california news

President Biden commemorated the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth by visiting Galveston, Texas, where the final announcement of slavery's end was made on June 19, 1865. He reflected on the historical significance of Juneteenth, which he signed into law as a federal holiday during his presidency, marking the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. Biden emphasized the importance of honoring this history despite efforts to erase it, noting that acknowledgment of the past is necessary for healing and justice. The President connected the historical struggle for freedom to present-day voting rights, calling for Americans to help others register to vote as a way to honor Juneteenth's legacy.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report indicating that federal tracking of abortion ban impacts has been severely limited and may cease entirely due to changes made during the Trump administration. The CDC's Abortion Surveillance report, which provided crucial data through 2022 when Roe v. Wade was overturned, faces an uncertain future as part of a broader realignment at the Department of Health and Human Services. Without this federal data collection, researchers and policymakers have limited means to understand the economic and health consequences of abortion restrictions that have emerged since the Dobbs decision three years ago. The GAO had to rely on 55 external research studies to compile its report on the economic impacts of abortion restrictions, which found significant financial burdens for those seeking abortions and worse financial outcomes for those denied care.

A tragic boating accident on Lake Tahoe killed six people and left two missing when fierce winds created 8-foot waves that capsized a 27-foot Chris-craft boat on Saturday. Two survivors were rescued and are being treated for hypothermia and other injuries at a hospital. The incident occurred near DL Bliss State Park during a sudden storm that brought near-freezing temperatures, with wind gusts reaching 35mph. Search and rescue operations continued Sunday as authorities worked to locate the missing victims in the deep waters near Rooster Rock, which features an underwater drop-off more than 300 feet deep.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is developing the $200 million India Basin Waterfront Park project in the historically neglected Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. This transformative 10-acre park (part of a larger 64-acre shoreline space) features an innovative Equitable Development Plan created collaboratively with the A. Philip Randolph Institute, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and San Francisco Parks Alliance. The project incorporates both community input for design features and local workforce development, employing residents like Yoshida Ellis Pitts in construction roles to transform what was once a neglected area into a significant public green space that serves the southeast part of the city.

The County Administration Building held its third annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony on June 20, 2025, beginning at 8 a.m. The celebration brought together community members, local leaders, and artists to commemorate Black freedom, culture, and unity. During the event, six distinguished leaders were honored for their dedicated work in advancing equity, supporting Black-owned businesses, and expanding access to essential resources for the Black community. The article presents a brief overview of this morning ceremony and invites readers to explore more about how the event transpired.

The UN refugee agency reports that global displacement due to violence and persecution has reached 122.1 million people, representing nearly double the number from a decade ago. UNHCR's Global Trends Report, released on June 5, indicates a 9% increase in internally displaced persons to 73.5 million by the end of last year, while highlighting some positive developments including the return of nearly 2 million Syrians to their homeland. The report challenges the perception that most refugees flee to wealthy Western nations, noting that almost two-thirds remain in neighboring countries. Sudan now faces the world's largest displacement crisis with over 14 million displaced people, surpassing Syria's 13.5 million, while Afghanistan and Ukraine also experience significant displacement figures.

The San Diego Hunger Coalition has reported that food insecurity in San Diego County has returned to pandemic-era levels, with 26% of the population now facing hunger. This increase stems from multiple factors including fear among immigrant communities due to increased ICE activity, widespread layoffs, economic uncertainty, and cuts to federal food assistance programs. Critical programs like the Local Food Purchasing Assistance and The Emergency Food Assistance Program have been scaled back or eliminated, resulting in the loss of millions of meals. Additionally, community trust has been damaged after the Trump administration requested personal data of SNAP recipients, causing many families to avoid seeking assistance out of fear despite the request being temporarily paused.

