BusinessThe collapse of Silicon Valley Bank: A one-off calamity, or sign of more trouble for California?March 13, 2023Silicon Valley Bank’s failure is a sign of weakness in the tech industry, and that could spell trouble for the state of California.
State GovernmentCalifornia lawmakers take aim at ‘junk fees’ for ticket sales, hotel stays and moreMarch 7, 2023 | Nicole NixonA handful of bills introduced this year aim to crack down on hidden fees on concert tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, small business loans and more.
BusinessSacramento Starbucks stores file to unionize, following broader wave of national organizingFebruary 27, 2023 | Janelle SalangaWorkers at the two stores — one in midtown and the other in the Downtown Commons area — say they’re hoping unionization will push the company to respond to safety concerns, low pay and understaffing at both locations. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentNewsom’s oil profit penalty plan could face tough slog in LegislatureFebruary 22, 2023 | Nicole NixonA proposal from Governor Gavin Newsom to impose a “price-gouging penalty” on oil companies received a skeptical reception from state lawmakers during its first hearing.
BusinessSacramento City Council OKs cannabis dispensary, denying appeal by nearby detox centerFebruary 22, 2023 | Kristin LamThose opposed to the dispensary argued it would disturb the recovery of patients at a substance rehabilitation facility less than 600 feet away. Supporters argued that other businesses in the same vicinity sell tobacco and alcohol.
BusinessNorth Davis store becomes first Peet's Coffee in the country to form a unionJanuary 31, 2023 | Janelle SalangaThe north Davis location is the first of Peet’s 336 nationwide locations to unionize. Other locations in Northern California have approached SEIU 1021 about following suit.
BusinessA fight over seats could define the future of an iconic San Francisco movie theaterDecember 10, 2022Conservationists' objections to proposed renovation plans for the 100-year-old Castro Theatre in San Francisco illustrate an ongoing debate about the future of historic theaters.
Race and EquitySacramento revamps cannabis enforcement system after facing dozens of lawsuits, racism allegationsOctober 3, 2022 | Scott RoddThe city has issued over $100 million in fines against property owners, but the vast majority have challenged the penalties.
State GovernmentCalifornia lawmakers approve first-in-the-nation bill to let fast food workers organizeAugust 29, 2022 | Nicole NixonThe bill would create a Fast Food Sector Council to set minimum workplace wages, hours and standards. It could drastically change the fast food and franchising industries in California.
State GovernmentCalifornia’s fast food bill could link chains to wage theft and other workplace violationsAugust 21, 2022Proponents say AB 257 could curb wage theft, but restaurateurs say it could raise costs and prices and fundamentally change relationships with fast food chains.
