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CALIFORNIA POLITICS

City of Los Angeles - official seal

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass today met with and removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief effective immediately

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass today met with and removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief effective immediately. Mayor Bass announced she has appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva, a 41-year LAFD veteran, as Interim Fire Chief. Ronnie Villanueva dedicated 41 years of service to the Los Angeles Fire Department and after just 7 months of retirement, he is ready to hit the ground running as Interim Chief.
Governor of the state of California Seal

Calif. Gov. Newsom announces appointments for Feb. 19 and 20, 2025 including to California Dept. of Human Resources

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- This week, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the following appointments: First, Andrew “Andy” Nakahata, of San Francisco, has been appointed Chief Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank. Nakahata has been Director and Western Region Head of Public Finance at TD Securities LLC since 2024.
City of Culver City, California

21 Organizations Selected for Culver City CA 2025 Performing Arts Grant Program

CULVER CITY, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- The Culver City Council awarded 21 organizations $202,223 for the 2025 Performing Arts Grant Program in music, theater and dance events. The Cultural Affairs Commission and staff have implemented Culver City’s Performing Arts Grant Program since its inception in 1994. A Peer Review Panel consisting of seven independent individuals with professional performing arts expertise and non-profit arts experience scored the applications.
Calif. Governor Newsom - file photo

Calif. Gov. Newsom proposes billions in new funding for L.A. firestorm response and recovery while fires still burning

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- This week, while homes are still burning and resources have been widely stretched, Governor Gavin Newsom continues to respond to current and future disaster threats. With recovery efforts already underway to support those impacted by the Los Angeles hurricane-force firestorm, Newsom on Monday expanded the special session of the California Legislature that he convened in November to further boost response and initial recovery efforts for Los Angeles.
CA Gov. Newsom

Calif. Gov. Newsom issues executive order to crack down on ultra-processed foods in support of healthier Californians

SACRANEBTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Calif. Governor Newsom issued an executive order directing state agencies to recommend potential actions to limit the harms associated with “ultra-processed foods” and food ingredients that pose a health risk to individuals, building on the nation-leading nutrition and health standards established in California. “Ultra-processed foods” are known to pose a health risk to individuals, and today’s efforts are designed to support affordable, healthy living and reduce the growing impact of chronic illnesses on Californians.
Governor of the state of California Seal

Calif. Gov. Newsom announces landmark boost to paid family leave benefits for 2025

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Thursday, Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California has increased paid family leave and disability benefits to historic levels in the state, with eligible workers earning less than $63,000 per year now able to receive up to 90% of their regular wages while on leave. Workers earning above that threshold will receive 70% of their wages. Both represent an important increase, and this major benefit enhancement begins with new claims filed on or after January 1, 2025.
L.A. METRO

LA Metro Becomes First Transit Agency in U.S. to Equip its Entire Fleet of Active Buses with Enclosed, Protective Barriers

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) Central Maintenance Facility and Operating Divisions completed retrofitting the entire active bus fleet with new, expanded barriers made of shatterproof, tempered glass that fully enclose drivers. LA Metro Retrofitted its 2017th Bus, Providing Extra Layer of Security for Operators. The barrier design, prototyping and much of the fabrication were completed in-house at Metro’s Central Maintenance Facility (CMF) in downtown Los Angeles, and the barriers were mostly installed by Metro staff at the operating divisions.

FEATURE ARTICLES

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS

MCT - Mortgage Capital Trading

Collaboration Between MCT and Fannie Mae to Improve Pricing for Mortgage Sellers on Select Loans

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, announced their integration with Fannie Mae's new Loan Pricing API. By combining various price factors and utilizing a broader set of data found in bid tapes, the new API provides greater price transparency on certain loans. This is the latest in a series of recent collaborations between MCT and Fannie Mae intended to provide additional benefit and value to mortgage secondary market participants.
University of Arkansas Lab - Device CAD Image

US Kidney Research Corporation Advances Toward Implantable Artificial Kidneys

ROSEVILLE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- US Kidney Research Corporation (USKRC) is creating the world's first waterless blood purification device, a pioneering technology with the capability to replace traditional dialysis machines worldwide. A recent groundbreaking discovery in the design of the device's ion transport system, a critical component responsible for removing excess ions from the bloodstream, restoring ion balance, and directing these excess elements to the urine, is significantly accelerating progress and bringing the device closer to completion.

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS

La Jolla Author Barbara Burton

La Jolla Author Barbara Burton Launches Nonprofit Called Neighbors as Family Inspired by her First Novel

LA JOLLA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- La Jolla resident Barbara Burton (also known as Barbara Graf) has launched the non-profit organization Neighbors as Family (NAF), aimed at supporting individuals to make connections and create a chosen family in their neighborhoods. There are many people who are no longer connected to their birth family, whether because of dysfunction, estrangement, loss or other reasons.
MCT Reports 28% Increase in Mortgage Lock Volume

MCT Reports 28% Increase in Mortgage Lock Volume Heading into Spring 2025

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, today announced a 27.91% increase in mortgage lock volume compared to the previous month. Industry professionals and stakeholders are encouraged to download the full report for a detailed analysis.
Glancy Wine Education Foundation

Glancy Wine Education Foundation Expands, Becoming National Scholarship Organization in 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire / -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) is proud to announce its expansion to become a national scholarship organization through strategic partnerships with the International Wine Center in New York, the American Wine School in the Midwest, and the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV). Combined with the foundation's existing partnership with the San Francisco Wine School, these collaborations significantly extend GWEF's geographic reach, enabling more aspiring wine professionals across the United States access to high-quality wine education.
IRS Solutions Software

IRS Solutions Named as an American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) Partner

VALENCIA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- IRS Solutions, a company offering innovative tax resolution software explicitly designed for tax professionals, announces that it has been named an industry partner by the prestigious American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS).
MAGLITE

Eagle Scout Who Saved Family Home in Palisades Fire Honored with a Maglite-Tough Civilian Hero Award

ONTARIO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- With flames bearing down on their home from the catastrophic Palisades fire, Andrew Grinsfelder found no water coming to their house to save it from destruction. Disregarding his safety, he and his mother went through their neighborhood to assist others. For these acts, he has been recognized with the Maglite-Tough Civilian Hero Award.

NATIONAL NEWS

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CHARITY AND CAUSE NEWS

La Jolla Author Barbara Burton

La Jolla Author Barbara Burton Launches Nonprofit Called Neighbors as Family Inspired by her First Novel

LA JOLLA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- La Jolla resident Barbara Burton (also known as Barbara Graf) has launched the non-profit organization Neighbors as Family (NAF), aimed at supporting individuals to make connections and create a chosen family in their neighborhoods. There are many people who are no longer connected to their birth family, whether because of dysfunction, estrangement, loss or other reasons.