California

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Republican Sheriff Announces Bid to Replace Gavin Newsom

Chad Bianco is first major GOP candidate to announce run

(Newser) - Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said Monday he is running for governor of California in 2026, becoming the first major Republican to announce a bid for an election nearly two years away. Bianco, an outspoken supporter of President Trump and his policies, was first elected sheriff in 2018 and has...

14 States Sue Trump, Musk, DOGE
14 States Sue
Trump, Musk, DOGE
Feb 14, 2025 6:09 AM CST

14 States Sue Trump, Musk, DOGE

Coalition claims the president is violating the Constitution

(Newser) - Elon Musk's efforts to "delete" government agencies and fire thousands of workers is unconstitutional, a coalition of 14 states alleges in a lawsuit filed Thursday against Musk, his Department of Governmental Efficiency, and President Trump. New Mexico is leading the coalition of states, which claims the unelected billionaire'...

California Warning Labels Have Become a Joke. But They Work

Many companies have abandoned Prop 65's hazardous chemicals rather than label them

(Newser) - Products containing more than 900 chemicals known to cause cancer, reproductive harm, or birth defects have to carry a big warning label under California's Proposition 65, passed by voters in 1986. The warnings appearing on baked goods, faux leather jackets, and even at Disneyland have become something of a...

First California Fire Sale Is Not Cheap

Altadena lot goes for $100K above asking in all-cash bid

(Newser) - Despite some residents' vow that "Altadena is not for sale," a burned-down property in the historically Black Los Angeles neighborhood devastated by the Eaton Fire has sold for more than half a million dollars. The 9,109-square-foot lot on West Calaveras Street, teased as a "great opportunity...

Cheeky Petition Wants Denmark to Buy California

It's racked up more than 200K signatures

(Newser) - "Måke Califørnia Great Ægain" appears atop a cheeky petition calling for Denmark to buy the state of California—one that has garnered more than 210,000 signatures as of this writing. NBC News sees it as a "satirical counter offer" to President Trump's own...

After Crash, Boy Sat With Mom's Body for 12 Hours

7-year-old with broken arm was later found walking alone: California Highway Patrol

(Newser) - More tragedy in California, where a 7-year-old boy, the lone survivor of a car crash that killed his mother, stayed with her body for 12 hours before walking in search of help. A person called police shortly before noon Sunday to say the injured boy had been found walking along...

State Farm Wants a Monster Rate Hike in California

After LA wildfires, insurer seeks emergency 22% rate increase

(Newser) - California's largest home insurer has some not-great news for homeowners. On Monday, State Farm General, which currently insures about a million homes in the state, said it was asking the California Department of Insurance to OK an emergency rate increase as a result of the recent Los Angeles wildfires,...

Woman Arrested After 27 Dead Horses Found in California

Other animals at her properties are still being evaluated, authorities say

(Newser) - A California woman was arrested this week in an alleged case of horrific animal cruelty. Police executed a search warrant in San Joaquin County, not far from Sacramento, Wednesday related to an ongoing animal neglect case, and they say they found 27 dead horses across several properties in the area,...

Couple: Ice From JetBlue Plane Slammed Into Our Home

Michael Reese, Leah Ferrarini file $1M suit, saying they now 'cringe in fear' when planes fly over

(Newser) - A California couple say they're looking to move out of their "dream home" after a frightening incident involving a JetBlue aircraft. Business Insider reports that Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini are suing the airline for $1 million, alleging a block of ice the size of a watermelon fell...

Their Homes Are Gone, but Now They Have a Keepsake

Artists' offers to sketch, paint burned homes 'means the world' to those left with nothing

(Newser) - Homes burned to the ground in Los Angeles County are getting new life—with a paintbrush. Watercolor artist Jordan Heber typically charges $350 to $400 for painting commissions , mostly of beloved homes. After whole neighborhoods burned in California, she created a TikTok video showcasing her work and offering to paint...

