California
Endorsement: Gavin Newsom earns 4 more years as California governor
Californians could have chosen Newsom at the least partly for his willingness and talent to compete with Trump for oxygen. However there was no hiding behind a teleprompter within the governor’s first time period in workplace; Newsom confronted a confluence of challenges that bordered on apocalyptic — from COVID, to the biggest wildfire in state historical past, to a projected $54 billion finances shortfall — all whereas keeping off a cynical recall try.
And but right here we’re with California having one of many higher information of holding residents protected from COVID (thanks partly to beneficiant emergency sick go away advantages championed by Newsom) and a finances surplus near $100 billion.
In his endorsement interview with The Chronicle, Newsom wasn’t shy about taking bow; he boasted of “an economic system that’s outperformed all Western democracies.”
He’s proper. And he deserves a second time period accordingly.
In fact, Newsom’s tenure has been removed from flawless. And we’ve been essential of his penchant for cautious politicking. However we’ve been impressed with the elevated braveness he’s proven within the aftermath of recall, together with signing a roster of controversial however important payments designed to create denser housing in communities that haven’t been maintaining with demand and imposing these guidelines regardless of more and more artistic types of obstruction.
We have been additionally heartened when Newsom advised us he doesn’t intend to run for president in 2024 ought to Biden select to bow out.
California’s issues are far too pressing to indulge our govt workplace getting used as a marketing campaign industrial.
Our state continues to spend billions on efforts to unravel homelessness every year, a skyrocketing monetary funding that has but to meaningfully transfer the dimensions. Newsom claims the state sheltered 50,000 folks final 12 months, which isn’t any small feat. However there was little seen distinction on the streets. Current point-in-time counts of the homeless inhabitants present the ranks of the unsheltered in California continues to develop.
Newsom blames this failure on the dearth of dedication on the native degree. As a part of his new spending bundle, he has pledged to set arduous targets for areas he provides cash to, calling for elevated accountability. However, notably, he has but to set statewide targets — corresponding to housing one-third of the homeless inhabitants.
Newsom’s Neighborhood Help, Restoration and Empowerment Courtroom, which might broaden the power to order therapy for people who find themselves mentally sick and have substance use problems, additionally faces an uphill battle. There stays little readability round the place folks would go if a court docket determines they should be conserved. The state already has a scarcity of psychiatric therapy services as a result of many years of underfunding. And new incentives to coach behavioral well being professionals could take years to affect the scarcity. Newsom famous that laws on the court docket remains to be being amended.
Whereas we could have questions on Newsom’s agenda, we definitely don’t see complete solutions from any of his greater than 20 gubernatorial opponents. Of that group, writer and political impartial Michael Shellenberger will get probably the most ink. However it’s Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle of Bieber (Lassen County) who’s probably the most considerate. A passionate advocate for rural California, Dahle has compelling concepts on fireplace restoration and prevention in addition to conservation — and a observe document of bipartisan compromise. He’s not the suitable choose to steer state, however he’s value listening to.
Shellenberger, in the meantime, has media savvy befitting his years in journalism — which he places to relentless and sometimes theatrical impact surrounding problems with homelessness and dependancy. However his concepts, whereas evocative, lack substance. For example, he proposes delivery city homeless populations to rural communities, the place there’s extra room to construct wanted supportive housing and companies. And regardless of working for governor in 2018, Shellenberger couldn’t determine a single neighborhood associate who was prepared to tackle considered one of these services.
Concepts with out significant buy-in are simply empty guarantees.
This commentary is from The Chronicle’s editorial board. We invite you to precise your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter through our on-line type: SFChronicle.com/letters.
Winds fuel devastating Los Angeles wildfires growth
Firefighters are battling multiple blazes across Los Angeles, with some not contained at all.
Mandatory evacuation orders remained in effect Thursday morning as wildfires continued to rage across parts of Southern California.
The deadly fires broke out this week and have destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone. As of Thursday morning, at least five deaths had been confirmed, and nearly 250,000 were without power in the region, according to the USA TODAY power outage tracker.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency this week as more than 100,000 people have been forced to flee homes and evacuate the area.
The fires − Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset − have burned thousands of acres and continue to spread due to humidity and dry vegetation, authorities said. Before the fires started, the National Weather Service issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
As of Thursday morning, Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, and Sunset fires were at zero containment, while firefighters had contained 10% of the Hurst Fire and 40% of the Lidia Fire.
