By John Wildermuth, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
March 23, 2020
https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Coronavirus-halts-Californ…
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order will not only keep people off the streets, but also could keep some initiative measures off the November ballot.
Policymakers have disparaged tech companies over issues like data privacy, market competition and online misinformation. Now, they need the industry's help to combat coronavirus.
By Steven Overly, POLITICO
March 18, 2020
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/18/washington-tech-industry-coron…
Research suggests your internet-connected vehicle could be easily manipulated by crafty hackers. Cyber threat intelligence experts Brian DeMuth and Bryson Bort explain how to protect high-end vehicles for the future.
By S.C. Stuart, PC MAGAZINE (AUSTRALIA)
March 9, 2020
https://au.pcmag.com/security/65910/connected-cars-are-cool-but-are-the…
By Kayda Norman, ASSOCIATED PRESS / NERD WALLET
February 26, 2020
https://www.thetelegraph.com/business/article/How-auto-insurers-use-you…
You expect your car insurance rates to increase after you buy a new vehicle, cause a crash or add a young driver to your policy. But some insurers jack up prices based on seemingly unrelated data - like your magazine subscriptions or what groceries you buy.
By Wendy Davis, MEDIA POST RAW
February 25, 2020
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/347580/firefox-starts-en…
Mozilla's Firefox browser on Tuesday began encrypting domain names by default for U.S. users.
The move will help prevent internet service providers like Comcast and AT&T from using subscribers' personal data for commercial purposes, Mozilla told Congress two months ago.
By Dan Bacher, INDY BAY MEDIA
February 22, 2020
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/02/22/18830901.php
On the morning of February 19, activists from groups affiliated with the Last Chance Alliance held a spirited rally on the sidewalk outside the west steps of the Capitol just before Governor Newsom delivered his State of the State address.
By Timothy Darragh, BESTWIRE
February 19, 2020
http://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?altsrc=108&refnum=223495
A consumer group has sued the California Department of Insurance and Commissioner Ricardo Lara, saying they failed to comply with a state records request seeking documentation of Lara's meetings and communications with campaign contributors.
Lawsuit also accuses Ricardo Lara’s office of creating records for public release that excluded key information
By Jeff McDonald, THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
February 19, 2020
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2020-02-19/sta…
By Lolita Lopez, KNBC TV-4 Los Angeles, CA
February 19, 2020
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/investigations/recycling-centers-closed-c…
Many Californians are having a tough time recycling bottles and cans and getting back deposits as hundreds of recycling centers shutter throughout the state -- but something else is going on behind the scenes that is making it even worse.
Here’s how it’s supposed to work:
By Staff Writers, INSURANCE JOURNAL
February 18, 2020
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2020/02/18/558731.htm
A non-profit consumer group announced on Tuesday it has filed a lawsuit to compel California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the California Department of Insurance to hand over records of Lara’s meetings and communications with insurance companies.
California is exploring new models to boost consumer access to California Redemption Value (CRV) bottles and cans.
By Megan Smalley, RECYCLING TODAY
February 17, 2020
https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/calrecycle-approves-two-crv-pilo…
Sen. Ed Markey alleges Tesla drivers are confused by the name and capabilities of Autopilot.
By David A. Wood, CARCOMPLAINTS.COM
February 4, 2020
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2020/tesla-should-change-autopilot-n…
The Tesla "Autopilot" name allegedly should be changed to clarify the technology isn't fully autonomous and it requires a driver to stay fully engaged with the vehicle and its surroundings.
By Janet Wilson, THE DESERT SUN
January 31, 2020
https://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2020/01/31/californ…
Jason Marshall, one of California's top oil and gas regulators, is stepping down.
By Don Thompson, AP - THE SANTA ROSA PRESS-DEMOCRAT
January 30, 2020
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10652542-181/bill-requiring-beverage…
SACRAMENTO — A California state senator on Thursday ended his effort to pass a bill requiring beverage distributors to create a new system to take back their own containers, though advocates said they will keep pushing the issue this year.
By Staff Writers, ASSOCIATED PRESS - KPIX CBS TV-5 San Francisco, CA
January 30, 2020
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/01/30/bay-area-legislator-bill-r…
SACRAMENTO (AP) — A California state senator on Thursday ended his effort to pass a bill requiring beverage distributors to create a new system to take back their own containers, though advocates said they will keep pushing the issue this year.
By Meher McArthur, LOZ FELIZ LEDGER
January 30, 2020
https://www.losfelizledger.com/keen-to-be-green-reducing-our-recyclable…
Last year, California lost almost 300 recycling centers when the recycling center chain RePlanet closed in August, citing decreasing prices for aluminum and PET plastic and rising operating costs and wages.
By Timothy Darragh, BESTWIRE
January 29, 2020
http://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?altsrc=108&refnum=223140
Mercury Insurance Co. subsidiary California Auto Insurance Co. is seeking a 5% rate hike for drivers in the state, which has a consumer group up in arms.
California Department of Insurance records show CAIC issued its request for an increase Dec. 6.
By Duffie Osental, INSURANCE BUSINESS AMERICA
January 28, 2020
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/advocacy-gro…
Advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has urged California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to reject a proposed 5% auto insurance rate increase by Mercury Insurance Company that “discriminates against lower income, less-educated drivers.”
By Michael Hiltzik, LOS ANGELES TIMES
January 23, 2020
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-01-23/chevron-and-exxon-con…
Litigation is nobody’s idea of fun (except, perhaps, lawyers), and that’s certainly true for anyone dragged into a lawsuit without being either a plaintiff or defendant.
Beverage distributors would be required to form a product stewardship organization for container collection. The state's container redemption program has experienced mounting financial strain.
