Victor Tence

We are listening to our audience to cover the issues that matter most to you this election season. This story is one example, and please share your own questions here.

In these last couple weeks leading up to the elections, we’re talking to people in Bay Area neighborhoods with the lowest voter turnout. Today, we go to the City of Richmond in Contra Costa County.

John Taylor, also known as One Shot Johnny, is a mobile butcher. He’s always considered himself essential. But as some of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks have forced some large slaughterhouses to temporarily close, John has never been busier. In this installment of "The Essentials," John gives KALW's Victor Tence an intro to mobile butchery. 
 

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Muni tweeted, Tuesday, that it wouldn’t carry officers to demonstrations protesting police brutality anymore. The police union tweeted back, telling Muni officials “to lose our number” and to look elsewhere for help when it comes to fare evasion and removing unwanted passengers. So San Francisco agencies — let’s settle down and figure out what you can actually do here.

This new budget is a balancing act. One that needs to bridge a $246 million dollar deficit. In order to get there, the city will withdraw half of the general fund reserve and reduce funding for capital projects.

District 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar stood on a sand dune at Ocean Beach as he led a gathering crowd of protestors in a chant. He called the march, which began at the intersection of Sloat and Great Highway, the first of its kind. 

Earlier this year, the Governor made it clear he wanted to close one state prison in the next five years. Now, a revised budget plan proposes the closure of two, in three years. Either way, this would be the first California prison to be shuttered in more than two decades.

Hair Salons Reopening / Church Service Guidelines / Spare The Air Days Resurging

The Spare the Air season normally begins on May 4. But the district said at that time, so few people were driving because of shelter in place that the air quality was actually really good.

Now as stay at home orders relax. More people are driving. 

$54 Billion Shortfall Projected In New California Budget Proposal / SF Regulators Recommend New Policies To Protect Gig Workers / Concerns Over Secrecy Due To Suspended Access To Public Records / Contra Costa Courts Begin Reopening On May 26

The Contra Costa Superior Court announced that they will reopen all locations to the public on May 26. Other Bay Area courts, such as San Francisco and Santa Clara, will follow on June 1.  

This means that prospective jurors scheduled after those dates will be expected to appear in person. Officials also warn that you should expect to wait in line when you arrive.

Tenderloin residents have been raising alarm bells about deteriorating conditions in their neighborhood. And yesterday, the mayor responded.

California’s Impending Budget Shortfall / State Restrictions Loosened / Fremont’s Minimum Wage Postponement / San Francisco Addresses Homeless Crowds

California Beaches To Remain Open, Except In Orange County / LA To Offer Widespread Testing To All Residents / UCSF Scientists Identify Drugs That May Slow COVID-19/ SF Judge Seeks Release Of Immigrants Detained Without Proper Social Distancing / Pacific Gas And Electric Forced To Comply With Stricter Inspections

California Beaches To Remain Open, Except In Orange County

The order comes about one month after PG&E pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter during the 2018 Camp Fire. It was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. Investigations later revealed it began when one old and worn metal hook snapped off a transmission tower. 

California Hospitals Resume Non-Emergency Surgeries / California Doctors On The Front Lines In New York City / SF To Increate Public Transit Fees / COVID-19 Caseload In Navajo Nation / Northwestern California Experiencing Severe Drought

On Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom partially lifted hospital restrictions. That’s because successful social distancing has left the state’s hospitals well below capacity. 

Financial Relief For California Gig Workers / COVID-19 In Nursing Homes / Fremont Workers Required To Wear Face Coverings / San Francisco Bill To Protect Renters After Crisis

Since the shutdown, 2.7 million Californians have applied for unemployment. And today, there’s good news if you are self-employed, or an independent contractor: The state is developing a one-stop website to make it easier to apply. 

Property crimes in the City are down by double digits compared to this time last year. A lot of that is due to the quarantine. But business owners report that break-ins are increasingly common and vandals are getting bolder. 

ICU Cases Diminishing / California's Help / Sheltering First Responders And Homeless Residents / Nonessential Businesses Vulnerable To Vandalism / Ghost Ship Defendant Likely To Be Released / Tribute To Phyllis Lyon

Social distancing works. It’s also better to do it sooner rather than later. That’s what early indicators show, two weeks into California state’s all-but-essential-workers quarantine.

COVID-19 numbers / Call for collaboration / Distance learning / Curry meets Fauci

On March 25, the San Francisco Unified School District began the second phase of a three-part plan to help get students back on track while campuses remain closed. 

Local comic book writer Jaimel Hemphill began a life long obsession with visual story telling medium at the age of seven. His love for comics and creating only grew, and one particular song gave him the extra superpowers he needed. 

Sara Moore is known to wear many hats as a performer, writer, director and teacher. She is even known as the "Poet Clown," of San Francisco. In this week's mixtape she talks about a song that captures what it is like to look back on your many lives and consider the roads not taken. 

What songs make you think of romance? This week Madihha Ahussein, who serves as special counsel for anti-Muslim Bigotry at Muslim Advocates talks to us about how one song will always make her heart sing. Do you have a song that reminds you of that special someone? If you do tell us about it!