Category: Northern California

British Actor Julian Sands Confirmed Dead, Months After Vanishing in California Mountains

LOS ANGELES—British-born actor Julian Sands, best known for his role in the Oscar-celebrated film “A Room with a View,” was confirmed dead on Tuesday, five months after he went missing while out for a hike in snow-covered mountains of Southern California. He was 65. Mostly skeletal human remains discovered by hikers on June 25, in…


California Budget Deal Numbers Don’t Add Up

Commentary The budget deal hammered out June 27 by the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom achieved its major purpose: Getting him through the current budget cycle until next year’s Democratic presidential primaries. Of course, that may not matter. President Biden might take one of those rejuvenating potions they advertise for seniors on late-night TV, while…


California Retail Theft ‘Very Serious and Escalating to Violence’: Small Business Advocate

Tragedy struck a Home Depot store in the San Francisco Bay Area in April as a 26-year-old employee was fatally shot while confronting an alleged shoplifter who was armed with a handgun, authorities said. Just a few months before, an Antioch gas station cashier was shot to death during an armed robbery, according to local…


Newsom, California Legislature Agree to $311 Billion Budget Plan

With hours to spare before a July 1 deadline, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature agreed to the state’s 2023–24 fiscal year budget June 27, though Republicans argued against the proposal and the manner in which it was determined. “In the face of continued global economic uncertainty, this budget increases our fiscal discipline…


California Hires Recalled SF District Attorney to Train Law Students in Criminal Justice

Commentary California leaders continue to charge ahead in implementing a radical “progressive” (a.k.a. socialist) agenda even when it goes directly against the will of the people. For instance, California voters have twice voted to ban the use of affirmative action in hiring and school admissions. But the state’s leaders continue to implement gender and racial…


California Could See Sharp Drop in Job Growth, Moderate Recession by 2024: Chapman Forecast

California could face a sharp decline in job growth by the end of this year as the state grapples with a moderate recession, according to top economists at Chapman University. In its latest bi-annual economic forecast released June 22, the school forecast job growth in the state to drop to 1.3 percent by December, compared…


San Francisco’s Homeless

Commentary Living on the streets is a crime. A violation of law. To force citizens to react, or worse, not react to the plight of their fellow man, and pretend not to notice, ultimately may force everyone to leave. This includes those born and raised in San Francisco, and this author. It’s not okay for…


California’s Gas Is No Longer the Most Expensive in the US, Washington’s Now Pricier

While California is known for its high cost of living and elevated energy prices, the state of Washington now has the most expensive average gas price in the nation, according to data released June 20 by the American Automobile Association, better known as AAA. A gallon of regular-grade gasoline in California now averages $4.86 as…


New Poll Shows Nearly Two-Thirds of Californians Thinking About Leaving the State

A majority of Californians are considering moving to another state, according to a recent survey (pdf) conducted by Strategies 360—a research and communications firm focused on public affairs. Respondents reported dissatisfaction with the high cost of living as a primary factor in their desire to move elsewhere, with 40 percent saying they are somewhat or…


California Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating Spokesperson of Newsom Recall Campaign

A San Bruno man has pleaded guilty to impersonating the former spokesman and senior advisor for Recall Newsom 2020, an organization that led the unsuccessful effort to remove California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021. Henry Kuhn, 37, reached a plea deal with the Riverside County District Attorney that allowed him to avoid jail but was…