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Celebrating financial literacy month: San Francisco’s Chase Community Manager shares tips for strengthening financial health

Jenny Baltodano

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

We all have financial needs and goals, whether it’s dreaming of buying a new home, starting a business, or simply feeling more secure about your finances. No matter where you are on your financial journey, it’s never too early – or too late – to get started.

This Financial Literacy Month, Jenny Baltodano, Chase Community Manager in San Francisco, shares ways to help strengthen your financial health journey—this month and all year round.

Q: Which areas should people focus on to improve their financial well-being?
A:  To help strengthen any financial health journey, it’s important to focus on four key areas: earning, protecting, spending and saving. Earning is about understanding your income and how it supports your goals. Protecting your money involves keeping it safe from loss, theft and overspending. Spending wisely helps you stay on top of bills and make progress toward your goals. And saving—no matter how small the amount—sets you up for future needs and opportunities.

Q: If someone wants to strengthen their financial health, what are the first three steps you’d suggest they take?
A: Start by getting clear on your goals. What are you working toward, and why does it matter to you? Next, create a budget so you can see where your money is going and make a plan for saving. Then, review your budget regularly and make adjustments. Every month is different and life changes, but staying flexible and aware of your budget helps keep you on track towards your goals.

Q: Budgeting takes practice, and many people are still finding what works for them. What budgeting framework do you recommend, and how can someone personalize it so it feels manageable?
A: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but the key is to find a system you’ll actually use. There are plenty of apps and tools available to help you track of your spending each month and how that compares to the amount of money coming into your home. Once you have an idea of where your money is going, it’s easier to adjust your spending habits so you can save more.

Q: Saving for different goals—like emergencies, retirement or big purchases—can feel overwhelming. How do you help people prioritize and consistently stay on track?

A: I remind everyone that every dollar counts. Even a small amount saved from each paycheck adds up over time. I encourage you to set specific financial goals—such as building an emergency fund or saving up for a large purchase—and set a budget that supports those goals. If you fall short one month, don’t get discouraged. Give yourself grace, adjust as you go, and keep moving forward.

Q: With costs on the rise, what small, sustainable changes have you seen make a big impact?
A: When your budget reflects your priorities, you’re not just managing money—you’re empowering yourself to make confident financial decisions.

Consider automating your savings so it happens without you even thinking about it. Include transfers to savings in your budget, just like you would a bill. This way, you’ll be sure to put money away each month before it gets spent.

Watching your savings grow, no matter the amount, is a powerful way to build financial security and peace of mind.

The bottom line

You can take charge of your financial health by focusing on earning, spending, protecting, and saving money. Strengthening your financial health is a lifelong journey, and every step can help you feel more organized and confident as you work toward your goals. To learn more, stop by your local branch or visit chase.com/financialgoals.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

 © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

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Premiere of the documentary “The bird of four hundred voices”

Enjoy El Teatro Campesino with your family this April 26. (Courtesy: https://elteatrocampesino.com) -- Este 26 de abril disfruta con tu familia de El Teatro Campesino.

By Magdy Zara

To celebrate Latin voices in film, gastronomy, and culture, the 20th Poppy Jasper International Film Festival presents Mexico and You, featuring the premiere of the documentary “The Bird of Four Hundred Voices,” based on the memoirs of Eugene Rodriguez.

During the festival, the Icon Award will be presented. Described by the festival organizers as one of their highest honors, it recognizes artists whose work, leadership, and influence have had a lasting impact on the industry and creative communities.

Eugene’s autobiographical documentary, “The Bird of Four Hundred Voices,” will be screened at 5 p.m., followed by the presentation of the Festival’s Icon Award. This event will take place on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the Granada Theater in Hollister.

California Business Policy Summit 2026

As in previous years, the California Business Policy Summit will take place in 2026, bringing together legislators, business leaders, and community advocates to discuss the legislative and political landscape shaping California’s economic future.

The California Business Policy Summit (CBPS) is the premier legislative conference dedicated to addressing the needs of California’s small businesses and emerging communities, allowing participants to engage directly with the crucial issues defining the state’s economic future. Attendees connect with legislators, business and community leaders, and key policy figures committed to resolving the state’s major challenges.

The event will be held this Tuesday, April 14, starting at 8:50 a.m., at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, located at 1230 J Street, Sacramento.

Family Day at the Theater 2026

One of the most important events at Campesino Theater is its annual fundraiser, also known as Family Day at the Theater.

On this day, attendees can enjoy outdoor entertainment including: musical and dance performances, a special performance by the young artists of Campamento Teatro, carnival games (with fun prizes), affordable food vendors, and opportunities to learn more about Campesino Theater. All proceeds from food sales, raffles, and suggested donations will go directly to supporting our community and educational programs.

Family Day at the Theater will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, starting at noon, at the ETC Playhouse, located at 705 4th St., San Juan Bautista, California.

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Minimum wage in Latin America in 2026: uneven progress in the region

by the El Reportero wire services

Several Latin American countries began 2026 with increases in the minimum wage as part of their strategies to protect purchasing power, in a context of lower inflationary pressure. However, the differences between economies remain noticeable, both in income levels and in purchasing capacity.

According to an analysis by Bloomberg Línea based on official figures, the highest minimum wages measured in dollars are concentrated in Costa Rica, Uruguay and Chile. These countries reach or come close to 600 dollars per month, positioning themselves as the best paid in terms of basic income in the region.

Costa Rica leads the list with a minimum wage close to 750 dollars for unskilled workers, after an adjustment applied at the beginning of 2026. It is followed by Uruguay, with approximately 648 dollars, and Chile, which is around 597 dollars per month.

At an intermediate level appear economies such as Mexico, with a minimum wage of 533 dollars, and Colombia, with 446 dollars. Both countries applied relevant increases this year, highlighting the Colombian case with one of the highest increases in the region, close to 23.8 percent. Panama also appears among the highest levels, with an average close to 636 dollars, although its system is based on differentiated scales according to sectors and regions, instead of a single national wage.

Other countries are located in middle ranges. Ecuador records a minimum wage of 482 dollars, while Paraguay reaches 428 dollars after its most recent adjustment approved by the government.

Further behind, although with recent increases, are Peru (335 dollars), Bolivia (344 dollars) and Argentina (233 dollars), whose levels remain below 350 dollars per month at the reference exchange rate, reflecting a lower purchasing capacity compared to other economies in the region.

According to the International Labour Organization, the real minimum wage —that is, adjusted for inflation— has shown improvements in most Latin American countries in the last decade, with increases ranging from 10 percent to 60 percent since 2012.

Even so, the organization warns that the effective impact of these incomes depends on structural factors such as labor informality, price evolution and the tax burden. These variables explain why, despite generalized increases, the wage gaps between countries continue to be significant.

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Mexico’s exports to US up 4.2 percent even as auto sector revenue plunges

General Motors, Ford, and Nissan suffered the largest declines in exports to the United States in early 2026. (Unsplash)--General Motors, Ford y Nissan sufrieron las mayores caídas en las exportaciones a Estados Unidos a principios de 2026.

by Mexico News Daily

The value of Mexico’s auto sector exports to the United States declined 13.4 percent annually in the first two months of 2026, according to U.S. government data, additional evidence that U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Mexican-made vehicles are having a significant impact.

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on Thursday that Mexico’s exports of motor vehicles and parts to the U.S. in January and February were worth US $23.15 billion, down from $26.74 billion in the same period of last year. Despite the decline, Mexico was the top exporter of auto sector products to the United States in the first two months of the year.

The decline in the value of Mexico’s auto sector exports to the U.S. in early 2026 came after Trump last year imposed 25 percent tariffs on light, medium and heavy vehicles made south of the U.S. border, although U.S. content in those vehicles is exempt from the duty. The U.S. president also imposed tariffs on non-USMCA compliant auto parts, although the vast majority of Mexican-made parts do comply with the three-way trade pact.

The publication of the U.S. data on Mexico’s auto exports to its northern neighbor came six days after the Mexican statistics agency INEGI released its own data on exports during the first two months of the year. INEGI’s data shows that Mexico’s auto exports to all countries around the world were worth $24.98 billion in January and February, down 6.1 percent compared to the same period of last year.

In 2025, Mexico’s overall auto sector exports fell 4.2 percent annually to $185.79 billion. Close to 80 percent of Mexico’s auto exports go to the United States. The Mexican auto sector has been able to partially offset the decline in exports to the United States by increasing the shipment of vehicles and parts to other markets, such as Canada and Germany.

Revenue from export of cars to US falls 27 percent 

U.S. data shows that Mexico’s exports of passenger cars to the United States were worth $5.14 billion in the first two months of 2026, down 27.5 percent from $7.1 billion in the same period of 2025.

Auto sector analyst Cesar Roy told the newspaper El Sol de México that General Motors, Ford and Nissan suffered the biggest declines in exports to the United States in early 2026.

Mexico’s exports of trucks, buses and special purpose vehicles to the U.S. generated revenue of $5.47 billion in January and February, down 18.9 percent from $6.75 billion in the first two months of last year.

The value of Mexico’s auto part exports to the U.S. declined to $12.53 billion in January and February from $12.89 billion a year earlier. In percentage terms, the drop was 2.7 percent.

U.S. data also shows that the United States’ auto sector exports to Mexico declined 10 percent annually to $5.96 billion in the first two months of 2026.

Two-way auto-sector trade was worth $29.12 billion in January and February, down 12.7 percent from $33.37 billion a year earlier.

Mexico’s overall exports to US increase 4.2 percent in first 2 months of 2026

Despite the 13.4 percent annual decrease in the value of auto sector exports to the U.S., Mexico’s overall revenue from goods shipped to its northern neighbor in January and February increased 4.2 percent annually to $86.82 billion, according to U.S. data.

Meanwhile, the United States’ exports to Mexico were worth $60.49 billion in the first two months of the year, a 10.6 percent increase compared to the same period of 2025.

