California News & Current Events | Public News Service

Youth Truth sponsors workshops to empower students to find their voice and get involved in their communities. (Ruby Wallau/YouthTruth)

Monday, September 16, 2024

Survey: Only 53% of high school students think voting is important

About 53% of high school students think voting is important, according to a survey out today from the nonprofit Youth Truth. Researchers polled 115,0…

A California law banning restrictive crates for pigs could be invalidated by a provision in the Republican proposal for the new Farm Bill. (Animal Equality)

How meat industry shapes U.S. politics and vice versa

Agribusiness has spent $500 million so far to lobby for changes to the next farm bill - in particular to invalidate a California law that bans extreme…

Childhood vaccines are stored in temperature-controlled refrigerators at pediatrician Eric Ball's practice in Orange County, Calif. (Jackie Forti�r/KFF Health News)

Pedatricians cut back on COVID shots as interest wanes

By Jackie Fortiér for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public Ne…

E-scooter companies say shared micromobility can be made safer if more people wear helmets, streets are properly maintained, and more cities add protected bike lanes. (Bondariev Volodymyr/Adobe Stock)<br />

8 years into America’s e-scooter experiment, what have we learned?

By Syris Valentine for Grist.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration…

A new study suggests that partisanship is less pronounced in local races when a particular local issue is deeply felt by voters. (The Stock Photo Girl/Adobe Stock)<br />

Study: 40% of voters willing to cross party lines on local issues

A common narrative suggests that deeply polarized American voters always support their party's candidates, but a new study suggests otherwise in …

The Parent Institute for Quality Education offers a

Nonprofit works to improve Latino graduation rates in CA

Latinos make up 40% of California's population and more than 56% of K-12 public school students. However, Latino high school graduation rates are …

Brazil and Vietnam are currently the largest coffee-producing countries in the world. Production is increasing in China and even in California and on the Gulf Coast. (Somchai20162516/Adobe Stock)

Climate solutions for the future of coffee

By Anne Connor for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public Ne…

A new California bill requiring speed warning systems on vehicles does not require data to be stored. Privacy issues would remain in the hands of car manufacturers. (Rawintanpin/Adobe Stock)

Newsom urged to sign bill to require speeding alert systems on cars

Groups fighting for safer roads are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill requiring new vehicles to have a speed-monitoring system to warn drivers …

Medicare enrollees will not have to spend more than $2,000 annually on prescription drugs, starting next year. (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

Report: New prescription drug cap for Medicare means big savings

Hundreds of thousands of older Californians will see huge savings on prescription drugs starting in January, according to a new report from AARP…

A new online resource helps LGBTQ+ people navigate end-of-life decisions.(Cultura Creative/Adobe Stock)

New online tool aids LGBTQ+ people in making end-of-life decisions

LGBTQ+ Americans are twice as likely to experience discrimination in health care, including as they age, according to a new survey from the Kaiser …

Workers protested layoffs outside the Chet Holifield Federal Building in Laguna Niguel on June 21. (U.E. Local 1008)<br />

Layoffs at CA immigration services center lead to protests

The feds are laying off more than 400 workers at an immigration application processing center in Laguna Niguel, a move labor advocates say is union-…

Opponents of changes to California's auto lemon law include the National Consumer League and the Consumer Federation of America. (AA+W/Adobe Stock)

Consumer groups blast bill to change CA Lemon Law

Consumer groups are calling for the withdrawal of a bill that would change the way California's auto lemon law works - before the legislative session …

Citizens of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation participate in the Netlh-'ii~-ne Steward program along the northern California coast, covering natural-resources management strategies and cultural practices. (Rosa Laucci/Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation)

CA tribes ask Newsom to sign bill on co-management of lands, waters

Indigenous leaders are asking California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would allow federally recognized tribes to sign agreements with the …

Salmon are the most consumed fish in the world by value, and tuna are the most consumed by volume. (Jakub Rutkiewicz/Adobe Stock)

'Humane' and 'sustainable' fish labels may be misleading

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

In California, 750,000 fast-food workers were covered by the increase in the minimum wage in the sector from $16 to $20 per hour. (BlueSkyImages/Adobe Stock)

Fast food jobs increasing in CA despite rising minimum wage

New data show fast food jobs have been on the upswing in the four months since the minimum wage in the sector went from $16 to $20 an hour. The …

