It's Monday. These bills are still awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom's approval. Plus, a look at Shasta County, where far-right activists dominate board meetings and exert power. |
 | | Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed some of the nation's most aggressive climate package measures.John G Mabanglo/EPA, via Shutterstock |
|
Days after a record-breaking heat wave baked California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping package of climate bills devised to cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. These actions from the state, the world's fifth largest economy, add momentum to worldwide efforts to rein in pollution from the combustion of oil, gas and coal that is overheating the planet. |
"We could talk about the way the world should be and protest it," Newsom said at a news conference on Friday. "Or we can actually make demonstrable progress." |
But dozens more proposals await Newsom's vote, five of which I'll walk you through today. The governor has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto these bills. |
This bill, known as the California Mandela Act, is part of a nationwide push to curb widespread use of solitary confinement amid concerns about the mental health ramifications. It would prohibit the practice for pregnant women, those younger than 26, those older than 59, and people with certain disabilities or mental health disorders. |
For everyone else, stretches in solitary would be limited to 15 consecutive days and 45 days in any 180-day period. Staff workers would also have to periodically check on the confined person and offer out-of-cell programming for at least four hours a day. |
California's bill is modeled after one in New York that went into effect this year after a nearly decade-long legislative battle. Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico and at least 10 other states have also limited or banned punitive segregation, despite objections from corrections officials who argue that such rollbacks will make prisons and jails less safe. Read more about the bill from The New York Times. |
Under this proposal, law enforcement would gain the ability to strip drivers of their vehicle registration if they don't fix excessively loud exhaust systems that contribute to noise pollution. Currently, drivers can be ticketed for illegally modified mufflers on cars and motorcycles, but there's no mechanism to ensure that violators must fix them. |
For nearly a decade, California has had a law on the books allowing undocumented residents to get driver's licenses. This new proposal would allow undocumented Californians who can't drive to get state-issued IDs. |
"The only state-issued ID someone with undocumented status can obtain is a driver's license, blocking a vulnerable portion of the population who are lacking access to a car or the ability to drive from any access to any form of identification," Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, one of the bill's co-authors, told The Orange County Register. He added that without an identification card in California, you can't open a bank account, rent an apartment or a home, or "even cash a hard-earned check." |
This bill would allow people convicted of a felony to have their records automatically sealed if they complete all of the terms of their court sentence and remain conviction-free for at least four years. People arrested but not charged with a crime could also have their records sealed. |
S.B. 53: Unsolicited sexual pictures |
This measure would allow Californians to take someone to civil court over unwanted lewd photos sent to them electronically. The legislation comes after reports of men sending lewd pictures to nearby strangers using the AirDrop iPhone feature or to people through online dating apps without consent from the recipients. |
The bill applies to senders 18 and older and defines obscene images as anything that depicts a person engaging in sexual acts, including masturbation, or photos of genitals "in a patently offensive way, and that, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value." Read more from The Los Angeles Times. |
 | | Shops in the Cottonwood Historic District in Shasta County.Mike Kai Chen for The New York Times |
|
If you read one story, make it this |
 | | Jovan Vavic, a former University of Southern California water polo coach.Steven Senne/Associated Press |
|
- Varsity Blues: Jovan Vavic, a former U.S.C. water polo coach who was convicted of bribery as part of the far-reaching Operation Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, was granted a new trial on Thursday.
- Franzia: Fred Franzia, the businessman who turned the wine industry on its head with his inexpensive Charles Shaw label, better known as Two-Buck Chuck, died on Tuesday at his home in Denair.
|
- Mudslides: A missing woman who had disappeared amid thunderstorms that caused mudslides in her community in the San Bernardino Mountains was found dead, The Associated Press reports.
- Los Angeles Times: The newspaper's owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, and his daughter face accusations of influencing coverage and endorsements, Politico reports.
- Censorship: Los Angeles school officials rescinded a suspension against a journalism adviser at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School who had refused to censor an article, The Los Angeles Times reports.
- Frogs: Rare yellow-legged frogs have been returned to the drought-hammered San Gabriel Mountains, The Los Angeles Times reports.
|
- Overpass: A new overpass that is part of the Veterans Boulevard project in northwest Fresno will open to traffic on Monday morning, offering a safer way for drivers to cross the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, The Fresno Bee reports.
|
 | | David Malosh for The New York Times. |
|
 | | Santa Monica Pier.Beth Coller for The New York Times |
|
Today's tip comes from Bengisu Ayrancioglu: |
"My all-time favorite is the Santa Monica Pier and the beach that stretches from Santa Monica to Marina del Rey. This is the best spot for walking and escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city without being isolated. Those who are not interested in walking might also find a restaurant or cafe to sit. Definitely the number one place to relish the view and relax." |
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We'll be sharing more in upcoming editions of the newsletter. |
 | | Sarah Kobos |
|
And before you go, some good news |
For more than half a century, Reita Green has run her own wallpapering business in and around Los Angeles. |
Green, a former dancer and actress, lugged buckets, ladders and a folding table from her car to her clients' homes by herself well into her 80s. But a few years ago, the Wallpaper Queen acknowledged that she might need some help. |
In 2020, Green met Beverly Pate, a woman 58 years her junior who exudes patience, kindness and a can-do attitude. Within months, Pate, 28, became Green's partner in wallpapering, her protégé and her best friend. |
"Without Beverly I couldn't have made it this far," Green, 86, told The Los Angeles Times. "We respect one another and we bring the best out of each other." |
Pate said wallpapering with Green never feels like work. |
"I think you keep me in more good spirits than I keep you," Pate said. |
"Oh, no, you keep me in very good spirits, Beverly," Green replied. |
Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. — Soumya |
Maia Coleman and Briana Scalia contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment