El Cerrito RV Park Faces Closure For Development Project

It’s a familiar story: low to mid income residents forced to leave their homes because of new development. This time, it’s an RV Park in El Cerrito. Lucy Kang has the story.

Richmond Passes Rent Control and Just Cause Eviction

After several months of public, often contentious debate, the City of Richmond joined San Francisco, Oakland and a few other California cities in passing a rent control and just cause eviction proposal at its regular meeting July 21. Rent increases above the overall consumer price index will be prohibited, though numerous exemptions will allow landlords to pass through increases in taxes, capital improvements and other expenses. The Just Cause eviction measure will require property owners to have a clear justifiable reason for evicting a tenant, as opposed to current law where property owners do not have to show a cause for eviction. The rent control ordinance will apply to 9,900 apartments and houses…about 40% of the city’s rental units. Any houses built after 1995 are exempt according to state law. The just cause section applies to all rental situations. Tom Herriman Reports from Richmond. Photo, Mayor Tom Butt consults with Vinay Pimple as Council prepares to vote on rent control.

Teachers, Ministers, Discrimination Debated at Assembly Hearing

Catholic school teachers, students, parents and alumni turned out at an Assembly hearing in San Francisco to blast the Catholic archdiocese’s plans to change teachers contracts and enforce a “morality clause” that describes homosexuality as “gravely evil”. State lawmakers held the hearing to gather information in the wake of a US Supreme Court ruling that says ministers are not covered by anti-discrimination employment laws, an exception that could include teachers at church-based schools. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Proposed Oil Trains Raise Concerns in San Luis Obispo

The derailment of a train carrying crude oil in Montana on Monday has intensified concerns over the safety of transporting highly toxic and explosive petroleum over the nation’s aging rail beds in antiquated tank cars. It was the fifth major accident of oil-bearing trains so far this year. Those fears have become sharply focused in San Luis Obispo County with a proposal by the Phillips 66 oil company’s proposal to bring oil trains to its refinery in Nipomo, on the central California coast. This week Jan Marx, the Mayor of the city of San Luis Obispo, came out strongly against the project, and the city council has already voted to reject it. The proposal is now under environmental review, with thousands of citizens submitting comments. In addition to the potential for derailment, the project would have numerous other negative environmental impacts, some unavoidable. The final decision will be up to the County’s board of supervisors. Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Marijuana Legalization Advocates Hail New Report

A new report on marijuana policy is offering recommendations on how to transition from an illegal to a legal market in marijuana for California. The report was presented by a commission convened by Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and the ACLU of Northern California. It comes as several marijuana legalization initiatives are working their way to the ballot in 2016. Christopher Martinez reports.

Divided Richmond City Council Approves Rent Control

A divided Richmond City Council approved the city's first rent control ordinance after hearing hours of testimony. The vote came near midnight. The measure generally will prohibit rent increases above the overall consumer price index, although there will be exceptions. Tenants will have just cause protections against arbitrary evictions. Tom Herriman reports from Richmond.

New Jail Plan Moves Forward in San Francisco

A controversial plan to build a new jail in San Francisco is moving forward, after a split vote to approve an environmental report and proceed with a request for state construction funding. The proposed jail would replace a decrepit seismically unfit jail at the city’s Hall of Justice, but opponents say the money could be put to better use to address over-incarceration and the root causes that put people in jail. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Immigrants Rights, Police Advocates React to Congressional Scapegoating

Immigrant rights activists and local police leaders, including the head of the major cities police chiefs association, are speaking out against efforts to undermine local policies like sanctuary cities ordinances. They’re talking up the importance of immigrant-friendly community safety policies a day before a US Senate judiciary committee hearing on what Republican leaders call “misdirected immigrant enforcement policies.” Christopher Martinez reports.