The Laura Rodriguez Medical Assistant Institute is training members of the local community to reduce shortages in the health care workforce. (LRMAI)

CA program combats shortage of medical assistants

California faces a big shortage in the health care workforce, so health centers in San Diego are taking matters into their own hands, launching a …

The Compassionate Care Act would create a public awareness campaign that encourages conversations between patients, their families and doctors about end-of-life wishes. (Nimito/Adobe Stock)

New bill in Congress would improve end-of-life care

A bill just introduced in Congress would raise public awareness of issues surrounding the end of life, including palliative care, and hospice…

Groups that fight for criminal justice reform argue that public safety improves when justice-involved people can clear their records and find better jobs and housing. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

New rules coming soon to help people clear old criminal records

Starting October 1st, it will get a lot easier for people with old felony convictions to get them expunged from their record - as Senate Bill 731…

A job retraining program from Merit America hopes to help an additional 2,000 people transition from low-wage work into technology careers as it expands its efforts in the Bay Area. (Merit America)<br />

As CA workers seek higher wages, a program seeks to help them move up

Unions representing fast food workers are asking the state's new Fast Food Council to support a 70-cent-per-hour boost in the minimum wage at its next…

CA delegation rides wave of excitement at DNC

The Democratic National Convention in Chicago kicked off last night with huge crowds and the biggest delegation, some 500 strong, hails from …

A bill would establish a partnership between the California Departments of Public Health, Civil Rights and Justice to share data on racial bias in health care when patients suffer adverse events. (N F/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Black women’s groups fight bias in health care

A bill headed to the State Senate floor this week would require California to start tracking discrimination in health care. Assembly Bill 3161 asks …

The Park Fire in Northern California is causing widespread air quality issues due to heavy smoke. (Cal Fire)

Massive blazes give rise to increased issues with 'fire brain'

Mental-health experts are sounding the alarm about "fire brain" - a condition caused by exposure to toxic wildfire smoke. One study found that …

Jos� Alejandro Lemuz, from the Los Angeles area, spoke out in favor of the End of Life Options Act before using medical aid in dying to end his suffering this past March. (Compassion & Choices)

Report: More Hispanic Californians using medical aid in dying

More and more Hispanic people are taking advantage of California's medical aid-in-dying law, according to a new report from the California Department …

On 2nd anniversary of Inflation Reduction Act, investments start to pay off

Two years ago this week, the U.S. made the biggest investment ever in the fight against climate change as the Inflation Reduction Act became law…

Concentrated animal feeding operations often house thousands of cattle at a single location. (Lukas Vincour/Zv�rata Nej�me/We Animals Media)

Report: CA factory farms perilously close to your produce

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collab…

Crime data covering 48 California cities reporting to the FBI show an 11% decline in theft and a 17% drop in burglary for the first three months of 2024, compared with 2023. (Sergey/Adobe Stock)

Report: Contrary to popular belief, property crime is down in CA

Property crime in California is near record lows, according to the latest statistics from the California Department of Justice. A new report from …

According to Consumer Affairs, more than 1.2 million vehicles were repossessed from borrowers nationwide in 2022. (FotoDax/Adobe Stock)

CA consumer groups pan bill 'repo man' would give rave review

Consumer groups are speaking out against legislation proposed in California which would make it easier to repossess a car or other property, by …

Agricultural interests from around the state are contributing to efforts to defeat Measure J in Sonoma County, which seeks to ban concentrated animal feeding operations. (Marcelo/Adobe Stock)

Sonoma County ballot measure would ban large livestock farms

This November, voters in Sonoma County will decide on a first-of-its-kind proposal, known as "Measure J," to ban large concentrated animal feeding …

Counties across the nation are hiring now, in order to be ready for the presidential election on Nov. 5. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

Good-gov groups promote National Poll Worker Recruitment Day

Today is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day - and county elections offices across California are staffing up. The event was established by the …

The public comment period is now open on proposals by four utility companies to blend hydrogen gas to the natural gas pipelines. (Valto/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups question projects to blend hydrogen, natural gas

A coalition of environmental groups is asking the California Public Utilities Commission to dismiss a plan by gas utilities to blend hydrogen into the…

A map from the University of Southern California shows communities in the Los Angeles area considered

USC researchers call for legislation to combat 'pharmacy deserts'

Research shows many people in low-income California communities are having a hard time filling their prescriptions because pharmacies in their area ar…

