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Teochichimecas and the Origins of the Tlaxcaltecas

by the El Reportero staff

Long before the rise of the Aztec Empire, the ancestors of the Tlaxcalteca people undertook a migration that would shape the history of central Mexico. According to indigenous traditions and historical accounts, these ancestors were known as the Teochichimecas, a group whose origins are linked to the legendary place called Chicomoztoc, or the “Place of the Seven Caves.”

The Teochichimecas were among several peoples collectively referred to as Chichimecas, a term used in pre-Hispanic times to describe various groups living in northern and central regions of Mexico. While the word was later used in different ways by neighboring civilizations, many historians recognize the Teochichimecas as a distinct people who played a crucial role in the founding of Tlaxcala.

Tradition holds that the Teochichimecas left Chicomoztoc under the guidance of their patron deity, Camaxtli, embarking on a long journey southward. Their migration formed part of a broader movement of peoples seeking fertile lands and new opportunities. Along the way, they established temporary settlements, developed alliances, and adapted to changing environments.

Eventually, the migrants reached the highlands of central Mexico, where they settled in the region that would become Tlaxcala. There, they founded communities that grew into powerful city-states. Over time, these settlements developed a strong political and military identity, allowing them to resist domination by neighboring powers.

The Tlaxcaltecas became known for their fierce independence and their ability to maintain autonomy despite repeated conflicts with the Mexica, commonly known as the Aztecs. Their territory remained one of the few regions in central Mexico that the Aztec Empire never fully conquered.

When Spanish forces arrived in the early sixteenth century, the Tlaxcaltecas initially fought against them but later formed an alliance that would have a profound impact on the conquest of the Aztec Empire. The alliance altered the course of Mexican history and remains one of the most debated chapters of the colonial era.

Today, the story of the Teochichimecas continues to be an important part of Tlaxcala’s cultural heritage. Their migration, traditions, and resilience are remembered as foundational elements in the creation of one of Mexico’s most significant indigenous societies. Through historical records, oral traditions, and archaeological research, the legacy of these early people continues to illuminate the origins of the Tlaxcalteca nation.

– With reports from México Desconocido.

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Community Calendar | Bay Area Events (June–August 2026)

Free concerts return to Redwood City. Los conciertos gratuitos regresan a Redwood City.

by the El Reportero staff

Valencia LIVE! returns to the Mission District

Valencia LIVE! returns Thursday, June 11, bringing music, dance, arts and family activities to Valencia Street between 16th and 19th streets. The free community celebration highlights the Mission District’s cultural diversity while supporting local artists, merchants and neighborhood organizations.

Activities will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. along Valencia Street, featuring live entertainment, cultural performances, neighborhood vendors and opportunities to connect with local community groups.

Arturo Sandoval performs on June 12 and 13 at Yoshi’s Oakland. Arturo Sandoval actuará los días 12 y 13 de junio en Yoshi’s Oakland.

Arturo Sandoval performs at SFJAZZ

Grammy-winning Cuban trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval will appear for a special two-night engagement at SFJAZZ Center. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading jazz musicians, Sandoval has earned multiple Grammy Awards and international recognition for his mastery of jazz, classical and Latin music traditions.

Performances are scheduled for June 12 and 13 at SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco.

Calito Franco y Su Tumbao Añejo perform in the Mission

Bissap Baobab Restaurant will host an evening of live salsa music featuring Calito Franco y Su Tumbao Añejo. The performance will bring together Bay Area Latin musicians for a night of dancing and live tropical music in San Francisco’s Mission District.

The event will feature Ramón García on flute and vocals, Charlie Barreda on piano and vocals, and Joshep Isla Herrera on percussion. Friday, June 13, from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Bissap Baobab, 2243 Mission St., San Francisco. No cover charge.

San Francisco Public Library expands family programs

The San Francisco Public Library continues offering free children’s and family programs throughout neighborhood branches, including storytimes, music activities, reading circles and educational events designed for toddlers and school-age children.

Programs continue throughout June at library branches citywide.

Community organizations and local artists from across the Bay Area are expected to participate throughout the evening. Saturday, June 6, beginning at 3 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco. Free admission. Admission is free.

Redwood City summer concerts return downtown

Redwood City’s popular summer concert series continues with free outdoor performances in the heart of downtown. Residents and visitors gather throughout the season to enjoy live music in a family-friendly setting near Courthouse Square.

Concerts feature a variety of musical styles and continue throughout June and July in downtown Redwood City.

Hayward Latin Jazz Festival returns June 27

The Hayward Latin Jazz Festival returns to downtown Hayward with three stages, multiple bands, food vendors and family-friendly activities celebrating Latin culture and jazz traditions.

