California NEWS INDEX

LOS ANGELES: When Ani Lalazarian changed careers in 2020, leaving the fashion world to become an energy healer, breathwork facilitator and spiritual guide, she held tight to one conviction: that children and adults all carry a special light within them-they simply need the tools to find it. Now, Dragonfly Dreams Press, LLC is releasing her debut picture book - "Into the Heart of the Forest: A Journey to Love" (ISBN: 979-8218897246 paperback; 979-8218883294 hardcover) - a gorgeously illustrated adventure story that brings those tools directly to the page.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) -- NEWS: COME - TOGETHER-A Community for Wine Inc., the mission-driven company behind the Come Over October™ and Share & Pair Sundays™ wine advocacy campaigns, today announced the launch of the second annual Share & Pair Sundays campaign, running May 3 through June 28, 2026. Across nine consecutive Sundays, anchored by Mother's Day, Father's Day and the unofficial start of summer.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) -- NEWS: Secured Signing, a global leader in Digital Signature and Remote Online Notarization (RON) technology, recently sat down with industry innovators Tall Poppy Real Estate to discuss the successful, large-scale integration of the Secured Signing API into their core proprietary platform. By embedding high-security digital signatures directly into its internal workflows, Tall Poppy is effectively redefining the benchmarks for transparency, efficiency, and trust within the international real estate market.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (NAPA, Calif.) -- NEWS: Since its debut in 2018, the beloved Bubbles & Bites tasting series has transported Domaine Carneros' guests around the world one menu at a time. From Mexico to Morocco, Spain and the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and most recently Peru, this celebration of diverse cultural culinary traditions now highlights the vibrant islands of the Caribbean: introducing Bubbles & Bites: Colors of the Caribbean, debuting May 1, 2026.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (LONG BEACH, Calif.) -- NEWS: The Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal, two of the city's most trusted independent news outlets, are joining The LA Local, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to building and supporting community-centered newsrooms across Los Angeles County. By joining The LA Local, the Post and Business Journal gain access to added resources, collaboration with other outlets serving the area and regional reporting capacity.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) -- NEWS: A widespread shift in business technology is driving organizations across legal, financial services, staffing, governments, life science, and corporate sectors to rethink how they manage data, workflows, and document execution, says Secured Signing. As companies migrate from legacy systems, integrated all-in-one e-Signature and online notary solutions are emerging as a critical component of modern operations.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (SACRAMENTO) - NEWS: On Earth Day 2026, CalRecycle (California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery) is announcing that Californians are "rescuing more unsold meals for the hungry, recycling more food scraps, and redeeming more beverage containers than ever before." California is proving that cutting waste and protecting communities can go hand in hand. New statewide data shows California’s shift toward a circular economy, one that uses less and reuses more, is delivering real results for people, businesses, and the environment.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (SAN DIEGO, Calif.) -- NEWS: The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation’s largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will host its act Tech Summit on Aug. 12-13, bringing together mortgage industry leaders, technology providers and decision-makers for an affordable, high-value opportunity to evaluate technology partners and solutions in a single setting. The event will be held at The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton in Dallas, Texas.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.) - NEWS --- Secured Signing, a global leader in Digital Signing and Remote Online Notarization (RON), announced a 45% month-on-month increase in adoption of Realify, its AI-powered deepfake detection feature, among independent and in-house notaries. The surge reflects growing awareness among legal and notarial professionals of the escalating threat posed by AI-generated synthetic media in video-based identity verification and online meetings.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (SAN DIEGO, Calif.) -- NEWS The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will engage with members and industry partners across a series of key mortgage conferences and events nationwide throughout the second quarter. Through both large-scale industry events and more targeted, peer-driven engagements, TMC continues to create opportunities for lenders to connect, share knowledge and strengthen their businesses in an increasingly dynamic market.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (SANTA CLARA, Calif.) -- NEWS SecuGen Corporation, a leading provider of advanced fingerprint biometric technology, today announced that its Unity™ 20 MOSIP fingerprint authentication device has been certified and officially listed on the MOSIP Marketplace, confirming compliance with Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) SBI 2.0 L1 specifications.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (TEMECULA) NEWS -- Returning to Temecula Wine Country for 2026, April 24, 25, 26, DigiFest is described by the event organizers as "a dynamic experience where creativity meets opportunity; a world of innovation, inspiration, and connection. Explore award-winning digital art across multiple categories, network with industry professionals, and take part in an event that could shape your creative future."

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (NAPA, Calif.) -- NEWS Earlier this year, Domaine Carneros Winery received the Sustainable Business of the Year award from the Napa Chamber of Commerce, presented by MCE Clean Energy, a not-for-profit public agency that has set the standard for clean energy in California since 2010. Domaine Carneros was founded by the Taittinger family nearly four decades ago with the conviction that the finest méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines begin with the healthiest land.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE (SAN FRANCISCO) -- NEWS: Today, Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to strengthen California’s procurement processes and raise the bar for artificial intelligence companies seeking to do business with the state. The order aims to ensure that companies meet strong standards and demonstrate responsible policies that prevent misuse of their technology, while protecting users’ safety and privacy.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, will send its Advocacy Committee to Washington, D.C. on April 16 to meet with federal policymakers and housing agencies to discuss mortgage lending, regulatory reform and housing affordability.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS -- In just three years, a global effort to document the world's oldest vineyards has reached a major milestone. The Old Vine Registry, the world's leading public database dedicated to historic vineyards, announced today that it has surpassed 10,000 registered vineyards worldwide, achieving a goal originally set for 2027 more than a year ahead of schedule.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS -- GeekyAnts, a ​​global technology consulting and product development company, today announced the formal launch of GeekyAnts AI and AI Pods, a two-tier delivery program built to take enterprise AI systems from proof of concept to production, addressing the infrastructure and accountability failures that have stalled most AI pilot programs in 2026.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS -- Secured Signing, a leading provider of tamperproof Digital Signatures and Online Notary solutions, is proud to announce its official approval as a trusted provider for Remote Online Notarization (RON) and In Person Electronic Notarization (IPEN) in nearly 40 U.S. states.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS -- The Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim's Reception Office in Spain reports that 530,999 people received a Compostela certificate of completion in 2025, up 6% over 2024. Author Karin Kiser of Camino Chronicles Press says the actual number of people walking or biking the Camino de Santiago routes is more than that - much more.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS -- In his powerful new book, "Home Service Empire: How I Built, Scaled, and Sold a Family of Businesses Worth Over $100 Million" (ISBN: 978-196833-852 paperback; 978-1968339869 ebook; 978-1968339845 hardcover; Legacy Launch Pad Publishing), entrepreneur Cameron Bawden shares the battle-tested blueprint behind building one of Arizona's largest privately owned home service companies-and exiting on his terms.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS -- On March 20, the first day of spring, Adonna Wines officially opens its spring allotment to the California market. Founded by Donna Kato, a Japanese American biochemist who left the world of science to tend the land and make wine of uncommon elegance, Adonna Wines is an allotment-only label available exclusively to mailing list members.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - SAN DIEGO -- Pat Wright, a California resident and advocate for ferret legalization, and founder of LegalizeFerrets.org, has filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in Sacramento County Superior Court against the California Fish and Game Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - LOS ANGELES --- For the first time, journalists and researchers have a searchable directory of over 1,500 of the world's knowledge repositories. The new publication is from Newsjunkie.net, the data-journalism resource known for its "Who's Behind the News" reporting. Guide to Public Archives II, a fully revised and expanded directory of the world's artifact and document repositories, is designed to help journalists and scholars quickly and easily locate essential research materials.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - Loa Angeles --- Metro has announced the launch of its new Safety Hub , a centralized online resource designed to provide riders, employees and the public with clear, accessible information about safety efforts and results across the transit system. The Safety Hub serves as a comprehensive entry point for information about Metro’s public safety initiatives and progress.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- As it celebrated 150 years of postdoctoral scholars in the U.S., the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) announced at its annual conference that Michael S. Gold, Ph.D., Cynthia Furhmann, Ph.D., and Olivia K. Cook, Ph.D., are the 2026 winners of the organization's three most prestigious individual awards.

LA VERNE, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- Hillcrest will host its annual Luck O' the Draw fundraiser to support its benevolence funds, which assist residents who have outlived their financial resources and allow them to continue to live at Hillcrest. The community invites residents, supporters and neighbors to join them on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of music, dessert and philanthropy in the Hillcrest Meeting House.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, announced enhancements to its benchmarking platform and a rebrand from Benchmark to TMC Insight, delivering expanded dashboards and peer performance analysis for mortgage lenders.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS (HOLLYWOOD) -- The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood announced today a major sustainability milestone: the 2027 Oscars ceremony and all other events and concerts starting in 2027, will be supported by on-site renewable energy and related infrastructure, marking a significant leap towards reducing the environmental footprint of one of the world's most recognized venues. A similar project is expected at a later date at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- The Comedians with Disabilities Act (CWDA), the groundbreaking comedy troupe that has been challenging perceptions and redefining humor since 2010, has announced its 2026 Spring Tour with stops in Montana, California, and Oregon. This Springs tour weaves theaters, colleges and community venues to showcase the talents of 11 comedians, many of whom are in the docu-special.

NAPA, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- Domaine Carneros invites wine lovers to experience its newest visitor offering, "Scent & Savor: A Wine Tour of Aromas and Taste Transformations," now available by appointment daily. One of several distinctive food and wine pairing experiences offered to visitors at the property, Scent & Savor is a 90-minute guided journey from vineyard to glass.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /California Newswire -NEWS/ -- Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced the appointment of Senior Vice President of Partner Success Mark Jones. In this role, Jones will develop and scale a strategy to expand IR's market reach and strengthen partnerships across the mortgage and fintech ecosystem.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- Recent coverage in major outlets, including a New York Times feature on the rise of "sober party girls" and alcohol-free social spaces, has framed not drinking as a newly emerging cultural trend. From curated sober parties to alcohol-free bars and wellness-driven nightlife, sobriety is increasingly being rebranded as aspirational, social and even chic, The Evolution of Publishing Institute announced today.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- The Sacramento SPCA received a $15,000 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their lifesaving work for pets in Sacramento. Petco Love is a national nonprofit leading change for pets by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- In a brutally honest and darkly humorous exploration of the film and television industry, veteran screenwriter Jim Agnew announces the release of "To Live and Write in LA: A Street-Level Guide to Surviving as a Screenwriter" (ISBN: 979-8218906696; published by Independent Global Solutions), brand partner Legacy Launch Pad Publishing announced today.

