California News & Current Events | Public News Service

Under a new DEA proposal, marijuana would be considered less dangerous than heroin but still more addictive than cocaine, alcohol or Xanax. (Roxxyphotos/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Advocates cheer feds’ proposal to reclassify marijuana as lower risk

Marijuana legalization groups are celebrating after the Drug Enforcement Agency proposed Tuesday to reclassify cannabis as less dangerous or addictive…

A new report from UCLA and the Bipartisan Policy Center found election officials in larger cities, especially in swing states, have been more likely to be harassed or threatened in the past few years. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Report: CA election worker turnover has soared in recent years

A new report showed turnover among California chief election officials reached 57% in 2022, a record high. It then declined this year to 40%…

Households in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Francisco counties pay the highest prices for groceries in the state. (Stokkete/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 29, 2024

Feds: Grocery chain profits soared during and after pandemic

Consumer groups are accusing major grocery retailers - like Amazon, Kroger and Walmart - of price gouging, both during and after the pandemic…

Protests in May 2023 called for cleaner air at the ports. State data show ships idling at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in 2021 during the pandemic emitted as much diesel particulate matter pollution as 100,000 big rig trucks per day. (Pacific Environment)

Clean-air activists to hold 'die-in' Friday at LA City Hall

A coalition of climate groups seeking cleaner air at the rail yards and ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will hold a "die-in" rally tomorrow at Los…

Currently, more than 2.7 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well. (MSPhotographic/Adobe Stock)

CA climate leaders fight to keep setbacks around oil and gas wells

Leaders concerned about pollution and climate change are raising awareness about a ballot measure this fall on whether the state should mandate buffer…

Grass-fed beef is prepared for serving at an industry event called the Meat Summit. (Roots of Change)

'Regenerative' beef gets boost from California universities

By Naoki Nitta for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public Ne…

15-year-old Cash Hennessy and his parents became advocates for better training in schools on sudden cardiac arrest after the teen survived a brush with death. (Kristine Kelly/American Heart Association)

Advocates promote bill to improve survival after cardiac arrest in schools

The California State Assembly is considering a bill to require schools to have a cardiac arrest response plan. Assembly Bill 2887 would make sure …

The proposed Ambler industrial mining road would have crossed nearly 3,000 waterways, including the Kobuk and Koyukuk rivers, which are important spawning grounds for the Yukon salmon. (National Wild and Scenic Rivers System)

Biden administration moves to protect Alaska wilderness

Conservation groups are rejoicing over the decision Friday by the Biden administration to reject a proposed mining road in Alaska. The 211-mile …

Advocates say a proposed bond measure could help improve fire resiliency in California's redwood forests. (Kchassiephoto/Adobe Stock)

On Earth Day, climate activists press for CA bond measure

Today, in honor of Earth Day, climate advocates are asking California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom to rally around a plan to put a $15 billion …

Environmental advocates are asking California's next state budget to prioritize climate mitigation and cut tax breaks for fossil fuel companies. (The Climate Center)

Climate groups seek to remove tax breaks for oil and gas companies

As state budget negotiations continue, groups fighting climate change are asking California lawmakers to cut subsidies for oil and gas companies …

Since 2009, Market Match has served tens of thousands of low-income Californians to buy produce at markets like this one in San Francisco.(Heart of the City Market)

Groups plead with CA legislators to save Market Match program

California's program helping low-income families buy fresh fruit and vegetables is on the chopping block and health care advocates are asking legislat…

Statistics show that women make up nearly two-thirds of Americans 65 or older living with Alzheimer's disease. (Africa Studio/Adobestock)

On National Healthcare Decisions Day, advocates spotlight end-of-life planning

Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day when everyone is encouraged to review their end-of-life planning. The 2024 Alzheimer's Association …

Will California do reparations right?

By Erin Aubry Kaplan for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News …

Protesters rallied in San Diego in 2012 against trade agreements that allow corporations to sue for future profits when governments deny permits. (Arthur Stamoulis/Trade Justice Education Fund)<br />

Climate activists call on U.S. company to halt trade lawsuit over LNG

Environmental activists are rallying today in Sunnyvale, asking the American company Ruby River Capital to drop a lawsuit the protesters called "a …

Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, Crime Survivor for Safety and Justice leader Stephanie Hatten and senior staff attorney Katherine Wutchiett for Legal Aid at Work spoke Tuesday in Sacramento on behalf of a bill to allow family members of crime victims to take unpaid leave. (Assembly Democratic Communications Office)

Criminal justice package moves ahead in CA state Legislature

A package to improve public safety is moving ahead in the California state Legislature - with a floor vote in the State Assembly on the first bill exp…

The Health4All Coalition rallied in Sacramento on Monday, asking state lawmakers to open up the Covered California health insurance exchange to all people, regardless of their immigration status. (Ed Sifuentes/CA Immigrant Policy Center)

