Although a federal ruling recently put the kibosh on a California plan to tax text messages, Republicans in the Assembly want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) announced his intention to prohibit the California Public Utilities Commission from taxing or applying fees to text messages....
Elon Musk to Unveil Underground Tunnel, Transport Cars
LOS ANGELES — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk is set to unveil an underground transportation tunnel on Tuesday that could move people faster than subways. Musk also plans to show off the autonomous cars that will carry people through the test tunnel, which runs about 2 miles under the streets of...
Can California Afford Newsom's Vision for Schools? Here's Your K-12 Primer.
Early childhood education. A top-tier national ranking for K-12 per-pupil spending. A data system that would track kids from nursery school through state universities. California’s Legislature won’t reconvene until 2019, but the Christmas wish list for public schools is already long and pricey. On the first day of session, Democratic lawmakers...
Report Rips Expensive Decisions in California Wildfire Fight
LOS ANGELES — When a wildfire burned across Big Sur two years ago and threatened hundreds of homes scattered on the scenic hills, thousands of firefighters responded with overwhelming force, attacking flames from the air and ground. In the first week, the blaze destroyed 57 homes and killed a bulldozer...
California Withdraws 'Text Tax' Proposal After FCC Ruling
SAN FRANCISCO — California regulators have canceled a plan to charge a fee for text messaging on mobile phones. The California Public Utilities Commission reversed course after a Federal Communications Commission ruling last week classified text messaging as an information service and not a telecommunications service. State Has Limited Authority...
In Modesto, Uncle Shelby's Old House Is Now a Rental
Housing and the stability it promises can be hard to find in California. Take the family of Shelby Humphrey, my great uncle on my mom’s side. After the Second World War, he, his wife Doris, and their 10 children left Southern California for Modesto. They rented 17 different places while...
Will Everyone Be Counted In 2020 Census? California Hopes So.
Counting every person in the United States is the goal of the census. Why? For one, the population totals from the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. Members of the House make and pass federal laws that impact the lives of...
My Turn: What Oakland Can Teach California About Gun Violence Prevention
It’s the best news you’ve probably never heard. Oakland, long synonymous with gun violence, is suddenly emerging as a national leader in the field of violence prevention. Since 2012, shootings are down more than 50 percent and are on pace to reach their lowest levels in decades. California leaders have...
Her Reading Heart Inspires Students Across Fresno
Danay Ferguson founded Reading Heart when she was just 8 years old, making her the youngest registered entrepreneur in Fresno County history, according to the nonprofit's website. "It first started out with my love of reading," Danay said, "and I wanted to share that with everybody else." The avid reader is...
Former California Judge Newsom Dies at 84
SACRAMENTO — William Newsom III, a former California judge, environmental advocate and the father of governor-elect Gavin Newsom, died Wednesday after a long illness. He was 84. "Justice Newsom was a proud, lifelong Californian, a public servant of profound accomplishment and a powerful voice for individual rights and environmental protection,"...