The free festival takes place Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at B Street and Main Street in downtown Hayward.

Puerto Rican Day Salsa Festival celebrates culture and music

The Western Region Puerto Rican Council will present the 46th Annual Día de San Juan Salsa Festival, a daylong celebration of Puerto Rican culture featuring live music, dancing and family activities.

The festival will be held Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Swiss Park, 5911 Mowry Ave., Newark.

Max Cortes y Su Orquesta perform in Vallejo

Max Cortes y Su Orquesta will bring salsa, cumbia and merengue to Vino Godfather Winery in Vallejo for an afternoon of dancing and live tropical music.

The performance takes place Sunday, June 28, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 1005 Walnut Ave., Vallejo.

Volunteers sought for WineaPawLooza fundraiser

Jameson Humane is seeking volunteers for WineaPawLooza 2026, a fundraising event supporting animal welfare programs, education and community outreach.

Volunteer opportunities are available for the June 19–20 event.

Richard Bean of Malo headlines August concert

Richard Bean, the original voice behind the Latin rock classic “Suavecito,” will headline a special concert at the Bal Theatre in San Leandro alongside Patron Latin Rhythms and Grupo Arena Caliente.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22.

Tequila Fest returns to Stockton

Tequila Fest 2026 will return to Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton with live music, food vendors and cultural entertainment.

Featured performers include Richard Bean of Malo, Baby Bash, Richie Rich, D-Shot, Rappin’ 4-Tay and Nacho Martinez. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29.

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San Francisco approves infrastructure bond, term limits; rejects tax measures

by El Reportero Staff

San Francisco voters approved two major ballot measures and rejected two competing tax proposals in the June 2 election, signaling support for public safety investments while expressing concerns about changes to the city’s tax structure.

The strongest showing came from Proposition A, a $535 million bond measure that passed with approximately 77 percent of the vote. The measure will provide funding for earthquake preparedness and emergency response projects throughout the city, including upgrades to fire stations, police facilities, emergency water systems, and other critical infrastructure.

City leaders have argued that many public safety facilities require seismic improvements to remain operational following a major earthquake. Supporters said the bond measure represents a long-term investment in protecting residents and ensuring that emergency services can continue functioning during disasters.

Voters also approved Proposition B, which establishes lifetime term limits for San Francisco mayors and members of the Board of Supervisors. The measure passed by a margin of roughly 55 percent to 45 percent.

Under the new rules, mayors and supervisors will be limited to two consecutive four-year terms in office. Advocates said the measure will encourage new leadership and prevent career politicians from holding power indefinitely. Critics argued that voters already have the ability to replace elected officials through regular elections and that experience in office can benefit city government.

Meanwhile, voters rejected two competing tax proposals that generated significant debate among business leaders, labor organizations, and city officials.

Proposition C, supported by many business groups, sought to reduce taxes for numerous companies by increasing exemptions and modifying portions of the city’s business tax system. Supporters argued the measure would help businesses recover from economic challenges and encourage investment in San Francisco. The proposal was defeated by approximately 64 percent to 36 percent.

Proposition D, known as the “Overpaid CEO Tax,” would have increased taxes on large corporations whose top executives earn at least 100 times more than their average employees. Supporters said the measure could generate substantial revenue for city services and help address budget pressures. Opponents warned that higher taxes could discourage companies from remaining or expanding in San Francisco. Voters rejected the measure by a margin of about 55 percent to 45 percent.

Because both tax measures failed, San Francisco officials must continue searching for solutions to address an estimated budget deficit exceeding $600 million. The election results leave city leaders with difficult financial decisions in the months ahead as they seek to balance public services, economic growth, and fiscal stability.

Sources: San Francisco Department of Elections, KTVU, NBC Bay Area, KQED, Axios San Francisco.

 

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What are voters really voting for?

by Marvin Ramírez

Marvin Ramírez, editor

Another election has come and gone. Candidates celebrate victories, supporters cheer at campaign headquarters, and television stations fill the screen with images of excitement and political drama. For a few days, politics becomes entertainment.

Then life returns to normal.

Most voters go back to work, return home exhausted, eat dinner, watch a few minutes of television or social media, and go to sleep. The next morning, the cycle begins again. In today’s society, many people consume information in 30-second clips, headlines, memes, and sound bites. They know the faces of candidates because they see them repeatedly, but how many truly understand the policies, priorities, and consequences behind the promises?

That question deserves serious reflection.

