Tag: Regional News

Half of California Lifted out of Drought; More Flooding a Concern as More Rain Comes

Almost half of California is out of a drought, including San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, according to data released by the U.S. Drought Monitor March 16. But with so much Sierra Nevada Mountain snowpack, the possibility of new flooding is a concern, forecasters in the National Weather Service Office of Water Prediction warned. According…


Florida’s Proposed ‘Heartbeat Bill’ Ignites Emotional Debate

A bill that would make getting an abortion more difficult in Florida has moved another step closer to becoming law. The Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee, after emotional and heated debate on March 16, passed the Pregnancy Planning and Support bill, with 13 Republicans voting in favor and five Democrats opposed. To become law, the bill would still need…


Los Angeles Metro Station Blasts Classical Music to Deter Crime

In an approach to combating crime and homelessness, the Los Angeles Metro has taken to blasting classical music at one of its stations. The music at the Westlake/Macarthur Station on Metro’s Red Line, which runs from Downtown Los Angeles to North Hollywood, is part of a larger pilot program by the agency to deter criminal…


Los Angeles Metro Station Blasts Classical Music to Deter Homeless

In an approach to combating crime and homelessness, the Los Angeles Metro has taken to blasting classical music at one of its stations. The music at the Westlake/Macarthur Station on Metro’s Red Line, which runs from Downtown Los Angeles to North Hollywood, is part of a larger pilot program by the agency to deter criminal…


Newsom Seeks to Move California’s Oil Profit Cap Decision Away From Skeptical Legislature

Instead of letting the California Legislature decide whether to impose a profit cap on oil companies, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced March 16 a proposal to give the state’s Energy Commission—made up of the governor’s appointees—the ability to do so. The proposed change came after lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voiced skepticism in a…


Los Angeles Unified Teacher, Staff Strike to Start Next Week; Schools to Close for 3 Days

Union leaders in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced they will strike for three days next week, canceling classes for about 430,000 students in the nation’s second-largest school district. SEIU Local 99—the union representing 30,000 cafeteria workers, bus drivers, custodians, special education assistants, and other non-teaching staff at LAUSD—announced the strike at a…


Carlsbad Unified Approves Controversial Ethnic Studies Course

Carlsbad Unified School District board members unanimously approved a controversial ethnic studies course at one of its high school’s Film Academy last week. The course is part of Carlsbad High School—called Film Academy Ethnic Studies—and will focus on past representations of minorities in Hollywood films as well as “emerging voices” in the film industry. The…


Poway’s Hidden Haven for Therapeutic Horse Riding

Hidden among the rolling hills of Poway, San Diego lies Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit ranch and prized gem of the community. Founded in 2014, Ride Above Disability provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons to those with disabilities and is open to people of all ages. Starting as volunteers at other ranches, co-founders…


California, Oregon Ban Salmon Fishing for 2023 Amid Dwindling Fish Population

Dwindling salmon populations in California and Oregon rivers have prompted the National Marine Fisheries Service to close commercial and sports fishing season in both states on March 15. Salmon fishing season will remain closed in California and most of Oregon until 2024. “This is a decades-long trend, and the past few years of record drought…


Biden in Las Vegas Touts Lower Prescription Drug Prices From Inflation Reduction Act

President Joe Biden spoke on March 15 about new prescription drug cost savings under his administration, part of a wider effort by the commander in chief to sell the country on his achievements in office. “It makes a difference in people’s lives, what we’re doing,” said at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “I’ve been…