Coalition presses to open health exchange to undocumented Californians

This week, groups fighting for health equity known as the Health4All campaign are asking the California Legislature to remove barriers to the …

Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego celebrates a bilingual Mass for Earth Week at St. James Church in Solana Beach, California, April 17, 2021. (CNS/The Southern Cross/John Gastaldo)

San Diego Catholic Diocese divests from fossil fuels

By Brian Roewe for Earthbeat.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service …

Jewish Vocational Services has helped more than 100,000 people across California access jobs and economic mobility. (Adobe Stock)

CA workforce advocates call job-training budget cuts 'ill-advised'

As California faces a $38 billion budget deficit, state lawmakers have identified $17 billion in potential cuts before the Legislature begins …

Students at High Tech High in San Diego were asked to surrender their cellphones each day at school last session, and were surveyed on the changes they noticed throughout the year. (Edrick Macalaguim/High Tech High)

Banning cellphones at school brings positive changes for students

Separating high school students from their cellphones might be seen as a daunting task but one California school said having students stash them durin…

The new, free IRS Direct File site offers access to live customer service reps who can answer tax questions. (MargJohnsonVA/Adobestock)

IRS promotes new program to file your taxes for free

This year Californians can file simple tax forms for free and save time to boot, thanks to a new pilot project from the Internal Revenue Service …

The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Educators sound alarm about teacher shortage

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

A bill called Save Our Sequoias to fund wildfire resilience is tucked into this year's farm bill, currently being negotiated in Congress. (Save the Redwoods League)

Major progress in effort to protect CA giant sequoias from megafires

Crews have been ramping up wildfire resilience projects to thin out brush and dead wood in California's giant sequoia groves, clearing twice as many …

Humpback whales sometimes get tangled up in ropes from discarded crab fishing gear. (Jenn Tackaberry/Kiirsten Flynn/National Marine Fisheries Service)

Partial shutdown of crab fishing season considered to protect whales

A working group convened by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife meets today to consider a partial closure of the commercial Dungeness crab …

California's Family Urgent Response System's mandate is to be available to send an emergency care team to any California foster family within one hour. (DimaBerlin/Adobestock)

CA foster care advocates ask lawmakers to fund in-person response teams

Advocates for foster families are pressing lawmakers to save the Family Urgent Response System from the budget ax. California faces a $37.9 billion …

A new bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a new grant program, to fund a 24/7 helpline for parents and youths. (Raushan_films/Adobestock)

Bill would fund National Parent & Youth Helpline

The new National Parent & Youth Helpline has already taken 6,700 calls, texts and live chats since its inception in January, and now the U.S…

Small seasonal streams lost Clean Water Act protections last year when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Biden administration in 'Sackett v. EPA.' (Derrick/Adobe Stock)

On World Water Day, advocates call on Congress to reinstate protections

Today is World Water Day, established 21 years ago by the United Nations to promote clean, fresh water. This year, advocates in the U.S. are …

An estimated 3 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an oil or gas well. (MSPhotographic/Adobestock)

CA referendum would lift ban on new oil wells near homes

A referendum on the ballot this fall gives California voters the chance to either uphold or reject a law which would require oil and gas wells to be s…

New EPA rules on vehicle emissions aim to save drivers money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs of electric and hybrid vehicles. (Tongpatong/Adobestock)

Environmental advocates cheer new EPA clean-car rules

Clean-air groups are calling the Biden administration's new rules on vehicle pollution the single biggest action the Environmental Protection Agency h…

Leaders from the Yurok Tribe and the nonprofit Save the Redwoods walk among native plants planted as part of a revegetation effort at 'O Rew. (Evan-Marie Petit)

Historic agreement to return Redwoods land to Yurok Tribe

Plans to open a new gateway to Redwoods State and National Parks got a big boost Tuesday, paving the way for a key parcel of land to be returned to …

Higher education advocates are calling for the creation of new federal-state partnerships to create a path to debt-free college. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Higher education experts call for more equitable financial aid reform

Each spring, hundreds of thousands of California high school seniors have to figure out if they can afford to go to college in the fall - and two new …

American teachers in training trek through Tijuana on their way to visit a school as part of a trip to foster cross-border understanding. (Rick Froehbrodt/SDSU)

Aspiring bilingual teachers cross the border to gain insight

Immigration is a hot-button issue these days, but people studying to become bilingual teachers at one California university are making an effort to …

A new AARP survey of California women age 40 and older found 71% are concerned about affordable health care and 68% are worried about access to affordable long-term care. (Ink drop/Adobestock) A new AARP survey of California women age 40 and older found that 71% are concerned about affordable health care, and 68% are worried about access to affordable long-term care. (Ink drop/Adobestock)

Survey: CA women age 40-plus highly likely to vote

Nearly 80% of California women age 40 and older say they are highly motivated to vote, according to a new survey from AARP. Researchers for the new …

