This week—in addition to our carefully curated News Digest, our tasty Recipe of the Week, and news you can use from the California Local Media Alliance and other trusted sources—we bring you two tales of policies and technologies that could help save the planet. And: One Good Thing from Davisville!
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By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 14, 2024
Gov. Jerry Brown meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at an economic summit in LA in February, 2012. Since being named Chinese president later that year, Xi has earned harsh criticism for human rights violations, and praise for his environmental policies.
Image credit: David Starkopf / Office of Antonio R. Villaraigosa
CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED
California's Power Beyond its Borders
Exporting Clean-Tech Policy
In 2014, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide emitted by Chinese factories were wafting across the Pacific Ocean and causing smog alerts in LA. Not only that: Vehicles in China were pumping out dangerous amounts of greenhouse gasses that posed a global threat. Here's the remarkable story of how California leaders—from the government, nonprofit, and business sectors (hi, Elon)—helped fix that big problem.
How California Helped Clean China’s Bad Air
A Tesla lobbyist, an LA-based environmental group, and Gov. Jerry Brown brought a rule minted in Sacramento to Beijing, and helped launch China’s EV industry.
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Santa Cruz County's Homepage |
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Bad Name, Good Tech
We have seen how technology (which admittedly caused the problem in the first place) can play a huge role in combatting the climate crisis. Here is a nerdy device that could make a big difference (sorry, HVAC fans). As you'll see, it has a bit of a branding problem: a heat pump is actually exteremely efficient at pumping cool, too.
6 Million New Heat Pumps: Essential to California's Climate Future
Heat pumps, an energy-efficient way to both heat and cool homes, are a necessary element of California's climate goal of net zero carbon emissions. Here's what they are, how they work, and how to get one.
Community Love from Davis
Bill Buchannan has created an award-winning radio show and podcast that brings local issues to life on KDRT (and the internet), and shows what a person with a mic and a passion for his hometown can do.
We take a look, or rather a listen, to Davisville, a radio show and podcast on low-power but high-energy KDRT 95.7, broadcast out of Davis, California.
Recipe of the Week
Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.
See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.
Bright fruit compote perfect for spring
NEW Strawberries shine, raspberries add color to versatile sauce
Get to Know a Group
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Chest of Hope |
Created in 2005 by friends and volunteers, Chest of Hope raises funds to support women and orphans who are suffering from domestic violence.
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From Our Media Allies |
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State DOJ Concludes Five-Year Investigation Into Policing Practices at Stockton Unified |
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The California Department of Justice has ended its monitoring of the Stockton Unified School District and its Department of Public Safety after five years, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced. |
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San Joaquin County Seeks Funding for More Than $13.7M in Infrastructure Improvements |
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San Joaquin County submitted more than $13.7 million in federal funding requests recently for six projects that will enhance programs, services, and infrastructure. |
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Town Hall Meeting for Human Trafficking Set for Wednesday at San Joaquin Delta College |
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A town hall meeting to address human trafficking will be held Wednesday at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. |
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Recent Local News |
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• Manteca Hosting E-Waste & Mattress Drop-Off & Shredding Event
The City of Manteca announced the next free drive-through e-waste and mattress disposal drop off and sensitive document shredding event for Saturday, April 27.
(04/12/2024) → Manteca Bulletin• Manteca To Direct Savings to CIP Projects
The City of Manteca is leveraging better budget accounting and savings in service contracts to get a start on up to $2.1M in capital improvement projects.
(04/12/2024) → Manteca Bulletin• Ripon Considers Traffic Signal Workshop
In their April 9 meeting, the Ripon City Council discussed hosting a public workshop about the East Main Traffic Signal Project.
(04/11/2024) → Manteca Bulletin• Supervisors Airport Upgrades
In their April 9 meeting, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved over $26M for upgrades and improvements for Stockton Metropolitan Airport.
(04/11/2024) → LodiNews• Supervisors Allocate Federal Infrastructure Funds
In their April 9 meeting, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved allopcating $7.7M in federal funds for county infrastructure projects.
(04/11/2024) → LodiNews• California Attempts to Increase Access to State Financial Aid for Students as FAFSA Problems Persist
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, underwent updates aimed at broadening its accessibility to students from low-income and undocumented backgrounds. But the National College Attainment Network reported a 36% decrease in FAFSA applications following several technical difficulties with the online portal.
• Ripon High Student Completes Apprenticeship
Ripon High student Aaron ‘Luke’ Ruba has completed the Apprenticeship Reaching Career Horizons program.
(04/10/2024) → Manteca Bulletin• Ripon Budgets $1.5M Road Resurfacing
The Ripon City Council awarded a $1.5M contract to American Pavement Systems for the South of Main resurfacing project.
