California News & Current Events | Public News Service

Farmers markets encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables, which is much more climate-friendly compared with a meat-based diet. (Corey/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Farmers markets can be a form of climate action

By Gabriella Sotelo for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient/Just and Climate-Friendly …

Southern sea otters only inhabit about 13% of their former range and remain absent from the Oregon coast. (Dhayes/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Grant helps tribes, nonprofits plan to expand range of sea otters

The push to reintroduce southern sea otters to greater sections of the California and Oregon coast is getting a big boost from a $1.56 million grant f…

California's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 17.4 percentage points since 2009.(Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)<br />

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Report: CA educational attainment exceeds national average

California has inched past the national average in the percentage of adults with a college degree or other postsecondary credential, according to the …

A new federal report finds U.S. service members, when buying cars, are less likely to make a downpayment, more likely to make a smaller downpayment, and more likely to make a negative equity trade-in than civilian buyers. (Freedomz/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 10, 2025

Report: Military service members pay more for car loans

Military borrowers pay higher costs and face greater financial risks than civilian borrowers when taking out credit to buy a car - according to a new …

Data show that just under a quarter of California 4th and 8th graders are considered proficient in science. (Viacheslav Yakobchuk/Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, February 10, 2025

Report: CA students make modest improvements, but lag after pandemic

California's 5.8 million public school kids have made small gains in 4th grade math and reading since 2022. They're still behind pre-pandemic …

CA lawmakers look to block ICE near schools, advocates sound the alarm

California state lawmakers are taking action to enact safeguards against federal immigration enforcement. Last year, state Sen. Lena Gonzalez…

Statewide, Medi-Cal provides medical and dental benefits for 38% of the population, or 14 million people. (Carlos/Adobe Stock)

New report shows big racial gaps in use of Medi-Cal dental benefits

A new report shows what it calls a "dental divide" in the Los Angeles area - finding that only 20% to 25% of people on Medi-Cal actually use their den…

California's state attorney general recently released guidance that ICE agents must have a judicial warrant to enter school property. (Mehaniq41/Adobe Stock)<br />

CA's K-12 schools prepare for possibility of immigration authorities on campus

California school districts are working to reassure parents who may be scared to bring their kids to school - since the Trump administration made it c…

Activist Zoe Rosenberg removed four chickens from Perdue's Petaluma Poultry farm and brought them to a veterinarian for medical treatment. (Direct Action Everywhere)

Trial ahead for CA animal activist accused of trespassing, theft, conspiracy

An animal activist is speaking out ahead of her trial in May - accused of trespassing, theft and conspiracy after a protest at a poultry …

The Bureau of Land Management oversees 15 million acres of public lands in California, including the Fargo Canyon Off Highway Vehicle Area outside Palm Springs. (Tracy Albrecht/BLM)<br />

Hunting, fishing groups praise bills' reintroduction in Congress

California advocates for hunters and anglers are speaking out in favor of two public lands bills that were just reintroduced in the U.S. Senate…

Water districts in Los Angeles are working to reduce the region's reliance on water imported from Northern California by recycling more wastewater and encouraging greater conservation. (Craig Dietrick/Wikimedia Commons)<br />

Conservation groups slam Trump’s executive order on CA water policy

President Donald Trump's new executive order on California water policy is drawing criticism from many water conservation advocates. The order …

The 2025 California County Scorecard of Children's Well-Being website includes an interactive tool to compare county-level data on 40 indicators. (Vasyl/Adobe Stock)

CA county scorecard reveals struggles in education and foster care

A majority of California children are failing to meet educational standards, according to this year's County Scorecard on Children's Well-Being…

Pacience Edwards, a Direct Relief pharmacy specialist, delivers essential medications to the Pasadena Convention Center on Jan. 9. (Direct Relief)

Nonprofits work to meet long-term needs after LA fires

The Los Angeles area wildfires will affect people's health for many years, according to disaster relief experts. The fires can cause severe mental …

The CAvsHate telephone hotline connects people with culturally-competent services in 200 languages. (CA Civil Rights Dept.)

