Author: Georgia McKoy

In 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom revealed California’s record $100 billion budget surplus—a first in U.S. state history.  Just two years later, the state faces a staggering near $50 billion deficit. This swift reversal is straining California’s budget plans and testing its policy ambitions. Emergency Measures Kick In Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons Faced with a dire fiscal shortfall, Governor Newsom has declared a state-wide fiscal emergency.  This move unlocks rainy-day funds and mandates tough budget cuts, complicating Newsom’s efforts to push forward his policy agenda. Mixed Reviews for Newsom Source: Wikimedia Commons Recent polls show Governor Newsom with only a 46%…

Perched majestically at 4.3 kilometers above sea level, Mount Rainier has remained quiet for over a millennium.  Despite its serene appearance, its storied past and impressive size mark it as a significant concern for U.S. volcanologists, who see it as a sleeping giant capable of future fury. The Looming Threat Over Puget Sound Source: Wikimedia Commons “Mount Rainier keeps me up at night because it poses such a great threat to the surrounding communities,” confessed Jess Phoenix, a volcanologist and advocate, in the CNN series “Violent Earth With Liv Schreiber.”  It’s the history of lahars—massive volcanic mudflows—that makes it particularly…

The bird flu crisis has taken a worrying turn, spreading across 31 states and affecting not just birds but also mammals—including domestic cats.  Reports confirm that since March 1, over 21 cats, including feral, barn, and household pets, have contracted the virus, signaling the severity and wide reach of this outbreak. A Diverse Host Range: Mammals Fall Victim to Bird Flu Source: Wikimedia Commons Beyond our feline friends, this current bird flu outbreak has impacted a surprising variety of mammals.  Infected species now include cows, foxes, mice, striped skunks, mountain lions, harbor seals, and alpacas. This wide host range underscores…

This term, the Supreme Court will delve into a pressing legal issue as it reviews state bans on gender-affirming care for minors.  The focal point of this review is Tennessee’s restrictive law, raising questions about the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and its application to transgender minors seeking medical treatments. A Nation Divided Source: Wikimedia Commons At a time when Republican-led states are enacting strict measures on transgender issues, the Supreme Court’s decision to hear this case highlights a sharp divide.  These measures range from healthcare restrictions to school sports rules. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and Democratic states…

California’s financial management is in the spotlight again as the Democrats have decided to hold off on increasing minimum wages for health care workers.  This decision, aimed at mitigating a massive $46.8 billion budget deficit, reflects the state’s continued struggle with financial shortfalls. A Crucial Agreement Amid Fiscal Challenges Source: CAgovernor/X Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders have concurred on postponing the wage hike as part of a broader strategy to curb the financial crisis.  This pivotal agreement involves around 426,000 healthcare professionals who were expecting a raise starting July 1. Conditional Wage Increase: A Glimmer of Hope Source: Luis…

Recently, the Supreme Court delivered a ruling that U.S. citizens don’t have an automatic right to bring their noncitizen spouses to the country.  This case, sparked by a Californian’s struggle to secure a green card for her Salvadoran husband, illustrates a significant pivot in how spousal visas are viewed legally across the nation. A Divisive Outcome Source: Wikimedia Commons In a split decision of 6-3, the Supreme Court sided against a California woman who sought justice after her husband’s visa application was unexpectedly denied.  This ruling is a step back for U.S. citizens who wish to fight visa denials, constricting…

Costco is recalling 567,000 myCharge POWER HUB All-In-One 10,000mAh portable chargers due to a severe overheating issue that could lead to fires.  These $40 devices were sold exclusively at Costco and are now considered a safety risk. Overheating Alert Issued by Safety Commission Source: Andreas Haslinger/Unsplash The Consumer Product Safety Commission has flagged these portable chargers as a serious fire hazard. This is after receiving more than 100 reports of the devices overheating, causing damage and potential danger. Specific Models Identified as Risks Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission Three models of the myCharge POWER HUB All-In-One 10,000mAh have been…

The Oregon Court of Appeals threw a curveball by rejecting a move to dismiss an appeal against a local judge’s decision.  The controversy began when a Harney County judge declared the voter-backed Measure 114 unconstitutional, setting off a fierce debate over the state’s constitution. Toughest Gun Law in the Nation Jay Rembert/Unsplash The Oregon gun laws are among the toughest in the US. It was also among the first to be passed as the Supreme Court changed the guidance for judges to follow in Second Amendment cases. While Americans across the US have the right to own, sell, and buy…

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold a Trump-era tax law that imposed taxes on foreign income.  This ruling prevents what could have been a significant loss of federal tax revenue, estimated to be in the hundreds of billions or even trillions of dollars, according to the federal government’s statements during the case. Implications for Future Tax Policies on the Wealthy Source: Wikimedia Commons While the case had broader implications regarding a possible wealth tax, the Supreme Court explicitly stated that this ruling does not address those concerns.  “Those are potential issues for another day,” wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh…

Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County has publicly criticized Governor Gavin Newsom’s approach to amending California’s Proposition 47, a law he blames for rising crime rates.  Proposition 47, which lessened penalties for certain drug and theft offenses, is at the center of this controversy. The Controversial Proposition 47 Source: Wikimedia Commons Proposition 47 has been controversial since its enactment, as it reduced felonies like simple drug possession and some non-violent property crimes to misdemeanors.  Critics argue this has led to an increase in theft and other crimes across California. Upcoming Ballot Measure to Reform Prop 47 Source: Wikimedia Commons A…