State GovernmentYour questions about California’s gas rebate answeredOctober 19, 2022Readers had questions about California’s gas rebate payments, including whether it matters how many cars you have and why it’s based on 2020 tax returns. We’ve answered some here.
Sacramento City Council bans homeless camps near schools, adding to existing lawOctober 19, 2022 | Chris Nichols | Kristin LamThe Sacramento City Council unanimously approved banning homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools. The city had already banned camps near colleges and other sites deemed critical infrastructure.
State GovernmentPandemic-related fraud totaled billions. California is trying to get some of it backOctober 19, 2022A special task force is investigating claims and freezing accounts to determine who legitimately qualifies for the relief money. About $20 billion in unemployment money was stolen by criminals.
Converted Natomas hotel opens as housing for 200 people experiencing homelessnessOctober 19, 2022 | Chris NicholsFamilies including some with young children are expected to live at the former Staybridge Suites hotel now called Vista Nueva.
Suspected Northern California serial shooter charged with 3 counts of homicide in first court appearanceOctober 18, 2022 | Rich IbarraWesley Brownlee is currently only facing charges for the three most recent shootings. However, San Joaquin County District Attorney said the department will likely bring additional charges as more evidence is gathered.
A jury convicted Paul Flores of murdering college student Kristin Smart in 1996October 18, 2022Kristin Smart, a college freshman, vanished from a California campus in 1996. Paul Flores was the last person seen with Smart as he walked her home from an off-campus party.
Health CareSacramento City Unified to stock Narcan, an opioid overdose medication, on all campusesOctober 18, 2022 | Vicki GonzalezVictoria Flores, who heads Student Support and Health Services at the district, said the Narcan will be stored with other life-saving medication like EpiPens and automated external defibrillator machines. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentAgency battling wage theft in California is too short-staffed to do its jobOctober 18, 2022The state is a national leader in labor law, experts say, but its agency enforcing wage theft rules in California still struggles to staff up.
California drivers can now sport digital license plates on their carsOctober 17, 2022The license plate-sized screens display a plate number and allow drivers to renew their registration. They also allow users to track a vehicle with GPS and display a warning if the car is stolen.
State GovernmentCalifornia will end COVID-19 state of emergency in 2023 – if there’s not a surgeOctober 17, 2022 | Nicole NixonCalifornia officials will wind down the remaining provisions of its COVID-19 state of emergency early next year, barring a winter surge in cases or new vaccine-resistant variant.
