Month: June 2025

California to flex muscle in favor of immigrants

Bills to be introduced to Legislature that would place limitations on ICE
by Lindajoy Fenley | Posted June 29, 2025
Antonio Villaraigosa. photo by Angela George, courtesy of Wikimedia.

The state attorney general, a former Los Angeles mayor, and an immigration lawyer, at a June 27 panel, vowed to continue the challenge to the Trump Administration’s unlawful assault on California immigrants.  

“You can’t physically stop [the Administration]. That’s not possible. But we need to challenge them in every possible way,” Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Los Angeles mayor, told dozens of journalists attending an American Community Media panel. Villaraigosa said that “every way possible” means suing the federal government as well as engaging the public to push back through peaceful protest. read more

They were convicted of killing with their cars

No one told the California DMV
by Lauren Hepler and Robert Lewis, Cal Matters | Posted June 25, 2025

A CalMatters investigation found that courts didn’t report hundreds of vehicular manslaughter convictions to the DMV, prompting officials to belatedly take many drivers’ licenses.

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California courts have failed to report hundreds of vehicular manslaughter convictions to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles over the past five years, allowing roadway killers to improperly keep their driver’s licenses, a CalMatters investigation has found. read more

In hastily planned pop-up protest, demonstrators oppose war on Iran

by Leslie Layton | Posted June 22, 2025
Two of about 30 demonstrators today at Mangrove and Vallombrosa avenues. Photo by Leslie Layton.

At 9 p.m. June 21 — hours after it became widely known that the United States had bombed Iranian nuclear facilities — Chico’s LeAnn Jenswold got to work.

As a founder and leader of the Re-Sisters — a group that has emerged in recent months to participate in and organize anti-Trump Administration protests — she knew what to do. It was the moment to organize a pop-up anti-war protest.

About 30 protesters gathered today at Mangrove and Vallombrosa avenues, many to protest the direct military action taken the previous day against Iran. read more

South Park Drive to close to cars

Vehicles still to be allowed in some parts of Lower Park on weekdays
by Yucheng Tang | Posted June 19, 2025
A man runs today on South Park Drive in Lower Bidwell Park. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

The City Council voted 4-3 to approve closure of parts of Lower Bidwell Park to vehicles at the June 17 meeting. Mayor Kasey Reynolds, Vice Mayor Dale Bennett and Councilmember Michael O’Brien voted in opposition.

Many of the 17 speakers during the public comment session opposed the plan to close the entire stretch of South Park Drive—running parallel to Woodland Avenue—to vehicular traffic. Under the plan, the parking lot at the One Mile Recreation Area will only be accessed via Woodland Avenue, and the plan will be implemented in the summer of 2026. read more

California voters passed a $6.4 billion mental health bond

Now, see where that money is going
by Marisa Kendall, Jocelyn Wiener and Erica Yee, Cal Matters | Posted June 18, 2025
Community Regional Medical Center building in downtown Fresno on June 11, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

A little more than a year after Californians approved a $6.4 billion mental health bond with a nail-bitingly close vote, we’re getting our first glimpse into how that money will be spent. 

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom awarded nearly half of the money to projects that range from a crisis stabilization unit in rural Del Norte County to a residential addiction treatment program for mothers in Los Angeles. The initial $3.3 billion should fund more than 5,000 treatment beds and 21,800 outpatient treatment slots for people struggling with their mental health or addiction, according to his office.  read more

Chico joins in national mobilization

by Leslie Layton | Posted June 15, 2025
photo by Karen Laslo

A crowd of more than 4,000 people joined the June 14 No Kings Day march in Chico as anti-Trump mobilizations were underway in more than 2,100 cities across the country and world.

In Chico, the mood was spirited, determined and even jubilant as demonstrators packed the sidewalk on the march route – from the Our Hands sculpture, around City Plaza, down Broadway and back again. But the crowd was so huge that at times the walk moved slowly as more people joined, and the march route circle was in some cases made several times. Monitors were posted at all intersections and passing vehicles honked in support. Organizers said there may have been as many 6,000 people in attendance; many couldn’t be counted because they remained in the Fred Davis Municipal Center plaza. read more