In The News

CDPH: What do we know about the Omicron variant?

December 01, 2021

What do we know about the Omicron variant?

We are still learning about the new variant, including how it spreads and infects individuals as well as how it responds to vaccines. Here is what we know

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Los Angeles County Reports Additional Case of the Omicron Variant as a Possible Result of Local Transmission

December 08, 2021

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has received confirmation of a fourth case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). This latest case is a possible result of local transmission.

The individual is fully vaccinated and received a booster. The individual had mild symptoms and had multiple close contacts who have since tested positive and are self-isolating. Several of the close contacts are fully vaccinated, while the vaccination status of some is still being determined.

Los Angeles County Reports First Case of the Omicron Variant

December 02, 2021

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has received confirmation of its first case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The individual returned to Los Angeles County after travel to South Africa via London on 11/22/2021. This infection is most likely travel-related.

The Sacramento Bee: Planned Parenthood rates lawmakers

November 26, 2021

BY ANDREW SHEELER

PLANNED PARENTHOOD RELEASES LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

KQED: 'Rolling Deep': Here's How Latinos Are Reshaping California Environmentalism

November 22, 2021

By Ezra David Romero

Latino power players stacked the California delegation at this month's U.N. climate meeting in Glasgow, which concluded last week.

“California is rolling deep, as they say,” said Assemblyman Eddie Garcia, who represents the Coachella Valley.

Press-Telegram: Gov. Newsom visits LA, Long Beach ports as focus shifts to supply chain fixes

November 17, 2021

By DONNA LITTLEJOHN

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and White House appointee John D. Porcari toured Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals on Wednesday, Nov. 17, as attention shifts to a new phase in fixing the supply chain logjam — identifying the funding and projects that will be needed quickly.

California will have to fight for its share of the $17 billion included for ports and waterways in the infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed this week, Newsom said about will be a competitive grant process for those funds.

CALMATTERS: What’s at stake for California as climate conference begins?

October 28, 2021
By Rachel Becker 
It’s what some are calling the last, best chance for world leaders to agree on how to stop catastrophic climate change, and what others say could be fruitless. Either way, California will be well-represented. 
 
The 26th United Nations climate change conference will draw global leaders to Glasgow, Scotland this week, including a 23-member official delegation from California led by Gov. Gavin Newsom. 
 
The meeting comes as the extreme impacts of climate change continue to pummel California, which saw torrential rains last month even in the midst of a devastating drought. 

CALMATTERS: Cars and trucks: How international climate promises compare to California’s mandates

November 10, 2021
By Rachel Becker
Nations convening at the United Nations climate conference pledged today to end the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in major markets by 2035 and globally by 2040, mirroring California’s plans. 
 
The nations took another major step: a plan to eliminate sales of trucks and buses that pump out planet warming pollution by 2040. But even though it was inspired by California, the international agreement goes beyond the state’s current mandates, which ramp up sales of zero-emission trucks, starting in 2024. 
 
California signed on in support of both international agreements. Notably absent from both: the United States government and other major car markets, including China and Germany. 

AP News: California proposes new oil drilling ban near neighborhoods

October 21, 2021
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s oil and gas regulator on Thursday proposed that the state ban new oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes and hospitals to protect public health in what would be the nation’s largest buffer zone between oil wells and communities.
 

Long Beach Business Journal: New law takes aim at ‘bad actors’ in trucking—and the companies using their services

October 21, 2021

By Alena Maschke

Big box retailers moving product through California will soon have to take a closer look at the company they keep—or pay the price.

A state Senate bill recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom speeds up the process for companies who have been found to misclassify drivers to be added to a state blacklist, and places additional liability on customers—largely retailers—who continue to use their services.