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Schedulers: The California Capitol’s unsung heroes

Scheduler Anna Esparza. Photo by Ellie Appleby, Capitol Weekly

Getting a meeting with a lawmaker at the California State Capitol is often an exercise in patience and flexibility, one that generally has multiple moving parts. And no matter who is doing the asking, the process almost always starts with the same person – the scheduler.

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Pechanga tribe boasts a fire department that serves the state

Image via Pechanga Fire Department Facebook page

The southern California Pechanga Band of Indians, perhaps best known for its gaming resort in Temecula, has for 30 years invested in its own fire department, building a reputation for coming to the aid of major fires and other incidents throughout not only California, but also across the country.

Rising Stars

Rising Stars: Seve Christian, Legislative Director, Office of Sen. Scott Wiener

Seve Christian. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly

If you follow California legislation around artificial intelligence, LGBTQ rights, or public health, chances are you’re familiar with the work of Seve Christian, Legislative Director to Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). At just 29 years old, Christian has already left an enduring mark on California policy.

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Will CIRM research fill knowledge gap on wildfire particulate connection to brain damage?

Smoke blanketing California's coastline. Image courtesy of NOAA website.

A wave of life-threatening air pollution is now being reported widely as refugees from the devastating fires in Los Angeles return to what is left of their homes. Research being funded by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine could help uncover how fine particulate matter from wildfires, vehicle emissions, and industrial sources affects stem cells and brain development.

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Aguiar-Curry embraces leadership of Legislative Women’s Caucus

Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Photo courtesy of the California Assembly Democratic Office

As Assembly Majority Leader, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry guides her party’s legislative strategy, coordinates with committee chairs and helps ensure the efficient progression of bills. As chair of the bipartisan Legislative Women’s Caucus, she helps promote policies and budget priorities that improve the well-being of women, children and families. 

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Ballot curing, by the numbers

Image by Darylann Elmi

Ballot curing has added an entire new layer to the already complex and stressful campaign and elections process, for both candidates and staffers. It will also now be a fact of life any time a race is close.

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Stuart Spencer, 1927 – 2025

President Reagan during a trip via Air Force One to Alabama with Stu Spencer. Series: Reagan White House Photographs. (cropped) 10/15/1984

Stuart K. Spencer, the California political strategist who guided Ronald Reagan’s ascent from Hollywood to the governor’s mansion, and ultimately to the presidency, has died at age 97.

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