Justis Connection has announced its national expansion on Juneteenth with a mission to build a network of 1,000 Black lawyers to serve 1 million Black households across the United States. The organization aims to address the persistent underrepresentation of Black attorneys, who make up less than 5% of lawyers in America, a statistic unchanged for over two decades. Justis Connection, featuring prominent founding members like Ben Crump and Billy Murphy Jr., offers legal expertise across multiple practice areas including Business Law, Estate Planning, Civil Rights, Family Law, and Personal Injury. The initiative's founder, Kisha A. Brown, Esq., describes it as "a pipeline of protection" and "a modern-day Green Book for justice" to ensure accessible legal representation by trusted Black lawyers nationwide.

Dr. Waggoner transitioned from traditional family practice to Concierge Medicine after managing thousands of patients for 25 years, seeking to provide more personalized care. Concierge Medicine is a membership-based healthcare model where patients pay monthly or annual fees for enhanced medical services including extended appointments, same-day visits, and direct physician access. While fees typically range from $2,000-$5,000 annually (up to $10,000 in larger markets), Dr. Waggoner practices a hybrid model that incorporates insurance to reduce costs for standard services. Though some medical professionals believe concierge medicine will create a two-tiered healthcare system, others like Dr. Chrisette Dharma are attempting to provide similar personalized care within traditional insurance-based practices.

The article discusses the disproportionate impact of the opioid overdose crisis on Black communities in the United States. While overall overdose deaths have recently declined by 17%, Black and Indigenous populations continue to experience rising rates due to inequitable access to resources like naloxone and the lasting effects of the war on drugs. Kimberly Douglas, who lost her 17-year-old son Bryce to a fentanyl overdose, has become an advocate through her group "Black Moms Against Overdose" to create safe spaces for Black families affected by overdoses. The authors argue that intentional collaboration between governments, health providers, and community leaders is essential to ensure equitable access to overdose prevention resources and information.

A US appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can maintain control of National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials. The three-judge panel unanimously overturned a lower court ruling that had found Trump's deployment illegal, stating he was within his rights to mobilize troops to protect federal personnel and property during immigration enforcement operations. The ruling allows approximately 4,000 National Guard troops to remain in Los Angeles, where they are protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting raids. While Trump celebrated the decision as a "big win," the court clarified that his use of the National Guard is not completely exempt from judicial review.

Virginia's 2022 gubernatorial race will make history as either Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will become the state's first elected female governor. While both candidates acknowledge the historic nature of their campaigns, they prefer to focus on policy issues such as affordability, energy costs, and economic concerns rather than gender. Despite the historic implications, both Spanberger, a former CIA officer and congresswoman, and Earle-Sears, Virginia's current lieutenant governor and the first Black woman elected statewide, are primarily emphasizing their policy positions and qualifications. Experts note that female candidates often face unique challenges when running for executive positions due to gender stereotypes, though voters typically prioritize policy positions over gender considerations.

Juneteenth celebrations across the United States are being scaled back in 2024 due to significant funding shortfalls as companies and municipalities reconsider their support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Denver Juneteenth Music Festival, among other celebrations, has been reduced from two days to one day because multiple corporate sponsors withdrew their financial support. This trend coincides with companies also pulling back from LGBTQ Pride celebrations and parallels President Trump's efforts to reduce DEI programs throughout the federal government. While some celebrations have been completely canceled, others continue through individual and foundation donations despite reduced corporate sponsorship and government funding cuts.

The Witkruis Monument in South Africa displays nearly 3,000 white crosses commemorating white farmers killed over the past three decades, but fails to represent the hundreds of Black farmers and farmworkers who have also been victims of farm violence. This memorial has fueled a false narrative, amplified by figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, that white South African farmers are being systematically targeted based on race. Government data and expert studies consistently show that farm attacks are primarily motivated by robbery, representing a tiny percentage of South Africa's overall crime rate, with Black South Africans being the majority of violent crime victims nationwide. Despite the misinformation, even the monument's caretaker acknowledges that farm violence affects people of all races, though wealthy white farmers are disproportionately affected as they own 72% of privately owned farmland.

