West
Gavin Newsom launches Substack to fight 'disinformation'
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
California Gov. Gavin Newsom already had a podcast. Now he has a Substack, too.
Newsom launched his own site Tuesday on the popular spot for independent journalists, calling it a way to “break through “the noise.”
“We have to flood the zone and continue to cut through the right-wing disinformation machine,” he wrote in the post that was accompanied by a video of the governor speaking.
“There’s so much mis and disinformation out there, there’s so much noise, I don’t need to tell you that,” Newsom said. “The question is, how do we break through all of that noise and engage in real conversations? And that’s why I’m launching on Substack. I hope you’ll follow me so we can continue to engage in a two-way conversation at this critical moment in our history.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom waits for President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to step off Air Force One upon their arrival at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Jan. 24. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
GOV GAVIN NEWSOM: TRUMP IS TRYING TO DESTROY OUR DEMOCRACY. DO NOT LET HIM
Newsom kicked off his new project by sharing his Fox News Digital op-ed on Tuesday titled, “Trump is trying to destroy our democracy. Do not let him.” He also posted an interview with Democratic strategist and TikToker Aaron Parnas.
He told Parnas that joining new media platforms like Substack was “foundational and fundamental” to Democratic strategy and outreach going forward and that his party must get more “aggressive” with their messaging.
Newsom launched his own podcast in March, “This is Gavin Newsom,” where he’s conversed with liberal allies but also pro-Trump figures like Charlie Kirk and Newt Gingrich.
The likely 2028 Democratic presidential candidate already has a high profile, but he’s held the spotlight even more in recent weeks as California became the epicenter of the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown.
Newsom has spoken out harshly against President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to quell unrest generated by anti-ICE protests.
“These are men and women trained in foreign combat, not domestic law enforcement. We honor their service and their bravery. But we do not want our streets militarized by our own Armed Forces,” Newsom wrote for Fox News Digital.
A protester places debris in a fire as Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stand guard outside an industrial park in Paramount, Calif., on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
“With this act, President Trump has betrayed our soldiers, the American people, and our core traditions; soldiers are being ordered to patrol the very same American communities they swore to protect in wars overseas. The deployment of federal soldiers in L.A. doesn’t protect our communities – it traumatizes them,” he wrote.
Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit accusing Trump of overstepping his bounds by illegally deploying the National Guard to quell the unrest. Last week, a federal judge sided with California in his ruling and directed Trump to return control of National Guard troops to Newsom’s command.
EXCLUSIVE: NEW ‘GAVIN NEWSOM FILES’ REVEAL CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S ‘EXTREME’ AGENDA
“Defendants are temporarily ENJOINED from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles,” U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer wrote in his ruling. “Defendants are DIRECTED to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom.”
Gavin Newsom attends Vogue World: Hollywood Press Announcement at Chateau Marmont on March 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly blasted the ruling as an “abuse of power” that “puts our brave federal officials in danger” and said the Trump administration would appeal the decision.
A federal appeals court stayed the ruling and will hear arguments Tuesday to review whether Trump can keep using California’s National Guard to protect immigration enforcement officials and quell protests.
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San Francisco, CA
Chonkers the Gigantic Steller Sea Lion Draws Crowds to Pier 39
“He’s like a Volkswagen! He’s so huge!” said Oluwaseyi Akinbobola, a visitor from Los Angeles who had an extra half hour so she ran down to the pier for a hopeful peek of the elusive sea lion. “I have heard everywhere about this big giant sea lion, and I like to look at things, so just thought I’d check it out.”
Chonkers likely came from up north off the coast of Washington or Oregon and is estimated to weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds (680 and 907 kilograms), said Laura Gill, public programs manager at The Marine Mammal Center in nearby Sausalito. Chonkers has been one of the few Steller sea lions to venture to the pier, which is protected from predators and crashing waves while providing a fish-filled buffet.
“There’s plenty of food in San Francisco Bay for them, so the fish, the rockfish, the anchovies, the herring, there’s a lot of easy prey for them,” she said.
@apnews A surprise guest at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is quite literally making waves. Meet Chonkers, the name given to a giant Steller sea lion spotted this week lounging among his considerably smaller California sea lion neighbors. Chonkers belongs to the Steller species, the largest of all sea lions, known for their commanding presence and dock-dominating energy. Adult males can weigh over a ton. #sealion #cuteanimals #sanfrancisco #seal #california #fishermanswharf #animals #ocean ♬ original sound – The Associated Press
Denver, CO
Hundreds targeted by Denver text scam show up for fake court hearing
At least 200 people crowded into the Denver City & County building on Friday morning after receiving a scam text about a traffic violation and court hearing.
Colorado is at least the ninth state to be hit by the scam that tries to get people to pay a fine through a QR code printed on an official-looking “final enforcement notice,” county court spokesperson Carolyn Tyler said.
Courts in Arizona, Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota, and Virginia reported similar scams, she said.
The fake document claims to be from the state of Colorado and the Denver County Traffic Division and is titled “Official Notice of Default and Enforcement Action.” The form instructs people to pay a fee by scanning a QR code on the form or show up for a court hearing — in this case, at 9 a.m. Friday in Denver.
“The court does not contact people this way,” Tyler said. “If you do get communications from the court, you should expect to see your name, your case number and specific identifying information.”
Court employees will never reach out by text to demand payment, county officials said.
Anyone who gets a suspicious text claiming they are in default for a traffic violation should report the information to local police and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office online at stopfraudcolorado.gov or the Denver District Attorney’s Office consumer fraud hotline at 720-913-9179.
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Seattle, WA
Seahawks rookie minicamp tryout players revealed
The Seattle Seahawks kicked off rookie minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Friday. While the rookie draft class and undrafted free agents are all slated to participate, there are dozens of unsigned players who’ve received invites, including some non-rookies still trying to get an NFL contract.
Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp invitees
And yes, Gee Scott Jr is the son of the longtime Seattle radio personality Gee Scott Sr. Gee Scott Jr was part of the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders practice squads last season, but he didn’t play in a game and otherwise is eligible for tryouts.
If you’re wondering about Jalen Milroe’s rookie minicamp eligibility, he accrued a full season and is under contract and therefore cannot participate.
Seahawks rookie minicamp ends on Saturday, May 2.
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