ACLU Sues Fresno County and State over Public Defense Funding

The American Civil Liberties Union Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Fresno County and the State of California claiming the county’s public defense system is underfunded, thus preventing public defenders from adequately representing their clients. The ACLU says that situation violates the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which guarantees the right for every citizen to a fair and speedy trial and effective legal representation. According to the lawsuit, public defense attorneys in Fresno County carry caseloads that are three to four times the professional standard, making it difficult to provide a satisfactory defense for individual clients. Fresno County officials deny that anyone’s Constitutional rights have been violated as a result of staffing levels in the public defender’s office. Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

California's Water Wars Ramp Up in Fourth Year of Drought

As the worst drought in California's history continues to batter the state, conflicts over water rights and water distribution are intensifying into all-out water wars. Tensions between state water regulators and San Joaquin Valley irrigation districts are turning into pitched legal battles as the state orders groups of farmers to curtail water usage. Meanwhile, opposition to Governor Jerry Brown's proposed delta tunnels is increasing in light of the gravity of the drought. Pacifica's Liam McLaughlin reports.

Taylor Farms workers fight firings, surveillance, discrmination in union organizing drive

Taylor farms is the largest fresh-cut fruit and vegetable producer in the U.S. with 10,000 employees and $1.8 billion in revenue. They grow, process and package salads and vegetables for McDonalds, Safeway, and countless school districts and food suppliers across the nation.
When workers at Taylor Farms in Tracy California decided to form a union in 2013, they didn’t think they would be in for a bitter years-long battle with the company including numerous charges of firings, intimidation and other illegal behavior by the company. After all, Taylor Farms had long recognized and worked with the union at its plants 100 miles south in Salinas.
In fact, the union campaign in Tracy has been one of the bitterest fights in the agriculture industry in recent memory, and the final resolution of the conflict will be made at the highest levels of the National Labor Relations Board. Tom Herriman reports from Tracy.
(Photo, Brenda Vega and Armida Galeana).

Oakland City Council Agrees to Build Affordable Housing in Eastlake Neighborhood

Earlier this week in Oakland, a closed City Council meeting ruled against building a luxury apartment complex in the Eastlake neighborhood. This was due in large part to a leaked memo from the City Attorney's office, as well as a huge community effort from groups like Eastlake United for Justice.

Republicans Announce Probe of Planned Parenthood Over Fetal Tissue

A firestorm over secretly recorded comments by a Planned Parenthood official shows no signs of going away. Three Republican-led congressional committees and at least three Republican state officials have ordered an investigation to determine if Planned Parenthood sold tissues from aborted fetuses. The organization says it doesn't sell tissue, but does help women donate it for scientific research. More from Gabriela Castelan.

Jeb Bush Blasts Big Government, Sanctuary Laws

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is in the bay area for a series of fundraisers and campaign appearances. Thursday morning he spoke at a San Francisco tech company founded by former White House aides to his brother George W Bush. Jeb Bush announced his presidential run last month, joining a field that now includes at least 15 Republican hopefuls. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

Long Beach Officials Urged to Stop Offshore Fracking

Environmentalists are urging Governor Jerry Brown to halt plans for months of hydraulic fracturing in the waters off Southern California. They warn the operations could lead to chemical pollution or an oil spill. State regulators this month approved nine permits for fracking operations between August and December in Long Beach Harbor. The city of Long Beach owns the land and earlier this week environmentalists urged officials to reject the fracking plan Dan Fritz reports.

Supervisors Ponder Alternative to New SF Jail

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote next week on the fate of a project to replace the current decrepit jail facilities at the Hall of Justice. The Sheriff's Department wants to build a new jail to replace it. Some Supervisors and activists are calling for alternatives to another jail. David Landau reports from San Francisco.

Berkeley Passes New Ordinances After Fatal Balcony Collapse

The Berkeley City Council unanimously approved stricter requirements to the building code last night after a balcony collapse killed six people last month. KPFA's Lucy Kang reports.

