March 16, 2012 The CASE Act, which will increase punishment for trafficking offenders, received more than 873,000 signatures
For more than five years, police officer Brian Marvel patrolled the North Park area of San Diego, a neighborhood with a high prostitution rate.
March 1, 2012 Growing marijuana use in California creates concerns about second-hand smoke and 'the right to clean air'
In Fairfax, Calif., a small, quirky town nestled in hilly Marin County, the Purple Haze Smoke Shop fits in with local stores like Crystal Chalice Gratitude Power (featuring an ancient crystal skull with healing powers) and Culture Shock, a gypsy-inspired clothing store that entices customers with bubbles drifting from its entry.
February 29, 2012 During last weekend's GOP convention, party leaders held town hall meetings to engage minorities
California Republicans hosted separate Asian and Latino "town hall" meetings during last weekend's party convention in Burlingame to engage with communities they say the party has failed reach despite their shared values.
February 7, 2012 ProtectMarriage.com will appeal Tuesday's ruling declaring California's definition of marriage unconstitutional
Defenders of traditional marriage plan to appeal Tuesday's ruling that declared a California ballot initiative defining marriage as between a man and a woman unconstitutional. This puts the Proposition 8 on track for likely consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court.
January 31, 2012 After last weekend's demonstration, city officials and even some in the OWS movement are growing weary
Occupy Oakland protesters reclaimed the news spotlight after a demonstration last weekend led to 400 arrests and significant damages to City Hall. But as images showed protesters breaking into City Hall, trashing parts of the building, and burning an American flag on its steps, the group now faces growing criticism - even from its own members.
January 11, 2012 PRIDE Industries has grown 20% in 2 years and now employs over 2,400 disabled workers in 11 states and D.C.
Transit vans pull up to a brick and glass building in Roseville, a Sacramento suburb, and 600 employees head to work. Some head to the bustling warehouse, using fork-lifts to load piles of shrink-wrapped boxes into trucks. Others sit quietly at computers or microscopes where they solder microscopic pieces for laser printers.
January 9, 2012 California has the nation's largest welfare program with 1.5 million recipients.
On a curb in Compton, Tommy Monz pushes around a grocery cart selling avocados he says he picked from his trees. Monz, who is currently unemployed and occasionally homeless, has memorized the locations of all the church soup kitchens and shelters that serve meals on any given day, and knows the addresses of individuals in the neighborhood who hand out plates of food.
January 7, 2012 This year's Hmong International New Year celebration in Fresno was the first since Gen. Vang Pao's passing
The scent of sizzling chicken waft along the crowded walkways as booths selling pho noodles, traditional Hmong sausage, and papaya salad enticed long lines of visitors at the Fresno Fairgrounds last week. Hmong women danced in their black dresses covered with turquoise, yellow, and white beading as teens played a matchmaking game called "pov pob," also known as "the game of love." Special guest singers crooned popular Hmong songs on stage as their audience meandered by.
January 1, 2012 San Francisco raises its minimum wage to $10, helping some, but hurting local businesses
Many San Francisco workers raised their glasses to the New Year as the city became the first in the nation with a minimum wage topping $10 an hour. "It's like a holiday bonus," said 22-year-old Charles Kwan. His pay at Office Depot went up from $9.92 to $10.24.
December 12, 2011 Protesters blocked gates at the Port of Oakland, sending 150 port workers home
While hundreds of protesters blocked the gates at the Port of Oakland Monday to cut the profits of the corporations that run the docks, port workers were upset with the protest.
November 10, 2011 A San Francisco law regulates how pregnancy centers advertise
After ending an abusive relationship, Marketa T. found out she was pregnant. She wanted to move on, and in her mind, that meant having an abortion. A Google search led her to First Resort, San Francisco's only licensed medical pregnancy center. After talking with a counselor at First Resort, Marketa realized she needed help as a victim of domestic violence - and decided to keep her baby.
November 3, 2011 Protesters squared off with police early Thursday after thousands rallied at the Port of Oakland
A demonstration by thousands of Occupy Oakland protesters escalated early Thursday morning when police in riot gear arrested dozens of protesters who broke into an empty downtown building, shattered downtown windows, sprayed graffiti, and set blazes along the way.
October 29, 2011 After a clash between Occupy protesters and police, hundreds of protesters return to the site
Occupy Oakland protesters have reclaimed the grassy plaza outside City Hall, just days after police forcefully removed their encampment citing safety and health concerns.
October 26, 2011 Budget cuts may shutter hundreds of adult day healthcare centers in California
Hundreds of adult day healthcare centers across California may close as early as Nov. 1 if the courts allow a bill that cuts funding to the centers to proceed.
October 20, 2011 As California cracks down on illegal marijuana dispensaries, California Medical Assn. supports legalizing the drug
Despite statewide opposition to illegal for-profit marijuana dispensaries, the California Medical Association has become the first major medical group to support legalization of the drug even though they are uncertain of its medicinal value.
October 13, 2011 17 people were injured when two Amtrak trains collided at an Oakland train station
Service at an Oakland train station resumed this morning after a "low-speed" head-on collision between two Amtrak trains Wednesday night, injuring 17 people. Officials say all the injuries were considered minor and non-threatening.
October 11, 2011 Gov. Brown approves a law that will allow illegal immigrants to receive state-funded financial aid
During the Columbus Day weekend, Governor Jerry Brown enacted the second part of the California Dream Act, making California the only state to allow illegal immigrants access to state-funded financial aid to attend California universities.
June 18, 2011 The same-sex marriage lobby is now going after organizations that have employees and clients who support traditional marriage
Peter Vidmar seemed like the perfect choice to serve as the Chief of Mission for next year's Olympics in London. A corporate motivational speaker and former Olympic champion, Vidmar since 2008 has been chairman of USA Gymnastics. Yet while he was offered and accepted the post, come summer 2012, Vidmar will not be the United States Chief of Mission. Why? Because in 2008 he donated $2,000 to support California's Proposition 8, the voter-approved legislation that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.
May 23, 2011 High court orders California to release thousands of prisoners, and faith-based groups are ready to help
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a tall order to the state of California Monday: The state must reduce its prison population by releasing about 40,000 prisoners over the next two years.
October 20, 2009 Some efforts to cut costs and save money have ended up costing states more
As state and local governments face record budget gaps, at least 21 states have scheduled worker furloughs as a way to reduce labor costs and save money. In some cases furloughs are proving to be a bitter pill, and not merely for workers involved.
