(KTTV) Former state senator and retired superior court judge Quentin Kopp is speaking out against California's high-speed rail project.
Our investigative producer Heidi Cuda explains the significance: Kopp not only founded the California High-Speed Rail Authority, he served as its chairman and was the main force behind Proposition 1-A, the state measure that created the law for the rail project.
He's known as the father of California's bullet train project, but in a just-released declaration for a lawsuit, Kopp says the current plan violates Prop 1-A.
He says the "blended plan," which uses existing rail lines is not what the law intended.
He told FOX 11: "I call it the great train robbery. These two commuter systems in the LA basin and on the San Francisco peninsula simply seized a billion dollars each. And they're using it to improve commuter systems. That's not high-speed rail."
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which considers itself the definitive record of acceptable English words, has just formalized its status as a legitimate noun and verb in relation to social media site Twitter.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:05 GMT
Plastic grocery bags would become a thing of the past in Los Angeles under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council, which will cast a final vote next week.
Plastic grocery bags would become a thing of the past in Los Angeles under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council, which will cast a final vote next week that would make the city the largest in the nation to enact such a ban.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:16 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:16:45 GMT
There are new photos of 4 suspects wanted in the severe beating of a transgender woman, and a new $25,000 reward for their arrest. The LAPD has released security video of the attack. You can see the
There are new photos of 4 suspects wanted in the severe beating of a transgender woman, and a new $25,000 reward for their arrest. The LAPD has released security video of the attack. You can see the transgender woman walking on a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard near Ivar early in the morning, nearly three weeks ago.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:38:54 GMT
By all accounts, Ramon and Janet Barreto are an odd couple, both physically and mentally, and you need to know what they look like to be on the lookout for them.
By all accounts, Ramon and Janet Barreto are an odd couple, both physically and mentally. The physical part only matters here because we are talking about a couple on the run, fugitives and you need to know what they look like to be on the lookout for them.
Thursday, June 13 2013 10:05 PM EDT2013-06-14 02:05:22 GMT
The Surface Transportation Board gave the nod today for California High-Speed Rail Authority to start building the initial 65 miles of the bullet train project from Merced to Fresno.
The Surface Transportation Board gave the nod today for California High-Speed Rail Authority to start building the initial 65 miles of the bullet train project from Merced to Fresno.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:00 AM EDT2013-06-13 05:00:12 GMT
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] This week on Wednesday's Child, we are revisiting a sister set who, while not close in age, are close at heart. Selena was born in 1995 and Breyanna in 2002.
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] This week on Wednesday's Child, we are revisiting a sister set who, while not close in age, are close at heart. Selena was born in 1995 and Breyanna in 2002.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:40 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:40:10 GMT
Lawmakers requested answers regarding bonuses tied to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's new east span.
More than a dozen state lawmakers want answers. Addressing a letter to the chairman of the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee, lawmakers requested detailed answers regarding bonuses tied to the Labor Day opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's new east span.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-06-11 20:03:26 GMT
Six days after the F.B.I. raided his office, California state Senator Ron Calderon made his first public statement.
Six days after the F.B.I. raided his office, California state Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) made his first public statement. Calderon is the focus of a corruption investigation, and for the last week, attorney Mark Geragos has been speaking for him.
Thursday, June 6 2013 1:00 AM EDT2013-06-06 05:00:09 GMT
Who wants to ride the Silver Bullet? It's a scream fest for sure! We had hundreds of Wednesday's Child kids and families attending our 2013 reunion at Knott's Berry Farm.
Who wants to ride the Silver Bullet? It's a scream fest for sure! Darnell grabbed the safety bar tightly as the coaster roared through Knotts Berry Farm. Darnell is one of the hundreds of Wednesday's Child kids and families who attended reunion 2013.
Monday, June 3 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-06-04 03:03:46 GMT
Every year, the California Chamber of Commerce releases its list of bills it deems "job killers," legislation it says will decimate economic growth in California.
