california news

Three brothers in California discovered a rare first edition Superman #1 comic from June 1939 while clearing out their deceased mother's attic during Christmas last year. The comic, which had been stored in pristine condition under old newspapers since their mother and uncle purchased it between the Great Depression and World War II, received an unprecedented 9.0 rating from a professional grading service. Heritage Auctions facilitated the sale in Texas, where the comic sold for $9.12 million, surpassing the previous record by $3 million. The brothers, who wish to remain anonymous and are in their 50s and 60s, had been told about their mother's valuable collection but had never seen it before her passing. # Key Takeaways

On November 14, hundreds of participants from three San Diego schools—Gage Elementary, Pershing Middle, and Patrick Henry High School—participated in the fourth annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, a student-organized commemoration. Approximately 400 students, families, and community members walked to school wearing purple shirts and carrying lunchboxes to honor Ruby Bridges, who integrated an all-white Louisiana elementary school in 1960 at age six. The event featured student-led activities including reflection, art projects, and discussions focused on promoting unity and celebrating diversity. Additional San Diego Unified schools, such as Hamilton and Ibarra Elementary, also participated in this district-wide initiative aimed at fostering inclusive school environments and strengthening community bonds.

Several historically Black colleges and universities secured significant victories over the weekend in MEAC and SWAC conference play. South Carolina State defeated NC Central 34-27 on a late touchdown run by Josh Shaw, maintaining their perfect 4-0 conference record, while Delaware State also stayed unbeaten in MEAC play with a 26-13 win over Howard. Jackson State dominated Bethune-Cookman with three running backs each surpassing 100 yards in a 28-13 victory, and Alabama State cruised to a 41-3 win over Mississippi Valley State to secure their first eight-win season since 2018. Prairie View A&M claimed the SWAC Western Division championship with a decisive 56-9 triumph over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, earning a spot in the upcoming conference championship game.

Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message to religious leaders at UN climate talks in Belem, Brazil, calling for immediate concrete action to address global warming and criticizing insufficient political will among nations. The Pope emphasized that one-third of humanity faces severe climate vulnerability, arguing that while the Paris Agreement framework remains sound, world leaders are failing in their implementation efforts. His intervention came as the conference entered its second week, with Global South nations sharing accounts of devastating climate impacts and expressing concern that Earth will likely exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius warming target. As the first American pope, Leo XIV is continuing his predecessor's environmental advocacy, positioning himself as a prominent moral voice on climate issues, particularly for vulnerable populations in developing nations.

The author, a Black women's health advocate in California, warns that proposed federal cuts to social programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC would devastate Black women who already face severe health disparities. Black women in California die from pregnancy-related causes at three to four times the rate of white women and rely heavily on these programs, with one in three depending on Medi-Cal and nearly half receiving WIC or CalFresh benefits. The cuts would force impossible choices between medication, care, and basic necessities while worsening existing issues like food insecurity, housing instability, and chronic disease management. While California has implemented protective measures like implicit bias training legislation and emergency funding for food banks, the author calls for increased community support and documentation to defend Black women's health amid these federal threats. # Key Takeaways

Isiah Thomas, the NBA Hall of Famer, has become the first NBA player to hold majority control of a publicly traded company through his leadership of Isiah Enterprises, a clean-tech firm focused on renewable materials and sustainable production. His business journey began with studying natural crops like rice, corn, and soy to understand how their fibers could reduce plastic use and carbon footprints, eventually leading to patented processes used in automotive and packaging industries. Thomas rescued a near-bankrupt facility in Midland, Michigan, transforming it into a successful operation that now processes tens of thousands of pounds of renewable materials weekly and has shipped over 100,000 pounds of pelletized rubber compounds. Beyond business success, Thomas is motivated by a desire to break generational poverty in his community by encouraging families to become shareholders rather than lottery ticket buyers, with an ultimate goal of being the first NBA player to uplift a company to NASDAQ listing. # Key Takeaways

New York farmer David Haughton faces severe financial hardship after the USDA canceled the Local Food Purchase Assistance program in March 2025, causing him to lose 60 percent of his market as organizations could no longer afford his produce. The program, established in 2021 to help farmers recover from pandemic impacts while feeding communities, particularly supported small and minority farmers who face systemic barriers to capital. After nearly losing his 35-acre farm and home due to inability to make mortgage payments, Haughton received critical support from the Black Farmer Fund, which provides loans, grants and technical assistance specifically to Black farmers. Despite receiving a grant that saved his operation and allowed equipment purchases, Haughton suffered an additional setback when fire destroyed part of his home in August 2025, though he remains committed to farming.

