Prison pinch. The clock is ticking for Governor Jerry Brown: Federal judges have given Brown until midnight tonight to explain how the state will further reduce its prison population.
California has already released tens of thousands of inmates or transferred them to local jails as part of Brown’s realignment program. But the courts say California needs to shed another 9,000 inmates to insure that remaining prisoners receive appropriate medical and mental health care. Even with those reductions, the state’s prison system would be at 137 percent of capacity.
Brown insists that California has done enough to reduce overcrowding, but he says he’ll comply with the order if the courts don’t accept the state’s appeal. His administration is reportedly trying to work out a deal to move some of those prisoners to private facilities, which would be cheaper than shifting them out of state. NPR, L.A. Times
General news. David Petraeus’ next assignment will be in the trenches of L.A. academia. The retired general and former CIA director is joining the USC faculty to teach classes and mentor ROTC members. KTLA
Gun squads. California will set aside $24 million to hire three dozen new agents to take guns away from people who are legally barred from owning them. . L.A. Times
Growth trend. California’s population grew by nearly one percent last year – or about 300,000 people. Almost 38 million people now live in the Golden State. L.A. Daily News
Banning fire. Firefighters are making headway against a wildfire in Riverside County. The Summit Fire has burned through almost 3,000 acres. Containment went up overnight from 35 to 40 percent. Press-Enterprise
Tainted candy. California has filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target and other food retailers, manufacturers and distributors over ginger and plum candies that are allegedly tainted with lead. Annenberg TV News