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Articles by Don Thompson
Water Use Drops 10% in July as California Deals With Drought
By DON THOMPSON, Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Californians stepped up their water conservation in July, using 10.4% less than two years ago as the state struggles with a years-long drought, state water officials said Wednesday. July marks the first full month that new conservation rules like a ban on watering decorative grass were in effect, which state water officials said helped make a difference. Water use started to trend down in June after a bump in April and May.
Water use drops 10% in July as California deals with drought
Article content “Things are in general significantly below historic averages,” Eric Ekdahl, deputy director for water rights, told the water board. “That trend is continuing, and there’s no clear precipitation on the horizon, with maybe the exception of Southern California, which may see some tropical moisture toward the end of the week.” Urban water use accounts for a relatively small percentage of California’s overall water use, compared to agriculture.
California lawmakers target gunmakers, ghost guns in bills
By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers have advanced a measure that would make it easier to skirt a federal law in order to sue gun-makers. Opponents say the legislation that cleared its first committee Tuesday is ultimately aimed at driving manufacturers out of business. Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting said his legislation would make it easier to sue gun-makers or dealers for liability in shootings that cause deaths or injuries.
California lawmakers target gunmakers, ghost guns in bills
SACRAMENTO, Calif. California state lawmakers advanced a measure Tuesday that would make it easier to skirt a federal law in order to sue gun-makers, legislation that opponents say is ultimately aimed at driving manufacturers out of business. A different committee was poised to advance a bill targeting ghost guns, while a third committee approved a bill requiring firearm dealers to install digital video surveillance systems.
Parole recommended for 1976 California school bus hijacker
March 25, 2022 at 1:07 pm Updated March 25, 2022 at 3:33 pm By The Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The last of three men convicted of hijacking a school bus full of children and holding them and their driver for $5 million ransom in 1976 was recommended for parole on Friday with the support of two of the victims. Parole commissioners decided Frederick Woods, 70, no longer is a danger to the public after previous panels had denied him parole 17 times.
Juror Misconduct Hearing in Scott Peterson Case Set to Close
By DON THOMPSON, Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Prosecutors and lawyers for convicted murderer Scott Peterson will give closing arguments in late June before a California judge decides whether Peterson deserves a new trial in the slaying of his pregnant wife 20 years ago.
Juror misconduct hearing in Scott Peterson case set to close
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Prosecutors and lawyers for convicted murderer Scott Peterson will give closing arguments in late June before a California judge decides whether Peterson deserves a new trial in the slaying of his pregnant wife 20 years ago.
Juror misconduct hearing in Scott Peterson case set to close
By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Prosecutors and lawyers for convicted murderer Scott Peterson will give closing arguments in late June before a California judge decides whether he deserves a new trial in the slaying of his pregnant wife 20 years ago.
Man used ‘ghost gun’ to kill 3 daughters in church
By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California law enforcement officials say the gunman who killed his three daughters, a chaperone who was supervising his visit with the children and himself in a church was armed with an unregistered “ghost gun.” The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says David Mora was armed with a homemade semiautomatic rifle-style weapon. He had an illegal 30-round ammunition magazine and 17 bullets were fired Monday inside a Sacramento church.
Man used ‘ghost gun’ to kill 3 daughters in church
DON THOMPSON, Associated Press March 4, 2022Updated: March 6, 2022 12:12 p.m. 3 1of3FILE - This undated photo provided by the Merced County Sheriff's Office shows David Mora, who was under a restraining order and not supposed to have a gun when authorities say he fatally shot his three daughters, a chaperone and himself during a supervised visit with the girls at a Northern California church, officials said Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Man used ‘ghost gun’ to kill 3 daughters in church
DON THOMPSON, Associated Press March 4, 2022Updated: March 6, 2022 12:12 p.m. 3 1of3FILE - This undated photo provided by the Merced County Sheriff's Office shows David Mora, who was under a restraining order and not supposed to have a gun when authorities say he fatally shot his three daughters, a chaperone and himself during a supervised visit with the girls at a Northern California church, officials said Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
California adopts nation's 1st 'endemic' virus policy
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California became the first state to formally shift to an “endemic” approach to the coronavirus with Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement Thursday of a plan that emphasizes prevention and quick reaction to outbreaks over mandated masking and business shutdowns.
California adopts nation's 1st 'endemic' virus policy
By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced the first shift by a state to an “endemic” approach to the coronavirus pandemic. The plan unveiled Thursday emphasizes prevention and quick reactions to outbreaks over mandates. It comes nearly two years after Newsom imposed the nation’s first statewide stay-home order as the coronavirus began its initial surge in the U.S. Newsom said there is no finish line to the pandemic.
California to unveil shift to 'endemic' approach to virus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California officials will unveil Thursday a new state plan that aims to coexist with the pandemic as the coronavirus is in retreat but not expected to disappear anytime soon. It presumes the most populous state is entering an endemic stage, where the virus still exists in a community but becomes manageable as immunity builds. “The focus is going to be being prepared and being ready,” California’s health secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, said Monday in presaging the announcement.
California to unveil shift to 'endemic' approach to virus
By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California officials are set to unveil a new state plan that aims to coexist with the pandemic as the coronavirus is in retreat but not expected to disappear anytime soon. The approach being released Thursday presumes that the most populous state is entering an endemic stage, where the virus still exists in a community but becomes manageable as immunity builds.
FILE - In this July 9, 2020, file photo, a correctional officer closes the main gate at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, Calif. With a new and more infectious coronavirus variant sweeping California, attorneys representing inmates say violations of health orders by prison staff risk a repeat of the outbreaks that killed dozens in the first year of the pandemic. Gov.
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