Two-way trade between the North American neighbors grew 6.2 percent annually to $147.32 billion in the period.

In the first two months of the year, Mexico maintained its position as the United States’ top trade partner. Its share of the U.S. market for imports increased to 16.9 percent from 13.8 percent a year earlier. Mexico’s outlay on imports from the U.S. accounted for 15.9 percent of the United States’ total export revenue in the first two months of 2026, down from 16.5 percent a year earlier.

With reports from El Sol de México and El Economista

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36 years of El Reportero: a life dedicated to independent journalism

Marvin Ramírez
José Santos y su hijo Marvin Ramírez

by Marvin Ramírez

Last April 1, El Reportero marked 36 years of continuous publication. Thirty-six years of constant effort, commitment to the community, and a quiet struggle to maintain an independent newspaper in the Bay Area.

This project began in college, without resources or business structure. There was only the idea of practicing journalism and the desire to inform. In those early days, I didn’t even know how to direct other reporters. Students would come with interest in participating, but I didn’t know what instructions to give them. It was a professor, Raúl Ramírez, who taught me something fundamental: I had to clearly tell them what to do.

Since then, everything has been a learning process. Mistakes were part of the journey, but time and experience taught me how to sustain the newspaper. It was not only about writing, but also about managing, selling advertising, and protecting editorial integrity.

That has been the greatest challenge: maintaining independence.

In traditional journalism, there is a clear line between the newsroom and advertising. However, when one person assumes both roles, that line becomes a daily battle. Many times, economic pressures, offers, or attempts to influence content arise. Remaining firm in the face of those situations has been a constant decision over these 36 years.

It has not been an easy path. There have been moments without sufficient resources, moments of uncertainty, and personal difficulties. But a way to continue was always found. Like someone riding a bicycle avoiding obstacles along the road, that has been this journey.

Unlike many large newspapers whose owners have capital and investors, El Reportero has been sustained by a journalist. For years, I have taken on multiple roles: editor, administrator, salesperson, and strategist. Despite that, every week a new edition has been published.

That effort is what defines this newspaper.
There have also been attempts to expand. At one point, El Reportero TV was developed, with equipment and infrastructure available. However, the lack of resources to operate that project limited its continuity. In the past, it was more common to have students and interns supporting the work. Today, that reality has changed.

Even so, the projects continue.

With time, an inevitable question arises: who will continue this work in the future? It is a real concern, but also a motivation to keep strengthening what has been built.

El Reportero has become an institution.

Its value goes beyond information. It represents a community, its language, and its culture. A community without a newspaper is a community without a voice. On the other hand, when there is a publication that represents it, there is identity and respect.

Today, digital tools, social media, and artificial intelligence offer new opportunities to grow and compete in an increasingly demanding environment.

I want to thank all the people who have followed this newspaper over the years. Much of that support is silent, but meaningful. I also thank the companies and organizations that have contributed to sustaining this effort.

Thirty-six years later, El Reportero continues forward with the same purpose: to inform independently, serve the community, and keep a necessary voice alive.

And in closing, I remember that this calling did not begin with me. My grandfather published his magazine in 1926, called El Field, where he proposed fencing baseball fields and charging admission; that idea contributed to the development of the first professional baseball league in Nicaragua, according to records from La Prensa, where the Boer team faced the U.S. Marines who at that time were occupying Nicaragua.

My father, José Santos Ramírez, for his part, began in journalism as a child with a toy printing press. Before traveling to the United States, he was already working at La Noticia, a daily newspaper in Nicaragua. At the same time, he had also started his own biweekly newspaper, El Nuevo Demócrata.

In 1945, he emigrated to the United States. Here, he held other jobs to support himself, but continued his vocation, printing and selling his newspaper on Market Street in San Francisco for 10 cents. After several years, he returned to Nicaragua and resumed his work at La Noticia, where over time he completed 45 years at La Noticia, which was considered a third path where many people went in search of the truth.

My father passed away on June 12, 2004, in the city of San Leandro, California, a victim of kidney cancer.

From that, I inherited the spirit: to say what must be said and sustain it through work. That is the legacy that continues today in El Reportero.

 

 

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Two Republicans are fighting for California governor. Why a tie is their best strategy

From left to right, Republican candidates Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton participate in the Western Growers California gubernatorial candidates forum at Fresno State on April 1, 2026. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters. -- De izquierda a derecha, los candidatos republicanos Chad Bianco y Steve Hilton participan en el foro de candidatos a la gobernación de California de Western Growers en Fresno State, el 1 de abril de 2026.

Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco need to split the vote nearly evenly to lock Democrats out of the race. Their strategy? Attack each other relentlessly

by Jeanne Kuang

CalMatters

With so many candidates running for governor, it’s hard to keep up. We’re here to help: Sign up for our 2026 election newsletter to get the latest on the candidates.

California Republicans have an unusual shot of claiming an upset victory in the governor’s race this year — but to win, neither of their candidates can get too far ahead of the other just yet.

