FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — More than 74 percent of California voters say they support Proposition 56, which would increase cigarette taxes by $2 a pack. That’s according to a new UC Berkeley survey, which also finds that 65 percent of voters back Proposition 55, which would extend the higher income tax rates for those earning more than…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — A bill headed to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown would allow all local governments in the Golden State, to seize the vehicles of those arrested on allegations of paying for sex. Combating exploitation remains among the top priorities of many local law enforcement agencies. The legislation aims to make it easier on…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — There have been numerous studies over the years detailing the health benefits of moderate coffee consumption. One found that drinking three to five cups a day can help those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Another found that drinking four cups can combat liver damage, associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Now, York University researchers say…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Mothers-to-be who take acetaminophen are more likely to give birth to a hyperactive child. New research published in JAMA Pediatrics shows that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen, the active ingredient in pain relievers such as Tylenol, is associated with an increased risk of emotional or behavioral issues. Experts say acetaminophen is not inherently unsafe…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The use of synthetic fertilizers by farmers poses a risk to water quality in the valley, and could exacerbate respiratory issues. The UC Davis Agriculture Sustainability Institute’s latest study found that California generates about 1.8 million tons of nitrogen each year, half of which comes agriculture. An estimated 419,000 tons end up in…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — California lawmakers are considering a bill, which would ban registered sex offenders from using Pokémon GO, “for the purposes of meeting.” Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, a major Pokémon GO player, says it’s clear that it’s easy for criminals to attract players to certain locations, especially minors. Safety has become a major concern…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Critics of the controversial Twin Tunnels, proposed for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta by Governor Jerry Brown, are seeking clarification of where the money will come from. The estimated $16 billion tunnels are intended to bring fresh water to the Central Valley, as well as Southern California. The Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District says…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — A proposal to eliminate daylight saving time in the Golden State has cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee. DLS time in California was established in 1949, as a means of conserving energy, and allowing for more daytime activities. However, opponents have cited research, showing that heart attacks, traffic accidents, and deaths increase, following a…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Legislation aiming to guarantee that new parents can take time off, without the fear of getting fired, is getting another opportunity. The measure, which died earlier this summer due to a lack of support, would permit parents whose employer has at least 10 workers, to request up to 12 weeks of maternity or…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The California Joint Legislative Audit Committee has approved an audit, looking into the suicide prevention and reduction policies at prisons throughout the state. The suicide rate among prisoners at the Institution for Women, during an 18-month period from 2014 to 2015, was 8 times the national average, and 5 times that for…… MORE
