The University of California, Davis has been recognized as one of the top public universities in the United States, securing the 10th position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2025. The rankings were published on October 9 and evaluated nearly 2,900 institutions globally.
California has increased its support for hurricane response efforts by deploying additional Urban Search and Rescue personnel. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of 70 more firefighters from California to Florida as Hurricane Milton makes landfall. This follows an earlier deployment of 144 California-based personnel prepositioned in Florida this week.
The California Department of Justice has released a report on the officer-involved shooting of Ruben Ramos in Burbank, California. The incident occurred on May 27, 2023, and involved officers from the Burbank Police Department. This report is part of ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices across the state.
UC Berkeley has been recognized as the top public university in the United States and the eighth-best globally, according to the Times Higher Education's 2025 World University Rankings released on October 8. This marks the ninth time in ten years that Berkeley has achieved this distinction.
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the appointment of 18 new Superior Court Judges across several counties in California. These appointments include one judge each for Colusa, Contra Costa, San Bernardino, and Sutter Counties; two judges for Orange County; three judges for Sacramento County; four judges for San Diego County; and five judges for Los Angeles County.
Yesterday, 71,008 students from 235 schools and community organizations participated in the 2024 California Student Mock Election. This event was organized in partnership with the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Secretary of State's office on October 8, 2024. The initiative aimed to encourage voting and civic engagement among students across California.
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several appointments to various positions within California's state government. Jennifer Troia of Sacramento has been named Director at the California Department of Social Services. Troia, who has served as Chief Deputy Director at the department since 2020, will take on this new role pending Senate confirmation. Her extensive experience includes roles such as Principal Consultant for the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and Policy Advisor in the Office of California State Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon.
A poem assignment during her community college days inspired Celine Gomez to pursue a career in social work. Today, as a graduate of the University of California, Davis, she is working towards her goal through a program aimed at professionalizing and expanding the corps of social workers in California's public child welfare agencies. As of July 1, these agencies had nearly 65,000 cases.
Charlie, the first outreach and explosives-detection dog of the UC Davis Police Department, is retiring after a decade of service. His role has been pivotal in reshaping the department's interaction with the campus community.
MapLight, in collaboration with several local organizations, has released a report highlighting the influence of wealthy donors on San Diego's political landscape. The study examines campaign contributions from 2016 to 2022, revealing that large donations significantly impact funding for city council candidates.
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a significant funding initiative aimed at enhancing clean transportation in California. The state will allocate $206 million to 149 local projects, focusing on reducing pollution in disadvantaged communities. This investment is part of a broader effort that has seen over $1 billion directed towards clean transit initiatives over the past decade.
The UC Davis Career Center has changed its name, dropping "Internship" from its title to enhance accessibility for students. This decision followed feedback from student focus groups and data analysis by Student Affairs Marketing and Communication (SAMC).
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently executed two significant traffic stops on Interstate 5 in the Central Valley, resulting in the seizure of fentanyl valued at nearly $1.7 million. This operation led to the arrest of three out-of-state suspects, one of whom attempted to hide fentanyl inside packages of raw beef.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James have initiated legal actions against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of exploiting young users and violating state consumer protection laws. The lawsuits, filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, allege that TikTok promotes addictive behavior among children to increase corporate profits.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced the 2025 California Teachers of the Year. Five educators have been selected to represent the state as ambassadors for the teaching profession throughout the year. Superintendent Thurmond, who began his career in social services, expressed satisfaction in recognizing these teachers for their significant contributions to schools, students, and communities.
Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to address the California Economic Summit, organized by California Forward. He will discuss the state's economic performance and efforts to promote growth across various communities in California.
Ballot drop boxes have opened across California, marking the start of the vote-by-mail period for the upcoming November 5, 2024, General Election. All active registered voters in the state will receive their vote-by-mail ballots shortly as county elections officials begin mailing them.
UC Davis will conduct a test of its WarnMe emergency communications system as part of the Great California ShakeOut on October 17. The exercise, set for 10:17 a.m., aligns with International ShakeOut Day when millions across California and globally will practice earthquake safety.
The VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in California for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024 averaged $570,173, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.
California county election officials have started mailing vote-by-mail ballots to all active registered voters. Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., emphasized the convenience of this voting method, stating, “Voting by mail offers California voters a convenient way to participate in our elections.” She advised voters to plan their voting strategy as ballots begin to arrive.