California
California Dem Senator and Donor to Radical State LGBT Group Launches Bid for Governor
Toni Atkins authored ‘self-ID’ law that lets anyone change his or her legal sex by simple self-attestation
California Democratic state senator Toni Atkins, who has given tens of thousands of dollars to the LGBT group behind some of the state’s most radical policies, jumped into the crowded race for governor on Friday.
Atkins, who last month stepped down as the state senate leader, has personally and through her campaign given nearly $50,000 to Equality California, the powerful special interest group that helped write or push laws enshrining gender ideology in K-12 schools, allowing men into women’s prisons, and making the state a “haven” where out-of-state kids can come for sex-change hormones and surgeries. Atkins herself authored the Equality California-backed “self-ID” law that lets anyone change his or her legal sex by simple self-attestation—a controversial policy that critics say imperils women’s safety by letting males into their intimate spaces.
Atkins is the latest prominent state Democrat to jump into the 2026 campaign years ahead of the election as a laundry list of Sacramento power players vie to raise money and build name recognition in a race where there is no clear leader. George Soros-backed lieutenant governor Eleni Kounalakis, who has fostered ties with China and urged the state elections official to unilaterally ban former president Donald Trump from the ballot, was the first to announce her candidacy, followed by the scandal-plagued public schools chief Tony Thurmond who promotes gender ideology on K-12 campuses even as students struggle with literacy.
State controller Betty Yee, who faced legislative scrutiny for pushing a failed, $600 million no-bid COVID-19 mask deal, is also running. Rob Bonta, the state’s progressive attorney general who has made it a political priority to pressure schools to transition gender-confused kids behind their parents’ backs, is expected to announce his own bid.
Atkins’s various campaigns have given nearly $50,000 dollars to Equality California over her years in the state assembly and senate. She has personally donated thousands of dollars to the group as well, securing a spot in its donor “leadership circle.” Meanwhile Equality California’s political arm has backed her various campaigns for state office, starting with her 2010 campaign for state assembly.
As a lawmaker, Atkins carried some of the group’s contentious legislation. The self-ID law she authored in 2017 is similar to a measure passed in Scotland, which the British government nixed last year on the grounds that it hurt women’s sex-based rights. Women’s groups warn that these laws allow any male into intimate female spaces like restrooms, dressing rooms, spas, and locker rooms without checks. Equality California was also behind a similar law Atkins authored that lets prison and jail inmates change their names and sex without assessment or approval by their parole or probation officers.
California
California man enters US 95, dies in crash southeast of Boulder City, Nevada State Police says
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A California man died in a crash Friday southwest of Boulder City, Nevada State Police said.
Police sent details to FOX5 on a fatal crash that happened in the area of the US 95 and mile marker 4 in Clark County April 25 around 9:29 p.m. Police said this is about 6 miles southeast of Boulder City.
Police said that the driver of a 2005 GMC Yukon traveled southbound on US 95 in the far right travel lane. At this moment, a pedestrian entered the US 95 from the center median into the path of the driver.
The pedestrian was identified by police as Julian Gusan, a 34-year-old from Redlands, California. Arriving officers at the scene said he died on scene from his injuries.
He was struck by the GMC’s front, and according to police, the driver stayed on scene for investigating officers.
“The investigation is being conducted by the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol – Southern Command Multidisciplinary Investigation & Reconstruction Team,” police said. “2024 Year to date: The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Southern Command has investigated 21 fatal crashes resulting in 26 fatalities.”
Police said this year’s fatalities data is preliminary and may change/be updated based on final investigation and coroner reports.
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A wind-whipped wildfire in Kern County quickly passed 1,000 acres on Thursday afternoon and prompted an evacuation warning.
The School Fire was reported at 1:41 p.m. east of the city of Maricopa. By 3 p.m. it had burned 1,000 acres, and an evacuation warning was issued for a rural area south of Highway 166.
Within three hours, forward progress had been stopped and the warning was lifted, said a report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
As of 7 a.m. Friday, May 3, the burned area was at 1,479 acres (2.3 square miles) and containment was 50%, CalFire said. The cause was under investigation.
It was the largest of the 10 wildfires logged by CalFire so far this year. Last week’s Refuge Fire burned 475 acres in Fresno County; an Inyo County fire in early April destroyed four structures and forced the evacuation of the community of Cartago.
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — Here is a prayer I wrote for National Prayer Day that I delivered Thursday morning, May 2.
Hear the call, California, let’s rise and unite,
In our land of splendor, from plight to light.
From redwood shadows to shimmering shore,
Let’s build a future worth striving for.
“Listen,” resounds from valley to peak,
Affordable homes for all who seek.
In cities bustling and towns serene,
Let fairness dwell, let grace be seen.
Against the shadows of bigotry and hate,
Stand strong for love, let it resonate.
From San Diego’s warmth to the Bay’s cool mist,
Inclusion and safety top our list.
Housing that’s affordable, a roof for each head,
In neighborhoods where no one fears to tread.
From LA’s sprawl to Sacramento’s streets,
Let’s secure a haven where hope meets.
In tech’s grand hub, let innovation lead,
To solutions where compassion’s creed.
May Silicon Valley’s minds conceive,
New ways for the Golden State to achieve.
Let California’s dream be vast and bold,
A tale of kindness and courage told.
With every “shema,” let’s understand,
A call to act, for the future we planned.
Hear the call of the surf, the whispering pines,
For a state where every star aligns.
A haven of peace, where all are free,
California, let this our legacy be.
*
Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista. He may be contacted via michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com
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