Category: Regional & State News

Apartment Owners Sue Los Angeles Over COVID-Era Rental Price Restrictions

Apartment owners are suing the City of Los Angeles for keeping in place its emergency ban on rent increases first implemented at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a lawsuit filed July 24 in Los Angeles Superior Court, the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles is asking the court to put a stop to the city’s…


Visiting Grandma or the Capitol? In-state Airfare Costs Are Sky High

People on both ends of California say they’re being pinched by high travel costs for flights in the Golden State, as airfare prices continue to climb after jumping more than 25 percent compared to the same time last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase follows a 40 percent spike during…


Personal Chef to Obamas Found Dead Near Their Martha’s Vineyard Home

The body of a missing paddle boarder recovered from Edgartown Great Pond by Massachusetts State Police (MSP) divers on Monday is that of former President Barrack Obama’s former chef, Tafari Campbell. Authorities identified the victim on Monday as Mr. Campbell, a 45-year-old male who was previously employed by the former first family as a personal chef….


California Travel Ban Stalls Students’ Hopes to Contend in National Chemical Engineers Competition

A group of chemical engineering students was denied state funding to participate in a national competition in Florida because of California’s travel ban to certain states that don’t allow biological male athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports. The ban, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2019, was recently expanded to include…


EXCLUSIVE: 7-Year-Old Boy Sues California School District for Violations of Civil Rights

The first thing “H.N.” did when he got up on a July Sunday morning was say hi to his dog, Biscuit, and then start reading “Treasure Island,” which after just the first chapter may overtake “Robinson Crusoe” as his all-time favorite book—but that needs to wait until he finishes the book. Later, he played Monopoly with…


California Hockey Players Lead Way on Slovakia’s Hlinka-Gretzky Roster

USA Hockey on July 24 named four players from Orange County and one each from Los Angeles County and Northern California to its under-18 select roster for the upcoming Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in Slovakia. The tournament, named in honor of former Czech hockey star Ivan Hlinka and Canadian icon Wayne Gretzky, is set for July 31–Aug….


Southern California School Board Approves Previously Rejected Social Studies Curriculum

The Temecula school board approved the social studies curriculum it previously rejected twice over concerns about “inappropriate” material—but with the recommendation that schools substitute certain material with that which is “age-appropriate.” The board voted to approve the “Social Studies Alive,” a state-approved K-5 social studies curriculum during a special meeting called July 21 by board president Joseph…


USA Baseball Camp Draws Heavily From Southern California

Seventeen players from Southern California, including five from Orange County, have been selected to participate in USA Baseball’s 16-and-under and 17-and-under national team development program July 26–29 in Cary, North Carolina. Players from across the country, 72 in all, will take part in intrasquad games, skill-development sessions, and off-field educational seminars while connecting with USA…


Federal Government Sues Texas for Evading Federal Authorization

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday filed a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott and demanded the removal of a floating barrier that was installed across the Rio Grande. The DOJ demanded (pdf) that the Texas government remove the barrier and pay for it, saying that the move was illegal and done without federal oversight. …


In-N-Out Bans Masks for Staff in Most Stores, Excludes California Locations

The West Coast fast food chain In-N-Out Burger recently announced its intention to prohibit masking for its employees unless they receive a doctor’s note, according to a leaked memo and an official statement by In-N-Out’s Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick. According to the statement by Mr. Warnick, the company reasons that “wearing a mask literally…