NPR Headlines
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We are busy in the news room! Right after the membership drive we will start interviewing people for the Chico Reporter position and the Board Operator position. It will be great to have some more help, as we have been stretched thin here in the news department at Northstate Public Radio.
We are putting the finishing touches on our Education Initiative pieces and our CSU Chico Nursing Students are almost finished with their first Health Desk piece about the Affordable Care Act. That will be an ongoing series, coming your way soon!
On behalf of the entire news team, I would like to thank you for your continued support of Northstate Public Radio.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Dechter
News Director
Northstate Public Radio
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As we jump into our spring membership drive, we’ll continue to monitor the situation in Boston and to provide excellent news coverage.
If you’d like to make a pledge, give us a call during business hours at 800-234-5246 or go online at www.kcho.org
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CALPERS PENSION REFORMS
Taxpayers funded state and local governments will have to make higher contributions to the California Public Employees Retirement System. Most CalPERS benefit plans are currently between 65-80% funded. Board members of CalPERS say new accounting changes will fully fund the system within 30 years. But they say the burden will fall on local governments. Natasha Carl with the League of California Cities says the changes could mean a 30-50% increase in contributions for cities over 10 years beginning in 2015. The accounting changes will not affect what employees pay toward their benefits. (Story by Capital Public Radio Network reporter Amy Quinton)
NEW PPIC EDUCATION POLL
A new survey finds most Californians support Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to give additional state funding to certain school districts. Brown wants to give extra money to districts with more English language learners and low-income students. The Public Policy Institute of California finds ore than 70% of Californians support the plan. However, the poll finds most people also think their own districts need more money. Mark Baldassare heads up the PPIC. He says, “In concept, people believe that more resources need to go to low income ares of the state when it comes to schools, but they also feel that their own school districts, because of cuts over the years, are not getting adequate funding.” Baldassare says nearly 80% of those surveyed also favor giving local districts more flexibility about how to spend state money. According to the poll, 2/3rds of Californians see the high school dropout rate as a bigh problem, and 3/4 say preparing students for college is the primary goal for schools. (Story by Capital Public Radio Network reporter Marianne Russ)
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION — SAFETY AND MORALE
The head of the California Public Utilities Commission is once again defending the agency after a scathing report questioned its commitment to public safety. The report by a business consulting group found the Commission’s staff lacks the leadership necessary to make safety a priority. Lawmakers reviewed the report as part of an update on agency changes in wake of the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion. PUC Executive Director Paul Clanon told lawmakers the agency is making progress. Clanon says, “The current leadership of the Public Utilities Commission, far from hiding from this problem, far from trying to sweep it under the rug, far from waiting for someone else coming to tell us what to do is way out of the forefront far beyond from what other regulatory agencies have done in response to disasters like San Bruno to change ourselves.” But one lawmaker called the PUC’s progress on safety an “abject failure.” Just last month, the PUC had to defend its accounting and budgeting practices before lawmakers as a result of an audit. (Story by Capital Public Radio Network reporter Amy Quinton)
The head of the California Public Utilities Commission must return to Sacramento next week with a plan in hand to improve the agency’s oversight and of utilities and their infrastructure. The CPUC is under sharp criticism by lawmakers after a report lambasted the agency’s inattention to safety. Reporter: Tara Siler.
In recent weeks, a number of local papers in California set up paywalls online. News outlets like the Orange County Register, the Riverside Press Enterprise, and the Eureka Times Standard joined regional giants like the Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee. But are pay walls the way to go? And what’s the right way to go about it? We asked Alan Mutter, who teaches at UC Berkeley’s Journalism School and writes a blog called Reflections of a Newsosaur. Reporter: Rachael Myrow.
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TAX EXTENSION
The Franchise State Tax Board has extended their deadline by a day. Yesterday there were severe delays for those who were trying to submit their tax information on their website, causing the state to issue the one-day reprieve. As of yesterday, 90% of California’s tax formed has been filed electronically. Tax returns themselves are not due until October, says Denise Azimi of the Franchise Tax Board. The IRS expected federal tax returns to be filed by yesterday. (Story by Capital Public Radio Network reporter Ben Adler)
PLASTIC BAG BANS – CALIFORNIA AND CHICO
Plastic bags may not be an option much longer at California grocery stores, convenience, liquor stores and pharmacies. Democratic Senator Alex Padilla has introduced legislation to eliminate their use in California, and would require consumers to use re-usable bags or purchase recyclable paper bags. Padilla says more than 14 billion plastic bags are handed out every year by California retailers, with a recycling rate estimated at 5%. Padilla says 70 local governments already have similar laws, so he things it its time for a statewide solution. Padilla’s bill has the support of the California Grocers Association, but the American Progressive Bag Alliance is against it. The group says paper bags use more energy and water, and produce more greenhouse gases.
