Golden State Today

As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, the Goleta Police Department is reminding travelers to prioritize safety by always wearing seat belts and ensuring children are secured in appropriate car seats. The department's annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which runs from May 20 to June 2, aims to enforce these precautions.

Chancellor May addresses workforce preparation amid challenging times

To the UC Davis Community:

Governor Newsom initiates new Climate Partnership with Emilia-Romagna

On the first anniversary of the region's most devastating floods, Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated a new partnership with the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Both California and Emilia-Romagna are experiencing similar climate crises, including extreme weather changes from drought to flooding that affected communities last year.

California's clean energy outpaces grid demand for over a month

In recent years, California has been rapidly expanding its clean energy sources, successfully powering nearly 40 million people and the world's fifth-largest economy with an increasingly green energy supply.

VA issues fewer Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in California in Q1 2024 vs. Q4 2023

The VA issued 49 Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in California during the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, compared to 137 loans the previous quarter, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

California receives $25.7 million in VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans during Q1

The VA issued 49 Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in California during the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

VA provides 18.8% fewer home purchase loans in California in Q1

There were 3,127 VA home purchases in California in the first quarter of the VA's fiscal year 2024, totaling $1.8 billion in loans, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

UC Berkeley announces new hub for climate technology entrepreneurship

A new incubator on the west side of the University of California, Berkeley campus will provide resources and support to entrepreneurs in renewable energy and clean technology. The university announced plans for this facility, named the Bakar ClimatEnginuity Hub, which is expected to open during the 2027-2028 academic year.

Supreme Court upholds CFPB funding structure: Attorney General Bonta responds

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) funding structure as constitutional. The ruling also protected the CFPB's past and ongoing regulatory actions in the case of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA).

California's 2024 school enrollment data shows doubled growth for early learners

On May 16, the California Department of Education (CDE) released annual enrollment data for the 2023–24 school year. The data showed a continued but slowing decrease in overall enrollment. However, there were significant bright spots, including a doubling of enrollment in transitional kindergarten (TK) over the last two years, from 75,465 in 2021–22 to 151,491 in 2023–24.

Crime reduction witnessed in Central Valley due to enforcement efforts

Eight weeks following the launch of a localized enforcement effort by Governor Gavin Newsom, in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Bakersfield Police Department, crime rates in Bakersfield are showing a significant reduction. The initiative has resulted in 302 arrests and the recovery of 182 stolen vehicles.

Newsom calls for global action on climate crisis at Vatican summit

Governor Gavin Newsom of California recently spoke at the Vatican Climate Summit, emphasizing the importance of global partnership in addressing climate change and protecting democracy from extremism and climate deniers. He highlighted California's leadership in clean energy and criticized fossil fuel companies for their deceptive practices.

VA provides 3,127 home purchase loans in California in Q1

There were 3,127 VA home purchase loans issued in California in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 totaling $1.8 billion, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

VA provides 3,996 home loans in California totaling $2.3 billion in Q1

The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) issued 3,996 home loans totaling $2.3 billion in California during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

UC Davis addresses student encampment and related incidents

On May 6, a group known as UC Davis Popular University for the Liberation of Palestine (UCD PULP) initiated an encampment on the Quad, mirroring similar actions on campuses nationwide. This article will provide updates and statements from the university concerning its response to this encampment.

Secretary Weber to visit alma mater Manual Arts High School

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., is scheduled to visit her high school alma mater, Manual Arts High School, in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 16, 2024. As the state's Chief Elections Officer, Secretary Weber oversees the administration and enforcement of election laws as well as laws pertaining to a variety of policy areas including political reform, business programs, archives, information technology, and management services.

Huntington Beach ordered to comply with California's Housing Element Law

Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have announced a significant legal victory, as the San Diego Superior Court ruled that the City of Huntington Beach violated California’s Housing Element Law. The court has mandated the city to rectify its non-compliance within 120 days.

Travel agent sentenced for embezzling funds from cancelled school trips

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan have announced the sentencing of Marie Martin, a San Diego-based travel agent. Martin was sentenced to six months of home confinement and six months of felony probation for embezzling travel funds from over 150 parents who had paid for eighth-grade school trips to the East Coast. These trips were subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Martin refused to provide refunds, opting instead to spend the funds on personal expenses.

Huntington Beach ordered to comply with California's Housing Element Law

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have successfully secured an order from the San Diego Superior Court, which found that the City of Huntington Beach violated California’s Housing Element Law. The court has mandated the city to comply with the law within 120 days. The suit against the city was filed on March 9, 2023, by Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom, in collaboration with Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

Newsom launches MentalHealth.CA.Gov: A resource hub for Californian mental health services