California News & Current Events | Public News Service

California is home to banks of all sizes, including 36 Minority Depository Institutions and 111 Community Development Financial Institutions. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Banking Woes Send Consumers Looking for Safer Alternatives

The recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank has put a spotlight on the safety and stability of the U.S. financial system. Now…

The Los Angeles City Council recently voted to allow the Department of Water and Power to convert Scattergood Power Plant near Playa del Rey to burn a blend of hydrogen gas and natural gas, something environmental groups say would create air pollution. (Facewizard/Wikimedia Commons)

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

California Readies Application to Become a Hydrogen Hub

Environmental groups are seeking greater input as California puts the finishing touches on its application to become a hub for hydrogen fuel productio…

A new report finds that the number of individuals who face a lack of health-care options has gone up since 2014. (Syda Productions/Adobestock)

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Report: Community Health Centers Work to Address Primary-Care Shortage

Health insurance does not help you if you can't find a primary-care doctor - and that is a problem for 100 million Americans, according to a new …

More than 500 elected officials have signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom in favor of a bill to establish accountability for price-gouging at California gas pumps. (Misunseo)

Monday, March 27, 2023

CA Bill to Fight Gas Price-Gouging Expected to Pass Today

A bill designed to fight price-gouging at the gas pump is expected to pass the California State Assembly today and be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom …

Student leaders learn about the estuary near Morro Rock, which is part of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. (Kai Monge)

Monday, March 27, 2023

Latino Advocacy Week Promotes Environmental Justice

This week, Hispanic environmental advocates are heading to Washington, D.C., from around the country to engage lawmakers on issues affecting us all…

The Care 4 All California coalition is pressing for an expansion of Medi-Cal to cover undocumented adults. (Kit Bear/Health Access)

CA Bills Aim to Improve Health-Care Access, Affordability

Health advocates are promoting a package of bills this legislative session to make health care easier to get - and more affordable. The Care 4 All …

Sky-high gas prices hit California drivers in the spring, summer and fall of 2022, before retreating to more normal levels in winter, after the midterm elections. (QuietWord/Adobe Stock)

Hearing Today on CA Gas Price-Gouging Bill

California lawmakers hold a hearing in Sacramento today on a bill to hold oil companies and gasoline refiners accountable for alleged price gouging…

Clear-cutting a forest can leave behind a scarred landscape, as seen in this 2019 photo from an area linked to the Enviva Northampton wood pellet plant in Garysburg, North Carolina. (Dogwood Alliance)

Climate Groups Spotlight Destruction Linked to Wood Pellet Industry

Climate-change groups are calling attention to the environmental destruction linked to the wood pellet industry - even as California is considering a …

Multiple states have strengthened protections for election workers, following a surge in threats and harassment over the past few years. (Krakenimages.com/Adobestock)

Election Officials Call for Action to Protect Democracy

American democracy is in mortal danger as the 2024 election approaches, according to experts at a conference held at the University of California…

Advocates Urge Federal Crackdown on Junk Rental Fees

Renters these days are getting hit with all kinds of extra charges, and consumer advocates want the federal government to crack down on the so-called …

A new report found nationally, the estimated economic value of family caregivers' unpaid contributions in 2021 was $600 billion. (Evrymmnt/Adobe Stock)

Report: CA's Unpaid Caregivers Contribute 4 Billion Hours per Year

Some 4.4 million family caregivers in California provide more than four billion hours of uncompensated care each year; work worth about $81 billion…

A billboard calls attention to the rising cost of giving birth in the Sacramento area, something advocates attribute to health-care mergers in the region. (Protect California Patients campaign)

Advocates Launch Campaign to Prevent Harmful Health-Care Mergers

Billboards have gone up across California warning about the negative effects of unchecked mergers in the health-care system. The Protect California …

A new program is designed to prevent gaps in medical care as justice-involved people prepare to rejoin their communities. (Alexander/Adobestock)

Feds OK CA Plan to Pre-Enroll Incarcerated People in Medi-Cal

California will soon become the first state in the nation to offer health insurance to income-eligible individuals who are incarcerated - starting 90 …

Trinidad Luna, a double amputee from Los Angeles, is expecting his CalFresh benefits to drop to $25 a month. (Trinidad Luna)

Recipients Prepare for Big Drop in CalFresh Benefits

CalFresh benefits are set to plummet for almost five million people in the state starting in a few weeks - as the emergency COVID increase expires…

California is one of 12 states that offers financial aid to undocumented students, who are barred from receiving federal assistance. (S Fanti/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Few Undocumented CA College Students Receive State Aid

Just 14% of California's 94,000 undocumented college students receive some form of state financial aid, according to a new report. Researchers from …

The AARP's Tea and Coffee Tuesdays webinar series takes place on the second Tuesday of every month. The next one on March 14 will address ways older Americans can cope with the impact of climate change. (AARP)