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San Diego County is taking multiple steps to address behavioral health and food insecurity challenges facing its residents. The county plans to construct a $210 million Behavioral Health Wellness Campus in the Midway District that would consolidate mental health and addiction services to serve over 20,000 people annually. In response to federal funding cuts threatening food assistance programs, the Prebys Foundation partnered with major food banks to provide $3 million in emergency funding to maintain the food security network. Additionally, CalFresh/SNAP beneficiaries received their full November benefits after a federal court ruling, while the Board of Supervisors approved exploring a Safety Net Bridge Program to prevent gaps in essential services for residents who may lose benefits due to federal policy changes.

Former President Barack Obama recently called civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, who is currently hospitalized in stable condition in Chicago, after coordinating with Jackson's family for several days beforehand. Jackson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome in 2013 and whose diagnosis was updated to supranuclear palsy in April, has been receiving support from numerous politicians and civil rights figures, including Reverend Al Sharpton and Reverend Amos Brown, a fellow Civil Rights pioneer. Despite his condition and inability to speak, Jackson remains alert and continues advocating for his vision of organizing churches to combat malnutrition. The Obama and Jackson families share deep connections spanning decades, including Jesse Jackson Jr.'s role as national co-chair of Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

A 23-year-old woman named Ari Gisell received a 20-year prison sentence for instigating the murders of three tourists in Baja California, Mexico. She instructed her boyfriend to steal tires and a phone from Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during their surfing trip in April 2024. The boyfriend and two accomplices followed the victims to their campsite, robbed them, and fatally shot them, dumping their bodies in a well. While some defendants have alleged cartel connections, prosecutors believe the crime was motivated by theft rather than organized criminal activity, and the three men who carried out the killings still await trial.

The Lakiba Palmer American Legion Auxiliary Unit 310 recently celebrated its 91st anniversary at a gala event in San Diego. This distinctive unit holds the honor of being one of California's only units of color and the first American Legion Auxiliary charter named after an African American woman, specifically honoring San Diego Seaman Lakiba Palmer who died in the USS Cole attack in Yemen. Despite operating without a permanent facility since 2021, the organization has maintained strong performance in fundraising and community outreach under President Margaretta Hickman's leadership. The unit's 163 members continue supporting veterans through six major programs, including youth mentoring, hospital visits, and commemorative poppy sales.

This opinion piece criticizes two recent law enforcement incidents in San Diego that the author claims violated federal law. In the first case, a San Diego police officer allegedly punched an already-restrained arrestee multiple times in the face while other officers held him down, yet the police chief and mayor have not publicly responded or suspended the officer. The second incident involved ICE agents at a trolley stop detaining people without warrants, proper identification, or explanation, sometimes using force, while San Diego police stood by monitoring rather than intervening. The author argues both incidents violated federal civil rights statutes and constitute unlawful detention, calling on San Diego residents to protest such law enforcement actions before they affect more community members.

The City of San Diego has launched several municipal initiatives to improve community services and infrastructure. Environmental Services is conducting "lid flip" inspections of trash and recycling containers to educate residents about proper waste disposal and prevent dangerous contamination from items like batteries. The City Council has allocated approximately two million dollars in parking meter collections to address infrastructure problems in the neighborhoods that generated those revenues, with immediate focus on repairing numerous downtown streetlight failures. Additionally, San Diego's Safe Parking program has significant availability at its Point Loma location for vehicle residents, while consolidating operations by closing another facility to reduce costs.

Both chambers of Congress have voted to compel the Justice Department to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's criminal investigations, with the House passing the measure 427-1 and the Senate approving it through unanimous consent. President Trump, who initially opposed the release and criticized Republican supporters of the bill, reversed his position over the weekend and now says he will sign the legislation. The bill mandates Attorney General Pam Bondi to release unclassified materials within 30 days, though she retains authority to withhold information that could compromise active investigations or identify victims. Epstein survivors testified at the Capitol in support of the measure, describing years of institutional betrayal, while Trump's past social connections with Epstein have come under renewed scrutiny following recent document releases that mention him without alleging wrongdoing.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is organizing a public hearing called Housing Forward on Wednesday, November 19 at 9 a.m. to discuss county housing matters. The event will take place at the County Administration Center and will cover housing and land use policies for unincorporated areas, along with findings from a Development Feasibility Analysis. County officials and staff will present information about current projects and future policy plans while allowing residents to provide input. Community members interested in attending or commenting can access participation details through the Clerk of the Board website or contact the Board Operations Unit directly.

