Consumer Watchdog

Accountability

NBC Los Angeles- Unsealed FBI files show agents believed former LA City Attorney was involved in DWP lawsuit coverup

By Eric Leonard and Andrew Blankstein, NBC LOS ANGELES https://www.nbclosangeles.com/investigations/unsealed-fbi-files-show-agents-believed-former-la-city-attorney-was-involved-in-dwp-lawsuit-coverup/3414296/#:~:text=FBI%20files%20unsealed%20Thursday%20show,says%20is%2C%20%22absurd.%22 FBI files unsealed Thursday show agents investigating corruption at the LA Department of Water and Power,…

May 16, 2024

Accountability

San Francisco Chronicle – Here’s the legal argument California restaurants have taken up to get out of surcharge ban

By Bob Egelko, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/restaurant-surcharge-ban-19456033.php When you sit at a restaurant table and order food and drink, are you receiving…

May 14, 2024

In The News

Los Angeles Times – Gov. Newsom seeks faster review of insurance rate hikes. What to know

By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-05-13/california-governor-newsom-insurance-rates-fair-plan#:~:text=What%20to%20know,conference%20in%20Sacramento%20in%202020.&text=With%20insurers%20continuing%20to%20pull,requests%20for%20rate%20hikes%20reviewed. With insurers continuing to pull back from the California’s homeowners’ market, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to…

May 13, 2024

Energy

The Center Square – As Calif. considers refinery profit caps, Ariz., Nev. fear rising gas prices

By Kenneth Schrupp, THE CENTER SQUARE https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_2a002ae8-0d6f-11ef-98a3-23aafa7ad2d6.html (The Center Square) – As the California Energy Commission considers adopting a rule to put…

May 13, 2024

In The News

The San Francisco Chronicle – California insurance crisis: Newsom wants regulators to approve rate increases faster

By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/newsom-home-insurance-rates-19451293.php Gov. Gavin Newsom is getting more directly involved in the insurance crisis by proposing legislation…

May 10, 2024

Energy

Politico – Gavin Newsom is coming for your car, and he wants you to know it

By WES VENTEICHER, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/09/gavin-newsom-climate-message-california-00156954 SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking California’s climate story — with its big ambitions and political…

May 9, 2024

Energy

Cap Radio – New California bills hope to mitigate health impacts linked to living near oil, gas wells

https://www.capradio.org/articles/2024/05/07/new-california-bills-hope-to-mitigate-health-impacts-linked-to-living-near-oil-gas-wells By Manola Secaira, CAP RADIO Two years ago, California legislators passed a law requiring a 3,200 foot setback between new oil…

May 8, 2024

In The News

Orange County Register – Travelers raising home insurance rates by 15% on average

By Ethan Varian, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER One of California’s largest home insurers is raising rates for hundreds of thousands of state policyholders…

May 7, 2024

In The News

San Francisco Chronicle – Major California home insurer to raise rates 15% for 320,000 policyholders

By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/travelers-insurance-rates-19441039.php One of California’s largest home insurers is raising rates for hundreds of thousands of state…

May 6, 2024

Healthcare

KERO-BFL (ABC) – Bakersfield, CA: Local Doctor Being Investigated For Negligence

Tracy Dominguez says, we’re bringing attention to this crisis, partnering with groups like Consumer Watchdog, speaking before the board of supervisors and legislative boards, and helping organize events to educate…

May 6, 2024

In The News

Reinsurance News – Consumer Watchdog opposes proposal for black-box models in wildfire risk prediction

By Beth Musselwhite, REINSURANCE NEWS Consumer Watchdog opposes Californian Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s proposal to allow insurance companies to use black-box catastrophe…

May 2, 2024

Audio

KQED-FM (Radio) – San Francisco, CA: Kaiser Permanente Had a Possible Data Breach of Online Searches By Millions of Current and Former Patients

By Staff Reporters, KQED-FM – San Francisco, CA  Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.

Apr 29, 2024

In The News

San Francisco Chronicle – Major California home insurer could resume writing new policies. Here’s what it would take

By Megan Fan Munce, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/allstate-home-insurance-19419045.php One of California’s largest home insurers (opens in new tab) says it plans to resume writing…

Apr 25, 2024

In The News

Los Angeles Times – Amid homeowner insurance crisis, consumer advocates and industry clash at hearing

By Laurence Darmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-04-24/consumer-advocates-insurance-industry-clash-at-homeowners-insurance-crisis-hearing The fault lines running through California’s spiraling homeowners insurance crisis were on display Tuesday at…

Apr 25, 2024

In The News

Insurance Business Magazine – Consumer Watchdog on what “will not solve” California’s insurance crisis

By Terry Gangcuangco, INSURANCE BUSINESS https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/catastrophe/consumer-watchdog-on-what-will-not-solve-californias-insurance-crisis-486434.aspx Consumer Watchdog has expressed strong opposition against Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s proposed changes in California. In the…

Apr 24, 2024

Energy

Elk Grove News – New Oil Drilling Permit Approvals Fall To Zero For First Time Since Newsom Came To Office

By Dan Bacher, ELK GROVE NEWS https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/04/new-oil-drilling-permit-approvals-fall.html Newsom’s regulators have issued a total of 15,940 well permits of all types since he…

Apr 21, 2024

In The News

Sacramento Bee – California insurers must give discounts for wildfire mitigation. Have homeowners benefited?

By Stephen Hobbs, SACRAMENTO BEE https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article286759155.html In 2022, state Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced he would force companies to offer discounts to…

Apr 18, 2024

Accountability

The Epoch Times – Federal Judge Unseals Warrants in Case of Botched LADWP Billing

By City News Service, EPOCH TIMES https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/federal-judge-unseals-warrants-in-case-of-botched-ladwp-billing-5631503 LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A Los Angeles federal judge issued a final order today on…

Apr 17, 2024