Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Trump Freezes School Funds Nationwide

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration will freeze millions in federal school funding across the nation.

In total about $6 billion in funds was frozen. About $800 million of those funds were earmarked for California schools.

The funds are meant for crucial educational programs, including after-school programs, support for English learners and migrant students and professional development for educators.

“The district is monitoring the impact of this action on PUSD programs, particularly in areas such as instruction, interventions, high-quality professional development for educators, supplemental materials and services for English learners and immigrant students,” according to a statement released after a query by Pasadena Now.

According to that statement, based on current estimates, PUSD faces a potential revenue loss of $1,202,482 for the FY 2025-2026, broken down as follows:

Title II Part A: $604,612

Title III: $211,452

Title III Immigrant: $47,782

Title IV Part A: $338,635

(Title I-C is not applicable to PUSD)

The matter was not discussed in open session at Monday’s School Board meeting.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

USPS Warns Against Mailing Fireworks Ahead of July 4th

Safety risks prompt postal service to remind customers about prohibited items

The U.S. Postal Service is urging customers not to mail fireworks this Independence Day, emphasizing the serious safety risks associated with shipping explosive materials.

Fireworks of all types — including sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles — are prohibited from both air and ground transportation through the postal system due to potential hazards, postal officials said.

“Shipping fireworks through the mail puts our employees, customers and transportation networks at serious risk,” Acting Postmaster General Doug Tulino said. “Even small items like firecrackers or bottle rockets can cause fires, explosions or injuries if mishandled.”

The Postal Inspection Service investigated 1,700 cases last year involving attempts to send hazardous materials through the mail, including fireworks and other explosives. Individuals caught mailing such items may face civil penalties and criminal charges.

The agency uses advanced technology and inspection protocols to detect nonmailable items. Customers are encouraged to review Publication 52 – Hazardous,

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

LA County Could Consider Legal Remedies for `Unlawful’ Immigration Enforcement

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, City News Service

Calling it an attempt to “protect civil rights” of residents, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider a motion Tuesday that would direct its attorneys to explore legal remedies to prevent so-called “unconstitutional” federal immigration enforcement.

The motion introduced by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath states that since June 6, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have intensified immigration raids in the county, detaining people on streets, at shopping sites, parking lots and churches, and have even attempted to enter schools.

The motion contends that more than 1,600 people have been detained during the operations.

“Over the last few weeks, federal agents, often in unmarked vehicles, without visible badges, in regular street clothes and masked faces, have detained people indiscriminately, at times even taking U.S. citizens,” the motion states. “This includes numerous reported instances of individuals questioned and detained without a judicial warrant and without reasonable suspicion.”

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

One Of The Biggest Obstacles to Building New CA Housing Has Now Vanished

By Ben Christopher, CALMATTERS

A decade-spanning political battle between housing developers and defenders of California’s preeminent environmental law likely came to an end this afternoon with only a smattering of “no” votes.

The forces of housing won.

With the passage of a state budget-related housing bill, the California Environmental Quality Act will be a non-issue for a decisive swath of urban residential development in California.

In practice, that means most new apartment buildings will no longer face the open threat of environmental litigation.

It also means most urban developers will no longer have to study, predict and mitigate the ways that new housing might affect local traffic, air pollution, flora and fauna, noise levels, groundwater quality and objects of historic or archeological significance.

And it means that when housing advocates argue that the state isn’t doing enough to build more homes amid crippling rents and stratospheric prices, they won’t — with a few exceptions — have CEQA to blame anymore.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

To Save Money Now, Newsom’s New Labor Deals Pause Spending On One Of California’s Biggest Debts

By Adam Ashton, CALMATTERS

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is making benefit deals with public employee unions that save money today in part by putting off payments that were meant to bring down costs tomorrow.

His office this month negotiated eight agreements with unions that pause state spending for two years toward one of California’s largest long-term debts: the health care benefits civil servants receive in retirement.

Newsom’s pause on the pre-funding payments for current workers has the potential to free up a lot of money. His office in May estimated those payments would cost the state more than $700 million in the new budget year.

But the promise to workers is massive: At the last official estimate, California would need $85 billion to pay for the retirement health care benefits it has promised to state employees.