With eight major Democratic candidates splitting the liberal vote, both Republican candidates, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, could come in first and second in the June 2 primary and move on to the November ballot.

That would shut out Democratic general election candidates, an extraordinary event that pollsters and strategists of both parties agree is the only viable chance for a Republican to become governor. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two-to-one in California and the GOP hasn’t won a statewide race in two decades.

Both Republicans can only advance to November if they split the Republican vote essentially evenly, giving each enough to surpass their Democratic opponents. That’s thanks to California’s top-two primary system, in which the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election regardless of their party.

Democrats insist it won’t happen, though they face mounting pressure over the risk in a year when the party is hoping to turn out liberal voters for U.S. House races in November.

And neither Republican is strategizing to shut the Democrats out. Instead of trying to keep the other alive through the primary, Hilton and Bianco are running campaigns like any other candidate: seeking to defeat each other. Hilton has spent the past few months attempting to consolidate Republican support by attacking Bianco, who has been happy to return the ire.

“There’s an amazing irony there, that they need to beat each other but they both need to succeed at the same time,” GOP strategist Rob Stutzman said. “It cuts against human nature and cuts against the way you put together campaigns.”

An intra-Republican primary

Despite very different backgrounds, Hilton and Bianco are running on similar policies.

Hilton is a British political strategist who’s written extensively about populism, reducing bureaucracy and decentralizing power, and Bianco is a bombastic local sheriff who is pushing the boundaries of police authority over elections.

Both are pushing a deregulation agenda, railing against Democratic-backed environmental policies they blame for raising the state’s cost of living. Their targets include the landmark California Environmental Quality Act, which requires environmental reviews for new construction.

Both Republicans also want to reverse prison closures, boost oil production to lower gas prices and reduce or eliminate the 61-cents-a-gallon gas tax.

Hilton wants to shield the first $100,000 of earnings from the state income tax (a goal Democrat Katie Porter shares) and significantly lower taxes on higher earners by cutting 18% of the state budget, including areas he claims are fraudulent or wasteful such as using cannabis tax revenue to support substance abuse programs. Bianco also wants to cut, and bring in oil revenues to eliminate the income tax entirely.

Hilton, one of the race’s top fundraisers, has raised more than $6.6 million so far, exceeding Bianco’s haul by more than $2 million. The two are second and third to Democratic former Rep. Katie Porter in the total number of campaign donors — one measure of popular support.

Polls show they remain neck-and-neck at or near the top of the pack, with one survey released last week by the California Democratic Party showing Hilton and Bianco statistically tied with 16% and 14%, respectively. To be competitive, they each need to win over independent and undecided voters, some of whom lean Republican and most of whom are fixated on the state’s cost of living crisis. The California Republican Party is slated to take an endorsement vote at its convention next weekend.

Each has tried to outrank the other on conservative credentials.

Hilton has attacked Bianco for having “too much baggage” related to liberal causes, pointing to a video showing the sheriff kneeling during the 2020 Black Lives Matters protests, as many police officers did then to de-escalate crowds, and later describing his actions as praying. Under Trump, the FBI this year fired several agents who had done the same.

“It’s a question of character and honesty and judgment,” Hilton said in an interview.

Bianco pointed to the two Republicans’ continued tie in the polls as proof Hilton can’t carry the party. He’s called Hilton, who worked for the conservative U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, “a fraud amongst Republicans” in part because a political crowdfunding startup Hilton co-founded in 2013, Crowdpac, later rebranded to exclusively support Democrats.

And each has aimed to align himself with Trump without saying the president’s name directly. While both are vocal fans of the president, nearly three-quarters of California voters disapprove of him, and Democratic voters in particular are motivated this year to vote against the president’s agenda. Hilton and Bianco have both blasted Democrats for linking the gubernatorial race to Trump.

Hilton, who once called for an audit into Trump’s loss in the 2020 election, is promoting “CalDOGE,” a program to look into reports of fraud and waste in California government. It’s a nod to Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency that slashed federal spending and employment last year. So far, as part of the project, Hilton has held press conferences criticizing state grants to nonprofits with advocacy wings that support liberal causes, like stricter environmental laws and holding voter registration drives; he’s vowed to cut them as governor.

Bianco, who endorsed Trump’s 2024 re-election by saying America should “put a felon in the White House,” told KTLA last fall if he had the president’s support he’d downplay it on the campaign trail. Asked last week if he’s seeking the president’s approval, he said he instead wants “the endorsement of every single person in this country.”

“You have an entire Democrat field trying to label me as Donald Trump, and the reason why is because they have absolutely nothing to run on,” he said in an interview.

He has embarked on an unprecedented effort in Riverside County to recount ballots from last year’s special election based on what local elections officials say is inaccurate and flawed raw ballot data, a move that mirrors the Trump administration’s seizure of 2020 ballots in Georgia. But Bianco has insisted it’s not political. The investigation, he said this week, is on hold amid legal challenges.

Who is Bianco?

The ballot seizure is one of the many ways Bianco has courted controversy as county sheriff, a seat to which he was first elected in 2018 with hefty campaign contributions from the union that represents sheriff’s deputies.

