NPR People: Richard Gonzales http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100569&ft=1&f=2100569 Correspondent Richard Gonzales is based in San Francisco. His reports are featured regularly on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Richard Gonzales http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100569&ft=1&f=2100569 yes Calif. Officials Scrambling After Bay Bridge Crashes In the early morning hours on Monday, a truck swerved off a new corner on the Oakland Bay Bridge and crashed through the barriers, plummeting down to land on Yerba Buena Island below. This new S-curve on the bridge was installed with repairs last Labor Day weekend, and has already been the site of at least 40 crashes or fender benders. The California Department of Transportation says speed is the problem, but it's just the latest setback as engineers and officials scramble to repair and update this crucial transportation link. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120324819&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120324819&ft=1&f=2100569 In the early morning hours on Monday, a truck swerved off a new corner on the Oakland Bay Bridge and crashed through the barriers, plummeting down to land on Yerba Buena Island below. This new S-curve on the bridge was installed with repairs last Labor Day weekend, and has already been the site of at least 40 crashes or fender benders. The California Department of Transportation says speed is the problem, but it's just the latest setback as engineers and officials scramble to repair and update this crucial transportation link. 208 no In the early morning hours on Monday, a truck swerved off a new corner on the Oakland Bay Bridge and crashed through the barriers, plummeting down to land on Yerba Buena Island below. This new S-curve on the bridge was installed with repairs last Labor Day weekend, and has already been the site of at least 40 crashes or fender benders. The California Department of Transportation says speed is the problem, but it's just the latest setback as engineers and officials scramble to repair and update this crucial transportation link.

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]]> San Francisco Youth Sanctuary Law Prompts Battle San Francisco's Board of Supervisors is overturning a city policy that says undocumented youth accused of felonies must be handed over to federal authorities. The new law requires an actual felony conviction before someone is handed over to federal immigration authorities. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:22:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120061381&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120061381&ft=1&f=2100569 San Francisco's Board of Supervisors is overturning a city policy that says undocumented youth accused of felonies must be handed over to federal authorities. The new law requires an actual felony conviction before someone is handed over to federal immigration authorities. 239 no San Francisco's Board of Supervisors is overturning a city policy that says undocumented youth accused of felonies must be handed over to federal authorities. The new law requires an actual felony conviction before someone is handed over to federal immigration authorities.

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]]> Calif. Commuters Eager For Bay Bridge To Reopen Transportation crews in California are working to finish emergency repairs to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. They have been working to fix a span of the bridge after 5,000 pounds of steel crashed down onto westbound lanes earlier this week. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114308702&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114308702&ft=1&f=2100569 Transportation crews in California are working to finish emergency repairs to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. They have been working to fix a span of the bridge after 5,000 pounds of steel crashed down onto westbound lanes earlier this week. 179 no Transportation crews in California are working to finish emergency repairs to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. They have been working to fix a span of the bridge after 5,000 pounds of steel crashed down onto westbound lanes earlier this week.

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]]> Bay Bridge Closed For Repairs A cable snapped on the Bay Bridge's upper deck in San Francisco during Tuesday's rush-hour commute, prompting authorities to close the bridge for repairs and an inspection. It is the second time in recent weeks that the bridge has been shut because of structural defects. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114253859&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114253859&ft=1&f=2100569 A cable snapped on the Bay Bridge's upper deck in San Francisco during Tuesday's rush-hour commute, prompting authorities to close the bridge for repairs and an inspection. It is the second time in recent weeks that the bridge has been shut because of structural defects. 186 no A cable snapped on the Bay Bridge's upper deck in San Francisco during Tuesday's rush-hour commute, prompting authorities to close the bridge for repairs and an inspection. It is the second time in recent weeks that the bridge has been shut because of structural defects.

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]]> Association: Online Price War Hurts Smaller Stores The American Booksellers Association is asking the Justice Department to investigate what it calls the "predatory pricing" of best-selling books by retail giants Wal-Mart, Target and Amazon. Books that normally sell for around $25 are being offered for around $10 ten. The association says other booksellers can't compete with such low prices. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114156791&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114156791&ft=1&f=2100569 The American Booksellers Association is asking the Justice Department to investigate what it calls the "predatory pricing" of best-selling books by retail giants Wal-Mart, Target and Amazon. Books that normally sell for around $25 are being offered for around $10 ten. The association says other booksellers can't compete with such low prices. 81 no The American Booksellers Association is asking the Justice Department to investigate what it calls the "predatory pricing" of best-selling books by retail giants Wal-Mart, Target and Amazon. Books that normally sell for around $25 are being offered for around $10 ten. The association says other booksellers can't compete with such low prices.

