California
California governor’s star rises as Biden’s popularity sinks
“It’s not even on my radar. I’ve lower than zero curiosity.” That’s what California Governor Gavin Newsom informed the editorial board of the San Francisco Chronicle in late Could when requested about his curiosity within the 2024 presidential race. A number of weeks later, Newsom appears to be testing the waters, regardless of frequent denials. Because the chief of the nation’s most populous state, the Democrat has demonstrated a willingness to problem the Republican Get together narrative and communicate out loudly on points similar to gun management and abortion. In the meantime, President Joe Biden, who will flip 80 in November, is seeing his recognition drop amid doubts about his bid for re-election.
A local Californian, the 54-year-old governor appears to have been gripped by Potomac fever, because the pundits half-jokingly name the fervor to carry energy in Washington, D.C. The governor has actually exhibited a few of the signs. Newsom visited the capital metropolis in mid-July whereas Biden was in Saudi Arabia, fueling rumors about his political ambitions. He met with veteran California politicians Nancy Pelosi and Diane Feinstein, and in addition with long-time colleague, Vice President Kamala Harris. Newsom and Harris had the identical mentor, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
In mid-June, Newsom joined Reality Social, Donald Trump’s social community, one of many first Democrats to leap into that morass of Trumpism. He later tweeted that he joined the community to “name out Republican lies.” His first video submit was about excessive homicide charges in GOP-controlled states, a counterattack to the frequent Republican declare that giant US cities (largely managed by Democrats) have excessive crime charges. “Eight of the highest 10 states with the very best homicide charges occur to be pink states… What are the legal guidelines and insurance policies in these states which can be resulting in such carnage?” requested the governor, who has crusaded for strict gun regulation.
Earlier than the US Supreme Courtroom repealed the Roe v. Wade determination on abortion rights, Newsom sounded an alarm that resonates strongly amongst Democrats. “The place the hell’s my social gathering? Why aren’t we standing up extra firmly? And sure, they [Republicans] are profitable,” he mentioned in Could after the draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito was leaked. Newsom believes the November midterm elections will probably be outlined by social points like abortion rights, not financial points. However latest polls don’t assist the governor’s prediction. Newsom says the Democratic Get together, usually criticized by its left wing as being overly timid, should go on the offensive.
The son of a San Francisco choose, Newsom exemplifies the politicians of his native metropolis, a bastion of progressive politics in the USA. The proprietor of PlumpJack Wines, a series of wine shops and eating places that he began in 1992, Newsom jumped into politics within the 2000s. He turned mayor of town in 2003 when he was solely 36 years outdated. He was married on the time to Kimberly Guilfoyle, whom he divorced shortly after taking workplace. Now a tv information persona, Guilfoyle is at present engaged to Donald Trump Jr., the previous president’s son. In 2008, Newsom married Jennifer Siebel, a Stanford-trained documentary filmmaker and actress. The 2 have 4 youngsters.
In February 2004, Newsom made nationwide information for his outspoken assist of same-sex marriage. He granted lots of of same-sex marriage licenses even if outstanding Democratic senators and presidential contenders John Kerry and John Edwards most well-liked civil unions over same-sex marriage. “In some ways, we characterize the way forward for this nation,” mentioned Newsom in a 2004 interview with EL PAÍS. However in 2008, a conservative wave swept over California and a referendum vote banned same-sex marriages. The US Supreme Courtroom legalized them nationwide in 2015, however now they appear to be at risk once more given the Courtroom’s conservative majority.
Newsom has demonstrated a willingness to swim towards the tide. He turned governor of California in January 2019, and gained accolades for his management through the pandemic till he was caught attending a celebration in late 2020 at an unique Napa Valley restaurant, violating his personal restrictions on public gatherings. It was a serious blow to his recognition, and he barely survived an impeachment vote in 2021.
The governor appears to have broadened his horizons this 12 months. He spent US$105,000 on promoting in Florida, a state that’s 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from California, to problem Ron DeSantis, a number one contender for the Republican presidential nomination. Newsom stays targeted on opposing conservative methods and ways. Nonetheless, he took a web page from the Texas authorized playbook that enables civil fits towards individuals who facilitate abortions, making use of the identical precept in California to permit victims of gun violence to sue gun producers.
We’re about to have fun Independence Day — however Freedom is below assault by Republican leaders in states like Florida.
Banning books.
Proscribing speech.
Making it more durable to vote.
Criminalizing ladies and docs.
It’s time to face up. Don’t allow them to take your freedom. pic.twitter.com/cFI5UzgZzX— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 3, 2022
California has given three presidents to the USA – Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Herbert Hoover – all Republicans. Arnold Schwarzenegger additionally examined the presidential waters, however his Austrian beginning prevented him from operating. No Democratic politician from California has ever made it to the White Home, though many have tried. Jerry Brown Jr. ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination 3 times, in the end concluding that the California governorship was a “career-ending” job.
If Newsom does make a run for president, Kamala Harris will probably be standing in his manner. The vice chairman and the governor prevented a battle in 2013 when each declined to run for governor, a race that Jerry Brown later gained in a landslide. Harris opted to run for senator in 2016 whereas Newsom set his sights on the 2018 gubernatorial race. Bakari Sellers, a CNN commentator near the vice chairman, lately in contrast Newsom to Icarus. “Generally he flies too near the solar,” he mentioned.
In his Could interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Newsom mentioned he wasn’t planning on operating for president, later including, “I hope Kamala Harris is the following president of the USA.” A lot has occurred since that interview.
California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says state will provide rebates if Trump removes tax credit for electric vehicles
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will provide rebates to residents if President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration does away with a federal tax credit for electric vehicles.
