U.S. Firefighters Depart for Australia to Help Fight Bush Fires
21 U.S. Forest Service firefighters left last night on a flight to Melbourne. The California Report's Saul Gonzalez visited a fire house north of Los Angeles yesterday as the "hot shot" crew packed their gear and said their goodbyes to family.
Guest: Firefighter Jorge Perez
What Firefighters Will Do Once They Get to Australia
Once the American firefighters get on the ground in Australia, here's a preview of what they're likely to be doing
Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED
Scott Wiener Pushes for Housing Density Zoning Fix for a Third Time
One of the most closely-watched bills in the Legislature this session? is an attempt to fix our state's housing crisis. Senate Bill 50 hinges on boosting housing density by making it easier to build more housing, especially near transit hubs. And it's being introduced for a third time Tuesday with a series of changes he hopes will breathe new life into his plan.
Guest: State Senator Scott Wiener, San Francisco
State Lawmakers Push Bill to Ban Vaping
California lawmakers want to go further to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco in stores throughout the state.
Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED
$7M in Commerce Dept. Money Goes to Rebuild after Fires
Californians are all too familiar with the aftermath of devastating fires. Now, $7 million dollars in federal money is being set aside to train workers to rebuild those lost structures. A top U.S. Commerce Department official made the announcement yesterday.
Reporter: Peter Jon Shuler, KQED
State Lawmakers Push Bill to Ban Vaping
Much of the blame for recent fires has been placed on climate change. Scientists expect conditions will only get worse, from more severe droughts and rising sea levels, to worsened air and water quality. Now, state lawmakers want to borrow billions of dollars to protect Californians from the risk of a changing climate.
Reporter: Sharon McNary, KPCC
State Sues Silicon Valley Billionaire Over Beach Access
California is suing one of the best known venture capitalists in Silicon Valley. The suit stems from a long-running battle over public access to a "prime surfing spot" called Martins Beach near Half Moon Bay. Billionaire Vinod Khosla owns it. Since he bought real estate there more than a decade ago has tried to block surfers and the rest of the public from accessing the beach there.
Guest: Paul Rogers, KQED Science managing editor and Mercury News reporter