Chico’s city council will review a bag bag ordinance at tonight’s meetings. The Save the Plastic Bag Coalition has proposed legal action if the council fails to produce an environmental impact report on the ban, according to the Chico Enterprise Record.
BAN OF LEAD HUNTING AMMO
The use of lead ammunition in hunting is already regulated in California. But state lawmakers are looking to pan the product in all hunting. Shotgun shells and other hunting ammunition are typically made with lead. Dan Taylor with Audobon California supports the legislation, stating that when lead enters the body of a bird of prey it leads to a cascade of effects that can eventually lead to a bird’s death. The National Shooting Sport Foundation says the federal government prohibits the use of most of the substances that would serve as alternatives to lead. The group, which represents gun manufacturers, says that means the new state law would effectively outlaw hunting in California. (Story by Capital Public Radio reporter Katie Orr)
ASSAULT WEAPONS BILL
Democrats in the California Assembly approved a bill that would restrict permits to own assault weapons and .50 caliber rifles to individuals. The bill would close a loophole by prohibiting corporations, association partnerships and limited liability companies from receiving permits from the state Department of Justice. Previously the justice department issued permits only to individuals, but an administrative law judge overturned that practice. The bill is one of many in response to the Connecticut school massacre. The legislation now moves to the Senate. (Copyright 2013 The Associated Press)
SPORTING EVENT SAFETY
California officials are calling for increased vigilance at major sporting events and other gathering places in response to deadly explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Acting Governor Gavin Newsom says there is no indication of any threats to California, but says the events are a reminder to remain vigilant and report anything unusual to law enforcement agencies. The California Emergency Management System’s assistant secretary says there is no known California connection to the explosions in Boston. The San Francisco Police Department is on heightened alert and will be rethinking security logistics for the upcoming San Francisco Marathon and Bay to Breakers foot races. Airports in Los Angeles, Van Nuys and Ontario are in a heightened state of vigilance with increased patrols. (Copyright 2013 The Associated Press)
Did you know the U.S. Department of Defense can decide your invention is a national security threat and slap your patent application with a secrecy order that prevents you from doing anything with it? We discuss the story with G.W. Schulz, author of a piece out today from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Reporter: Rachael Myrow.
There were a lot of Californians in the Boston Marathon on Monday. Steve Pulver of San Diego finished the race just 10 minutes before the explosions — and he says he won’t hesitate to come back next year.
Filed under: News | Tagged: ammo, ammunication, assault weapons, bag ban, Chico, environment, guns, lead, Newsom, patents, plastic bag, safety, tax extension, taxes | Comments Off
CHICO CITY COUNCIL TO MULL BAG BAN
The Chico City Council will continue looking at a proposed plastic bag ban at tomorrow’s meeting. Save the Plastic Bag Coalition has proposed legal action if the council fails to produce an environmental impact report on the ban, according to the Chico Enterprise-Record. Stephen Joseph, an attorney for the coalition, advised the city in an email to take the prudent path and wait for the state to take the lead on this issue. But council member and former mayor Ann Schwab said that Chico voters have been asking her to move on this issue since 2004 and that the state hasn’t been able to pass a ban in that time. The council meets tomorrow evening at 6:30 in the Chico City Council Chambers.
