North Bay Report 3

As construction activities begin over the next few months in areas devastated by the recent fires, industry professionals fear that lack of labor and limited availability of building materials may slow the rebuilding. More, on the North Bay Report at 6:18 and 8:18 am and 5:30 pm.

Rains will slow construction activities that have started in areas destroyed by the fall fires. But the real slowdown will come from lack of materials and workers as building gears up. A recent episode of KQED’s Forum program hosted by Michael Krasny addressed those concerns. News Director Steve Mencher has some excerpts.

More on rebuilding the North Bay tomorrow, and visit us on the web at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

It seems to some that the Trump administration is at war with California. From Cannabis to drilling on the coast, recent activity in Washington seems to run counter to the wishes of many in our state.

Last week, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions gave leeway to federal prosecutors to enforce federal laws against cannabis. That’s even in states where medical and adult use is legal. News Director Steve Mencher spoke with Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins and the county’s Cannabis Program Manager Tim Ricard about the Sessions announcement.

Listen to the unedited conversation at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Nearly every afternoon for 30 years, Robert Siegel has cohosted the flagship NPR news magazine All Things Considered. Now he’s looking forward to other challenges.

One of Public Radio’s most familiar voices is signing off this week. Robert Siegel is retiring from hosting All Things Considered after 30 years… Siegel chatted with our News Director Steve Mencher. They started by talking about Robert’s colleague Susan Stamberg.

Hear the unedited conversation with retiring NPR host Robert Siegel at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Kirstjen Nielsen, the Secretary of Homeland Security was in Santa Rosa yesterday, touring Coffey Park and other fire damaged areas. She met with federal, state and local officials to help coordinate aid for the recovery.

After touring Santa Rosa's Coffey Park neighborhood, Neilson talked briefly to the press, then took some questions from reporters.

Hear the answers to those questions, including one about California’s role as a “sanctuary state,” at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Volunteers were out in force recently, planting acorns which a pair of nonprofits hopes will grow into mighty oaks.

When the October firestorms swept through Redwood Valley in Mendocino County, the innovative Frey family winery on Tomki Road lost vehicles, equipment, homes, and a barn full of goats. Last month, reporter Sarah Reith watched Katrina Frey welcome volunteers bearing acorns onto the burned land around her dormant vines.

Learn more about the Frey winery, and what it lost in the fires, at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

One unintended consequence of full cannabis legalization: the history of the illegal marijuana business in Northern California risks being lost.

Recently, we shared some news and impressions from this year’s Emerald Cup – the yearly meeting of cannabis business professionals and enthusiasts. As you may know, the era of cannabis prohibition is ending in California on January 1. You probably won’t be able to walk into your local pot store on the First – the rules and regulations are still emerging. But it may be time to make sure that the history of the underground marijuana trade isn’t lost to the ages. Reporter Sarah Reith hung out with some budding historians at the Emerald Cup, and has this report.

Listen to our earlier report from the Emerald Cup and find more stories on the cannabis business at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Even a 15-dollar an hour minimum wage isn’t going to help you find a home in the North Bay – but one politician has his sights set on a fix.

Last week we talked with Assembly member Marc Levine about the challenging year we’ve had. Today, News Director Steve Mencher asks Levine about his number one concern for 2018 – it turns out to be the ever-widening gulf between rich and poor in our community.

Hear more from Assemblyman Marc Levine at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

You’ve seen them on the road. Perhaps you’re in your car now behind a long line of them. But where are those dump trucks with fire debris going?

About two months ago the North Bay wildfires were contained. Most of the toxic debris has been carted away -- like asbestos, burned plastic, and car batteries. Material like ash and everything else left behind is still being cleared. Reporter Sarah Tan tracks progress at the main county landfill.

Find more reporting of the fire recovery at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Environmental legislation, housing help, and revenue from an increased gas tax – these are the highlights of the year in Sacramento, according to Assemblyman Marc Levine.KRCB News Director Steve Mencher began a conversation earlier this week with Assemblyman Marc Levine, who represents Marin and Southern Sonoma Counties. Today they touch on lessons learned from the North Bay fires, and the Assemblyman’s view of what the California legislature accomplished this year.You can hear their previous conversation at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Residents of fire ravaged areas are looking back to happier times and thinking ahead to what’s next. Ready or not Christmas is coming. After October’s fires in the North Bay, this will be a holiday like no other. April Dembosky of the California Report visited Coffey Park to find out how some fire survivors are marking Christmas this year.There’s new information being posted every day on SonomaCountyRecovers.org – including daily news updates.Find a photo of Christmas in Coffey Park and links to our extensive coverage of the ongoing recovery, at KRCB.org/news. Hear this story on demand with our free KRCB mobile app. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. Comment, share and give us a like there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.