Medical Marijuana Regulation Moves Forward in CA Senate

A bill to create California’s first statewide regulations on medical marijuana has passed two key hurdles in the state senate. The measure combines several earlier bills on the issue, but it still leaves areas of controversy, including language that lets cities and counties pass local bans on medical marijuana operations. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Immigrants Rights Groups Urge Compassion

Immigrants rights activists and faith leaders gathered at San Francisco City Hall to offer prayers and condolences for Kathryn Steinle and her family. They also spoke out against the scapegoating of immigrant communities in the wake of her shooting death, allegedly by an undocumented immigrant. Mark Mericle has more.

CA Housing Finances Chief Announces Departure -- Tenants Cheer

The embattled chair of the California Housing Finance Agency has announced he's leaving his post following a two month campaign by tenant activists demanding his ouster. Christina Aanestad has more.

The San Fransisco Board of supervisors voted today to amend the cities short term rental regulations which the city planning department has declared to be impossible to enforce. Two sets of proposed amendments where before the council, one very similar to a November ballot initiative. The Board appeared to have as many opinions on the matter as members and after half a dozen changes to the two proposals the board voted to create a new agency to address the city planning departments complaints. Pacifica's Mike Kohn files this report

Balcony Collapse Bill Fails in Assembly Committee

An Assembly committee has rejected a bill aimed at closing legal loopholes that keep state regulators in the dark about problem construction contractors. The bill was inspired by the tragic balcony collapse at a Berkeley apartment in June that killed six people. That contractor had paid more than $26 million in lawsuits involving balconies, but state regulators never knew about those settlements. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

PUC Reform Bill Moves Forward in Assembly

A bill aimed at reforming the California Public Utilities Commission sailed through an Assembly committee with a unanimous vote. Democratic senator Mark Leno’s Senate Bill 660 is one of several measures aimed at changing the way the Commission works in the wake of the deadly San Bruno gas pipeline explosion and controversies over the Commission’s cozy relationship with the utilities it regulates. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

San Francisco Affordable Housing Disappearing Almost As Quickly It Is Created

A new report out of San Francisco's department of planning indicates that the city has failed to increase the amount of low-income housing available in the city over the last decade, despite the city's prodigious growth in that period of time. Scott Baba reports.

New Report on California Fracking Details Risks and Unknowns

The California Council on Science and Technology is out with a new report on the effects of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in the state. It comes a week after California's new regulations on fracking from Senate Bill 4 came into effect. The report details the potential risks and unknown factors of the state's gas and oil industry. Lucy Kang has more.

Fresno Police Unveil Crime Fighting Surveillance Technology

Fresno’s Police Department this week unveiled a high technology information center that incorporates video surveillance and intelligence-gathering software to help officers better evaluate a crime or public safety situation before arriving on the scene. Law enforcement officials say it will help police officers make more informed decisions when dealing with potentially violent circumstances or public emergencies. Civil libertarians, however, are raising concerns about the potential for misuse and overreach that such technology permits. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

S.F. Sheriff Critisizes Feds for Kathryn Steinle Shooting

San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mikarimi, whose office has been under fire since the July 1 waterfront shooting of Kathryn Steinle, responded to his critics this morning at a standing room only press conference. With one or two barbs directed at S.F. Mayor Ed Lee, Mirkarimi was heavily critical of federal authorities, whom he accused of acting carelessly and inconsistently. David Landau reports.

Latino Voters Underrepresented in CA Government

New census numbers show Latinos now outnumber Anglos in California, but Latino voting power is lagging behind the new population numbers. The difference becomes more stark when the population is compared to the number of Latinos elected to public office, where Latinos are under-represented at every level of government. Members of the Latino Legislative Caucus joined scholars and activists to discuss the issues after the release of a new report on Latino voting trends and elected representation in California. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Minimum Wage Hike Wins Approval in Committee

An assembly committee has approved a measure that would hike California’s minimum wage to $11 an hour next year, and $13 an hour in 2017. The measure would also link future minimum wage hikes to the rate of inflation. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

California Bill to Reduce Racial Profiling by Police Officers

In Sacramento, Assembly Bill 953, concerning racial profiling in law enforcement, passed in the Senate Committee on Public Safety. Authored by Assemblymember Shirley Weber, it is intended to curb racial profiling in California. The bill calls for officers to file a report for every stop made, detailing the racial identity of every suspect. This information will be gathered to institute change within law enforcement practices.