The governor’s move to suspend payments toward future retiree health care coincides with another big concession he’s asking from unions as he manages a $12 billion deficit.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Pasadena Unified’s Fire Lawsuit Against SoCal Edison Heads to Court Today

A case management conference is scheduled for Monday in the Pasadena Unified School District’s lawsuit against Southern California Edison Co., as the district seeks compensation for extensive damage from the deadly Eaton Fire.

The conference will be held in Department 17 at the Spring Street Courthouse, 312 N. Spring St.

Pasadena Unified School District alleges Southern California Edison equipment caused the January fire during gusty wind conditions. The district claims damages include classrooms, libraries, athletic fields, after-school program and performing arts facilities, roads and parking lots.

The lawsuit, filed in March, includes claims for inverse condemnation, negligence, trespass, nuisance and premises liability violations of Public Utilities and Health and Safety codes.

The Eaton Fire killed at least 18 people and burned more than 14,000 acres. It destroyed or damaged about 10,000 structures across areas in Altadena and surrounding communities.

Five Pasadena Unified School District campuses sustained substantial damage. Franklin Elementary School suffered 80% damage. Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School and three charter school campuses were also damaged.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Four Men Face Monday Preliminary Hearing in Altadena Fire Looting Case

Defendants Accused of Stealing Property During Emergency Evacuation

Four men are set to appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing on charges of residential burglary during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, with prosecutors alleging the men stole property from a home while the area was under emergency evacuation.

Roy Sims, Ryan Sims, Naquan Dewey Reddix and Pierre Obannon will face a judge in Department H of the Pasadena Courthouse.

The defendants are each charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary. Prosecutors allege they entered a home around 5 p.m. during the fire and stole multiple items, including an Emmy Award belonging to the resident.

All four men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the time of their arrests, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned potential looters: “Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

Monday, June 30, 2025

Controversial Climate Rule, Which Could Raise Gas Prices, About To Go Into Effect

By Alejandro Lazo, CALMATTERS

California’s revamped Low Carbon Fuel Standard takes effect on Tuesday, despite fierce Republican criticism and increasing Democratic trepidation over its potential to raise gas prices.

The new rules — which expand a program to reduce climate-warming gases and clean the air  — ratchet up requirements for cleaner fuels and broaden a $2 billion credit market aimed at cutting emissions from cars, trucks and freight.

No immediate hike in gas prices will occur. Experts say the future impact is uncertain because it depends on how much the oil industry spends on buying credits and then passes it onto consumers.

The previous fuel standard, which was set in 2011, added 9 cents to the cost of a gallon; a UC Davis researcher estimates that the new one could add 5 to 8 cents per gallon.

The Newsom administration is bracing for more political attacks as Republican legislators have seized on the issue.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Judge Rules California FAIR Plan’s Restrictive Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

STAFF REPORT

Pasadena homeowners whose property suffered smoke damage during the Eaton Fire in January got a big win in court last week when a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled against the California FAIR Plan’s restrictive smoke damage policy.

According to media reports, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled the California FAIR Plan violates the law by providing less coverage than is required by the state’s fire insurance requirements. The issue emanates from the way the plan covers smoke damage.

“Their position for years has been that these homes impacted by wildfire smoke damage are not damaged, they’re dirty. And they told people to clean them up themselves,” the homeowners’ attorney Dylan Schaffer said in April. “That advice is not just illegal under California law, it’s also dangerous because these houses are toxic.”

Schaffer said these repairs could often cost tens of thousands of dollars because they may involve replacing insulation, flooring, drywall and more.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Metro Board Elects Barger as Second Vice Chair, Poised for Olympic Leadership

County supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena, will lead transportation authority during critical Games preparation period

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was unanimously elected Second Vice Chair of the Metro Board on Thursday, positioning her to lead the transportation authority during the 2027-2028 fiscal year when Los Angeles prepares to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The 13-member Metro Board’s leadership rotation will elevate Barger to Board Chair as the county finalizes preparations for the international sporting events. Barger, who has served on the Metro Board since 2016, will succeed incoming Chair Fernando Dutra.

“I’m joining a strong, experienced, and principled Metro Board leadership team and am deeply honored by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me,” Barger said. Her leadership priorities include public and employee safety, transportation reliability, and increasing public trust.

Throughout her tenure, Barger has advocated for regional transportation projects, playing a key role in initiatives such as the Foothill Gold Line extension,