Don Thompson

Associated Press
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More from Don Thompson
Workers install piping for underground electrical lines in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, April 20, 2022. California workplace regulators are poised to extend mandatory pay for workers affected by the coronavirus through the end of 2022, more than two months after state lawmakers restored similar benefits through September.
Laws & Regulations
California Will Keep Workplace Pandemic Rules through 2022
The decision again pitted management against labor as the safety board renewed revised workplace safety rules that would otherwise have expired.
April 22, 2022
Gov. Gavin Newsom, right, walks through rows of boxed Personal protective equipment, PPE, with dignitaries and elected officials, as he prepares to announce the next phase of California's COVID-19 response called 'SMARTER,' during a press conference at the UPS Healthcare warehouse in Fontana, CA on Feb. 17, 2022.
Safety
California Shifts to 'Endemic' Virus Policy; Nation's First
“We are moving past the crisis phase into a phase where we will work to live with this virus," Gov. Newsom said Thursday.
February 18, 2022
In this May 9, 2013, file photo, a worker pushes shopping carts in front of a Wal-Mart store in La Habra, Calif. Retail giant Walmart illegally dumps more 1 million batteries, aerosol cans of insect killer and other products, toxic cleaning supplies, electronic waste, latex paints and other hazardous waste into California landfills each year, state prosecutors alleged in a lawsuit filed Monday, Dec. 20, 2021.
Operations
California Sues Walmart over Disposal of Hazardous Waste
The state did 58 inspections across 13 counties of trash compactors taken from Walmart stores.
December 21, 2021
A semi-truck turns into an Amazon Fulfillment center in Eastvale, CA on Nov. 12, 2020.
Labor
Amazon Settles California COVID Workers Notification Dispute
The company will pay $500,000 and be monitored by state officials to ensure it properly notifies its workers about new cases.
November 16, 2021
Garment Sewing I Stock 1282660642
Labor
California 1st to Require Hourly Wages in Garment Industry
It's estimated that 12,000 Californians with disabilities who work in so-called sheltered workshops can be paid as little as 15 cents an hour.
September 28, 2021
In his Dec. 18, 2020, file photo a runner passes the office of the California Employment Development Department in Sacramento, Calif. California lawmakers on Thursday, April 8, 2021, advanced what they called commonsense legislation requiring two state agencies to share information aimed at helping stop billions of dollars in pandemic-related unemployment fraud.
Laws & Regulations
Three More Charged in Massive Unemployment Fraud
California auditors said at least $810 million in the names of roughly 45,000 inmates had been approved.
April 12, 2021
In this file photo, flames from the Kincade Fire consume Soda Rock Winery in Healdsburg, California.
Laws & Regulations
PG&E Charged in 2019 Wildfire
The utility faces 33 criminal charges associated with the injuring of six firefighters and endangering public health via a fire blamed on its equipment.
April 7, 2021
ATF agent poses with homemade rifles, or 'ghost guns.'
Laws & Regulations
California Sues US Regulator in Bid to Deter 'Ghost Guns'
The lawsuit says the state is now home to 18 of the 80 known online ghost gun retailers.
September 30, 2020
In this April 10, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump holds up an executive order on energy and infrastructure after signing it at the International Union of Operating Engineers International Training and Education Center in Crosby, Texas. Attorneys general in 20 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, alleging that new federal rules undermine their ability to protect rivers, lakes and streams within their borders. President Trump in April 2019 issued an executive order directing the change that critics said could make it harder for states to block pipelines and other projects over concerns that they could impair water quality.
Energy
21 State Attorneys General Sue Over Water Rule
Critics say the rule could make it harder to block projects over water quality concerns.
July 22, 2020
In this Aug. 28, 2019 file photo supporters of a measure to limit when companies can label workers as independent contractors circle the Capitol during a rally in Sacramento, Calif. U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee denied a request by ride-share company Uber and on-demand a request delivery service Postmates for a preliminary injunction protecting them from the new law aimed at giving protections to people who work as independent contractors, Monday, Feb.10, 2020.
Laws & Regulations
Uber Not Exempt from CA Job Law
The law, aimed at giving wage and benefit protections to people who work as independent contractors, will be enforced even as Uber fights back.
February 11, 2020
A caravan of trucks from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach drive around Los Angeles City Hall.
Laws & Regulations
Judge Halts CA Labor Law for Truckers
A federal judge ruled the state was wrong to eliminate the option of using independent drivers.
January 17, 2020
In this Jan. 21, 2011 file photo, manager Nick Reynoza holds a 100-watt incandescent light bulb at Royal Lighting in Los Angeles. A federal judge on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, allowed California's updated light bulb efficiency standards to take effect with the new year Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller of Sacramento rejected a petition from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the American Lighting Association to temporarily block new minimum efficiency standards for light bulbs that were adopted by the California Energy Commission in November.
Energy
CA Light Bulb Shift Approved
Supporters said the change will save Californians as much as $2.4 billion on their annual utility bills.
January 6, 2020
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra discusses settlements reached with 52 automobile parts manufacturers for illegal bid rigging during a news conference Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Becerra says the state recovered more than $23 million in the scheme that inflated consumer costs.
Automotive
CA Recovers $23M from Auto Parts Bid Scheme
52 automobile parts manufacturers were party to illegal bid rigging that jacked up consumer costs.
December 5, 2019