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Kaiser strike hits fourth week as 31,000 workers demand higher pay and better staffing

Members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals participate in a strike outside the Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center in San Diego on Jan. 29, 2026. Photo by Adriana Heldiz for CalMatters -- Miembros de la Asociación de Enfermeras Unidas de California/Sindicato de Profesionales de la Salud participan en una huelga frente al Centro Médico Kaiser Permanente de San Diego en San Diego el 29 de enero de 2026.

by Kristen Hwang

More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers remained on strike Monday as the open-ended walkout entered its fourth week, disrupting patient appointments, surgeries and treatments across California and Hawaii.

Bargaining teams for Kaiser and workers resumed negotiations after weeks of stalemate, but no agreement appears imminent. This is the latest of a number of major strikes to have roiled Kaiser in recent years, including a 10-week strike by mental health workers in 2022 and a 2023 dispute mediated by the then-U.S. Secretary of Labor.

The strike, which started Jan. 26, is an effort by one of the organization’s largest unions to improve wages and staffing conditions. Members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals have never before walked off the job. The union, which is an umbrella organization for multiple local chapters, represents nurses, physical therapists, midwives and other health professionals.

Workers accuse Kaiser of violating staffing agreements and worsening patient care — both of which the health care giant denies. They are demanding a 25 percent raise over four years, arguing the wage increase is needed to retain and recruit employees and account for the steep inflationary pressures of the past few years.

Kaiser contends its employees are on average the highest paid among other health care organizations. It has proposed a 21.5 percent increase over four years. In a statement, a Kaiser spokesperson said negotiations are happening while health care costs rise and millions of Americans are at risk of losing insurance.

“This underscores our responsibility to deliver fair, competitive pay for employees while protecting access and affordability for our members. We’re doing both,” the unsigned statement says.

According to the statement, Kaiser leadership believes it can afford the 21.5 percent wage increase without increasing member premiums, but it cannot make the same guarantee under the union’s proposal.

Union leaders have argued that Kaiser can afford across-the-board wage increases given its $66 billion in reserves. Kaiser posted a one-year loss of $4.5 billion in 2022. Since then, the health system has rebounded, posting net income of $12.9 billion in 2024 and $9.3 billion last year.

The company argues that it intends its reserves for long-term commitments and emergencies. In a statement the company said using reserves for payroll would be “financially irresponsible.” Kaiser’s wage proposal would cost about $2 billion, and the union’s would cost an additional $1 billion, according to the statement.

Inflation squeezes health workers

Joe Guzynski, executive director for the union, said its members last signed a contract with Kaiser in 2021 before inflation peaked around 8 percent in 2022. At the same time, some of the organization’s local units declined to bargain during the COVID-19 pandemic, believing it would be too disruptive, and refrained from seeking additional raises. The group’s latest contract expired in September last year.

Other major unions at Kaiser that signed contracts after 2022 received inflation-adjusted wage increases.

“What we’re asking for is the same deal. Everybody else got to deal with inflation,” Guzynski said. “It’s really about restoring fairness.”

The union is also speaking up for three groups of Northern California employees who recently formed unions and are bargaining for their first contracts: certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists and physician assistants.

Kaiser has proposed cutting retirement and medical benefits for these groups, freezing wages for current employees and cutting wages for new hires, said Brian Mason, lead negotiator for the nurse midwives. There are 157 nurse midwives in Northern California.

“The reality is we’re a few hundreds of thousands of dollars apart and that’s like being $10 apart for the common person,” Mason said of the nurse midwife contract. “It’s not a lot but they’re acting like we’re asking for billions and billions of dollars.”

Nurse midwives deliver 80 percent of vaginal births across Kaiser’s Northern California hospitals, said Emily Hardy, a certified nurse midwife at the Redwood City Medical Center. Their work results in fewer cesarean sections and maternal complications and improved patient satisfaction, she added. It’s also cheaper to use nurse midwives for low-risk births than it is to pay for doctors, who focus on complications and high-risk mothers.

Hardy, who has been a nurse for 15 years, said she has never gone on strike before and neither have many of her colleagues. Walking off the job was a “last resort” after two years of negotiations for the nurse midwives.

“It has felt very painful because you operated for so long under the assumption that your employer really valued your services and cared about the impacts you made for members,” Hardy said. “To hear ‘we want to lower retirement and keep wages stagnant’ does not tell me that you value (us).”

Patients report disruptions across the state

Patients on social media and in local news reports have described cancelled chemotherapy treatments, surgeries and other procedures. They’ve also posted images of pharmacy and laboratory lines snaking down hallways and out the door. Unionized nurses on strike, too, have reported getting recruitment texts from contractors seeking to backfill the staff positions.

