Category: US Regional News

University of California System Will No Longer Consider SAT and ACT Scores for Admissions

The nine campuses of the University of California system will no longer consider standardized testing scores as part of the admission process beginning in the fall of 2021. The change is the result of a legal settlement (pdf) of a lawsuit brought by groups that claimed that the traditional SAT and ACT tests are racist….


Unused Trailers for Homeless Sit Empty in LA

When the state of California gifted the city of Los Angeles 1,300 trailers to house the homeless last year during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, there was hope that some of the 66,000 people experiencing homelessness in the county would have shelter. But a year later, many trailers are sitting empty and unused in…


Police Officers Leave NYPD as Anti-Police Sentiment Shatters Morale

More than 5,300 New York police officers resigned or retired last year—a sharp increase of 75 percent over the previous year—as morale fell following widespread unrest and calls to defund the police in response to the police-involved death of George Floyd in May 2020. Resigning officers accounted for 15 percent of total officers leaving their…


Pregnant Nurses Prompt California Board for Changes

When 34-year-old Brittney went into labor on April 7, she faced a tough decision: take a required random drug test, or go to the hospital and jeopardize her nursing career. Brittney (a pseudonym) was on probation in the California Board of Registered Nurses’ (BRN) Enforcement Program for a previous driving under the influence (DUI) offense—and…


Immigrant Bought Land Where He Crossed the Border Illegally and Allows Others to Do the Same

An immigrant who purchased the land where he crossed over into the U.S. illegally said he won’t stop other migrants from doing the same, BuzzFeed News reported Friday. Ociel Mendoza illegally entered the U.S. when he was 18-years-old and looking for seasonal work on Texas ranches, according to BuzzFeed News. Mendoza bought the land where…


Newport Beach Council to Consider Disposal of ‘Legacy Materials’ in Harbor

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Newport Beach’s harbor commission has passed a resolution headed to city council recommending a small amount of dredging waste be buried in the harbor in a contained facility. The waste, which is unsuitable for dumping in the ocean, is currently being excavated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The proposed confined aquatic…


Texas Governor Expected to Sign Bill Banning Abortions When Fetal Heartbeat Is Detected

Texas Gov. Greg Abbot is expected to sign into law a bill that bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Texas Senate Bill 8, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act or “heartbeat bill” was passed in the state Senate 18-12 on…


Texas Gov. Abbott Says Intercepted Fentanyl at US Border Saw 800 percent Increase

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stated on May 14 that the amount of fentanyl U.S. border agents intercepted on the Texas-Mexico border has increased by 800 percent in April when compared to the same month in the previous year. “But I gotta tell you there’s a new dynamic about what’s going on at the border that…


Texas Gov. Abbott Says Intercepted Fentanyl at US Border Saw 800% Increase

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott stated on Friday the amount of fentanyl U.S. border agents intercepted on the Texas-Mexico border has increased by 800 percent in April compared to the same month in the previous year. “But I gotta tell you there’s a new dynamic about what’s going on at the border that Americans need to…


Field of Honor Pays Tribute to Service Members, First Responders

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—After having to cancel its annual patriotic tribute in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will host its 12th annual Field of Honor in recognition of the service and sacrifice of the men and women of all branches of the U.S. military forces. The Field of Honor…