Election campaigns often focus on personalities, slogans, and carefully crafted messages. The same names frequently appear election after election, moving from one office to another. Familiarity becomes a powerful force. The more voters see a face, the more comfortable they become with it. But familiarity is not the same as accountability, and repetition is not the same as results.

Many campaign advertisements promise solutions to homelessness, public safety concerns, education problems, transportation challenges, and economic difficulties. Yet voters often find themselves asking the same questions every election cycle because many of those problems remain unresolved.

One cannot walk through parts of California’s major cities without noticing visible challenges. Homeless encampments, struggling businesses, rising costs, concerns about public safety, and frustration over government spending are common topics of conversation among residents. Whether one blames local officials, state leaders, federal policies, economic conditions, or a combination of factors, the reality is that many voters are dissatisfied with the direction of their communities.

Yet public debate rarely goes deep enough.

Instead of focusing primarily on campaign slogans, perhaps voters should be asking more practical questions. What measurable results has a candidate produced? What promises were made in previous campaigns? Which promises were fulfilled? Which were not? How will proposed policies be paid for? What unintended consequences might they create?

These are not partisan questions. They are citizen questions.

Perhaps the greatest weakness in our democracy is not the lack of information but the lack of civic education. Students spend years studying many subjects, yet relatively little time learning how government functions, how to evaluate political claims, how public budgets work, or how to distinguish facts from political marketing.

Imagine if high schools taught practical citizenship alongside traditional subjects.

Students could learn how to evaluate candidates and ballot measures. They could learn basic economics and personal finance. They could learn how taxes work, how government spending is allocated, and how debt affects future generations. They could learn how to read food labels, understand nutrition, compare financial products, and identify misleading advertising.

Such knowledge would benefit citizens regardless of political ideology.

Communities also deserve honest conversations about quality-of-life issues that directly affect residents. Transportation, parking, housing affordability, small-business survival, public safety, and infrastructure are concerns that impact people every day. Yet many citizens feel their concerns are often overshadowed by broader political battles.

For example, transportation policy should begin with reality. Many Americans depend on cars because public transportation is not always available, convenient, or reliable. While expanding transit options is a worthy goal, policymakers must also recognize the practical needs of working families who rely on automobiles to reach their jobs, schools, and businesses.

Likewise, discussions about education should focus on academic achievement, literacy, mathematics, critical thinking, and preparing students for successful adult lives. Parents have legitimate interests in understanding what their children are learning and how schools are performing.

None of these issues should belong exclusively to one political party.

The health of a democracy depends on informed citizens who think independently. Elections should not be popularity contests driven by name recognition and advertising budgets. They should be opportunities for voters to carefully examine records, evaluate results, question assumptions, and demand accountability.

Democracy works best when citizens do more than watch.

It works best when they read, question, compare, verify, and think.

As another election season fades into memory, perhaps the most important question is not who won.

The more important question is whether voters are becoming more informed, more engaged, and better prepared to hold all elected officials accountable—regardless of party, ideology, or title.

That is the responsibility of citizenship. And that responsibility lasts far longer than Election Day.

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Gut microbiome interventions show promise for protecting memory

by Coco Somers

A growing body of research suggests that improving gut health may help preserve memory and cognitive function as people age. A systematic review published in Nutrition Research found that interventions targeting the gut microbiome produced measurable improvements in cognitive performance among older adults with memory concerns or elevated dementia risk.

The review analyzed 15 clinical trials involving more than 4,200 participants over age 45. Researchers examined three main approaches: dietary interventions such as the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets, probiotic and synbiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Benefits were most apparent among individuals with mild cognitive impairment, often considered an early stage of memory decline. No significant improvements were observed among participants with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

Study scope and methodology

Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of clinical trials from Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East. Eligible studies included adults over 45 who either reported memory concerns or were considered at increased risk for dementia. Cognitive outcomes were measured using established clinical assessment tools.

The review evaluated changes in gut microbial diversity, levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids, and performance in areas such as memory, executive function, attention, and overall cognition. By comparing results across different intervention types, researchers sought to determine whether modifying the gut microbiome could influence brain health.

Cognitive improvements across interventions

Several studies reported that participants following Mediterranean or ketogenic diets experienced improvements in memory, concentration, and executive functioning. These dietary patterns are known for reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic health, both of which are increasingly linked to cognitive performance.

Probiotic supplementation also showed encouraging results. Certain bacterial strains that help produce neurotransmitters such as GABA were associated with measurable cognitive gains. Researchers noted that these findings support earlier studies suggesting that dietary choices affecting gut bacteria may influence dementia risk.

Fecal microbiota transplantation generated some of the most dramatic changes in gut microbial composition. However, researchers cautioned that the procedure remains relatively inaccessible and is not currently practical for widespread use as a preventive strategy.

