A stem cell researcher with microscope and digital tablet. (Photo: moreimages, via Shutterstock)The $3 billion California stem cell agency, which is running out of cash, has served notice that it would stop accepting applications for more research awards beginning next month. The low key announcement on Thursday is another step towards the looming demise of the 14-year-old agency, created by voters in November 2004.
Visitors in the former federal prison of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay. (Photo: Benny Marty, via Shutterstock)Former state and federal prisoners, including those on parole, would have the right to vote in California, under a constitutional amendment approved by an Assembly committee. The measure, ACA 6, was approved Wednesday by the Democrat-controlled Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee in a 6-1 vote. The final decision will be made by voters.
The state Treasurer's headquarters in Sacramento, where CalSavers is based. (Photo: Kit Leong, via Shutterstock)A new state workplace retirement savings program, CalSavers, will open to an estimated 250,00 to 300,000 employers on July 1 — offering an automatic IRA payroll deduction for the 7.5 million California workers with no retirement plan on the job. The massive program, expected to handle billions in savings, is voluntary for employees.
An aerial view of a San Luis Obispo neighborhood. (Photo: Sundry Photography, via Shutterstock) The latest Berkeley IGS Poll finds a lack of consensus among Californians on a number of policy proposals relating to housing. But one issue that voters do agree on, at least in concept, is that limits should be imposed on new housing development in high-risk wildfire areas. Three in four voters statewide (74%) support this policy, while just 25% are opposed.
A vintage blackboard in a charter school. (Photo: Greg and Jan Ritchie, via Shutterstock) California’s charter schools could face tighter restrictions if a pair of bills making their way through the Legislature is approved. One would give school districts the right to deny charter schools if they believe they would negatively impact neighborhood schools’ finances, academics or facilities. The other would prohibit school districts from approving a charter school outside their boundaries.
A demonstration at the recent state Democratic convention in San Francisco in support of decriminalizing sex workers. (Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald, via Shutterstock) Veronica Loveall watched as Congress passed legislation that crippled sites like Backpage.com, dismantling what she considered a safety net for people who engage in sex work. And she lays plenty of blame for that on former state Attorney General and current U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris.
An image of a person using pepper spray. (Photo: Schnoeppl, via Shutterstock)Pepper spray – classified and regulated as a form of tear gas – was used routinely on thousands of California children housed in state and county juvenile detention facilities, according to a recent report by the ACLU of Southern California.
A scientist examines cells in a biological laboratory. (Photo: anyalvanova, via Shutterstock)The man expected to lead the drive for $5.5 billion more for California’s stem cell agency today said the Trump restrictions on fetal tissue research represent a dangerous precedent that threatens the health of all Americans.
A view of Stinson Beach in Marin County north of San Francisco. (Photo: Sundry Photography)Linda Escalante, an environmental activist and a legislative director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, has been named to the California Coastal Commission, the powerful regulatory body with jurisdiction over 1,100 miles of coastline.
Cell research in a laboratory. (Photo: SBshot87, via Shutterstock)President Trump has sharply cut back on federal funding for fetal tissue research in a move denounced as both politically motivated and destructive of the hopes of millions of Americans suffering from life-threatening diseases.