News

Passing ‘grave disability’ reform was hard – getting counties to implement it has been harder

Image by Laura Faraci, Shutterstock

Long ignored or blocked by local officials and confusing laws – while tacitly expected to provide care for severely mentally ill relatives – families are mobilizing in growing numbers, exerting major influence over state legislation and public policy, and protesting county resistance to strong new laws mandating intervention, care and treatment.

News

Sex Trafficking: an NBA G Leaguer’s arrest provides glimpse into an evil subculture

Sakari Harnden, Chase Comanche, Marayna Rogers. Photo credit Twitter

With January designated as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Capitol Weekly is examining the scourge of sex trafficking. In part two of this three-part series, we take a closer look at the high-profile arrest of Stockton Kings player Chance Comanche in the murder of a sex worker, and offer a glimpse into not only how that world operates, but also just how intertwined it is with popular culture.

News

From the streets to the statehouse, sex trafficking defies simple solutions

Sen. Shannon Grove and fellow Republicans discuss SB 14. Photo by AP.

With January designated as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Capitol Weekly is examining a little-understood plague on our society – sex trafficking. Over the course of a few stories this month, we’ll explore the nuances of this horrific crime, its cultural influences and possible reform options.

Rising Stars

Rising Stars: Emma Manoukian Chung, Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz Public Affairs

Emma Manoukian Chung, photo by Scott Duncan, Capitol Weekly

If anyone is up for a good challenge, it’s Emma Manoukian Chung. At 23 years old, Manoukian Chung had her sights set on a job at Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz Public Affairs (BCFS). Sure enough, they weren’t hiring. Undeterred, she pitched herself to the team, and before long, she was working on some of

News

Should Newsom be doing more to protect kids from social media harm?

Image by Eviart

During his time as governor, Gavin Newsom has not been shy about using the gubernatorial bully pulpit to prod lawmakers to take up causes he feels passionately about. Advocates for greater regulation of social media sites like Meta, X, Instagram and Tik Tok hope this is the year he does the same for their cause as well.

Rising Stars

Rising Stars: Maxie Holmberg-Douglas, Senate Republican Caucus

Maxie Holmberg-Douglas has had a passion for public speaking and storytelling from the age of 11, when she competed to be the local rodeo queen of her small town. Now at just 27 she is drawing high praise as the Director of Communications for the California Senate Republican Caucus.

News

CA 120: California’s confusing primary voting process explained

Image by Jim Vallee

Even if former President Donald Trump stays on the California Republican primary ballot, there will be more than a quarter-million voters who have previously voted in a Republican Presidential primary who won’t find him on their ballot. And over 650,000 voters who previously voted in the Democratic primary who won’t find President Joe Biden on theirs.

News

Rare stem cell success gives young girl life outside the bubble

Sheersha Sulack and Donald Kohn (with glasses) earlier this year on the day she received a cell treatment.

One year ago this month, five-year-old Sheersha Sulack asked Santa to bring her a suitcase to carry her toys with her for an arduous treatment that her parents hoped would save her from a rare, life-threatening affliction known as the bubble baby disease. Development of the therapy is part of a unique effort that has put the Golden State at the forefront of the development of gene and cell therapies.

News

CA stem cell agency gets interim chief

CIRM Board Chairman Vito Imbasciani, with interim president Jonathan Thomas, photo courtesy of CIRM

The former chairman of the California stem cell agency is back on the job with the $12 billion agency – this time as its interim president while a search proceeds for a permanent chief executive officer.

Support for Capitol Weekly is Provided by: