News

Stem cell agency down to last $67 million

Blood cells in a bone marrow smear, examined as part of stem cell research. (Photo: toeytoey, via Shutterstock)

California’s state stem cell agency is down to its last $67.3 million following a decision Thursday to back research to enhance bone healing in elderly patients who undergo spinal surgery. The $4 million award went to Ankasa Regenerative  Therapeutics following little discussion among members of the governing board of the $3 billion California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

News

California goes all in for the census

People walking along an Orange County sidewalk, following the creation of a census panel set up by former Gov. Jerry Brown. (Photo: Associated Press)

As the country prepares for the important 2020 census, California is throwing more resources than ever into making sure its population is properly counted. The state already has set aside $100 million for the event, far more than either the $2.3 million in today’s dollars it committed in 2010 or the $28.8 million in today’s dollars it did in 2000.

Podcast

Capitol Weekly Podcast: Lenny Mendonca, new head of GoBiz

Lenny Mendonca, photo by Tim Foster, Capitol Weekly

Lenny Mendonca carries quite a load: He’s Gov. Newsom’s newly appointed director of the Office of Business and Economic Development, the governor’s Chief Economic and Business Adviser and, last but not least, the new chair of California’s High Speed Rail Commission.

News

A California battle over swordfish — and gill nets

A a set gillnet underwater on the sea bed. (Photo: Damsea, via Shutterstock)

Conservationists are pushing a $1 million effort this summer to change the way swordfish are caught off the California coast by phasing out the use of gill nets. They are the mile-long nylon nets used to catch swordfish but that also ensnare other species, causing conservation organizations to seek an end to their use.

News

CA120: In 2020, don’t forget California’s GOP primary

Donald Trump at a 2016 political rally in Costa Mesa, Orange County. (Photo: mikeledray, via Shutterstock)

With the coming 2020 Presidential primary, all eyes are on the plethora of Democratic candidates joining the fray, and the big possibility that an early California contest could catapult one or more contenders past Super Tuesday.
With all this activity on the left, few are looking at what could be going on with the Republican side of the ticket. Could there be something in California for a Republican challenger to President Donald Trump?

News

Round 2 begins over cannabis banking

Seedlings of California medicinal marijuana. (Photo: King Dragon, via Shutterstock)

Closely watched by California’s cannabis industry, a new effort is underway to allow the creation of basic banking services for marijuana growers, distributors, sellers and others. Last year, similar legislation died. But supporters hope the revised bill will draw more support – including backing from newly elected Gov Gavin Newsom.

News

Here’s the buzz on disappearing bees

Bee hives for pollination in an almond orchard in California's Central Valley. (Photo: Richard Thornton, via Shutterstock)

As the world faces a declining bee population, California almond growers say they are doing their best to promote bee health. Over the last few weeks, bee keepers from all over the U.S. were in the Central Valley releasing bees to pollinate the almond crops. Almond growers use about 75 percent of the commercial beehives in the country to pollinate their crops.

News

Veteran Prison Industry chief departs

Chuck Pattillo, former general manager of the California Prison Industry Authority. (Photo: CalPIA)

The head of the California Prison Industry Authority, an internationally known agency that trains inmates for such diverse occupations as carpentry, deep-sea diving, computer coding and farming, is retiring after more than a decade on the job.

News

Dynamex ruling roils workforce

Adult entertainment clubs a decade ago in San Francisco's North Beach district. (Photo: James Kirkikis, via Shutterstock)

No one at the strip club wanted to talk about Dynamex. Dynamex refers to a landmark decision by the California Supreme Court, officially known as Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles, that set standards to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.

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