California Jobs Numbers — Rural Clinic Cuts — Red Bluff Stabbings — Chico Store Robbed — Redding Fire Prevention Radio — Foreign Workers Visas Up — Ex-Convicts Bills

LATEST CALIFORNIA JOB NUMBERS OUT

New federal surveys show a rise in jobs in certain private sectors but huge year-over-year losses in government jobs. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Bob Moffitt)

GOV’S BUDGET WOULD INCLUDE CHANGE IN HOW RURAL CLINICS ARE PAID

The Governor’s recently released revised budget includes a change in how rural and community health clinics are paid by the state. Some in the industry are crying foul, saying it amounts to a pay cut. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Pauline Bartolone)

IN RED BLUFF, 3 SEPARATE STABBINGS REPORTED ON SATURDAY

Red Bluff Police say there were three separate stabbings on Saturday within the city. (Click here for a copy of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Colin Steiner)

CHICO’S DUKE’S CORK-N-BOTTLE ON PARK AVE ROBBED

Chico police are looking for the suspect who robbed Duke’s Cork-N-Bottle on Park Avenue late Friday night. According to a press release, the suspect entered the business just before midnight and demanded money from the register at gunpoint. He’s described as an Hispanic male, 20 to 25 years-old, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 150 pounds, wearing a red football jersey. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chico police.

REDDING CONTRACTOR TALKS BUILDING AND FIRE PREVENTION ON INTERNET RADIO

A Redding contractor has taken to internet radio to push his mission to integrate the building trade into wildland fire prevention. (Click here for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

COMPANIES LOOKING FOR MORE FOREIGN VISA WORKERS

The number of foreign workers sought by U.S. technology companies has tripled this year but it’s still well below pre-recession figures. The San Jose Mercury News (http://bit.ly/LaA1vv ) says U.S. companies sought more than 32,500 temporary visas since the annual recruiting period began in April. That compares to 2007 and 2008, when the 65,000 available visas ran out in a few days. The H-1B visa program allows skilled workers in fields such as computers and medicine to stay in the U.S. for three years. Businesses say they need those workers while critics say the recruits are sought because they’re cheaper than hiring Americans. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press, Information from: San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News, http://www.mercurynews.com)

3 BILLS TO HELP EX-CONVICTS MOVING THROUGH CAPITOL

California lawmakers are considering three bills designed to help ex-convicts get jobs. One in the Assembly would make it easier for former prisoners to get their criminal records expunged, while another would make California the latest state to remove the felony conviction question box from public-sector job applications. In the Senate, lawmakers will consider a bill that would make possessing drugs for personal use a misdemeanor instead of a felony. State Sen. Mark Leno said having a felony conviction is more than just a stigma. He says it’s also “a real barrier to success in life.” The California District Attorneys Association opposes the bills, but says it is not opposed to helping felons get jobs and reintegrate into society after their release. Lawmakers have a June 1 deadline to act. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

State Wage Cuts – Court Cuts – Solar Eclipse – Sonoma Casino – Facebook IPO – Hens Abandoned – Crop Damage – Transitional Kindergartens

STATE WORKERS COULD SEE PAY CUT UNDER PROPOSAL

Governor Brown’s newest budget proposal would close some state agencies one day a week and decrease workers’ wages by five percent. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

                                                                        

BUDGET CUTS COULD AFFECT STATE COURT SYSTEM

During an emergency meeting yesterday, the state’s Judicial Council discussed Governor Brown’s proposed $544 million in cuts to the system. Douglas Miller, a Justice in the Court of Appeals from Riverside County, called the proposed cuts devastating. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Amy Quinton)

 

‘RING OF FIRE’ ECLIPSE VISIBLE FROM CHINA TO TEXAS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Millions of people in the western United States and some parts of Asia will get to witness the sun transform into a ring of fire.

The event is an annular solar eclipse. It occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, blocking everything but a bright ring of light.

