Category: newsom

Bipartisan Mayors Coalition Supports California’s $4 Billion Homelessness Proposal 

With California’s expected $75.7 billion dollar budget surplus, the mayors of California’s 13 largest cities said they support spending $4 billion to address the state’s homeless crisis. Elected officials from Santa Ana and Anaheim on June 10 joined a coalition of mayors to endorse a proposal to put $1 billion each year toward helping the homeless. “The City of Santa Ana…


Californians to Lose Congressional Seat

Commentary The results of the 2020 census are in, and California is going to lose a congressional seat. The state will only be sending 52 members to the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2022 elections, down from the 53 it sent following the 2020 elections. For the first time since it gained statehood, California…


California to Halt Fracking Permits by January 2024, Phase out Oil Extraction by 2045

California will stop issuing new permits for hydraulic fracking by January 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Friday. The Democrat governor also instructed the California Air Resources Board to research how to phase out oil extraction by 2045 in the Golden State. The move is regarded mostly as symbolic as California Department of Conservation records…


Caitlyn Jenner Files Paperwork to Run for Governor of California

LOS ANGELES—Former Olympic gold medal winner-turned reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner filed paperwork April 23 to run for governor of California in a likely recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom later this year. “California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or…


Mature Workforce Expected to Play Key Role in Food Industry Recovery

As Orange County’s restriction-ravaged restaurants recover from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they’re expected to turn to an unexpected source for help: the aging workforce. With younger employees moving toward virtual, gig- and opportunity-driven jobs, restaurants willing to dip into the more mature pool for help may just find a golden solution to the economic recovery…


State Loosens COVID Rules To Allow For Indoor Events, Performances

LOS ANGELES—In a major advancement in the state’s COVID-19 economic recovery, California health officials announced changes April 2 that will allow a resumption of indoor activities such as concerts, conferences and theater performances—and a return of fans to indoor sporting events. The rules, however, include strict capacity mandates based on counties’ tier placement within the…


Orange County’s Restrictions Loosen as COVID-19 Metrics Improve

Arcades and bowling allies are among the businesses allowed to reopen March 31 when Orange County graduates to a less-restrictive reopening tier. The county landed in the orange tier after maintaining the necessary COVID-19 metrics for two weeks, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said March 30. Reaching the stage means businesses that were not…


A Restaurateur’s Reflections of an Industry Battered by Pandemic Guidelines

Commentary As Orange County eateries begin reopening their doors for indoor dining, a Newport Beach restaurateur is reflecting on “inhumane” treatment of the industry during the pandemic. Newport Beach Councilmember Noah Blöm said state-mandated closures have led restaurant owners to become disillusioned as “many people that weren’t ready to retire or would’ve never thought about…


Orange County Draws Nearer to a Less-Restrictive World

Orange County is on track to graduate to a less-restrictive COVID-19 tier next week, county officials said March 9. Orange County recorded one week of improved metrics, and must improve or maintain its numbers for an additional week before reaching the red tier’s less prohibitive set of guidelines. “Before Orange County can move to the…


Disney CEO: Disneyland Will Reopen In Late April; Furloughed Workers Recalled

ANAHEIM—With the state clearing a path for theme parks to reopen at limited capacity, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek announced March 9 the company plans to reopen the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim by late April, and thousands of furloughed workers will be recalled to be trained on new safety standards. “Here in California, we’re…