North Carolina is currently facing federal lawsuits challenging Republican-drawn congressional and legislative districts, with plaintiffs alleging the maps illegally diminish Black voting power. The contested 2024 electoral maps helped Republicans maintain state legislative majorities and flip three U.S. House seats from Democrats to Republicans, contributing to the GOP's narrow control of the House. Plaintiffs claim the districts violate the Voting Rights Act by submerging or diluting Black voting blocs across multiple districts, particularly in the Piedmont Triad region, while Republican lawmakers defend their approach as race-blind and based on permissible partisan considerations. If the three-judge panel rules against the current maps, Republicans could be forced to redraw districts for the 2026 elections, potentially weakening their partisan advantage.

Target has experienced four consecutive months of declining foot traffic following its retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives announced in January 2024. The retail chain ended anti-racism training, stopped promoting Black-owned businesses, and abandoned several other DEI commitments, triggering immediate backlash from civil rights organizations and Black consumers. This decision has had measurable financial consequences, with Target reporting a 3.8% drop in comparable in-store sales during the first quarter of 2025 and suffering significant reputational damage according to metrics from Caliber. Despite these setbacks and ongoing boycotts, Target maintains it is "absolutely dedicated to fostering inclusivity for everyone" while acknowledging that reaction to their DEI pullback has been a contributing factor to their underperformance.

The NAACP has made the unprecedented decision to not invite President Donald Trump to its national convention, marking the first time in its history that a sitting president has been excluded from this event. In their June 16 statement, the organization cited Trump's attacks on democracy, unconstitutional executive orders, and illegal use of military in communities as reasons for this decision. The White House responded by accusing the NAACP of promoting "hate and division" while claiming Trump is focused on unity and has record Black support. Since beginning his second term in January 2025, the Trump administration has implemented policies targeting diversity and inclusion, including firing prominent Black officials and removing books on racism, civil rights, and the Black experience from the U.S. Military Academy library.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order Number 3, informing enslaved people about their freedom. Initially used for political rallies and voter education, Juneteenth evolved into widespread celebrations featuring thanksgiving ceremonies, entertainment, family reunions, and community gatherings across Texas, with African Americans purchasing land specifically for these events. The holiday gained official recognition when Texas made it a state holiday in 1979, and after decades of advocacy, particularly by Opal Lee, President Joseph Biden signed legislation establishing Juneteenth National Independence Day as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, nearly 156 years after the original proclamation. The 2021 celebration in Galveston included the dedication of the Absolute Equality mural, the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, an Emancipation March, and a festival with music, food, and fireworks.

The article discusses the current protests against presidential policies, noting that over 5 million people participated in more than 2,000 demonstrations across America last week. The author argues these protests alone are insufficient and suggests combining them with voter registration efforts and recall petitions against elected officials who fail to uphold their constitutional oath. The piece emphasizes that voting power is more impactful than protesting alone and suggests that regaining Democratic control of the House of Representatives is crucial to restore constitutional separation of powers. The author frames these political actions as urgent "life and death changes" that cannot wait until the 2026 midterm elections.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with federal troops to announce and enforce the freedom of all enslaved people in Texas, an event that became known as Juneteenth. The article also commemorates two significant figures born or who died on this date: Raymond Merriwether, a pioneering Black architect and engineer born in 1924 who made significant contributions to Seattle, and Solomon Tshekiso Plaatje, the first Secretary-General of the African National Congress who died in 1932. These three historical events spanning from 1865 to 1932 represent important milestones in Black history, liberation, and achievement across different countries and contexts.

Juneteenth celebrations across the United States are being reduced or canceled as both public funding and corporate sponsorships diminish amid a broader retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Major events like Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival have been downsized from two days to one after losing more than a dozen corporate sponsors, while other cities such as Scottsdale and Bend have canceled their celebrations entirely. In Colorado Springs, the celebration was relocated to a mall parking lot with only five corporate partners remaining from what used to be dozens. Some organizers, like those in San Diego, have resorted to personally financing elements of their events after losing grant funding, while community donors and small businesses have stepped in to preserve celebrations in other locations.