Early risers in parts of China, Taiwan and Japan may catch a glimpse, weather permitting, around dawn on Monday.

The eclipse will be visible Sunday afternoon over parts of Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Much of the rest of the country will see a partial solar eclipse, but the East Coast will miss out.

Redding will see the eclipse at its strongest for about 4 minutes at 6:23 p.m. Sunday, according to the Washington Post. The eclipse’s relatively small shadow will make its way across a substantial portion of the Northstate, moving slowly to the east.

Some three dozen national parks, including Lassen Volcanic National Park, in the eclipse path are planning special events.

This type of solar eclipse has not been visible in the U.S. since 1994. (Copyright 2012 the Associated Press)

BROWN APPROVES TRIBAL CASINO IN SONOMA COUNTY

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has moved a Northern California Indian tribe one step closer to building a casino about 50 miles north of San Francisco.

The Democratic governor signed a compact in March with the 1,300-member Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which intends to build on 254 acres in Sonoma County.

The Senate and Assembly voted by wide margins earlier this month to pass a bill ratifying the compact, and Brown signed it into law Thursday. The agreement allows for 3,000 slot machines and card games.

The tribe would pay the state $1.4 million a year for costs related to regulating gambling and assisting problem gamblers. A portion of the winnings also would go to the city and county.

The plan now goes to the U.S Department of the Interior for approval. (Copyright 2012 the Associated Press)

FACEBOOK’S $16 BILLION IPO 1 OF WORLD’S LARGEST

NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook’s initial public offering of stock is shaping up to be one of the largest ever.

The leading online social network is raising at least $16 billion.

Facebook priced its IPO at $38 per share late yesterday. That was at the high end of the expected range. If extra shares reserved to cover additional demand are sold as part of the transaction, Facebook and its early investors stand to reap as much as $18.4 billion from the IPO.

The IPO values the company at around $104 billion, slightly more than Amazon.com, and well above well-known corporations such as Disney and Kraft.

The $38 is the price at which the investment banks orchestrating the offering will sell the stock to their clients. Facebook’s stock is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market sometime Friday morning under the ticker symbol “FB.”

That’s when so-called retail investors can try to buy the stock. (Copyright 2012 the Associated Press)

ANIMAL GROUPS SUE EGG PROCESSOR THAT LEFT 50,000 HENS

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — Three animal welfare sanctuaries are suing a Central California egg processor for abandoning more than 50,000 hens in their cages to starve.

The groups — Animal Place, Farm Sanctuary and Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary — rescued 4,500 of the birds that were found starving and dehydrated at A&L Poultry in February. The rest either died or were euthanized.

The suit filed Thursday in Stanislaus County Superior Court demands that owners Andy Keung Cheung and Lien Diep pay for their food and veterinary care.

Investigators say the hens had been left without food and water for two weeks when a neighbor complained.

Phone messages for the owners’ attorney, Martha Carlton-Magana, were not immediately returned Thursday.

Of the 4,500 rescued birds, 460 of them eventually died. The sanctuaries are looking for homes for the rest. (Copyright 2012 the Associated Press)

CROP DAMAGE IN SAN JOSE VALLEY FROM STORM TOPS $79 MILLION

(Information in the following story is from: The Fresno Bee, http://www.fresnobee.com)

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — San Joaquin Valley’s crop damage estimate from a hail storm last month has reached more than $79 million.

The Fresno Bee reports that Kings County — among the hardest hit areas of the region — recently increased its damage estimate from $20 million to $25 million. Officials there have requested a disaster declaration from the state and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Elsewhere in the Valley, Fresno County reported $26 million in crop damage from the storm and Tulare and Madera counties each topped $13 million.

The April 11 storm dropped quarter-sized hail on the region. Among the crops damaged were nectarines, plums, raisin grapes and almonds. (Copyright 2012 the Associated Press)

From the California Report

LA Unified Schools Offer Transitional Kindergarten

For kids who are too old for preschool, but too young for kindergarten, there is transitional kindergarten. Educators say the extra time makes it more likely these kids will succeed socially and academically. This fall, Los Angeles Unified will offer transitional kindergarten at all of its elementary schools the first district in the state to do so. Reporter: Ana Tintocalis.

Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire Turns 50

Singing wenches, colorful jousters and heckling towns-folk fill the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire east of Los Angeles for the last weekend of six this year. At 50, this annual festival is the oldest Renaissance fair in the country, and it’s still going strong. Reporter: Susan Valot.

LaMalfa Campaign Trouble — Stillwater Sewage Treatment Expansion — Chico Fire Station Closure — Home Care Strike — Facebook IPO — Another UC Tuition Hike? — Ineffective Teachers Suit — High-Speed Rail Exemptions — Farmworker Sex Abuse — Presbyterian Same-Sex Marriages — SoCal Airport Pollution

LAMALFA CAMPAIGN LEADER ACCUSED OF SETTING UP ILLEGAL WEBSITE

Some alleged campaign trickery has landed Northstate Congressional candidate Doug LaMalfa’s campaign in hot water. Allegations have arisen that LaMalfa’s campaign manager Mark Spannegal set up a libelous web site and that was attributed to another candidate, Michael Dacquisto. (Click here for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Colin Steiner)

REDDING CITY COUNCIL DEBATES FIRM TO EXPAND STILLWATER SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

The Redding City Council debated for an hour over which firm should win a bid to expand the Stillwater Sewage Treatment Plant. (Click here for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

CHICO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS UPSET OVER THOUGHT THAT THEY SHUT DOWN FIRE STATION

The Chico City Council is upset that firefighters may be responsible for swaying the public to think they are responsible for the closure of a fire station near Upper Bidwell Park. The decision actually came from the fire chief himself. (Click here for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Catherine Beeghly)

IN-HOME CARE PROVIDERS PICKET GOVERNOR’S BUDGET CUTS

Several hundred home care workers rallied at the State Capitol yesterday (Tuesday) against Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed budget cuts. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Amy Quinton)

FACEBOOK IPO TO MAKE BILLIONS FOR CALIFORNIA

The state’s non-partisan Legislative Analysts Office projects that California will earn around $2 billion when Facebook makes its initial public stock offering on Friday. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

REDDING RODEO WEEK, THE LONE STRANGER STRIKES

The Lone Stranger and his posse pulled off yet another downtown Redding bank robbery yesterday and the Asphalt Cowboys are in hot pursuit. (Click here for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COULD FACE ANOTHER TUITION HIKE

Another tuition increase is on the table as University of California officials develop plans to deal with a major budget shortfall. The UC Board of Regents is scheduled to discuss a proposal to raise tuition by 6 percent this fall when it meets Wednesday in Sacramento. The board would not vote on a tuition increase until July. If UC approves a 6 percent hike, tuition for in-state undergraduates would rise by $731 to $12,923, nearly double what students paid five years ago. Administrators say UC would need to consider a double-digit tuition increase if voters reject the governor’s tax initiative in November, triggering another round of painful cuts. The board is also scheduled to vote on the appointment of Pradeep Khosla as the next chancellor of UC San Diego. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

HIGH-SPEED RAIL SEEKING ENVIRONMENTAL EXEMPTIONS

California’s high-speed rail chief says he’s seeking environmental exemptions on the first 130-mile leg of the bullet train in the San Joaquin Valley. California High-Speed Rail Authority chairman Dan Richard said during a Tuesday state Senate hearing that the exemption would avoid any legal delays caused by an injunction, a possibility as agriculture interests gear up for a court fight. Richard had previously insisted the authority would not seek an outright exemption from state or federal environmental laws. The Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/L4Q8Ky ) says Richard stated at the hearing that if the project ends up in a lawsuit he would hope the matter would involve mitigations rather than an injunction. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press, Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com)

