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.... For the past decade, some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods have been ineligible for significant investments as a result of a complex California Environmental Protection Agency tool called the CalEnviroScreen, which maps “disadvantaged communities” by census tract — geographic areas of about 1,000 to 8,000 people designated by the U.S. Census Bureau. 

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The most broadly adopted gun-control measure in the U.S. in recent years is rarely being used in many cities and counties, government data show. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., now have red-flag laws, which allow authorities, and sometimes family members or co-workers, to ask judges to order the temporary seizure of guns from people threatening violence. But many jurisdictions have used the laws to take away few or no guns, a Wall Street Journal analysis of the data shows.

Community groups fighting against the rise of hate crimes and related actions directed at Asians could start seeing some of a new $165.5 million state fund by the end of this year, state and local leaders said Monday, Nov. 15, during a news conference in Garden Grove.

The Community Youth Center of San Francisco broke ground Wednesday on a Richmond District community hub that will help the organization expand on programs and services in the neighborhood.

The 7,160-square-foot, two-story building located at 952 Clement Street will offer workforce development programs, a shared community room for workshops, administrative offices and space for other programs once crews finish construction. The facility will also feature a state-of-the-art computer club and rooftop garden.

There’s something of an unspoken rule among city residents of many major metropolitan cities, whether it be D.C. or San Francisco or New York City: If you’re standing at an intersection with traffic lights, no cars are approaching and you’re waiting at a red light, you can cross the street.

San Francisco officials on Tuesday applauded a state bill recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that would increase pay for low-income residents serving on jury duty.

Assembly Bill 1452, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, establishes the Be The Jury pilot program through a partnership with the San Francisco Superior Court, compensating low-income jurors on criminal trials with $100 per day of jury service.

Newsom signed the bill on Friday, and the program is likely to start in January.

[Listen here.] Rules against jaywalking are rarely enforced, but in many places, when someone does get a ticket, it’s more likely than not a person of color — and the penalty is steep. Jaywalking tickets disproportionately affect communities of color in California’s biggest cities. Critics say that’s because of systemic racism, and state lawmakers want to address the disparity. A bill awaiting the signature of Gov.

Publication: LA Times

California has recognized that there are environmental, public health and mobility benefits to getting people out of cars and into other modes of travel, including biking, walking and taking public transit. Yet in too many instances, state law still favors cars.

The COVID-19 Relief Grant has been created for small businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by the pandemic or health/safety restrictions. Funds are awarded in amounts up to $25,000 to underserved micro- and small businesses throughout the state. Round 8 is specifically for cultural institutions. More information can be found here.

Publication: SF Gate

Cracking down on "greenwashing," the state Legislature approved a bill Thursday that raises standards for what products can be labeled as compostable.

Assembly Bill 1201, dubbed the Better Composting Standards Act, now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk to be signed by Oct. 10. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, is designed to help consumers determine what products are and aren't environmentally friendly and to reduce harmful chemicals from contaminating compost.