By Mike DeWald, KCBS AM, San Francisco, CA
June 29, 2021
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.
Consumer Watchdog's Carmen Balber explains how insurance companies have not fully refund the amount they are legally required to return to consumers after the Covid pandemic.
By Staff Reporters, INSURANCE JOURNAL
June 29, 2021
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2021/06/29/620665.htm
Most California insurance companies continued to charge pre-pandemic auto insurance rates despite a vast majority of Californians driving far less last year, according to an analysis by Consumer Watchdog on Tuesday.
The report shows auto insurers reaped “a windfall of about $5.5 billion.”
By Samantha Young, CALIFORNIA HEALTHLINE
June 25, 2021
https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/doctors-lobby-scores-majo…
SACRAMENTO — The board that licenses and disciplines doctors in California is failing to hold bad actors accountable, endangering patients in the process.
By Zarina Khairzada, SPECTRUM NEWS 1 LA
June 22, 2021
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/news/2021/06/22/crv-costs-turn-int…
LOS ANGELES — Dozens of bags filled with plastic, glass and aluminum beverage containers have been piling up in Nancy Hannickel’s backyard in West Los Angeles.
Hannickel is not happy about it and can’t find somewhere to get the full CRV refund that had been paid for them.
By Dale Kasler, SACRAMENTO BEE
June 21, 2021
https://www.sacbee.com/article251430658.html
They held a potluck picnic on Sunnyside Road a few weeks ago. It was more like group therapy with a side of chicken wings.
By Colby Bermel, POLITICO
June 17, 2021
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/06/17/how-much-fr…
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has repeatedly said that fracking accounts for less than 2 percent of California oil production, but he appears to have vastly underestimated its use as the state prepares to ban the technique by 2024.
Progressive consumer groups are already pushing back on catastrophe model recommendations.
By Staff Writers, RISK MARKET NEWS
June 14, 2021
https://www.riskmarketnews.com/california-extreme-heat-reinsurance-pool…
By Pat Thurston, KGO 810 AM San Francisco, CA
June 14, 2021
Click here to listen to Consumer Watchdog's President and Chairman, Jaime Court join Pat Thurston to discuss SB 38 the Bottle Deposit Bill: https://omny.fm/shows/the-pat-thurston-show/june-14-2021-bottle-deposit-bill#description
By JW August, TIMES OF SAN DIEGO
June 11, 2021
https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2021/06/11/california-insurance-co…
Given a time of fast-moving climate change, wouldn’t you like to know what the chances are of your house being in the path of a wildfire?
WOMEN OF COLOR are disproportionately harmed by California’s outdated limits on compensation for patients injured by medical negligence. Systemic inequities in our health care system mean women of color receive lower quality health care and contend with worse health outcomes. Then the cap deprives them of justice when they seek answers and accountability.
By Cheryl Clark, MEDPAGE TODAY
June 4, 2021
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/92924?xid=fb_o&…
The agency that licenses 152,000 California physicians is facing a crisis of public confidence, with the voices of several lawmakers joining those of angry patients who say it shields bad doctors far too often.
By Victoria Colliver, POLITICO PRO
June 2, 2021
Patient advocates lambasted last-minute amendments made to a bill concerning the Medical Board of California, including the gutting of a provision to remake the panel with a public-member majority.
What happened: An earlier version of CA SB806 (21R), by Sen. Richard Roth (D-Riverside), increased the size of the board from 15 to 17 members, allowing for eight physicians and nine public representatives. But amendments made late last week eliminated that proposal from the bill.
By Mansur Shaheen, THE DAILY MAIL UK
May 28, 2021
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-9631213/Maryland-New-Mexico-…
States are setting up hotlines amid reports that some Americans are being charged for the COVID-19 vaccine, which is supposed to be free.
The Department of Health and Human Services said to report any vaccine fees.
By Adisa Hargett-Robinson, ABC NEWS
May 28, 2021
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-19-vaccines-free-people-bills/story…
By Staff Reporters, KNX 1070 AM LA
May 27, 2021
Click here to listen to the audio of this radio news broadcast segment.
Consumer Watchdog's Jamie Court explains why Californian's are demanding changes to the state's broken bottle and can redemption system.
By CBSLA Staff, KCBS TV-2 LA
May 26, 2021
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/05/26/bottles-cans-recycling-crv/
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Consumers in California pay five or ten cent deposits for almost every beverage in a bottle or can, but new reports show many are not getting their money back at recycling centers.
Opinion By Jamie Court for THE MERCURY NEWS
May 25, 2021
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/25/opinion-california-air-board-sho…
When Elon Musk joked on Saturday Night Live that cryptocurrency was a “hustle,” he unwittingly summed up the strategy by which Tesla has fleeced the state of California.
Letter to the Editor
San Francisco Chronicle
May 22, 2021 Saturday
Dysfunctional System
Regarding "How California can redeem bottle recycling" (Editorial, May 19): Recycling means creating convenient redemption, not subsidizing waste haulers.
