Here are the morning’s top stories on Wednesday, June 12, 2024…

California is expanding transitional kindergarten with a vision of making it available to every four-year-old in the state by fall of 2025. This year, 150,000 kids were enrolled in TK. But that’s a long way from the state’s goal of serving 300,000 students. While many families are eager to sign up, they’re facing challenges when it comes to childcare.
Governor Gavin Newsom has removed an outspoken occupational safety expert from the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, the agency that adopts California’s workplace health and safety rules. He’s also demoted the former chairperson of the board. This comes as OSHA is scheduled to vote on new heat illness protections for indoor workers.
California’s ban on gun shows at county fairs and other public properties, has been upheld by a federal appeals court. In its ruling, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decided the laws do not violate the rights of firearm sellers and buyers. The decision overturned a federal judge’s ruling in October that blocked the laws.

As California’s Transitional Kindergarten Enrollment Grows, Parents Must Make Big Choices

Thousands of parents have opted into California’s ambitious $2.7 billion expansion of transitional kindergarten. In 2021, lawmakers voted to gradually phase in the grade on public school campuses over a five-year period until it covers all four-year-olds in the state. Governor Gavin Newsom has made universal TK a hallmark of his administration.

Enrollment has significantly increased to 150,000 students this past school year, but the state still has a long way to go to reach its goal of serving more than 300,000 by the fall of 2025.

The program’s growth will largely depend on parents buying into the program, but the transition to this new grade creates logistical challenges that force working parents to make difficult choices.

Newsom Dismisses Workplace Safety Regulator Ahead of Important Vote

Governor Gavin Newsom removed an outspoken occupational safety expert from a powerful regulatory body that adopts California’s workplace safety rules.

[ad fullwidth]

In addition to ending Laura Stock’s term as a member of the Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board, Newsom demoted David Thomas, the former chairperson.

Several worker advocates told KQED they were suspicious of the shakeup with just over a week before the board is scheduled to vote on indoor heat illness prevention rules. They are worried that the board could become less protective of vulnerable workers.

Newsom’s office confirmed that Stock is no longer on the workplace safety board. Joseph Alioto Jr., the San Francisco trial lawyer Newsom appointed last summer, was named chair.

Federal Court Upholds California’s Ban On Gun Sales On State Property

A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld California’s ban on gun shows at county fairs and other public properties, deciding the laws do not violate the rights of firearm sellers or buyers.

The 3-0 decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturns a federal judge’s ruling in October that blocked the laws.

The two measures were both written by Democratic state Sen. Dave Min. The first, which went into effect in January 2022, barred gun shows at the Orange County Fair, and the other, which took effect last year, extended the ban to county fairgrounds on state-owned land.

News Daily Newsletter

The Bay

Emma’s Must-Sees

Videos from KQED Live

Donor-Advised Funds

gun showsgun shows

Federal Court Upholds California's Ban on Gun Sales on State Property

Parents Adjust To Challenges Of Transitional Kindergarten