The findings support the growing concept of the “gut-brain axis,” the biological communication network connecting the digestive system and the brain. This relationship has attracted increasing attention as scientists explore non-pharmaceutical approaches to preserving cognitive health.

How the gut may influence the brain

The review identified several biological mechanisms that may explain the observed benefits. Beneficial gut bacteria produce compounds that help reduce systemic inflammation, strengthen the blood-brain barrier, and improve communication between neurons.

Particular attention was given to short-chain fatty acids produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber. These compounds appear to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects that may help maintain healthy brain function over time. Researchers believe that reducing chronic inflammation may be one of the most important ways the microbiome influences cognitive aging, as inflammatory processes are linked to neurodegenerative diseases.

Timing matters

One of the review’s most significant findings was that timing appears critical. Individuals with mild cognitive impairment consistently experienced greater benefits than those with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers concluded that interventions aimed at improving gut health may be most effective when implemented early, before substantial neurological damage occurs. This supports a broader shift in dementia research toward prevention. The authors emphasized that larger and longer-term studies are still needed to determine how durable these cognitive benefits may be.

Practical dietary recommendations

While scientists continue to investigate specific treatments, the review highlights several practical steps that may support both gut and brain health. Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats appear particularly beneficial for maintaining microbial diversity.

Probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables may help support healthy bacterial populations, while high-fiber foods provide the fuel these microbes need to thrive.

Edited and condensed for print publication to fit available space.

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Veteran Border Patrol agent Pete Vásquez named chief

 

Pete Vasquez

by El Reportero wire services

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has appointed Rosario “Pete” Vásquez as the new chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, placing a 26-year agency veteran in charge of nearly 20,000 agents and professional staff across the nation.

Vásquez succeeds former Chief Mike Banks, who retired in May after leading the agency during a period of intensified immigration enforcement and border security operations. The appointment was announced June 1 by CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, who praised Vásquez’s long record of service and leadership.

Most recently, Vásquez served as chief patrol agent of the Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector in Washington state, overseeing operations along the U.S.-Canada border. In that role, he worked closely with federal, state, local, tribal and international partners on border security initiatives.

During his career, Vásquez has held assignments along both the southwest and northern borders, as well as at CBP headquarters and in international postings. His résumé includes service with the Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma and Rescue Unit, the Special Operations Group, and CBP’s Office of Anti-Terrorism. He also served as assistant attaché for CBP in Canada and as director of the Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats.

As chief, Vásquez will oversee Border Patrol operations across nearly 7,000 miles of international land borders and approximately 2,000 miles of coastal waters. His responsibilities include efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations, disrupt human smuggling and narcotics trafficking networks, and strengthen border security operations nationwide.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as chief of the United States Border Patrol,” Vásquez said in a statement. He pledged to support agents in the field, strengthen operational capabilities and maintain what he described as an effective border security force.

The leadership change comes at a time when immigration and border security remain major national issues. Supporters of the appointment point to Vásquez’s decades of operational experience and management background, while immigrant-rights advocates continue to closely monitor federal enforcement policies and their impact on border communities.

Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Homeland Security Today. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

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$6 gas and refinery fears collide with California’s climate ambitions

The Chevron refinery in Richmond is located behind a nearby neighborhood on Feb. 21, 2024. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters. Los $6 por galón y el temor por las refinerías chocan con las ambiciones climáticas de California

  • California is considering giving oil refineries and other major polluters billions in free pollution permits under a major overhaul of its carbon market.

  • The fight is exposing a deeper question inside Gov. Gavin Newsom’s climate agenda: Can California lower emissions without driving up gas prices?

by Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

California is considering handing oil refineries and other major polluters billions of dollars in free emission allowances just as the state says carbon reductions need to come faster than ever.

In the last six months, two refineries have closed and gas prices have topped an average of $6 a gallon as the Iran-Israel war sent oil markets into turmoil. The oil and gas sector spent $10.3 million lobbying Sacramento in the first three months of the year, according to lobbying filings, with the Western States Petroleum Association and Chevron accounting for the bulk of it.

The result is a new proposal before the California Air Resources Board that would provide as much as $4 billion in new free emission permits to companies with half slated for the fossil fuel industry in exchange for commitments to invest in clean energy.

Environmentalists warn the proposal is a giveaway to Big Oil that would weaken California’s “cap-and-invest” program just as the state is relying on it to cut emissions and fund climate, housing and other programs. Anthony Martinez, a spokesman for Gov. Gavin Newsom, said the changes are necessary to keep the state’s carbon market “durable” and “affordable” amid mounting refinery closures.

