California sets new clean energy record, but still far from climate change goals
California keeps moving toward the zero-carbon power system goals of the 2045 plan to combat climate change. It has successfully achieved over 97% carbon-free operation of its main power grid this month, but its sustained implementation and backup power still need development. On April 14, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) announced that ...
California delays school vaccine mandate and propose to eliminate ‘belief’ exemption
California was on track to require COVID-19 vaccination for all students, including those who have filed religious exemptions. On April 14, the California Department of Public Health announced they would delay the mandates for schools until the 2023-2024 school year. Gov. Gavin Newsom had announced last fall that the state would require children ...
U.S. fines Chinese billionaire 1.83 billion dollars in aluminum sale fraud
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered 6 Southern California companies conspiring with Chinese billionaire Liu Zongtian to pay 1.83 billion dollars on April 11. The fine is in restitution for their disguising scheme to avoid the payment of aluminum duties. U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner sentenced Perfectus Aluminum Inc., ...
Alarming exodus from Californian schools after Covid closures: Report
The school exodus in California, accentuated by Covid closures, has reached alarming levels, with enrollment dropping below 6 million for the first time in more than 20 years, official figures released Monday, April 11, showed. The state Department of Education's new report for the 2021-2022 school year shows enrollment in California ...
California: School board bans critical race theory in classrooms
On Tuesday night, April 5, the board of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District of Orange, California, narrowly approved a resolution banning the teaching of critical race theory in the district's state schools. In a 3-2 vote, school board members ended months of contentious debate in the Orange County district by ...
Walgreens expands health care services in California with 12 new Health Corner stores
The Walgreens drugstore chain announced on Wednesday, April 6, that it would open more "Health Corner" stores in California to make it easier for people to access health care. As part of an agreement with health insurer Blue Shield, drugstore giant Walgreens will expand its services to become a place where ...
Black Lives Matter used donation money to buy a mansion
More evidence exposed the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization for misuse of $60 million raised from George Floyd's death. BLM is facing more criticism and accusations after a video revealed three former leaders dining and drinking champagne at a $6 million property in Southern California in 2020. However, this is not ...
Democrats push Biden to ban oil exploration on federal land, and lift gas prices
House Democrats are widely expected to lobby the Oval Office to ban new oil drilling on U.S. land. The Congressional Progressive Caucus is speculated to push Joe Biden not to permit more oil exploration on public property. This request comes despite soaring gasoline prices due to the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Progressive Caucus ...
Florida governor enacts Parental Rights in Education bill despite Hollywood outcry
A Republican from Florida resisted celebrity activism and signed new parental rights legislation into law on March 28. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently enacted the Parental Rights in Education bill, which gives families greater authority in discussing gender issues with their children. "In Florida we not only know that parents have a right ...
Gov. Newsom calls for ban on decorative lawn watering in California
In a historically dry year, California Governor Gavin Newsom, on Monday, March 28, ordered the state's water regulatory agency to make it illegal to irrigate specific green spaces to save water resources. According to CBS News, by signing an executive order, Newsom urged the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to ...
California reparations to be made only to descendants of enslaved blacks: Taskforce vote
The reparations task force created a year ago in California by Gov. Gavin Newsom voted Tuesday to compensate only descendants of blacks enslaved in 19th century U.S. slavery, narrowly rejecting a proposal to include all blacks. With a vote on Tuesday, March 29, split at 5-4, and after an at-times tense ...
California police disrupt an organized crime ring that robbed famous retail stores
California authorities announced that nine members of an organized crime ring are charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise from California retail stores. As announced in a statement by state Attorney General Rob Bonta, members of the alleged organized retail theft ring, which had been under investigation since ...
California’s cap-and-trade program accused of harming environment
California's pollution control measures are under scrutiny for inadvertently damaging the state's ecosystem. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and his administration went back to the drawing board for their proposed cap-and-trade program. The revision came after widespread criticism of environmental offsets and allowances warned the program could do more harm than good ...
California considers water restrictions after three years of drought
California authorities might crackdown on some cities and agribusinesses that take water from the Golden State's river system. The State Water Resources Control Board recently warned about 20,000 water rights holders they could face drinking and irrigating water restrictions. "Last year, extreme drought conditions led to unprecedented actions by the State Water ...
GOP California state Sen. Jones cracks down on catalytic converter theft
A Republican from California wants to stop thieves from targeting vehicle exhaust systems. State Sen. Brian Jones is cracking down on catalytic converter theft across the Golden State. He recently introduced state Senate Bill 919, which proposes extra measures and more rigorous checks for used auto part transactions. Namely, the proposed legislation ...
Los Angeles school district announces end of face mask mandate in schools
The Los Angeles Union School District (LAUSD), the second largest public school district in the country, will eliminate the face mask mandate in schools starting next week, according to the LA Times. The statement was released after a week of negotiation with the teachers' union—United Teachers Los Angeles—on Friday, March 18. ...
