A former California hotel staffer claims that he was fired on Friday after harassing Israeli guests and publishing footage of the incident, but the hotel said on Saturday that he had resigned.
California
California Issues Last Mile Fund Draft Resolutions
California
Applicants for California’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account can expect to receive feedback soon.
June 7, 2024 – The California Public Utilities Commission began Friday to issue public recommendations for its Last Mile Federal Funding Account awards on a rolling basis.
Staff recommendations will be issued for public comment as “draft resolutions.” Recommendations will then be required to be approved by the CPU before grants are officially awarded.
An application not recommended for award in the initial resolutions may be recommended for award in a later resolution. Some awards will qualify for “ministerial awards,” meaning that staff can award without a Commission vote.
The application window for the award closed in September and the initial objection period closed in November, following a 28-day objection period.
The CPU’s Federal Funding Account received over 450 applications, with at least two applications for each county in the state. The total request for awards was more than $4.6 billion for last-mile broadband infrastructure projects.
CPU staff are now analyzing applications, objections, and responses to select applications that will receive the requested funds. The state has $2 billion available for last-mile infrastructure projects.
In 2021, Gov. Gavin Newson (D) signed legislation that allocated a total of $6 billion for broadband infrastructure projects across the state. An additional $550 million was added to that the next year, followed by $73 million more from a federal grant in 2023.
Of the $6 billion, $3.25 was dedicated to the statewide middle-mile network, $750 million for assisting local governments and nonprofits in securing private financing to construct fiber networks, and $50 million for technical assistance grants.
California officials said on Wednesday that the middle-mile program is ahead of schedule, although it is expected to reach a shortfall after the governor’s office rescinded promised money last month.
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California
‘Baby killer:’ California hotel staffer fired after harassing Israeli guests | The Jerusalem Post
A hotel staffer, identifying as Ryan Smith on a GoFundMe fundraiser, said in a Thursday Instagram post that he had said “free Palestine” to a pair of Israeli guests at the Oceanpoint Ranch in Cambria.
An Israeli woman confronted him, according to the video published by Smith, telling him that he should be “completely objective” to paying guests.
Smith expressed shock when the guest said that she was a Zionist after he had used it as a slur, and then demanded to know if her partner had served in the IDF.
“Are you a baby killer?” asked Smith.
The Israeli man said that he refused to interact with the hotel staffer and continued on, but his partner expressed concern about staying at a hotel where he worked.
Called for others to “give them hell”
“I won’t stay here, certainly he’ll break into our room and do something,” the woman said in Hebrew.
Smith claimed on Instagram that the woman threatened to call the police because “the only thing these cowards can do is hide behind the pedo[phile] regime that runs the country.”
Alongside the video, Smith called for others to “give them hell” if one saw them in California, and that if he “could’ve he would’ve.”
“I’ve never stared into the soul of the devil like I did tonight,” wrote Smith. “The woman (dual citizen of Israel) proceeds to confront me after I see [sic] ‘free Palestine’ as they leave the lobby. She then takes a step further and proceeds to admit to being a Zionist.”
Smith later opened a fundraiser, claiming that he had been “let go” from his job, and asked for donations to support him while he sought new employment. As of Sunday morning, Smith raised $11,773 dollars.
“The world needs to be set free, and I believe peace and love will overcome,” Smith said on his fundraiser web page.
The Oceanpoint Ranch did not immediately respond to a query from The Jerusalem Post, but said in a Saturday social media post that Smith had “unilaterally resigned” from his position after the hotel opened an investigation into the incident.
“The events in the video do not reflect the professionalism and hospitality that our team members are trained to deliver to all our valued guests,” said Oceanpoint Ranch.
“Our team remains committed to fostering a respectful environment for all of our guests, employees, and community.”
California
Letters to the Editor: The purpose of California’s journalism fund isn’t just protecting its biggest players
To the editor: The role of government is not to pick winners and losers in journalism, which is precisely why the California Civic Media Program was designed with independent safeguards from the outset (“Ensure that California’s journalism fund supports key players,” May 18). Funding decisions will ultimately be made by an independent third-party administrator, not by state officials or political appointees.
The program also followed the Legislature’s direction in the creation of a nine-member advisory committee, which has continuously emphasized expanding access to local, ethnic and community media, particularly in underserved communities and regions with limited local news coverage — goals enshrined in the program’s statute. Furthermore, it says the advisory board “may consider” awarding funds based on the number of journalists an organization employs — but in no way requires it.
The purpose of the California Civic Media Program was never simply to preserve the state’s largest publishers, although they are critical. It was to help close information gaps, strengthen newsroom sustainability and ensure more Californians have access to accurate, well-sourced local reporting that empowers participation in civic life and builds stronger communities across the state. At a time when local journalism is struggling nationwide, California is working hard to help sustain and strengthen it for future generations.
Dee Dee Myers, Sacramento
This writer is director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
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