As climate change boosts deadly heat waves, fires and flooding this summer, the clash between the seventh largest oil-producing state in the nation and the oil companies that call it home is poised to heat up at the statehouse, at the ballot box and in communities across Southern California. At the end of August, California’s first oil czar will take the helm of a new industry watchdog agency, and soon after that oil companies will have to start handing over data on their profit margins to the state. If those margins suggest that companies are gouging drivers at the pump, a new state law...…As climate change boosts deadly heat waves, fires and flooding this summer, the clash between the seventh largest oil-producing state in the nation and the oil companies that call it home is poised to heat up at the statehouse, at the ballot box and in communities across Southern California. At the end of August, California’s first oil czar will take the helm of a new industry watchdog agency, and soon after that oil companies will have to start handing over data on their profit margins to the state. If those margins suggest that companies are gouging drivers at the pump, a new state law...WW…

By | | Orange County RegisterCannabis businesses can no longer advertise on billboards anywhere along a highway that crosses state borders, after a judge ruled in a favor of a central California dad who sued to block such ads.The ruling won’t impact stretches of in-state freeways populated with marijuana billboards, such as the 55 in Orange County or the 215 in the Inland Empire.But the Bureau of Cannabis Control said Thursday that billboard companies must immediately stop selling space to marijuana shops and start taking down existing ads near roadways that at any point cross state...…By | | Orange County RegisterCannabis businesses can no longer advertise on billboards anywhere along a highway that crosses state borders, after a judge ruled in a favor of a central California dad who sued to block such ads.The ruling won’t impact stretches of in-state freeways populated with marijuana billboards, such as the 55 in Orange County or the 215 in the Inland Empire.But the Bureau of Cannabis Control said Thursday that billboard companies must immediately stop selling space to marijuana shops and start taking down existing ads near roadways that at any point cross state...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Orange County RegisterWhen Young Kim and Michelle Steel met up for family vacations more than 30 years ago, cooking meals and changing their daughters’ diapers as their husbands talked politics, neither had any idea that someday they would be the ones climbing the steps of the United States Capitol building.But next year is someday. And early next month, Young and Kim will be among the first Korean American women sworn into Congress.The significance and the weight of that distinction isn’t lost on them.“We were...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | | Orange County RegisterWhen Young Kim and Michelle Steel met up for family vacations more than 30 years ago, cooking meals and changing their daughters’ diapers as their husbands talked politics, neither had any idea that someday they would be the ones climbing the steps of the United States Capitol building.But next year is someday. And early next month, Young and Kim will be among the first Korean American women sworn into Congress.The significance and the weight of that distinction isn’t lost on them.“We were...WW…

By | | Orange County RegisterThe California Republican party’s plan to that it initially labeled as “official ballot drop off boxes” — which state authorities say is illegal — is much more widespread than previously reported.While the Secretary of State’s office has said it is aware of such boxes appearing in Los Angeles, Orange and Fresno counties, state GOP spokesman Hector Barajas told the Register on Wednesday that they’ve distributed these boxes to “far more counties.” He declined to identify any locations or say how many total boxes they’ve purchased, only saying a report that pegged...…By | | Orange County RegisterThe California Republican party’s plan to that it initially labeled as “official ballot drop off boxes” — which state authorities say is illegal — is much more widespread than previously reported.While the Secretary of State’s office has said it is aware of such boxes appearing in Los Angeles, Orange and Fresno counties, state GOP spokesman Hector Barajas told the Register on Wednesday that they’ve distributed these boxes to “far more counties.” He declined to identify any locations or say how many total boxes they’ve purchased, only saying a report that pegged...WW…

GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | and | | Orange County RegisterThe state issued cease and desist orders to the California Republican Party and local GOP officials in Orange, Los Angeles and Fresno counties over the use of , Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Monday.Republicans have until Thursday, Oct. 15 to remove the drop boxes, which Padilla said are not legal. Otherwise, he said his office will “consider all of our legal options,” which could include both civil and criminal charges that can carry felony...…GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.XBy | and | | Orange County RegisterThe state issued cease and desist orders to the California Republican Party and local GOP officials in Orange, Los Angeles and Fresno counties over the use of , Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Monday.Republicans have until Thursday, Oct. 15 to remove the drop boxes, which Padilla said are not legal. Otherwise, he said his office will “consider all of our legal options,” which could include both civil and criminal charges that can carry felony...WW…

By | | Southern California News GroupSouthern California could lose two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and a few state legislative seats when voting districts are redrawn next year, according to a new analysis by the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College.With population growing slower in the San Gabriel Valley and Orange County than in other parts of the state, both areas are flagged by the institute as communities that might lose representation. The region’s House seats could shift out of state to, say, a fast-growing part of Arizona, while...…By | | Southern California News GroupSouthern California could lose two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and a few state legislative seats when voting districts are redrawn next year, according to a new analysis by the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College.With population growing slower in the San Gabriel Valley and Orange County than in other parts of the state, both areas are flagged by the institute as communities that might lose representation. The region’s House seats could shift out of state to, say, a fast-growing part of Arizona, while...WW…

By | | Southern California News GroupAs calls for criminal justice reform sweep the nation, California is taking steps to reverse some effects of the war on drugs, which continues to disproportionately impact people of color.California’s 58 county district attorneys had a deadline of Wednesday, July 1, to accept or challenge the state’s recommendation to clear the records of some 191,090 past marijuana convictions. The procedure was triggered by Proposition 64, a 2016 measure that legalized cannabis and reduced penalties for related crimes, and by Assembly Bill 1793, which requires justice...…By | | Southern California News GroupAs calls for criminal justice reform sweep the nation, California is taking steps to reverse some effects of the war on drugs, which continues to disproportionately impact people of color.California’s 58 county district attorneys had a deadline of Wednesday, July 1, to accept or challenge the state’s recommendation to clear the records of some 191,090 past marijuana convictions. The procedure was triggered by Proposition 64, a 2016 measure that legalized cannabis and reduced penalties for related crimes, and by Assembly Bill 1793, which requires justice...WW…

By | | Southern California News GroupA couple hundred people tuned in Saturday morning to the Republican Party of Orange County’s virtual “Take Back the House” rally, held via Zoom amid ongoing concerns about the coronavirus.The four local Republicans vying for on Nov. 3 took turns on camera, from their homes and offices, boasting about their credentials and campaigns. They also painted the Democratic incumbents, who flipped their seats to blue in 2018, as too far left for their purple districts and slammed them for taking advantage of a that lets them temporarily avoid traveling to...…By | | Southern California News GroupA couple hundred people tuned in Saturday morning to the Republican Party of Orange County’s virtual “Take Back the House” rally, held via Zoom amid ongoing concerns about the coronavirus.The four local Republicans vying for on Nov. 3 took turns on camera, from their homes and offices, boasting about their credentials and campaigns. They also painted the Democratic incumbents, who flipped their seats to blue in 2018, as too far left for their purple districts and slammed them for taking advantage of a that lets them temporarily avoid traveling to...WW…

By | | Southern California News GroupCalifornia has raised $1 billion in cannabis tax revenue since the industry kicked into gear in January 2018, according to figures recently released by the state.The bulk of that $1.03 billion in tax money, after covering regulatory costs, has been spent on programs such as child care for low income families, cannabis research, public safety grants and cleaning up public lands harmed by illegal marijuana grows.While industry insiders and advocates are celebrating those numbers, they’re also raising a flag about stagnating revenues and ongoing layoffs....…By | | Southern California News GroupCalifornia has raised $1 billion in cannabis tax revenue since the industry kicked into gear in January 2018, according to figures recently released by the state.The bulk of that $1.03 billion in tax money, after covering regulatory costs, has been spent on programs such as child care for low income families, cannabis research, public safety grants and cleaning up public lands harmed by illegal marijuana grows.While industry insiders and advocates are celebrating those numbers, they’re also raising a flag about stagnating revenues and ongoing layoffs....WW…

By | and | | Orange County RegisterStopping by Nomads Canteen in San Clemente at lunchtime on Saturday felt a bit like jumping in a time machine and going back two months, before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered businesses across the country and changed life for everyone.Dozens of diners sat at tables on the sunny deck or inside around the beach-themed bar, toasting margaritas and enjoying poke bowls. People stood a foot or two from each other, waiting for tables to open up. And almost no one, from the staff to the customers, wore masks.Nomads Canteen is one of the most high-profile...…By | and | | Orange County RegisterStopping by Nomads Canteen in San Clemente at lunchtime on Saturday felt a bit like jumping in a time machine and going back two months, before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered businesses across the country and changed life for everyone.Dozens of diners sat at tables on the sunny deck or inside around the beach-themed bar, toasting margaritas and enjoying poke bowls. People stood a foot or two from each other, waiting for tables to open up. And almost no one, from the staff to the customers, wore masks.Nomads Canteen is one of the most high-profile...WW…