Consumer Watchdog In The News
Bakersfield.com – State medical board tells Bakersfield OB/GYN to stop practicing medicine
By Jon Cox, BAKERSFIELD.COM
https://www.bakersfield.com/news/state-medical-board-tells-bakersfield-ob-gyn-to-stop-practicing-medicine/article_2a71b96d-937a-4b54-8900-f76524206ff8.html
A Bakersfield obstetrician-gynecologist has been ordered to stop practicing medicine, at least temporarily, after he failed a competency exam following accusations of negligence.
The Osteopathic Medical Board of California revoked Dr. Hans Yu’s certification effective June...
Orange County Register – California insurance chief keeps ‘chin up’ ahead of FAIR Plan, policy reforms
Instead of heeding calls to resign, Ricardo Lara is working on FAIR Plan reform and holding insurers accountable in fire-prone zones.
By PAT MAIO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
https://www.ocregister.com/2026/01/16/california-insurance-chief-keeps-chin-up-ahead-of-fair-plan-policy-reforms/
A few weeks after California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara rattled consumer groups with a proposed...
Los Angeles Times – Wildfire victims decry state law protecting utilities from cost of disasters they cause
By Melody Petersen, LOS ANGELES TIMES
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-01-16/wildfire-victims-decry-state-law-protecting-utilities-from-cost-of-disasters-they-cause
A year after the Eaton fire, survivors and the state’s electric utilities are clashing over whether state law should continue to protect the companies from the cost of disastrous wildfires they ignite.
Southern California Edison...
Los Angles Times – Uber is trying to snow voters with a supposedly pro-consumer ballot initiative. Don’t buy it
By Michael Hiltzik, LOS ANGELES TIMES
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-01-16/uber-tries-to-snow-voters-with-supposedly-pro-consumer-ballot-initiative
Uber loves to define itself as a most public-spirited company.
“We’re reimagining how the world moves ... to help make transportation more affordable, sustainable, and accessible for all,” as the ride-sharing giant declares on its website.
In...
The Press Democrats – How corporate leaders and donors shaped Newsom’s biggest policy pivots
By Ethan Varian, THE PRESS DEMOCRATS
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/01/14/newsom-scheduling-calendar-2025/
On June 23, Gov. Gavin Newsom had a scheduled call with Mark Lashier, the chief executive of Phillips 66 months after the oil giant announced it would shut down a major Los Angeles...
KNX-AM (Radio): The California Fair Plan Is Taking On More Home Insurance Policies
By Staff Reporters, KNX-AM – Los Angeles, CA:
Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
KCBS-AM (Radio): On Average Rate Payers Will See A Nearly 7% Increase In Home Insurance Premiums
By Staff Reporters, KCBS-AM – Los Angeles, CA:
Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
San Francisco Chronicle – California bills would tackle wildfire underinsurance and underpayment in wake of Chronicle investigation
By Megan Fan Munce, Susie Neilson, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/underinsurance-legislation-21280891.php
A year after fires razed entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California lawmakers unveiled a slate of proposed legislation aimed at protecting wildfire survivors from insurance industry practices that can stall rebuilding and recovery —...
Los Angeles Times – Complaints over insurers’ handling of L.A. wildfire claims prompt a flurry of bills
By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES
Since the January 2025 firestorms damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 homes in Los Angeles County, fire victims have repeatedly complained that insurers have delayed, denied or underpaid many of their claims, with...
Los Angeles Daily News – LA wildfire rebuilding effort draws billions in aid, grants
By Pat Maio, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
https://www.dailynews.com/2026/01/08/l-a-wildfire-rebuilding-effort-draws-billions-in-aid-grants/
Billions of dollars have flowed into the Los Angeles area since the January 2025 wildfires exploded across the region.
The precise figure is difficult to quantify, but the money has come from nonprofits, federal agencies and local...
Daily Journal – Tens of millions raised as Uber, trial lawyers gird for 2026 ballot initiatives
By Malcom Maclachlan, DAILY JOURNAL
CAOC-backed committees report massive fundraising totals as title and summary approvals allow competing ballot measures to move toward signature gathering.
Plaintiffs' attorneys and rideshare companies are barreling toward a titanic ballot initiative battle.
As the new...
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