By Katie Pyzyk, WASTE DIVE
January 22, 2020
https://www.wastedive.com/news/california-senate-advances-epr-changes-s…
Safe, loyal drivers aren't always rewarded with cheaper rates.
By Kayda Norman, NERDWALLET
January 21, 2010
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/price-optimization/
You expect your car insurance rates to increase after you buy a new vehicle, cause a crash or add a young driver to your policy. But some insurers jack up prices based on seemingly unrelated data — like your magazine subscriptions or what groceries you buy.
By Steve Toloken, PLASTICS NEWS
January 20, 2020
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/california-may-put-onus-industry-run-…
California is looking next door to Oregon for how it can fix its container recycling system, potentially shifting toward one that would put the onus on the bottling industry to design and operate.
By Paul Eisenstein, RIDE TECH BLOG
January 17, 2020
https://ride.tech/mobility-lifestyle/us-dot-sec-unveils-voluntary-av-gu…
The White House has announced plans regarding public testing of autonomous vehicles.
Golden State legislature being lobbied for bottle bill reform while national trade groups propose national framework.
By Brian Taylor, WASTE TODAY
January 16, 2020
https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/article/california-crv-bottle-can-re…
By Anikka Abbott, KCOY CBS TV-12 /KEYT ABC TV-7 / KKFX FOX TV-11 Santa Barbara, CA
January 15, 2020
https://keyt.com/lifestyle/food/2020/01/15/central-coast-winemakers-rea…
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Senate Bill 372, The Beverage Container Recycling Act of 2020, passed the state senate Environmental Quality Committee Wednesday.
By Madeleine Brand, PRESS PLAY - KCRW 89.9FM SANTA MONICA, CA
January 15, 2020
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment: https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/impeach…
Advocates say CRV isn't working
By Derek Staahl, KGTV ABC-10 NEWS, SAN DIEGO, CA
January 15, 2020
https://www.10news.com/news/lawmakers-consider-overhaul-to-californias-…
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- State lawmakers are considering an overhaul to the CRV recycling program on bottles and cans that would make drink-makers responsible for setting up a system to collect the containers they produce.
By Kevin Smith, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
January 14, 2020
https://www.dailynews.com/2020/01/14/watchdog-legislator-offer-plans-to…
California lawmakers will consider legislation Wednesday, Jan. 15 to revamp the state’s struggling recycling program for bottles and cans — a program Consumer Watchdog fears may collapse unless significant changes are made.
By Dan Bacher, INDY BAY MEDIA
January 9, 2020
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/01/09/18829591.php
Sacramento - On the anniversary of Governor Gavin Newsom’s first year in office on January 7, thirty-seven environmental and public health groups called on the governor to declare an “immediate climate emergency” and institute a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling permits.
By Staff Writers, INSURANCE JOURNAL
January 6, 2020
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2020/01/06/553686.htm
Salaries at California’s State Compensation Fund are being called into question by some people in the state Capitol, it’s being reported.
By Patrick McGreevy, LOS ANGELES TIMES
January 4, 2020
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-01-04/state-compensation-…
SACRAMENTO — A California public agency that offers workers’ compensation insurance coverage to employers has recruited a high-priced team of former executives from the private sector to turn it around after years of scandal and financial problems.
By Samuel Metz, THE DESERT SUN
January 1, 2020
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/01/01/cali…
In addition to voting for president in 2020, Californians may weigh in at the ballot box on everything from legalizing psychedelic mushrooms to allowing sports betting at tribal casinos.
By Major Garrett & Carter Evans, CBS EVENING NEWS
December 31, 2019
MAJOR GARRETT: 2020 will bring with it a new law in California that could impact consumers across the country. It gives shoppers control over the way their personal information is used. Carter Evans explains how it works.
(Begin VT)
CARTER EVANS (CBS News Correspondent): Whether shopping in stores or online, retailers collect all sorts of information about you.
By Soumya Karlamangla, LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 27, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-27/self-blinded-man-ps…
Roman Arustamyan can’t see the holiday decorations surrounding him, or his wife and children shuffling around in sweaters in their Van Nuys home.
By Greg Iacurci, CNBC TV
December 24, 2019
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/24/california-tries-to-curb-discrimination…
California officials proposed a rule on Tuesday that would cut discriminatory pricing practices being used by auto insurance companies in the state.
By Don Thompson, ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 24, 2019
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/12/24/california-may-limit-using-jobs-…
SACRAMENTO — California is proposing to restrict auto insurance practices that regulators say benefit those who have more money, more education and are white.
Investigation found some programs discriminated against low-income people
By Leslie Scism, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
December 23, 2019
https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-to-toughen-rules-on-group-disco…
Column by George Skelton, LOS ANGELES TIMES
December 23, 2019
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-12-23/skelton-medical-mal…
SACRAMENTO — California is arguably the nation’s most politically “progressive” state. That’s our reputation. Left coast and all that. But on one issue, no state is more regressive.
By Malcolm Maclachlan, LOS ANGELES DAILY JOURNAL
DECEMBER 17,2019
SACRAMENTO – Often fighting back tears, proponents of an initiative to raise California’s 44-year old cap on non-economic medical malpractice damages kicked off their signature gathering campaign Monday.
By Staff Reporters, KNX 1070 AM Los Angeles, CA
December 17, 2019
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment covering the launch of the Fairness for Injured Patients Act statewide ballot initiative in California for November 2020: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/2019-12/KNX_Boxer_…
By Staff Reporters, KQED 88.5 FM San Francisco, CA
December 17, 2019
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment covering the launch of the Fairness for Injured Patients Act statewide ballot initiative in California for November 2020: https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/sites/default/files/2019-12/RADKQED_12…
