California
Another California county declares racism a public health crisis
FILE ART- A scultpure in Santa Rosa. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Racism is a public health crisis.
That was the resolution passed Tuesday by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, which joined dozens of other California jurisdictions, and hundreds nationwide, in declaring racism responsible for disparities in access to health care and worse health outcomes for Black and other underrepresented Americans compared to white Americans.
The resolution also outlined steps to take to combat the crisis. It comes roughly four years after the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light multiple health disparities in the United States and across the Bay Area, and nearly four years to the day of the killing of Breonna Taylor by police officers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Several high-profile killings that year of Black Americans by police officers, including Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and George Floyd in Minnesota brought attention to health outcomes influenced by structural and institutional racism, including racial profiling in multiple areas of American life that impact physical and mental health and can shorten lives.
A 2016 study from the peer-reviewed medical journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America showed that white medical students still believe racist myths about Black patients, including believing they feel less pain and have other biological differences that they do not.
A more recent study from researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine showed that disparities in rates of hypertension, pre-eclampsia and anemia were the result of bias in the medical community. Even when education and economic status are equal, Black Americans receive better health care when being treated by a Black medical professional because of bias from white medical professionals, according to the study.
In Sonoma County, the county’s health department zeroed in on the fact that Black residents have an average lifespan at birth of 10 years less than white county residents, among other disparities.
Supervisors passed the resolution unanimously after an impassioned and at times emotional speech from Health Services Director Tina Rivera. She noted during her presentation that she was the only Black person who was the head of a county department, which made the effort more challenging.
She said living and working in Sonoma County as a Black woman was “extremely difficult.”
“This is probably the single most important presentation I make before you today,” Rivera told the board. “Because this is not just a presentation. I believe it’s a call to action.”
Following the presentation, three angry, aggrieved white men spoke separately during the public comment period, denouncing the resolution and the county’s anti-racism efforts to improve its health care system. Supervisor Chris Coursey said the men helped prove why the resolution was needed.
Rivera, during her presentation, said silence in the face of this challenge would not serve the county’s goals of implementing antiracist policies to reduce harm from institutional racism.
“Today I stand with those who have felt ignored and erased and abandoned and abused. And I stand with those who, like me, have suffered discrimination, microaggressions, bigotry, physical, mental and emotional harm,” Rivera said.
Besides informing the board that Black Sonoma County residents live an average of 71 years, compared to white residents, who have a life expectancy of 81.6 years from birth, the presentation included data from the 2021 Portrait of Sonoma County report that spotlighted multiple disparities.
Among them, it said that over 13% of Latino adults and over 10% of Native American adults living in Sonoma County have at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 41.5% of white adults.
Sonoma County Black and Hispanic or Latinx children are about 2.5 times more likely to live in poverty than white children. People of color, especially Black and Native American residents, are overrepresented in the county’s unhoused population, according to the county’s data.
Black people are more than twice as likely not to have health insurance and Hispanic or Latinx people are four times more likely to be without health insurance than white people in the county.
“These outcomes are the result of centuries of laws, policies, and systems that disadvantage people of color,” Rivera wrote in her report to the board. “They contribute to poorer health outcomes within these communities because they prevent people from gaining access to the programs, services, resources, and opportunities they need to live and thrive.”
The resolution included eight areas for the county to focus on, including investing in learning and leadership programs to help change the county’s organizational culture and ensuring the county’s workforce reflects its population.
The resolution directs the county to create a Health Equity Action Plan, Community Health Assessment, and a Community Health Improvement Plan focusing on structural racism.
Staff across departments will identify best practices to promote racial equity in community and internal county services.
The resolution also calls on the county to advocate for and prioritize more allocation of resources and funding to antiracist goals and the needs of communities of color.
Other actions include better collection of data, youth engagement, and working with community partners already involved in combating the effects of racism.
In 2018, Milwaukee County in Wisconsin was the first jurisdiction in the United States to declare racism a public health crisis. Similar declarations have been made by 265 organizations and jurisdictions around the country, with at least 39 in California, including Sonoma County.
Celebrated Filmmaker Rob Reiner, Wife Michele Singer Found Dead
Acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer found dead in their Brentwood home. The circumstances are under police investigation.