Hate crimes double in CA from 2019-2023; reporting low in rural areas

State data show that hate-crime reports almost doubled between 2019 and 2023 - so the Civil Rights Division is promoting its new CA vs Hate hotline…

As of 2023, Medi-Cal covered 22% of non-elderly adults in urban areas and 14% in rural areas. (Pcess609/Adobe Stock)

Report: Proposed cuts to Medi-Cal will hurt rural CA the most

Rural Californians would be hurt the most by huge proposed cuts to Medicaid, known in California as Medi-Cal, according to a new report from …

California's Proposition 12 mandated minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens but does not apply to chickens raised for meat. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Animal welfare advocates work to save CA's Prop 12 under Trump

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

Protesters in San Diego call for a just peace in Gaza on Saturday. (Joe Orellana)

CA pro-Palestinian groups express cautious optimism as ceasefire takes hold

California supporters of the Palestinian cause say they are cautiously optimistic - now that the ceasefire in Gaza has taken hold and the hostage rele…

Protesters with the Interfaith Coalition for Earth Justice of San Diego drew attention to the effects of climate change at an event in November. (GreenFaith)<br />

CA environmental advocates hold series of vigils around inauguration

Faith-based climate activists with the nonprofit GreenFaith are organizing a series of vigils tied to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump…

The ceasefire deal announced Wednesday is similar to one announced by President Joe Biden last May. (Robert/Adobe Stock)

CA Jewish, Muslim leaders praise Gaza ceasefire deal

Leaders of California's Jewish and Muslim communities say they're relieved that Israel and Hamas have taken the first steps toward ending their brutal…

Volunteer Hector Silva of Hunger Action Los Angeles prepares burritos for distribution to fire victims in Pasadena, Calif. (Sara Donis)

Anti-hunger groups tackle increased need during the L.A. fires

Food donations are pouring in to help victims of the Los Angeles fires, to the point donors are being asked to hold off a bit so it can all be …

According to a survey by the Veganuary organization, 81% of participants who took the survey maintained a dramatic reduction in their animal product consumption after six months. (Iuliia Metkalova/Adobe Stock)

'Veganuary' challenge continues to see growth in 2025

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation estimated the United States is home to 2 million transgender people. (Sabrina/Adobe Stock)

CA trans advocates focus on economic opportunity

A California nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender and gender-nonconforming people find good jobs is looking to expand its mission in 2025…

Over the past five years, the California Parent and Youth Helpline said it has taken calls from more than 110,000 individuals in need. (Bananahealth/Adobe Stock)

Mental health helpline seeks to expand to help fire victims recover

Mental health groups are stepping up to help victims of the Los Angeles area wildfires deal with the extreme stress brought on by the disaster…

Gov. Gavin Newsom's state budget proposal maintains a deferral of funds for the University of California and California State University systems, even through the state is projecting a modest surplus of $363 million. (Amerique/Wikimedia Commons)

Governor's budget proposal may lead to higher-ed cuts at UC, CSU

Leaders of the University of California and California State University systems are warning a proposed budget cut of almost 8% for next year could lea…

Oil tankers, such as these near the port of Long Beach, are part of a debate over which oil company earnings should be taxable in California. (European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Tax break for big oil costs CA $75M to $146M a year

A new report from nonprofit The Climate Center has unearthed historical documents that show the big oil companies orchestrated a tax break that allows…

The new Chuckwalla National Monument is part of the Biden Administration's commitment to preserve 30% of the nation's land and waters by the year 2030. (Bureau of Land Management)

Tribes applaud as Biden announces two new national monuments in CA

The White House announced two new national monuments in California on Tuesday, one just east of Palm Springs and the other near Shasta Lake. A …

Plastic bottles blanket a landfill. (Aryfahmed/Adobe Stock)

Why the burgeoning plastics problem is more than a waste issue

By Shi En Kim for Sierra.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Se…

Data from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau show people pay about $9 billion a year in overdraft and NSF fees, costing an average of $150 a year for families that pay these fees. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

New laws take effect this year to protect CA consumers

Two new laws designed to protect California consumers take effect this year - cracking down on hard-to-cancel subscriptions and certain types of bank …

CalFood is a program of the California Department of Social Services that allows food banks to purchase California-grown and produced foods to augment donations. (Nadianb/Adobe Stock)

Hunger-fighting groups try to prevent cuts to CA food-bank funding

Groups working to fight hunger in California are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to protect funding for the CalFood program in his initial budget …

New for 2025: A weaker CA lemon law

Starting this year, changes to California's "lemon law" will make it harder for consumers to get a refund or a replacement vehicle. The changes mean …

Former President Jimmy Carter spoke at an event for Habitat for Humanity in 2007 in Los Angeles. (County of Los Angeles)

California nonprofit leaders recall President Jimmy Carter’s legacy

Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at 100 years of age, had a huge effect on the Golden State far beyond his presidency…

USPS, state court systems warn CA customers against 'smishing' scams

Many people in California are still expecting holiday packages this week and the U.S. Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" …

Data from the Children's Law Center of California show half of all kids in foster care have endured four or more adverse childhood experiences. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)<br />