LA VERNE, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- Hillcrest, a senior living community in La Verne, Calif., is hosting nationally recognized solo aging expert Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, PhD, founder of LifeEncore, for an educational seminar focused on preparing solo agers for the future. The free event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will cover legal and financial strategies for maintaining independence. A solo ager is defined as anyone, single or partnered, who does not have children or is aging alone for any reason.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- Secured Signing, a leader in Digital Signatures and Remote Online Notarization (RON) solutions, is proud to announce that it has officially achieved SOC 2® Type 2 compliance. This isn't just another certificate on the wall. Following a grueling, comprehensive audit by the experts at Sensiba LLP, this achievement serves as a formal, third-party validation of our unwavering commitment to protecting your most sensitive information.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS/ -- Today, as part of the state’s work to directly address the needs of LA firestorm survivors, Calif. Governor Newsom announced the expansion of mortgage relief for survivors of qualified disasters, including the 2025 Los Angeles firestorms. The expansion makes available up to a full year of mortgage assistance up to $100,000 that does not need to be repaid. The expansion also allows more families to access this assistance with broader income eligibility.

CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS/ -- On Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the following appointments: First, Paula Stigler Granados, of San Diego, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Stigler Granados has been an Associate Professor and Division Head of Environmental Health at San Diego State University’s School of Public Health since 2021.

NAPA, Calif. /California Newswire -NEWS/ -- The Staging Collective, a growing organization of more than 45 leading staging companies in North America, sees the challenges that virtual staging creates for consumers in purchasing homes every day. Though there is growing investment in virtual and AI design tools, particularly at Zillow, this group of business owners know that virtually staged homes take longer to sell than homes being traditionally staged after lingering on the market virtually staged.

LA VERNE, Calif. /California Newswire -NEWS/ -- The Gallery at Hillcrest will host an on-site showcase of advanced art by Ganesha High School students in grades 10 through 12, opening February 20 in celebration of Black History Month. Hillcrest is a nonprofit senior community that supports local artists through its on-campus gallery.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the national association representing the real estate finance industry, announced today that they have entered into a strategic partnership to expand advocacy, education and engagement opportunities for their members.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- With the 2025-26 college basketball season underway, long-time university, junior college and high school coach Michael Miller has formally retired from coaching, concluding a distinguished career spanning more than three decades and more than 750 victories, the University of Los Angeles College of Divinity announced today.

FRESNO, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- Vinyl Craft is an established, trusted vinyl fence material company that has operated out of its headquarters in Oxnard, California since 1997. In an effort to make its vinyl fencing and gate products more readily available to Central Californians, the team has expanded to a second location in Fresno.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire - NEWS/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today released results from the latest Pulse of the Network survey, along with an analysis examining how mortgage lenders are prioritizing technology, operational efficiency, and growth strategies amid continued market pressure.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE - NEWS/ -- The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation (AHAF) announced today that its annual Cursive Is Cool® handwriting contest is now open to students in Kindergarten through Grade 7, encouraging young writers to express themselves creatively through cursive handwriting.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In his searing new book, "Addicted to Failure: Why the Rehab System Doesn't Work and What Must Change" (ISBN: 978-1968339876 paperback; 978-1968339883 ebook, Legacy Launch Pad Publishing), author and addiction reform advocate Jimmie Applegate takes aim at a $16 billion industry that profits from relapse and exposes why traditional rehab models fail to deliver real recovery.

TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., today announced that two of its executives have been elected to help lead Community of Practice (CoP) workgroups within the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) for the 2026-2027 term. Chief eServices Executive Brian D. Pannell will serve as vice chair of MISMO's Digital Interoperability CoP, and Director of Integration and Technical Services David Garrett will serve as vice chair of the eMortgage CoP.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- "Abused," the new single from international singer-songwriter Liyah Bey, is not a confession or a plea-it is a declaration. Built on restraint rather than release, the song gives voice to survivors of abuse by doing something rare in popular music: naming the truth plainly, without softening it.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that its work in 2025 has introduced significant platform enhancements and expanded its integration ecosystem across credit and verification services. The company introduced new credit and verification capabilities, added multiple data and payroll partners, and enhanced automation through its unified platform.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE -- NEWS/ -- ON Wednesday, Mayor Bass joined leaders from the entertainment industry to celebrate the opening of East End Studios’ new Mission Campus in LA’s Arts District. The opening of this state-of-the-art studio campus builds upon Mayor Bass’ efforts to make City Hall a dedicated partner to LA’s legacy industry, helping boost production in the city and spur the creation of new good-paying union jobs across Los Angeles.