[ad_1] Why cut the power? It’s become evident that overhead power lines are to blame for some of California’s worst wildfires. Sparks from those power lines have ignited some of the largest and most deadly fires in recent history, including the Camp Fire in Paradise, California. As the state enters peak wildfire season, officials are […]
Category: california
California’s new police body cam law blocks the use of facial recognition
[ad_1] In August, backers of California’s Body Camera Accountability Act pointed out a test of facial recognition software that identified 26 state lawmakers as criminals. They argued it showed the flaws of such technology, and now Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB1215 into law, preventing law enforcement in the state from “installing, activating, or using […]
California cracks down on political and pornographic deepfakes
[ad_1] Deepfake videos have become more convincing as of late, especially recent ones from Ctrl Shift Face that show comedian/actor Bill Hader’s face replaced by Tom Cruise. Those are amusing, but other deepfake software — like those that places the faces of actors like Scarlett Johansson onto the bodies of porn stars — are a […]
22 states join California to sue the Trump admin over emissions standards
[ad_1] As part of that, officials formally revoked California’s waiver. For decades, the state had the right to determine its own emissions goals under the Clean Air Act. Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and BMW agreed a deal with California in July to build cars and light trucks that would average 50 miles per gallon across their […]
California governor signs labor law meant to fix the gig economy
[ad_1] The law will take effect January 1st, 2020. As with many forms of legislation, the reality is more complicated. Numerous companies have pushed for exemptions to AB 5, and there are concerns this may hurt flexibility for some workers. They may have to work a minimum number of hours at regular times instead of […]
California bill may fill data gaps in the criminal justice system
[ad_1] The bill is still waiting for the governor’s signature, but it could substantially boost California’s attempts at justice reform. Right now, the state’s approach to data varies widely from region to region. This would ensure that pre-trial decisions and sentencing are based on complete data, and would ensure that an arrest doesn’t stay on […]
Uber intends to treat drivers as contractors despite California bill
[ad_1] For a company to treat its workers as contractors, it has to prove that they’re free from the control of the hiring entity, perform work outside the typical range of that entity’s business and regularly engage in an “independently established” business similar to the work they perform. It’s that second requirement that’s the most […]
DOJ launches probe of automakers that agreed to California emissions rules
[ad_1] When the agreement was first announced in July, it was seen as a direct challenge to the Trump administration’s planned rollback of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, which would have held automakers to improve fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The paper’s sources claim the White House did not order the […]
California DAs can now use an app to clear thousands of pot convictions
[ad_1] The application should help DAs in the state find which convictions are eligible for relief. The California Department of Justice estimates there are 220,000 such cases. Under Assembly Bill 1793, which Governor Jerry Brown signed into law in 2018, district attorneys are required to review eligible convictions and determine whether to dismiss or reduce […]
Uber and Lyft prepare $60 million fight against worker classification bill
[ad_1] The companies know that a drawn out ballot fight will cause headaches and financial strain for the legislators, and they say they won’t push the ballot measure if they can come to an agreement with the governor and unions. This is just their latest tactic against the legislation as previously, the companies were found […]