Monday, May 19, 2025

‘Shocking’ and ‘Plain Cruel’: Health Advocates Say Newsom’s Medi-Cal Budget Could Cripple Women’s Reproductive Care

By Kristen Hwang, CALMATTERS

Six months after California voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative that increases the pay of doctors treating Medi-Cal patients, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to divert that money to cover other health costs.

Newsom last week proposed using $1.6 billion generated by Proposition 35 over the next two years to help address California’s $12 billion state deficit. The governor said the spending plan is allowable under the ballot measure, while doctors, hospitals, clinics and others who support the measure are crying foul.

Rising costs are making Medi-Cal, the state’s health insurance for low-income people, unsustainable, triggering a controversy over use of funds that voters earmarked for specific health costs, such as doctor’s pay and women’s reproductive health.

In addition to reallocating the Prop. 35 funds, the governor also wants to move $500 million from the state tobacco tax into the state’s general fund. That money, which voters approved in a 2016 ballot measure,

Monday, May 19, 2025

Local Businesses Help Fire-Affected Students With Graduation Support

Macy’s, Wells Fargo, and Day One provide resources for Pasadena seniors impacted by the Eaton Fire

Macy’s, Wells Fargo, and Day One joined forces Saturday, May 17, to support high school seniors affected by the recent Eaton Fire, providing gift cards for graduation attire and workshops on essential life skills.

The 2025 event offered each participating senior a complimentary $250 Macy’s gift card to purchase graduation outfits. Students also attended workshops focusing on college readiness, alcohol and drug safety, and financial literacy.

Day One collaborated with the Pasadena Education Foundation to identify and register eligible students from the Pasadena Unified School District who had been impacted by the Eaton Fire.

“Wells Fargo is committed to supporting our communities. We are proud to help Pasadena students affected by the Eaton wildfires as they prepare to graduate,” said Mario Holten, vice president of philanthropy and community impact for the Southern California region.

Shannon Giancotta, store manager at Macy’s Pasadena, emphasized the importance of celebrating milestones despite hardships.

Monday, May 19, 2025

PUSD Superintendent Details Response Plan for Contaminated School Sites

Dr. Blanco addresses community concerns in email after soil test results show 11 schools affected

Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco issued an update Sunday, addressing mounting community concerns about contaminated soil at nearly half the district’s schools following the release of Eaton Fire soil testing results last week.

The detailed email communication aimed to reassure parents and community members about safety protocols as the district works to address contamination found at 11 of the district’s 23 campuses. Test results showed more than 40% of schools had lead exceeding state health-based limits, with one site showing levels triple the allowable limits in one portion of the campus.

“Your concerns have been heard, and they are guiding our work every step of the way,” Blanco wrote in the community email, directly acknowledging widespread anxiety among parents about potential health risks to their children.

The Superintendent’s message came days after the district released soil testing results showing severe contamination at several sites,

Sunday, May 18, 2025

County Touts Rebuilt, Rejuvenated, Reinvigorated Loma Alta As A “Super Park”

Officials talk expanded services and partnerships that extend far beyond traditional recreation offerings

Los Angeles County officially reopened Loma Alta Park on May 17 as what officials are calling a “super park,” emphasizing how the post-Eaton Fire reconstruction has transformed the Altadena facility into something far beyond a traditional recreation space. The designation reflects the park’s expanded role as a community hub offering services typically found across multiple government facilities, from senior care to mental health support.

“Loma Alta Park is a vital gathering place where our community can come together, especially in times of healing,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.

“After the trauma of the Eaton Fire, having a space to reconnect, rebuild relationships, and support one another is incredibly important. Parks like Loma Alta help restore not only our physical surroundings, but our sense of belonging. Social connection is essential to recovery, and this reopening is a meaningful step forward for Altadena.”

The “super park”

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Nonprofit Offers Free Expert Insurance Advice To Eaton Fire Survivors

United Policyholders schedules support events to guide wildfire victims through the recovery process

United Policyholders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for insurance consumers, is offering free assistance to survivors of the Eaton Fire. The independent organization has scheduled two upcoming events designed to help wildfire victims navigate insurance claims and explore housing options during their recovery journey.

“We’re rooting for you,” said Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to supporting disaster survivors.

United Policyholders operates independently, accepting no funding from insurance companies.

The first event, a monthly ‘Survivor to Survivor Forum,’ will take place Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. This informal online discussion group connects wildfire survivors with trained volunteers who have experienced similar situations in previous disasters. The forum provides a safe space for sharing experiences and problem-solving with others currently navigating recovery. Interested participants can register at uphelp.org/May20.