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]]> Calif. Sues Bank, Alleges Fraud California Attorney General Jerry Brown says a major banking firm bilked the state's two biggest pension funds out of more than $200 million. Brown has filed a lawsuit against State Street Bank and Trust Company. The suit alleges the Boston-based firm overcharged the California Public Employees Retirement System and the California State Teachers' Retirement System with fees and penalties for handling foreign currency trades. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113990965&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113990965&ft=1&f=2100569 California Attorney General Jerry Brown says a major banking firm bilked the state's two biggest pension funds out of more than $200 million. Brown has filed a lawsuit against State Street Bank and Trust Company. The suit alleges the Boston-based firm overcharged the California Public Employees Retirement System and the California State Teachers' Retirement System with fees and penalties for handling foreign currency trades. 95 no California Attorney General Jerry Brown says a major banking firm bilked the state's two biggest pension funds out of more than $200 million. Brown has filed a lawsuit against State Street Bank and Trust Company. The suit alleges the Boston-based firm overcharged the California Public Employees Retirement System and the California State Teachers' Retirement System with fees and penalties for handling foreign currency trades.

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]]> Medical Marijuana Plan Draws Mixed Reviews in Calif. The Obama administration's new hands-off policy on medical marijuana is getting a broad spectrum of responses in California, parts of which feel overrun by medicinal pot. Los Angeles' district attorney says he's cracking down on those operating illegally. Residents say pot stores are a nuisance. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113977020&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113977020&ft=1&f=2100569 The Obama administration's new hands-off policy on medical marijuana is getting a broad spectrum of responses in California, parts of which feel overrun by medicinal pot. Los Angeles' district attorney says he's cracking down on those operating illegally. Residents say pot stores are a nuisance. 202 no The Obama administration's new hands-off policy on medical marijuana is getting a broad spectrum of responses in California, parts of which feel overrun by medicinal pot. Los Angeles' district attorney says he's cracking down on those operating illegally. Residents say pot stores are a nuisance.

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]]> A Look At Effects Of Stimulus On States Eight months after President Obama signed the federal stimulus funding into law, states are seeing the money flow now. A health clinic in a low-income part of Nashville, Tenn., teachers in California and highway construction workers in Illinois were among the beneficiaries. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113840327&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113840327&ft=1&f=2100569 Eight months after President Obama signed the federal stimulus funding into law, states are seeing the money flow now. A health clinic in a low-income part of Nashville, Tenn., teachers in California and highway construction workers in Illinois were among the beneficiaries. 525 no Eight months after President Obama signed the federal stimulus funding into law, states are seeing the money flow now. A health clinic in a low-income part of Nashville, Tenn., teachers in California and highway construction workers in Illinois were among the beneficiaries.

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]]> Sex Offender Escaped Notice During Girl's Captivity Speculation about Jaycee Dugard's 18 years in captivity seems endless. Mysteries surround her alleged abductor, Phillip Garrido, including why he served only 11 years of a 50-year term for an unrelated kidnapping and rape case in Nevada in 1977. Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113408859&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113408859&ft=1&f=2100569 Speculation about Jaycee Dugard's 18 years in captivity seems endless. Mysteries surround her alleged abductor, Phillip Garrido, including why he served only 11 years of a 50-year term for an unrelated kidnapping and rape case in Nevada in 1977. 266 no Speculation about Jaycee Dugard's 18 years in captivity seems endless. Mysteries surround her alleged abductor, Phillip Garrido, including why he served only 11 years of a 50-year term for an unrelated kidnapping and rape case in Nevada in 1977.

