Kqeds The California Report

Lawmakers Demand Immediate Unemployment Reform There are new demands for immediate reform at the state’s Employment Development Department which is in charge of providing unemployment benefits to Californians who’ve lost their jobs. Those demands are coming from more than 60 California lawmakers. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED  Nancy Pelosi Calls For Extension Of Federal Unemployment Benefits House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says additional unemployment payments for people who lost their jobs because of COVID are crucial as the country tries to deal with the economic fallout of the pandemic. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Advocates Say Early End to Census Strategically Targets Under-Resourced Communities The U.S. census bureau will now end its counting efforts on September 30th, a month earlier than previously announced. this puts local census efforts in San Diego, already constrained by the pandemic, under even more pressure to get the count done quickly and accurately. Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS L.A. Coun

Husband of L.A.'s Incumbent District Attorney Faces Criminal Charges In Los Angeles, the race for District Attorney just got more complicated for incumbent Jackie Lacey. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is filing criminal charges against Lacey’s husband after he pulled a gun on Black Lives Matter activists who had gathered outside their house in March.  Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED CA Attorney General Urges Feds to Expand Production of Remdesivir California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has sent a letter to federal health officials, urging them to allow other companies to manufacture and distribute the Remdesivir. Doctors say the antiviral drug is one of the few treatments that benefits patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Reporter: Peter Arcuni, KQED Data is Power for Latino Activists Fighting for More COVID-19 Testing Early in the pandemic, we thought anybody could get coronavirus. We now know your odds depend a lot on things like where you live and how much money you make. In San Francisco’s M

Apple Fire Caused By Malfunctioning Car Exhaust Pipe In Southern California the Apple Fire has burned almost 27,000 acres in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Firefighters now have the blaze 15% contained. CalFire says it was caused by diesel soot from the exhaust pipe of a malfunctioning car on Friday Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR State and Federal Workers Scramble to Contain Outbreak in Central Valley There are few parts of California that have been hit as hard by the coronavirus pandemic as the Central Valley. The region is a major hub of food production, and a lot of Californians who live there aren’t able to shelter in place. Yesterday Governor Gavin Newsom raised concerns about the valley's growing cases of COVID-19. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED New Research Shows Young Children Are Less Susceptible to COVID-19 Pediatricians say the death of a California teenager from COVID-19 last week is a reminder that children aren’t immune to the illness. Though they are less at-risk than adults. Reporter Samm

One Man's Desperate Pursuit of Unemployment Benefits At least seven million Californians have lost their jobs since the pandemic began earlier this year. It took Antonio Rael an estimated 5,600 calls before he could get an Employment Development Department worker on the phone to re-certify his claim. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED Basic Questions Are Clogging the Phone Lines, Says EDD Spokesperson Loree Levy, a spokesperson for EDD, says the agency is in the process of hiring more than 5,000 new workers. She is also encouraging applicants to review the agency's FAQs closely before calling in, and says people have been tying up the phone lines with questions already answered online.

California Lawmakers Look to Tax the Ultra-Rich More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have signed on to a bill that would tax earnings above a million dollars an extra one percent. There would also be an additional, higher tax brackets for income above two million and five million. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio COVID-19 Spreads at Foster Farms Poultry Processing Plant A COVID-19 outbreak at a big Central Valley poultry processing plant has grown to 73 confirmed cases with one worker dying. Livingston Mayor Gurpal Samra and other city officials met with Foster Farms representatives this week to make sure the company is following adequate safety protocols. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED California Lawmakers Demand Fix to Unemployment Benefit Process Over a million Californians still want to know why they haven’t received their unemployment benefits. The director of the Employment Development Department said at a hearing yesterday it will be until September to process even the backlogged claims that have bee

Governor Newsom Announces Strike Team to tackle Unemployment Backlog The state agency that sends out unemployment insurance checks. has been overwhelmed with applications since the pandemic began, which has led to lots of complaints about late checks and terrible customer service. The Newsom Administration says it’s taking actions to improve the situation. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Tenants Call for Statewide Rent Forgiveness On August 1st rent will be due for lots of Californians. But since the pandemic began, millions of people haven’t been able to pay, and they’ve been protected by a moratorium on evictions. Many renters say more help is necessary and are calling for a statewide program of rent forgiveness. Guest: Pea Nunez, Boyle Heights Rent Striker Proposed Bill Seeks to Extend Eviction Moratorium State Assemblymember David Chiu introduced a bill which gives qualifying tenants protection from eviction until the current state of emergency ends, or until April of next year. Tenants unable to pay re

Trump Administration Defies Supreme Court, Rejects New DACA Applications Advocates for immigrants in California are blasting the Trump administration for its decision to reject new applications for the DACA program, which allows undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to stay in the country. The Administration’s decision comes in spite of a Supreme Court ruling last month striking down President Trump’s attempt to end the program Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED CA Sues Trump Administration to Include Undocumented Residents in the Census Last week President Trump issued a memorandum ordering that undocumented residents not be counted when it comes to determining seats in Congress. California’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra responded yesterday with a lawsuit arguing that counting everyone is a constitutional mandate, and not including the undocumented could cost California seats in Congress. L.A. County's Atlantic Avenue is Quiet Amid High Unemployment we've been checking in on how the pa

