Greg Asner, a biologist with the Carnegie Institution for Science has been studying the drought’s impact on the state’s forests. Everyone knew the picture was going to be bad, but it turns out to be worse than anyone had predicted. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times:
“The Forest Service had estimated that nearly 12.5 million trees in the state's southern and central forests were dead. But as Asner peered down upon the same forests from his airplane at 6,000 feet, he saw something far worse….
“There is no saying which trees will die, but by his estimation the count statewide could be close to 120 million — as much as 20% of the state's forests.”
Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson announced late last night that he will not seek a third term. Ryan Lillis broke the story at the Bee:
"Johnson made the announcement first in an email to The Sacramento Bee late Tuesday, writing that 'after much thought and soul-searching, (he has) decided not to run for a third term.'
“I't was an incredibly difficult choice, but one that I feel confident about,' the mayor wrote in a statement he later posted on Twitter. 'As I’m sure there will be much speculation on this, let me proactively say that I am not leaving for another specific job or position. While there are many intriguing opportunities out there (and I’m excited to explore them) I honestly don’t know what’s next for me.'”
The announcement comes after a series of setbacks for the former NBA star, the latest of which was yesterday's announcement that a public interest media startup launched by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar last year has chipped in $15,000 to held defray the Sacramento News and Review’s legal expenses in their lawsuit stemming from a public records request. Johnson is suing both the newspaper and the City of Sacramento. Allen Young, Sacramento Business Journal:
“The legal battle has cost the newspaper $48,000 so far, said co-editor Nick Miller. SN&R has asked readers to contribute to a fund that has raised $30,000 in the last month…
“The battle stems from a public-records request filed by SN&R in March requesting all correspondence through a private email account from the mayor’s office for the past two years. The magazine's request followed questions about the mayor’s involvement with the National Conference of Black Mayors, a group Johnson seized control of in 2013.
“In July, the mayor sued the city and newspaper, seeking an injunction to stop the release; he contends they are exempt from the public records law because of attorney-client privilege….
“In a statement, First Look said the mayor's lawsuit threatened ‘press freedom and the ability of the citizens to be informed about the actions of its elected officials.’”
A U.S. District Court Judge has ruled that marijuana dispensaries that follow state laws are protected. The ruling is the first of its kind. Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle:
“The decision by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer is the first known ruling by a federal judge to protect pot dispensaries under a budget amendment approved by Congress in December 2014 and in effect through this December, when backers plan to renew it for another year. It bars the Justice Department from spending any money to prevent California and other states from ‘implementing their own state laws’ that authorize the medical use of marijuana.”
A ballot initiative to revise California’s Three Strikes law has been approved for circulation by the Secretary of State’s office. But, the underfunded effort faces a high hurdle. Paige St. John, LA Times:
“The three strikes law requires sentences of 25 years to life for those convicted of three violent felonies. The ballot initiative would drop the expanded penalty for convictions that predated the 1994 law. Some crimes such as burglary of an unoccupied building or making criminal threats would no longer be serious felonies. And the initiative would make it easier for prisoners to petition judges to have their sentences reconsidered….
“The request for approval to circulate petitions to put the initiative on the November 2016 ballot was filed by Julie Piccolotti, a resident of Half Moon Bay.
“On the application, Piccolotti included the Web address of www.choose1.org, which includes links to a GoFundMe crowd-funding account to raise money for the effort… As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe account showed 16 donations totaling $480.”
CalPERS has cut 18,000 people from its medical insurance rolls after an examination found that they were dependents ineligible for benefits. Jon Ortiz, Sacramento Bee:
“The system figures state and local governments and school districts with health insurance plans administered by CalPERS have saved a combined $122 million annually in lower premiums and avoided medical costs since the inception of the review in 2013…”
Congrats to Judy Lin, the latest capitol reporter to announce a move (it’s been like musical chairs the past few months!) She joins CALmatters, a nonprofit journalism org, after a long stretch at the AP.
The massive mudslide that closed Highway 58 east of Tehachapi, trapping more than 50 vehicles, won’t be cleared for some time, but that didn’t stop photographer Vincent Hernandez of Tehachapi Life Photography, who hiked 10 miles in to capture the destruction. Gizmodo has the amazing photos.
Hernandez: “This major mess of mud spanned about half a mile, and with over 50 cars, trucks, and big rigs. Some of these people have been out here for nearly 20 hours, and are still there. The Caltrans [employees] are working steadily to clear just a single lane, then they would need to pull out the large vehicles that are half buried. Such an amazing sight to see, and was pleased to take photos to show you all. A shout out to those men and women who are there to help with this large clean up job.”