In a news release issued Monday, Newsom said he would restart the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which provided financial incentives on more than 590,000 vehicles before it was phased out late 2023.
“We will intervene if the Trump Administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California,” Newsom said. “We’re not turning back on a clean transportation future — we’re going to make it more affordable for people to drive vehicles that don’t pollute.”
The federal rebates on new and used electric vehicles were implemented in the Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden signed into law in 2022. When Trump’s second term in office begins next year, he could work with Congress to change the rules around those rebates. Those potential changes could limit the federal rebates, including by reducing the amount of money available or limiting who is eligible.
Limiting federal subsidies on electric vehicle purchases would hurt many American automakers, including Ford, General Motors and the EV startup Rivian. Tesla, which also builds its automobiles in the United States, would take a smaller hit since that company currently sells more EVs and has a higher profit margin than any other EV manufacturer.
Newsom also announced earlier this month that he will convene a special session “to protect California values,” including fundamental civil rights and reproductive rights, that he said “are under attack by this incoming administration.”
“Whether it be our fundamental civil rights, reproductive freedom, or climate action — we refuse to turn back the clock and allow our values and laws to be attacked,” Newsom said on X on Nov. 7.
A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This isn’t the first time California will be taking action against the Trump’s administration concerning clean transportation legislation.
In 2019, California and 22 other states sued his administration for revoking its ability to set standards for greenhouse gas emission and fuel economy standards for vehicles, The Associated Press reported.
California sued the Trump administration over 100 times during his first term, primarily on matters including gun control, health care, education and immigration, the Los Angeles Times reported.
California
45 Years Later, California Murder Mystery Solved Through DNA Evidence
A 45-year-old cold case of a 17-year-old girl brutally raped and murdered has been resolved, bringing closure to the family. On February 9, 1979, Esther Gonzalez walked from her parents’ home to her sister’s in Banning, California, roughly 137 km east of Los Angeles. She never arrived. The next day, her body was discovered in a snowpack near a highway in Riverside County, California. Authorities determined she had been raped and bludgeoned to death, leading to an investigation that spanned decades.
The lab was able to match the DNA to a man named Lewis Randolph “Randy” Williamson, who died in 2014. Williamson, a US Marine Corps veteran, called authorities on the fateful day to report finding Ms Gonzalez’s body. At the time, he claimed he could not identify whether the body was male or female. Described as “argumentative” by deputies, Williamson was asked to take a polygraph test, which he passed, clearing him of suspicion in the pre-DNA era. He had faced assault allegations in the past but was never convicted of any violent crimes, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Despite limited leads, the Riverside County cold case homicide team didn’t give up. A semen sample recovered from Ms Gonzalez’s body in 1979 was preserved but remained unmatched in the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) for decades.
In 2023, forensic technology finally caught up. The homicide team collaborated with a genetic lab in Texas that specialises in forensic genealogy. A sample of Williamson’s blood from his 2014 autopsy provided the DNA match needed to confirm him as the 17-year-old’s rapist and killer.
The Gonzalez family had mixed emotions—relief at finally having answers and sadness knowing Williamson would not face justice, as he died in Florida ten years ago. Ms Gonzalez, remembered by her family as a shy yet funny and mild-mannered young woman, was the fourth of seven children. Her oldest brother, Eddie Gonzalez, wrote on Facebook, “The Gonzalez family would like to thank the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department on a job well done. After 40 years, the Gonzalez family has closure.”
“We are very happy that we finally have closure,” Ms Gonzalez’s sister, Elizabeth, 64, shared with CNN. “We are happy about it but, since the guy has died, a little sad that he won’t spend any time for her murder.”
California
Bird Flu Virus Identified In Raw Milk Sold In California
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has detected the avian influenza or “bird flu” virus in a sample of a raw milk product. The product which was for sale at retailers at the time of the testing has now been recalled by the producer after the state of California requested it’s withdrawal from sale.
The affected product is cream top, whole raw milk produced and packaged by Raw Farm, LLC of Fresno County with lot code 2024110. The best buy date of the batch is 11. Nov, 2024 meaning consumers could still have it in their homes. No illnesses have currently been reported from this batch of milk, but people can take several days to develop bird flu after exposure. According to the World Health Organization, most people develop symptoms within 2-5 days, but can take up to 17 days to develop.
According to the CDC, bird flu symptoms may include fever or feeling feverish or chills, eye redness or irritation, and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and tiredness.
Customers should not consume any product matching the description above and should return the product to stores or dispose of it. The CDPH is also in the process of informing re also in the process of informing retailers about the infected product to notify them to remove it from their shelves. The CDPH has since visited both locations of the company’s farms and has found no further evidence of bird flu. The CDPH will continue to test the farm’s milk twice a week.
The CDPH stresses that there is no risk of consuming pasteurized milk as the milk is heated to temperatures which inactivate bacteria and viruses. However raw milk does not go through this process, meaning any bacteria or viruses in the milk can be transferred to the consumer. Public health departments, as well as the CDC have long warned against the dangers of consuming raw milk, which has been responsible for outbreaks of Listeria, E. coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella, among other microbes.
California has been hit with bird flu outbreaks in both dairy cow herds and poultry farms with over 400 dairy herds affected as of 22. November. Twenty-nine human cases have also been recorded in the state, mostly individuals who have had close contact with infected livestock. The numbers of infected individuals are likely to be under reported and very little is known about the severity of disease in humans so far. Just two days ago, the CDC confirmed a case of H5N1 bird flu in a child in California with no known contact with livestock.
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