Legislative Session Gets Underway in Sacramento
State lawmakers return to Sacramento today after a month long summer break. And they better be well-rested. because they have a long to-do list. There are pending bills involving big issues like housing, charter schools, and police use of force. The state Assembly will also take up legislation that would make it tougher for parents to receive a medical exemption for getting their children vaccinated.
That legislation has prompted passionate opposition — a campaign that some Sacramento lawmakers say has become too extreme.
Reporter: Katie Orr
Hayid Hamat Freed After 14 Years in Federal Prison
A Lodi man whose terrorism conviction was thrown out by a Federal Judge late last month is back home. Hamid Hayat was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison after he was convicted of charges connected to allegations he attended a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. But after serving 14 years, Hayat was released because of multiple problems in his prosecution. Yesterday, Hayatt made his first public appearance, coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid. His case was one of the most controversial post-9/11 terrorism prosecutions.
Reporter: Sandya Dirks
Utilities "Harden" Transmission Equipment to Prevent Fires
Investigators say some of the state’s deadliest wildfires in recent years were sparked by power lines and electrical equipment owned by California’s biggest utility companies. Now those utilities say they've started big and costly programs to reduce the risk of their infrastructure causing future blazes. We went out to see what one power company is doing and who’s going to pay for all of this work.
Solar Industry Sees Opportunity in Planned Fire-Prevention Blackouts
Utility companies in California have been shutting off power during heatwaves to limit the risk of wildfires and they plan to expand the areas where they do that. Solar and fuel-cell companies are seeing a business opening.
Reporter: Avishay Artsy, KCRW