Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 21 other attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in support of a ruling blocking Idaho's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The brief supports the plaintiffs in Poe v. Labrador, who are fighting against Idaho's House Bill 71 that criminalizes medical treatment for transgender minors seeking gender-affirming care."Blocking access to gender-affirming care only serves to further marginalize vulnerable communities and put their lives at risk," said Attorney General Bonta. He emphasized the importance of...

Attorney General Bonta Joins Lawsuit Against Sham Cancer Charity

Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of 10 attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against Cancer Recovery Foundation International, Inc. (CRF) and its president, Gregory Anderson, for deceptive practices in running sham charities. The coalition is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent CRF and Anderson from operating and to stop future violations of the law.Bonta stated, "Cancer Recovery Foundation solicited and misused generous donations from hardworking families - in California and across the nation - who wanted to...

Introducing Bethany Goldblum: A New Faculty Member in Nuclear Engineering

Bethany Goldblum, a new addition to the faculty in the field of Nuclear Engineering, brings a wealth of academic achievements and research interests to the table. With a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from UC Berkeley in 2007, along with an M.S. in the same discipline from the same institution in 2005, and B.S. in chemistry and B.A. in mathematics from Fort Lewis College in 2002, Goldblum's educational background is impressive.Goldblum's research interests predominantly focus on nuclear security and nonproliferation physics, detection, and policy. She aims to explore ways...

UC Davis to Honor Stellar Alumni and Friends at 51st Alumni Awards Gala

The University of California, Davis, Cal Aggie Alumni Association has announced the recipients of its 2024 Alumni Awards, an annual program that recognizes remarkable impacts made by alumni and friends of the university. This year’s winners are leaders in technology, health care, civil advocacy, and higher education. All have dedicated their time and resources to create life-changing opportunities for students at UC Davis and around the world. The Cal Aggie Alumni Association, or CAAA, which serves more than 314,000 UC Davis graduates, has chosen to honor:Aggie...

California DOJ Seizes Over 1,400 Firearms in 2023 APPS Report

By Golden State Today | Mar 11, 2024

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) released the 2023 Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) annual program report, revealing key statistics and accomplishments from the past year.Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted the success of the program, stating, "I take great pride in the efforts of our Special Agents as they work diligently to protect and serve the citizens of California. These courageous individuals are saving lives." Bonta emphasized the importance of removing illegally possessed firearms from communities to prevent incidents of gun violence.The...

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and ABC Crack Down on Underage Drinking in Statewide Operation

By Golden State Today | Mar 11, 2024

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies and agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) recently collaborated in an enforcement operation aimed at curbing underage drinking. During ABC’s statewide Shoulder Tap operation on March 9, 2024, in Isla Vista and Goleta, three individuals were cited for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.Lieutenant Garrett Te Slaa from the Isla Vista Foot Patrol station highlighted the importance of such operations, stating, “There’s no question these efforts save lives, keep minors safe and families...

Attorney General Bonta Proposes COPPA Update: Children’s Private Online Information Must Be Protected

By Golden State Today | Mar 11, 2024

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from across the country, has proposed updates to regulations implementing the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Attorney General Bonta expressed his support for these updates, stating, “The Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule would strengthen our ability to enforce restrictions on companies selling children’s data and protect consumers who seek to manage what information websites can collect from kids.”The proposed updates to COPPA include requiring separate...

Health Policy Analyst: Biden’s proposed expanded drug negotiations would lessen ‘our ability to fund R and D for future cures’

By Golden State Today News Service | Mar 8, 2024

Sally Pipes, president of the Pacific Research Institute (PRI), said that the expanded Medicare drug price negotiations proposed by President Biden in his State of the Union address would be “detrimental” to research and development for “future cures.”

Juvenile Arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon

A juvenile has been arrested for assaulting two other juveniles with a deadly weapon in Santa Barbara, California. According to reports, a 17-year-old female juvenile victim and a 17-year-old male juvenile were found with non-life threatening wounds to their leg and arm, respectively. The suspect fled the scene before deputies arrived, but was later identified as a 16-year-old male.In response to the incident, San Marcos High School initiated a "Secure" protocol, directing students to stay indoors and lock outside doors. This protocol was recently adopted in collaboration...

State’s Top Election Official Reminds Californians What to Expect During Vote Count Process

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. recently reiterated what Californians should anticipate during the vote count process following Election Day. Secretary Weber emphasized the importance of taking the necessary time to ensure accuracy and protect voting rights, stating, “Doing it right takes precedence over doing it fast.”In a press release, Secretary Weber highlighted the state's commitment to safeguarding voting rights by implementing measures such as same-day voter registration, provisional ballots, and the postmark-plus-seven days rule for mail-in...

