January 11, 2022 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: OC’s COVID surge impacting hospital staffing; outbreaks hit public agencies
While COVID hospitalizations are still lower than last winter, they are increasing rapidly just as health facilities are grappling with shortages in personnel, the regional hospital association said in a statement Monday.
Voice of OC: People deserve better public engagement on COVID data to confront Omicron surge
The only reason reporters got a chance to ask the public health department anything over the holidays while COVID numbers were spiking was because County Supervisor Katrina Foley brokered a deal with to get the deputy health officer to meet with the public periodically.
OC Register: Firefighter honored in San Clemente during candlelight vigil
A candlelight vigil drew hundreds of people in San Clemente to honor and remember Los Angeles County firefighter Jonathan Flagler, who died while battling a house fire in Rancho Palos Verdes on Jan. 6.
Voice of OC: Westminster parkland sale triggers rare focus on city lawyers overseeing public land deals
Much of the investigation will inevitably center on the taxpayer-contracted lawyers who were present for and seemingly approved of Westminster’s sale of Liberty Park space that year, despite being one of Orange County’s most park-poor areas.
Daily Pilot: O.C. Supervisor Katrina Foley resting at home after medical procedure
“I’ve had four of these surgeries in my life and it’s never been a news story,” Supervisor Foley said in a text. “We were just worried given the surge ... I didn’t want people to speculate I was out with COVID.”
Region
LA Daily News: LAPD officers were trained in ‘background awareness’ a month before Burlington shooting
Los Angeles Police Department officers were required to read a training bulletin in November 2021 telling them to consider their surroundings when firing their guns at dangerous or fleeing suspects, to minimize the risk of hitting innocent bystanders.
California
KTLA: California lawmakers start debate on bill to establish universal health care in state
Government-funded health care for everyone has been a staple of California political rhetoric for decades. Gov. Gavin Newsom promised to do it when he ran for governor in 2018, and voters elected him in a landslide.
Nation
Associated Press: Biden on voting rights passage: ‘I’m tired of being quiet!’
Pounding his fist for emphasis, President Joe Biden challenged senators on Tuesday to “stand against voter suppression,” urging them to change Senate rules in order to pass voting rights legislation that Republicans are blocking from debate and votes.
Publication Date: January 11, 2022
