Newsom signs bill to resume harsh penalties for smash-and-grab robberies in California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday signed a bill that restores tough criminal penalties for those involved in the grand theft schemes and burglary sprees that continue to vex voters across the state. Under the new law, prosecutors will be required to impose tougher penalties on anyone who damages or destroys property worth more than […]
Berkeley businesses sue California city for not removing homeless encampments
Several businesses, including wineries and breweries, are suing the city of Berkeley, California, alleging that the city has hurt their profits by failing to remove a homeless camp nearby. The lawsuit was filed this week in Alameda County against the city of Berkeley by eight businesses, including Covenant Winery, Emily Winston of Vojczyk Bagels and […]
California commission considering phone subsidies for illegal immigrants
Illegal immigrants in California may soon be able to get subsidized cell phone bills under a new proposal. The state's Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote on September 26 on whether to expand California Lifeline, a subsidy program for low-income state residents, to people without Social Security numbers. “When undocumented Californians find themselves in […]
Former football star Reggie Bush defeats burglar during home invasion attempt at California mansion
Former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush thwarted a burglar trying to break into his Encino, Calif., home on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to TMZ. According to Variety, Bush lives in a gated estate in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, which was valued at $5.65 million as of 2019. The […]
‘Unluckiest woman’ evacuates from California wildfires after surviving multiple natural disasters
Dana Wyland, of Lake Arrowhead, California, who has been dubbed the “unluckiest woman,” says she's experienced her fair share of natural disasters and is currently evacuating from devastating wildfires. “I'm nervous right now. I know there are a lot of people in the little town next door, Running Springs, who are just losing their homes […]
Millions of fossils recovered beneath a California school
Millions of prehistoric marine fossils have been discovered beneath a California high school over the course of several years of construction. Artifacts found at San Pedro High School included parts of a 9-million-year-old whale, megalodon teeth, a sabre-toothed cat and other fish. Prehistoric fossils discovered at San Pedro High School construction site. A.B.C. “We found […]
California men indicted for kidnapping illegal immigrants, holding them for ransom: US attorney’s office
Five men from Southern California, four of whom have been arrested, are accused of kidnapping illegal immigrants, holding them for ransom and demanding cash payments from their families in exchange for the victims' release. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Southern California announced in a press release that four suspects were arrested: Miguel […]
Southern California representatives call for federal state of emergency amid transboundary pollution crisis
U.S. congressional representatives from Southern California on Monday called for a federal emergency declaration in hopes of bringing emergency relief to areas plagued by toxic cross-border air pollution. Democratic Reps. Juan Vargas, Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin and Scott Peters called for urgent action “in light of new findings indicating dangerous levels of toxic gases are […]
New California law could censor memes that criticize politicians during elections
A bill in the California Assembly could ban the distribution of memes during election season because they may be deceptive or damage a political candidate's reputation. The bill, called the “Protecting Democracy from Deepfake Fraud Act of 2024,” is awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom's signature, who has until the end of September 2024 to sign it […]
Tren de Aragua threat should be taken ‘very seriously,’ California undersheriff says
Santee, California At City Hall near the base of the hills surrounding the border town of Santee, California, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) led a field hearing for the House Judiciary Committee to discuss the impact of the immigration crisis in California, where many non-Central Americans are in the U.S. illegally. California escaped record numbers of […]