FEMALE FARMWORKERS FACE SEXUAL ABUSE

A new report says female immigrant farmworkers in the U.S. are commonly subject to sexual harassment and assault, in part because their immigration status makes them fearful of reporting an offender, particularly an employer. The report by Human Rights Watch included dozens of interviews with farmworkers, attorneys and advocates in seven states. The organization calls for laws to protect the workers, who “see these abuses as an unavoidable condition of agricultural work.” An estimated 630,000 of the 3 million people who perform farm work are female. The study released Wednesday mirrors two previous reports that focused on California. A spokesman for the California Farm Bureau Federation says sexual harassment is a universal problem not confined to the agricultural industry, which is why laws were enacted to prohibit it. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

NORCAL CHURCHES DENY CENSURE BY CHURCH COURT OF REVEREND WHO MARRIED GAY COUPLES

Representatives of dozens of West Coast Presbyterian churches are defying their denomination’s highest court by refusing to censure a retired minister who married same-sex couples in 2008. The Presbyterian Church’s highest court found the Rev. Jane Spahr of San Francisco guilty of misconduct in 2010 for officiating at same-sex weddings when they were legal in California. The court previously ruled that clergy could only bless same-sex unions, but not perform weddings. Spahr appealed the decision but lost the battle before the church’s General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission in February. On Tuesday, representatives of Northern California Presbyterian churches voted overwhelmingly to ignore the commission and oppose Spahr’s official censure. The Marin Independent Journal reports (http://bit.ly/JilbSg ) Spahr’s supporters celebrated with her at the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

The California Report

Suit Seeks to Make It Easier to Fire Teachers

Lawyers for a new non-profit focused on education filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court this week, challenging the constitutionality of state laws which they say protect ineffective teachers at the expense of low-income and minority children. Reporter: Thibault Worth.

Residents Call for Santa Monica Airport to Shut Down

Santa Monica Airport is surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods. For years, the city has tightly regulated noise pollution with strict rules about when planes can take off and land — but that doesn’t protect neighbors from air pollution. Now some local officials are talking about getting rid of the airport altogether, even if that means taking on the federal government. Reporter: Chris Richard.

Butte Sheriff Alleged Predator — Shasta Co. Docs Released — Brown’s Revised Budget — Republicans React to Budget — Education in Budget — Health Care Cuts — Environmental Cuts — Stirling City Stabbing — Missing CA FBI Agent — High-Speed Rail Timeline — UC Davis Autism Work — SF Wooing Warriors — Death Penalty Lawsuit

OVER 2,400 SHASTA CO. COURT DOCUMENTS RELEASED AFTER NEARLY 25 YEARS

More than 2,400 Shasta County Court documents have been released to the public after improperly being held confidential for nearly 25 years. The Redding Record Searchlight insisted the release of the documents. (Click here for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF ARRESTED AS ALLEGED PREDATOR

Butte County Sheriff Jerry Smith says he is “disheartened” by the arrest Friday of deputy Earl Klapperich after he allegedly agreed to meet with a minor for the purpose of engaging in a lewd act.  A press release says that the Sheriffs office received a complaint last month about the way Klapperich handled a call involving two underage girls who had been reported as runaways.  The District Attorneys office was brought into the case and investigators posing as a 14 year old girl began a series of text messages with Klapperich.  The messages became sexual in nature and the deputy allegedly asked the girl to send him a nude picture.  Eventually, a meeting was arranged  between Klapperich and the minor girl.  In a scene straight out of televisions “to catch a predator” the deputy arrived at the pre-arranged Chico location only to find investigators waiting to take him into custody.  According to Butte County DA Mike Ramsey Klapperich told investigators that his intent was not to have sex with the girl but to counsel her.  For security Klapperich was booked into the Glenn County Jail and released.  He is due in Butte County Superior Court on June First. (Story by Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