(04/10/2024) → Manteca Bulletin|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• PG&E Hit With $225-Million Lawsuit for 2021 Dixie Fire Damages
A coalition of timber businesses filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Co., alleging $225 million in damages caused by the 2021 Dixie Fire.
(04/14/2024) → Los Angeles Times• Officials Search for Gray Whale Seen Trapped in Fishing Net Off Bay Area Coast
Obstacles are mounting for officials who are attempting to rescue a young gray whale that was discovered entangled in a gillnet off Laguna Beach was recently sighted off the coast of Thornton State Beach in Daly City .
(04/14/2024) → SF Gate• TSA Found More Than 1,500 Firearms on Airline Passengers in First 3 Months of 2024
A majority of the guns found were loaded, according to the TSA.
(04/11/2024) → Los Angeles Times• California's Largest Reservoir Is Close to Full
California's reservoirs are brimming with water, and even Shasta Lake could fill up.
(04/11/2024) → SF Gate• California Requires New Homes to Have Solar Panels. Should Wildfire Victims Get a Break?
A California Republican’s bill would exempt low and middle income wildfire victims from solar panels requirements on rebuilt homes that didn’t have them when they burned down.
(04/11/2024) → CalMatters• Electric Vehicle Drivers May Not Be Able to Ride Solo in Calif. Carpool Lanes Anymore
A program that allows solo drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to use carpool lanes on freeways and bridges in California may be removed for good next year.
(04/09/2024) → SF Gate• California Fails to Track Its Homelessness Spending or Results, a New Audit Says
There’s so little data available, it’s impossible to even tell if several of California’s largest homelessness programs are working, according to a statewide audit released Tuesday.
(04/09/2024) → CalMatters• We Must Take Better Care of Our Home-Based Child Care Providers
These professionals provide essential services, but their pay and working conditions do not reflect their value, and their health suffers.
(04/09/2024) → EdSource• California Fails to Adequately Help Blind and Deaf Prisoners, US Judge Rules
Thirty years after prisoners with disabilities sued the state of California and 25 years after a federal court first ordered accommodations, a judge found that state prison and parole officials still are not doing enough to help deaf and blind prisoners.
(04/08/2024) → California Healthline• Business Groups and Lawmakers Battle Over Ballot Measure to Limit California Tax Increases
Anti-tax groups in California have qualified a measure for the November ballot that would make raising state and local taxes much more difficult. It’s a showdown that’s been building for nearly five decades.
(04/08/2024) → CalMatters|
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Government Announcements |
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City of Watsonville (04/12/2024) Request for Proposals - Federal and/or State Legislative Advocacy and Consulting Services |
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City of Watsonville is issuing this RFP to solicit responses to provide Federal and/or State Legislative Advocacy and Consulting Services.
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United States (04/12/2024) Roly Poly Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg Ingredient in Multigrain Bread |
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Roly Poly Bakery of New Britain, CT is recalling its 20 ounce loafs of Roly Poly multigrain bread because the product contains undeclared egg product. People who have allergies to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
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United States (04/12/2024) Gracie's Kitchen Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame and Wheat Allergens in "Broccoli Cutlets" |
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Gracie's Kitchens of New Haven, CT, is recalling its 20-ounce packages of "King Kullen Broccoli Cutlets with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan" because they may contain undeclared sesame and wheat. People who have allergies to sesame and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if
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Santa Cruz County Office of Education (04/12/2024) “Fentanyl High” Film Screening |
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Dear community member, Drug overdoses and fentanyl poisoning are now the third leading cause of pediatric deaths in the United States, according to Kristen OConnor, RN, Addiction Program Director at Santa Cruz Community Health (SCCH). Amidst rising concerns among parents, health providers and educators in our community, Santa Cruz Community Health, Santa Cruz County Office [...]
The post "Fentanyl High" …
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United States (04/11/2024) Feel Good Foods Issues Voluntary Recall of Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Bagels |
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Feel Good Foods is voluntarily recalling its Gluten-Free Plain and Everything flavored Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Bagels. The products may contain undeclared gluten that may be present due to cross-contamination. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to gluten run the risk of serious aller
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City of Watsonville (04/11/2024) WPD police dogs receive ballistic vests |
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Santa Cruz County Office of Education (04/11/2024) Spring, season of new beginnings! |
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ed.PATH April Newsletter! The Educator's Professional Advancement and Teaching Hub aims to create an educational ecosystem for all educators to inspire and engage each student toward academic success, where educators have access to professional advancement regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances to ensure that they are highly effective and stay passionate. With this vision in [...]
The post Spring, season …
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County of Santa Cruz (04/11/2024) 4/11/2024 - April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month |
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County of Santa Cruz (04/11/2024) 4/11/2024 - 2024 Earth Day Santa Cruz Returns to Downtown Santa Cruz |
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County of Santa Cruz (04/11/2024) 4/11/2024 - April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month |