Category: Regional News

California Committee Holds Special Hearing on Fentanyl Bills, Many in Limbo Again

SACRAMENTO—Six pieces of fentanyl legislation were reconsidered by the Assembly Public Safety Committee on April 27, as the issue of punishment versus prevention took center stage, with the eight-member panel deferring many for later discussion. “It’s a lot of excuse-making, instead of addressing the real problem,” Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), a committee member, told The…


California Fentanyl Bills in Limbo Again After Special Hearing

SACRAMENTO—Six pieces of fentanyl legislation were reconsidered by the Assembly Public Safety Committee on April 27, as the issue of punishment versus prevention took center stage, with the eight-member panel deferring many for later discussion. “It’s a lot of excuse-making, instead of addressing the real problem,” Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), a committee member, told The…


IN-DEPTH: Texas Ranchers Share Brutal Reality of Living Near Southern Border

With U.S. Code Title 42 set to expire on May 3, ranchers in South Texas are bracing for what they expect will be a massive surge of illegal immigrants. Title 42 evolved from a federal health order enacted in 1944 and prohibits people from entering the United States during a pandemic to mitigate the spread of…


DeSantis Breaks Silence on Disney Lawsuit

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday broke his silence on a lawsuit brought against him by Disney, describing it as a political move that lacks merit, while accusing the company of lacking accountability and transparency. DeSantis made the remarks during a press conference in Israel, where he faced questions on the lawsuit, the latest move…


‘It’s Political:’ DeSantis Denounces Disney Lawsuit

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday reacted to a lawsuit brought against him by Disney, describing it as a political move that lacks merit, while accusing the company of lacking accountability and transparency. DeSantis made the remarks during a press conference in Israel, where he faced questions on the lawsuit, the latest move by Disney…


Orange County Slated to Establish an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

Orange County will have an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, after county supervisors unanimously approved its creation on April 25. The office will serve as a “central hub for coordination of services, resources, and advocacy groups,” for immigrants and refugees within the county, according to officials. County officials held a press conference the following…


California Supreme Court Upholds Newsom’s CARE Court for Mental Illness Treatment

The California Supreme Court April 19 shot down disability rights activists’ request to halt the implementation of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s law providing treatment for individuals with severe mental illness through a court order, known as the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court. The group, Disability Rights California—which advocates for those with disabilities in the…


Riverside Deputies Lose 60 Pounds of Meth in Failed Operation

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department deputies lost 60 pounds of methamphetamine April 19, after an undercover operation to catch narcotics traffickers went wrong. Investigators from the department attempted what’s known as a “reverse buy”—selling street drugs to catch a narcotics dealer—and met with a suspect who was interested in buying the drug, according to an April…


California Bill to Ban Body Shaming May Advance in State Senate

A California bill that would ban body shaming in state schools may advance after a hearing April 26 by the Assembly’s Education Committee. Assembly Bill 10—which defines body shaming as “the action or practice of mocking or stigmatizing a person by making critical comments or observations about the shape, size, or appearance of the person’s…


Los Angeles Councilwoman Blames Toyota, Instead of Thieves, for Catalytic Converter Thefts

A Los Angeles elected official blamed Toyota for the increase in catalytic converter thefts in the area during a recent town hall meeting. After the Los Angeles City Council made it illegal to own a detached catalytic converter without verification of legal possession in an 8–4 vote on April 11 to deter thieves, Los Angeles…