By Lindsey Holden | Sacramento Bee California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week attacked a ballot measure changing parts of Proposition 47, saying it’s more of a “drug policy reform” than an attempt to address retail theft. His comments at two different press events emphasized the measure’s expensive price tag — and may preview a coming opposition campaign against the district attorney-backed initiative, now numbered Proposition 36. “I’m very concerned about this drug policy reform that takes possession and makes it a felony,” Newsom said at a Thursday press conference in Oakland. “And increases the size of our prison population by…
Author: SBE Staff
By Rachel Swan and Dan Kopf | SF Chronicle In recent months it seemed that Oakland — a city famously grappling with a rise in crime — had course-corrected in remarkable fashion. Statistics published by the police department showed year-to-year crime had dropped by 33% overall by the end of April, a dramatic shift after last year’s spike. Mayor Sheng Thao praised the city for turning a corner. Gov. Gavin Newsom quoted the 33% figure in a news release touting Oakland’s partnership with the California Highway Patrol. The news spread through social media posts and optimistic headlines, including stories in the Chronicle. But a new Chronicle review of Oakland police data finds that the city…
By Clara Harter | Daily Breeze Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against a “massive” illegal short-term rental ring, allegedly run by an Airbnb influencer who offered master classes in his rental schemes. According to the complaint, the rental group reaped more than $4 million in profits by listing dozens of illegal vacation rentals on platforms including Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.com in violation of the city’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Now the defendants are facing potential damages of $15 million or more. “As renters battle a severe housing shortage and sky-high rent, these defendants exacerbated our housing crisis…
During its Constitutional Convention, which began on July 10 in Chicago, delegates of the storied organization for African American men will consider an amendment to their bylaws that would restrict membership to “any male defined as a human being naturally born male, who remains and continually identifies as a male,” according to a draft reviewed by GLAAD. Some members of the organization say the proposed language is not only discriminatory and unnecessarily exclusionary but politically motivated. They say the organization’s national leadership — and this amendment — don’t reflect a broader Alpha membership that can be more accepting and welcoming.…
By Andrew Sheeler | Sacramento Bee More than two years out from the 2026 California gubernatorial election, candidate and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis’ campaign announced that has more than $9 million on hand. That includes a haul of $1.4 million in the first six months of 2024, according to her campaign. Since announcing her bid, Kounalakis has raised nearly $5.4 million — that’s in addition to the $4.4 million she had stashed in her lieutenant governor campaign committee. Read more at: Sacramento Bee
By Ashley Ahn | LA Times Ontario City Council Member Jim Bowman has been arrested for an alleged hit-and-run and suspicion of driving under the influence. First responders were notified Monday at 5:05 p.m. about a traffic accident involving two vehicles near Euclid Avenue and Mission Boulevard, Ontario Police Department Sgt. Melissa Ramirez said in a statement Thursday. Witnesses said one vehicle had left the scene of the accident. Police said the vehicle that left the scene was driven by Bowman, who called 911 about a minute later near Locust Street and Laurel Avenue, about a mile away from the accident, to…
LOS ANGELES – In an electrifying turn of events, change has swept through South Los Angeles as Efren Martinez, the Marine Corps Veteran with a vision, secures a show of solidarity from the Assembly District 57 Democratic leaders. This gathering of minds marks a pivotal moment in the district’s political landscape, setting the stage for a transformative journey ahead. “Our communities thirst for change, and together, hand in hand, we shall stride forward into a future filled with promise and progress,” said Martinez. Excited as the newly appointed Vice-Chair, Julio Esperias, stated, “Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Efren Martinez,…
SAN FRANCISCO – Iconic MC, Rakim is set to make a groundbreaking return to the music scene after 15 years with his highly anticipated new album, G.O.D.’s Network (Reb7rth). Partnering with cutting-edge Web3 music platform Gala Music, select songs from Rakim’s album release is available exclusively on Gala Music today before hitting digital streaming platforms (DSPs) July 26th. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the fusion of music and technology, offering fans a unique and immersive listening experience. “Partnering with Gala Music allows me to reach my fans in an innovative way, combining the best of music and modern technology. I’m excited to share my newest tracks…
“There are not many people of color in the field of physics, and I am working to break that barrier,” said Tre Willingham, a 2021 graduate of Compton College who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and has completed one year of graduate studies. Willingham was recently accepted to the Ph.D. program in applied physics at the University of California, Irvine where he will begin the next phase of his studies this fall. “I’m looking forward to diving into this new academic journey and continuing to pursue my passion for physics,” he…
By Steven Sharp | Urbanize LA The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted to approve upwards of $65 million in bond financing for a proposed affordable housing complex just north of Florence Avenue in Inglewood. The joint venture from Venice Community Housing and the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI), named Sankofa Place at Centinela, would rise from a one-acre property that is currently developed with a church. Plans call for razing existing improvements to clear the way for a 79,000-square-foot residential building and an 18,000-square-foot community service facility that will house the SJLI’s programming headquarters. SJLI, founded in 2008, offers programs which help to…