Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released a new law enforcement bulletin detailing 10 new California Organized Retail Crime (ORC) bills. These bills, signed into law by the Governor on August 16, 2024, aim to combat organized retail crime in the state. The laws will be effective from January 1, 2025, with the exception of AB 1972, which took effect immediately.

California principals receive national recognition for outstanding leadership

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has extended his congratulations to two California school principals who have been honored with the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership for 2024. Principal Paulette Smith of Madison Elementary School in the San Leandro Unified School District and Principal Belinda Averill of South Lake Middle School in the Irvine Unified School District were named as recipients by United States Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona. They are among nine school leaders nationwide selected from the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Affordable housing community opens on former state land in South Lake Tahoe

A new affordable housing project in South Lake Tahoe, named Sugar Pine Village, has opened its doors to residents. This development is part of Governor Gavin Newsom's initiative to transform underutilized state land into housing. The project aims to provide 248 homes for families and workers in the region, with 68 units now available.

California receives $285.7 million in VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans during Q3

The VA issued 501 Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in California during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Inflation in California lower than national average as of September 2024

As of September 2024, California experienced a 20% increase in prices of goods and services since January 2021, compared to the nationwide trend of a 20.5% increase.

California strengthens support for families with new legislative package

Governor Gavin Newsom of California, along with First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, has enacted a new legislative package aimed at supporting women, children, and families in the state. This move comes as some national Republican leaders have been accused of hindering policies that support these groups.

UC warns of fraud in retirement savings plans managed by Fidelity

The University of California Office of the President's Retirement Program Services division has alerted recipients of the UC Retirement Savings Plans to recent fraudulent activities affecting accounts maintained by Fidelity. According to a statement from the division, "Fidelity’s cybersecurity team has identified the issue, closed the vulnerability, and taken immediate steps to protect all potentially affected accounts. Outreach to the 120 affected participants has begun."

Teen driver safety week highlights parental role in preventing risky behavior

National Teen Driver Safety Week, observed from October 20 to 26, aims to address the significant issue of car crashes being a leading cause of death for teenagers aged 15 to 18 in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2022, there were 2,514 fatalities involving teen drivers. In California alone, young drivers were involved in nearly 12% of all fatal crashes despite representing only 5% of licensed drivers nationwide.

Santa Barbara County hosts public forum on TRUTH Act

Residents of Santa Barbara County are invited to participate in a community forum on California's TRUTH Act and the access local governments can provide to federal immigration authorities. The event is scheduled for December 10, 2024, during the Board of Supervisors meeting at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building in Santa Maria. The board meeting will start at 9 a.m., with the TRUTH Act Forum expected to begin after 2 p.m. Participation is available both virtually and in person.

California expands Medi-Cal coverage to include traditional healing practices

California is set to expand access to culturally-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services, marking a significant development in the state's healthcare system. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that for the first time, Medi-Cal will cover traditional health care practices deeply rooted in cultural traditions. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes, particularly for individuals with SUDs.

Santa Barbara County announces TRUTH Act Forum on December 10

Santa Barbara County will hold a forum to discuss the TRUTH Act, focusing on the access provided to federal immigration authorities. This community forum is scheduled during the Board of Supervisors meeting on December 10, 2024, at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building in Santa Maria. The session is expected to begin after 2:00 p.m., with virtual and in-person participation options available.

California universities charging more in 2022-23 school year

College tuition fees rose 1.4% in California in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Shirley N. Weber encourages Californians to use early voting options

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., is urging Californians to take advantage of early voting options for the upcoming General Election. In a statement, she highlighted the convenience of early voting, stating: “California voters are no longer limited to a single day of voting. Why wait in line on Election Day when you have early voting options?”

Salton Sea restoration expands with new funding

The state of California has commenced an expansion of the restoration project at the Salton Sea, aiming to improve conditions for wildlife and nearby communities. This initiative follows a recent allocation of $175 million in federal funding, part of a larger $250 million commitment from the Inflation Reduction Act. The project is further supported by over $500 million in state funds.

California's task force recovers millions in stolen goods

In a recent announcement, Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the ongoing efforts of California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, led by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), in combating organized retail theft across the state. The task force has made significant strides this year with 621 investigations resulting in 1,123 arrests and the recovery of 269,992 stolen items valued at $8.1 million.

Federal grant supports San Gabriel Mountains conservation efforts

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a $3.5 million federal grant aimed at enhancing access and water quality in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The funding will be directed towards cleanup efforts, including trash removal projects, new walking trails, and additional restrooms along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River.

California increases battery storage by over 3 GW amid record heat

California's battery storage capacity has seen significant growth, increasing by 3,012 megawatts (MW) over the past six months to reach a total of 13,391 MW. This represents a 30% increase since April 2024 and highlights the state's progress in enhancing its clean energy infrastructure during an exceptionally hot summer.

California Attorney General warns against unlawful job mobility restraints

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert regarding unlawful restraints on employee mobility, such as no-poach agreements, non-compete agreements, and Training Reimbursement Agreement Provisions (TRAPS). These types of agreements can limit job mobility, suppress wages, and hinder career advancement in violation of California law.

Court blocks Meta's bid to dismiss child mental health lawsuit