October 9, 2019
Orange County
Voice of OC: OC Fairgrounds gave more than $100k of state money to private college
The state-run Orange County fairgrounds gave over $100,000 to Vanguard University – a private Christian college across the street – while fairgrounds CEO sat on the school’s fundraising board, according to IRS financial statements.
Daily Pilot: UCI researchers develop algorithm to help predict the final size of a wildfire
A team of researchers at UC Irvine says it has developed a machine learning model based on a “decision tree” algorithm that — if given information on climate data, atmospheric conditions and the types of vegetation present — can help determine the final size of a wildfire.
Voice of OC: Concern grows surrounding vaping-related illnesses nationwide
San Clemente is regulating smoke and tobacco shops in the city. The City Council voted 3-1 last week to preliminarily approve an ordinance requiring smoke and tobacco shops to be 500 feet from locations like schools or parks, as well as similar existing establishments.
OC Register: Crucial OC wildlife corridor hits a freeway roadblock
A critical stretch of the Orange County wildlife corridor connecting coastal preserves to the Santa Ana Mountains’ Cleveland National Forest – 2.5 miles on 178 acres of prime real estate traversing Irvine – has been under construction for 1 1/2 years, with huge swaths of a former Marine base being returned to nature.
Labor
The New York Times: Already under siege, labor unions face new threat from Alaska
After a court ruling allowed public workers who opted out of a union to not pay dues, Alaska’s governor has a new plan that could hobble unions: The workers have to opt in every year.
California
USA Today: California residents without power due to wildfire precautions by PG&El
More than 1 million Californians were in the dark Wednesday in the first phase of a preemptive power shutdown that could last a week in some areas as authorities aggressively seek to curb wildfire risks amid high winds and hot, dry conditions.
CBS Los Angeles: Newsom signs law capping rent increases to 5 percent for California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Tuesday a bill which will cap rent increases across the state in an effort to tackle the homeless crisis. Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1482, which will limit annual rent increases to 5 percent plus inflation. It bans landlords from evicting people for no reason, meaning they could not kick people out so they can raise the rent for a new tenant.
Publication Date: October 9, 2019
