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Ex-MLB star and Senate candidate Steve Garvey ‘stunned’ by depths of CA homeless crisis, will seek audit

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2024

Ex-MLB star and Senate candidate Steve Garvey ‘stunned’ by depths of CA homeless crisis, will seek audit

Former MLB star and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey said he’d push for a federal audit of California’s spending after the state has thrown $24 billion at its homeless crisis since 2018 with no data to show how exactly the money is helping.

Garvey, who once played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres during his professional baseball career, spoke to “Fox & Friends: Weekend” host Will Cain on Saturday, wondering where exactly the money has gone to solve the homelessness problem throughout the state.

He told Cain that he traveled throughout the state for months while discussing his Senate candidacy and was “stunned” by the crisis he saw.

MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS URGE CITY TO SHUT DOWN NEIGHBORHOOD HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT AFTER EXPLOSION, STABBING

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey told Fox News Channels Will Cain he is “stunned” by Californias homeless crisis.

“I went from the southern border of California to see what was actually happening there, and then I went to the homeless encampments in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. And I was stunned.”

“I was stunned to see how it deteriorated form the fifty years ago that I first came to California,” he added, adding how he developed a passion for the state that has inspired him to help it solve its problems with border security and homelessness specifically.

Garvey marveled at the fact that though the state has dumped nearly $25 billion into solving homelessness, the homeless population has almost doubled from where it was ten years ago, when there were just 100,000 people on the streets.

“But since that time, we’re up to about 186,000 homeless now – 16% more in the last year. And that’s with $30 billion being sent in California.”

The aspiring senator grilled the state’s government, declaring “there’s a lack of oversight” and accused government agencies of having “stopped counting or trying to figure out where the money was going in ’21,” though he noted they’ve “reignited that.”

CA REPUBLICAN CRITICIZES GAVIN NEWSOM’S HOMELESS STRATEGY: ‘YOU CAN’T KEEP THROWING MONEY AT THE SYMPTOMS’

Homeless encampments line the streets in Oakland, California on Friday, March 15, 2024. The city remains plagued by homelessness as nearby businesses close their doors due to safety concerns. (DWS for Fox News Digital)

Cain then asked, “Why does California have a third of the nation’s homeless? And why is it happening in the face of spending $25 billion to try to – at least in words, if not deeds – solve this problem of homelessness?”

The former baseball player said, “Well, obviously, it’s because the weather in California, you know, it’s good. But I think the thing is, it’s a lack of leadership.”

After noting how this crisis breeds crime, Garvey set himself apart from the state’s current lawmakers. “People have come up to me when I start talking about homelessness, and they said, ‘Steve, the reason we’re voting for you is we feel that you’re going to have the political courage to get things done and not throw money at it.’ And that’s what my opponents have done. They’ve thrown money at it.”

He closed out the interview declaring he wants to encourage the “private sector” to help deal with this crisis and added that once he gets to Washington D.C., he’s going to push for a “federal audit that will get to the bottom of this.”

Gabriel Hays is an associate editor for Fox News Digital.

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Denver, CO

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

Published

21 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown World Cup 2026 matches

Published

27 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Seattle agencies map out transit plan for downtown World Cup 2026 matches

SEATTLE — Seattle is one of the only host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a stadium in the heart of downtown. While that gives soccer fans a wide range of options to get to a match or join a celebration, it also requires intensive planning to meet the varying transportation needs.

Sound Transit, King County Metro, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) laid out how each of their agencies is preparing for the upcoming competition during presentations on Thursday before the Seattle City Council’s Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.

RELATED | Seattle leaders mark 100 days until FIFA World Cup with artwork, security plans

The overarching goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere for visitors while limiting traffic impacts to the shortest time period possible for those not participating in the FIFA events. Adding to the challenge is that the international match-ups are scheduled to take place on weekdays while people are trying to get to their jobs.

Extensive street closures will be in effect around the Stadium District on game days, beginning four hours before kick-off and extending two to three hours post-game. That will help accommodate the intense pedestrian traffic that is anticipated, as many as 750,000 visitors try to navigate downtown on foot.

King County Metro plans to add more service during the four weeks of the World Cup. On match days, an additional 60 buses will be in operation, scaling back to an extra 30 buses on non-match days. There will also be a Waterfront service available.

Sound Transit will add more trains and expects to transport up to 2,800 riders per hour. The added capacity will extend from three hours before a match begins and continue until three hours after the match. Service from the eastside will also be available when the Crosslake Connection opens on March 28th.

SEE ALSO | Iran’s participation in Seattle World Cup match up in the air following US strikes

Both systems will now allow payment to be made by tapping a debit or credit card, in addition to the standard ORCA cards that have been used to cover fares. Sound Transit will also introduce a three-day visitor pass available through an ORCA card.

WSDOT will tear down its Revive I-5 construction zone on the Ship Canal Bridge and alternate the express lanes between north- and southbound directions depending on the time of day.

To help in these transit efforts, just this week Congress allocated money $8.4 million for transit service, which is on top of $9 million already promised last year by the state.

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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

Published

33 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

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