Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has submitted a comment letter supporting a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) aimed at reducing barriers to HUD-assisted housing for individuals with past involvement in the criminal justice system. According to HUD, nearly a third of adult Americans have a criminal record, with approximately eight million such individuals in California alone.

First Partner launches annual summer book club initiative

California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced the commencement of this year’s First Partner’s Summer Book Club. The initiative, part of the California for ALL Kids program, is an annual collaboration with the California State Library aimed at enhancing literacy and mitigating learning loss by encouraging children and caregivers to read during the summer.

700 million settlement reached with Johnson & Johnson over talc product safety

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $700 million multistate settlement with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to resolve claims that the company violated consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the safety of its talc-based products. The bipartisan coalition includes 42 state attorneys general.

First Partner launches summer book club aiming at children's literacy

SACRAMENTO – Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the First Partner of California, announced today the launch of the First Partner’s Summer Book Club. This initiative is part of the broader "California for All Kids" program and aims to boost literacy and mitigate summer learning loss by encouraging children and their caregivers to read during the summer months.

Retiring university carillonist Jeff Davis reflects on career at UC Berkeley

After 30-plus years, Jeff Davis is stepping down from UC Berkeley's Campanile, where he built a rare and preeminent carillon instruction program. Davis’ workspace is unique: It’s UC Berkeley’s iconic Campanile, one of the world’s tallest clock-and-bell towers and home to 20 tons of ancient fossils, a famous falcon family, and its centerpiece — a 61-bell grand carillon.

Detectives investigate attempted murder of juvenile in Santa Maria

Santa Maria, Calif. – Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a shooting that has left a juvenile seriously injured. On Sunday, June 9, 2024, at about 12:02 AM, deputies responded to reports of a shooting at a residence in the 700-block Rosemary Road. Upon arrival, deputies found a 17-year-old male juvenile with multiple gunshot wounds. The juvenile was immediately transported to an area hospital for care.

Attorney General files amended lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an amended complaint in the lawsuit against five of the largest fossil fuel companies—Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP—and the American Petroleum Institute (API). The amended complaint seeks disgorgement of profits under AB 1366 to compensate Californians for alleged deception and climate change-related harms. This new legal action also includes further illustrations of what Bonta describes as ongoing "greenwashing" by these companies.

Ninth Circuit upholds AB 5 protections for app-based drivers

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement following the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit's unanimous decision to affirm the District Court’s ruling in Olson v. State of California. The Ninth Circuit rejected Uber and Postmates’ challenge to AB 5, holding that the law is rational in its application to app-based drivers.

Governor Newsom visits historic Klamath River restoration project

By Golden State Today | Jun 7, 2024

Governor Newsom visited the Klamath River restoration project this week, marking significant progress in the largest river restoration effort in American history. The project aims to remove four obsolete hydroelectric dams in California and Oregon that have deteriorated water quality in the Klamath River, adversely affecting salmon populations and basin communities.

Governor Newsom declares statewide general election for November

By Golden State Today | Jun 7, 2024

Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring a statewide General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Analysis: California one of 25 states allowing boys to play girls’ high school sports

As President Biden revealed new rules regarding Title IX protections in April of 2024, which redefined “sex” to include “gender-identity,” an analysis by Golden State Today shows that California is one of 25 states that allow boys to play in girls’ high school sports.

Supreme Court's decision on Trump's presidential immunity could reshape executive power

It has been a week since former President Donald J. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a New York court. Since then, pundits, pollsters, and legal experts have been analyzing the implications of the verdict and his felony status for Trump's potential run for president, as well as his ability to vote, travel abroad, and effectively lead the country if elected to a second term.

California Supreme Court clears path for UC Berkeley's People’s Park housing project

A ruling issued by the California Supreme Court on Thursday allows UC Berkeley to proceed with plans to build housing at People’s Park.

UC Berkeley falcons take flight during annual Fledge Watch

UC Berkeley’s annual Fledge Watch is underway, marking the first flights of four peregrine falcons hatched on the Campanile in April. The event has drawn up to 200 spectators to campus, where they have captured photos and videos of the fledglings, named Eclipse, Sol, Aurora, and Nox. Cal Falcons volunteers are present to assist the young birds if they become stranded or injured.

Governor Newsom announces key appointments across various state departments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced several appointments to key positions within state departments and agencies.

California sees surge in sales of zero-emission trucks

Sales of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in California more than doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year, now representing one out of every six new vehicles sold for services such as last-mile delivery, freight transportation, and school buses. This milestone surpasses the state's Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) goal two years ahead of schedule.

Federal "SUN Bucks" program expands universal meal access for California students

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Commends Launch of Federal “SUN Bucks” Meal Program to Expand Summer Access of Universal Meals for California’s Students

Governor Newsom announces new appointments across key state departments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced several appointments today, spanning various departments and agencies within the state of California.

Newsom reaffirms birth control access after Senate blocks contraception bill

On June 5, 2024, the U.S. Senate Republicans blocked the Right to Contraception Act, a bill aimed at establishing federal protection for the use and legal distribution of contraception. This action coincided with the anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark Supreme Court decision that protected the right to use contraception.

Political donations: Who contributed most in California during week ending June 1?