GOVERNOR BROWN RELEASES REVISED BUDGET, HUGE CUTS INCLUDED

Governor Brown released his revised budget yesterday. It includes massive spending cuts to help close a budget gap that has grown to $16 billion. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

REPUBLICANS SAY GOVERNOR’S BUDGET RELIES TOO MUCH ON PASSAGE OF TAX MEASURE

California Republican lawmakers say that Governor Brown’s budget proposal relies too heavily on the passage of his proposed tax initiative and that overall, the cuts are much worse than expected. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Amy Quinton)

MORE CUTS TO COME FOR STATE HEALTH SERVICES

Included in the Governor’s revised budget proposal are more cuts to services that support the health and well being of the poor. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Pauline Bartolone)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM CUTS, MORE COULD COME

While many environmental programs were spared from being cut, the Governor’s revised budget plan relies on the passage of his tax initiative in November to keep park and wildlife programs in place. (Click here for transcripts of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Kim Masterson)

STIRLING CITY ALLEGED HOME INVADER STABBED TO DEATH

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t released a lot of information regarding a stabbing of a man early Saturday morning in Stirling City, but here’s what we do know.  Just after 3:30 a.m. deputies were dispatched to a home on Manzanita Street in Stirling City on reports that two intruders were entering a home.  According to a press release arriving deputies found one of the suspects – 39 year old Terry Bounds of Sterling City dead from an apparent stab wound, allegedly inflicted by the homeowner, 42 year old James Bone.  The second suspect fled the scene and is wanted for questioning.  The Sheriff’s office is not releasing the name of that person, but they do believe all the parties involved were acquainted.   They are also not releasing any details on a motive or the weapon used. (Story by Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

SOCAL FBI AGENT MISSING, THOUGHT TO BE DISTRAUGHT

There is still no sign of an FBI agent who has been missing since Friday when he left his Burbank home. Authorities say 35-year-old Steven Ivens was despondent and believed to be carrying his handgun when he left his home Friday morning on foot, headed possibly for the nearby Verdugo Mountains. He was reported missing by his family a short time later. The Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/JfesbU ) says a 40-member search-and-rescue team from the LA County Sheriff’s Department joined about a dozen Burbank police officers and 100 FBI officers in the search for him Saturday, but Ivens wasn’t found. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller says Ivens is not under any type of disciplinary action by the FBI and by all accounts is a reliable agent. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press/Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com)

HIGH-SPEED RAIL WOULD LOSE FUNDING IF FIRST PHASE NOT IN PLACE BY 2017

Experts say California will need to build its high-speed train line in record time if it doesn’t want to risk losing federal funds. Under a federal deadline, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has until September 2017 to finish the first segment of the line in the Central Valley. In that time, the project will need to acquire some 120 permits, 1,100 parcels of land and a huge workforce. Consultant John Popoff says at a projected cost of $6 billion, California would be spending $2.7 million a day to finish on time. Construction experts tell the Los Angeles Times that the figure could reach $3.5 million a day when the cost of buying land is added to construction, management and environmental costs. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

S.F. LEADERS WOOING GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS TO CITY

City leaders in San Francisco are courting the Golden State Warriors, trying to woo the NBA team back to the City by the Bay within five years. Mayor Ed Lee sent a letter on Friday saying the city would work with Warriors executives to bring the team to San Francisco in time for the 2017-18 season. The note, signed by all 11 city supervisors and numerous business and labor leaders, floats the possibility of building a waterfront arena. It was sent a few days after Lee met with new Warriors owner Peter Guber in Los Angeles. Oakland Mayor Jean Quan responded Monday by sending the team her own letter. Quan says Oakland is committed to keeping the Warriors in the East Bay. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

VICTIMS’ RIGHTS GROUP WANT DEATH PENALTY MEASURE OFF BALLOT

A victims’ rights group is seeking to remove from the November ballot a measure that would abolish the death penalty. The Criminal Justice Legal Foundation filed a petition with the California Court of Appeal on Monday. The Sacramento-based group argues the initiative violates a state law limiting propositions to single subjects. If passed, the measure would abolish the death penalty and allocate $100 million saved from eliminating death row to law enforcement agencies to help solve murder and rape cases. The group charges the ballot measure is driving a “wedge” between two types of crime victims, those who support the death penalty and those yearning for solutions to unsolved cases. Backers of the proposition say the measure is solely about abolishing the death penalty. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

ON HEALTH DESK

UC DAVIS USING VIRTUAL REALITY IN AUTISM RESEARCH

UC Davis researchers are using virtual reality to better learn how adolescents with autism think, talk and interact at the same time. The aim is to create a better learning environment in public schools for the estimated three-quarters-of-a-million autistic kids. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Pauline Bartolone)

ON THE CALIFORNIA REPORT

Brown Details “Austere” Budget Plan

Four-day work weeks for state workers and fewer services for some of California’s most vulnerable residents are among the grim proposals outlined in Governor Brown’s new spending plan. The state’s budget deficit has ballooned to nearly $16 billion. Reporter: Julie Small.

Plan Includes Higher Co-Pays, Home Health Cuts

A hefty chunk of the $8 billion in cuts may end up coming from state health care programs, although previous attempts have been stymied by lawsuits or federal agencies. Reporter: Sarah Varney.

Education Cuts Deferred, But Only If Initiative Passes

This revised state budget slashes spending in almost every part of government, except for public education. But Governor Brown is warning again that schools are on the chopping block if voters don’t approve the November tax measure he’s backing. Reporter: Ana Tintocalis.

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We saw some thunderstorms overnight across Northern California and even some light scattered showers in the valley. That weather system has moved off to the east and we’ve got mostly sunny skies and warmer temperatures on tap for today. The valley will be back into the mid to upper 80s with 70s for the mountains.

Tomorrow we’ll see highs return to the 90 degree for most valley locations before another dip in highs on Thursday and another slight chance for some mountain thunderstorms. The weekend is shaping up nice, with lots of sun and highs in the valley in the low to mid 80s. Winds today in the Northstate will be light.

 

In the valley today, highs in Redding and Red Bluff near 89 with lows tonight around 60.

Highs in Chico, Oroville, Marysville and Yuba City near 85 and lows around 56.

 

In the Sierra foothills, high in Paradise of 84/low of 60 tonight.

 

Higher up in the Sierra, in Chester, high of 80/low tonight of 40.

 

Where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges meet,

Daytime high in Westwood of 78/overnight low of 42.

 

In the Cascades in eastern Shasta County,

High for Shingletown of 80/low around 51.

Burney’s high, 82/44 the low tonight.

 

In south central Siskiyou County,

High in Mount Shasta today of 87/low tonight of 50.

In the Trinity River region, 

Highs today around 88 and a low overnight in Weaverville of 49 and in Hayfork of 44.

Governor’s Revised Budget — Shasta Co. Large Political Donations — Chico Robberies Likely Linked — Elections Officials Busy — CSU Hunger Strike Ends — Occupy the Farm Raids — Occupy LA Costs — 30,000 Cell Phone Tickets — Inland Empire Economy

GOVERNOR TO ANNOUNCE REVISED BUDGET PROPOSAL

Later this morning Governor Jerry Brown will announce his revised budget proposal. Saturday he announced more bad economic news which will likely have an effect on cuts in his budget. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

SHASTA COUNTY WEALTHY VINTNER’S LARGE POLITICAL DONATIONS

Shasta County Reverge Anselmo has been in a battle with the county over his desire to build a chapel on his property. Now he’s made some large political donations that are raising eyebrows. (Click here for a transcript of the story from Northstate Public Radio News reporter Kelly Frost)

