Governor Gavin Newsom signed three laws this week aimed at addressing some of the most pressing safety concerns surrounding electric bicycles, as the devices’ popularity continues to rise in California. It was not long ago that the headlines about e-bikes seemed full of promise, as a replacement for gas-guzzling cars, and an affordable, flexible new mode of transportation. Now, a lot of the news is about crashes and serious injuries, often involving kids. Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAist Lyft has agreed to pay more than $272 million to settle a state lawsuit alleging it misclassified California drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees, from 2016 to 2020. A new study has found that when applying for building permits, mosques face more pushback over parking requirements than churches. Reporter: Kendra Hanna, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Democratic Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and Republican commentator Steve Hilton clashed over taxes, immigration and Trump on Wednesday night in a CNN debate. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED AI researchers and safety advocates warned a U.S. Senate subcommittee Wednesday that AI developers are racing to build systems they don't fully understand or control. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Today we’re going to bring you the third and final segment in my investigation into the Central California Women's Facility. Yesterday, we brought you the story of Aug. 2, 2024, when correctional officers used pepper spray and chemical grenades against women locked in a dining hall at the prison. Two months after that mass use-of-force incident had nearly blinded her former cellmate… a woman named Aliksandria Prout walked into a Madera County courtroom. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In August of 2024, at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, a mass use-of-force incident took place. Four women were carried away on stretchers. 13 women sued, saying the operation was retaliation for complaints of sexual abuse. Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report Orange County officials have declared coastal erosion along the county’s coastline an emergency. Reporter: Destiny Torres, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in August 2024, a mass use-of-force incident left dozens of women injured and traumatized at the women’s prison in Chowchilla. The incident led to an investigation into abuse at one of the largest women’s prisons. Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill aimed at strengthening the pipeline of new immigration lawyers, to serve rural parts of California – where there are many immigrants, but few attorneys. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED New research on Valley fever shows that the fungal disease, endemic to parts of Central and Southern California, is not just coming from dust particles in rural areas. Reporter: Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado, KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California voters will soon start getting their ballots in the mail. County election offices have until next Monday, October 5th, to begin sending them out. Voters will have lots to decide on, including who will be the next governor, Democrat Xavier Becerra or Republican Steve Hilton. A recent poll puts Becerra in the lead by more than 25 points, and that lead is growing. But is the Democrat taking that lead for granted? Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two new safety laws after a fire at a cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood just east of downtown Los Angeles. He also signed a handful of bills this weekend meant to increase protections for reproductive care and LGBTQ+ communities, and several related to gun violence. Reporter: Samantha Kennedy, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices