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Space X sues California regulators, claiming bias against Elon Musk

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Space X sues California regulators, claiming bias against Elon Musk


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Elon Musk’s SpaceX sued California regulators Tuesday for alleged politician bias.

SpaceX claimed, in a lawsuit filed in California’s Central District, that regulators denied the company permission to conduct more rocket launches because of Musk’s many controversial and hard-line conservative stances. The decision, the company claims, violates its CEO’s right to free speech.

The space exploration company wanted to launch dozens of rockets each year from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Santa Barbara, California, according to the Wall Street Journal (NWSA), but the California Coastal Commission denied the request.

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Commissioner Gretchen Newsom, who is not related to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, criticized Musk before the vote on the decision, saying he had “bigoted beliefs against California’s safeguards and protections over our transgender community.”

She also lambasted him for “hopping about the country, spewing and tweeting political falsehoods and attacking FEMA while claiming his desire to help the hurricane victims with free Starlink access to the internet,” the Journal reported.

Newsom also questioned SpaceX’s safety record and labor conditions.

The company said in court documents that “rarely has a government agency made so clear that it was exceeding its authorized mandate to punish a company for the political views and statements of its largest shareholder and CEO.”

Musk criticized the Commission, writing on X: “The Coastal Commission has one job — take care of the California coast,” he said. “It is illegal for them to make decisions based on what they (mostly wrongly) think are my politics.”

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Musk claimed to have “done more to advance sustainable energy & help the environment than maybe anyone ever, which is not exactly a ‘far-right’ position.” He called on the commission to resign.

Because SpaceX is a major federal contractor, there is still a chance it could launch more rockets from California.

Col. Mark Shoemaker, a commander at the Space Force who oversees Vandenberg, told the Wall Street Journal, “We are assessing the outcome from Thursday, and it is too soon to comment on launch cadence beyond the current capacity constraint.”



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California crews race to avoid toxic chemical tank explosion

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California crews race to avoid toxic chemical tank explosion


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Crews have been working through the weekend to cool a chemical tank and stop it from exploding in Southern California as they worked to avert a disastrous “worst-case” scenario, the incident’s commander said. NBC News’ Steve Patterson reports.

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‘Baby killer:’ California hotel staffer fired after harassing Israeli guests | The Jerusalem Post

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‘Baby killer:’ California hotel staffer fired after harassing Israeli guests | The Jerusalem Post


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.

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.

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A screenshot of the harrasser’s GoFundMe. (credit: GoFundMe.com/Screenshot)

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.”

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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.”

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Letters to the Editor: The purpose of California’s journalism fund isn’t just protecting its biggest players

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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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