PG&E Verdict
This week, Northern California utility giant PG&E was found guilty of six criminal charges for its role in a deadly explosion six years ago in San Bruno. The jury found that PG&E obstructed the federal investigation into the explosion of one of its pipelines -- a blast that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. The utility now faces a fine of $3 million, an amount some consider too small to prevent such disasters from happening again. Mercury News business reporter George Avalos has been following the case.
Teacher Shortages
It's back-to-school time, and across California districts are scrambling to fill teaching jobs. Experts say California is facing an "emerging teacher shortage." They say the increased demand for K-12 teachers comes at a time when enrollment in teacher education programs has dropped more than 70 percent over the last decade. The executive director of the Learning Policy Institute, Patrick Shields, and professor Lisa Simpson, from the Department of Special Education at San Jose State University, discuss what's behind the shortages.
California Politics
It's August, which means lawmakers in Sacramento are rushing to finish their work before the end of the legislative session. The fate of hundreds of bills will be decided -- including controversial measures to tackle the state's housing shortage and climate change. KQED political reporter Marisa Lagos joins Thuy Vu to discuss those measures, as well as fallout in California from the presidential election.
Teen World Tech Champs
Recently two teenagers from Redwood City beat out hundreds of teams in a global girls-only technology competition based in the Bay Area. The annual Technovation competition challenged contestants to develop a mobile app that addresses a problem in their community. Sisters Jennifer and Allison John created an app called Loc8Don8, aimed at the issues of waste and wealth disparity. They join Thuy Vu, along with Technovation Senior Director Madhavi Bhasin.