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CALIFORNIA POLITICS

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.
Governor Newsom traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for BH-CONNECT approval

Biden-Harris Administration approves California BH-CONNECT Initiative, to assist eligible people receiving behavioral health treatment

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- Governor Gavin Newsom, today announced that the state has received approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its proposed Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) demonstration waiver. The waiver comes after Governor Newsom traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for its approval.
Governor of the state of California Seal

Calif. Gov. Newsom announces Nathan Barankin will serve as his Chief of Staff

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- On Monday (Dec. 16), California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Nathan Barankin will serve as his Chief of Staff. Barankin previously served as Senior Advisor to the Governor. He has decades of experience as a government leader.

FEATURE ARTICLES

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS

MCT February 2025 Indices Report

Mortgage Lock Volume Stays Flat in MCT February 2025 Indices Report

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire / -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, announced today a 0.12% decrease in mortgage lock volume compared to the previous month. Industry professionals and market enthusiasts are encouraged to download the complete report for a deeper understanding of the latest market trends and dynamics.
Optimal Blue

Optimal Blue Releases Ask Obi, its New AI Assistant, Providing Mortgage Lending Execs with Realtime Business Insights

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire / -- Optimal Blue today announced Ask Obi, an AI assistant designed to provide mortgage lending executives with instant, actionable insights from their Optimal Blue products and data. Unveiled during Optimal Blue's inaugural Summit user conference in San Diego, Ask Obi gives lenders the power to view their operations holistically with data aggregation across Optimal Blue's comprehensive capital markets platform.

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS

Merriam Vineyards

Merriam Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years of Winegrowing Excellence in the Russian River Valley, California

HEALDSBURG, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Merriam Vineyards, a pioneering force in Russian River Valley's diverse winegrowing landscape, announces the commencement of its 25th anniversary celebration. Founded in 2000 by Peter and Diana Merriam, the winery has evolved from its initial 12-acre purchase into a distinguished estate encompassing three distinct vineyard properties, each expressing the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley AVA.
Secured Signing

Secured Signing Supports Cisco Duo Single Sign-On for Digital Signatures and Remote Online Notarization

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Secured Signing, a global leader in Digital Signatures and Remote Online Notarization (RON) solutions, has announced the integration of Cisco Duo Single Sign-On, a cutting-edge enhancement designed to fortify user login security. This milestone innovation introduces built-in two-factor authentication (2FA) to the platform, setting a new standard in safeguarding digital transactions.
Tim Denison will keynote the first European Neurotech Leaders Forum

Neurotech Reports Announces its First European Neurotechnologies Leaders Forum

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Neurotech Reports, the longest-serving publishing and market intelligence firm covering the neuromodulation industry, announced the launch of its first European management and investment conference. The two-day event, called Neurotech Leaders Forum at imec, will take place on June 3-4, 2025 on the campus of imec in Leuven, Belgium. Imec, a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, is deeply committed to advancing health innovations through the power of semiconductor technologies, making it the ideal host for the conference.
L.A. METRO

LA Metro Welcomes Fourth Youth Council Cohort: Los Angeles County Youth Will Share New Perspectives with Agency in 2025

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- L.A. Metro welcomes the 2025 Metro Youth Council to the agency. The council, comprised of young individuals aged 14 to 17, will share their ideas and perspectives on current Metro projects, offering insights on ways to enhance the transportation system for everyone. Representing communities across Los Angeles County, these youth will serve a one-year term.
Over 50 Influencer, Makeda Smith

Over 50 Influencer, Makeda Smith, Announces New Amazon Live Book Series: Flying Over 50 at Any Age

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Veteran entertainment industry publicist and wellness influencer, Makeda Smith is solidifying her commitment to 'senior soft life' living. The 64-year-old grandmother, who started pole dancing as a fitness hobby over 14 years ago, is expanding her pro-aging brands, the dance flow movement practice, Flying Over 50 (and online coaching portal, The Makeda Method. Makeda is launching a new book series on Amazon Live, with one of the platform's Top Five influencers, Cyrus Webb.

NATIONAL NEWS

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CHARITY AND CAUSE NEWS

Hillcrest Senior Community

Senior Communities Unite to Support Displaced Local Seniors After the L.A. Eaton Fire

LA VERNE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In a remarkable display of compassion and community spirit, Hillcrest, an age-qualified community in La Verne is showing what it means to be a good neighbor by helping seniors displaced by the devastating Eaton Fire. Hillcrest offered seniors housing and a chance to rebuild their lives with a new home. The fire destroyed The Terraces at Park Marino in Pasadena, leaving many residents, including those with significant health needs, without a place to call home.