Here’s where evacuation orders are in place for California and how to stay up-to-date on the latest.
Where are evacuation orders in place for the Palisades Fire?
Evacuation orders were in place from Malibu to Santa Monica, including Topanga State Park and stretching into the city as far south as Montana Avenue, as of just after 4:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, according to Cal Fire.
Wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour are expected to continue through Thursday in that area, CAL Fire reported online, “potentially aiding in further fire activity and suppression efforts.”
View an interactive map of Palisades Fire evacuation orders and warnings on the Cal Fire website.
Where are evacuation orders in place for the Hurst Fire?
Evacuation orders were in place for the San Fernando Valley, specifically at the Michael D. Antonovich Open Space Preserve, Stetson Ranch Park and Whitney Canyon Park, about 4:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation warnings were in place just north and south of the area.
View an interactive map of Hurst Fire evacuation orders and warnings on the Cal Fire website.
What are the evacuation orders in place for the Lidia Fire?
As of just after 4 a.m. local time on Thursday, no evacuation orders were in effect in connection to the Lidia Fire.
But Soledad Canyon Road between Agua Dulce Canyon Road and Crown Valley Road remained closed, CAL FIRE reported, as well as the entire Angeles National Forest for public safety and the protection of natural resources. The forest will remain closed through Jan. 15 at midnight.
View an interactive map of Lidia Fire on the Cal Fire website.
What are the evacuation orders in place for the Sunset Fire?
“The majority of the evacuation zone for the Sunset Fire is lifted with the exception of the area North of Franklin Ave from Camino Palmero St (East border) to North Sierra Bonita Ave. (West border)”, according to Cal Fire.
Where are evacuation orders in place for the Eaton Fire?
Evacuation orders were in place, as of about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, for areas near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, Altadena and Pasadena, Cal Fire reported.
Evacuation warnings were in place for areas just west and south of the area.
View an interactive map of Eaton Fire evacuation orders and warnings on the Cal Fire website.
Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
California
Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears on ‘Tonight Show’ over California wildfire ‘catastrophe’ near her home: ‘It’s f–king gnarly, guys’
Jamie Lee Curtis fought back tears as she detailed the “catastrophe” of the Palisades Fire near her California home when she appeared on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday.
“As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning. I flew here last night. I was on the plane and started getting texts. It’s f–king gnarly, you guys,” Curtis said.
“It’s a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously there has been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything.”
Curtis said she had “many, many, many” friends who have lost their homes in the devastation of the fires.
“It’s a really awful situation,” she added.
The 66-year-old added she was flying home first thing Thursday to be with her family and friends.
The Academy Award-winning actress, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Christopher Guest, took to Instagram earlier Wednesday to share with her followers that her home was “possibly” on fire.
“My community and possibly my home is on fire,” the actress wrote in the post. “My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.”
“Take care of each other,” she told her followers. “Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don’t, pray for those who do.”
Stay up to date with the NYP’s coverage of the terrifying LA-area fires
The Emmy winner is one of tens of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes in Pacific Palisades and neighboring areas.
Four fires have exploded in Los Angeles County, taking over 27,000 acres of land with zero containment in the Palisades, Eaton and Sunset fires.
The Hurst Fire is 10 percent contained, officials announced.
The fires are being fueled by strong winds, “dry fuels” and low humidity.
The “Halloween” star isn’t the only Hollywood figure whose home is under threat due to the fires.
Harrison Ford was seen talking to police as he attempted to get through to check on his $12.6 million Brentwood home he had evacuated because of the raging blaze.
Ford’s “Star Wars” co-star Mark Hamill was forced to flee his Malibu home Tuesday as the fire bore down on the area.
The 73-year-old actor detailed his hour-long “last minute” evacuation from Malibu as he experienced the most horrific fire since 1993.
Other LA-based celebrities have been forced to evacuate their homes amid the crisis, including “This Is Us” star Mandy Moore, “Schitt’s Creek” star Eugene Levy and “Once Upon a Time in America” actor James Woods.
Multiple major wildfires are leaving a trail of destruction and death in the Los Angeles area.
A handful of wildfires kicked up Tuesday, powered by high winds and dry conditions , and have exploded in size. As of Tuesday afternoon, 2 people have been killed and more than 80,000 people have been evacuated.
Follow live coverage here.
The maps below show the size and status of the fires. They will be updated frequently.
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