Author: Georgia McKoy

California is facing a crunch time with roughly 300,000 children on the brink of losing their health insurance due to changes in Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget.  After federal protections evaporated post-COVID, the state’s youngest residents are caught in a fiscal crossfire. A Sudden Shift in Medi-Cal Coverage Source: freepik It’s a large-scale rollback: 1.6 million Californians have been cut from Medi-Cal, including 300,000 kids.  This drastic drop comes as continuous coverage from the pandemic era ends, leaving many families in uncertainty about their health care futures. Advocates Push Back Hard Source: CAgovernor/X Advocacy groups are not staying silent. They’re urging…

Former President Donald Trump has pledged to issue an executive order targeting offshore wind development if he wins a second term.  His announcement came during a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, where he outlined his plans to target what he sees as a harmful industry to wildlife, specifically mentioning its impact on birds and whales. Rally in Wildwood, New Jersey Source: _johnnymaga/X At the oceanfront rally, Trump expressed his intentions to terminate offshore wind projects swiftly if reelected.  He emphasized the detrimental effects these projects have on wildlife and stated his commitment to action. “We are going to make sure…

Red Lobster is suddenly closing 48 locations nationwide due to financial struggles. According to restaurant liquidator TAGeX Brands, these closures are part of a massive liquidation event. TAGeX Brands announced on X (formerly Twitter), “Select Red Lobster locations CLOSED today! Prepare for the LARGEST restaurant liquidation EVER! Fixtures, furniture, and equipment MUST GO.” Online Auction Kicks Off Source: Red Lobster/Facebook Starting Monday, TAGeX Brands opened an online auction for kitchen equipment, furniture, and other items from the closing Red Lobster restaurants. This auction will run through Thursday. TAGeX Brands shared, “Auctions start NOW. SINGLE winner for each location. WINNER TAKES…

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees has voted to dismantle its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.  The decision reallocates millions in funding from these initiatives to enhance public safety and campus police following recent protests. The change was detailed in a report by The News & Observer. Unanimous Decision by Trustees Source: Wikimedia Commons The board’s decision was unanimous, involving the transfer of $2.3 million previously allocated to DEI programs toward police and public safety measures.  This action was part of the university’s annual budget approval process, emphasizing a significant redirection of resources. Concerns…

Over the next couple of years, California is planning a not-so-publicized 50-cent hike in gas taxes. This increment, which isn’t part of the existing fuel taxes, aims to enhance initiatives for cleaner air. Senator Janet Nguyen from California expressed her concerns, highlighting the financial strain this would cause: “The middle class, the low income, they can’t afford gas to go to school, work or grocery or the doctor’s office.” CARB Predicts a Rise in Fuel Prices Source: Wassim Chouak/Unsplash The California Air Resources Board (CARB) oversees the state’s environmental guidelines and reported last fall that gas prices are set to…

Dan Colflesh, at 34, left his job to chase the college dream, only to find himself jobless and calling his degrees ‘worthless’.  He pursued a physics associate degree and a bachelor’s in political science, but three years post-graduation, the job offers aren’t rolling in. A Tough Job Market Source: Vasily Koloda/Unsplash Despite his qualifications, Colflesh has hit a wall. “No one will hire me. My bachelor’s degree is pretty much worthless,” he lamented in an interview with Business Insider.  The quest for a better career seems to have left him with nothing but debt and disappointment. Overqualified and Overlooked Source:…

California Governor Gavin Newsom faced scrutiny when reporters questioned the effectiveness of the state’s $24 billion expenditure on homelessness.  Angela Hart of KFF Health News notably challenged the governor during a press conference, stating, “I’m sorry governor, I didn’t hear responses to either of those questions,” after Newsom failed to provide clear answers on the spending’s impact. The Governor’s Response Under Pressure Source: CAgovernor/X During the same press conference, Governor Newsom avoided direct responses to questions regarding the substantial funds allocated to combat homelessness.  Instead, his answers primarily focused on the difficulties of coordinating with local governments, which did not…

At a lively rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, Donald Trump, the presumed Republican nominee, announced he would implement sweeping tax cuts if he wins a second term.  He positioned his plan in stark contrast to President Joe Biden’s, promising, “Instead of a Biden tax hike, I’ll give you a Trump middle class, upper class, lower class, business class big tax cut.” A Taxing Year Ahead? Source: Wikimedia Commons Trump’s promises come at a critical time. The tax cuts from his 2017 law are set to expire by 2025, unless Congress decides to extend them.  This looming deadline sets up…

As Americans feel the pinch of inflation, fewer are dining out.  A 2023 report from Placer.ai shows a nearly five percent dip in sit-down restaurant visits compared to the previous year. This marks a notable shift in how we’re spending our dining dollars. City Eats on the Decline Source: Gerrie van der Walt/Unsplash Even New York City, a beacon for food lovers, isn’t immune to economic downturns.  From December 2023 to January 2024, over 40 establishments shut their doors for good, unable to recover post-pandemic.  The Midwest Feels It Most Source: Louis Hansel/Unsplash The economic squeeze is tighter in the…

Hundreds of California police officers are relocating to Texas, driven by what they describe as frustrating local policies.  The Daily Mail reports that these officers claim California’s “soft-on-crime” policies have made their work feel ‘pointless’ and compromised their safety.  Criticism of State Policies Source: Wikimedia Commons California’s police officers, from regular patrol members to department chiefs, have openly criticized state policies.  They argue that a series of ‘anti-law enforcement’ legislations have made effective policing impossible, prompting them to find employment in states like Texas, where policies are viewed as more supportive of law enforcement work. From California to Texas: A…