Kaiser is the largest health provider in California, serving more than 9 million patients. It is also the largest private employer in the state. In a statement issued before the strike, the company said it had been “preparing contingency plans” for months to maintain access to care.

Cecilia Ochoa, 50, was unable to get a prescription filled at the Downey Medical Center last week. Ochoa, who had been recently hospitalized, said she was at home when she started to feel nauseous and weak several days ago. She went to the emergency room and received medication for nausea. Later, her lab results came back positive for a urinary tract infection.

Ochoa said she was vomiting and shaking when she tried to get antibiotics at the 24-hour pharmacy in Downey. The line was nearly 100 people long, she said, and almost reached the street. Ochoa tried another Kaiser pharmacy around the corner and waited an hour before a staff member came outside to tell everyone that the pharmacy would not fill any more prescriptions for the day. One man complained that he had been waiting in line for three hours just to check in.

“It was bad. It was so bad they were handing out snacks, water. People were there for so long,” Ochoa said.

She was born at Kaiser and has been a member her whole life, Ochoa said. Over the years it has gotten harder to see specialists and wait times for appointments are so long she has to schedule them months in advance. She’s supportive of the nurses and other workers striking, some of whom she has known for decades.

“I think somewhere they lost the whole thing. It’s not about the patient, it’s about the money,” Ochoa said. “I hope all of this ends as soon as possible for everybody.”

Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.

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Quitting smoking: The two weeks that change everything

by El Reportero staff

For many smokers, the decision to quit doesn’t come in a doctor’s office. It comes on a sidewalk, outside a store, in the middle of an ordinary day. That’s where a woman in her late 50s stood recently, cigarette in hand, saying what millions of smokers have said before her: “I want to quit. I just can’t.”

She is not alone. According to public health data, nearly 70 percent of adult smokers in the United States say they want to quit. Yet fewer than one in ten succeed each year. The reason is not a lack of willpower. Nicotine addiction changes the brain, creating powerful physical cravings and emotional dependence that can make quitting feel overwhelming.

Doctors say the first two weeks after quitting are the hardest. During this period, the body is withdrawing from nicotine, a drug that stimulates the brain’s reward system. Common symptoms include irritability, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, increased appetite and intense urges to smoke. For some, the discomfort feels unbearable. But health experts emphasize a key truth: the suffering has a timeline.

“The worst of nicotine withdrawal usually peaks within the first week and begins to fade after about two weeks,” said one public health specialist. “If people can get through that initial window, their chances of quitting long-term increase dramatically.”

The physical benefits begin almost immediately. Within 20 minutes of the last cigarette, heart rate and blood pressure drop. After 24 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal. Within weeks, circulation improves and lung function begins to recover. Over months and years, the risks of heart disease, stroke and cancer steadily decline.

Quitting, however, is rarely a solo battle. Public health agencies encourage smokers to use evidence-based tools, including nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, gum or lozenges, which can double the chances of success. Prescription medications are also available to reduce cravings. Counseling and quitlines, including the national 1-800-QUIT-NOW service, provide free support in multiple languages.

Nutrition can also play a supporting role. While no vitamin can “cure” nicotine addiction, doctors note that a balanced diet helps the body recover from years of smoking-related stress. B vitamins support the nervous system, vitamin C helps repair tissue damage caused by smoking, and magnesium may help with muscle tension and restlessness. Staying hydrated and eating regular, healthy meals can reduce fatigue and irritability during withdrawal.

Weight gain is a common fear, particularly among older adults. Experts recommend light physical activity, such as daily walks, to manage stress and prevent excessive weight gain while the body adjusts to life without nicotine.

Quitting smoking is not about perfection. Most former smokers tried several times before they succeeded. What matters is persistence. As one former smoker put it, “Those first two weeks were hell. But they were the price of freedom.”

For those standing on a sidewalk today, wondering if they can quit, the message from health experts is simple: the pain is temporary. The benefits can last a lifetime.

 

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Indigenous and social movements launch recall process against Ecuador’s president Noboa

by the El Reportero staff

A coalition of indigenous organizations, farming groups, and social movements in Ecuador has announced the launch of a constitutional process to recall President Daniel Noboa before the scheduled end of his term, deepening political tensions in a country already marked by high levels of social mobilization.

Under Ecuador’s 2008 Constitution, citizens can pursue a recall (revocatoria de mandato) of an elected president by submitting a formal petition to the National Electoral Council (CNE), gathering a legally required number of signatures, and, if thresholds are met, triggering a national referendum. Organizers of the current effort say their goal is to activate a democratic mechanism they believe is justified by public dissatisfaction with the government’s performance.