By David Lazarus, LOS ANGELES TIMES
May 21, 2021
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-05-21/column-rohit-chopra-c…
Rohit Chopra is expected to receive the U.S. Senate’s blessing any day now to become the new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. His job will be to restore credibility to a watchdog agency that was largely sidelined during the Trump administration.
By Staff Reporters, KPIX CBS TV-5 San Francisco, CA
May 3, 2021
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/05/03/ca-lawmaker-proposes-bill-…
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — It’s been a year since KPIX first uncovered systemic troubles with California’s bottle and can recycling program. During the pandemic things just got worse. Now lawmakers are looking for a fix.
By Simone Chavoor, KGO ABC TV-7 San Francisco, CA
April 29, 2021
https://abc7news.com/michael-finney-7-on-your-side-seven-day/10561200/
San Francisco Mayor London Breed marked the occasion by issuing a proclamation declaring April 29 "Michael Finney Day" in the the City and County of San Francisco.
By Samantha Chatman, WLS ABC TV-7 Chicago, IL
April 29, 2021
https://abc7chicago.com/health/charged-for-a-free-covid-vaccine-feds-wa…
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some people are frustrated after they said they were charged for their COVID-19 vaccines. The federal government has made it clear that these shots are 100% free to consumers. So why are people still being billed?
By Andrew Sheeler, SACRAMENTO BEE - CAPITOL ALERT
April 26, 2021
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article25…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom made big waves on Friday when he announced plans for the state to phase out fracking by 2024, and oil drilling by 2045.
By Staff Reporters, PRESS TV
April 24, 2021
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/04/24/650179/Climate-change-Califor…
Climate action advocates have cautiously praised California Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to ban hydraulic fracturing by 2024, but stressed that the move is still a half-measure as it allows continued oil drilling for the next two-and-a-half years.
By Lloyd Alaban, SAN JOSE SPOTLIGHT
April 23, 2021
https://sanjosespotlight.com/should-san-jose-require-nonprofits-to-disc…
More than 50 individuals, companies and advocacy groups legally lobby San Jose each year about subjects including Google developments and cannabis.
By Kenny Stencil and Jessica Corbett , COMMON DREAMS
April 23, 2021
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/23/californias-new-fossil-fue…
Climate campaigners on Friday cautiously applauded California Gov. Gavin Newsom's moves to cut off new hydraulic fracturing permits by 2024 and evaluate phasing out oil production by 2045, while also stressing that the timeline still needs to be accelerated.
By Janet Wilson, THE PALM SPRINGS DESERT SUN
April 23, 2021
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2021/04/23/california-…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday directed the state's top oil regulator, the Geologic Energy Management Division, to immediately begin crafting a regulation to halt new hydraulic fracturing permits by 2024.
By Staff Reporters, KGET NBC TV-17 Bakersfield, CA
April 19, 2021
https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/two-years-since-childbirth-tragedy…
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Today marks two years since the death of Demi Dominguez and her son Malakhi De Leon.
By Jeremy B. White, Debra Kahn, POLITICO PRO
April 8, 2021
Pending state ballot initiatives will go before voters in 2022 as planned rather than during a likely 2021 recall election, according to campaign representatives who have heard from elections officials.
By Mark Rosanes, INSURANCE BUSINESS
March 31, 2021
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/commercial-auto/pressure-i…
Auto insurance providers are facing mounting pressure from clients and various consumer groups, who are demanding bigger refunds amid a significant reduction in claims during the pandemic, according to a Forbes report.
By John Egan and Jason Metz, FORBES
March 30, 2021
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/pandemic-refunds-criticize…
Auto insurance companies have been criticized for their refunds to customers that were based on the reduction in driving (and claims) during the pandemic. Now they’re feeling even more heat over their handling of auto insurance premiums.
Here's why California gas prices are so high compared to other states
By Chase DiFeliciantonio, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
March 27, 2021
https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/Here-s-why-California-gas-pri…
By Samantha Chapman, WSL ABC TV-7 Chicago, IL
March 25, 2021
https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-covid-vaccine-near-me-illinois-jackson-…
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team has learned that a Chicago hospital is charging patients after getting their free COVID-19 vaccine after a South Shore woman reached out after receiving a bill from Jackson Park Hospital.
By Stephanie Stanton, FOX TV-11 LA
March 24, 2021
https://www.foxla.com/news/gas-prices-continue-to-rise-in-southern-cali…
LOS ANGELES - Once again prices at the pump in Southern California continue to rise. After a pandemic pause in 2020, gas prices are now hitting their highest levels since November of 2019.
By Bob Egelko, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
March 19, 2021
Property owners can sue title insurers who charged them rates without first filing them with the state insurance commissioner, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a case that could affect millions of Californians.
By Sean Lyngaas, CYBERSCOOP
March 19, 2021
https://www.cyberscoop.com/verkada-breach-surveillance-facial-recogniti…
Even for Elisa Costante, who studies vulnerabilities in surveillance devices for a living, the breach at the security-camera startup Verkada was startling.
