August 31, 2021 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Orange County’s COVID hospitalizations are trending younger
While 25 to 34 year olds make up over 14% of the population, the group only has 9.2% of vaccinations — the largest unvaccinated portion of residents in the county except for kids younger than 12, all of whom are ineligible for the shot.
OC Register: Coronavirus: Orange County reported 355 new cases and five more deaths, Aug. 31
The OC Health Care Agency reported 355 new cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday, Aug. 31, increasing the cumulative total since tracking began in the county to 285,453.
Daily Pilot: Times OC: Has Orange County’s latest COVID-19 surge peaked?
Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the county’s deputy health officer, said this week that she didn’t want to jump to that conclusion because cases could increase again if people stop taking protective measures.
Voice of OC: Air quality district says asphalt factory in Irvine not harming residents
The investigation from the South Coast Air Quality Management District started after nearby residents complained about strange smells and air problems from the nearby All American Asphalt plant for almost two years, saying they were not told about the factory before they moved in.
OC Register: Huntington Beach man takes plea deal related to U.S. Capitol siege
Mark Simon had initially faced three additional charges related to entering a restricted building or unlawful activities on Capitol grounds, according to a criminal complaint filed in January.
Labor
Bloomberg: Walgreens bumps starting pay to $15 hourly amid U.S. worker shortage
The company will start gradually increasing pay in October and expects to fully implement the new rate by November 2022. The Deerfield, Illinois-based company operates about 9,000 drugstores across the U.S.
California
OC Register: Bubble watch: California consumer confidence falls again
California consumers’ view of current conditions scored 143.8, up from 134.7 a month earlier and well above 40 a year earlier. This measure averaged 141 in 2015-19.
Sacramento Bee: All national forests in California will close to visitors
With fires raging across the state, the USDA Forest Service is closing all 20 million acres of California’s national forests to public access for two weeks beginning Tuesday.
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