Group Helps Older Americans Adapt to Climate Change

Surveys show that 3 in 4 Americans older than 50 want to age in place, but climate change can make that difficult - and expensive. Next Tuesday…

Some of the art to be featured at the Regenerative Gala was produced on upcycled canvas. Here we see a detail from the painting,

Regenerative Gala to Spotlight Ethical Consumerism

To kick off Earth Month in April, a Bay Area event called the Regenerative Gala will promote the concepts of ethical consumerism and fashion and art …

The California Spotted Owl would be the last of three subspecies to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. (Rick Kuyper/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)<br />

CA Spotted Owl Protections Open for Public Comment

The Biden administration is now taking public comments on a proposal to grant the California Spotted Owl protection under the Endangered Species Act…

Research shows that kids who get health coverage and stay covered have better health and economic outcomes. (AnnaStills/Adobestock)

Report: California Children at Risk of Losing Health Coverage

Two million children and adults in California could lose health-insurance coverage over the next year - as the state winds down the continuous-coverag…

In 2020, a Vallejo police officer shot and killed Sean Monterrosa, mistakenly believing he had a gun. His family awaits a decision by the California Attorney General on whether to charge the officer, who has since been fired. (Photo courtest of Monterrosa Family)

New CA Bill Would Allow Compensation for Victims of Police Violence

Criminal justice reform groups are rallying behind a new bill that would make it easier for people hurt in encounters with police to get support from …

The Los Angeles basin is prone to smog. California last updated its air-pollution rules on particulate matter in 2002. (Chris M/Adobe Stock)

CA Groups Pressure Feds to Tighten Air-Quality Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new rules on soot in order to clean up the nation's air. Advocates say while it is a step in the …

A 2019 protest in Palo Alto worked to raise awareness of immigration issues. Statistics show less than 1% of philanthropic foundation dollars support immigrant organizations. (Sundry Photography/Adobestock)

'Immigrants Are Essential' Fund to Support CA Immigration Nonprofits

California is home to 10.5 million immigrants, and the nonprofits serving them said they have been stretched to the limit over the past few years…

Elected Officials to Protect America estimates that it will cost 200 billion dollars over the next ten years to rebuild Ukraine's energy infrastructure once the war ends. (Misu/Adobestock)

Ukraine Clean-Energy Plan Emerges as War Starts Year 2

As the one-year anniversary of the Ukraine war approaches, climate activists are making plans to rebuild Ukraine with clean energy once the war is …

Advocates are calling for an expansion of the California Earned Income Tax Credit for young adults, so they can better afford living expenses while pursuing higher education.(Aleksandr/Adobestock)

'Young Invincibles' Fight for CA Young Adults' Access to Higher Ed

California's young adults face significant barriers to accessing higher education, affordable housing, and health care - according to a nonprofit …

Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed budget maintains large investments in post-secondary education despite projections of an overall revenue shortfall. (Angelov/Adobestock)

More CA Students Earn Degrees, Certificates, But Disparities Persist

Some good news to report on college attainment rates - the number of students who have earned a degree, certificate or credential has jumped 16% from …

An elevated segment of road in the Sierra National Forest provides an underpass for toads to cross from one part of the habitat to the other unharmed. (Stephanie Barnes/U.S. Forest Service)

Experts: Wildlife Crossings Can Help Adapt to Changing Climate

Wildlife crossings save lives, both human and animal, by allowing migrating species to avoid oncoming traffic and move over or under roads and …

Almost 3 million people live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well in California. (Last Chance Alliance)

Groups Mobilize to Defend Ban on New Oil and Gas Wells Near Homes

Supporters of a California law to ban oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of sensitive sites like homes and schools are gearing up to fight a new b…

More than 93,000 people live in certified nursing care facilities in California. (C.Davids/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: Nursing Homes Sedate Too Many Residents

Groups that advocate for older Americans are speaking out about the overuse of psychotropic medications in nursing homes. Last November, the …

Labor, consumer and environmental advocates rallied in front of the APEC meeting in Los Angeles last September. (Will Wiltschko)

Trade Justice Advocates to Rally at International Conference

Protesters will be in Palm Springs at noon today to draw attention to ongoing negotiations on a huge international trade deal, the Indo-Pacific …

Mollie Englehardt started her farm four years ago to support her local vegan restaurant chain, Sage. (Sow a Heart Farms)

Healthy Soil Can Be a Climate Change Solution

By Caleigh Wells for KCRW.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 92% of school breakfasts and 69% of school lunches currently exceed the standard dietary guidelines for added sugar. (New Africa/Adobestock)

New Bill Would Make CA School Lunches Healthier

Starting next year, school lunches in California could get a lot healthier if a new bill passes to set guidelines for added sugar. Senate Bill 348 …

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to find out whether anti-competitive behavior in the fossil-fuel industry may have spiked natural gas prices in the Western U.S this winter. (Proxima Studio/Adobe Stock)