Foster care system celebrates 25 years of progress

California has more than 60,000 children in the foster care system and about 7,000 in extended care up to age 21 but many do not receive all the servi…

Opah are often caught as incidental catch alongside tuna. (NOAA/Flickr)

When bycatch is on the menu

By Leilani Marie Labong for FoodPrint.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the FoodPrint-Public News Service …

Juana Valle's well is one of 20 sites tested in California's San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast regions in the first round of preliminary sampling by University of California-Berkeley researchers and the Community Water Center. The results showed 96 parts per trillion of total PFAS in her water, including 32 parts per trillion of PFOS - both considered potentially hazardous amounts. (Hannah Norman/KFF Health News)

Toxic 'forever chemicals' taint rural CA wells

By Hannah Norman for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Ser…

Supporters of Measure J said opposition mailers such as this one were used to spread false claims ahead of the election. (Direct Action Everywhere)

Opponents of factory farms regroup after mixed election results

Animal rights organizers are regrouping after mixed results at the ballot box in November. A measure targeting factory farms passed in Berkeley but …

The Biden Administration estimates if the investment made in the IRS by the Inflation Reduction Act is sustained beyond 2031, tax revenue would increase by $851 billion over the next 10 years. (Aevan/Adobe Stock)

Future of IRS uncertain as Trump chooses agency critic as commissioner

The Internal Revenue Service will be in the crosshairs in the second Trump administration, as the president-elect's recently announced choice to run …

Dairy digesters remove methane from liquified animal waste. The gas can then be used to generate power. (Lance Cheung/USDA)

Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits

Three environmental nonprofits filed suit Wednesday against the California Air Resources Board to oppose the expansion of a program allowing oil and g…

The Environmental Protection Agency has approved two clean-air waivers for California, but six more are still pending. (D. Jakli/Adobe Stock)

EPA allows CA to implement strict clean-car rules

Groups that fight for environmental justice are praising the Biden administration's decision to grant California a waiver so it can implement clean-ca…

Families looking to spread some holiday cheer are encouraged to write holiday cards welcoming new refugee families as part of the

'Hope for the Holidays' campaign welcomes refugee families

This holiday season, a nonprofit campaign is asking Americans to write holiday cards to welcome newly arrived refugee families. The 10th annual …

A new study found children who lose family members to overdose often suffer long-term harm to educational attainment, economic stability in adulthood, and mental well-being. (Irena_geo/Adobe Stock)<br />

USC study: More than 1.4 million children have lost family to overdose

A new study found more than 1.4 million children in the U.S., including many in California, have lost a family member to overdose, emphasizing the …

Offshore wind turbines such as these in Maine are currently in the planning stages at sites off of the coast of Morro Bay and Humboldt. (Jack Shapiro/Natural Resources Council of Maine)

Reports: Transmission grid plans must take wildlife into account

The power grid will need to be dramatically upgraded and expanded in the coming years to handle the transition to renewable energy - and two new repor…

California state energy goals include reaching 100% clean energy by 2045. (Anchalee/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups call for LA County power plant closure

Environmental groups are calling for the immediate closure of Los Angeles County's Walnut Creek Energy Park, because of potentially dangerous levels …

California and 11 other states have banned employers from subjecting workers to mandatory anti-union meetings. (Adobe Stock)

As Biden nominee fails in Senate, workers may lose ground with new NLRB

With unionization on an upswing of late, experts anticipate policy changes at the national level will reverse worker gains. The number of labor …

In October, the United States allocated $72 million toward avian flu vaccines, aiming to strengthen national preparedness against potential outbreaks. (Adobe Stock)

California expert sounds alarm on avian flu’s threat to humans, livestock

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Nearly half of children in the United States are covered by Medicaid. (michaeljung/Adobe Stock)

Budget cuts may jeopardize health programs for millions in California

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including more than 12 …

A solar power array will save the Free Clinic of Simi Valley about $20,000 a year, allowing the staff to enhance its programs, including medical, dental, counseling and legal services. (Adobe Stock)

Simi Valley free clinic gets rooftop solar through Power for Health Initiative

A newly installed rooftop solar power system will help the Free Clinic of Simi Valley keep its doors open and the lights on for the area's disadvantag…

The Children's Movement, the largest and most diverse children's advocacy network in the country, is gearing up to push California policymakers to prioritize kids in next year's state budget. (Spass/Adobe Stock)

1,000+ organizations demand CA governor prioritize kids in budget

More than 1,000 organizations sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom asking for California's children's programs to be shielded from cuts in the 2025-26 …

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