July 21, 2021 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Anaheim officials scramble to defend possible land law violation on Angel Stadium deal, face $96 million fine
On Tuesday night, there were myriad questions about why city officials didn’t immediately notify the entire city council about the potential fine and implications for the stadium deal of violating the state’s laws on selling public land.
Voice of OC: Santa Ana officials reject sale of Cypress Fire Station amid outcry
A decrepit but historic fire station building in an underserved Santa Ana neighborhood won’t fall into private ownership for now, reigniting hope among community leaders that the building can become a center for public services.
OC Register: Orange County trial begins for Michael Avenatti, accused of embezzling millions from clients
Michael Avenatti, the high-profile civil attorney who gained fame through a lawsuit against Donald Trump and ensuing cable news appearances, embezzled nearly $10 million in settlement funds that should have gone to his clients, a U.S. attorney told jurors on Wednesday, July 21.
OC Register: Couple accused of involuntary manslaughter in gender-reveal ignition of El Dorado fire
Two people have been indicted on multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in connection with a pyrotechnic gender-reveal photo shoot that went awry and sparked last year’s deadly 22,680-acre El Dorado wildfire in San Bernardino County.
Labor
Daily Pilot: Judge grants class-action status in workers’ lawsuit against Disneyland
It took a year and a half for the judge to allow the case to proceed as a class action. Many of the workers are employed directly by Disney. Others work for contractors like Sodexo and SodexoMagic, which operate restaurants and coffee shops in the resort.
LA Times: Uber and Lyft drivers strike over pay, gig-work conditions
The 24-hour strike, which began at midnight, aims to push Congress to pass the Protect the Right to Organize Act — proposed federal legislation that would allow contractors to unionize if they chose, participating drivers said.
Labor 411: Senator who OK’d union busters call President Biden’s labor nominees “troublesome/a>
President Joe Biden’s nominees for seats on the National Labor Relations Board and to head the U.S. Department of Labor office that enforces wage laws at a hearing on Thursday swatted away GOP concerns over their union ties and progressive records.
California
Capital and Main: As COVID Delta variant surges, businesses should follow University of California’s lead
As a health safety decision, it’s a no-brainer. As a business decision, meanwhile, keeping campuses open and residential halls occupied are simply vital to the bottom line.
Publication Date: July 21, 2021
