California News & Current Events | Public News Service

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential emotional support 24/7. (Derrick/Adobestock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

988 mental health crisis line celebrates 2nd anniversary

The country's new 988 mental health response system turns two years old this month and a new report praised California's implementation while calling …

Neighbors contributed ideas for the Alleys in Action program at a pop-up event in May. (Adams Avenue Business Association/Taylor Kaczmarek/Sue Peerson)

AARP grants aim to revitalize CA alleys into vibrant public spaces

Some select alleyways across San Diego are set to get vibrant makeovers thanks to a transformative community initiative. Sue Peerson, lecturer in …

Save the Children's mobile units deliver books and other educational resources to rural low-income communities in 11 states, including California. (Save the Children)

Mobile units aim to 'Make Summer Fair' for rural low-income kids

Mobile units are rolling out in rural California communities this summer to help keep kids engaged and combat learning loss. The nonprofit Save the …

The nonprofit Pacific Environment worked with University of California-Berkeley to develop recommendations for decarbonizing oceangoing vessels. (Federico Rostagno/Adobe Stock)<br />

For World Ocean Month, calls to cut emissions, pollution from shipping

June is World Ocean Month and groups fighting climate change are asking President Joe Biden to act to clean up emissions and pollution from the shippi…

The wild and scenic Eel River is part of the Bureau of Land Management's planned 382,000-acre management area in northwest California. (Wikimedia Commons)

BLM releases final conservation plan for NW California public lands

Conservation advocates say a new Bureau of Land Management final Environmental Impact Statement takes positive steps toward developing a management pl…

Heavy flooding was seen in Dos Rios in April 2023. (River Partners)

A ranch, rewilded: The transformation of California’s newest state park

By Elizabeth Hewitt for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

About 40% of food produced by farmers worldwide is never consumed. (TheStockCube/Adobestock)

Making 'climate candy' from upcycled fruits and veggies

Worldwide, 40% of food is wasted but a new candy company is trying to make a dent in it and fight climate change to boot. The company is called …

A new Community Safety Legislative Agenda reimagines justice and public safety to invest in people and communities rather than police and prisons. (William W. Potter/Adobe Stock)

Civil rights groups press for bills to rethink public safety

Social justice groups are pressing Congress to pass a series of bills to rethink public safety in the U.S. The new 2024 Community Safety Legislative …

Environmental groups are working to attract more Latino families to enjoy the great outdoors on public lands such as the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area in southern Inyo County. (Louis Medina)

Latino environmental groups push for greater access to public lands

Conservation groups are circulating a petition asking the feds to give "America the Beautiful National Parks and Recreation Lands" passes to new citiz…

Not only is the Ike Jime process considered more humane, it also keeps harvested fish fresh for a longer period of time. (Adobe Stock)

Fishing industry combines AI, ancient process for humane handling

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

Consumer groups allege a new cryptocurrency regulation bill contains loopholes, undermining investor protection. (BBbirdZAdobestock)

Financial-justice advocates criticize crypto regulation bill

Consumer advocates are coming out against a bill to regulate the cryptocurrency market, saying it is a wolf in sheep's clothing. The Financial …

Environmental advocates say a case now before the U.S. Supreme Court could make it easier for judges to weaken laws such as the Clean Water Act in the future. (Visualitte/Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court weighs case that could weaken environmental protections

The Supreme Court is expected to rule any day now on two cases that could allow judges to more easily overrule federal agencies, which could have big …

Officials welcomed visitors to California's newest state park this week. Dos Rios State Park sits at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Tuolumne Rivers near Modesto. (California State Parks)

Dozens of events planned this weekend for CA State Parks Week

Close to 200 events are planned now through Sunday at California state parks for the third annual State Parks Week. The events advance Gov. Gavin …

Merit America's goal is to drive $1 billion in wage gains by 2025, by retraining low-wage workers for better-paying jobs in the tech sector. (BullRun/Adobe Stock)

CA tech job-training program expands with $15 million grant

Help is available for people looking to break out of a low-wage, "go-nowhere" job because the nonprofit Merit America is expanding its training …

Senate Bill 252 would require state pension funds to divest from oil and gas companies by 2031, with an extra four years of leeway if certain market conditions arise. (Dogora Sun/Adobestock)

CA climate-change groups press for fossil-fuel divestment

State lawmakers are considering a bill which would require two public pension systems to pull about $15 billion in combined investments from the fossi…

Last year, California's Market Match program provided 3.8 million servings of fruits and vegetables to families struggling with food insecurity. (EwaStudio/Adobe Stock)

As budget deadline looms, CA groups defend Market Match program

California anti-hunger groups are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to preserve funding for Market Match, a program helping low-income families buy fruits and …

California's child poverty rate is on track to increase, as federal pandemic-era supports come to an end. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

California ranks in bottom third of all states for kids’ well-being

California ranks 35th for overall child well-being, according to the 2024 2024 Kids Count Data Book released today. Researchers from the Annie E…