Celebrated actor, director, producer and activist Rob Reiner, whose work shaped American television and cinema for decades, has died at 78, according to Variety and TMZ. His death, alongside that of his wife, Michele Singer, 68, is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department after the couple was found in their home in Brentwood, California.
A dedicated political activist, Reiner was slated to speak on Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Palm Springs, Calif., about his career and his book “A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap.”
Reiner, born March 6, 1947, in the Bronx, New York, grew up in the entertainment business − his father was comedy legend Carl Reiner and his mother, Estelle, was an actress. He became famous in his own right for his portrayal of Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the groundbreaking sitcom “All in the Family,” winning two Emmy Awards as Archie Bunker’s son-in-law.
Though he had dozens of acting credits to his name, he transitioned to directing and created beloved films including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “A Few Good Men” and “When Harry Met Sally …” He cast his mother as an extra in the rom-com classic for a scene at a New York deli where Meg Ryan faked an orgasm.
“First couple of times, she didn’t do it full out,” Reiner said of directing Ryan in the scene. “Finally, I sat across from Billy (Crystal). And I acted it for her. … And I’m pounding the table, ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ And I’m realizing I’m having an orgasm in front of my mother, you know? There’s my mother over there.” His mother’s line – “I’ll have what she’s having” – became one of the most famous lines in film.
Similarly, his mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap” was a part of the cultural landscape (and earned a spot in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry), with memorable songs like “Gimme Some Money.”
Reiner admitted that was the very reason “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” came to be: “We never got any money from the first movie, really,” Reiner said in an interview with USA TODAY earlier this year about his three stars, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer. “Lots of people had the rights, and the four us had 10% each, and while it’s going to sound crazy, we only got like 82 cents apiece over the years, despite all the DVD and foreign sales. Call it creative accounting on steroids. So Harry said, ‘I’m going to sue to get the rights back,’ and though it took him years, he got it done.”
The sequel was largely improvised. “The fun thing for me was falling back with old friends,” he said. “You just start doing your thing with each other, Chris used to call it ‘schneedeling,’ and right away, we were schneedeling as if no time has gone by. You can’t beat that.”
Reiner was a progressive and outspoken voice in the Hollywood community, supporting issues including marriage equality and gun control. He was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and advocated for social and political change. In 2006, his name was floated as a possible candidate for governor of California, but he decided not to run.
Reiner was slated to speak on Tuesday, Dec. 16 in Palm Springs at the historic Plaza Theatre about his career and his book “A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap.” Bruce Fessier, who covered entertainment for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs for four decades, was to moderate.
“I was preparing for my Q&A with Rob Reiner … when I heard two people had been murdered at his house in West L.A.,” Fessier said. “I felt like I knew him well.”
He had rewatched both “Spinal Tap” movies that afternoon and had also read his book in preparation.
“I prayed the victims weren’t Rob and his wife, Michele,” he said. When the deaths were confirmed, he cried “Why them? Rob was way more than a great film director and actor. He did so much good as a political activist. He was a renaissance man.”
Rob Reiner was married to actress and director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981. During their marriage, Reiner adopted Marshall’s daughter, Tracy, who later became an actress.
In 1989, Reiner married Michele Singer, a photographer. Together they shared three children: Nick, Jake and Romy. Reiner often credited Michele with inspiring the happy ending of “When Harry Met Sally …,” which he was filming when they met.
Kate Franco, executive editor of The Desert Sun, contributed to this report.
California
De La Salle vs. Santa Margarita: live score, updates, highlights from California’s Open Division state championship bowl | Sporting News
MISSION VIEJO, California, Dec. 13 — The No. 7/SN No. 15 Santa Margarita [Rancho Santa Margarita, CA] Eagles ended a 14-year state championship drought Saturday night in a 47-13 romp past the No. 15/SN No. 25 De La Salle [Concord, CA] Spartans in California’s CIF Open Division state championship bowl.
While the win ended Santa Margarita’s drought, it prolonged De La Salle’s own dry spell in championship bowl games, extending the Spartan’s losing streak to eight games in these contests.
