West

Reparations supporters vow payback after CA state Democrats block two bills: 'Political price to pay'

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2024

Reparations supporters vow payback after CA state Democrats block two bills: 'Political price to pay'

Protests erupt in California over shelved reparations bills

Let’s Win for America Action co-chair Janelle King discussed the Kamala Harris campaign’s effort to garner support from labor leaders, Democrats’ effort to defend her ‘flip-flops’ and protests over shelved reparations bills in California.

A pair of reparations-related bills for the descendants of enslaved Black Americans failed to pass in the California legislature last week, but supporters say they’re not going down without a fight.

The two bills led by Democrats that would have greenlit reparations were considered key components of some lawmakers’ ambitious efforts to pass legislation aimed at atoning for what they said was a legacy of racist policies that drove disparities for Black people, from housing to education to health. Authored by Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford of Inglewood, Senate Bill 1331 would have created a new state fund for reparations, while Senate Bill 1403 would have established a state agency to oversee these efforts and determine who would be eligible.

After hours of heated debate and protests last week, Democratic state lawmakers and the California Legislative Black Caucus chose to proceed without the bills. While the Democratic-led California legislature did pass a spate of other bills aimed at remedying past racial injustices, none of these would provide direct payments to African-Americans.

BLACK CALIFORNIANS WARN NEWSOM OF ‘DIRECT IMPACT’ ON HARRIS AFTER DEMOCRATS KILL SLAVE REPARATION BILLS

Members of Coalition for a Just and Equitable California protest and demand lawmakers take up a vote on two reparations bill in the rotunda on the last day of the legislative year Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Tran Nguyen)

Reparations supporters, however, are vowing revenge, CalMatters reported. Some are reportedly weighing the idea of recalling Black caucus members and other state Democrats who blocked the bills from going through.

“They plan on showing up at town hall meetings in some of the legislators’ districts, and at least one group has filed an ethics complaint with the special committee on legislative ethics against the caucus. The complaint alleges corruption and improper influence played a role in the bills’ fates,” according to CalMatters.

“There has to be a political price to pay,” Chris Lodgson, who has been working with state lawmakers on reparations since 2019, told the nonprofit news organization.

“This hurts in a different way because what we saw was our own people stop our own people. That hits different,” he said.

California Legislative Black Caucus Chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson said Saturday that the Black Caucus pulled the bills, adding the proposals need more work.

“We knew from the very beginning that it was an uphill battle … And we also knew from the very beginning that it would be a multiyear effort,” Wilson told reporters.

PROTESTS ERUPT AT CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL AFTER PAIR OF REPARATIONS BILLS SHELVED

Protests erupted outside the Capitol Saturday as reparation advocates demanded the lawmakers who held up the bills be held accountable.

A person wears a Reparations Rally hat during a rally for reparations at the African Burial Ground National Monument on July 23, 2021. (Getty Images)

“This type of betrayal cannot go unanswered,” the Coalition for a Just & Equitable California wrote on X. “There must be a political price to pay. Gone are the days when politicians of any race or party can disrespect Black Americans and expect no political consequences. We are not captured. We do not belong to any party or special interest. We are the living embodiment of our Ancestors who built this state and this country over 400 years and who are owed Reparations. We’re coming…No…We’re HERE, to get our checks and more.”

The California Legislative Black Caucus did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News’ Bradford Bentz contributed to this report.

Yael Halon is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to yael.halon@fox.com.

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Montana

Lawsuit seeks to “cement legality” of corner crossing in Montana

Published

30 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Lawsuit seeks to “cement legality” of corner crossing in Montana

HELENA — A group of conservation advocacy organizations are suing the State of Montana to “cement the legality of corner crossing” in Montana.

On Thursday, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Public Land and Water Access Association filed a lawsuit against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Lewis and Clark County District Court.

The legal action comes one day after Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, a Republican, addressed the Montana Environmental Quality Council about corner crossing.

(WATCH: Lt. Gov. Juras discusses corner crossing with Montana lawmakers)

Montana elected leaders discuss “corner crossing”

Corner crossing is the act of stepping from adjoining corners of public land without stepping on the adjacent private land.

