Daily Business Report: Friday, March 22, 2024
California workers must wait even longer for indoor heat protection
By Jeanne Kuang | CalMatters
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Summary
California workplace safety rules for indoor heat protection are five years late, but a state board delays them again. It’s unclear why, and labor officials are incensed.
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California’s workplace safety agency on Thursday again delayed adopting regulations to protect workers from indoor heat, throwing into question the future of a rule that was already five years late, and that workers had begged to be made official by this summer.
The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board had been set to vote on the standard, which has been in development since 2017, at a meeting this morning in San Diego. But in a last-minute move, state officials on Wednesday evening told workers’ advocates that they would pull the rule from the agenda with little explanation, the advocates said.
Stephen Knight, executive director of the advocacy group Worksafe, said he got a call from a state official, whose department Knight did not disclose, explaining that there was “late objection from the Department of Finance to the description of the cost.”
At the beginning of the meeting, Standards Board Chairperson Dave Thomas announced the rule “has been pulled.” He encouraged those who came to comment on the rule to still do so.
Top photo: A warehouse worker sorts packages at an Amazon fulfillment center on Nov. 11, 2010. (Photo by Ross D. Franklin, AP Photo)
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Mayor appoints 25-year San Diego police
veteran Scott Wahl as next chief
By Chris Jennewein | Times of San Diego
Mayor Todd Gloria announced Thursday that he has appointed Assistant Chief Scott Wahl, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, as San Diego’s next chief of police. Gloria made the announcement at a morning news conference at which he promised Wahl would “hit the ground running on day one” as chief.
“The city of San Diego is one of the safest big cities in America, and as mayor it is my highest priority to keep it that way,” said Gloria. “Assistant Chief Wahl shares my commitment to ensure every San Diegan in every neighborhood is safe, while also bringing about the necessary changes to the department in order the build trust and meet our community’s expectations of today.”
Wahl has worked in almost every role and rank including as an officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and most recently assistant chief for legislative affairs and special projects.
Wahl has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from San Diego State University and a masters degree in organization leadership from National University.
He is a lifelong resident of San Diego, and the son of a San Diego police officer. He and his wife, Stephanie, have four children.
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Martin Dawson appointed to State Board of Optometry
Martin Dawson, of San Diego, has been appointed to the State Board of Optometry by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Dawson has been a ield director for Prison Fellowship since 2021.
He was an optical consultant for Acuity Eye Group from 2020 to 2021 and a licensed optician and lab manager for Stanton Optical from 2017 to 2020.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Dawson is a Democrat.
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TrueCare opens new health center for acupuncture
and chiropractic care in Oceanside
TrueCare, a nonprofit community health center serving North San Diego and South Riverside Counties, has expanded its patient-centered services in Oceanside. The latest site makes acupuncture and chiropractic care available at TrueCare’s newest health center located at 3998 Vista Way, Suite G, Oceanside 92056.
TrueCare Vista Way Acupuncture and Chiropractic underscores TrueCare’s ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring equitable access to health care for everyone. The health center is conveniently situated near Tri-City Medical Center and easily accessible from the 78 freeway. Featuring over 1,300 square feet of space with three exam rooms, the modern site creates greater capacity for serving over 6,300 patients annually who are seeking specialty care to help them maintain healthy and active lifestyles.
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California allocates $128 million in grants,
launches first-of-its-kind council to create jobs
Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled the California Jobs First Council and allocated $182 million in grants to bolster the state’s job market. The council aims to streamline economic and workforce development, focusing on diverse sectors and regions. It collaborates with various state entities to drive strategic investments and create family-supporting jobs. Each of the state’s 13 regions including San Diego County’s Southern Border Jobs First Collabortative has been granted $14 million to advance sector-specific pre-development activities, facilitating projects’ readiness for various funding sources.
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Business merger creates Electric Bike Super Shop in Ocean Beach
By Dave Schwab |sdnews.com
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts as EZE Ryders and OB eBikes have merged into Electric Bike Super Shop in Ocean Beach, an outlet serving all ages and pedaling needs.
The joined company, an e-bike retailer and service center, has relocated to 1926 Bacon St. The new entity also hosts free e-bike safety classes for youthful riders in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol, which enforces statewide e-bike guidelines.
Industry research shows about one-third of all e-bikes sold this year will be purchased for youthful riders. And, even though e-bike riders are required to abide by the same laws and rules of the road as motor vehicle drivers, they are ‘not required’ to hold a driver’s license or any type of certification to operate them.