(Story by Northstate Public Radio report Matt Shilts)
FROM THE CAPITOL: BILL TO CHANGE HEALTH CARE PARADIGM, NEWSOM IN SACRAMENTO, LOW-INCOME EARNERS PAYING HIGHER PERCENTAGE IN TAXES
(Stories by Capitol Public Radio Network reporters Pauline Bartolone, Katie Orr and Amy Quinton)
BILLS SEEK UPDATES TO VOTING, ELECTION SYSTEMS
California’s online voter registration system was in use for the first time last year and proved so popular that lawmakers want to build on its success this year. Wider promotion of the system and a push toward online voting are among several election-related bills under consideration as the Legislature approaches a midyear bill deadline. About 800,000 Californians used the online registration system. The author of the original bill, Democratic state Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco, now wants all state websites to link to the secretary of state’s voter registration page to publicize the system. Meanwhile, Democratic Assembly member Phil Ting of San Francisco has proposed AB19 to review the security of online voting software and eventually create a pilot program. (Copyright 2013 The Associated Press)
HARRIS URGES DEMOCRATS TO LEAD POLITICAL CHANGE
Attorney General Kamala Harris is urging Democrats to use their gains at California’s ballot box to push for changes on gun control, gay marriage and other issues. She addressed about 2,000 delegates at the state party’s convention Saturday in Sacramento. Harris came onstage to U2′s “Beautiful Day” but made no direct reference to President Barack Obama’s remark last week calling her the nation’s “best-looking” attorney general. It generated a national discussion about whether such remarks detract from women’s accomplishments. Obama also called Harris brilliant and tough. Harris’ remarks seemed more like a stump speech for a gubernatorial bid than a summary of her accomplishments as attorney general, touching on school funding and even climate change. Harris is one of the party’s rising stars and a top gubernatorial prospect for 2018. (Copyright 2013 The Associated Press)
FRESNO MAN HOPES TO FLY AROUND THE WORLD IN 36 DAYS
On May 1, a 20-year-old pilot will take off from a Fresno airfield in a single-engine airplane. His destination: the record books. The Fresno Bee reports Jack Wiegand will attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest person ever to fly solo around the world. Wiegand, who has logged about 600 hours as a pilot, is scheduled to return to Fresno 36 days later, on June 6. His 23 stops will include Italy, Egypt, India and Bangladesh. The young pilot, who has been flying since he was 16, will be at the controls of a Mooney Ovation2 GX plane. He expects to average about 800 miles a day. Wiegand will attempt to break the unofficial record set last year by a 22-year-old Swiss man. (Copyright 2013 The Associated PressInformation and The Fresno Bee, http://www.fresnobee.com)
California Democrats have been riding high since last November’s election wins. That means the state party’s annual convention in Sacramento was focused on other things — like education funding, new taxes on oil and legalizing marijuana. Reporter: Scott Detrow.
Tens of thousands of people lace up to compete in the Boston Marathon on Monday. One of the grand marshals this year is the first woman to run the race, back in 1966. Brooke Binkowski met up with her at a San Diego cafe before the big day. Reporter: Brooke Binkowski.
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FISHERY ECOSYSTEM PLAN
Federal fisheries managers for the West Coast have adopted an ecosystem approach to decisions on fishing seasons and catch quotas that will rely on regular scientific reports about the health of the ocean. Meeting in Portland yesterday, the Pacific Fishery Management Council unanimously adopted the Fishery Ecosystem Plan. Ben Enticknap of the conservation group Oceana called the measure a milestone that marks the end of an era when decisions were driven crises and a drive to maximize the catch. The first initiative will be to work on protecting forage fish. They are the small fish that are food for bigger fish, but that are not currently harvested. (Story by AP Environmental Writer Jeff Barnard. Copyright 2013 The Associated Press)
BOY SCOUTS TAX STATUS
California lawmakers are considering making the Boy Scouts of America and other youth groups that do not accept gay, transgender or atheist members and leaders ineligible for some state ta exemptions. Some cities have withdrawn free rent and other subsidies from the Boy Scouts over the years, but legislation introduced by state Senator Ricardo Lara would make California the first state to punish the Scouts for its policy prohibiting gay members and troop leaders. The bill by the Long Beach Democrat is scheduled for an initial committee hearing today. The legislation would deny tax-exempt status to nonprofit youth groups that discriminate on the basis of gender identify, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or religious affiliation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office says that means the Boy Scouts and its California affiliates would have to pay corporate taxers on donations and income from fees.
BLUE ANGELS GROUNDED
Due to federal budget cuts, the Blue Angels U.S. Navy demonstration jet team has been grounded. The are cancelling the rest of their performances in 2013. This includes a cancellation of an appearance in San Francisco during Fleet Week, and a fall appearance in San Diego at Miramar.
Gov. Brown is wasting no time in China. He’s already struck two formal agreements: one to promote economic development and trade, the other to collaborate on environmental protection. Political reporter John Myers is covering Brown’s trade mission, and he says the governor’s style appears to be in sync with the Chinese way of doing business. Reporter: John Myers.
New national science standards released Tuesday promise to shake up the way science is taught across a number of disciplines. Each state will decide on its own whether to adopt the standards that California helped to develop. Reporter: Charla Bear.
After scientific research at UC Irvine tied certain chemicals to loss of ozone in the earth’s atmosphere, nearly 200 nations pledged to phase out their use. The Montreal Protocol is often praised as a great example of international cooperation. But in California, where the state’s $2.3 billion strawberry industry has come to rely on methyl bromide, a new report by the state’s Department of Pesticide Regulation suggests strawberry growers will be using it for years to come. Reporter: Amy Standen.
A legal aid organization that serves California’s rural poor is getting ready to argue before a federal appeals court in Washington D.C., that it shouldn’t have to hand over records on people who sought help from the group. The case is being closely watched for its possible ramifications beyond Farm Country. Reporter: Sasha Khokha.
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