Berkeley Talks: The future of the Indian Child Welfare Act

Sarah Deer, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma and a University Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas, recently spoke at UC Berkeley about the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Reflecting on the tragic history that led to the passing of ICWA in 1978, Deer highlighted the importance of the law in keeping Native children within their families and communities.Deer emphasized the historical context behind ICWA, stating, “I want to begin by just talking about why ICWA was passed, and it has to do with a very tragic history in the United States of...

California Jobs First: State Launches First-of-its-Kind Council to Create Thousands of More Jobs Across All Regions

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the creation of the California Jobs First Council, a new state council focused on creating jobs to accelerate economic and workforce projects throughout California. The Governor stated, “California has created more opportunities, more jobs, and more businesses than any other state, but we need to ensure that we’re all moving forward together.”The California Jobs First Council, co-chaired by Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom, and Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development, will bring together various state...

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond's Response to President Biden's State of the Union Address

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today released a statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address delivered on March 7, 2024.In his response, Thurmond expressed, "Last night, President Biden issued a call to action for our nation: To invest in the future of the United States by supporting our earliest learners to thrive." He further added, "I am pleased to celebrate the fact that President Biden’s national education agenda mirrors the important work that we have underway in California schools."Thurmond...

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Congratulates High-Performing Middle Schools Named 2024 Schools to Watch

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 52 high-performing California middle grades schools have been recognized as California Schools to Watch for 2024. To earn this designation, schools must complete an extensive application and host a site visit by middle grades experts. To retain the designation, each school is reevaluated every three years.In his statement, Thurmond expressed his appreciation, saying, "Congratulations to these exceptional schools for making a great impact on students. I want to thank the staff, administrators,...

Finance research analyst: Global fianancial system is ‘a coercive system'

By Golden State Today | Mar 7, 2024

Paul Tice, Writer, Analyst, and Adjunct Professor, outlined the coercive pressure to comply with sustainability standards in investment decisions, underscoring the influence of third-party activists in controlling the process. Tice was a guest on a recent episode of Next Round Podcast.

UC Berkeley's Light the Way Campaign Raises Record $7.37 Billion

UC Berkeley recently concluded its ambitious capital campaign, Light the Way: The Campaign for Berkeley, surpassing its initial $6 billion goal by raising an impressive $7.37 billion. This achievement marks the largest total in history for any public university and any university without a medical school.Julie Hooper, vice chancellor for University Development and Alumni Relations, highlighted the success of the campaign, attributing it to Berkeley's innovation, inspiration, and commitment to public service. She expressed gratitude towards the donors, stating, "Our donors...

Record Number Apply for Undergraduate Studies at UC Davis

A record high of 115,349 students applied to the University of California, Davis, for undergraduate studies in fall 2024. The applications represented a 4.7% increase over the previous record of 110,189 applications for fall 2022 and 5.5% over last year’s 109,350.Among the UC Davis applicants for fall 2024, a record 98,834 applied for first-year admission, representing a 4.3% increase over the previous high of 94,725 for fall 2022 and 4.4% over last year’s 94,609. Transfer applications numbered 16,515, up 12% from last year.Robert Penman, executive director of...

Transfer Admissions to UC Berkeley Increase as Freshman Applications Dip Slightly

Transfer admissions to UC Berkeley are on the rise, with an 11% increase in transfer student applications for the fall of 2024. According to Jocelyn De Jong, Berkeley’s assistant vice chancellor and director of undergraduate admissions, "We are so happy to see the increase in transfer applicants from California." The growth in transfer applications highlights Berkeley's appeal to a diverse pool of students and showcases efforts to create an accessible pathway for California residents.While there was a slight drop of about 1% in first-year applicants for the fall of 2024...

In Recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Bonta Urges Californians to Know Their Rights

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has highlighted ongoing efforts to protect California consumers in recognition of National Consumer Protection Week. Bonta urged Californians to report misconduct or violations of state consumer protection laws to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to help determine whether to investigate a business or individual. Bonta emphasized the importance of public involvement, stating, “And we need your help.”Bonta underscored the significance of consumer financial protection, particularly addressing the issue of overdraft and returned...

Attorney General Bonta Holds Recycling Fraud Suspects Accountable, Five Managers Ordered to Pay a Total of $140.5 Million in Restitution and Fines