Governor Newsom Will Direct Tens of Millions to Central Valley for COVID Relief When it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, L.A. county and the Bay Area often get the lion’s share of attention. But the Central Valley is also grappling with growing virus caseloads and deaths. Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state will direct tens of millions of dollars to the Central Valley to slow the spread of COVID-19. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Healthcare Workers Call for Reduction of State Prison Population In an open letter published this week, hundreds of healthcare workers are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to reduce the state prison population to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Reporter:Shannon Lin, KQED L.A. Hopes to Improve Contact Tracing With Financial Incentive In the battle against the pandemic, contact tracing of infected people is supposed to be a powerful weapon, but so far it’s had mixed results. Now Los Angeles County has a new approach involving dollar incentives. Reporter: Jackie

California Legislators Return to Session California legislators return to Sacramento today after taking an extended summer recess because of COVID 19, and lawmakers have a lot of catching up to do. There are more than 500 bills pending in the Senate and close to 200 in the Assembly. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED New Study Shows Impact of Pandemic on Asian-Americans A new study reports that Asian Americans are suffering financially in this economic crisis. It also shows that racism tied to COVID-19 plays a role. Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC U.S Citizenship Backlog Shuts Many Immigrants Out of Voting When the coronavirus pandemic hit, more than 150,000 immigrants in California were applying to become U.S. citizens. Now many of them may not become citizens in time to vote this November because of the massive backlog and furloughs facing the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero , KQED L.A County's Manhattan Beach Turns to Mask Fines More California cities are

State Lawmaker Calls for Second Round of Lockdowns The coronavirus crisis is reaching new, bleak heights in California, where the state reported the highest daily death count on Thursday. State Senator Steve Glazer is calling for a second round of stay-at-home orders in regions where more than 2% of of COVID-19 tests come back positive. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio UCLA Outlines Policy Priorities for California's Latino Communities The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Initiative has put together a policy document outlining economic and health focuses for Latinos in California. The initiative offers up a national vision on education, housing, voting rights, and political representation. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW The Great American Outdoors Act Could Revive California Parks California favorites like Joshua Tree and Yosemite need up to hundreds of millions of improvements ranging from fixed roads to new wastewater treatment plants. The Great American Outdoors Act passed by Congress this week woul

California Has More Cases of COVID-19 Than Any Other State California is now reporting more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than any other state in the nation. The state is reaching the grim milestone as it struggles to stem the spread of the virus. Reporter: Guy Marzaroti, KQED Hospital Capacity Dwindles As Cases Surge Across the State The surge is cases is wreaking havoc on healthcare facilities throughout the state, forcing them to prepare for the worst. Many are still struggling with shortages of supplies and staffing. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED COVID-19 is Becoming the Leading Cause of Death in L.A. COVID-19 is on track to become the leading cause of death in L.A. County. Health officials warn that unless people wear face masks and physically distance, more people will die. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Administrative Error Prevents Nurses From Providing Mental Health Care As coronavirus cases are surging, so are reports of depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. But even as mental

COVID-19 Has Pushed Childcare Industry to the Brink A new report out today paints a grim picture of the future of child care in our state. The industry was struggling even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it’s been driven to the brink. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Cal State Moves Closer To Requiring Ethnic Studies Classes In higher education it’s looking more and more like undergrads at the 23 Cal State University campuses will be required to take an ethnic studies class. Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC Conservative Group Sues to Reopen Schools This Fall A conservative nonprofit is suing Governor Gavin Newsom and state officials on behalf of nine parents. They claim the statewide order which prevents districts from holding in-person classes is unconstitutional. Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED For Many, Working From Home Will Outlast the Pandemic Sacramento area workers say they want to keep working from home when the coronavirus threat is over. A new poll finds that employers are listening to their

Bay Area Workers Join Nationwide Action for Black Lives Matter Workers across the country protested economic and racial injustice Monday by walking off the job for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time that a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd. Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED Los Angeles Service Workers Stand In Solidarity With Black Colleagues Protests also took place in Los Angeles, where workers from the fast-food, gig work, and health care industries led several different demonstrations. Service workers supporting Black colleagues drew comparisons between the labor and racial justice movements. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW Trump Says Oakland Could see Federal Law Enforcement Next All eyes are on Portland, Oregon, where the Trump administration has deployed federal law enforcement officers at police protests. Monday, President Trump indicated that Oakland was on his list of major U.S. cities that could see federal agents come in next. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQ

Many Bay Area Teachers Relieved Classes to Stay Remote Most of the state’s largest school districts are now focusing on reopening schools this fall with distance learning. No county on the state’s monitoring watch list for increases in COVID-19 cases will be able to reopen without special approval. Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED Public Health Officials Warn Against Testing Mandates from Employers Public health officials say employers should not be directing their employees to free, government-run COVID-19 testing sites. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services Faces Massive Furloughs California lawmakers say they’re trying to reach a bailout deal for U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency in charge of issuing green cards, work permits and U.S citizenship. More than two-thirds of the agency’s staff, including 23,000 employees in California, could soon be furloughed. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Kaiser Records Highest Number of Employee Complaints Over

