September 9, 2021 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Why did a second wave of top execs bolt OC’s public Health Care Agency?
For the second time during the pandemic, top OC Health Care agency executives -- this time overseeing data collection and release, along with homelessness efforts -- have abruptly left, prompting questions about the agency’s direction and contracting practices.
OC Register: OC sheriff reminds jail workers of vaccine mandate
Orange County Sheriff’s Department employees who work in jails where health care is provided must be fully vaccinated or submit a form requesting exemption due to religious or medical reasons by Oct. 14, according to a statewide health order released last month.
Voice of OC: When will OC homeowners in Ladera Ranch get property tax refunds?
Homeowners in Ladera Ranch and nearby Esencia can expect some refunds on their property tax, after OC officials have promised to end special Mello Roos taxes in the area.
Voice of OC: Here’s how HB City Council plans to spend about $30 million in Federal COVID funds
Under the guidelines, the money can be used to offer premium pay for frontline workers, back paying lost tax revenue, as well as upgrades to water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. It can also be used to address economic impacts caused by the pandemic on small businesses, workers, families and impacted industries.
Daily Pilot: Fleeing Afghan scholars could find an open door at campuses like UCI
One movement afoot is among California colleges, led by an initiative at UC Irvine, to help settle academics, lawyers, artists and journalists, along with their family members.
OC Register: OCTA to save at least $158 million on loan for 405 widening project, won’t change plans for tolls
The Orange County Transportation Authority expects to lop off more than $158 million in interest by resetting its federal loan for the 405 Freeway widening project, savings its officials said will help maintain cost-effective tolls on the new express lanes and get the agency out of debt sooner.
Labor
Labor 411: Incredibly, Tyson frontline workers are just now getting paid sick leave
The UFCW and the RWDSU represent 26,000 Tyson workers, but the company said paid sick leave would extend to all employees. The UFCW said it was the union’s first time reaching a national agreement to provide paid sick leave for meatpacking workers.
Nation
Associated Press: Sweeping new vaccine mandates for 100 million Americans
President Joe Biden on Thursday is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery.
OC Register: Enduring images of 9/11
At 8:46 a.m. EDT, a jetliner carrying thousands of gallons of fuel slammed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The attacks 20 years ago killed nearly 3,000 people, in the hijacked planes and on the ground, and injured thousands.
Publication Date: September 9, 2021
