KQED's THIS WEEK in Northern California

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-11-21

KQED Interactive — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:30:00 PST

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-11-14

KQED Interactive — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:30:00 PST

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-11-07

KQED Interactive — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:30:00 PST

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-10-31

KQED Interactive — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:30:00 PDT

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-10-24

KQED Interactive — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:30:00 PDT

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-10-17

KQED Interactive — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:30:00 PDT

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-10-10

KQED Interactive — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:30:00 PDT

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-10-03

KQED Interactive — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:30:00 PDT

* VP Candidates Face Off: Mark Curtis, Political Reporter, KTVU News
* A Hard Bill to Swallow: Michael Zielenziger, Independent Journalist - A plan to shore up the nation's financial institutions passed the Senate Wednesday, with a Friday vote expected in the House of Representatives. Monday, the House rejected a $700 billion plan after the leaders of both parties had predicted its passage. Almost half of California's representatives, including Pete Stark, Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey, voted against the bill, playing a key role in its defeat. Both presidential candidates voted in favor of the revised package, which adds $150 billion in tax cuts and other projects popular with rebel House Republicans in an effort to win their support. Public opposition to a bailout of Wall Street has been fierce, and many House Democrats say the plan does not do enough to prevent foreclosures, install stronger regulations, and provide taxpayer protections and benefits.
* Governor's Cutting Room Floor: Josh Richman, Political and Legal Affairs Reporter, Oakland Tribune - Gov. Schwarzenegger set a record for the number of bills vetoed - 415. Legislation on the governor's chopping block includes 4 bills on healthcare reform, and a bill to prevent foreclosures. The governor vetoed funding for the Climate Change Institute, legislation that would open up union elections for farmworkers and denied college aid for high school graduates who are undocumented. He justified more than 100 cuts with a letter blaming the budget impasse for the vetoes. Lawmakers at the state capitol were outraged by the governor's actions and predicted it will harm their ability to work with him in the future.
* Oakland Budget Reality: Bobby White, Wall Street Journal - The Oakland City Council and Mayor Ron Dellums face a $42 million budget deficit and are looking for ways to ease the pain for Oakland residents and city programs. Under consideration are a range of measures including laying off as many as 200 city workers, raising parking fees and citations, closing City Hall and libraries once a week until July, and trimming the budgets for City Council members and their staff. After recent battles over increasing the numbers and community presence of the police force, the mayor and council members hope to reduce the amount of overtime used by police officers. Last year, the city of Oakland had a $75 million reserve. But it dropped to only $10 million this year after former City Administrator Deborah Edgerly and the City Council approved using the fund to cover shortfalls and expenses, including police overtime.

THIS WEEK in Northern California 2008-09-26

KQED Interactive — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:30:00 PDT

* The Big Debate: Willie Brown, former SF Mayor - McCain brought suspense to Friday's presidential debate by proposing that it be postponed so both candidates could return to Washington to work on legislation to avert a financial crisis. Obama responded by insisting the debate go on as scheduled. He said he was in constant contact with Treasury Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke as well as his colleagues in Congress and felt the American people deserved to hear how the two candidates would handle the crisis. Then on Thursday, a tentative bipartisan agreement in Congress on the terms of legislation to avert a financial breakdown improved the possibility that both candidates will be present Friday night.
*Wall Street Bailout or Rescue Mission? Tom Vacar, KTVU - Last week Treasury Secretary Paulson said the economy was on the verge of a meltdown and announced a federal emergency plan to keeping the financial sector from crashing. Wednesday evening, President Bush addressed the nation on the need for a $700 billion plan he says will prevent the collapse of the economy and avoid a severe recession. After meeting with the president on Thursday, lawmakers on Capitol Hill were optimistic about reaching a bipartisan deal that would pass in Congress and be acceptable to the president. Wall Street reacted positively, but some Republicans in Congress are resisting the agreement and want less regulation rather than more government oversight. There is considerable public anger over the bailout of Wall Street and protests took place in more than 100 cities on Thursday. Both presidential candidates stated their opposition to "golden parachutes" for former CEOs and both insisted taxpayers get returns for footing the massive bill. Few economists expect this costly intervention to provide long term solutions to the financial crisis.
* Proposition Deja Vu: John Wildermuth, Chronicle -Prop 4 on the November ballot requires doctors to notify the parents or other adult family members of pregnant teenagers before performing abortions on minors. In 2005 and 2006 similar measures were rejected by voters in close contests. But the language in this year's version was broadened from requiring only parental notification to including other adult family members. It is slightly ahead in current polls. Critics are concerned that it is not safe for some pregnant girls to tell their parents. Supporters argue that parental guidance and adult consent is most important when a teenage child is pregnant.
* The Academy of Sciences, Worth the Wait: Paul Rogers, Mercury News -After years of anticipation, the new California Academy of Sciences in SF opens its doors to the public. The museum was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, and is being called the greenest building in the world with a 2.5 acre living rooftop of grass and native wildflowers, and a 4-story tropical rainforest inside. The building is insulated with nontoxic, second hand blue jeans and features the deepest indoor exhibit of living coral in the world. The $488 million museum complex includes the Steinhart Aquarium, the Morrison Planetarium and the Kimball Natural History Museum.