Santa Margarita is ranked as high as No. 4 in the country by three selectors (High School Football America, MaxPreps, and USA Today’s Super 25). In the High School Football America rankings, they’re ranked ahead of both the No. 1/SN No. 1 Buford [GA] Wolves and the No. 3/SN No. 5 Carrollton [GA] Trojans – two teams that will play for Georgia’s GHSA Class 6A championship on Tuesday night.
Whether the win over De La Salle can get the Eagles – who will finish the season with three losses at 11-3 – a share of the national title remains to be seen.
De La Salle, meanwhile, ends its season at 12-1.
WATCH ON THE NFHS NETWORK: No. 7/SN No. 15 Santa Margarita [Rancho Santa Margarita, CA] Eagles vs. No. 15/SN No. 25 De La Salle [Concord, CA] Spartans
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Refresh for updates
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End of the fourth quarter: Santa Margarita 47, De La Salle 13
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SANTA MARGARITA 47, DE LA SALLE 13
Santa Margarita gets a pick six to put capper on this one.
Siua Holani with finished touches on this one. 43-yard pick 6. Santa Margarita 47, De La Salle 13. 1:36 4Q. pic.twitter.com/VVVEN5bvr6
— Mitch Stephens (@MitchBookLive) December 14, 2025
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SANTA MARGARITA 41, DE LA SALLE 13
Johnson finds Gazzaniga for his second touchdown of the game. The tight end entered the game with two touchdown receptions all year, and he’s got two in the state title game.
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End of the third quarter: Santa Margarita 35, De La Salle 13
The first quarter is in the books, and it’s all Santa Margarita so far.
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SANTA MARGARITA 35, DE LA SALLE 13
De La Salle forces another turnover and converts it to points to give them a glimmer of hope that they can climb out of this deep hole.
Two forced De La Salle turnovers and two Jaden Jefferson touchdowns.
Jefferson is the state record holder in the 100-meter dash 💨
De La Salle cuts the Santa Margarita lead to 35-13 with 4:09 left in the 3rd pic.twitter.com/05dJ7Q9Mmy
— West Coast Preps (@westcoastpreps_) December 14, 2025
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The third quarter is under way, and to make matters worse for De La Salle, Santa Margarita is on offense first.
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End of the second quarter: Santa Margarita 35, De La Salle 7
The first quarter is in the books, and it’s all Santa Margarita so far.
Santa Margarita has been a different team offense since Mosley’s return around midseason. And they’re one half away from a state championship in Carson Palmer’s first year at the helm.
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SANTA MARGARITA 35, DE LA SALLE 7
Just over a minute to play in the first half, Mosley scores again on another short play, and then he adds the 2-point conversion. This feels like it’s over.
Trent Mosley finishes off the half with another touchdown. Also adds run for two-point conversion. 1:07 left. Santa Margarita 35, De La Salle 7. Complete domination. pic.twitter.com/hMsSsI0svB
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 14, 2025
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SANTA MARGARITA 27, DE LA SALLE 7
It’s Duce plus a deuce. Santa Margarita marches right back down the field after the Spartans’ touchdown, and Duce Smith carries it in for another touchdown. And even with the score by De La Salle, Santa Margarita still has its biggest lead of the night after converting the 2-point conversion. It’s Johnson to Ryan Clark on the extra two.
Jaion Smith TD. Two-point conversion good. Santa Margarita 27, De La Salle 7 pic.twitter.com/1zpn1ETZyW
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 14, 2025
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Santa Margarita into the red zone again.
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SANTA MARGARITA 19, DE LA SALLE 7
Helped along by the turnover and a couple of penalties, De La Salle’s offensive line shows some muscle in the trenches and they power their way down near the goal line where Jaden Jefferson carries it across. That felt like a must-score situation, and they get the touchdown. Now, can they stop Santa Margarita’s offense again?
Jaden Jefferson TD. Santa Margarita 19, De La Salle 7. 6:43 left in second. pic.twitter.com/QzsKMWP58i
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 14, 2025
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De La Salle gets its first real break. Mosley fumbles, and the Spartans pounce on it inside the Eagles’ 40. If they want to have any chance of staying in this game, they need to make the most of this short field.
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End of the first quarter: Santa Margarita 19, De La Salle 0
The first quarter is in the books, and it’s all Santa Margarita so far.