The fight over California’s carbon market has exposed the political tensions at the heart of Newsom’s energy transition agenda. California is trying to preserve its climate ambitions while keeping gasoline affordable for drivers already facing the highest prices in the country. Critics say the air board’s proposal accomplishes neither goal.

“We are really concerned that this would significantly kneecap the program,” said Chloe Ames, a policy adviser with NextGen Policy.

Weakening the backstop

Through California’s 13-year-old carbon market, major polluting companies must buy permits for every ton of greenhouse gases they emit, with the state capping total emissions year by year. Each permit is worth real money and companies can sell the ones they don’t use. The program is considered California’s climate backstop — the only state policy that sets a firm limit on greenhouse gas emissions.

At the heart of the dispute with environmentalists is a proposed subsidy program carved out of that carbon market. The air board, if it approves the proposal on May 28, would create a new pool of free pollution permits for refineries, cement plants and other big companies that pledge to invest in clean energy and efficiency projects.

The pool would be capped at 118.3 million permits — the same number the air board has said must come off the market for California to hit its 2030 climate target. Environmentalists say the proposal risks wiping out those reductions.

Berkeley energy economist Meredith Fowlie, who chairs an independent committee that oversees the carbon market, wrote in a recent analysis that the design would give qualifying refineries more free permits than they need to cover their emissions.

“One could use the word generous,” Fowlie said.

Rajinder Sahota, the air board official overseeing the program, said the proposal would ensure emissions reductions. The new permits, she said, would only go to companies undertaking clean energy and efficiency projects and would be limited, temporary and rescinded if companies misuse them. The plan is meant to help keep refineries operating in California at a time of uncertainty, she added.

“We want to make sure that there’s reliable, affordable fuel for California consumers while the demand persists,” Sahota said.

But environmentalists say the air board has built in almost no accountability for how companies invest in those projects. Katelyn Roedner Sutter, state director for the Environmental Defense Fund, said the proposal “is based on proposed investment, not any guaranteed reduction.”

“That’s a red flag,” she said.

A climate money crunch

Quarterly auction revenue for state programs could drop from roughly $4 billion a year to about $2 billion under the proposal, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Sen. John Laird, the state Senate budget chair and a co-author of California’s original 2006 climate law, warned at a May 6 hearing that the proposal “flies against many things we negotiated just last fall” with the governor and could put the carbon market deal “back on the table.”

Not all lawmakers are critical. Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin and Cottie Petrie-Norris, who respectively chair climate and energy committees, said the proposal “reflects the Legislature’s focus on affordability,” and urged the board to proceed “without delay.”

They pointed to an increase in the Climate Credit, the twice-yearly rebate that the carbon market funds on Californians’ utility bills; a UC Santa Barbara analysis, however, found the new subsidy could shrink the credit by as much as $1.7 billion under the proposal.

A separate, bipartisan group including Assemblymember David Alvarez, a Democrat, and Senator Suzette Valladares, a Republican, argues the purpose of the carbon market is to cut emissions, not raise money for programs.

Newsom struck an eleventh-hour deal with lawmakers last year that extended the state’s carbon market through 2045 and set the order of which state programs get auction money first.

Under that plan, California’s high-speed rail project receives $1 billion a year before many other programs. Lawmakers also carved out a $1 billion annual pool for priorities they control themselves, but Newsom in January proposed committing that money to wildfire spending and other programs.

Last in line are programs lawmakers have spent years building into California’s climate agenda: affordable housing and transit-oriented development meant to reduce driving and climate pollution, rail and bus service, wildfire resilience, clean drinking water in poor communities and neighborhood pollution monitoring.

Newsom unveiled a revised state budget on May 14 that did not reflect the potential drop in carbon market revenue. Laird, in an interview, said the administration told him the revenue drop wouldn’t show up in the coming fiscal year.

Laird said he planned to “ground truth” that assessment in the weeks ahead. The hit “would still be a big hit the year after this budget year,” he added.

Big Oil’s biggest target

California’s carbon market became a central focus of the oil industry’s lobbying efforts after the air board released a January proposal sharply reducing free pollution permits for industry.

Seven of the 10 highest-spending oil and gas lobbying groups in California pushed state officials on the proposal, state filings show. The petroleum association and Chevron mounted some of the industry’s most aggressive lobbying, pressing lawmakers, the governor’s office, the air board and the California Energy Commission on the plan.

The April plan raised free permits for most industries through 2030 above the January version, but deferred decisions on permits after 2030 to a future rulemaking.