A second event, scheduled for Wednesday, June 11,

Sunday, May 18, 2025

PUSD Trustee Harden to Host Public Education Funding Forum on Tuesday

Scott Harden, Pasadena Unified School District Board Trustee for District 4, will host a community forum titled “Public Education Funding 101″ on Tuesday at James Madison Elementary School. The event aims to educate families and supporters about how public schools are funded and to discuss strategies for advocating for public schools amid financial challenges facing the district.

“As you’re aware, this year has been a volatile one for our state and national economy, but also for our public schools as well,” said Harden in an email.

“On top of experiencing disruption and loss from our recent Eaton fire, our local Pasadena Unified schools have had to make painful, significant cuts to teaching and staff positions that threaten the programs and services our students have come to rely on.”

The forum will take place May 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of James Madison Elementary School, located at 515 E Ashtabula St, Pasadena. Refreshments and Spanish interpretation will be provided for attendees.

Harden,

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Altadena’s Loma Alta Park Reopens

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Altadena took a major step forward on Saturday when Loma Alta Park reopened just less than five months after significant renovations due to damage caused by the Eaton Fire.

“After the trauma of the Eaton Fire, having a space to reconnect, rebuild relationships, and support one another is incredibly important,” said LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena and Pasadena.

“Parks like Loma Alta help restore not only our physical surroundings, but our sense of belonging. Social connection is essential to recovery, and this reopening is a meaningful step forward for Altadena.”

Parts of the park were damaged by one of the deadliest fires in the state’s history. At least eighteen people were killed in the Eaton Fire in January.

The fire also destroyed 9,400 buildings and scorched 14,000 acres.

A FireAid benefit concert provided a grant of $2.4 million to help rebuild the two fire-damaged playgrounds as part of their “Symbols of Hope”

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Newsom, Legislature Seek Further Crackdown on Homeless Encampments

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

As Gov. Gavin Newsom pushes local governments to do more about removing homeless encampments across California, one of the state’s own agencies is being accused of not doing enough to clear illegal campsites, writes CalMatters’ Marisa Kendall.

On Monday the governor issued a “model ordinance” that cities and counties should use to clear encampments. These guidelines include banning persistent camping (or more than three days) in one location, banning encampments that block sidewalks and more. Newsom also said the state would release $3.3 billion to “communities statewide” to combat homelessness. The money comes from the $6.4 billion Proposition 1 that voters narrowly approved in March of last year.

Though the governor can’t force local governments to adopt the ordinance, his request that they do so follows an executive order he issued last summer directing state agencies, including the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, to remove encampments. The agency is tasked to build and maintain highways,

Saturday, May 17, 2025

In Altadena, a Park’s Rebirth: Loma Alta Reopens Saturday

[Updated]   The fruits of a community mobilization that drew widespread attention and support will be harvested today when Loma Alta Park reopens with a day-long celebration, welcoming back Altadena residents despite earlier predictions that recovery from the Eaton Fire’s effects would take a year and a half. 

County officials, partnering with sports foundations and directing thousands of volunteers, managed to compact the recovery timeline to about 3 months, in the process creating an expanded community hub with new baseball fields, basketball courts,  Alta CHAT (a new community gathering area), a new computer and tech room, a new senior center and more.

The expedited restoration, financed primarily through $2.4 million from the January 30, 2025, Fire Aid benefit concert, represents one of the fastest public space recoveries in Los Angeles County history. 

More than 2,000 registered volunteers contributed weekends throughout April to restore the once-charred landscape. They arrived in waves, about 500 each Saturday, many coming from neighboring municipalities that were spared by the wildfires,

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Dodgers Foundation to Unveil Two New Fields at Loma Alta Park Today at Reopening Events

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, in collaboration with the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, will unveil two refurbished baseball fields Saturday, May 17, at Loma Alta Park, as the first park in Altadena affected by the recent Eaton Fire reopens.

The $400,000 project delivers Dodgers Dreamfields 66 and 67, creating safe recreational spaces for children ages 5-12 in an area where the fire forced the park’s closure.

“To partner on the reopening of the first park after the devastating Eaton Fire is an honor for us at the Dodgers Foundation,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “We’re not just building fields — we’re helping to restore a space where joy, connection, and community can flourish once again…”

The May 17 ceremony will begin at noon today and feature remarks from Whiteman, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Director of Los Angeles County Parks Norma E. García-González, Play Equity Fund President Renata Simril, and additional partners and sponsors.