California News & Current Events | Public News Service

The Democratic Republic of Congo is estimated to hold $24 trillion in natural wealth, yet workers in cobalt mines still live in extreme poverty. (Erberto Zani/Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 14, 2025

New CA documentary examines the harms of mining 'critical minerals'

A new documentary looked at ways to reduce the human and environmental harms stemming from the mining of "critical minerals." Without minerals like c…

Students at the 2024 Arts Advocacy Day spent time networking and discussing policy issues affecting arts education. (Skye Morse-Hodgson/Snap Yourself)

CA teens organize to promote arts education

More than 400 teen artists will gather this Saturday in Southern California to learn about equity in arts education. The 3rd annual Arts Advocacy Day …

Clean air advocates rallied at Los Angeles City Hall last spring to increase support for a rule to combat air pollution at the ports. (4th Street Productions)<br />

Hearing today on CA bill to limit rules on clean ports

A controversial bill on how best to clean up the air at California ports gets a hearing today in Sacramento. Senate Bill 34 would place limits on …

The federal government has not released a timeline for disbursing $6.8 billion in grants to school districts nationwide. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)<br />

CA school budgets in disarray after Trump freezes federal funding

Panic has set in at school districts across the Golden State as the Trump administration continues to withhold federal funds. Tony Thurmond…

The Island Fox is the only carnivore unique to California. (Photo courtesy Chuck Graham)

CA's Channel Islands Fox, a conservation success story

A small fox that lives on the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California is thriving after near extinction. The island fox - found nowhere …

The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform predicts six of California's 58 rural hospitals would have to close if the Republican budget bill is signed into law in its current form. (Pitchayaarch/Adobe Stock)

CA members of Congress face pressure to reject cuts to Medi-Cal

As the U.S. Senate has approved President Donald Trump's tax cut and spending bill, health care advocates are hoping to get California's Republican …

A case coming to the U.S. Supreme Court challenges limits on campaign spending by political parties, based on the 2010 Citizens United case, which found that money given to campaigns is a form of protected free speech. (Mehaniq41/Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court to consider lifting limits on campaign cash

Good-government groups are warning of big changes to the way federal campaigns are financed, after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case …

The California Parent and Youth Helpline offers free professional counseling seven days a week, with translation services in 240 languages. (Carballo/Adobe Stock)<br />

CA Parent and Youth Helpline cut from state budget

The California Parent and Youth Helpline is in serious jeopardy after Gov. Gavin Newsom cut it from the new state budget, saying the money was needed …

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the Supreme Court decision as a big win for the Trump Administration on Friday but she did not explain how differing citizenship rules can be enforced. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

CA officials vow to defend birthright citizenship

All babies born in California are still automatically American citizens and the state attorney general is vowing to keep it that way, despite a mixed …

Solar giant Mosaic, based in Oakland, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a few weeks ago, citing uncertainty around solar tax credits. (Surangkanang/Adobe Stock)

Clean-energy advocates: Spending bill before Senate would cost jobs in CA

Groups representing workers in the renewable power sector are slamming the possible repeal of clean-energy tax credits in the "One Big Beautiful Bill …

In May, protesters in Hanford rallied against Medicaid cuts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that almost 8 million people would lose Medicaid under the Republican

During Pride Month, CA LGBTQ+ advocates fight proposed cuts to Medi-Cal

June is Pride Month, and people who fight for LGBTQ+ health care are speaking out against huge proposed cuts to Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in the …

Students at San Luis Coastal Unified School District discuss topics like college and career readiness in a workshop to develop campus leadership.(Ruby Wallau)<br />

Meet the Californians redefining school governance from the ground up

Two California nonprofits are working to make school boards more effective, diverse, and inclusive, to counter the weaponization of cultural issues …

The cost of care for dementia patients varies widely by state. At $55,000 per year, care for patients in California is slightly more expensive than the national average.(Ocskay Bence/Adobe Stock)

Study: CA families shoulder sky-high costs of dementia care

In California, families shoulder most of the burden of dementia care, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Washington found …

State funding sustains programs like the Reproductive Justice and Freedom Fund, which support nonprofits promoting abortion rights and equity in sexual health. (Ryzhkov/Adobe Stock)<br />

LGBTQ+ advocates fight to keep state budget grants

California groups fighting for equality and inclusivity in health care are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign the state budget as is, leaving LGBTQ+ …

The Venice Dell project, if built, would add 120 units of affordable housing to the Venice Beach neighborhood. (Adobe Stock)

Beleaguered L.A. affordable housing proposal goes before judge

Los Angeles faces a severe shortage of affordable housing but Monday, the city is asking a judge to put a hold on a lawsuit which aims to clear the …

A federal court decision is pending on the whether President Donald Trump had the right to seize control of the California National Guard to put down protests over ICE raids. (Sebra/Adobe Stock)