Jim Stanley, a spokesman for the petroleum association, said the group has been pressing lawmakers, regulators and the governor’s office about “the potential consequences of a poorly structured cap-and-invest program.”

Chevron spokesman Ross Allen declined to comment beyond letters Chevron filed with the air board. Chevron initially warned the proposal threatened refinery survival in California. After last month’s revisions, the company is continuing to push for additional protections.

Zach Leary, a lobbyist for the petroleum association, said California needs to go further than even its latest proposal. He wants California to lock in a higher level of free permits permanently.

“The state is acknowledging that affordability and ambition are not getting along very well right now,” Leary said.

Eddie Ahn, executive director of Brightline Defense, oversees community air sensors in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, Mission and South of Market neighborhoods funded through the state’s community air protection program. That program is among those that could lose state money if carbon market auctions decline under the proposal.

“If the funding is cut off, then convening groups of people on a monthly basis — that goes away,” Ahn said. “It means frontline communities get disconnected from environmental policy.”

 

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Berkeley’s soda tax success story deserves wider attention across California

Cases of soft drinks, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper, at a Costco Wholesale store in San Diego, March 11, 2025. Photo by Kevin Carter, Getty Images. Cajas de refrescos, incluyendo Coca-Cola, Sprite, Pepsi y Dr. Pepper, en una tienda Costco Wholesale en San Diego, el 11 de marzo de 2025.

by Xavier Morales

Xavier Morales is the executive director of The Praxis Project. He has served on Berkeley’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Product Panel of Experts for more than a decade.

May 29, 2026 – Before the 2014 election, soda tax campaigns in at least 31 American cities had been defeated by the beverage industry. Richmond and El Monte — cities on opposite ends of the state — tried and lost two years prior, drowned by industry spending and slick “nanny state” messaging.

Then Berkeley voters passed Measure D by a 75% margin, making it the nation’s first tax on the distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages.

More than a decade later, the question is no longer whether a soda tax can pass or whether it works. The question is what a city can build with the revenue. Berkeley has spent years answering that question, and the answer is worth California’s wider attention.

Since 2015, the Healthy Berkeley program has reinvested more than $11.9 million of soda tax revenue into the communities the beverage industry targeted most: Black, Latino, immigrant and lower-income neighborhoods. Roughly $5.7 million has gone to Berkeley Unified School District’s cooking and gardening program, which now reaches more than 40,000 students and parents across 18 school gardens.

The rest has built a community health infrastructure that meets residents at every stage of life.

Toddlers at the YMCA of the East Bay sing songs about which drinks help them grow. Elementary and middle schoolers chop vegetables they grew themselves in school gardens. High schoolers train as water ambassadors with the Ecology Center and run urban agriculture programs through Berkeley Youth Alternatives.

Adults of all ages receive primary care, dental care and trusted health information in their own language at certain clinics. Between 2018 and 2022, the Healthy Berkeley program generated 20,000 primary care and 9,000 dental referrals for residents often overlooked by the health care system.

These investments have changed how Berkeley thinks about its own health. In one survey of 840 people reached by Healthy Berkeley-funded programs, 80% reported a shift in their attitude, interest or intention toward healthier behaviors. Once Berkeley residents understood that sugary drink companies had been unfairly targeting them, they stopped standing for it.

That is not a pricing effect. That is a community organizing itself around its own well-being.

The behavior change is showing up in the data. A 2024 study tracked 44,000 children in California cities with soda taxes against 345,000 children in 40 matched cities without, and found significantly lower body mass index percentiles among kids in tax cities — with the strongest effects in children under 12. The researchers explicitly recommended similar excise taxes as a tool to prevent chronic disease.

The beverage industry understood from the start that this was the threat they could not afford. In 2018, the American Beverage Association brought a $7 million ballot initiative to Sacramento that would have required a two-thirds supermajority for nearly any new local tax, and offered to withdraw it only if the Legislature banned local soda taxes for 12 years. The Legislature capitulated. The Sacramento Bee called it a shakedown. State Sen. Scott Wiener called it “a nuclear weapon” aimed at state and local governments. Fortunately, Berkeley’s tax was grandfathered in.

Appropriately, in 2023, the California Third District Court of Appeal struck down the law’s penalty provisions in a lawsuit led by Cultiva La Salud and Santa Cruz City councilmember Martine Watkins. In 2024, Berkeley voted to make its tax permanent with 80% support. During the same election, Santa Cruz became the first California city to pass a new soda tax since the preemption deal.

The genie is now out of the bottle.

Other California cities should be paying attention to what Berkeley built. Diabetes rates can bend. Youth BMIs can come down. Trust in local institutions can rise. Community leaders can emerge from the neighborhoods most affected.