In the 'Undescribable' Wildfire Ruins, a Glimmer of Joy

Firefighter Chien Yu recovers his wedding ring in rubble of his home lost in California's Eaton Fire

(Newser) - Before heading off to battle California's blazes, Pasadena firefighter Chien Yu evacuated his wife and two kids to safety from their own home in Altadena, reports KABC . Sadly, the Eaton Fire destroyed his house and others in the area, but there was a small bit of light as Yu...

Even California Will Raise Flags for Trump Inauguration

Other states have already said flags will be lowered again the next day for Jimmy Carter

(Newser) - Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom will join Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and some GOP governors around the country in directing US flags be raised to full height on Inauguration Day, the AP reports. Newsom's spokesperson Izzy Gardon confirmed Wednesday that the governor would temporarily direct the raising of...

After the 'Unimaginable,' Hollywood Steps Up to Help

Halle Berry donates 'entire closet' to wildfire victims; Sharon Stone, other celebs also boosting efforts

(Newser) - As firefighters desperately work to contain the Palisades Fire and other blazes breaking out in Southern California, locals are trying to help, too —even stars like Halle Berry, who decided she was going to donate all the clothes she owns to help, reports USA Today . "I'm packing...

To Rebuild Fast, Newsom Halts Environmental Rules

California's stringent regulations have been suspended for the time being after fires

(Newser) - With massive rebuilding needed in the Los Angeles area after a series of devastating wildfires, including the deadly Palisades Fire , Gov. Gavin Newsom has already made a big move to expedite that process. The New York Times reports that Newsom has given his OK to a "broad" executive order...

Pro vs. Private Firefighters: 'We Consider Them a Liability'

Private firefighters inspire controversy as they protect the rich, insurance firms, government agencies

(Newser) - As the Palisades Fire raged last week, wealthy local entrepreneur Keith Wasserman put out a tweet he's come to regret. "Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home?" he posted in the since-deleted tweet. "Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will...

Powerball Winner's Mansion Destroyed in Palisades Fire

Newish billionaire Edwin Castro loses $3.8M luxury home in Malibu

(Newser) - Edwin Castro's good-luck streak has ended. The California man—who won $2.04 billio n in a 2022 Powerball drawing, scooped up tens of millions of dollars' worth of luxury real estate, and won a lawsuit alleging he wasn't the rightful owner of the winning Powerball ticket—has...

Pair Sentenced After Child Sex Abuse Files Fall Out of Walls

Father and son sentenced to lengthy prison terms following renovation at their former home

(Newser) - A father and son convicted of multiple child sex crimes after damning photographs and video tapes fell out of walls at their former property have been sentenced. Theodore Smith, 90, was sentenced to 100 years in prison last month after pleading no contest to 11 counts of committing forcible lewd...

LA Mayor's Ill-Timed Trip May Cost Her

Karen Bass was in Ghana when the wildfires broke out, didn't get back until Wednesday

(Newser) - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass flew to Ghana on Saturday, just as forecasts at home grew concerning, reports the Los Angeles Times . And though she cut her trip short and returned on Wednesday, Bass is facing harsh criticism for her absence amid what may be the most destructive fire in...

Thousands of LA Pets Are Now Homeless, Too

Animal shelters, volunteers are struggling to keep up with demand

(Newser) - The wildfire-fueled chaos in Los Angeles extends not just to humans, but also their animals, many of whom were forced out of their homes or left behind as residents evacuated with little time to spare. Jill Tucker of the California Animal Welfare Association, who's been coordinating with more than...

SF's New Mayor Lives a Life 'Far Removed From Most'

Wealthy Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie aims to clean up the streets, streamline bureaucracy

(Newser) - Daniel Lurie, heir to the Levi Strauss fortune , has never held public office before. But on Wednesday, he'll be sworn in as the 46th mayor of his hometown of San Francisco. The 47-year-old founder of anti-poverty nonprofit Tipping Point Community is the city's first mayor elected since 1911...

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