California's Black elected officials and leaders have been actively speaking out against recent ICE raids and federal troop deployments in Los Angeles ordered by President Trump, despite a narrative suggesting their silence. Assemblymember Tina McKinnor led over 30 lawmakers in denouncing these actions, while California Legislative Black Caucus leaders like Isaac Bryan have been vocal critics, participating in protests and condemning ICE operations at schools and businesses. State officials including Superintendent Tony Thurmond, Assemblymembers Mia Bonta and Sade Elhawary, and State Controller Malia Cohen have all publicly condemned the raids as abuse of power and attacks on human rights. Governor Newsom has challenged Trump's deployment order in court, emphasizing California never requested federal intervention, with Black leaders consistently framing the issue as one of civil rights that affects all communities.

Former California Senator Steven Bradford has shifted his political focus from running for Lieutenant Governor to campaigning for State Insurance Commissioner amid California's growing insurance crisis. Bradford, who previously served on the Senate Insurance Committee, enters the race as major insurers like State Farm and Allstate are leaving California, citing high costs and overregulation. This exodus has forced more homeowners to rely on the state's FAIR Plan safety net program, which is currently facing financial strain. Bradford positions himself as a consensus-builder who can bring stability to the insurance market by facilitating dialogue between insurers, consumers, and regulators.

Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1863 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom, has grown from a celebration primarily within Black communities to a federal holiday recognized nationwide since 2021. This year marks the first Juneteenth under the second Trump administration, which has banned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federal government and removed Black American history content from federal websites. Despite this political climate, numerous Juneteenth celebrations continue to be planned nationwide, featuring traditional elements like cookouts, educational panels, and cultural events. The National Urban League's president Marc Morial has emphasized that no one should feel intimidated from celebrating this important historical milestone.

Seven California men have been charged in a $100 million jewelry heist, described as the largest in US history. According to the Department of Justice, the suspects tracked a Brinks truck for approximately 300 miles after it left a jewelry show near San Francisco with 73 bags of valuables in July 2022. Without using weapons, they allegedly stole 24 bags containing gold, gems, and luxury watches while the truck was parked at a rest stop in Lebec, California, as one driver slept and another was having a meal. Some of the stolen jewelry was recovered during search warrant executions on June 16, though it remains unclear how much was retrieved.

Tens of thousands of Americans participated in nationwide protests against Donald Trump on Saturday, uniting under the "No Kings" movement across more than 2,000 cities and towns. The demonstrations, organized by the 50501 Movement, were timed to coincide with Trump's military parade and birthday, with participants expressing concerns about perceived authoritarian leadership. Many protesters carried images of former President Barack Obama as a symbol of democratic ideals they believe Trump is undermining. Though largely peaceful, the protests faced disruption in Minnesota where two Democratic lawmakers were targeted in separate shootings, prompting Governor Tim Walz to describe the incidents as "politically motivated assassination."

A new Pew Research Center survey reveals widespread global skepticism toward President Donald Trump during his second term, with only 34% of respondents across 24 countries expressing confidence in his leadership on world affairs. This negative perception has damaged America's international reputation, with favorable views of the U.S. declining in 15 countries since last year, including steep drops in Mexico and Canada. The survey, conducted between January-April 2025, shows Trump receiving poor ratings on handling major international issues like climate change and the Russia-Ukraine war, with most respondents describing him as "arrogant" and "dangerous." Though Trump maintains strong support among right-wing political groups globally, he lags behind other world leaders in trustworthiness, contributing to diminished confidence in American democracy.

San Diego's City Council narrowly approved a series of amendments to regulate Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development following significant community backlash, particularly in neighborhoods like Encanto, Clairemont, and North Park. The 5-4 vote introduces new restrictions including caps on unit numbers, parking requirements, and developer impact fees to address what some councilmembers described as "loopholes" being exploited to create dense "granny towers" on single-family lots. During a contentious seven-hour meeting with overwhelming opposition from speakers, councilmembers defended the changes as keeping the ADU program aligned with its original purpose while still maintaining housing opportunities. Pro-housing groups criticized the amendments as barriers for working families, while the California Department of Housing and Community Development warned against provisions that might decrease affordable housing opportunities.