If Bernie Sanders' presidential bid resonated at all with society, it was partly because of his advocacy of free education. California lawmakers say they are working on a way to make that possible.
LA Times' MELANIE MASON/TERESA WATANABE: "Seizing on growing concerns over college affordability, California lawmakers are poised to propose what would be the most generous college aid plan in the nation, covering not just tuition but also living expenses that have led to spiraling student debt."
"The plan, to be formally rolled out by Assembly Democrats at a news conference Monday morning, would supplement California’s existing aid programs, with the aim of eradicating the need for student loans for nearly 400,000 students in the Cal State and University of California systems. It also would boost grants to community college students and give those attending them full time a tuition-free first year."
"Lower-income students … are able to many times, through our great programs in California, get help to pay for tuition. But they’re still graduating with a tremendous amount of debt,” said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who is spearheading the plan. “The cost of living, the books, the transportation — that’s [what] we really need to tackle.”
READ MORE related to Education: Girls now outnumber boys in high school STEM, but still lag in college and career -- EdSource's CAROLYN JONES; UC Davis Aggies take historic first step into NCAA tournament -- Sacramento Bee's AILENE VOISIN
Speaking of Bernie, the Democratic Socialist party has seen a massive boom in their enrollment.
LA Times' MATT PEARCE: "Holding red and white signs, they protested outside Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s election party on Tuesday, demanding the city take a tougher stand against deportation."
"The next day, they rallied in support of the International Women’s Day strike, demanding social and economic equality for women."
"These weren’t liberals. They were card-carrying members of the Democratic Socialists of America, one of the fastest growing groups on the American left."
READ MORE related to Beltway: Trump lets key offices gather dust amid 'slowest transition in decades' -- NY Times/CA Today's JULIE HIRSCHFIELD DAVIS/SHARON LAFRANIERE
The Trump admin's anti-climate stance has put California's climate legislation into the 'hot seat' as the state tries to figure out a way to maintain the battle against rapid warming.
LA Times' CHRIS MEGERIAN: "Outdated refrigerators arrive at a Compton warehouse in a funeral procession of defunct appliances. Workers vacuum out the coolants and ship the chemicals halfway across the country, where they’re destroyed instead of allowed to escape into the atmosphere, worsening global warming."
"The operation is among dozens of projects that qualify as carbon offsets, which are funded by major polluters such as oil refineries and power plants to comply with California’s requirements for slashing greenhouse gases."
"By paying for offsets, companies can generate environmental benefits anywhere in the country — they are not required to invest in green projects in California — as an alternative to cleaning up their own operations. Now that lawmakers are debating how to continue the state’s fight against climate change, the system is being targeted by some environmentalists who would rather force industry to directly reduce its emissions."
READ MORE related to Environment: UCSD scientists worry Trump could suppress climate change data -- LA Times' GARY ROBBINS/JOSHUA EMERSON SMITH
The recent spike in toxic xenophobia across the country post-election has prompted a flash gathering in San Jose to protest 'hate.'
Mercury News' ERIC KURHI: "With recent hate-fueled shootings of minorities in Kansas and Washington — and an alarming confrontation closer to home in downtown San Jose — about 75 community members gathered downtown Sunday to urge action in what they called an increasingly hostile post-election atmosphere."
"This is not something that’s just happening far away,” said Anirvan Chatterjee, one of the unaffiliated activists who put together the afternoon event at Lytton Plaza. “This is happening right here at home.”
While police body cameras are intended for the protection of both cop and citizen, the specifics surrounding the recorded footage the devices capture are not entirely clear.
OC Register's CHRIS HAIRE: "Guns drawn, police officers cautiously approached an SUV, the cameras on their uniforms recording as they searched for a firearm a suspect had supposedly pointed at a motorist."
"As one officer guarded the middle-aged driver now in handcuffs, two other officers flanked the vehicle, with one finding a rifle inside."
"Taking in the entire encounter — from tense beginning to jail-cell ending — were body cameras, standard operating procedure for these Fullerton officers as well as an increasing number of their brethren across Southern California."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: Nearly 200 firefighters battle downtown LA building fire -- LA Times' VICTORIA KIM; San Bernardino's crime interruption plan, Ceasefire, moves forward -- SB Sun's RYAN HAGEN
Two of the world's biggest corporate brands are now dabbling in the art of architectural grandiosity.
The Chronicle's WENDY LEE: "Next month, Apple will inaugurate its circular “spaceship” campus, an eye-catching Cupertino landmark that will house some 12,000 employees of the world’s most valuable company under a single roof."
"About 10 miles away in Mountain View, Google is moving past the planning stage for a futuristic campus that, when it opens in 2019, will be the first major real estate project the search engine giant has built from scratch. The central building, which resembles a puffy white cloud, will be along a bicycle and pedestrian path that connects Google’s other offices."