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]]> Workers At California Auto Plant Left In Limbo Now that California's sole auto assembly plant is definitely closing, workers there are wondering where that leaves them. The NUMMI plant, a partnership between GM and Toyota, offers no clear answers yet on what happens to workers' pensions and other benefits. About 5,000 assembly jobs are disappearing. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112974096&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112974096&ft=1&f=2100569 Now that California's sole auto assembly plant is definitely closing, workers there are wondering where that leaves them. The NUMMI plant, a partnership between GM and Toyota, offers no clear answers yet on what happens to workers' pensions and other benefits. About 5,000 assembly jobs are disappearing. 231 no Now that California's sole auto assembly plant is definitely closing, workers there are wondering where that leaves them. The NUMMI plant, a partnership between GM and Toyota, offers no clear answers yet on what happens to workers' pensions and other benefits. About 5,000 assembly jobs are disappearing.

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]]> Bay Area Commuters Forced To Scramble The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was closed for repairs over the Labor Day holiday. But a delay in the reopening was announced over the weekend when construction crews discovered a crack in the bridge. However, the problems have been rectified and the bridge is reopening on Tuesday. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112634894&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112634894&ft=1&f=2100569 The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was closed for repairs over the Labor Day holiday. But a delay in the reopening was announced over the weekend when construction crews discovered a crack in the bridge. However, the problems have been rectified and the bridge is reopening on Tuesday. 237 no The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was closed for repairs over the Labor Day holiday. But a delay in the reopening was announced over the weekend when construction crews discovered a crack in the bridge. However, the problems have been rectified and the bridge is reopening on Tuesday.

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]]> Neighbors Describe Alleged Kidnapper As 'Creepy' Many who lived on his street in Antioch, Calif., are asking what took police so long to investigate Phillip Garrido, who is accused of kidnapping a little girl and holding her captive for 18 years. He was convicted of kidnapping and raping a woman in 1976 but served only 11 years of a 50-year sentence. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112447161&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112447161&ft=1&f=2100569 Many who lived on his street in Antioch, Calif., are asking what took police so long to investigate Phillip Garrido, who is accused of kidnapping a little girl and holding her captive for 18 years. He was convicted of kidnapping and raping a woman in 1976 but served only 11 years of a 50-year sentence. 0 no Many who lived on his street in Antioch, Calif., are asking what took police so long to investigate Phillip Garrido, who is accused of kidnapping a little girl and holding her captive for 18 years. He was convicted of kidnapping and raping a woman in 1976 but served only 11 years of a 50-year sentence.

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]]> Calif., Nev. Battle Over Who Is Worse For Business California and Nevada are neighbors that usually get along, but lately they have been taking some nasty potshots at each other. The two states are engaged in a video ad war with each trying to label the other as a place that is bad for business. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112345180&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112345180&ft=1&f=2100569 California and Nevada are neighbors that usually get along, but lately they have been taking some nasty potshots at each other. The two states are engaged in a video ad war with each trying to label the other as a place that is bad for business. 213 no California and Nevada are neighbors that usually get along, but lately they have been taking some nasty potshots at each other. The two states are engaged in a video ad war with each trying to label the other as a place that is bad for business.

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]]> Last California Auto Plant Awaits Its Fate Toyota reportedly is on the verge of closing a plant it had jointly run with now-bankrupt GM in Fremont, Calif. The plant has turned out thousands of vehicles and supported about 5,000 factory jobs over the past two decades. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:18:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112118267&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112118267&ft=1&f=2100569 Toyota reportedly is on the verge of closing a plant it had jointly run with now-bankrupt GM in Fremont, Calif. The plant has turned out thousands of vehicles and supported about 5,000 factory jobs over the past two decades. 242 no Toyota reportedly is on the verge of closing a plant it had jointly run with now-bankrupt GM in Fremont, Calif. The plant has turned out thousands of vehicles and supported about 5,000 factory jobs over the past two decades.

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]]> Pot-Friendly California: Amsterdam In America? More than 12 years after California voters approved medical marijuana, the state is awash in pot dispensaries. And the bar isn't very high for getting a doctor to recommend pot for whatever ails you. Some say it amounts to a de facto legalization of marijuana. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111784495&ft=1&f=2100569 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111784495&ft=1&f=2100569 More than 12 years after California voters approved medical marijuana, the state is awash in pot dispensaries. And the bar isn't very high for getting a doctor to recommend pot for whatever ails you. Some say it amounts to a de facto legalization of marijuana. 288 no More than 12 years after California voters approved medical marijuana, the state is awash in pot dispensaries. And the bar isn't very high for getting a doctor to recommend pot for whatever ails you. Some say it amounts to a de facto legalization of marijuana.

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