North Bay Report 3

This year, California voters have a shot at overturning one of the most notorious propositions of recent decades, part of it anyways. Proposition 15 on the November ballot would increase property taxes on corporations, undoing a key component of Prop 13. That was the 1978 landmark ballot measure which was sold to voters as a way to help homeowners. But it was also a boon to corporations. KQED Politics Editor Scott Shafer takes a look at why commercial property was even included in the first place. 

 

 

 

 

 

This year was the worst wildfire season on record, with more acres burned in California than any other year in modern history. A coalition of tribes, environmental groups, and business associations are now asking the state to dedicate $2 billion to wildfire prevention next year.  KRCB’s Sarah Bohannon has more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sonoma County’s Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach, or IOLERO, is charged with auditing misconduct cases and improving the community’s trust in law enforcement. But some say it doesn’t have enough funding to do its job. That’s where Measure P comes in. If passed, the measure would secure more independence and funding for the office. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with the former director, Jerry Threet, about what the office does and why he believes it needs more funding. 

 

 

 

 

 

Read arguments for and against measure P HERE. 

 

 

This election year California voters will decide on Proposition 17, a ballot measure that if passed, would restore voting rights to people on parole - that period of state supervision that occurs after inmates leave prison. KQED’s Guy Marzorati has more.

 

 

 

 

 

Find a guide to all propositions HERE.

 

 

 

California voters are being asked whether the state should end cash bail as a way for people accused of a crime to secure their release before a trial. It's a system that most on the left agree is racist and unfair. So why are some progressive civil rights groups siding with the bail industry and law enforcement to keep bail in place? KQED politics correspondent Marisa Lagos reports.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public health officials say it’s important to get a flu shot every year, but this year may be even more important. KRCB’s Sarah Bohannon recently talked to Sonoma County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Kismet Baldwin to learn more.

 

The Redwood Empire Food Bank saw a 400 percent increase in participants when the pandemic started. The number has gone down, but it’s still higher than it was before the pandemic. KRCB’s Sarah Bohannon recently spoke with Allison Goodwin, the food bank’s Director of Programs, about how they’re navigating the pandemic, fires, and Public Safety Power Shutoffs.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

This November, California will hold a historic, all mail-in voting election. This means that every registered voter will receive a ballot in the mail. But in Sonoma County, residents who lost their homes may not have a new address. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with Deva Marie Proto, Sonoma County Clerk, Recorder, Assessor and Registrar of Voters.  Adia starts by asking how residents should vote by mail if they recently lost their home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Locations of all 20 official drop boxes in Sonoma County can be found at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/where-to-vote. 

As fire season becomes more severe every year, people need emergency information faster and throughout the night. That’s where Sarah Stierch steps in. She’s an independent journalist from Sonoma who communicates on Twitter about everything from evacuations to the status of homes after a fire. She spoke with Devin Katayama, host of KQED’s “The Bay,” last week, about using social media for fire reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to the full interview on KQED's The Bay.

 

 If you live in Santa Rosa it’s no surprise that wildfires can impact your water. But as climate change drives more wildfires, more communities are dealing with this problem. KRCB News Director Adia White spoke with CalMatters environment reporter Rachel Becker about her recent article “Unsafe to Drink,” which shows the many ways wildfire can impact the water supply.