California

Politics

California to vote on constitutional right to abortion

Janie Har

Supporters say constitutional protection will not negate current state law that restricts late-term abortions unless the mother's life or health is at stake.
Local

Justice Department: Orange County misused jail snitches

The Associated Press

According to a report by the federal agency, from 2007 to 2016 the county improperly used informants to violate inmates' constitutional rights and prosecutors failed to turn over critical evidence to defense attorneys, as required.
Local

Los Angeles City Council faces uncertainty amid furor over racist remarks

Michael R. Blood and Christopher Weber

In addition to one member who has already resigned following racist comments she made at a closed-door 2021 meeting and two others who face widespread condemnation and calls to step down, three current or former members have been indicted or pleaded guilty to corruption charges.
Local

California delays decision to list Joshua tree as threatened

Sophie Austin

The native desert plant has interim protections in the meantime, meaning no one can remove the tree without authorization from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Local

Los Angeles councilmen resist resignation in racism scandal

Brian Melley and Don Thompson

Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon haven't issued any statements, although Nury Martinez, who was caught on tape making racist comments at a 2021 meeting attended by the councilmen, resigned on Wednesday after stepping down as council president on Monday.
Local

California expands largest US illegal pot eradication effort

The Associated Press

California’s 4-year-old legal marijuana market is in disarray. So the state’s top prosecutor says he will try a new broader approach to disrupting the illegal pot farms that undercut the legal economy while sowing widespread environmental damage.
Economy

California taxpayers to start receiving refunds up to $1,050

Jacob Aere

Beginning Friday, $9.5 billion in Middle Class Tax Refund payments will start going out to millions of eligible Californians.
Local

California tells auto insurers to disclose pandemic profits

Don Thompson

It's Commissioner Ricardo Lara's latest attempt to compensate consumers, who, he says, were overcharged as traffic virtually disappeared after the nation’s largest automobile insurance market imposed the first U.S. coronavirus stay-home order.
Local

California Public Utilities Commission may unveil new solar rules soon

Erik Anderson

California regulators may be close to revealing how they plan to shape the state’s solar marketplace.
Public Safety

Police: Oakland high school shooting wounds 6 adults

The Associated Press

Alameda County Sheriff spokesperson Lt. Ray Kelly said the scene of Wednesday's shooting was “no longer active.” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf tweeted that all of the wounded were adults.