Many species, including sea lions, are injured or killed by set gillnets, which target halibut and white sea bass. (Robert Schwemmer/NOAA)

CA bill aims to reduce marine mammal entanglements in set gillnets

A new bill aims to reduce the number of sea lions, sharks, rays, skates and giant sea bass dying off the coast of Southern California in huge set …

Care4All California, a coalition of more than 70 healthcare advocacy groups, is pressing for a package of bills this legislative session to rein in healthcare costs and improve equity. (Kit Bear/HealthAccess CA)<br />

CA healthcare advocates unveil package of bills to lower costs

On Tuesday, Care4All California, a coalition fighting for affordable health care, unveiled a package of bills its members say they would like state …

San Diego State University is one of 23 California State University campuses. A new grant will simplify the admissions process. (SDSU)

Cal State system wins $750K in Great Admissions Redesign challenge

In the next few years, big changes are coming to the Cal State University admissions process, thanks to a $750-thousand grant from Lumina …

A proposal before the California Air Resources Board would allow fossil fuel producers in California to buy credits from factory farms that use anaerobic digesters like these to extract methane from animal waste. (Rob Thomas/Adobe Stock)

Midwest community activists slam proposed CA emissions incentives

Community groups in the Midwest are worried a change in California carbon emissions policy could hurt quality of life in the nation's heartland…

Students and staff from colleges marched in Sacramento on Thursday calling for lawmakers to address the high cost of tuition and housing. (Matthew Hardy/CFT)

College students, staff rally in Sacramento for 'March in March'

Hundreds of college students and staff from across the state held a march and rally in Sacramento on Thursday, calling for changes to make higher …

AT&T also wants to give up its designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier, and no longer accept federal funds to provide high-quality, affordable telephone service in low-income areas. (New Africa/Adobestock)

CA to hold hearings on whether AT&T must continue to offer landline service

Time is running out for the public to weigh in on whether AT&T should be allowed to stop offering landline service across most of the Golden State…

Water flows through part of Dos Rios Ranch Preserve. The former farmland now acts as a storage area for floodwaters during wet years. (Cameron Nielsen/Grist)

How can California solve its water woes? By flooding its best farmland

By Jake Bittle for Grist.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration Th…

Students at Magnolia High School used data analytics and project management skills learned as part of the Google Career Certificate program to plant and manage an urban farm. (Magnolia Agriscience Community Center)

CA high school students earn Google Career Certificates in high-demand fields

By Laura Aka for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

Waymo is currently offering a free introductory ride-share service in Los Angeles and uses a paid model in San Francisco. (Waymo)

Backlash after regulators permit robotaxis on LA, SF freeways

A bill to grant local cities the ability to regulate autonomous vehicles is getting a lot more attention after the California Public Utilities Commiss…

A new report from California Competes outlined four main areas of action for colleges to take to reengage, reenroll, and propel comebacker students to completion. (Sacramento State/Jessica Vernone)

Report: How colleges can re-enroll students who’ve stopped out

More than 6 million Californians stopped out of college before getting a degree and a new report has laid out a plan to bring them back on campus…

A new report shows that people who complete Prop 47-funded programs like those offered at Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Los Angeles are much less likely to be reincarcerated. (Safe Harbor)

New CA data: Social programs reduce crime

Programs intended to reduce the chances that someone will end up back behind bars are working, according to a new analysis of California state data…

A groundbreaking study calls for philanthropic foundations to acknowledge past harms and support reparations for Black Americans. (NCRP)

Report: Philanthropy must play role in racial reparations

A new report said philanthropic organizations need to reexamine the source of their wealth, which it asserted often came from systemic racism and …

Protests in favor of sending U.S. aid to Ukraine are planned across the country on Saturday to mark two years since the conflict began. (Igor Tregub)

Rallies across CA, U.S. planned for anniversary of Ukraine invasion

Pro-Ukraine rallies are planned in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco as well as cities across the United States this weekend, marking the …

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke in Los Angeles on Tuesday in support of legislation to fund programs to build affordable housing and help people experiencing homelessness. (Office of Sen. Alex Padilla)

CA lawmakers propose $100 billion for shelters, affordable housing

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House and Senate reintroduced the Housing for All Act, which would put about $100 billion over 10 years toward solving …

The lands under consideration for the S�tt�tla National Monument in the Medicine Lake Highlands are currently managed by the U.S. Forest Service. (Bob Wick)

Tribes call for new Sáttítla National Monument in northeastern CA

Tribes in far northeastern California are pressing President Joe Biden to create a new national monument about 30 miles from Mount Shasta. The Pit …

A recent survey from the California Health Care Foundation found that almost three-quarters of low-income people say they skipped or postponed health care because of cost in the past year. (Kenishirotie/Adobestock)

Public comment sought on proposal to limit growth in health-care costs

Health plan premiums and deductibles have risen sharply in recent years - so the state Office of Health Care Affordability is proposing to limit growt…

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