Monday, April 7, 2025

Can California Veterinarians Claw Back Another Cat Declawing Ban? Lawmakers Are Trying

By Ryan Sabalow, CALMATTERS

A proposal to ban veterinarians from surgically removing claws from cats seems like it would be an easy sell for California lawmakers, several of whom lovingly describe their pets in their official biography pages.

After all, several U.S. cities, states and more than 30 countries already have banned vets from performing declawing, arguing that it’s cruel and unnecessary. The American Veterinary Medical Association has for at least five years discouraged vets from performing the surgeries.

But five different efforts since 2018 to ban declawing in California have died due to resistance from the influential California Veterinary Medical Association, which has spent at least $1 million on lobbying during that time. It’s a demonstration of the power of money and spending in Sacramento, when even seemingly noncontroversial proposals are cast aside.

Assemblymember Alex Lee, a Democrat representing the Milpitas area, hopes this year will be different.

Lee described the procedure last week in graphic terms as he urged his colleagues on the Assembly Business and Professions Committee to advance his Assembly Bill 867,

Monday, April 7, 2025

Pasadena Humane Raises Over $350,000 At 27th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run

Nearly 2,000 participants and their pets gather to support animals displaced by recent wildfires

Under sunny skies and 80-degree weather, tails were wagging and sneakers were squeaking as the 27th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run brought together nearly 2,000 people and their four-legged companions at Pasadena’s Brookside Park near the Rose Bowl on Sunday.

The event is Pasadena Humane’s largest annual fundraiser and it held special significance this year because the organization continues to care for animals displaced by January’s devastating Eaton Fire.

“We took in a lot of animals during the fires, and unfortunately, we still have about 140 animals that we are caring for, for people who lost their homes,” Kevin McManus, Communications Director for Pasadena Humane, told KTLA News.

According to humane society officials, $350,904.96 was raised before the event even started. The final amount collected has not yet been announced.

The funds will support vital programs, including the animal ICU, foster care, kitten nursery,

Monday, April 7, 2025

Rep. Chu Seeks Alternative Soil Testing After Federal Agencies Decline Request

Congresswoman meets with local organization about further testing of properties affected by Eaton Fire

Rep. Judy Chu is pursuing alternative methods for soil testing in areas affected by the Eaton Fire after federal agencies declined her request for comprehensive testing beyond the standard 6-inch topsoil removal.

The Democratic Congresswoman representing California’s 28th District expressed disappointment with the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s refusal to conduct deeper soil testing in northern Pasadena and Altadena.

“I have asked the EPA and FEMA to do soil testing in Altadena and Pasadena, and I was disappointed when they flat-out said no,” Chu said in a statement released Sunday.

Federal officials told Chu they “haven’t paid for soil testing after debris removal since 2019″ and maintained that “whatever is found below the 6 inches is preexisting before the fires,” according to her statement.

The Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres across northern Pasadena and Altadena, destroying thousands of homes and potentially leaving behind hazardous residue.

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Free Metro Event Will Connect Older Adults with Transit Resources and Independence

“Go Metro” event will empower seniors with transit knowledge and skills

In a region where personal vehicles have long dominated transportation, Metro’s signature event for seniors offers Los Angeles County’s older residents alternatives for maintaining mobility and independence.

The free event, themed “Go Metro: Your Ticket to the World,” will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An estimated 500 older adults are expected to attend the expo, which aims to reduce barriers to public transit use among seniors.

The event highlights how Metro can connect users to “exciting destinations, cultural experiences, and everyday essentials—all while saving money and reducing stress!”

“The program’s mission is to remove barriers and enhance mobility among the older adult population,” states official Metro documentation about the On the Move Riders Program that organizes the event.

The expo will feature expert panels, workshops, live demonstrations, and a resource fair. Attendees will learn about Metro’s reduced fares,

Sunday, April 6, 2025

New Fire Maps Put Nearly 4 Million Californians In Hazardous Zones. What Does That Mean For The People Who Live There?

By Ben Christopher, CALMATTERS

New bursts of yellow dot the hills of Mendocino County.

Smears of burnt orange now span the aqueduct near Bakersfield.

A fresh splash of crimson juts east of Chico like a fresh wound.

With the release of its fourth and final round of color-coded hazard maps this morning, California’s firefighting agency is showing just how much of the state is prone to wildfire — and how much that computationally-modeled danger zone has grown since the state issued its last round of local hazard maps more than a decade ago.

With a few notable areas where the orange and red tide receded, like the hills above Berkeley and Oakland, territory deemed “high” or “very high” hazard exploded across the state, increasing by 168% since 2011.

