May 13, 2021 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Santa Ana clears homeless encampment at cultural center while offering shelter
El Centro says it faced challenges clearing the encampment because the city hadn’t made sure everyone was offered an available shelter bed until this week – something City Manager Kristine Ridge disputes.
Voice of OC: Chapman University survey finds most OC residents support masks and vaccines
But, when viewed through a political lens, there’s stark divisions between residents who identify with one the two major parties. “This has caused tremendous political division,” Chapman University political science professor Fred Smoller said.
OC Register: Three environmental groups take positions on Poseidon desalination plant
Among attributes of the controversial Poseidon desalination plant proposed for Huntington Beach is the $1.5 million or so it would spend annually to keep the tidal inlet open at the Bolsa Chica wetlands, five miles up the coast from the project site.
Daily Pilot: Irvine council opposes controversial Musick jail expansion, calls for county to hold public forum
The Irvine City Council voted Tuesday night to put pressure on the county Board of Supervisors to hold a public meeting on the issue. The board approved a $261-million construction contract for the expansion last year.
Daily Pilot: Newport-Mesa Unified loses bid to have court toss city’s suit against $32M Estancia theater plan
A lawsuit filed by the city of Costa Mesa — claiming a $32-million theater planned for Estancia High School did not undergo proper environmental review — will move forward, despite attempts by Newport-Mesa Unified officials to have the case thrown out.
Labor
OC Register: US unemployment claims drop to 473,000, a new pandemic low
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000, a new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen.
California
OC Register: California governor says mask mandate to end after June 15
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is considering changing its workplace mask rules later this month. The proposed rules would not require employees to wear masks indoors if all workers are fully vaccinated and no one has coronavirus symptoms, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Nation
OC Register: Biden signs cybersecurity order after pipeline attack
The executive order establishes a series of initiatives designed to better equip federal agencies with cybersecurity tools. It follows a cyberattack against the Colonial Pipeline that caused some internal computer systems to be disabled with ransomware. This led Colonial to shut the pipeline, triggering fuel shortages and panic buying in the southeastern United States.
Publication Date: May 13, 2021
