Friday, January 2, 2026

California’s Budget Outlook is Grim. Here’s What You Need to Know

By Yue Stella Yu, CALMATTERS

Gov. Gavin Newsom opened this year with a rosy forecast: Buoyed by $17 billion more in revenue than previously planned, the state would have a modest surplus of $363 million for fiscal year 2025-26, he told reporters in January.

But life turns on a dime.

The January wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles forced the state to spend billions in disaster aid and delay tax filings for LA residents. The cost of Medi-Cal, the state-run health insurance program for low-income residents, ballooned to $6 billion more than anticipated. President Donald Trump’s on-again-off-again tariff policies rocked the stock market, which California heavily relies on for tax revenue. And the state lodged a flurry of lawsuits against the Trump administration over its threat to withhold federal funding for food assistance, disaster recovery and other grants.

By May, Newsom no longer predicted a modest surplus, but a $12 billion deficit.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

2025 In Review: Devastating Fires, Federal Pushback, and Contentious Climate Compromises

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, CALMATTERS

Days after 2025 began, two fires scorched through Los Angeles neighborhoods, the most destructive in California’s history. The Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires also renewed attention to issues such as utility oversight, insurance coverage, and the broader challenges of wildfire planning in a changing climate. And their harms rippled outward, leaving thousands of low-income workers and immigrants without jobs. 

But California found pushing its climate agenda forward to be an uphill battle this year: Ambitious climate goals faced  a hostile federal government economic pressures.

Anticipating opposition from President Donald Trump, state leaders chose to abandon important clean-air rules before he even took office, including plans to phase out diesel trucks and transition to cleaner trains. Nearing mid-year, Trump and his allies in Congress blocked the state’s clean-car mandate, a blow to emissions reduction plans.

Nevertheless,

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Sheriff Luna Declares `Remarkable’ Public Safety Progress in 2025

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday declared “remarkable success” has been made as a result of improvements to public safety in 2025, although the number of rapes reported county wide rose from the previous year.

“In 2025, the department made substantial progress in public safety, accountability, operational improvements, employee wellness and technology modernization, all while managing unprecedented operational demands such as the wildfire natural disaster and major public demonstrations,” according to a statement from the department released on the final day of the year. “These achievements reflect the collective leadership, direction and management of the department’s executive staff, but most importantly the professionalism, resilience and dedication of the men and women, sworn and professional, volunteers, and reserve deputies, who serve our communities across Los Angeles County each day.”

Among the progress cited by Sheriff Robert Luna was a 12.5% drop from 2024 in so-called Part I crimes, which include violent and property crimes. He also pointed to “notable decreases”

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Two Women Pastors United by Faith, Mentorship Navigate Eaton Fire Crisis

Episcopal priests mentored by civil rights icon Rev. George Regas share vestments, sisterhood after Altadena church burns

When the text arrived at 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 22, Rev. Susan Russell understood immediately what her friend needed. 

Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon had lost everything in the Eaton fire. Her church, St. Mark’s Episcopal in Altadena, was gone. So was the school. And all her vestments. 

Christmas services were days away. Patterson Grindon needed a chasuble, the outer garment priests wear during Eucharist. 

Russell’s answer was an immediate yes. 

“I thought what it must be like to be the leader of a church that’s gone through the fire to be awake at 4 a.m. and realizing you don’t have what you need for Christmas worship,” Russell said. 

The two women share more than friendship. Both worked under Rev. George Regas, the civil rights advocate who led All Saints Church in Pasadena from 1967 to 1995. 

Regas championed women’s ordination,

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Altadena Literacy Program Marks 37 Years of Free English Classes

Community initiative continues volunteer-led language instruction at renovated library

For 37 years, the “Let’s Read Altadena” program has quietly transformed lives just north of Pasadena. This January marks another session of the community literacy initiative.

The program has helped thousands of immigrants and non-native speakers master English. Free classes meet Monday through Thursday at Bob Lucas Memorial Library. They continue a nearly four-decade tradition of volunteer-led language instruction.

The program costs participants nothing. But it opens countless opportunities.

Classes run from 10:30 a.m. to noon four days a week. They’re designed for beginning English learners in small, casual group sessions.

The program operates at the library’s location at 2659 Lincoln Avenue in Altadena. The facility recently completed a major expansion in August 2025 after 16 months of renovations.