The three-decade law enforcement officer and one-time member of the far-right militia group Oath Keepers gained attention in 2020 for fighting state orders to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, refusing to enforce masking or stay-at-home rules or to mandate vaccination for deputies. He also opposes school vaccination laws.

He’s often criticized the state’s sanctuary law that limits police cooperation with federal immigration agents, simultaneously insisting he’ll do everything he legally can to help immigration agents but clarifying to Riverside County residents that deputies do not enforce immigration laws and take reports of crimes from anyone. He’s presided over a spike in deaths in county jails that he’s attributed to fentanyl and suicides, though the state attorney general’s office has opened an investigation.

He has ties to an evangelical pastor in Temecula who helps elect Christian conservatives and is pushing to increase the influence of Christianity in government.

His pitch to voters is that he’s an outsider — and he’s prone to using hyperbole to prove it, calling environmental activists who sue to stop development “terrorists,” promising to “completely destroy special interests” and saying if elected he’d “take a nuclear bomb” to the decisions made in California government.

He’s running, he said, to offer a change from the “crime and corruption” he says has defined state politics and claims he’s the only candidate with strong executive experience (though several Democratic opponents have led state or federal agencies, or major cities.)

He’s endorsed by several law enforcement groups, some of which have also jointly endorsed a Democrat, and funded by campaign contributions from dozens of officers and police chiefs, various business owners and the powerful Peace Office Research Association of California, a special interest with outsize influence at the Capitol. The law enforcement association extends to his title as Riverside sheriff on the ballot, which will give him an edge over Hilton, GOP strategists say.

“Every other person in this race is nothing but a career politician,” he said. “We’re over career politicians, millionaires, billionaires, bright, shiny objects and career politicians and strategists. California is sick of that.”

Who is Hilton?

Hilton, meanwhile, is making lofty promises like $3-a-gallon gas and halving electricity bills, and says he has experience from London to achieve such cuts.

The son of Hungarian immigrants to Britain, Hilton got his start in the Conservative Party there before moving to the private sector and returning to politics as Cameron’s director of strategy from 2010 to 2012.

The British press noted Hilton’s penchant for casual dress and credited him as the ideological force pushing the party to loosen workplace regulations, cut welfare, shrink the size of government, lower taxes and withdraw from the European Union. Hilton was disillusioned with Cameron’s progress, the Washington Post reported, when he left his team after two years to join his wife, tech executive Rachel Whetstone, in California and take a sabbatical at Stanford. The couple still maintain several properties in central London.

“The government has lost its ultimate radical,” The Economist declared of his departure from 10 Downing Street in 2012. “In his visceral disdain for the state, reverence for local communities and commitment to enterprise, he might be the most deeply conservative figure at the very top of this government.”

He founded Crowdpac in 2013 with two partners, a Stanford professor and a Google executive, with the stated goal of getting more people engaged in politics by using software to match their views with candidates they could support financially. The platform, he highlighted at the time, was used by a Black Lives Matter leader to crowdfund a run for Baltimore mayor and by anti-Trump Republicans hoping for a Paul Ryan presidential run. In 2015, he wrote a column in the Guardian supporting a higher minimum wage in Britain and walking back his own prior campaigns against one.

Years later, Hilton left the platform when Crowdpac, having mostly been used by Democrats, stopped helping Republican candidates in what executives called “a stand against Trumpism.” It later shut down and relaunched again as a Democrats-only platform. By then, Hilton had already endorsed Trump for president in 2016 and landed a weekly Fox News show, which ran from 2017 to 2023. He’s now returned fully to his conservative roots, pushing to “massively reduce spending” and regulation the same way he did in the U.K.

“I have a very clear message of change that’s practical and positive and not ideological,” he told CalMatters.

Hilton has raised the third most in the race, behind Democrats Tom Steyer, a self-funding billionaire, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who has pulled in millions of dollars primarily from Silicon Valley. Hilton has put $200,000 of his own money into his campaign, and counts among his supporters Uber, Fox Corp. mogul Rupert Murdoch and tech executives who have also supported Democrats: Google founder Sergey Brin and Ripple executive Chris Larsen.

Will Democrats really be shut out of the race?

Experts say a Democratic shutout is unlikely, unless the field remains entrenched.

“It depends upon those two Republican candidates who are splitting the Republican vote fairly evenly right now, doing that, and then having more than a half a dozen Democrats with no one that is a leading favorite, which is what we’ve seen so far,” said Mark Baldassare, director of polling at the Public Policy Institute of California. “But one thing I would say is it’s still early.”

Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks has also used that reasoning. He has started an incremental public pressure campaign to prompt lower-polling Democratic candidates to drop out, but the candidates have resisted so far.

Hilton, too, dismissed analyses that both Republicans must advance for either to have a shot of winning the seat, calling it a hypothetical exercise from GOP strategists.

“They don’t know what they’re talking about, I mean these are the kinds of people who have been losing for 20 years,” he said. “The idea that the Democratic Party is just going to concede California is obviously ridiculous. … It’s going to be a Republican against a Democrat.”

