Who first declared that “demography is destiny” is uncertain, but that doesn’t detract from the aphorism’s validity—and what’s happening in California right now proves it. The state Department of Finance released one of its periodic reports on California population trends this month, revealing that while we’re very close to 40...
California Must Reform Charter Schools. Here’s How.
In education circles in California and nationally, the fundamental question is this: How do we ensure all public schools are high quality? In Sacramento, much of the debate focuses on charter schools, as the Legislature considers several related bills related to them. What’s too often lost in the discussion is...
Mosquito Season has Arrived. Beware of Standing Water.
As temperatures in the Fresno area heat up, agencies are ramping up their information offensives so residents can gird themselves against mosquitoes that can carry the deadly West Nile or Zika viruses. Fourteen cases of people contracting the West Nile virus were reported by Fresno County officials in 2018. Symptoms...
5 Takeaways From Newsom’s Revised Budget Plan
Buoyed by California’s strong economy, Gov. Gavin Newsom sent state lawmakers a revised budget Thursday that boosts his already-hefty January proposal to $213.6 billion. Ka-ching! Public schools will reap most of the gains if the Democratic-controlled Legislature rolls with him. Newsom also upped his ante on the housing crisis with a proposed...
Newsom’s Budget Proposal Tackles Homelessness in California
SACRAMENTO — Calling it "a stain on the state of California," Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday vowed to use part of a historic budget surplus to tackle homelessness in the nation's most prosperous state. "This homeless issue is out of control," Newsom told reporters on as he unveiled his revised...
Governor Newsom Proposes $213B State Spending Plan
SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a $213 billion state budget Thursday that boosts spending on K-12 education, wildfires and homelessness while putting more money toward state reserves and debt. The revised budget is up $4.5 billion from his first proposal in January and maintains a $21.5 billion surplus, the...
Hate Crime Charges Filed Against Poway Synagogue Shooting Suspect
SAN DIEGO — Federal officials announced Thursday that they have filed 109 hate crime charges against the man suspected of opening fire in a Poway synagogue and said he called a 911 dispatcher afterward to report that he had done it to "defend my nation" against the Jewish people. The...
Newsom to Reveal Updated $200 Billion Spending Plan
SACRAMENTO — California is flooded with money and Gov. Gavin Newsom will outline how he thinks the nation's most populous state should spend it Thursday when he releases a revised version of his $200 billion-plus state budget. The Democratic governor has already proposed new spending to expand health care for...
California Overhauls Sex Education Guidance for Teachers
SACRAMENTO — California has overhauled its sex education guidance for public school teachers, encouraging them to talk about gender identity with kindergartners and giving advice to help LGBT teenagers navigate relationships and practice safe sex. LGBT advocates praised the new recommendations for giving such attention to a community that often...
There’s a Tobacco Ban Proposed in Beverly Hills. Residents Are Lit.
BEVERLY HILLS — A fiery debate is breaking out across Beverly Hills as people at tony hair salons, gas stations and stores weigh in on whether the city of the rich and famous should become the first in the U.S. to outlaw the sale of tobacco products everywhere except a...