The interminable dry weather is producing a number of side effects, and in Los Angeles that means a boost in smog and soot. As if LA needs it.
From the LAT's Tony Barboza: "A high-pressure zone off the West Coast that has been warding off rain for months has worsened air pollution across California and the Southwest. The stagnant conditions have trapped fine particles close to the ground, leaving a buildup of sooty haze that poses a threat to people's health."
"To keep pollution levels down, air quality officials in California have issued an unprecedented number of no-burn alerts that ban wood fires in homes. Even so, clinics report treating more patients who have trouble breathing, tightness in their chest, itchy eyes and runny noses."
With all the problems surrounding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, it's nice to get some good news -- on flu shots.
From the Mercury-News' Tracy Seipel: "The 25-year-old San Jose software engineer is among 156 million Americans whose employers pay for their health insurance. But like many of them, Yuan was surprised to find out that as of Jan. 1, the annual flu shot at his CVS pharmacy wouldn't cost him anything because of the new federal health care law."{
"So was Terry Woo, a 53-year-old San Jose father of five who was getting his inoculation at a Walgreens a few miles away."
"That's great," said Woo, who also receives his health insurance through work. "I fully supported Obamacare, but I didn't know that."
Bobby Shriver, the nephew of President Kennedy, and a long-time local political player, is running for the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
From the LAT's Seema Mehta: "Bobby Shriver on Tuesday will formally jump into the race for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, injecting the Kennedy-family mystique — and possibly some of his own wealth — into the contest to replace termed-out Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky."
"Shriver, 59, the son of Sargent and Eunice Shriver and the nephew of President Kennedy, said he has been pondering running for a seat on the board for nearly a decade, as he watched Yaroslavsky work on helping the homeless while Shriver was a member of the Santa Monica City Council. The board's focus on the most vulnerable — the poor, foster children, the sick — appealed to him more than seeking a more prominent position in Sacramento or Washington, Shriver said."
The new money aimed at helping students prepare for jobs and schools is drawing a lot of attention -- and competition.
From EdSource's Karla Scoon Reid: "California schools can expect stiff competition when the state kicks off the application process for a highly anticipated $250 million state fund for college and career readiness programs and partnerships this month."
"Educators and business leaders from across the state have expressed keen interest in the California Career Pathways Trust – a one-time competitive grant fund – that seeks to establish and strengthen partnerships between K-12 schools, community colleges and businesses to better prepare students for college and future careers while also bolstering the economy."
Is Neel Kashkari representative of a new breed of California Republicans? The energetic guberrnatorial contender -- and the voters -- may soon find out.
From the Oakland Tribune's Josh Richman: "As the Democratic Brown amassed a huge war chest and opened a new campaign office in Oakland this past year, the Republican Kashkari quit his job as an investment banking executive to crisscross the state to meet with GOP groups, potential donors, community organizations and ordinary Californians."
"But coy as he's playing it, Kashkari, a 40-year-old Indo-American whose party's members are mostly older and white, could be the sort of new face that the California Republican Party needs as it tries to dig itself out of the electoral cellar."