October 21, 2021 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Millions in health grants face uncertainty after no-bid contracts proposed to forfeited and unregistered firms
Nearly $23 million in federal health grant approvals have been thrust into uncertainty, with Orange County officials repeatedly delaying – and now deleting – the hiring of contractors that health director Clayton Chau recommended without competitive bidding.
Voice of OC: Santa Ana becomes first OC city with rent control
Rent control now exists within Orange County as elected officials in Santa Ana have voted the idea into law, the first city in the county to do so after a decades-long push by community activists in town and staunch objections from landlords and industry groups.
OC Register: Coast Guard had earlier notice about OC oil spill
The Coast Guard received multiple reports of a possible fuel spill off the Southern California coast earlier than previously disclosed and asked local authorities to investigate about 15 hours before its own personnel confirmed a large oil slick, which came from a leaking undersea pipeline, records show.
OC Register: Mission Viejo looks to mall, retail centers for 2,217 new housing units required by state
The dozen sites identified by city officials have the potential to accommodate more than 2,600 residential units, and would include more than 1,200 that would be geared toward people with lower incomes.
OC Register: Help wanted: More sand for south Orange County’s shrinking beaches
San Clemente officials are well aware and kicked around ideas Tuesday for how to make putting sand on their shrinking beaches even more of a priority – everything from hiring lobbyists to secure government funding to hiring someone to focus solely on finding solutions for the city’s disappearing sand.
Labor
UCOMM: Judge limits John Deere picketing to four people
The order from an Iowa judge barred workers from the property until an agreement is reached and barred the union from “unlawful mass picketing and/or parading, verbal and physical harassment, intimidation, vandalism, blocking, or impeding human and vehicular traffic to and from Davenport Works."
California
OC Register: Gov. Newsom proposes ban on new oil facilities within 3,200 feet of homes
The new regulations, which are part of the governor's overall goal to reduce fossil fuel demand and fight climate change, would also require existing oil well and facilities to have greater pollution controls if they are within 3,200 feet of such "sensitive areas," the announcement said.
Nation
Associated Press: House votes to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress
The House voted Thursday to hold Steve Bannon, a longtime ally and aide to former President Donald Trump, in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the committee investigating the violent Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.
Publication Date: October 21, 2021