New rules would require industrial polluters to pay fees to support programs to reduce smog in impacted communities such as Wilmington, Calif. (Hannah Benet/Earthjustice)

So Cal air quality regulators meet to consider big rule changes

California air-quality regulators today are expected to adopt new fees for big polluters and rules to encourage large buildings to switch equipment fr…

Monterey Bay is one of many marine areas to be evaluated for inclusion on the list of places that qualify as

CA makes progress toward conserving 30% of land, water

The public comment period is now open on California's new framework for deciding which managed areas within coastal waters meet the definition of "con…

The United States loses on average more than 1 million acres of sage-grouse habitat each year to a combination of fires, invasive species, drought, energy development, mining, and roads. (Dale/Adobestock)

Public comment period closing on sage grouse protections

The public comment period closes next week on the Biden administration's plan to protect the sage grouse, a bird whose health is linked to the larger …

The Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacoima was covered in over 700,000 square feet of reflective pavement coating in the summer of 2022. Murals were painted on some of the covered areas. (GAF)

'Cool pavement' coating helps CA city beat the heat

By Ysabelle Kempe for Smart Cities Dive.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network…

A soldier participates in the Norwegian Foot March at Fort Ord National Monument in Monterey County, Calif., in 2022. (Winifred Brown/U.S. Army)

Vets exposed to Agent Orange at Fort Ord denied VA compensation

By Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health Ne…

A new report finds 36% of nonprofit leaders say their funders have either no commitment to racial equity or have reduced or eliminated it in the last year. (Syda Productions/Adobestock)

Report: Burnout a major concern in nonprofit sector

A new survey of nonprofit leaders finds staff burnout is a major concern. The 2024 "State of Nonprofits" report from the Center for Effective …

Estela Pineda is an undocumented immigrant with disabilities from Madera who is cared for by her daughter Mayde, through benefits from the California In-Home Support Services program. (Mayde Pineda)

Advocates slam proposed cuts to CA in-home care

Health care advocates are speaking out against proposed cuts to a California program that provides in-home care aides to low-income seniors and people…

Children's advocates worry that when insurance companies deny youth mental health services, children will suffer without proper care unless families, counties or schools bear the cost of treatment. (Synthexua/Adobe Stock)

CA bill would address unfair denials of youth mental health treatment

Children's advocates are pressing California lawmakers to pass a bill that would increase oversight on health plans when they deny mental health servi…

CA filmmaker follows her parents as they choose medical aid in dying

A new documentary series looks at medical aid in dying through the eyes of terminally ill people advocating for a peaceful passing on their own terms…

During Latino Advocacy Week, Hispanic Access Foundation members met with lawmakers to promote equity in the upcoming Farm Bill. (Evelyn Ramirez/Hispanic Access Foundation)

A focus on the Farm Bill for Latino Advocacy Week in D.C.

It's Latino Advocacy Week in Washington, D.C., and leaders in the Hispanic community are pushing for improvements in the upcoming Farm Bill. The …

Some 170 community groups and nonprofits rallied in Sacramento on Wednesday in favor of a proposed bond measure to fund a variety of climate-related projects. (Community Water Center)

Coalition presses lawmakers to put climate bond on CA November ballot

A huge coalition of 170 groups rallied in Sacramento on Wednesday, pressing lawmakers to put a climate bond measure on California's November ballot…

Solar panels and a battery backup will provide an emergency power supply for Alliance Medical Center in Healdsburg, which serves more than 12,000 people per year, half of them children. (Alliance Medical Center)

Medical center installs microgrid to safeguard clinic power supply

Alliance Medical Center in Healdsburg just switched on new solar panels and battery backup as part of a plan to make the clinic more resilient to powe…

Marine research on a recent expedition off of Santa Cruz Island in Southern California mapped the habitat of red gorgonian coral, sea stars and sheepshead fish. (Danny Ocampo/Oceana)

Ocean expedition seeks to map CA biodiversity

Marine researchers just wrapped up the first of three ocean expeditions off the coast of Southern California to map the biodiversity and support effor…

The new Public Lands Rule is designed to protect places such as Joshua Tree National Park, which is bordered by vast swaths of Bureau of Land Management land. (Dmitry/Adobestock)

Conservation groups praise new rules governing oil and gas on public lands

Groups fighting for public lands and national parks are praising two recent Biden administration rules for managing federal land. The oil and gas …

The southern resident sea otter was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1977. The population went from just 50 animals in the 1930s to more than 3,000 today. (Lilian Carswell/USFWS)

Many outdoor events planned in CA for Endangered Species Day

Nature walks, festivals and more are happening this weekend to celebrate the 19th annual Endangered Species Day, which is tomorrow. California is …

A new poll finds that policies designed to prevent gun violence and improve racial equity are highly important among women voters of color. (Seventyfour/Adobestock)