All told, the size of these orange and red patches on the new maps is 3,626 square miles — an area nearly twice the size of Delaware.

Friday, April 4, 2025

Newsom Lays Out Plan for CA Career Education

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

More than a year after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to develop the initiative, the governor on Wednesday unveiled full details of his Master Plan for Career Education, reports CalMatters’ Adam Echelman.

The plan lays out the state’s approach to job training and education programs, but critics have said the proposals are unclear. At the same time, some for-profit career colleges and trade schools — which play a key role in workforce development — face issues with licensing or other violations.

Included in the plan are efforts Adam previously reported: The Cradle-to-Career Data System, for example, is a multi-year project that tracks student progress and remains behind schedule. The plan also expands competency-based education, which focuses on skills rather than grades. Though seven community colleges are moving forward with a pilot to employ this approach, Madera Community College has stalled its efforts due to faculty opposition.

Friday, April 4, 2025

Youth Empowerment Festival To Support Kids and Families Affected By Eaton Fires

Local nonprofit aims to restore hope and provide resources for wildfire victims

Loveland Community Development Corp (LLCDC) will host a Youth Empowerment Festival will be held this Saturday for families impacted by the devastating Eaton Fires. The carnival-style event at Pasadena City Hall, located at 100 Garfield Ave. in downtown Pasadena, will offer activities, workshops, and resources specifically designed to uplift young people ages 0-24 and their families who have faced hardship due to the fires.

“This is more than just a festival, it’s an opportunity to restore hope, provide resources, and strengthen community bonds,” states promotional materials for the event organized by the nonprofit organization.

The free festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 5th and feature live performances, carnival games, youth panel discussions, empowerment workshops, community giveaways, networking opportunities, resources, and food. Entertainment will include Tommy the Clown, who appears in promotional materials wearing a referee outfit.

The event is sponsored by numerous community organizations including LA,

Friday, April 4, 2025

LA County Opens Housing Voucher Waiting List for Wildfire Victims

Priority given to 50 displaced families from Pacific Palisades, Eaton fires

The Los Angeles County Development Authority will open its Housing Choice Voucher waiting list Friday for individuals and families displaced by the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. on April 4 at https://harp.lacda.org but will only remain open until 300 individuals/families apply and will close without notice, according to information issued by the Los Angeles County Development Authority officials.

The agency plans to prioritize up to 50 very low or extremely low-income households whose primary residences were rendered uninhabitable by the fires.

Selected individuals/families will be required to provide proof of residence in a fire impacted area and proof of displacement due to damage that has rendered the residence uninhabitable. Those who cannot provide such documentation and applicants not selected will be removed from the HCV waiting list.

To qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8,

Friday, April 4, 2025

Pasadena to Host Free 1:1 Advising Event for Restaurant Recovery

Local business support initiative targets restaurant sector following Eaton fires

The City of Pasadena’s Economic Development Division and its community partners are continuing efforts to help local businesses recover from the Eaton fires with a specialized event for restaurant owners. The Pasadena Restaurant Resilience Pop-Up, scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, will provide free one-on-one advising sessions and facilitated networking opportunities for the restaurant sector.

“Pasadena has over 700 restaurants and their contributions to the local economy are essential,” said David Klug, Pasadena’s Economic Development Director. “We are proud to work with our partner organizations to offer this support to this important sector of our business community.”

The upcoming restaurant-focused event builds on the success of a previous Small Business Fire Recovery Pop-Up held on March 19 at the Dena Heals space at The Paseo.

That event, hosted in partnership with Pasadena Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Pasadena Women’s Business Center (WBC), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and Foothill Workforce Development Board (FWDB),

Friday, April 4, 2025

Palmdale Deputy Announces Bid for LA County Sheriff

CITY NEWS SERVICE

With the June election 15 months away, Lt. Oscar Martinez announced his bid to lead the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – – the third largest law enforcement agency in the nation — with other potential candidates to follow and challenge incumbent Robert Luna, officials confirmed Thursday.

Martinez, a 16-year deputy of the sheriff’s department currently assigned to the Palmdale Station, said Wednesday that he will focus on “real leadership.” He aims to defend and support deputies, modernize the department and demand fiscal responsibility.

“I’m putting my career and everything that I’ve worked for on the line, not for personal gain, but for my partners in law enforcement, as well as the future of public safety in our communities,” Martinez said.

Martinez is set to challenge Sheriff Robert Luna, who was elected in 2022 by county voters. Luna previously told the Los Angeles Times that he plans to run for reelection.

Luna defeated then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva,