California News & Current Events | Public News Service

President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. (Wikimedia Commons)

Friday, July 26, 2024

CA advocates raise awareness for Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, and today is the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal data show that more …

Open enrollment for 2025 Covered California plans begins on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. (Greg Kelton/Adobe Stock)

Friday, July 26, 2024

CA health insurance costs to rise, but subsidies will help

CoveredCA announced Wednesday that the average premium for plans on the marketplace will rise 7.9% in 2025, but subsidies are expected to blunt the …

Advocates with California Competes met with lawmakers in Sacramento to press for passage of AB 2458, known as the Greater Accessibility, Information, Notice and Support (GAINS) Act. (AJ Johnson)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

CA legislation on tap to help college students who are parents

Groups that advocate for equity in higher education are speaking out in favor of a bill in the California Legislature to make sure college financial a…

Home buyers will soon be required to sign a buyer representation agreement in order for a real estate agent to show them a home on the Multiple Listing Service. (Goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Big changes this week for buying, selling homes in CA, nationwide

Big changes are imminent in the way homes are bought and sold, as the new forms for transactions in California come out today. The forms are linked …

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called on members to defend democracy, voting rights and public education in the run-up to the presidential election this November. (AFT)

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Politics take center stage at national convention for educators

After a historic weekend, politics turned out to be the major topic Monday at the national convention of more than 3,500 teachers union members…

Nationwide statistics show while overall reported hate crimes decreased by about 7% in 2023 compared to 2022, hate crime events motivated by sexual orientation bias increased 3.6%.(Anastasiia/Adobe Stock)<br />

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes rise in CA

Hate crimes against members of the LGBTQ+ community have risen for the second year in a row, according to the latest "State of Pride" report from the …

President Joe Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic Party nomination. (White House/Wikimedia Commons)

CA political analysts project close race as Biden endorses Harris

California political analysts predict the race for president will tighten since President Joe Biden has dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala…

Giant sequoia and other conifers were incinerated in the 2020 Castle

Report: CA giant sequoia groves in peril after megafires

Two new studies find that without sustained intervention, California may permanently lose big sections of old-growth giant sequoia groves. The …

Workers can file safety or heat-related complaints at the Cal/OSHA office nearest their work site or by calling 866-924-9757. (Sculpies/Adobe Stock)

As temps climb, CA workers encouraged to know their rights

California has shattered heat records left and right this month and temperatures are forecast to be 10 degrees above normal this weekend, so the …

A new California law expands mental health access for youth insured through Medi-Cal, which should increase the number of therapists available to provide counseling. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

New law allows youth on Medi-Cal to consent to mental health treatment

A new law just took effect in California, giving children on Medi-Cal age 12 and older the right to consent to mental health care on their own…

More than 500 people attended the 5th Annual Immigration Summit in Los Angeles, to plot a path forward after the November election. (USC Equity Research Institute)

CA leaders at immigration summit prep for November

Leaders at the 5th annual Immigration Summit, which wrapped up in Los Angeles Friday, have vowed to stand strong no matter what happens with the …

Consumers can submit complaints about financial products and services, including auto loans, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website. (Freedomz/Adobe Stock)

Feds fine bank $20 million for illegal car insurance practices

Fifth Third Bank just agreed to pay a $20 million fine to settle charges it forced car buyers to purchase unnecessary insurance and created fake accou…

The gas-to-energy plant at the Keller Canyon landfill near Pittsburg, Calif., generates enough electricity to power nearly 2,200 homes. (Ameresco)

CA landfills increasingly turn methane gas into energy

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

Federal dollars are funding transportation improvements across California, including upgrades to the SPRINTER hybrid rail line between Palomar College and Escondido. (Xnatedawgx/Wikimedia Commons)

CA transport projects get millions from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Federal dollars are pouring into California transportation projects as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Federal Transit …

Advocates to flood social media to promote Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day and at 11 a.m. PT, advocates hope to get the topic trending with a "social media storm." The wage gap is stark…

Finn Does (center), summit co-chair, and other youth participants at the 2023 Bay Area Youth Climate Summit in San Francisco. (Finn Does)<br />

'Composting' our emotions: How climate action cultivates well-being

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

Advocates said people in detention have come to depend on free phone access while navigating the isolation and deprivation behind bars. (R/Adobe Stock)

Advocates for detained immigrants decry loss of free phone calls

Groups advocating for people detained in immigration facilities are calling for the reinstatement of a program which allowed 500 free minutes of phone…

Drowning is a leading cause of death for toddlers up to age 4, so close supervision and lifejackets are a must. (Triocean/Adobe Stock)

Tips to stay safe as July 4th heatwave envelops the Golden State

This year, the 4th of July weekend arrives with an extreme heat advisory in California, with triple-digit temperatures in many inland areas well into …

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

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 26, 2024

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