Health:
Four Japanese gang figures got liver transplants at UCLA -- UCLA Medical Center and its most accomplished liver surgeon provided a life-saving transplant to one of Japan's most powerful gang bosses, law enforcement sources told The Times. In addition, the surgeon performed liver transplants at UCLA on three other men who are now barred from entering the United States because of their criminal records or suspected affiliation with Japanese organized crime groups, said a knowledgeable law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity. LA Times 5/30/08
*Bill requires hospitals to report infections -- California hospitals would be required to step up prevention of drug-resistant infections and, for the first time, report any such cases to health authorities under a bill that passed the state Senate this week. SF Chronicle 5/30/08
Senate bill OKs druggists' sharing patient files -- A bill that would allow pharmacies in California to share patient prescription information with third-party businesses working for drugmakers was approved in the state Senate 21-16 Thursday. Under the legislation, pharmaceutical companies could send mailings directly to patients suffering from illnesses such as cancer, Parkinson's and schizophrenia. SF Chronicle 5/30/08
Parks and forests:
*Fire-protection bills may add annual fees, wildland restrictions -- Democratic lawmakers yesterday advanced sweeping fire-protection bills that would impose new fees and building restrictions in wildland areas. Property owners could be annually charged $50 per structure to fund fire prevention programs, under legislation carried by Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego. Kehoe and Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, also succeeded in moving separate bills that would require developers to prove that there is adequate fire protection before new subdivisions can be approved in high-risk areas protected by Cal Fire. San Diego Union Tribune 5/30/08
Water:
SalmonAid in Oakland -- A two-day festival featuring 20 live bands is taking over Jack London Square in Oakland this weekend, all to raise awareness about the plight of wild salmon on the Pacific Coast and energize salmon-lovers to rally to protect the fish. Contra Costa Times 5/30/08
Seat on water board is hotly contested -- Some Silicon Valley residents also pay attention every election day, when seats on the seven-member governing board of the Santa Clara Valley Water District are on the ballot. The district is the main government agency that provides water and flood protection in Santa Clara County. The seat represents downtown San Jose, parts of East San Jose and Willow Glen. SJ Mercury 5/30/08
Agriculture:
*Assembly wants EIR before apple moth spraying resumes -- After a heated debate that included charges of fear-mongering, the Assembly narrowly approved a bill Thursday to require the state to complete an environmental impact report before moving ahead with aerial spraying to eradicate the light brown apple moth. The bill was sent to the Senate by a 41-32 vote, but it wouldn't take effect until January, four months after the Schwarzenegger administration plans to spray in seven San Francisco Bay area counties. SJ Mercury 5/30/08
Bio-fuels:
As Oil Prices Soar, Restaurant Grease Thefts Rise -- Much to the surprise of many people, processed fryer oil, which is called yellow grease, is actually not trash. The grease is traded on the booming commodities market. Its value has increased in recent months to historic highs, driven by the even higher prices of gas and ethanol, making it an ever more popular form of biodiesel to fuel cars and trucks. The City of San Francisco has its own grease recycling program run through the Public Utilities Commission called SFGreasecycle, which collects discarded vegetable oil from city restaurants at no charge and recycles it into biodiesel for use in the city fleet. NY Times 5/30/08
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