42 seconds left in first quarter. Santa Margarita 19, De La Salle. Luke Gazzaniga TD. About the only thing the Eagles need to work on are PATs. 1 for 3. pic.twitter.com/WA6IY0blgI
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 14, 2025
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SANTA MARGARITA 19, DE LA SALLE 0
Johnson finds Luke Gazzaniga on a wide-open post against a blown coverage. It’s too easy for the Eagles right now, and with their elite defense, it’s possible they’ve already scored enough to win this game.
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De La Salle with a quick three-and-out on offense, and they punt on a 4th-and-19. Mosley returns it inside De La Salle’s 35. This is already starting to look ugly.
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SANTA MARGARITA 13, DE LA SALLE 0
Trace Johnson finds Mosley with a short swing pass to the right side of the field, and the senior standout does his thing winding and weaving his way 34 yards through traffic before running over the final defender at the goal line. Again, the early feeling watching this is not good for De La Salle.
What a luxury.
Just get it to Trent Mosley and watch.
Santa Margarita 13, De La Salle 0 (missed PAT)pic.twitter.com/3cp3hBbUJ5
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) December 14, 2025
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Santa Margaria quickly approaching the red zone again.
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De La Salle puts together a good drive to get into position for a short field goal attempt. But it’s blocked by Santa Margarita, ending the scoring threat. If you’re a De La Salle fan, you’re encouraged by the offense being able to move against the Eagles. But combined with the defensive personal fouls on Santa Margarita’s first drive, you also get the feeling early that this could be a really tough night for the Spartans. It’s early, we’ll see how they rebound from the lost scoring opportunity.
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SANTA MARGARITA 7, DE LA SALLE 0
Helped along by a couple of personal foul penalties, Santa Margarita drives quickly on its first possession, scoring on a short run by Trent Mosley out of the Wildcat formation.
Tulane bound Trace Johnson and Griffin Brahm connect get in the red zone.
4⭐️ USC bound Trent Mosley then scores. He’s a freakish talent.
Santa Margarita up 7-0 on De La Salle with 8:00 left in the 1st pic.twitter.com/vpo2yvYp9R
— West Coast Preps (@westcoastpreps_) December 14, 2025
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Santa Margarita won the toss and deferred to the second half. De La Salle picks up one first down against this stout Eagles’ defense before being forced to punt.
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They’re under way in California! This is the final game of California’s high school football season.
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Coming soon!
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De La Salle vs. Santa Margarita start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
- Start time: 11 p.m. EST (8 p.m. PST local)
The game between De La Salle and Santa Margarita is being played at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California.
How can I watch De La Salle vs. Santa Margarita today?
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF HEADLINES
A lawsuit over the death of an 11-year-old California girl who was allegedly tortured and starved by her adoptive family reached a settlement on Friday totaling $31.5m from the city and county of San Diego as well as other groups.
The suit was brought on behalf of the two younger sisters of Arabella McCormack, who died in August 2022. The girls were ages six and seven at the time. Their adoptive mother, Leticia McCormack, and McCormack’s parents, Adella and Stanley Tom, are facing charges of murder, conspiracy, child abuse and torture. They pleaded not guilty to all charges, and their criminal case is ongoing.
The lawsuit alleged a systemic failure across the city and several agencies and organizations to not report Arabella McCormack’s abuse.
The settlement includes $10m from the city of San Diego, $10m from San Diego county, $8.5m from the Pacific Coast Academy and $3m from the Rock church, the sisters’ attorney, Craig McClellan, said. The school oversaw Arabella McCormack’s home schooling, and her adoptive mother was an ordained elder at the church.
“The amount is going to be enough to take care of the girls for the rest of the lives,” McClellan said. But it “isn’t going to be enough and never could be enough … to replace their sister, nor is it going to erase the memories of what they went through”.
The lawsuit said county social workers did not properly investigate abuse claims and two teachers at the Pacific Coast Academy failed to report the girl’s condition. It also said a San Diego police officer, a friend of the girl’s adoptive mother, gave the family a wooden paddle that they could use to hit their children.
San Diego sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a child in distress at the McCormack home 30 August 2022. They found Arabella McCormack severely malnourished with bruises, authorities said. She was taken to a hospital, where she died.
Her sisters are now nine and 11 and living with a foster mother. They are in good health and “doing pretty well considering all things”, McClellan said.
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