Bianco said he’s running against Hilton, whom he called a “career strategist,” as much as any of the Democrats. He said he hasn’t thought too much about who his opponent would be in a general election.

“It really doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I’m not doing this for Republicans. I’m not doing it for Democrats, independents, anything like that.”

 

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Mexican filmmaker Juan Pablo Villalobos awarded Moulin d’Andé-CECI residency in Cannes program

Screenshot

by the El Reportero staff

Mexican filmmaker Juan Pablo Villalobos has been awarded the prestigious Moulin d’Andé-CECI Residency after being selected among ten participants in the Next Step 2025 program, organized by the Critics’ Week of the Cannes Film Festival. The recognition positions him as one of the most promising emerging voices in contemporary Latin American cinema.

The Next Step program aims to support filmmakers who have distinguished themselves with short films as they transition into feature-length projects. In this context, Villalobos was selected for his strong narrative proposal and his ability to craft stories with emotional depth and a distinct visual style—qualities that have drawn the attention of international programmers and industry professionals.

Villalobos is participating with the project Ladrones de cuadros (Painting Thieves), a story set between Mexico City and the state of Oaxaca. The plot follows Arcadio, a disillusioned painter who, after witnessing a murder, escapes urban violence and seeks refuge in his grandmother’s home. In what initially appears to be a peaceful environment, the protagonist faces a new conflict when a mysterious Finnish art conservator arrives claiming ownership of some of the family’s paintings, unleashing a tension that blends memory, identity, and danger.

The project combines elements of a thriller with an intimate reflection on art, cultural heritage, and displacement. This approach has been key to its selection, as the program seeks stories with a strong authorial voice and international development potential.

As part of the award, Villalobos will take part in a two-week residency at the Moulin d’Andé-CECI in France, a renowned creative center that has hosted iconic figures of European cinema such as François Truffaut, Louis Malle, Alain Cavalier, Robert Enrico, and Jean-Paul Rappeneau. During his stay, the director will receive specialized mentorship to further develop his screenplay and production strategy.

Residencies of this kind not only offer creative development opportunities but also serve as key platforms for building connections with producers, distributors, and other professionals in the global film industry. For Latin American filmmakers in particular, these spaces function as bridges to international markets that would otherwise be difficult to access.

The recognition of Villalobos also reflects the current momentum of Mexican cinema, marked by a new generation of filmmakers exploring more personal and daring narratives, moving away from conventional formulas.

With this achievement, Juan Pablo Villalobos continues to consolidate his career while contributing to the visibility of Mexican talent on one of the most influential stages in world cinema. His next step will be to bring Ladrones de cuadros to life as a feature film, confirming the expectations now forming around his work.

 

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We cannot allow Canada to become a place where Christians are punished for quoting the Bible

by David Cooke

The odds may be against us. But there is one last chance to stop Bill C-9 before it receives Royal Assent and becomes the law of the land. The Senate still needs to vote on this dangerous speech control measure championed by the Liberals and pushed through the House of Commons last week.

A second reading has been scheduled in the Senate for April 14th, after which it could quickly proceed to a third and final reading and vote. Alternatively, the Senate could refer it for further study, which could delay this bill from going into law.

Unfortunately, the prospects for totally stopping Bill C-9 in the Senate are slim, as the vast majority of senators owe their jobs to our former Liberal Prime Minster Justin Trudeau. Mr. Trudeau was responsible for the appointment of 81 out of 98 seats in the Red Chamber.

Nevertheless, Trudeau’s senators are not bound to Liberal party discipline, and they enjoy relative independence in their decision-making until the end of their term, at age 75. Also, each senator is assigned to a given province or territory, which they are supposed to represent. It is possible that some will be open to our concerns, especially if they are confronted with thousands of emails, letters, and phone calls over the next few weeks.

Concerned Canadians need to urge them to take their role seriously as members of the chamber of “sober second thought.” If there was ever a bill that needed second thought, it is this one!

Bill C-9 removes the long-standing “religious defense” from our Criminal Code. This makes it possible – for the first time ever – for woke police officers and judges to condemn the moral teachings of the Bible. Faithful Christians who proclaim these teachings on life, marriage, and gender may be fined or imprisoned as anti-woman, anti-gay, or anti-trans “hate criminals.”

We need only to look to the example of Finland to see where Bill C-9 will take us here in Canada.

In a recent ruling from the Finnish Supreme Court, a Finnish parliamentarian and doctor, Ms. Päivi Räsänen, along with a Lutheran bishop, Juhana Pohjola, were convicted of “hate speech” for publishing a pamphlet in 2004 titled “Male and Female He Created Them.” This pamphlet explains the biblical view of marriage and sexual ethics.

Not only were Ms. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola fined thousands of Euros, the court ordered that the pamphlet be “removed from public access and destroyed.” This was nothing other than a modern woke-inspired “heresy trial” concluding with a progressive-style “book burning”!

You can read an English translation of the censored pamphlet that has been preserved here.