Women voters of color say lawmakers focus on wrong issues

More than one in five Americans is a woman of color - and a new poll shows they are not feeling heard and want policymakers to address issues they car…

Families at Luiseno Elementary School in Corona listen to a recent workshop featuring the Ready, Tech, Go program. (Lifetouch)

Schools partner with PTA, AT&T to teach families online safety

Parents may wonder when is the right time to give a child a cell phone or tablet, or how can they help their kids stay safe online. The National …

A new study showed polluting chemicals in car interiors are a bigger risk for children and for people who drive for a living or have long commutes. (Dmindphoto/Adobe Stock)

Consumer groups call on feds to regulate flame retardants in cars

UPDATE: A response has been added from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. (2:02 p.m. PDT, May 14, 2024) A new study showed the flame …

The Mojave Desert Tortoise is now listed as endangered in California, but is still listed as �threatened� under the federal Endangered Species Act. (Joanna Gilkeson/USFWS)

CA lists Mojave Desert Tortoise as endangered

Groups that fight to recover endangered species are praising the California Fish and Game Commission's decision to change the Mojave Desert tortoise f…

Union workers spent Wednesday lobbying California lawmakers to pass bills to protect labor during the transition away from fossil fuels. (Brooke Anderson)<br />

Union coalition calls for CA worker climate bill of rights

Dozens of union members rallied Wednesday in Sacramento, calling on lawmakers to pass a set of bills called the California Worker Climate Bill of …

A new comic book in Spanish and English educates consumers on best practices when buying a used car. (Oregon Consumer Justice)

Can a comic coloring book help you avoid used car scams?

Buying a used car can be a risky proposition but a new consumer guide can help people avoid common pitfalls. The nonprofit Oregon Consumer Justice …

Children's advocates are pressing lawmakers to pass Assembly Bill 2956, which would continue pandemic-era flexibilities in Medi-Cal that allow more people to qualify. (Fizkes/Adobestock)

Hundreds of thousands of CA children dropped off Medi-Cal since last year

Medi-Cal has dropped several hundred thousand low-income children from the health insurance rolls since April 2023, according to a new report from …

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument's new Molok Loyuk region provides habitat for tule elk, mountain lions, bears, bald eagles and golden eagles. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

Public lands groups cheer expansion of two CA national monuments

Conservation groups, tribes and community organizers are praising President Joe Biden's decision Thursday to expand two national monuments in …

Protest encampments such as this one at San Francisco State University against the war in Gaza have now spread to a half dozen campuses across California. (Sam Cheng/Adobestock)

Campus protests opposing war in Gaza grow across CA

Massive protests and tent encampments opposing the war in Gaza are growing at universities across California, with classes canceled at the University …

Under a new DEA proposal, marijuana would be considered less dangerous than heroin but still more addictive than cocaine, alcohol or Xanax. (Roxxyphotos/Adobe Stock)

Advocates cheer feds’ proposal to reclassify marijuana as lower risk

Marijuana legalization groups are celebrating after the Drug Enforcement Agency proposed Tuesday to reclassify cannabis as less dangerous or addictive…

A new report from UCLA and the Bipartisan Policy Center found election officials in larger cities, especially in swing states, have been more likely to be harassed or threatened in the past few years. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: CA election worker turnover has soared in recent years

A new report showed turnover among California chief election officials reached 57% in 2022, a record high. It then declined this year to 40%…

Households in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Francisco counties pay the highest prices for groceries in the state. (Stokkete/Adobe Stock)

Feds: Grocery chain profits soared during and after pandemic

Consumer groups are accusing major grocery retailers - like Amazon, Kroger and Walmart - of price gouging, both during and after the pandemic…

Currently, more than 2.7 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well. (MSPhotographic/Adobe Stock)

CA climate leaders fight to keep setbacks around oil and gas wells

Leaders concerned about pollution and climate change are raising awareness about a ballot measure this fall on whether the state should mandate buffer…

Protests in May 2023 called for cleaner air at the ports. State data show ships idling at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in 2021 during the pandemic emitted as much diesel particulate matter pollution as 100,000 big rig trucks per day. (Pacific Environment)

Clean-air activists to hold 'die-in' Friday at LA City Hall

A coalition of climate groups seeking cleaner air at the rail yards and ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will hold a "die-in" rally tomorrow at Los…

Grass-fed beef is prepared for serving at an industry event called the Meat Summit. (Roots of Change)

'Regenerative' beef gets boost from California universities

By Naoki Nitta for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public Ne…

15-year-old Cash Hennessy and his parents became advocates for better training in schools on sudden cardiac arrest after the teen survived a brush with death. (Kristine Kelly/American Heart Association)

Advocates promote bill to improve survival after cardiac arrest in schools

The California State Assembly is considering a bill to require schools to have a cardiac arrest response plan. Assembly Bill 2887 would make sure …

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