Activists protested high rents at a Blackstone property in the San Diego area earlier this year. (Fanguiano/Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment)

Tenants’ rights groups press lawmakers to rein in corporate landlords

Tenant's rights groups are asking policymakers to move on several fronts to rein in corporate landlords who they said are worsening California's housi…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people have the highest rates of suicide by race/ethnicity. (Rabin/Adobe Stock)

CA group fights stigma for Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the challenges ethnic and racial minorities face when it …

President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. (Wikimedia Commons)

CA advocates raise awareness for Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, and today is the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal data show that more …

Open enrollment for 2025 Covered California plans begins on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. (Greg Kelton/Adobe Stock)

CA health insurance costs to rise, but subsidies will help

CoveredCA announced Wednesday that the average premium for plans on the marketplace will rise 7.9% in 2025, but subsidies are expected to blunt the …

Advocates with California Competes met with lawmakers in Sacramento to press for passage of AB 2458, known as the Greater Accessibility, Information, Notice and Support (GAINS) Act. (AJ Johnson)

CA legislation on tap to help college students who are parents

Groups that advocate for equity in higher education are speaking out in favor of a bill in the California Legislature to make sure college financial a…

Home buyers will soon be required to sign a buyer representation agreement in order for a real estate agent to show them a home on the Multiple Listing Service. (Goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Big changes this week for buying, selling homes in CA, nationwide

Big changes are imminent in the way homes are bought and sold, as the new forms for transactions in California come out today. The forms are linked …

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called on members to defend democracy, voting rights and public education in the run-up to the presidential election this November. (AFT)

Politics take center stage at national convention for educators

After a historic weekend, politics turned out to be the major topic Monday at the national convention of more than 3,500 teachers union members…

Nationwide statistics show while overall reported hate crimes decreased by about 7% in 2023 compared to 2022, hate crime events motivated by sexual orientation bias increased 3.6%.(Anastasiia/Adobe Stock)<br />

Anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes rise in CA

Hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community have risen for the second year in a row, according to the latest "State of Pride" report from the …

President Joe Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic Party nomination. (White House/Wikimedia Commons)

CA political analysts project close race as Biden endorses Harris

California political analysts predict the race for president will tighten since President Joe Biden has dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala…

Giant sequoia and other conifers were incinerated in the 2020 Castle

Report: CA giant sequoia groves in peril after megafires

Two new studies find that without sustained intervention, California may permanently lose big sections of old-growth giant sequoia groves. The …

Workers can file safety or heat-related complaints at the Cal/OSHA office nearest their work site or by calling 866-924-9757. (Sculpies/Adobe Stock)

As temps climb, CA workers encouraged to know their rights

California has shattered heat records left and right this month and temperatures are forecast to be 10 degrees above normal this weekend, so the …

A new California law expands mental health access for youth insured through Medi-Cal, which should increase the number of therapists available to provide counseling. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

New law allows youth on Medi-Cal to consent to mental health treatment

A new law just took effect in California, giving children on Medi-Cal age 12 and older the right to consent to mental health care on their own…

More than 500 people attended the 5th Annual Immigration Summit in Los Angeles, to plot a path forward after the November election. (USC Equity Research Institute)

CA leaders at immigration summit prep for November

Leaders at the 5th annual Immigration Summit, which wrapped up in Los Angeles Friday, have vowed to stand strong no matter what happens with the …

Consumers can submit complaints about financial products and services, including auto loans, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website. (Freedomz/Adobe Stock)

Feds fine bank $20 million for illegal car insurance practices

Fifth Third Bank just agreed to pay a $20 million fine to settle charges it forced car buyers to purchase unnecessary insurance and created fake accou…

The gas-to-energy plant at the Keller Canyon landfill near Pittsburg, Calif., generates enough electricity to power nearly 2,200 homes. (Ameresco)

CA landfills increasingly turn methane gas into energy

By Miranda Lipton for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Ne…

Federal dollars are funding transportation improvements across California, including upgrades to the SPRINTER hybrid rail line between Palomar College and Escondido. (Xnatedawgx/Wikimedia Commons)

CA transport projects get millions from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Federal dollars are pouring into California transportation projects as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Federal Transit …

Advocates to flood social media to promote Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day and at 11 a.m. PT, advocates hope to get the topic trending with a "social media storm." The wage gap is stark…

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