The Trump administration's policies are systematically dismantling pathways to middle-class prosperity for Black Americans, despite campaign promises to support these communities. Federal workforce cuts, driven by DOGE and anti-DEI executive orders, disproportionately impact Black employees who comprise roughly 19% of federal workers and have historically relied on government jobs as a stable route to economic security. The administration is simultaneously attacking other mobility channels including education funding, HBCU support, the Minority Business Development Agency, small business programs, and fair housing initiatives. Black unemployment has risen to 7.2% by July 2025, with nearly 300,000 Black women exiting the workforce in the second quarter alone, while the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" threatens to further disadvantage Black families through tax policies and graduate school loan limits.

A federal court has ruled that Texas cannot use its recently redrawn electoral district maps for the 2026 midterm elections, determining that the redistricting constitutes racial gerrymandering. Texas Republicans had taken the uncommon step of redrawing voting boundaries mid-decade rather than waiting for the standard post-census redistricting cycle, aiming to secure additional congressional seats for their party. This maneuver triggered similar redistricting efforts in other states controlled by both political parties seeking electoral advantages. The court has mandated that Texas revert to the district maps originally established in 2021, though the ruling faces likely appeal to the Supreme Court. # Key Takeaways

American rapper Eminem has initiated legal proceedings against Sydney-based beachwear company Swim Shady over trademark infringement concerns. The rapper's legal team argues that the company's name creates misleading associations with his famous Slim Shady persona, which he trademarked in the United States in 1999. Swim Shady, which sells beach accessories like portable umbrellas and bags, registered its business name in Australia in 2023 and obtained a US trademark earlier this year. The company has stated it will defend its intellectual property rights while Eminem pursues trademark cancellation in both the US and Australia. # Key Takeaways

A new comprehensive database from research lab AidData reveals that China has invested $2.1 trillion in state-backed overseas spending since 2000, with roughly half targeting wealthy Western nations rather than just developing countries. The spending appears strategically aligned with China's "Made in China 2025" initiative, which aimed to dominate ten cutting-edge industries including semiconductors, robotics, and telecommunications by acquiring foreign technologies and companies. Chinese state banks have financed numerous acquisitions in sensitive sectors across the US, Europe, and other developed economies, often routing funds through offshore accounts to obscure government involvement. This discovery has prompted Western nations to dramatically strengthen their foreign investment screening processes, with cases like the Chinese purchase of Wright USA—an insurer holding personal data on CIA and FBI agents—serving as a catalyst for stricter regulations starting in 2018. # Key Takeaways

Former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson received no additional prison time for attempting to shut down a passenger plane's engines during an October 2023 flight, with a federal judge sentencing him to time already served and three years of supervised release. Emerson attributed his actions to a mental breakdown caused by hallucinogenic mushrooms, sleep deprivation, and grief over a friend's death, pleading guilty to interfering with a flight crew while avoiding up to 20 years in prison through a plea deal. The incident, which lasted approximately 90 seconds before other crew members subdued him, forced the diversion of a flight carrying 80 passengers from Washington to California. Since losing his pilot's license, Emerson has paid $60,000 in restitution, begun working as a pressure washer, and is training to become a substance abuse counselor while advocating for pilot mental health awareness.

Following the November 4th election, Democrats achieved significant victories in northwest Harris County, a former Republican suburban stronghold, despite a last-minute campaign push by Governor Greg Abbott. The Democratic success stemmed from strategic organizing methods including early fundraising, "carpool canvassing" that enabled neighbor-to-neighbor outreach, and messaging focused on practical issues like education and affordability rather than partisan politics. While the results suggest potential for turning Texas blue, the author warns that Democrats must convert campaign promises into concrete results to maintain momentum, as voters prioritized competence and solutions over partisan symbolism. The election outcomes indicate that suburban voters in diverse, growing areas are rejecting extremism and culture war politics in favor of leadership addressing everyday concerns like cost of living, quality schools, and consistent engagement beyond election cycles.

California Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins is advocating for reform of the state's Three Strikes law, which uniquely allows juvenile court adjudications for minors aged 16 and older to count as permanent "strikes" that can lead to harsher adult sentences, including mandatory 25-to-life terms. Critics argue this practice is unjust because juveniles lack full due process protections in juvenile court, including the right to jury trials, yet these adjudications follow them permanently despite juvenile records being sealed at 18. Sharp-Collins has introduced Assembly Bill 1279, currently inactive but set to return in the legislative session, which would allow individuals to petition for resentencing if their adult sentences were enhanced by juvenile strikes. California is reportedly the only state that permits juvenile adjudications to serve as the basis for adult life sentences, making this reform effort a significant justice issue affecting young offenders who advocates say need rehabilitation rather than lifelong punishment.

The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on legislation that would compel the Justice Department to release approximately 100,000 pages of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier and sex offender. Bipartisan representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act, using a discharge petition to bypass Republican leadership opposition and bring the measure to a floor vote. President Trump initially resisted the effort but reversed his position over the weekend, though he has not directly ordered the Justice Department to release the documents without congressional action. The push for transparency has created tension within Trump's political base and the administration, as Trump had previous social connections to Epstein decades ago, while Justice Department officials have not fulfilled campaign promises to release the files voluntarily.

San Diego County Behavioral Health Services is soliciting community feedback to determine funding priorities for mental health and substance abuse services under the recently passed Behavioral Health Services Act (Proposition 1). The act, approved by voters in March 2024, expands coverage to include substance use disorders, reallocates resources toward housing initiatives, and transfers some prevention funding to the state public health department for specialized populations. County officials are conducting virtual meetings and accepting online input to develop their first integrated plan, which will take effect in July 2026. The community engagement process aims to identify treatment gaps, care barriers, and specific needs across different age groups to ensure resources effectively serve Medi-Cal-eligible residents with serious mental health or substance use challenges.

A new AARP report reveals that approximately seven million California adults—23 percent of the adult population—serve as unpaid family caregivers for elderly parents, spouses, and other loved ones. These caregivers contribute an estimated $4.4 billion annually in unpaid care while often sacrificing their own financial stability, health, and employment. AARP California is pushing for policy changes to provide financial relief and support, including recent state legislation expanding paid family leave and proposed federal tax credits for working caregivers. The organization emphasizes the urgent need for government action as California's aging population continues to grow and caregiving demands increase. # Key Takeaways

The National Institute for Early Education Research has contributed to a two-part research series published in The Lancet examining the critical developmental period for children aged two to five years old, known as "the next 1,000 days." The research reveals that approximately 182 million children aged three and four in low- and middle-income nations lack access to nurturing care that supports healthy development. The studies demonstrate that high-quality early childhood care and education programs produce significant positive outcomes for children, while the failure to invest in these programs costs societies eight to nineteen times more than the initial investment would require. The research emphasizes the urgent need for equitable access to quality early education, safe environments, proper nutrition, and support for vulnerable families worldwide. # Key Takeaways

The San Francisco Muslim Community Center, originally founded in 1978 by African American Muslims in the Fillmore district, is returning to that neighborhood after spending 13 years in the Excelsior area. Rising rent costs and unsafe building conditions forced the community center to relocate from its Mission Street location to a permanent facility on Haight Street, made possible by a longtime congregation member who owns the property. While the new building undergoes preparation, the center operates temporarily from the African American Art and Culture Complex on Fulton Street, where it holds Friday prayers and distributes food. The organization provides religious services, educational programs, counseling, and community support to a diverse Muslim population while maintaining its historical African American leadership and connection to the Bay Area. # Key Takeaways

John Beam, a 66-year-old athletics director and former football coach who gained recognition through Netflix's Last Chance U documentary series, was fatally shot at Laney College in Oakland, California. Police arrested Cedric Irving Jr., a suspect who knew Beam but never played for him and was not a Laney student, though authorities have not disclosed a motive for the attack. The beloved coach, who had spent over 40 years mentoring youth in Oakland, was mourned by hundreds at a hospital vigil and remembered by community leaders and former players who reached the NFL. This tragedy marked the second school shooting in Oakland within two days, as a separate incident had occurred at Skyline High School, where Beam had previously coached for 16 years.