Berkeley has been showing us the possibilities for years.

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César Ascarrunz returns home after months of legal battles and family controversy

César Ascarrunz during a recent interview at his home in San Francisco, before losing his sight. César Ascarrunz durante una entrevista en su casa de San Francisco antes de perder la visión.
César Ascarrunz

Music promoter regains access to residence following court actions in San Francisco and Modesto as investigations and legal disputes continue

by Marvin Ramírez

In a dramatic turn of events, César Ascarrunz, the longtime San Francisco music promoter, businessman and cultural figure whose situation has drawn growing concern within the Bay Area Latino community, returned to his home just hours before this edition of El Reportero was being laid out for publication on Friday, June 5, following months of legal disputes, court proceedings and controversy surrounding his care, finances and personal affairs.

According to family members, attorneys and individuals involved in the case, Ascarrunz, 90, regained access to his residence after a series of legal actions in both San Francisco and Modesto, California, where matters concerning his care, legal authority and financial affairs had been under review.

The return marks the latest chapter in a case that has attracted attention since Ascarrunz, who is legally blind, was transferred to a senior care facility in Modesto and became largely inaccessible to friends, relatives and his youngest son, Leonardo Ascarrunz.

The most dramatic moment of the day occurred when Ascarrunz arrived at the residence. According to family members and people present at the scene, he was unable to enter through normal means because the locks had been changed and additional barricades had reportedly been installed inside the home, preventing access even after a locksmith attempted to open the door.

Those present stated that specialized tools ultimately had to be used to force entry into the residence. Family members said police officers were present while access was restored and Ascarrunz re-entered the property.

Sources close to the family stated that one of Ascarrunz’s older sons, Felipe Ascarrunz, was inside the residence during the events surrounding the entry. Family members reported that Felipe later left the property.

Present when access to the residence was restored were a locksmith, a carpenter, two police officers, César Ascarrunz, his youngest son Leonardo, two nieces, his brother Castro and Castro’s wife, and his nephew Julio, according to individuals who participated in the effort.

Following his departure from the senior care facility in Modesto, Ascarrunz temporarily stayed at the home of Marta Rodríguez, the mother of Leonardo. Family members said the residence is located only a short distance from Ascarrunz’s own home and served as a safe place while legal proceedings continued.

By Wednesday evening, Ascarrunz was once again spending the night in his own residence. Remaining with him were Leonardo, his nieces, his brother Castro and other family members who have been assisting him throughout the legal proceedings.

Family members also reported that Carlos Campos, a former longtime employee and trusted associate of Ascarrunz, is traveling from Atlanta and is expected to move into the residence to help care for and accompany him in the coming weeks.

The dispute has involved competing claims regarding legal authority over Ascarrunz’s affairs. Court records filed in connection with the matter have raised questions concerning powers of attorney, trust administration and decisions affecting his care and finances.

According to individuals familiar with the proceedings, actions taken in courts in Modesto addressed issues involving trust administration and persons exercising authority over aspects of Ascarrunz’s affairs. Family members believe those proceedings contributed to the developments that ultimately allowed him to return home.

Supporters of Ascarrunz allege that substantial amounts of money and personal property disappeared during the period in which he was separated from many of his longtime contacts. According to people now assisting him in reviewing financial records, the musician has expressed concern regarding transactions involving bank accounts, debit cards, rental income and other assets. Family members and advisors are examining financial records and related documents to determine the extent of any losses and whether additional legal action may be warranted.

Among the matters now under review are financial transactions that Ascarrunz and his supporters believe require further examination. According to relatives and close associates, Ascarrunz has requested that several individuals be identified and contacted because they may possess information relevant to financial activities currently being reviewed by attorneys and advisors.

The case has also drawn attention because of conflicting claims regarding Ascarrunz’s mental capacity. Family members maintain that recent medical evaluations concluded that he remains mentally competent and capable of managing his affairs. Supporters point to medical findings and court proceedings that they say support that conclusion.

Despite being 90 years old and legally blind, Ascarrunz remained actively involved in efforts to regain control of his affairs. Friends and family members said he spent months making telephone calls, gathering information and maintaining contact with supporters, attorneys and relatives.

According to those close to him, Ascarrunz relied on a specialized telephone system that allows him to record names and numbers and identify callers through voice prompts. Family members and friends frequently assisted by writing down contact information as he rebuilt a network of communication that supporters say had been disrupted during his separation from many longtime associates.

Those who have worked closely with him throughout the ordeal describe his determination as remarkable. Despite severe vision loss, they say Ascarrunz personally directed many of the efforts that ultimately led to court actions, renewed contact with supporters and, eventually, his return home.

