SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – A state senator has introduced legislation exempting freelance writers and newspaper carriers from a broad new California labor law requiring that many be treated as employees rather than independent contractors. The measures face an uphill battle in part because they were introduced by a Republican in a Legislature dominated by Democrats…… MORE
SACRAMENTO – A bipartisan bill to increase the maximum prison sentence for hit-and-run drivers who kill someone was approved unanimously in the Assembly Appropriations Committee today and moves to the Assembly Floor. Gavin’s Law (AB 582) is named in honor of Central Valley educator Gavin Gladding who was killed in September 2018…… MORE
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging a federal judge to reject Pacific Gas and Electric’s blueprint for getting out of bankruptcy and renewing his threat to lead a bid to turn the beleaguered utility into a government-run operation. In a court filing Wednesday, Newsom’s lawyers gave a sternly worded rebuke of…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Democratic Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager has marked the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade by introducing the Abortion Affordability Act. “Pregnant individuals struggle to overcome barriers to accessing abortion. Whether that’s the distance they have to travel, difficulty in finding child care… or the cost,” Kamlager said. Kamlager’s proposal calls for…… MORE
FRESNO,CA(KMJ) – Authorities say four people have been killed in the crash of a small airplane in Southern California. Police say the aircraft went down near the Corona Municipal Airport around noon. The airport is now closed as the FAA is investigating the cause of the crash. The crash also caused a small vegetation fire…… MORE
UPDATE (1:19 p.m. Jan. 21): The Kern County Fire Department says it has identified the source of the chemical leak and have stopped it. Firefighters are still on scene working to neutralize the chemical. TAFT, CA (KMJ) – Evacuations are underway near Taft after a chemical spill Wednesday morning. The Kern County Fire…… MORE
UPDATE: Judge rejects defense motion to delay trial for accused “Golden State Killer.” Defendant Joseph James DeAngelo’s preliminary hearing will take place on May 12th. Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern: SACRAMENTO, CA (KMJ) – In Sacramento Superior Court, defense attorneys are seeking a new delay in the case against…… MORE
(KMJ) – The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a drive-by shooting in Orosi. Tuesday night around 8 o’clock, Deputies were called to the scene on Avenue 416 and Road 128. Here’s how the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office described the scene in a media release: When Deputies arrived, they found a 20-year-old man who…… MORE
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A former Kern County man is sentenced to 15 years in prison for child pornography. U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced Tuesday that Robert James Mueller also failed to register as a sex offender. According to a plea agreement, between 2010 and 2014, the 36-year-old formerly of Tehachapi, used…… MORE
MADERA COUNTY, CA (KMJ) – An Oceanside man appears in court, facing first degree murder charges in the death of a young girl that he met over social media. 19-year-old Codi Slayton was pleading not guilty at his arraignment in a Madera courtroom. The former Marine is accused of killing of 16-year-old Josephine Jimenez.…… MORE
