Utility giant PG&E was indicted for violations related to the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion.
Robert J. Lopez reports for the L.A. Times: “The utility was charged with violating federal pipeline safety laws, including failing to identify all potential threats to the aging, high-pressure line that sparked the disaster and not maintaining proper repair records, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.”
“Federal authorities said the violations could carry a total fine up to $6 million.”
The FBI returned to Sacramento to search another Leland Yee office adjacent Senate Democratic leaders cancelling major fundraising plans.
Laurel Rosenhall and Christopher Cadelago report for the Sacramento Bee: “The office is occasionally used by a staff member of Yee’s who normally works in his district office, said Mark Hedlund, a spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.”
“Reeling from the spate of scandals and eager to separate themselves from the exchange of money, Senate Democratic leaders on Tuesday canceled the Pro Tem Cup, a major fundraiser scheduled for this Friday where lobbyists typically mingle with legislators at the Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego to raise money for the California Democratic Party.”
Seven bills before the Assembly elections committee would reform campaign finance laws.
John Howard reports for Capitol Weekly: “Garcia’s bill, AB 1666, also applies to any member of a city, county or special district legislative body. It requires the Fair Political Practices Commission, which enforces the state’s campaign finance laws, to revise the level of the fines every two years to reflect increases — or decreases – in the Consumer Price Index.”
Proposing taxpayer-funded campaigns would keep things corrupt, says Secretary of State candidate Dan Schnur.
Jim Miller reports for Capitol Weekly: “Schnur acknowledged that some people sincerely support public campaign financing. But Schnur said public financing of California campaigns would never happen. Voters, he added, would not want to divert money from police, libraries and other governmental services, he said.”
"Public financing? That's the last refuge...of a legislator that just doesn't want to see any change happen at all," Schnur said.”
California’s snowpack remains severely low, despite recent rainstorms.
Sharon Bernstein reports for Reuters: “The snowpack, which melts in the spring and feeds streams and reservoirs throughout the state, has just a third of the amount of water it normally contains this time of year, said Mark Cowin, director of the state Department of Water Resources.”
Los Angeles Unified students toss out at least $100,000 worth of food everyday because of new federal requirements.
Teresa Watanabe reports for the L.A. Times: “And so it goes on hundreds of campuses in Los Angeles Unified, the nation's second-largest school system, which serves 650,000 meals a day. Students throw out at least $100,000 worth of food a day — and probably far more, according to estimates by David Binkle, the district's food services director. That amounts to $18 million a year — based on a conservative estimate of 10% food waste — which Binkle says would be far better spent on higher-quality items, such as strawberries or watermelon.”
A Modesto runner lost in freeing conditions was found alive after missing for two days.
Terry Collins reports for the Associated Press: "I'm grateful. Thank you very much," Root said Tuesday as he was loaded into an awaiting ambulance. He was taken to Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital in nearby Auburn, Calif., where he was treated and released by Tuesday evening, said Robin Montgomery, a hospital spokeswoman.”
“Root, who is known as Bob, said he wanted an In-N-Out hamburger upon his release, said Placer County sheriff's spokeswoman Dena Erwin.”
The force was definitely with one Milpitas man who won the $425 million Powerball jackpot.
Steve Almasy reports for CNN: “"Sitting on a ticket of this value was very scary," he said, according to lottery officials. "It's amazing how a little slip of paper can change your life."
“Apparently, it didn't change him that much. He showed up at lottery headquarters wearing a Yoda T-shirt with the slogan "Luck of the Jedi I Have.”
