Category: Regional-Local News

Illegal Immigrant Influx Pushing NYC to ‘Breaking Point,’ Warns Mayor Adams

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has made an emergency aid request to the state in the light of the illegal immigrant crisis that he said is bringing the city to its “breaking point.” Since last spring, around 40,000 illegal immigrants have been sheltered in New York city’s five boroughs, according to the mayor. The…


California Adventure Unveils Upcoming Lunar New Year Celebration Plans

Celebrating the year of the Rabbit, Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, California has revealed plans starting Jan. 20 through Feb. 15 for the Chinese Lunar New Year by including regionally inspired cuisine, live holiday entertainment, and new merchandise. Festivities include Mulan and her Disney pals parading from the park’s Pixar Pier to Hollywood Land along…


Memorial Held Remembering the Legacy of Bill Steiner

ORANGE, Calif.—Orange County community members, police, fire, and past and present political representatives gathered Jan. 13 at the memorial service of former county Supervisor Bill Steiner, who died Dec. 15, 2022, at the age of 85. About 300 attended the service held at Orange Covenant Presbyterian Church where Steiner had served in leadership roles. The…


Changes to Virginia’s Election Laws Postponed by Divided Control of Legislature

The Virginia General Assembly convened in Richmond on Wednesday to take up a new session with legislative priorities largely divided along party lines. The issue of voting is no different, with Republicans filing dozens of “election integrity” bills and Democrats staying on the defensive to preserve “voting rights” laws they passed when they fully controlled…


Newsom’s Budget Proposes Delays in Affordable Student Housing Programs

Amid a $22 billion shortfall, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023-24 state budget proposal (pdf) revealed this week suggests delaying several affordable student housing projects. Newsom recommended delaying $250 million of anticipated funding to the Higher Education Student Housing Grant program—established under the 2021 Budget Act—which provides funds to the state’s community college, University of California (UC),…


Ocean Beach Man Gets Over 15 Years in Prison for Fatal Fentanyl Sale

SAN DIEGO—An Ocean Beach man was sentenced Jan. 13 to more than 15 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl that caused another man’s fatal overdose. Alexander Michael Randise, 29, pleaded guilty to providing fentanyl-laced pills that caused the death of 30-year-old Tyber Joseph Lustig. According to Randise’s plea agreement, he provided four counterfeit M-30…


San Diego Man Gets Over 15 Years in Prison for Fatal Fentanyl Sale

SAN DIEGO—An Ocean Beach man was sentenced Jan. 13 to more than 15 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl that caused another man’s fatal overdose. Alexander Michael Randise, 29, pleaded guilty to providing fentanyl-laced pills that caused the death of 30-year-old Tyber Joseph Lustig. According to Randise’s plea agreement, he provided four counterfeit M-30…


Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy Fatally Shot in Line of Duty

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif.—A Southern California sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Jan. 13, just two weeks after another deputy in the department was slain in the line of duty. The deaths of deputies Darnell Calhoun on Friday and Isaiah Cordero on Dec. 29 were the first since 2003 when a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy was…


Republican Legislature Seeks to Cut Nashville’s Metro Council in Half

Tennessee’s Legislature is proposing legislation that would cut the size of the Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Council in half, down from the current 40 members. The legislation (pdf), filed Jan. 9, would cap the number of members that are elected to a governing body of a metro or municipal government to 20, which in effect slices…


Rain Falling Again Over Southland, Expected To Last Through Monday

LOS ANGELES—The already saturated Southern California will have to endure more rain over the coming days, with forecasters anticipating off-and-on precipitation through Jan. 16. Rain began falling over Los Angeles County late Saturday morning, with the brunt of the system expected by late afternoon or evening, according to the National Weather Service. The agency predicted…