KALW News - Politics and Watchdog Reporting

Connecting the dots: top news stories for Wednesday, December 14

KALW News — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:43:53 +0000

Occupy protesters contributed to a loss of $4-8 million for the Port of Oakland last Monday after attempting to shut down shipping activity. The port generates about $8.5 million per day, and the losses could cause a ripple effect in companies around the world...

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

Connecting the dots: Top stories for Tuesday, December 13

KALW News — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:56:03 +0000

Newly-elected mayor Ed Lee wants to eliminate homelessness in San Francisco, and he says the magic number to do it is three million -- dollars, that is. $500,000 of those dollars come from a Dave Matthews Band fundraising concert in 2005...

65% of California adults support Governor Jerry Brown's plan to raise sales and income taxes on people that earn over $250,000 a year...

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

Connecting the Dots: Top stories for Monday, December 12

KALW News — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:39:09 +0000

Today, Occupy L.A. will form a picket line at the Port of Long Beach. It's a decision influenced by the Occupy Oakland movement which managed to shut down the Port of Oakland in November. The day of action is not supported by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, though there are similar plans to shut down ports up and down the West Coast, including in Oakland...

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

Connecting the dots: top news stories for Wednesday, December 7

KALW News — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:48:33 +0000

Early this morning police took down San Francisco’s Occupy encampment – the last large Occupy camp in the Bay Area. Seventy people were arrested, a few on felony charges of assaulting an officer…

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

Connecting the Dots: Top stories for Tuesday, December 6

KALW News — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:04:56 +0000

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

What it takes to keep BART rolling

KALW News — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:02:52 +0000

For more than a year now, BART's board of directors has been discussing whether – and how – the system could stay open later. Right now the trains start their final runs at midnight, leaving many patrons scrambling to catch the last BART home, especially on the weekends. The board had been considering running later trains just one night a week. But last month they officially tabled that plan, voting to look at late night bus service instead.

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

High-speed rail looking more uncertain

KALW News — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:54:35 +0000

While BART managers are trying to bring the Bay Area’s rail system into the future, state officials are trying to bring a new train system into existence. High-speed rail is supposed to whisk passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in just two and a half hours. It’s a controversial project, though, and over the past few months it’s gotten even more controversial. KALW’s transportation reporter Julie Caine has more.

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Politics and Watchdog Reporting

Connecting the Dots: Top stories for Monday, December 5

KALW News — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:53:12 +0000

California counties, facing large influxes of new prisoners through the state’s new realignment policy, are using state funds differently. Some are utilizing more money for service programs run by non-profits, while others are sinking the bulk into law enforcement and probation, highlighting a wide variety of approaches to incarceration and rehabilitation across the state...

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

What will happen to California's medical marijuana industry?

KALW News — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:21:08 +0000

Tonight, a show called "Weed Wars" is premiering on the Discovery Channel, and it’s entirely based on the Bay Area medical marijuana trade. The premiere has interesting timing: Yesterday, a U.S. District judge in Oakland rejected a request from dispensaries to keep federal prosecutors from filing charges against them. It’s the latest in a series of events that have been challenging California marijuana advocates, kicked off by Melinda Haag, the U.S.

Politics and Watchdog Reporting

Connecting the Dots: Top news stories for Thursday, December 1

KALW News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:23:26 +0000

In the battle between Bordertown Skatepark vs. Caltrans, Caltrans has won. Skateboarders who helped build Bordertown beneath a 580 freeway overpass in Emeryville showed up to video tape the demolition. In August, skateboarders also lost The Spot Skatepark to Caltrans. But, there could be another The Spot.

Politics and Watchdog Reporting