Devin Raymond, formerly of EZE Ryders on Voltaire Street, which opened in 2020 during COVID, said that venue was “great for us starting,” before they outgrew it. He added he and new business partner Bill Connard are well acquainted. “I helped Bill (who ran the theater on Newport Avenue) which closed due to COVID, to start OB eBikes, and the bikes were an opportunity for him to start a new business,” said Raymond. “He became a close customer of mine.”
“We have been working hand-in-hand for many years now,” noted Connard adding, “It’s now a single business. It was two businesses and we partnered into a new business as of Feb. 1.”
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Adam & Eva appoint new chief executive officer
Adam & Eva Inc., a neuro-symbolic architecture Generative startup, announced the appointment of Paul Kewene-Hite as its new chief executive officer. Kewene-Hite has decades of work experience with entrepreneurs, start-ups, major technology companies, investment capital, consulting, and government initiatives. He has successfully worked in every corner of a technology company from answering the telephone and emails in technical support to finance to sales and business development to CEO.
Algenesis Corporation announces publication of study on microplastic pollution
UC San Diego and Algenesis Corporation, a forward-thinking material science company born from the innovative spirit of UC San Diego, announced the publication of a seminal scientific study in the fight against microplastic pollution. The study, titled “Rapid biodegradation of microplastics generated from bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane,” was published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, and is a collaborative effort among researchers.
ScienceMedia welcomes six industry pioneers
ScienceMedia, a global SaaS provider redefining the landscape of clinical mastery in the biotech and pharma industries, announces the formation of its six-member inaugural advisory board. The board members are: are Jocelyn Ashford, AstraZeneca; Dawn Furey, Signant Health; Elle Hamilton, REVIOS Strategies; Melissa Holbrook, research site advisor; Carrie Melvin, Stemline Therapeutics; Janet White, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Firestorm Labs announces $12.5 millio in seed funding
Firestorm Labs, a California-based Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) manufacturer, announced $12.5 million in seed investment by Lockheed Martin Ventures and prominent defense investors. Lockheed Martin, Decisive Point, Silent Ventures, 645 Ventures, Overmatch VC, BVVC, Marquee Ventures, Cubit Capital, IronGate, Backswing Ventures, The Veteran Fund, Feld Ventures, Beyond Capital, and RedCat are among the notable names who have invested in Firestorm.
Medcrypt participates in Microsoft Copilot for Security Partner Private Review
Medcrypt Inc., the proactive cybersecurity solution provider for medical device manufacturers, announced its participation in the Microsoft Copilot for Security Partner Private Preview. Medcrypt was selected based on their proven experience with Microsoft Security technologies, willingness to explore and provide feedback on cutting-edge functionality, and close relationship with Microsoft.
Kirk Badii to attend Independent Financial Group conference
Independent Financial Group LLC, a San Diego-based independent broker-dealer, has announced its 2023 elite qualifier advisors and will host them at the Rosewood London Hotel April 30-May 4th for its 2024 Elite Advisor Conference. Kirk Badii will attend this year’s conference again after placing among the nation’s top 74 financial advisors. To learn more about Badii Group Private Wealth Management, visit badiigroup.com.
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency awards contract to BAE System
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has awarded BAE Systems a contract worth up to $182 million to provide geospatial intelligence Enterprise Modeling (GEM) Services, a suite of services referred to as GEM Cutter. GEM Cutter provides advanced modeling capabilities to the analysis workforce — reducing cognitive workloads by making sense of data faster. With more than 25 years of experience, BAE Systems’ data and analytics solutions deliver modernized operations, architectures, and services to the Intelligence Community.
Surglogs introduces AI-powered solution for accreditation standards
Surglogs, the nation’s leading regulatory and accreditation platform for health care facilities, announced the launch of its AI-driven standards and policy management system. Surglogs, the ultimate regulatory and accreditation platform, empowers health care facilities to consistently uphold health and safety compliance standards. The platform automates the entire process of policy and procedure development, digital workflow creation, and evidence collection, all while continually enhancing the quality of care.
Evofem renegotiate rebate for Phexxi with Medi-Cal
Commercial-stage women’s health innovator Evofem Biosciences Inc. announced that it has successfully renegotiated the rebate for Phexxi , its hormone-free, woman-controlled contraceptie, with Medi-Cal, the California state Medicaid program. Phexxi is the first and only locally-acting contraceptive gel approved by the FDA.
