Category: Northern California

President Biden Approves California’s Major Disaster Declaration

In response to heavy storm damage, the federal government will be providing aid to the state of California, as announced by the White House April 3, after President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration. While storms have persistently pounded the state this season, the statement notes that relief is aimed at assisting local recovery…


California Lifts State’s COVID Mandates on Healthcare Facilities and Providers

California has lifted all government-enforced COVID protocols, with the state no longer requiring medical professionals to wear masks, allowing local management to apply their own protocols. The lifting of mandates came into effect on Monday. Californians can be mask free inside any healthcare setting, including high-risk locations, elderly care centers, places that serve people experiencing homelessness,…


Reparations Proposals Would Cost California $800 Billion: Economists

Economists estimated this week that reparations under consideration for black Californians could cost $800 billion, findings they provided to the state’s Reparations Task Force during meetings in Sacramento March 29 and 30. After two days of discussion, the panel suggested the responsibility of determining individual payment amounts lies with state lawmakers. Established in May of…


Why California Schools Shouldn’t Keep Secrets from Parents

Commentary Over the last decade, California has been on a crusade to erode parental rights. By misinterpreting Education Code Section 221.5, commonly referred to as Assembly Bill 1266, the state is inducing teachers to withhold information from parents about their children. Specifically, it is permitting this bill to be used by teachers as a basis…


Biden Administration Permits California to Ban Diesel-Powered Heavy Trucks Starting 2036

California can now move forward with its plan to ban new diesel-powered heavy-duty truck sales starting 2036 after receiving the Biden administration’s approval March 31. “Under the Clean Air Act, California has longstanding authority to address pollution from cars and trucks. Today’s announcement allows the state to take additional steps in reducing their transportation emissions through…


Former Drug Dealer Tells How San Francisco Failed the Homeless | Ricci Wynne

“When I came back to San Francisco, I started seeing things through a different lens, I started seeing it for what it really was. And it was really jarring to me.” Siyamak Khorrami sits down with Ricci Wynne, a San Francisco resident and videographer. He was once a drug addict and was labeled a career…


Census Map Shows Dramatic California Exodus

Commentary Sometimes a map tells a dramatic story. That’s the case for the following map released March 30 by the U.S. Census Bureau. It shows net domestic migration for the United States, by county, for 2021-22. Each red dot shows 100 people leaving. Each blue dot shows 100 people arriving. For a larger version, click…


University of California Proposes Guaranteed Admission for Qualified Transfer Students

The University of California (UC) proposed a plan this week to guarantee admission to qualified community college students—but only for certain campuses. UC officials presented their plans to state legislators during a March 28 state Assembly budget hearing. To be guaranteed admission, students must be enrolled in a state community college and would need to…


The Culture of Europe

The culture of Europe is culture. The culture of America is business. This year, the Vienna Philharmonic performed in Berkeley’s Zellerbach Auditorium.  Characteristic of the world’s great orchestras, the musicians and conductor were absolutely absorbed in the music—as if they, on the spot, were composing the music. Their performance of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8…


Fentanyl-Dealing California Police Union Official Charged

A California police union official has been accused of importing fentanyl from India, China, and other countries and then shipping it around the United States from her home in San Jose. Joanne Marian Segovia, 64, the executive director of the San Jose Police Officers’ Association, was charged on March 27 for importing synthetic opioids into…