While there is no state law or case law directly addressing corner crossing in Montana, FWP, under the Gianforte administration, has stated that corner crossing remains unlawful in Montana, and people should obtain permission from the adjoining landowners before crossing corners. Wardens have been instructed to use their discretion to cite individuals for trespassing if caught corner crossing.

The new lawsuit argues that FWP policy on corner crossing is “incorrect and unlawful.”

“Though not an attack on the agency overall, as both BHA and PLWA are currently defending FWP as intervenors in separate litigation, we fundamentally disagree with the Department on this issue and believe this must now be decided before a neutral court,” said Jake Schwaller, Chair of the Montana Chapter of BHA, in a press release. “There comes a time when we simply need to stand up for our public land, and this is our time.”

MTN News

Ladder used by the hunters in Wyoming corner crossing case

The plaintiffs in the case say they had met with FWP several times about corner crossing, but believe the lawsuit is their path forward to resolving the debate.

“Montanans deserve clear, consistent guidance on how they can access their public lands,” said Alex Leone, Executive Director for PLWA, in the press release. “There is a commonsense path that respects private property while ensuring public lands aren’t effectively blocked. We’ve worked in good faith to find that solution and remain ready to do so.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL COMPLAINT

According to data from onX, there are around 1.5 million acres of public lands locked behind private property in the Treasure State. About 871,000 acres of public land in Montana is “corner locked.”

Much of the recent debate on corner crossing has followed developments last year in a Wyoming corner crossing case.

(WATCH: Corner Crossing in Montana explained)

Corner crossing in Montana explained

In October, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the 10th District Court of Appeals on Iron Bar Holdings v. Cape. The case stems from a land access dispute in Wyoming. In 2022, the ranch, owned by pharmaceutical executive Fred Eshelman, sued a group of hunters who used a ladder to corner cross onto public land that was locked in by Eshelman’s property. The suit alleged that the hunters trespassed when they passed through the airspace over the private property.

A federal district judge agreed with the hunters, stating that nothing they did violated federal law. When the 10th District Court of Appeals took up the case, it ruled a property owner could not create an obstacle that would limit free passage over public lands.

Since the Supreme Court did not take the case up, the ruling effectively became case law. However, that ruling only impacts states in the 10th Circuit; Montana is in the 9th Circuit.

MTN has spoken with several lawyers, including a prosecutor, about the issue of corner crossing. They agreed to provide background as long as it was off-camera due to the clients they represent. The consensus from the lawyers was that most county attorneys don’t pursue corner crossing trespassing cases.

Juras also testified before the EQC that she was not aware of a true corner crossing trespass case that had gone to trial.

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Nevada

Best Nevada high schools for athletes? One study has revealed a top 25

Published

42 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Best Nevada high schools for athletes? One study has revealed a top 25

Nevada has a rich history of producing athletic legends.

Total number of sports: 24

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Total number of sports: 14

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New Mexico

Find out how New Mexico hospitals rank for patient safety

Published

60 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

Find out how New Mexico hospitals rank for patient safety

Leapfrog released its 2026 spring hospital safety grades.

Grades are assigned based on overall performance, including patient safety.

The Leapfrog Group’s goal is to publicly report patient safety and quality information for the benefit of consumers, purchasers, and referring physicians as they make decisions about where to seek care and where to direct patients,” the company stated on its website.

Here’s how your local hospitals performed.

MountainView Regional Medical Center – A

Leapfrog gave MountainView an “A.”

“Being the only hospital in Doña Ana County to earn an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group speaks to the high standards our team sets – and meets – every day,” said MountainView CEO Patrick Shannon. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and employees to deliver the safest care possible for our community.”

“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that MountainView is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”

The hospital performed better than average in several areas including low infection rates, addressing safety problems, and ICU care. The hospital received below average performances ratings in surgical site infections post colon surgery, communication about medicine and discharge, communication with doctors and nurses and nursing and bedside care for patients.

Memorial Medical Center – B

Memorial Medical Center received a “B” grade from Leapfrog.

The hospital performed well in effective leadership, reduction and prevention of infections and addressing safety problems.

The hospital received below average ratings for kidney injury after surgery, serious breathing problems, harmful events, communication about medicine and discharge, and communication with doctors and nurses.

Not rated by Leapfrog were Three Crosses Regional Hospital.