Without the Opera House, Long Beach Performers Get Creative The coronavirus has shuttered live performance venues and created enormous headaches for California's theaters, symphonies, and opera companies. That includes Long Beach Opera. Guest: Jennifer Rivera, Long Beach Opera executive director Kincade Fire Caused By PG&E Power Lines, Says CalFire State fire investigators have ruled that last fall's Kincade Fire in Sonoma County was caused by power lines belonging to Pacific Gas and Electric. Lily Jamali, KQED Judge Set to Uphold California's Ban on Private Prisons A federal judge in San Diego is set to allow parts of California’s ban on private prisons to move forward. The ban includes immigration detention centers. Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS With Visits Off-limits, Nursing Home Staff Step Up COVID-19 cases are surging again in California, calling into question the health and safety of some of our most vulnerable: the elderly. Benjamin Gottlief, KCRW Most Nursing Home Staff Know Co-worker Infected

Many Schools Will Remain Closed This Fall There are about 1,000 public school districts in California. And Tony Thurmond, the state’s top education official is acknowledging pandemic conditions have deteriorated to a point where many of them won’t have students physically present in classrooms this fall. Trump Reverses Visa Decision, Allowing International Students to Stay After intense blowback, the Trump Administration told a federal judge on Tuesday that it’s withdrawing a plan to strip international students of their visas if they’re enrolled only in online college classes this fall because of the pandemic. Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC California Sues Trump Administration Over Student Loan Relief The state of California filed a lawsuit yesterday against the Trump Administration eliminating the Obama-era “borrower defense” rule, which provides loan relief for students defrauded by for-profit universities. Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED Environmentalists Fight to List the Joshua Tree as Endangere

New Testing Guidelines Priorotize Vulnerable Populations Californians are now facing long lines, limited appointments, and delayed results when they get tested for coronavirus. State health officials have announced new testing guidelines that will prioritize vulnerable populations as the state faces testing backlogs. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED 61 injured in Fire Aboard Navy Ship The Navy says that 61 sailors and civilians have been treated for minor injuries as a fire continues to burn on board the amphibious assault ship the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego. The fire started Sunday morning and it’s still unclear if the ship can be saved. Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS Attorney General Closes LAPD's Inaccurate Gang Database The State of California maintains a massive database of gang members called CalGang. Law enforcement agencies use it to investigate gang-related crimes and they contribute names to it. Now California Attorney General Xavier Beccera is shutting down LAPD's entries to Cal Gang after i

Governor Newsom Orders Statewide Shutdown As COVID Cases Rise If the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is a return to some sort of normal life, that light got fainter in the last 24 hours. With COVID-19 cases rising in the state, Governor Gavin Newsom has once again ordered all California counties to shut-down indoor activities at restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Central Valley Officials Expect Public Backlash to Shutdown Seven of the California counties that will have to once again shutter businesses are in the Central Valley. Elected officials expect there will be public backlash to the closures of businesses and churches. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED L.A. and San Diego Schools Will Be Online This Fall California’s two largest school districts, Los Angeles and San Diego Unified, announced yesterday that students would not be returning to campuses next month because of the pandemic, instead instruction will be done online. Reporter: Kyle Stokes, KPCC Judge

LA County Residents Wait in Long Lines, Eager for Covid-19 Tests People in places like Los Angeles County are struggling to make appointments at often swamped coronavirus testing facilities. Many people at a testing city in the city of Long Beach lined up well before sunrise to make sure they could be tested. Guests: Maria Solis, Marta Miranda LA Unified Teacher's Union Urges Against Reopening Classrooms Right now, classes in the country’s second largest school district, the Los Angeles Unified School District, are supposed to start again in August. But the union representing L.A. Unified school teachers says campuses should remain closed because of the coronavirus. Carla Javier, KPCC With Inmate Workforce in Quarantine, State Races To Hire Firefighters California is hiring more than 850 seasonal firefighters to make up for fire fighting work done by prisoners, who are now in coronavirus quarantine. Julie Chang, KQED Support Groups Step Up as California Inmates Prepare for Release As many as 8,000 peo

Santa Cruz Braces for Coronavirus Surge Health officials in Santa Cruz are preparing for a spike in coronavirus cases. The county's chief doctor says summer weather and beach season have contributed to the spread of Covid-19. Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED Fire Officials Prepare for Wildfires Amidst Budget Woes Governor Gavin Newsom warned Thursday that the state faces a riskier-than-average fire year, following a dry winter and a hot early summer. Wildfire preparation this year has been complicated by the pandemic and resulting state budget shortfalls. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED San Francisco Assemblyman Slams State Agency with #EDDFailofTheDay California's Employment Development Department has been flooded with applications for unemployment benefits. But millions are still waiting for help. Assemblyman David Chiu and other state lawmakers have been documenting the agency's failure to respond on social media. Guest: Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco) California Sues Feds Over On-Site I