Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 169 on July 13, 2026, expanding California’s mobile Driver’s License (mDL) pilot program. The cap on participants rises from 15% to 60% of licensed drivers, opening access for millions more Californians. What Is the mDL Pilot? The free CA DMV Wallet app lets you store a secure digital version of your driver’s license or state ID on your phone. It uses strong encryption, device biometrics (Face ID/fingerprint/PIN), and international standards (I

In an era when California taxpayers are asked to shoulder some of the highest burdens in the nation while often left in the dark about where their hard-earned dollars actually go, one candidate is doing more than talking about accountability—he’s building the tools to deliver it. Herb Morgan, the Republican candidate for California State Controller, has launched California Radical Transparency (CRT 2.0), a powerful, citizen-focused web platform that transforms complex state s

California’s biggest problems with fraud, waste, and mismanagement of federally funded programs are concentrated in its largest, liberal-run cities. Yet when the federal government responds with penalties, cost shifts, or funding pressure, the consequences fall disproportionately on smaller rural and inland counties like Shasta — communities that had little to do with creating the original problems. How State-Level Failures Trigger Federal Consequences When California shows h

California cases among the worst: SoCal officials looted $20 million for luxury homes, BMWs, designer bags and Disney cruises while kids lost thousands per student Education Secretary Linda McMahon dropped a bombshell this week: the Trump Administration has already stopped more than $2 billion in fraudulent federal student aid (mostly FAFSA “ghost students” and bot-driven scams) — and is now turning the full force of the Department of Education’s fraud-fighting machinery on K

While Shasta County residents still enjoy one of the lowest combined sales tax rates in California at 7.25%, parts of the Golden State have quietly crossed into double-digit territory that would make even high-tax East Coast states blush. Lancaster and Palmdale — two Antelope Valley cities in Los Angeles County — now charge a combined sales tax of 11.25%. Santa Fe Springs sits at 11.00%. Dozens of other Los Angeles County cities and several Bay Area jurisdictions hover betwee

Newsom Awards Multi-Million Dollar Diaper Contract to Nonprofit Tied to Wife’s Board — Then Stonewalls Release of Records for Over 60 Days California Governor Gavin Newsom’s “Golden State Start” free diaper program was pitched as a compassionate, first-in-the-nation effort to help new parents. What has unfolded instead looks increasingly like a familiar pattern: a high-profile contract awarded to a nonprofit with personal ties to the First Partner, followed by months of secre

Filling the vacancy left by the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, James Gallagher won a special election to Congress in June and is heavily favored to win the full term in November. From his new perch in Washington, D.C., he can champion the inland two-state initiative that is already winning formal support from county boards across California — including Shasta. James Gallagher sworn in to finish LaMalfa's term in the House – Roll Call - Credit rollcall.com Newly sworn-in Congressman

On Saturday, July 11, 2025, the Shasta County Republican Central Committee hosted an inspiring Candidate Breakfast at the Win-River Event Center, bringing together local conservatives with three standout Republican nominees for statewide office: Michael E. Gates for Attorney General, Jennifer Hawks for State Treasurer, and Herb Morgan for State Controller. The morning emphasized unity, bold conservative principles, and a shared commitment to restoring law and order, fiscal re

Gavin Newsom signing a Bill - Credit: calmatters.org Sacramento just proved once again that when voters threaten the ruling class, the ruling class changes the rules. On or around July 10, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 181 (AB 181) — a budget trailer bill that guts the power of California’s elected Superintendent of Public Instruction and hands day-to-day control of the California Department of Education to a new Education Commissioner appointed by the Gove

Eureka, CA — June 29, 2026 Humboldt County Sheriff William Hansel delivered a detailed update Monday on the ongoing criminal investigation into Miranda’s Rescue Animal Sanctuary in Fortuna, highlighting the discovery of mass graves containing dozens of dogs and the alleged violation of agreements made with shelters, rescues, and individuals who surrendered animals. According to the Sheriff, Miranda’s Rescue marketed itself as a sanctuary where animals could either be adopted

Citizens Locked in Legal Battle Against Their Own Government to Restore Election Integrity FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – (June 25, 2026) REDDING, CALIF. – The California Court of Appeal for the Third Appellate District today denied the State of California’s petition to invalidate Shasta County’s voter-approved election integrity measure, Measure B. The court declined to exercise its original jurisdiction “to review the challenged measure at this time” and directed the State to see

SACRAMENTO — California state agencies are preparing to implement Governor Gavin Newsom’s directive requiring most telework-eligible employees to work in the office at least four days per week beginning July 1, 2026. In response, unions representing tens of thousands of state workers are rallying behind Assembly Bill 1729, a measure that would not outright block the policy but would require agencies to justify in writing why specific roles need in-person attendance. The bill,

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) delivered a stern warning to governors nationwide on June 17, 2026, signaling an unprecedented federal push to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in unemployment insurance (UI) programs. Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, joined by Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito, put all 50 states and U.S. territories on notice: states that fail to implement robust anti-fraud measures risk losing federal administrative funding — a step never taken

California Legislature decides that automated navigation systems are still wreaking havoc on small towns' streets - AlgorithmWatch.org California traffic congestion — the kind navigation apps try to help drivers avoid. In the Golden State, where Sacramento Democrats hold unchecked supermajorities, no corner of your daily life seems safe from government meddling. The latest example? Assembly Bill 2015, pushed by East Bay Democrat Buffy Wicks. This bill isn’t just another harml

OPINION I’m proud to have helped gather signatures for Measure B, Shasta County’s Charter Amendment to shut down the cheating methods California allows in our elections. As predicted, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber have sued to overturn it — despite Measure B winning 55.59% of the vote on June 2, 2026. The lawsuit has been served on the County and is on the agenda for the Tuesday, June 16 Board of Supervisors meeting. Will our Supervisors defe

In a decisive move against years of alleged waste, fraud, and mismanagement, the Trump administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has suspended federal funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). This action marks the first major wave of the White House’s broader fraud task force targeting California’s notoriously ineffective homelessness programs. LAHSA, the primary coordinator of billions in taxpayer dollars aimed at addressing ho