1. Even though California has reduced its prison population by about 30,000 inmates in the past few years, the state is still spending roughly the same amount on its prison system, Reuters reports. The reason is largely due to the fact that the state has not reduced its number of prison guards and staffers, even though there are now fewer inmates. In fact, the cost to house an inmate has risen from $49,000 a year to $64,000 because of the excess guards and staffers.
San Onofre nuclear power plant.
3. The administrative law judge overseeing the closure of the San Onofre nuclear power plant in Southern California has suddenly retired amid disclosures that she engaged in backchannel communications with plant owner Southern California Edison, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (h/t Rough & Tumble). Criminal investigators are now probing communications made by CPUC Administrative Law Judge Melanie Darling. The deal to close the nuclear power plant has come under intense criticism because it calls for ratepayers to pay 70 percent of the costs.
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4. A tearful President Obama referenced the mass killing of young children as he announced executive orders that place new restrictions on gun purchases nationwide, the Chron$ reports. However, Obama’s orders fall well short of what gun control advocates have been seeking, primarily because the president is limited in what he can do without the consent of the GOP-controlled Congress.