CHICO CIGARETTE STORE ROBBERIES LIKELY LINKED

Chico police are searching for a suspect after a pair of robberies occurred within a half-an-hour of each other. Police responded to the first alarm at Cigarette City on East Avenue just before 3:15 yesterday morning. They found a back door of the business broken open, but it didn’t look like the robber made it inside. Less than a half-an-hour later they responded to an alarm at Cigarette City on Mangrove Avenue and found the front window smashed and a substantial amount of property missing. Police describe the suspect as a white adult male, about 5 foot 10 inches tall, 160 to 170 pounds, wearing dark clothing. He also may have been driving a white full sized pickup truck. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chico Police. (Story by Northstate Public Radio News reporter Colin Steiner)

JUNE PRIMARY, SIGNATURE COUNTS CAUSING PROBLEMS

The combination of the upcoming June primary election and the task of counting signatures to qualify November ballot initiatives is keeping county elections officials very busy. (Click here for a transcript of the story from California Capitol Network reporter Ben Adler)

CAL STATE STUDENTS END HUNGER STRIKE

A student group says a dozen California State University students have ended their hunger strike to protest fee hikes and administrator raises after 10 days. A spokesperson for Students for Quality Education says students who ended their fast were cheered by State Senator Ted Lieu’s call for Chancellor Charles Reed’s resignation. Reed maintains that the 23-campus system needs to offer better salaries in order to lure top talent to the presidents’ posts. The system is undergoing a wave of retirements. Students say plush compensation packages with housing and car allowances for administrators are unacceptable in a time when their tuitions are being hiked and classes are being slashed. Students want to roll back administrator salaries to 1999 levels. One hunger striker was reported hospitalized last week and has since recovered. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

SECOND RAID ON FARM OCCUPIERS THIS MORNING

UC Berkeley police are raiding the Occupy the Farm encampment on university-owned land after protesters ignored another weekend deadline to clear out. Several dozen officers in riot gear arrived this morning (Monday) at the Gill Tract in Albany, a 10-acre plot used for university agriculture research. KTVU-TV reports that at least nine people have been detained by police. No violence was immediately reported from the raid. Protesters took over the plot a few weeks ago and began planting their own crops, saying they are entitled to access public land. School officials had offered to share the property with the protesters, but talks broke down over the weekend. Officials have said they need the property back by June for research to resume there. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

OCCUPY LA COSTS ESTIMATED AT $4.7 MILLION

Occupy Los Angeles cost city taxpayers $4.7 million, with most of the money spent on policing last year’s protests outside City Hall. The Los Angeles Times says (http://lat.ms/JkSbj4 ) the LA Police Department spent $1.3 million monitoring protesters during the two-month demonstration, and an additional $1.3 million evicting them. Another $500,000 was spent by the Office of Public Safety, whose security officers protect city property. The newspaper cites a report presented Friday by City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana. The total is $2 million higher than an estimate made in February. The Times says the updated figure reflects recently reported police costs and the bill to rehabilitate City Hall Park and several monuments damaged by protesters. The city has received more than $400,000 in donations and rebates for the restoration project.

30,000 DISTRACTED DRIVING TICKETS HANDED OUT IN APRIL

California Highway Patrol officials say about 30,000 people across the state are facing fines after being ticketed for using cell phones or other electronic devices while driving. CHP spokeswoman Sgt. Diana McDermott says the tickets were issued in April as part of a campaign enforcing the state’s so-called distracted driving laws. Of the tickets issued last month, about 5,900 were handed out to San Francisco Bay area drivers. Officials want to remind drivers that it is illegal in California to use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, unless the phone is being used in hands-free mode, or during an emergency. Texting or reading a message on a cell phone or using an electronic device to communicate while driving is also prohibited. (Copyright 2012, Associated Press)

The California Report

Election 2012: Inland Empire’s Economy May Drive Voters

The sprawling southern California counties of Riverside and San Bernardino are known locally as the Inland Empire. It’s been one of the fastest-growing parts of California for the past decade. But since the recession hit, the region has been mired in stubborn unemployment and a very high rate of home foreclosures. And that may change the political climate. Reporter: Scott Shafer.

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