Federal court hears arguments on Trump takeover of CA National Guard

A case with national implications on the power of the U.S. president to use state National Guard troops to quell protests now rests with a panel of …

Lawmakers have recently introduced legislation to compensate chicken farmers more fairly as they work to contain avian flu. (Nipawan/Adobe Stock)

Trump’s plan to lower egg prices, explained

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

The California Civil Rights Department website includes tips on how to file a complaint under state LGBTQ+ antidiscrimination laws. (Leonidkos/Adobe Stock)

Fighting discrimination on LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day

Today is LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day and California advocates are speaking out against federal attacks on workplace protections. On his first …

Student workers help distribute food as part of the 'Oh SNAP!' program at Cal Poly Humboldt. (Kellie Brown)

CA colleges and universities take food pantries to the next level

Hunger among college students in California has jumped dramatically since the pandemic, yet Cal-Fresh -- a statewide low-income food assistance …

Dan Diaz became an advocate for California's medical aid-in-dying law after the loss of his wife, Brittany Maynard, in 2014. (Dan Diaz)

CA lawmakers consider making End of Life Option Act permanent

CORRECTION: The name of the California law is the 'End of Life Option Act.' A previous version of the story used the word 'Options,' not 'Option.' (11…

Sensitive areas such as San Diego's Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve are experiencing impacts from degraded water quality and sea level rise. (Nancy D. Regan/Flickr)

CA Ocean Protection Council adopts roadmap to protect 30% of waters by 2030

California took a big step Tuesday toward the goal of conserving 30% of land and waters by 2030. The Ocean Protection Council adopted a roadmap to …

California law bans unnecessary animal suffering but enforcement is rare in large-scale factory farms.(Adobe Stock)

Cal student faces prison for rescuing chickens

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Compostable packaging made from seaweed or food waste is a more sustainable alternative to plastic wrappers and foam. (Sway)

CA makers of compostable packaging call for state, federal policy changes

California companies making compostable packaging materials said their products could make a huge dent in the problem of plastic pollution but only wi…

The E-Wolf is the state's first zero-emission ferry, operating out of San Diego. (Pacific Environment)

During World Oceans Month, California leads the way in clean shipping

June is World Oceans Month and California environmental groups are highlighting advances in zero-emission shipping. International shipping emits …

Data show 56% of California 3- and 4-year-olds are not in school, a statistic worsening in recent years. (Ajr_images/Adobe Stock)

Report: CA 32nd in nation for child well-being

California ranks 32nd in the nation for overall child well-being, according to the new 2025 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

Mountain lions and wolves have increasingly come into conflict with humans and livestock in California in recent years, resulting in calls to address the problem. (Vadosloginov/Adobe Stock)

Experts examine ethics of lethal animal population control in CA

By Amy McDermott for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for…

A new study found 21 million Americans are considered

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Study: Hispanic and Black gasoline 'superusers' could see savings with an EV

A new study showed the top 10% of drivers by gas consumption, otherwise known as "superusers," use 35% of the gas supply. It found the cost of gas …

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is an annual event near the date 6/5, because people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. (Senior Medicare Patrol)

Experts warn of scams during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week

Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion a year to fraud and this year, for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, your local Senior Medicare Patrol has …

Opponents of Senate Bill 791 include the Consumer Federation of California, Consumer Reports, California Low Income Consumer Coalition, Public Counsel, Consumer Attorneys of CA, and Housing and Economic Rights Advocates. (Exnoi/Adobe Stock)<br />

CA Senate to vote on bill to allow car dealers to increase fees

When you buy a car in California, the most the dealer can charge to process the sales documents is $85 but the cap could be raised to $500 if Senate …

Transgender individuals said they often encounter discrimination in hiring and promotions and limited job opportunities. (Trans Can Work)

During Pride Month, transgender people fight for justice

June is Pride Month and transgender advocates are speaking out, seeking equal recognition in society and in the workplace. The U.S. Supreme Court …

The Habitat Conservation Fund has protected many species, including the pika, which lives at high elevations in the Sierra Nevadas. (Beth Pratt/NWF)

CA Senate to consider extension of Habitat Conservation Fund

California's Habitat Conservation Fund escaped the budget axe for the past two years -- but this week, the state Senate is considering a bill to …

Hospice care, which has been shown to improve symptom management and quality of life, is underused, especially by minority Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. (amazingstudio/Amazon)

Hard conversations, celebrations accompany AANHPI Heritage Month

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders are a rapidly growing population in California and across the nation - but as they age…

One California school, Claremont McKenna College, did well in the free-speech rankings, coming in sixth out of 251. (Victoire Chalupy/Wikimedia Commons)