Every year, the California Chamber of Commerce releases its list of bills it deems "job killers," legislation it says will decimate economic growth in California.
Monday, June 3 2013 3:27 PM EDT2013-06-03 19:27:44 GMT
It's a simple question – which is more important – Price or Quality? KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale has more in this POV.
It's a simple question – which is more important – Price or Quality? KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale shows you why when it comes to High Speed Rail, California probably won't get what we paid for… in this POV.
Christine Devine profiles children looking for loving families to call their own. We work closely with Los Angeles' DCFS in coordinating these stories.
Christine Devine profiles children looking for loving families to call their own. We work closely with Los Angeles' Division of Children and Family Services in coordinating these stories. Sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation. Their stories air Wednesdays (and again on Sundays) during FOX 11 News at 10pm.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:09 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:09:58 GMT
While Kim & Kanye's famous friends are all posting celebratory messages about the early arrival of their daughter, TV host Dr. Oz has some sobering advice for the couple.
While Kim & Kanye's famous friends are all posting celebratory messages about the early arrival of their daughter, TV host Dr. Oz has some sobering advice for the couple.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:42:02 GMT
A judge has officially ended more than a decade of federal oversight of the Los Angeles Police Department that was triggered by a corruption scandal involving abusive officers.
A judge has officially ended more than a decade of federal oversight of the Los Angeles Police Department that was triggered by a corruption scandal involving abusive officers.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:22:53 GMT
A homeless, hatchet-wielding hitchhiker who became an Internet celebrity earlier this year has been arrested in Philadelphia and charged with the murder of a New Jersey lawyer.
A homeless, hatchet-wielding hitchhiker who became an Internet celebrity earlier this year has been arrested in Philadelphia and charged with the murder of a New Jersey lawyer.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 9:20 PM EDT2013-05-15 01:20:50 GMT
Federal accident investigators recommended Tuesday that states cut their threshold for drunken driving by nearly half, matching a standard that has substantially reduced highway deaths in other countries.
Federal accident investigators recommended Tuesday that states cut their threshold for drunken driving by nearly half, matching a standard that has substantially reduced highway deaths in other countries.
Some parents in Reseda say they not longer let their children play outside or let them walk alone to school. That's because of multiple residential drug and alcohol treatment centers are moving into the area.
Some parents in Reseda say they not longer let their children play outside or let them walk alone to school. That's because of multiple residential drug and alcohol treatment centers are moving into the area.
Friday, May 10 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-11 00:32:50 GMT
There was lots of emotion in Duarte this morning as two Leukemia patients and their families met the generous strangers who saved their lives at the City of Hope's annual Celebration of Life Bone Marrow Reunion.
There was lots of emotion in Duarte this morning as two Leukemia patients and their families met the generous strangers who saved their lives at the City of Hope's annual Celebration of Life Bone Marrow Reunion.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-08 00:53:50 GMT
After three women who vanished a decade ago were found captive at a house in a discovery that exhilarated the city, Cleveland police are facing questions for the second time in four years.
After three women who vanished a decade ago were found captive at a house, Cleveland police are facing questions for the second time in four years about their handling of missing-person cases.
Monday, May 6 2013 10:21 PM EDT2013-05-07 02:21:47 GMT
The Huntington Park Police Department today released photos of a man and woman believed to have been responsible for an attack on a 57-year-old taxi driver.
The Huntington Park Police Department today released photos of a man and woman believed to have been responsible for an attack on a 57-year-old taxi driver.
Monday, May 6 2013 8:47 PM EDT2013-05-07 00:47:48 GMT
As more Americans get access to health care coverage in 2014, there is plenty of concern that there won't be enough doctors to care for everyone with coverage. Some hospitals are now using medical robots.
As more Americans get access to health care coverage in 2014, there is plenty of concern that there won't be enough doctors to care for everyone with coverage. One way several Southern California hospitals are preparing for a physician shortfall: by increasing their use of medical robots.
