Newsdesk

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.

CULVER CITY, Calif. /California Newswire -- NEWS/ -- The Culver City City Council today announced that it has awarded 26 organizations $200,518 for the 2026 Performing Arts Grant Program for presentations of 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.

ALAMEDA, Calif. /California Newswire -- NEWS/ -- The alternative folk-rock duo Cosmic Spin has released "Messenger," an original song, newly re-mastered on the Pentacle Records label. The track features Bara Waters and Robert Cassard's lush vocal harmonies, with atmospheric layers of guitars and other effects. "Messenger" is available to stream now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and most other popular platforms.

LA VERNE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- As national attention increasingly turns toward brain health and healthy aging, Hillcrest, a nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Southern California, is translating research into daily practice by offering seniors brain-healthy foods at every meal, every day. Hillcrest is the only senior living community in the region to fully integrate the MIND diet, a science-backed lifestyle approach to maintaining cognitive strength through nutrition, into its daily dining.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In his new book, "You Shouldn't Have to Kill to Get Ahead: Reimagining Wealth, Power and Belonging in America" (ISBN: 978-1968339180 [paperback]; 978-1968339173 [ebook]; 978-1968339197 [hardcover]; Legacy Launch Pad Publishing), author, Army Veteran and former political candidate Chris Rivers lays bare the broken promises of the American Dream and offers a path forward for a nation at a breaking point.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Old Vine Registry, the world's largest and most authoritative database of historic vine plantings, has entered the new year with 9,393 registered vineyards across 42 countries, reflecting a surge of new contributions over the past twelve months. With the turn of the calendar year, vineyards planted in 1991 have now reached the 35-year threshold and are newly eligible for inclusion.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- As Los Angeles prepares for increased travel volume heading into 2026, expectations surrounding airport transportation are shifting rapidly. travelers are no longer satisfied with basic pickups or inconsistent scheduling. They expect reliability, professionalism, and seamless coordination from curb to terminal. LB Limo (LB Limousine, Inc.) is responding to these evolving demands by redefining what premium airport transportation looks like, setting a new standard for LAX car service across the region.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The LA Local today announced the next phase of its groundbreaking newsroom expansion, including community-based news outlets and a website, thelalocal.org, to serve as a trusted source of local news and information. The LA Local is led by a team of civic and journalistic leaders with deep roots in Los Angeles dedicated to delivering free and fair reporting that better connects communities, strengthens local journalism and fosters collaboration among news organizations.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) is pleased to announce Brandon Ford as the organization's new Fundraising Chair. Having joined the GWEF Board in July 2025, just as the organization marked their 5th year anniversary, Ford steps into a dedicated role focused on expanding the national and international reach of the organization's fundraising and sponsorship programs.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's only independent, wholly-owned mortgage lending cooperative, today announced the appointment of Rich Swerbinsky as Strategic Advisor to the CEO & President and Heidi Belnay as Senior Advisor for Business Development. These strategic additions to the leadership team position TMC for accelerated growth and continued industry impact in 2026 and beyond.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Exciting news for readers ready for a juicy journey through high society and the hip-hop culture of the South: Karen Soven's "Once Upon A Time In Palm Beach: Tales of Life & Love from the Land of Sunshine & Money" (ISBN: 978-1964377605 [ebook]; 978-1964377599 [paperback]; 978-1964377612 [hardcover], Legacy Launch Pad Publishing) provides that and more.

VALENCIA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- IRS Solutions® announces today that it has completed the SOC 2® examination. As tax professionals face growing security expectations, technology providers must prove accountability and consistency in how they handle data. A recently completed SOC 2® examination provides independent validation that IRS Solutions systems maintain secure, reliable, and confidential operations.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today announced it will host the inaugural ACT Technology Summit, short for Accelerator and Collaborative Transformation, a two-day standalone mortgage technology competition and showcase Aug. 12-13 at The Highlands Hotel in Dallas.

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- freebeat AI (freebeat.ai), an AI-powered music video creation platform, today announced the launch of a new version of its AI Music Video Generator, introducing a more expressive Music Video Agent that adapts how visuals are created for different types of songs.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Gary Buechler is as well known for his pop culture commentary on shows like Piers Morgan as he is on YouTube and Rumble, where millions of fans flock to hear his every un-PC opinion. But few know the dark road he traveled to become a voice of nerd culture. Now, with "Waiting for Nerdrotic: From Prison to YouTube" (ISBN: 978-1964377261; Legacy Launch Pad Publishing), Buechler is sharing his story with the public at large.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- This holiday season, ClearGivers offers a new kind of giving experience, one that blends the joy of shopping with the purpose of philanthropy. Founded by Aisha Kumari, the innovative platform connects donors, local businesses, and charities in a seamless online marketplace designed to make generosity feel personal and immediate.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's leading independent cooperative network for mortgage lenders, today announced the launch of an individual subscription membership option that expands access to its network for mortgage professionals seeking connection, insight and peer engagement outside a traditional lender membership.

LA VERNE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The holiday season brings warmth and celebration for many, but it can also heighten feelings of loneliness, grief, and disconnection among older adults. Hillcrest, one of Southern California's leading continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), is encouraging seniors and their families to approach the season with intention, compassion, and community-minded connection.

CULVBER CITY, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- This week, Culver City marked aa historic moment as the City Council selected new leadership in front of a large crowd within the Mike Balkman Council Chambers. Council Member Freddy Puza was unanimously voted to become Culver City's Mayor for 2026, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ Mayor in Culver City’s 108-year history. Mayor Puza was first elected in 2022 as a City Council Member. He will serve as Mayor for a 12-month term.

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 Software Developer Sriranjini "Sri" Prabhakara has been named to National Mortgage Professional Magazine's 2025 40 Under 40 list. The annual recognition highlights emerging professionals whose work is helping shape the future of the mortgage sector.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- This week, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass announced an historic milestone in the City’s accelerated transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2035: the full divestment from coal in Los Angeles’ power supply. This achievement marks a pivotal step in the City’s decades-long commitment to environmental sustainability and climate leadership.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- L.A. Mayor Bass is inviting Angelenos impacted by the justice system to the Justice Fair 2025: Gifts That Keep Giving” on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the LA Expo Center. Hosted by her Office of Community Safety, the day-long event will bring together over 80 employers, service providers, and community organizations to connect Angelenos who have previously been incarcerated or involved with the justice system to employment, housing, education, and wellness opportunities that open doors to lasting stability.

LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- New Cadence Healthcare is excited to welcome Dr. Jasia Hu, M.D., who officially joined our team on December 1, 2025. A board-certified family medicine physician who has cared for the Long Beach community since 2010, Dr. Hu brings deep experience in preventive care, chronic disease management, and patient education.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- SecuGen, a leader in optical fingerprint biometrics, today announced it will integrate Precise Biometrics' proven live-finger detection (LFD) technology into SecuGen's next generation MOSIP L1 authentication device and the company's upcoming UIDAI L1 Registered Device. The integration enhances the devices' presentation attack detection (PAD) capabilities while preserving SecuGen's high-quality imaging and operational performance.

TEMECULA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Publishers Newswire (PNW), an online news publisher covering books, music, indie film, and software launched in 2004, today announced its latest semi-annual "books to bookmark" list for Q2 and Q3 (April through September) 2025, noting 13 new and interesting "good reads" from small publishers released this year. These newly published books are often overlooked due to not coming from major traditional book publishers.

SACRAMENTO /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- Today, Calif. Gov. Newsom’s California Breakthrough advisory group — a preeminent group of technology and corporate executives — met Tuesday with the Governor to present new solutions to help advance efficiency and stronger services in state government. Along with the meeting, the Governor also announced five new projects resulting from this effort. Through these projects and others, California is delivering measurable results across state operations — cutting costs and time, modernizing systems, and improving services for California residents.

TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc. announced today the availability of its in-person electronic notarization (IPEN) capability, extending the company's Total eClose™ platform to support more closing scenarios and borrower preferences across the country. IPEN offers lenders, settlement agents, notaries and borrowers an additional digital option for situations where remote online notarization (RON) is not jurisdictionally permitted or simply not the preferred experience.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- HealthSync AI, a leader in healthcare automation and AI-native clinical intelligence, today announced the launch of the Unified Digital Healthcare Platform (UDHP), the first end-to-end, AI-orchestrated infrastructure designed to unify fragmented systems across hospitals, medical groups, and rural healthcare providers.

CULVER CITY, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ -- As part of the Culver City’s continuing commitment to the film industry, this week the Culver City City Council approved a comprehensive set of measures designed to support recovery for film and television and enhance Culver City’s competitiveness as a premier filming destination. These actions aim to attract productions that will create local employment opportunities and support small businesses that benefit from on-location filming.