Oakland's City Attorney Says 12th st Development Deal is Illegal

The Oakland city council pulled a controversial vote on the sale of a public parcel of land to developers from their agenda last night. The decision to pull the vote was made in a closed session before the Tuesday night city council meeting after a legal opinion from the city attorney's office stating the sale would be in violation of state law was leaked to the press. Pacifica's Mike Kohn files this report

Delta Advocates Assail State’s Revised Water Export Plan

State officials are expected Friday to release the Environmental Impact Report for the revised Bay Delta plan. Today representatives from several Delta advocacy groups held a teleconference to criticize the State’s plan to build the immense 35-mile long twin tunnels designed to increase water exports from the Delta to large farms in the San Joaquin Valley and real estate developers in southern California. The -revised Delta plan is focused on building the tunnels while dramatically reducing habitat restoration called for in the original proposal. Pacifica’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Aid in Dying Pulled Before Key Vote

A bill to legalize physician aid-in-dying for terminally ill patients has apparently died in the Assembly, after the authors suddenly pulled it from consideration by a key legislative committee. This marks the second time the authors have pulled it from the Assembly Health Committee agenda where it lacked the needed votes to pass. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

Berkeley Recycling Director Faces Deportation to Unknown Country

Family members, co-workers, and community members are calling for the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency to release Daniel Maher. Maher has helped run the Berkeley curb side Recycling program for over 10 years, being a strong advocate for environmental protection and leading community activism around the environment and racial injustice. Last month Maher was picked up and detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency is looking to deport Maher to China after 20 years of inaction. Pacifica's Mike Kohn reports from San Fransisco.

Housing Initiatives Put on Ballot

Opponents of AIRBNB and other such short-term rentals in San Francisco filed ballot initiatives with the city's department of elections today, hoping to put in place tighter restrictions on the practice and curb what many consider to be a significant factor in the ongoing housing crisis. Scott Baba reports.

Lawmakers Begin Special Session on Healthcare

State lawmakers have begun meeting in a special legislative session to look for more than a billion dollars to fund health care programs, including funding for home care for aged, blind and disabled Californians. They’re looking at options including a new version of the current tax on managed care health providers, as well as other possible taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

California's Oil Trains and Environmental Racism

As the nation finds itself increasingly embroiled in much-needed conversations about racial injustice, one more story is gaining traction - that of the intense environmental injustice that communities of color face across the country. A study by Bay Area public interest groups has just been published detailing the risks that trains transporting crude oil disproportionately impose on minority communities in California. Pacifica's Liam McLaughlin reports.

Mission Moratorium: Scrable to the Ballot

Activists in San Francisco's Mission District say new building developments are driving out low to mid-income residents. They're scrambling to gather enough signatures to put a moratorium on market rate development on the November ballot. Lucy Kang filed this report from San Francisco.

Livestock Antibiotics Bill Clears Ag Committee

An Assembly committee has approved a measure to limit the use of antibiotics for livestock. The measure by democratic senator Jerry Hill aims at reducing the over-use of antibiotics that could lead to an increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria that pose a public health risk. Christopher Martinez reports from Sacramento.

City Council Postpone Voting on New Regulations For Berkeley’s Homeless

A lengthy agenda and a lengthy meeting of the Berkeley City Council last night - there was the budget and a pending deal with the city's unionized workers. And then there were four proposed ordinances on the behavior of homeless people from councilwoman Linda Maio who says the status quo is no longer acceptable and points to a growing encampment on Shattuck and Telegraph Avenues. Opponents of her measures complained that the actual language of her proposals was not available until late last month and a last minute amendment distributed last night undermined the democratic process. Maio's supporters suggested that the opponents were filibustering the meeting to drive it into the early morning hours and scuttle the legislation. Pacifica's Saadia Malik reports.