Category: Northern California

The Western US Remains Divided Over Abortion

Idaho and Utah have continued banning or limiting abortions, while Oregon and California are stockpiling abortion pills. Idaho and Utah were two of the 13 states that had trigger laws to make abortions illegal when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. As soon as Roe v. Wade was overturned, Idaho joined the list of…


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…


California Cost of Living Analysis: Exodus Edition

While historically people have been willing to pay higher prices to live in California, recent migratory patterns showing net outflows suggest that some are choosing to move in search of more affordable options. From housing to fuel, commodities, and services, Californians fork over more than the majority of the country for routine expenses, and according…


How People Are Pushed out of California by Cost of Living

While historically people have been willing to pay higher prices to live in California, recent migratory patterns showing net outflows suggest that some are choosing to move in search of more affordable options. From housing to fuel, commodities, and services, Californians fork over more than the majority of the country for routine expenses, and according…


Gov. Newsom’s Successor, Part 2: President or Vice President Newsom?

Commentary (Part One of this two-part series is “The Early Candidates Announce.”) On April 25, President Joe Biden launched his 2024 reelection bid. To me, at least, even in the heavily rehearsed and edited announcement video, he looked frail and partly incoherent. Americans seem to agree. An NBC News poll released the day before showed…


California Lawmaker Vows to Carry on With Fentanyl Crackdown in California Despite Committee’s Rejection

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) said April 26 he’s done trying to get a bill cracking down on fentanyl dealers out of a state Senate committee after it was rejected again this week, and will instead support efforts to seek an initiative from voters to change the law. Umberg sponsored the bill with…


California Lawmaker Vows to Carry on With Fentanyl Crackdown Despite Committee’s Rejection

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) said April 26 he’s done trying to get a bill cracking down on fentanyl dealers out of a state Senate committee after it was rejected again this week, and will instead support efforts to seek an initiative from voters to change the law. Umberg sponsored the bill with…


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…


Gov. Newsom’s Successor Part 1: The Early Candidates Announce

Commentary My, they’re starting early in the bid to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom when term-limits force him out in 2026. Unless he becomes president or vice president before then—which actually could happen. I’m crafting Part Two of this two-part series on that possibility. Even though President Joe Biden on April 25 announced his re-election bid and…