A close family friend who has been assisting Ascarrunz throughout the ordeal and requested anonymity described what he considered encouraging signs regarding the musician’s condition.

“Just recently, César was able to see the paper and recognize where to place his signature,” the longtime friend told El Reportero. “He signed documents himself.”

The friend emphasized that Ascarrunz remains legally blind, but said the experience gave family members and supporters renewed hope.

This writer recalls a conversation with Ascarrunz approximately one month ago during which the musician described a brief and unexpected improvement in his vision. At the time, Ascarrunz said he was able to clearly see his fingers for a short moment before the image faded again.

While no medical conclusions have been drawn from those experiences, people close to Ascarrunz say they have observed occasional signs that suggest limited visual perception may still be present despite the severe vision loss documented in previous medical evaluations.

Friends and family members say music is expected to play a central role in Ascarrunz’s recovery and daily life now that he has returned home. Despite losing his eyesight, the veteran promoter and musician has continued to play whenever possible.

Before being moved to the senior care facility, Ascarrunz was frequently seen playing piano at his residence, where he keeps several pianos. Supporters also point to videos recorded while he was living at the care facility that show him playing piano and percussion instruments. Although legally blind, he continued to demonstrate his musical abilities and lifelong connection to music.

Those close to him believe returning home will allow him to reconnect with an important part of his identity. Family members report that a longtime friend and veteran Latin music performer is traveling from Miami to stay with Ascarrunz and assist him in the coming weeks. They hope the two musicians will once again be able to play music together.

For friends and relatives, the prospect of music returning to the house symbolizes more than entertainment. They view it as a source of encouragement, companionship and purpose for a man whose life has been deeply connected to the arts for decades.

Speaking to El Reportero after returning home, Ascarrunz expressed relief and determination as legal proceedings continue.

“Now it is time to finish the investigations and bring criminal charges against all those involved,” Ascarrunz said. “There is a God, and He has rescued me.”

For supporters of the musician, the significance of the day went beyond the legal proceedings. After months of court battles, family conflict and uncertainty, they described the moment as the restoration of both his freedom and his place in the home he built over decades.

El Reportero will continue following developments in this case as additional information becomes available.

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NOTICE INVITING BIDS

The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is calling for sealed
Bids from qualified contractors to provide district-wide demolition and
deconstruction services as needed at various campuses for District-wide
Demolition and Deconstruction Services Projects (Bid No. 25-26/10).
Bids are to be submitted electronically (via Planet Bids), by 2:00 PM,
on June 30, 2026. Follow the link below for the bid opening: https://
peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/85480417635

The intent of this solicitation is to establish a pool of qualified contractors
to perform demolition, selective demolition, deconstruction, removal,
hauling, site clearing, hazardous materials coordination, and related
services at various District owned facilities on an as-needed basis through
individually issued job orders, Task Orders, or Works Authorization.
This first phase of work consists of the demolition of a doublewide trailer
at the District Service Center, the Cougar Village (8 trailers) at College
of Alameda and the Pool Complex at Laney College. Other projects
will be awarded over the next five years to those who submit to the first
phase. Future project that will be awarded over time include the Laney
College Tower Building, Laney College Building A, Merritt College
Building A, Building D, Building E and Building F. The District Project
Labor Agreement will apply to those projects valued at over one million
dollars. Firms with demonstrated experience in safe, environmentally
responsible demolition, hazardous material handling, and sustainable
deconstruction practices are encouraged to respond.

The work to be performed under this contract includes the furnishing of
all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, services, permits, temporary
controls and construction facilities, and all general conditions,
seismic requirements, general requirements and incidentals required to
complete the work on the projects in their entirety as described in the
contract documents.

In order to perform the work, Bidders at the time of the Bid Opening and
for the duration of the project shall possess a valid California Contractor’s
license and certifications in order to qualify to perform the Work:
Class A and/or B General Contractor.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid/Site Walk meeting will be held on June 9, 2026
at 9:00AM. We will start at the District Service Center 333 East 8th
Street, Oakland, CA 94606, we will meet under the shade structure
east of the main building. We will then walk to Laney College and
finally drive to College of Alameda, located at 555 Ralph Appezzato
Memorial Pkwy, Alameda, CA 94501.

Copies of the bid documents may be obtained by clicking on the following
links: https://build.peralta.edu/vendorregistry
Planet Bids Vendor Portal
Governing Codes:
GC 53068
EC 81641
Publication Dates: May 29, 2026, and June 5, 2026 – El Reportero

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