Leaders from the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Kichwa Nationality in Ecuador (Ecuarunari) are among the main promoters of the initiative, working to bring together indigenous federations, farmer associations, and labor groups. They argue that the Noboa administration has failed to fulfill campaign commitments and has adopted policies that have aggravated social and economic pressures on working-class and rural communities.

The recall push comes amid lingering fallout from controversial economic measures, including the removal of longstanding fuel subsidies. Those decisions triggered nationwide protests and strikes in 2025, with demonstrators denouncing rising living costs and deteriorating conditions for vulnerable populations. Human rights organizations criticized the government’s response to those protests, adding to broader concerns about governance and social stability.

The initiative also follows a political setback for Noboa in late 2025, when voters rejected a package of referendum proposals linked to his reform agenda, including plans to convene a constitutional assembly. Analysts interpreted the outcome as a sign of public resistance to major institutional changes and growing skepticism toward the administration’s broader direction.

Supporters of the recall maintain that the effort is not an attempt to undermine democracy, but rather to reinforce it by holding leaders accountable between elections. They say the process offers citizens a constitutional channel to express discontent when government actions diverge from public expectations.

Critics, however, warn that frequent resort to recall mechanisms can weaken political stability and hinder long-term policymaking. They argue that Ecuador faces entrenched challenges — including public security concerns, economic uncertainty, and competing social demands — that require sustained institutional continuity and dialogue rather than recurring political confrontations.

As organizers move forward with the legal steps required to advance the recall process, the initiative will test the strength of grassroots mobilization and the resilience of Ecuador’s democratic institutions. Whether the effort gains enough momentum to reach a national vote remains uncertain, but it has already reshaped the political conversation around accountability and citizen power.

– With reports from Expats Ecuador, El Ciudadano, Human Rights Watch, Center for Economic and Policy Research.

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A nation that sells its farmland sells its future

Marvin Ramírez, editor

por Marvin Ramírez

There is a dangerous lie being sold to the public: that farmland is just another commodity, that food production is interchangeable, and that a nation can afford to sacrifice its agricultural base in exchange for corporate development, technological infrastructure, or speculative profit. History shows the opposite. A nation that gives up control of its farmland gives up control of its future. Farmland is not simply real estate; it is strategic infrastructure, as vital to national security as ports, roads, and power grids. Without productive land, a country becomes dependent on imports. Without domestic food production, independence becomes a slogan instead of a reality. Nations that cannot feed themselves are vulnerable to economic coercion, political pressure, and blackmail during times of crisis, conflict, or disruption.

For decades, farmers around the world have been pressured, intimidated, and economically cornered into selling their land. Millions of acres have changed hands, not because families wanted to abandon farming, but because powerful interests made it increasingly difficult to continue. Rising costs, shrinking margins, unfair markets, regulatory burdens, land speculation, and the conversion of farmland into industrial zones, data centers, and energy corridors are dismantling the foundation of food production. The farmer who sees land as heritage and responsibility is forced to negotiate with developers and investors who see only numbers on a spreadsheet. When officials celebrate tax revenue and construction jobs, they rarely calculate the permanent loss of food-producing land and the long-term erosion of rural stability.

This is not merely an economic issue; it is a patriotic one. A country that allows its agricultural base to be dismantled in the name of “development” is choosing short-term profit over long-term survival. Increasingly, corruption and ideological agendas appear to influence these decisions. Natural food production is being devalued while artificial and industrial alternatives are promoted as “the future.” Traditional farming is portrayed as inefficient or environmentally suspect, while lab-produced substitutes and ultra-processed foods are framed as progress. This shift concentrates control of food in the hands of corporations and financial interests, weakening communities and reducing transparency about how food is produced. Food is not just a product; it is power. Those who control food systems hold leverage over populations, prices, and stability.

Environmental challenges are real, but they are being selectively weaponized against small and family farmers while large industrial polluters face far less scrutiny. The claim that eliminating cattle and traditional agriculture will “save the planet” simplifies complex problems and deflects responsibility from corporate actors whose activities carry enormous environmental costs. Responsible stewardship of land, water, and soil is essential, yet stewardship is undermined when farmland is paved over for speculative projects that produce no food at all. Once fertile land is industrialized, it is effectively lost forever. No data center grows wheat. No server farm feeds a community. No corporate campus replaces the resilience of local food systems that can endure supply shocks and global disruptions.

This trend must be confronted with law, not rhetoric. Nations that take themselves seriously should enact strong protections for food-producing land. Agricultural properties should be designated as strategic national assets and shielded from conversion to non-food uses except in rare, compelling circumstances. Incentives should favor regenerative farming, water conservation, and soil restoration, not displacement. Policies that protect farmers from coercive buyouts and eminent domain abuses are essential to preserving food sovereignty. A country that imports its food while exporting its farmland builds a fragile future. