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The leaders of the state Legislature have a message for voters: We know you’re frustrated with how expensive California is — and we’re going to fix it. After a painful election that sparked recriminations and soul-searching among Democrats across the country, state Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas are returning to Sacramento recommitted to addressing the affordability issues that appear to have pushed more voters toward the Republican Party in November. As a new two-year legislative session kicks off today at the state Capitol, McGuire and Rivas told CalMatters in separate interviews that the priority will be advancing policies that lower the cost of living for working Californians, including by building more housing, making energy cheaper and improving public infrastructure. “Our only way forward is to acknowledge that we have to do better,” Rivas , a Salinas Democrat, said. “It’s clear — we haven’t done enough.” Just don’t expect any dramatic changes under the dome. Despite losing a handful of seats, both leaders are adamant that returning Democratic supermajorities signal that voters are still on board with their values, if not always the outcomes of their governance. Instead, the most significant difference in Sacramento next year is likely to be the shadow of a new president, Republican Donald Trump, who made California a punching bag on the campaign trail and has repeatedly threatened the state . With many in state government resuming the resistance posture that defined California’s relationship to Trump during his first term from 2017 to 2021 — a concurrent special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom to provide as much as $25 million for expected litigation also convenes today — it’s unclear how the Legislature will balance those competing interests and whether responding to Trump will ultimately distract from the work that the leaders say needs to happen on affordability. “I firmly believe that we have to fight the damaging and destructive policies that Donald Trump is going to advance,” McGuire , a Santa Rosa Democrat, said. “We’re going to need to fight the Trump administration, but we can’t take our eye off all the challenges we need to fix.” The November election was undoubtedly a disappointment, though not a disaster, for legislative Democrats in California. The Assembly caucus defended all of its incumbents but picked up none of the Republican districts it targeted and lost two open seats that had previously been held by Democrats. The Senate caucus also failed to flip its target districts, and members are fuming after a union ally helped the GOP take out one of their own , the first sitting Senate Democrat to lose in a presidential election in more than four decades. It was the best showing in a decade for legislative Republicans — all the more remarkable because Trump, who California Democrats have successfully used as a foil for years, was on the ballot. The party has celebrated it as proof that voters are fed up with how the Democrats in charge have handled affordability, homelessness and crime. “As Californians grow increasingly frustrated with the failures of Democrat leadership, they are shifting toward Republican solutions,” Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones of San Diego said in a statement last week. Democrats nevertheless maintain total control in Sacramento, including 60 out of 80 seats in the Assembly and 30 out of 40 seats in the Senate. McGuire and Rivas insist those results refute the notion that they have fallen out of step with what Californians want. Rivas called it a “clear mandate” for Democrats — to focus on the issues that matter to voters, prove they are serious about governing and follow through with better outcomes. “No, I don’t think we are out of touch,” he said. “It’s not about changing who we are, but it’s about changing our approach to addressing these many challenges.” McGuire was even more resolute that legislative Democrats had won in a landslide. “Do we need to reflect? Absolutely. But the numbers don’t lie,” he said. “The Senate Republican Caucus still fits into a minivan.” The leaders have few details yet about how exactly they will address the cost of living in the coming session, as members continue to develop their legislative agendas. McGuire said his caucus would advance an affordability plan “that makes the lives of working Californians and seniors better” and “go to the mat to fix our homelessness crisis.” Rivas said he expected housing to be at the top of the list for his caucus, as well as reviving a package of bills to lower energy prices that fell short last session. One issue that does not appear to be a priority is crime, a source of increasing anxiety and frustration for many Californians , even after voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36 , which strengthens penalties for some drug and theft offenses. Legislative Democrats largely backed Newsom earlier this year as he unsuccessfully tried to negotiate the measure off the November ballot. It ultimately won approval from more than 68% of voters, reversing a decade-long trend of the electorate loosening California’s criminal justice laws. McGuire and Rivas defended their approach, which included passing a dozen bills cracking down on retail theft this summer as negotiations over the ballot measure fizzled — a legislative package