Category: Southern California

California Deficit Expands to $31.5 Billion, Newsom Proposes Broad Spending Cuts in Revised Budget

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced proposed revisions to the state’s 2023–24 fiscal budget on May 12 during a press conference at the state Capitol, with an additional $9 billion deficit added to prior estimates. Uncertainty was a key talking point during the governor’s remarks, with inflation, rising interest rates, financial market jitters, and delayed tax…


Santa Ana Unified Issues Policy Supporting Transgender Students, Hiding Status from Parents

The Santa Ana Unified School Board in Orange County, California recently approved a policy that would allow transgender students to use the pronouns, name, restrooms, locker rooms, physical education classes, and athletic teams of their preferred gender—and directs staff to keep students’ transgender status private from parents unless authorized by the student. The policy, which…


Last-Minute Mother’s Day Ideas in Southern California

Running late on Mother’s Day plans this year? Not to worry, The Epoch Times has compiled a list of last-minute ideas to give mom a special day, with plenty of budget-friendly options as well! Orange County Zoo For the animal-loving moms in your life, take her on a trip to the Orange County Zoo. Located…


Laguna Hills Bans Short Term Rentals 

Property owners advertising short-term rentals in Laguna Hills will soon face fines up to $2,000 after city councilors approved an ordinance April 25 enhancing regulations on such. According to city officials, short-term rentals—meaning those for a day, weekend, or a couple of weeks— have always been prohibited in Laguna Hills. Late last year the city…


Driver Killed in Crash During National City Police Chase

NATIONAL CITY, Calif.—A driver was killed early May 12 in a solo car crash at the end of a brief police chase through National City, authorities said. The pursuit began shortly after midnight, when the southbound driver passed a patrol officer’s cruiser at high speed on National City Boulevard, National City Police Department Assistant Chief…


Man Accused of Shooting Laguna Woods Church Faces Nearly 100 Federal Hate Crimes

An indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana May 10 charged the man who opened fire, killing a prominent Orange County doctor and injuring five others, last May at the Laguna Woods Geneva Presbyterian Church with 98 federal hate crimes. If convicted, David Chou, 69, of Las Vegas, faces a maximum penalty…


Lyft Lays Off 383 Employees at Headquarters in San Francisco

Ride-share service Lyft has laid off 383 employees at its headquarters—according to a company notice filed with the state on May 10—and has closed its San Francisco driver center. Lyft is the latest company to announce a closure in the city as businesses and residents struggle with skyrocketing crime and an economic decline some have called…


Mother Arrested in 17-Month-Old’s Fentanyl Poisoning Death in Riverside County

A Norco, California mother was arrested May 9 on suspicion of murder in the fentanyl-related death of her 17-month-old daughter, according to authorities. Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a juvenile in need of medical aid on the 100 block of 8th Street at 3:30 p.m., where they found…


IN-DEPTH: Thousands of Migrants Released Into Southern California as Title 42 Expires

SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA, CALIF.—With tens of thousands of illegal aliens expected to rush the U.S.–Mexico border in San Diego on May 12 after the Biden’s administration’s planned expiration of public health restrictions on immigration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are bracing for chaos.     Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a…


Woman, 93, Killed in Huntington Beach Traffic Crash

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—A 93-year-old woman was fatally injured when the car she was driving collided with another vehicle in Huntington Beach, authorities said May 12. The crash occurred about 4:40 p.m. Thursday at Magnolia Street and Garfield Avenue, the Huntington Beach Police Department reported. According to police, the woman was driving a Buick Riviera north…