CA Public Utilities Commission Probes Gas Price Spike

Gas bills jumped by hundreds of dollars over the past few months for many Californians - and on Tuesday, the California Public Utilities Commission …

Statistics show that women are less likely to get CPR than men. Around 45% of men get CPR, and only about 40% of women will get it. (American Heart Association)

For American Heart Month, Families Challenged to 'Be the Beat'

Does anyone in your immediate family know basic CPR? The American Heart Association said your life could depend on the answer. February is American …

Before the pandemic, Americans logged on between seven and 10 hours per day; now the average is approaching 13 hours. (Adobestock)

Vision Experts Warn of Dangers of Excessive Screen Time

Americans spend almost 13 hours a day using digital devices, and experts said it has the potential to strain your eyes and lead to serious health …

Protestors at the University of California-Berkeley demonstrate in support of student groups that passed a bylaw pledging not to invite pro-Zionist speakers. (Palestine Legal)

Palestinian Advocates Praise New Fact Sheet on Religious Discrimination

Groups fighting for Palestinian rights are praising a new fact sheet on religious discrimination from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for …

Experts say a rise in the number of monarch butterflies is encouraging, but does not reverse decades of decline for the species. (R. Gino Santa Maria/Adobe Stock)

Monarch Butterfly Winter Count Shows Significant Improvement

This winter, volunteers counted more than 335,000 Western monarch butterflies in an annual survey, a big improvement over the last few years…

Around 44 million American families are carrying approximately $1.7 trillion in student debt. (Burlingham/Adobestock)

Tips for Student Loan Borrowers Waiting for Answers on Debt Relief

Millions of Americans with student loans are anxious to hear if the Supreme Court will uphold President Joe Biden's plan to offer up to $20,000 in stu…

CA 'Just Safe' Campaign Aims to Redefine Public Safety

Social justice advocates have just launched a new public education campaign. It's called "Just Safe," and it's aimed at changing the conversation …

New data show in California, 2021-22 state testing scores are even lower than the state's historically low testing scores. (Rawpixel/Adobe Stock)

Scorecard CA Shows Kids Still Struggling, Post-Pandemic

Many of California's 13.5 million children and teens have not bounced back after the pandemic, especially children of color, according to the just-…

The Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank distributes fresh produce in the rural area in the mountains near San Diego. (Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank)

$100K Grant Will Fund CA Food-Box Program to Fight Child Hunger

San Diego may seem like a wealthy area, but the mountain communities in the eastern part of the county still struggle with hunger and poverty. Now…

The primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease are hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history and advanced age. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Hypertension: A Silent Killer in Communities of Color

About 45% of Black Americans have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, compared to 31% of white Americans. Now, a new program in Southern …

The proposed Alberstons/Kroger merger was announced in October and is currently under federal review. (MortalConviction at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons)

Albertsons-Kroger Merger Raises Concerns for Rural CA

The proposed merger between supermarket giants Albertsons and Kroger is raising alarm bells in rural communities worried about the impact on consumers…

The San Francisco-San Joaquin Delta is the heart of California's water system. (Steve Martarano/USFWS)

Conservation Groups Criticize State Water Board's Side Deals for Delta Water

The State Water Board now says it will take another two years to finalize the San Francisco-San Joaquin Delta water management plan, and it is …

The new State Natural Resources Building in Sacramento earned the Platinum LEED Certification in 2022. (CA Natural Resources Agency)

California 4th in Nation for Green Buildings

California ranked fourth in the nation for green buildings for 2022 and has made the top 10 states for the tenth year in a row. The U.S. Green …

The requirement for the state to maintain continuous Medi-Cal health insurance coverage regardless of eligibility will end March 31. (Lordn/Adobestock)

State Projects Millions Could Lose Medi-Cal as Renewals Start Back Up

Starting in April, an estimated 2-3 million people could be dropped from Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance program for low-income people…

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has expressed support for a congressional investigation into whether public schools stayed closed too long during the pandemic, and whether the federal government has promoted

Education Poll: Parents Reject Culture War; Want to Get Back to Basics

Congressman Kevin McCarthy from Bakersfield announced in his first address as U.S. House Speaker that he wants to combat what he describes as "woke …

Organizers of the National Day on Racial Healing promote racial equity, which affirms all people, regardless of racial or ethnic group identification, skin color or physical traits, deserve an equal opportunity to experience well-being in a just society. (Thomathzac23/Adobe Stock)

Events Across CA, U.S. to Celebrate National Day of Racial Healing

Tomorrow is the 7th Annual National Day of Racial Healing, which is commemorated every year, always on the day after the Martin Luther King Jr…

The Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution officially supporting legislation mandating 100% of vehicles sold in California be zero emission by 2030, helping ensure the need for more skilled workers in the field of electric vehicle manufacturing.(Adobe Stock)

Vehicle Electrification Creates Job Opportunities for Disadvantaged Workers

By Larry Buhl for Capital and Main.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for California News Service reporting for the Capital and Main-Public News Serv…

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