that McGuire argues will do far more to solve the problem than Proposition 36. Though he said lawmakers “need to listen” to the fact that voters wanted to go even further, McGuire did not commit to any additional action. Rivas said he is serious about holding people who break the law accountable, but added that it is important to ensure more services, such as drug rehabilitation, are available to prevent a return to an earlier era where California’s prisons were deemed unconstitutionally overcrowded . “This is more than just sending people to jail. This is about alternatives to incarceration,” Rivas said. “There is a pendulum. It swings hard left, hard right. We want to do an adequate job where that pendulum does not swing at all.” The Democratic leaders’ plans could be upended by what Trump decides to do when he takes office on Jan. 20. Fighting back against the president became an inescapable focus of California officials during Trump’s first term. While the Legislature passed laws to protect the environment, prevent cooperation with immigration enforcement and even try to pry loose Trump’s tax returns , the state sued his administration more than 120 times over policy disputes. Just two days after Trump won the presidency again last month, Newsom called a special session seeking additional funding for the state Department of Justice and other state agencies as officials prepare another barrage of litigation . Battles are expected this time over access to abortion medication , California’s commitment to phasing out gas-powered cars and protections for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. McGuire said the special session is important so that California can move with speed to “build a legal firewall” as it did before. “The United States of America is in the calm before the storm. The hurricane is about to hit,” he said. “And shame on us if we’re not battening down the hatches.” While he’s “all in” on any genuine opportunity to work with Trump to benefit California, McGuire said “there’s also a dark red line” that he won’t accept the president crossing. “I take Donald Trump at his word. He’s coming for those who don’t agree, and California is in the bullseye,” McGuire said. “If the president-elect tries to undermine our state, undermine our democracy, he’ll quickly see how determined the people of California truly are.” But they may not be as determined as they were eight years ago. Trump’s second victory, including in the popular vote this time around, has been met by many Democrats more with resignation than defiance. Even Rivas seems disinclined to leap back into the fray. He said California would defend its values, but with much of that work already done, lawmakers could focus instead on better serving working people and Latino communities who have felt left behind. “This is not 2016,” he said. “Find an area in the last eight years where California hasn’t Trump-proofed already. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves.”DELAWARE 72, RIDER 66Two teams remain in their quest for a state football title in the Anderson and Houston County area. The Grapeland Sandies are three games away, while the Oakwood Panthers are two games away from a visit to AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Here are the previews for the upcoming games. Class 2A, Division II, Region III quarterfinals Grapeland vs. Bremond Time and Date: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 Location: Mustang Stadium, 811 S. May Street, Madisonville, TX 77864 Game Notes: In the rematch with the Bremond Tigers, the Grapeland Sandies will have to focus on freshman quarterback Sam Kasowski, who has thrown for 1,921 yards with 24 touchdowns to only two interceptions in 12 games. Junior running back Terrence Scott is another player to watch as he has 1,696 yards rushing with 26 touchdowns in 12 games. The Tigers have 59 rushing touchdowns as nine players have accounted for those scores. Defensively, Scott leads the team with 163 tackles and one sack while Eddy Carrizales has 160 tackles and one sack. This is a rematch from week two of the season in which Grapeland won, 44-32 at Grapeland Sept. 6. In that game, the Grapeland defense gave up 465 yards of total offense. The winner is set to face the No. 8-ranked Shiner Comanches (10-3) or the No. 10-ranked Junction Eagles (12-1) in the Class 2A, Division II, Region III semifinals next week. Class A, Division II state semifinals Oakwood vs. Oglesby Time and Date: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Location: Rocket Field, 500 W Lyndale Avenue, Robinson, TX 76706 Game Notes: Senior quarterback Kyler Fossett has shined for the Oglesby Tigers this season as he has ran for 2,178 yards and 49 touchdowns, thrown for another 429 yards and six touchdowns and had nine receptions for 229 yards and another four touchdowns. The next closest running back on the team is senior Jaxson Tippit with 343 yards and seven touchdowns. The top receiver is junior Jack Hendricks with 22 receptions for 437 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Hendricks leads the team with 114 tackles, one interception, two fumble recoveries and two caused fumbles. The Panthers or Tigers will face either the Klondike Cougars (9-4) or the No. 1-ranked Jayton Jaybirds (13-0) at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 from AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the Class A, Division II state championship.