After the verdict, Ms. Räsänen warned that “this decision demonstrates that freedom of speech must be defended ever more strongly. In practice, its preservation as a robust fundamental right is not self-evident. I have considered it both a privilege and an honor to defend freedom of speech and religion, which is a central right in a democratic state. I intend to continue doing so.”

Like Ms. Räsänen, we must not give up the fight to protect our God-given freedom of speech and religion. Even though our chances of persuading the Senate are slim, with God nothing is impossible. God doesn’t play the odds!

Let’s remember our Lord Jesus and how grim things looked for Him as He faced the powers-that-be in Jerusalem. He was wrongfully arrested, prosecuted, beaten, scourged, mocked, and condemned to die. And yet, our Lord turned the world’s greatest tragedy – the crucifixion of the Son of God – into heaven’s greatest victory!

“Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18).

God can turn any situation around – even the passage of Bill C-9. Whatever happens, we know His Word will outlast the verdicts of earthly judges and the bills passed in earthly parliaments. He wins in the end!

In the meantime, let us be faithful to speak out in defense of biblical truth. I would hate to see Canada go the route of Finland. Our country must not become a place where Christians are punished for sharing the teaching of Holy Scripture! LifeSite.

 

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The hidden power of potassium: Why this essential electrolyte is being suppressed

by Patrick Lewis

  • Potassium is essential for nerve/muscle function and glucose metabolism, yet 90 percent of Americans are deficient due to processed foods disrupting the natural 10:1 potassium-to-sodium balance, fueling heart disease and cancer.
  • The FDA arbitrarily limits potassium supplements to 99 mg per tablet—ostensibly for kidney safety—while ignoring widespread deficiency, pushing people toward Big Pharma’s toxic, profit-driven drugs instead.
  • Whole foods like beet greens (1,309 mg/cup), potatoes (926 mg) and avocados (487 mg) provide safe, effective potassium without side effects, yet are suppressed to maintain dependency on synthetic medications.
  • Processed foods and GMOs intentionally deplete potassium to weaken immunity, induce fatigue and perpetuate chronic illness—key to the depopulation agenda of controlled sickness and docility.
  • Avoid processed foods, prioritize potassium-rich plants, reject unnecessary diuretics (e.g., coffee, hypertension drugs) and expose FDA/Pharma corruption to defy medical tyranny.

Potassium—symbolized by “K” on the periodic table—is one of the most vital yet overlooked nutrients in human health. While mainstream medicine obsesses over cholesterol-lowering drugs and synthetic pharmaceuticals, the simple truth remains: potassium deficiency is rampant, contributing to heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and even cancer. Yet, instead of promoting whole-food sources of potassium, corrupt regulatory agencies like the FDA impose arbitrary limits (just 99 mg per tablet) while ignoring the fact that 90 percent of Americans fail to consume optimal amounts.

The electrolyte crisis: How modern diets sabotage health

Potassium is the primary cation inside human cells, essential for nerve function, muscle contraction and converting glucose into glycogen. Without it, weakness, fatigue and severe metabolic dysfunction set in. Yet, the modern industrial diet—loaded with processed foods, toxic seed oils and excessive sodium—has destroyed the natural potassium-sodium balance our ancestors thrived on.

Historical hunter-gatherers consumed 16 times more potassium than sodium, while today’s processed-food diet reverses that ratio to 0.74:1, a disaster for cardiovascular health. Studies from Harvard and other institutions prove that high potassium intake cuts stroke risk, lowers blood pressure, prevents kidney stones and stabilizes blood sugar. Yet, Big Pharma pushes hypertension drugs (which deplete potassium) instead of advocating for dietary solutions.

Why are authorities suppressing potassium?

The FDA’s absurd 99 mg potassium supplement limit—ostensibly to “protect” those with kidney dysfunction—ignores the fact that most Americans are dangerously deficient. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry profits from treating diseases caused by potassium deficiency:

  • Hypertension drugs (like diuretics) worsen potassium loss, creating a vicious cycle of medication dependency.
  • Statins and other heart medications mask symptoms while ignoring root causes like electrolyte imbalance.
  • Diabetes management focuses on insulin and drugs rather than addressing potassium’s role in glucose metabolism.

This isn’t incompetence—it’s by design. The medical-industrial complex thrives on sickness, not prevention.

The best natural sources of potassium

Unlike synthetic drugs, potassium-rich foods heal without side effects. The NIH recommends 4,700 mg daily, yet most people barely get half that. Here are the most potent sources:

  1. Beet greens (1,309 mg per cup) – One of nature’s most concentrated potassium sources.
  2. Baked potato with skin (926 mg) – Demonized by carb-phobics, yet essential for electrolyte balance.
  3. Spinach (839 mg per cup) – Also rich in magnesium, another critical electrolyte.
  4. Avocados (487 mg each) – A healthy fat source that supports heart function.
  5. Bananas (451 mg each) – The classic potassium food, though not the most potent.

Other powerhouse sources include acorn squash, pinto beans, coconut water and lentils—foods that have sustained humanity for millennia.

The bigger picture: How potassium fits into the depopulation agenda

Globalists pushing processed foods, GMOs and pharmaceutical dependence want you sick and docile. Potassium deficiency leads to:

  • Weakened immunity – Making populations more susceptible to engineered pandemics.
  • Chronic fatigue – Keeping people too tired to resist tyranny.
  • Cardiovascular disease – Ensuring lifelong dependence on Big Pharma.

By keeping potassium out of supplements and downplaying its importance, they ensure a perpetually malnourished, medicated populace.

How to reclaim your health

  1. Ditch processed foods – They’re loaded with sodium and stripped of potassium.
  2. Eat potassium-rich plants daily – Leafy greens, squash, beans and avocados should be staples.
  3. Avoid unnecessary diuretics – Coffee, alcohol and hypertension drugs deplete potassium.
  4. Demand transparency – Reject FDA corruption and Big Pharma’s suppression of natural remedies.

Potassium is not just another nutrient—it’s a key to survival in an era of engineered food scarcity and medical tyranny. By returning to whole, potassium-rich foods, we reclaim our health and defy the globalist agenda of sickness and control.

According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, potassium is being suppressed because it’s a vital, natural electrolyte that supports heart health and overall vitality, threatening Big Pharma’s profits by reducing dependence on synthetic drugs. The medical-industrial complex downplays its importance to keep people sick and dependent on their toxic, profit-driven treatments. Food.news.

 

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Latino community mourns Johnson Hor, friend to many across communities

Johnson Hor 12.13.72 - 3.29.26 -- q.d.e.p - RIP

Chinese American connector built deep ties in Latino community, mentoring others and supporting civic causes across San Francisco

by Marvin Ramírez, with reports by Paula Fiscal

The sudden passing of Johnson Hor on March 29, 2026, has left a profound void in San Francisco’s Latino community and beyond, where he was widely known as a connector, advisor, and tireless advocate for others.

Hor, 53, died unexpectedly just hours after continuing to assist colleagues and community members late into the night—an ending that reflected the same dedication that defined his life.

A memorial service held April 4 at the Neptune Society in the city of Belmont drew hundreds of mourners, including friends, family, business leaders, and community advocates, all gathering to honor a man whose impact reached across sectors and communities.

Though Chinese American, Hor built strong and lasting ties within the Latino community, where he collaborated with local leaders, supported advocacy efforts, and advised individuals on business, civic, and organizational matters.

He was known not only for his knowledge, but for how he connected with people. At times, when spoken to in Spanish, he would respond just as naturally—gracefully—reflecting both respect and genuine connection with the community he served.

Hor’s career spanned multiple industries, including finance, energy, public health, and civic systems. He advised institutions on operations, risk, data systems, and regulatory frameworks, and worked with organizations such as JPMorgan Chase, First Republic Bank, and Chevron. He was also a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and contributed pro bono legal and regulatory work. He founded Shoebox Ventures®, a nonprofit consultancy designed to bridge corporate expertise with community impact, helping launch nonprofits and support small businesses.

In addition to his professional work, Hor remained deeply engaged in civic service. He served as a Local Board Chair for the Selective Service System in San Francisco.

Tributes from across the community reflected the breadth of his influence.

“I’ve known Johnson for over 25 years. He was like a brother to me,” said Paula Fiscal. “He was an inspiration and shared his enthusiasm with everyone he met. His life affected thousands of people worldwide.”

“Johnson was one of the brightest people I’ve ever met,” said Jose Ramos. “He was always there for his family, friends, and the community at large. He will be dearly missed.”

Archbishop Gregory Richardson described Hor as “the foundation for the community,” adding that “he had love in his heart and a dream that included everyone. He will be missed, but never forgotten.”

Roger Cárdenas, a longtime community organizer, recalled Hor’s role in civic efforts such as the campaign to preserve St. Luke’s Hospital, where his work supported large-scale community mobilization.

Mabel Chan, who met Hor during the pandemic through professional networks, remembered him as a mentor who encouraged bold thinking.

“He told me to think big and do great things,” she said. “He believed in people, sometimes before they believed in themselves.”

Friends say Hor’s legacy lies not only in his professional achievements, but in the people he uplifted. He mentored entrepreneurs, supported community initiatives, and offered guidance freely to those who sought his help.

A family member shared that Hor had learned in the months before his passing that he was facing a serious illness, though few details were made public.

Despite his accomplishments, Hor remained humble and grounded. He often spoke with humor about his identity as an American-born Chinese and took pride in caring for his mother in recent years.

For many in San Francisco’s Latino community, Johnson Hor will be remembered not only as an advisor or connector, but as someone who truly showed up—with respect, generosity, and heart.

He is survived by his wife, Amy, along with a wide network of friends, colleagues, and community members who continue to carry forward his values of mentorship, service, and connection.

– The staff of El Reportero, together with their editor Marvin Ramírez, offer their most sincere condolences to the family and friends on the loss of their loved one, Johnson Hor.

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