The expansion added over 1,000 square feet – approximately 50 percent more space. New features include a dedicated literacy center with learning rooms and classroom space.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Altadena Library Turns to Culinary Program for Fire Recovery

Monthly spice kits offer unconventional approach to trauma healing in community rebuilding after Eaton Fire

While fire-affected communities typically focus on mental health counseling and housing assistance, the Altadena Library District is taking a different path to trauma recovery: teaching residents to cook with exotic spices. 

Starting Jan. 2, the Bob Lucas Memorial Library will distribute monthly spice kits as part of a five-month program library officials designed to be accessible, joyful and community-building during a year of continued healing. 

The Spice Club runs through May 2026. Each month features a different spice with samples and two recipe cards. January’s featured ingredient is sumac, a tangy Middle Eastern spice with lemony tartness. 

The program launches seven months after the library’s grand reopening. The facility survived the January 2025 Eaton Fire despite wooden construction, prompting community investment in a $4.5 million renovation funded by Measure Z, a 2020 local bond measure. 

Adults 18 and older can pick up free kits during regular business hours at the Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center,

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Violent TikTok Challenge Has Homeowners Reaching for Guns

Southern California police warn teens arrested nationwide as prank damages property, triggers self-defense fears

A dangerous TikTok challenge sweeping Southern California has teenagers violently kicking residential doors, prompting police warnings and frightening homeowners into grabbing firearms.

The viral dare represents a violent twist on ding-dong ditch. Participants bang on or kick doors hard enough to damage them, then post videos online.

Murrieta police initially investigated the incidents as attempted burglaries. They later discovered the vandalisms were linked to social media.

“It might look like harmless internet fun, but it’s really vandalism that can escalate into criminal charges, injuries, or worse,” Murrieta police said in a report by The Press-Enterprise[a].

Teens have been arrested in Florida, Washington state, Texas, New Jersey and Illinois, the report said. Orange County authorities have also taken vandalism reports.

The challenge puts participants at serious risk. Residents don’t know the intentions of someone violently striking their door.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Altadena Sheriff’s Station Launches Program to Protect Rebuilding Homes

Deputies to monitor construction sites after request from property owners

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has launched a program aimed at protecting homes under reconstruction in Altadena, asking residents to register their construction sites for increased patrol monitoring.

The Altadena Station’s Construction Check Program seeks to deter theft of building materials by having deputies monitor registered properties more closely. Property owners currently rebuilding are asked to provide their address, phone number and construction company information.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department-Altadena Station is committed to working hand-in-hand with our community to deter and prevent crime,” the station said in a social media post announcing the initiative.

Residents should indicate whether construction is active and provide the construction company’s name and phone number when registering. The information will allow deputies to identify legitimate activity at construction sites.

The program relies on community participation beyond just registration. Station officials emphasized the “See Something, Say Something” approach, encouraging vigilance from all residents.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Rain Pours Down as 137th Rose Parade Steps Off on Colorado Boulevard

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Spectators brave heavy showers as Pasadena’s signature New Year’s Day tradition gets underway

The 137th Rose Parade is now rolling down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena under heavy rain that has just eased slightly, marking the first time in 20 years that the beloved New Year’s Day tradition has stepped off in wet weather.

Despite the downpour, spirits remain high among spectators, many of whom braved overnight showers to camp along the route and secure prime viewing spots. The rain, courtesy of a storm system that moved over the area Wednesday, was forecast by the National Weather Service with near 100% certainty and is expected to continue into the afternoon.

For people planning to watch the procession in person, ponchos were an essential wardrobe addition, since umbrellas are not permitted along the route during the parade  for fear of blocking the view of other spectators.

Rain has not fallen on the parade since 2006,

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Cal Poly’s Float Wins 2026 Rose Parade Sweepstakes Trophy as Tournament of Roses Announces Awards

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced 23 official float award recipients Wednesday for the 137th Rose Parade presented by Honda, highlighting the event’s deep local ties and longstanding role as one of Pasadena’s signature traditions. The announcement came in a Tournament of Roses statement released minutes before 7 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Cal Poly Universities received the 2026 Sweepstakes Trophy, the parade’s top honor, recognizing the most beautiful entry based on float design, floral presentation and entertainment. According to the Tournament of Roses, it marks the first Sweepstakes win for Cal Poly Universities and the seventh time a self-built float has earned the award since the category was established in 1924.

Judges Doris Hardoon, Cathy Hillen-Rulloda and Chaz Perea evaluated each float during decorating-stage sessions before the parade. Their scoring considered creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation, and dramatic impact. The judges’ scores determined the trophy recipients.

Award-winning floats will be accompanied in the parade by banners carried by members of the Tournament of Roses Troop,