NoneThe Kogi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Zango Market in Osara and prohibited trucks from parking on the side of the road in the area. Growing security worries in Osara and the neighboring areas prompted the action. According to intelligence inputs, criminal elements have been using the market as a hideout, frequently in coordination with certain truck drivers who park along the roadside, according to a statement made by Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication. “This situation poses a significant security threat to the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and the broader Osara community”. He pointed out that the State Government has granted market operators and truck drivers a one-week grace period, beginning on Wednesday, to follow the instructions in order to guarantee rigorous compliance. Following this, enforcement will be fully executed. “His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State, has directed the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State to officially communicate this order to all relevant parties, including law enforcement agencies, to ensure seamless compliance. “Additionally, the Governor has tasked the Office of the State Security Adviser to oversee security operations in the affected areas during and after the grace period. “The Kogi State Government reassures residents of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding their lives and property. Proactive measures will continue to be taken to ensure that criminal activities are eradicated, leaving no room for lawlessness in the state. Alaba Ope, the recently elected councilor for the Odo-Ape ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council, and eight other individuals were abducted overnight from their respective communities, causing the underworld to go on the rampage in Kabba-Bunu local government area ahead of the Yuletide season. According to an eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous, the kidnappers shot intermittently to frighten nearby residents before capturing their victims at around one in the morning. He claimed that the residents of Odo-Ape are now terrified since they don’t know who would be the next victim. He also mentioned that an 18-passenger bus was ambushed in the region yesterday, and everyone inside was taken hostage. He also revealed that five Gwari, two Bassa, and one Silas were abducted overnight in the Agbadu region. He urged the state government and security forces to aid protect the lives and property of local residents and secure the release of those who had been abducted. The local government has recently received reports of kidnappings. The two brothers who were abducted from their family’s land in Aluju, Kakun, and the other two who were abducted in Odo-Ape are still in the kidnappers den after more than nine days. Attempts to obtain the Nigeria Police’s response to the matter, however, were unsuccessful because the Police PRO in the state had not returned calls or WhatsApp messages.
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NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A high school in Newark's South Ward is experiencing a remarkable string of recent achievements, both in the classroom and on the football field. On Wednesday the Malcolm X Shabazz Bulldogs will take to the field to compete for the first time ever for a state championship. The game will feature Rumson-Fair Haven and Malcolm X Shabazz of Newark. The team has won its last six games on the road, a major milestone. The success comes at the same time as the school's enrollment is surging, its graduation rate increasing - from 58 to 70 percent since 2021 - and more students are heading to college. Some are crediting the school's new principal, Atiba Buckman, and athletic director for the string of successes. Buckman, a Brooklyn native, understands the challenges facing inner-city public schools. "I think a lot of it was people moving from the neighborhood, stereotypes around the southward, things of that nature," Buckman said. Shabazz was once near historic lows with only 170 students and poor attendance, now the student body is near 600 and growing. Every student must take the SAT and dozens of students scored over 1000. "I like the environment, and I like the way the teachers push me to do my best," Senior Jazmine Washington said. Jazmine received extra support, took classes on Sunday and scored a 1310 on her SAT. Jazmine wants to attend Princeton. Shabazz has become a school that stresses a whole family approach. "We know everyone by name, staff members really do take kids home, they really do, because they're here until 6, 7 in the evening. The building is open 7 days a week," Buckman said. Public schools in inner cities have lost students because of the growth of charter schools and private schools recruiting the best athletes. Now those students are returning home. Zaiden McDonald plays cornerback on the football team, with his work in class and on the field, he is looking at schools like Stanford and Ohio State. "I'm taking AP lit, all these kids see that and they're very inspired and motivated and we also try to lead the school as well," McDonald said. Omari Gaines, on the football team, is going to Stanford in the fall. "My parents are always just always preach student first, athlete second so it really wasn't hard to transition into high school," Gaines said. The coaches take the responsibility of helping young people become productive in life, not just on the field. "I will sacrifice wins in order for my players to understand the importance of academics," Shabazz football coach, Naz Oliver said. Shabazz is the only inner city school going for a championship and it could be Newark's first. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.Altaf Bukhari extends best wishes to candidatesLarson Financial Group LLC Has $82,000 Holdings in Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX)