California News Now

03/07/2024

A heat wave affecting the central & northern parts of California right now could smash records in the coming days. Redding might hit 118°F. The last time the state's energy situation was so concerning was September 2022.

PG&E says it is preparing for what could be a record-breaking heat wave across California.

"What we're going to see over the next 7 days rivals some of our biggest heat waves that we've ever experienced in the PG&E service territory," said PG&E meteorologist Scott Strenfel.

Strenfel, alongside PG&E incident commander Mark Quinlan, delivered the forecast for not just the temperatures, but also the electricity demand, at a media briefing in Vacaville this afternoon.

Quinlan said PG&E is anticipating a load forecast of 22,106 megawatts (MW). He said the all-time system peak was 22,684 MW back on September 6, 2022.

The company is reviewing previous major heat waves to get a look at what may be ahead.

"So, we're going back to and looking at July 2006 and September of 2022 to get some comparisons with what we're going to see," Strenfeld said.

"This is a long-duration heat event," Quinlan said. He called it "very, very dangerous" and said the utility has prepositioned equipment in locations where they think things may take a turn for the worst.

Quinlan says the PG&E Emergency Operations Center in Vacaville (between Sacramento and San Francisco) has been actived, along with numerous other regional and divisional centers.

Quinlan says PG&E had flown helicopters on 50 transmission lines to see if there are any trouble areas, such as trees that might be too close.

Strenfeld said Redding could see temperatures of 118°F, which could shatter all-time records there.

He also says a major concern is how long the heat wave is expected to last -- with many locations experiencing 110°F or more for 8 days in a row.

28/06/2024

Governor Newsom and VP Harris are now being talked about (again) as potential substitutes, should President Biden decide to end his reelection bid.

Many who watched last night's debate felt Biden could've done better, while others thought the debate as a whole was an embarrassment for the U.S.

26/06/2024

The first U.S. presidential debate of 2024 is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, June 27) at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

While many Californians already know who they will vote for president in November, others are waiting to hear how President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump respond to tomorrow's line of questioning.

The debate is being sponsored and carried by CNN. It will be moderated by two of CNN's longtime political anchors, Dana Bash and Jake Tapper.

PLACES TO WATCH/LISTEN

CNN is allowing other outlets to simulcast this debate, including:

• Nationally televised networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, Telemundo, & Univision.

• Cable/Online/Streaming: C-SPAN, Fox News Channel, Max, MSNBC, News Nation, NPR, & One America News (OAN) Network.

• Many of the nation's radio stations will offer live coverage, as well.

A FAMILY DISCUSSION

Politics may be a huge interest for adults, but the topics also affect the nation's youth.

If you have a child/children, the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance suggests watching the debate with them.

"Show your kids and teens that you value their concerns about the state of our nation and the upcoming elections," the NCBLA says on its website. "Let them know you are eager to hear their opinions. Challenge them to support their opinions with facts and reasons."

It goes on: "Informally discuss the concept of the presidential debates with young people before you watch them, especially if this will be the first time your kids or teens have watched a presidential debate. Let them know why presidential candidates debate."

You can read the full list of tips & bullet points here:

https://ourwhitehouse.org/presidential-debates-watch-the-debates-with-your-kids-and-teens/

26/06/2024

California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his 2024 State of the State Address on video, instead of speaking to a live audience of lawmakers.

The address was posted to the governor's YouTube channel and various other online sites.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xN-kDXdnno

The YouTube video has hundreds of comments -- an overwhelming number of which are critical of the governor's speech.

"Are we talking about the same California?" said user .

"He is so toxic. Afraid to answer any questions so he pre records this. Instead of talking about what you are doing he spends time talking about whats wrong with everyone else," said user .

Governor Newsom began the address by talking about abortion & reproductive freedoms. He echoed many of the talking points he's made since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case.

"We will never turn our backs on women or threaten their freedom to travel," Newsom said.

He also spent time talking about the state's drug/fentanyl problem, gun violence, the housing crisis, the push for a clean-energy economy, and more.

But the most hot-button topic was homelessness, according to the YouTube comments.

"How did California use their funds for homelessness? No one knows, money wasn't tracked," user -fd1yo wrote.

"I was hoping to find out where the 24 BILLION for the HOMELESS went," added.

"Remember in 2003 when Newsom had a '10 year plan to end homelessness' in San Francisco as their Mayor? How’s that going?" asked .

In his address, Newsom said this about homelessness:

"No state ... has done more as California in addressing this pernicious problem of homelessness plaguing cities and towns, not just across the state of California, but increasingly across the United States. Too many politicians for too long have ignored this problem."

Newsom also lauded the 'Homekey' program, saying it has "revitalized former motels, hotels, and apartments and provided more than 15,300 units of housing."

He said the state has provided shelter for more than 71,000 people, thanks to both the 'Homekey' program and 'Project Roomkey'.

Newsom's State of the State Address video ran about 28½ minutes -- much shorter than previous addresses delivered in person.