Welcome to The California Weekly, your Saturday morning recap of top stories and announcements you might have missed.

News you might have missed

1. KEEPING CALIFORNIANS SAFE

Since Governor Newsom launched the CHP operation in partnership with the City of Oakland, the California Highway Patrol has arrested 1,125 suspects, recovered 2,123 stolen vehicles, and seized 110 illegal firearms since February. This weekend, the CHP also conducted blitz operations, targeting sideshows that led to an additional 22 arrests and the seizure of 36 vehicles.

2. AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

California continued its statewide efforts to expand affordable housing. This week, Santa Paula celebrated the grand opening of People’s Place, a large complex of permanent affordable housing for agricultural workers and others, offering supportive services and outdoor spaces. Hear from Linda about what access to HCD-funded affordable housing means for her and her family.

3. CHEAPER GAS AT THE PUMP

Building on legislation passed in 2023 and 2024 to prevent price spikes and increase transparency in the oil industry, Governor Newsom urged CARB to more quickly study the implementation of increased ethanol blending in gasoline (E-15), which could help to lower prices by up to $0.20 per gallon and save Californians as much as $2.7 billion every year - with little to no impact on the environment.

4. INFRASTRUCTURE DECADE CONTINUES

In just the last week, California has invested more than $5 billion in local and state infrastructure projects - improving the daily lives of millions of Californians. Notably, one source of funding is the fuel excise tax - a key funding source for communities that California Republicans sought to eliminate just weeks ago. This continues Governor Newsom’s ‘build more, faster’ infrastructure agenda. Learn more about that at build.ca.gov.

Here’s what we’re reading

The California Department of Justice issued a report highlighting California’s recent efforts to strengthen ghost gun safety regulations, leading to a significant decrease of ghost guns recovered at crime sites. “The number of ghost guns recovered from crime in the state grew enormously every year from 2013-2021 but then decreased by 23% between 2021 and 2023” - after the state enacted “the nation’s most comprehensive ghost gun reform legislation.” The report highlights California’s significant recent progress as a model for policymakers in other states and at the federal level to address the ghost gun crisis nationwide.

By the numbers

- 31 - nonprofits that will bring vibrant art and culture to our parks across the Golden State, through the Arts in California Parks Grant Program.

- 129 - incarcerated people graduating with Associate Degrees at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility through their partnership with Southwestern Family of Companies. These efforts are part of California’s broader public safety efforts: helping people gain skills and create new paths so they don’t re-enter the justice system, but instead contribute positively to their communities. 

- 2.8 Million - cubic yards of trash removed through Clean California as part of the state’s beautification efforts.

LAST WEEK'S EDITION