The average VA home loan amount in California during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 was $567,133, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring March 31, 2024, as “César Chávez Day” in the State of California. In the proclamation, Governor Newsom highlighted the remarkable contributions of César Chávez to the labor rights movement and his enduring legacy.César Chávez, born near Yuma, Arizona in 1927, dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of farmworkers. Governor Newsom's proclamation emphasized Chávez's role in empowering thousands to stand together for their rights and leading the nation towards a more equitable and just society.Reflecting on...
California collected $836 million in property taxes during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.
California collected $3.7 billion in license taxes during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Summary of State and Local Taxes.
Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed March 30, 2024, as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” In a statement issued by the Governor's office, Newsom declared, "Half a century on, let us recommit to lifting up the legacy of our Vietnam veterans and upholding our fundamental duty to honor service members with the support, gratitude and respect they are rightfully owed."The proclamation recognizes the sacrifices made by Vietnam veterans, stating, "During a time of great turmoil and strife, Vietnam veterans answered our country’s call throughout more than a decade of harrowing...
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a series of appointments to various key positions in California. Among the appointments are individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise.Lee Ann Eager, who has been reappointed to the California Transportation Commission, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served since 2020. Eager's background includes being President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fresno County Economic Development Board.Alan Arkatov, appointed to the Exposition Park and California Science Center Board of Directors, has a strong academic...
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a settlement with Arnel Management Company over allegations of illegally withholding security deposits from tenants in Southern California. In response to the settlement, Attorney General Bonta stated, "California tenants have rights, and my office is committed to protecting those rights. We are holding Arnel accountable because, in some cases, the company failed to return to tenants the entire security deposit that they were legally entitled to and worked hard to save up for."The settlement requires Arnel to pay over $1...
Governor Gavin Newsom has revealed a significant step towards enhancing public safety in Oakland and the East Bay with the announcement of a contract between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Flock Safety. The agreement will see the installation of a network of 480 high-tech cameras in the City of Oakland and on state freeways in the East Bay to combat criminal activity and freeway violence. The cameras, equipped with patented technology, will provide law enforcement agencies with the capability to identify vehicle attributes beyond license plate numbers, aiding in...
California Governor Gavin Newsom has granted executive clemency to a significant number of individuals, announcing the issuance of 37 pardons and 18 commutations on March 29, 2024.According to Governor Newsom, clemency plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system by promoting accountability, rehabilitation, and public safety. He stated, "Clemency recognizes the grantee’s self-development and accountability after conviction. A clemency grant does not forgive or minimize the harm the grantee caused."The Governor explained that a pardon can have various positive...
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the availability of four $50,000 rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murders of individuals in Costa Mesa, San Diego, and Santa Ana. These rewards are part of California law enforcement's efforts to seek justice in unsolved cases.In Costa Mesa, Governor Newsom is offering a $50,000 reward for information regarding the murder of Alan Schwalbe, who was fatally stabbed in his home on August 11, 1993. The Orange County Sheriff's Department is seeking assistance in solving this case and can be contacted at...
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond received the prestigious Cesar E. Chavez Opportunity Award for his dedicated efforts in empowering farm working families and underserved communities. The award was bestowed upon Superintendent Thurmond at the 8th Annual Cesar Chavez Legacy Breakfast, in honor of Chavez’s 97th birthday, by The Farmworkers Institute of Education & Leadership Development (FIELD).Expressing his gratitude, Thurmond remarked, “Extraordinary models of social justice inspire us to do better and be better. There are few that rival...
Lompoc, Calif. – A Cabrillo High School student, Jesus BarajasLemus, has been arrested for possession of a handgun on campus. According to School Resource Deputy Dunn, the 18-year-old student was found with a loaded handgun that was not registered to him during a probation search conducted on Thursday, March 28, at approximately 12:12 pm.Following the discovery, BarajasLemus was taken into custody and is set to be booked at the Northern Branch Jail. Details regarding his bail amount and booking charges are still pending. The school authorities clarified that no additional...
California's Naloxone Distribution Project has expanded its resources by offering fentanyl test strips to eligible organizations in an effort to combat the rising deaths from fentanyl contamination. The project, which has already delivered millions of naloxone kits resulting in over 247,000 reported opioid overdose reversals, aims to provide an additional tool to prevent overdoses.Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly emphasized the importance of harm reduction programs like the Naloxone Distribution Project, stating, "This work is time tested. Shame isn’t a...
In UC Berkeley’s Social Sciences Building, the voice and likeness of Black slave poet George Moses Horton is being recreated with augmented reality. Berkeley alumnus Cecil Brown, a senior lecturer, is using artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to bring Horton back to life, stating, “I wanted to transport people back to the Antebellum South, when Horton was alive, and to reclaim that era of Black history by retelling it in his own words.”Brown's project received funding from Professor Cecil Giscombe and collaboration with the UC Berkeley XR Community of...
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in a coalition with 24 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the Biden administration’s challenge to Idaho’s near-total ban on abortion. Bonta stated, “At the California Department of Justice, we vehemently oppose Idaho’s near-total abortion ban law as it strips away an individual’s right to make their own healthcare decisions, including the right to receive abortion care when facing a medical emergency that threatens severe harm to the patient’s health."The coalition argues that Idaho’s ban...
Isla Vista, Calif. – As we approach the unsanctioned festival weekend known as Deltopia, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has released crucial information to ensure the safety of visitors. According to the Sheriff’s Office, falls from the bluffs in Isla Vista occur nearly every year, sometimes with fatal consequences. Therefore, visitors are urged to "remain on the proper side of all fencing or railing near the bluff’s edge to prevent injury."In preparation for Deltopia, the Restorative Justice program will be suspended, with all citations issued during this...
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrests of 27 individuals for allegedly soliciting prostitution as part of an undercover sting operation targeting sex buyers. The operation, which took place on March 22, 2024, in the city of Sacramento, aimed to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation.Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of addressing human trafficking, stating, “Human trafficking and sexual exploitation destroy lives. We’re fighting to hold perpetrators accountable, help survivors get a fresh start, and uplift vulnerable...
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Senator Scott Wiener have welcomed a recent ruling by the California Second District Court of Appeal affirming the constitutionality of Senate Bill 10 (SB 10). The bill allows local governments to permit denser housing, overriding local restrictions, to address the housing affordability crisis in the state.Attorney General Bonta expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "All along, we have been arguing that SB 10 is constitutional. Today, the California Second District Court of Appeal ruled in our favor." He...