Study: Free speech imperiled at some CA colleges

A new study shows free speech is increasingly under assault on college campuses from both right and left. The nonpartisan, nonprofit Foundation for …

Federal funding for arts education is being cut significantly, including the grant for the Student Arts Advocacy Day, an event held in partnership with California State Summer School for the Arts. (Chantal Santoyo/CSSSA)<br />

Arts education advocates speak out against proposed federal budget cuts

Groups championing arts education are criticizing President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to education and the arts, particularly those targeting …

Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, makes up about 40% of revenue for Community Health Centers, which serve almost 32 million mostly low-income people nationwide. (Arlette/Adobe Stock)

GOP funding bill could put CA rural health centers, hospitals at risk

People who depend on Community Health Centers and rural hospitals could have trouble finding care if Medicaid cuts just approved by the U.S. House …

Binge drinking for women is defined as consuming more than four alcoholic beverages in a 2-3 hour window or eight alcoholic beverages in the course of a week. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

During Women’s Health Month, experts highlight alcohol abuse

As Women's Health Month winds down, experts in alcohol abuse are speaking out about an increase in binge drinking among women over the past five …

A new study calls on the state to relax certain non-safety-related building codes to make it easier for birth centers to comply. (Kindred Space L.A.)

New CA bill would make birth centers available to more low-income families

California lawmakers are considering a bill to ease regulations on birth centers at a time when maternity wards are closing in many counties…

More than 50 protesters rallied on the steps of the Capitol Building in Sacramento to fight proposed cuts to Medi-Cal, which would affect more than 350,000 undocumented Californians. (California Immigrant Policy Center)

Groups rally against proposed Medi-Cal cuts for undocumented people

Groups fighting for immigrants' rights and health care access asked lawmakers in Sacramento on Tuesday to reject proposed cuts to Medi-Cal for undocum…

Last week, patients, providers and advocates rallied against Medicaid cuts in front of Dignity Health Mercy Hospital in Folsom, Calif. (CCHI)

Advocates warn proposed Medi-Cal cuts could harm rural maternity care

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is hashing out last-minute details of a huge funding bill which could come to a floor vote this wee…

Families that took part in a guaranteed income program in Oakland reported lower psychological distress and reduced rates of depression. (UpTogether)<br />

Report: CA guaranteed income program recipients made progress

A guaranteed income pilot program in Oakland improved housing stability and employment among its recipients, according to a new report from the …

The peninsular bighorn sheep is federally listed as an endangered species. (Chrismr/Adobe Stock)

On Endangered Species Day, expert warns of 'destructive' federal policies

Today, on the 20th anniversary of Endangered Species Day, conservation advocates warn polices of President Donald Trump's administration are …

The prohibition on rent increases of more than 10% on most units in fire-affected areas will be lifted when the state of emergency expires next January. (Andriy Blokhin/Adobe Stock)

Housing attorneys sue over rental price gouging in LA after the fires

Rents in Los Angeles were already high before the firestorm earlier this year, but now a coalition of housing groups is suing six landlords for price …

CA animal rights protesters ask judge to throw out lawsuit from Perdue Foods

An animal rights group filed a motion Tuesday to dismiss a lawsuit stemming from protests in front of the home of an executive for Perdue Foods…

A new study recommended California require health insurers and health systems to invest more in primary care, to make it easier for people to find a provider nearby and get an appointment quickly. (Mirifadapt/Adobe Stock)

Study: Preventable hospitalization rates in CA higher for Medi-Cal patients

A new study showed in 2022, more than 240,000 hospitalizations in California could have been prevented with proper outpatient care. Researchers said …

The California Voter Foundation said the most common question they get is,

CA lawmakers consider bill to reduce rejection of ballots

During every big election, tens of thousands of California voters make a mistake on their mail-in ballot and often get differing advice on how to fix …

Consumer advocates are asking the California Legislature to allow needy families to defer utility payments during times of hardship. (Golib Tolibov/Adobe Stock)

Consumer groups press for reform to limit electricity costs

Supporters of the Campaign for Affordable Power are pressing state lawmakers to pass a series of reform bills aimed at big investor-owned utilities li…

The California Parent and Youth Helpline has helped almost 113,000 people since its inception in 2020. (kieferpix/Adobe Stock)

Study: 85% of callers to CA Parent Youth Helpline feel 'more positive'

The California Parent and Youth Helpline turns five years old today - just in time for a brand new study that confirms its effectiveness. The study…

In 2024, volunteers with the Pacific Crest Trail Association worked more that 57,000 hours and maintained more than 1,100 miles of trail. (PCTA)

Access to Pacific Crest Trail threatened by federal cuts

Access to the beloved Pacific Crest Trail may soon be limited - due to a drop in federal grants and big layoffs proposed for federal public lands agen…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 14, 2025

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