California Connected Newsroom

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that California-based, energy giant PG&E is considering out-of-state nuclear plants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming. The nuclear alternative has been successful in other countries like France and Japan, but most environmentalists argue that the United States has not found a feasible solution for its […]

The Sacramento Bee’s Dan Walters reports on Governor Schwarzenegger’s keen interest in reviving the San Joaquin Valley, arguing that his commitment to the region could be one for the history books. “The governor’s interest has helped local leaders overcome a long-standing vacuum in regional leadership and cooperation and the effort seems to be paying off,” […]

The Press-Enterprise reports that next year’s Democratically controlled Congress is unlikely to push immigration reform too hard. The reason, according to House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi’s team, is because more hearings and research is needed to find a consensus solution. There is also some speculation that immigration reform will entail a tough political battle. “Democrats may […]

The Sacramento Bee and San Diego Union-Tribune report that the U.S. Supreme Court is to begin hearing arguments today in a landmark case that could open the way for the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases or cripple California’s efforts to fight global warming. The Bush administration says the federal government cannot curb carbon-dioxide emissions, […]

Associate Producer Hal MacDermot looks at Wal-Mart paradox.

Napa Junction vineyard. Photo by Thor Muller.
The beautiful Napa Valley in northern California is famous for its wine and fine-dining.
Did you know that Wal-Mart has plans to come for dinner too?
If all goes well, a new store is slated to open in January 2007 in the […]

The Sacramento Bee reports that applications for California’s game warden academy dropped by about two-thirds this year. The new numbers deepen concerns about the dwindling ranks at the state’s wildlife protection agency, the California Department of Fish and Game. Its 75 vacancies are due to rigorous testing, low pay and retirement.
“Maybe it’s going to take […]

The New York Times reports that YouTube, the so-called “people’s network” of online videos, is partnering with Verizon Wireless to bring its service to a cellphone near you. Watching YouTube’s user-generated videos on your phone will require a $15-a-month subscription to Verizon Wireless’ VCast service. Google, who owns YouTube, already made waves recently by announcing […]

The Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Daily News report that a federal judge has ruled that the state has switched its own position of Proposition 83, the new law that would severely restrict the rights of sex offenders. The switch concerns whether the law would apply retroactively to those who have […]

The Sacramento Bee reports that police arrested Sukhwinder Singh Grewal, 41, and Amrik Singh, 27, on suspicion of stealing $2 million worth of almonds throughout the Central Valley over the last year. “The pair are accused of hot-wiring tractor-trailers or hauling off containers filled with about 40,000 pounds of almonds processed and packaged to be […]

The New York Times ran a feature story today on the changing social and racial make-up of Watts. The story focuses on James Dawson, an African-American who recently moved to the suburbs of Lancaster but still coaches youngsters in his old neighborhood. Despite his efforts, the local baseball league is quickly dwindling, reflecting a change […]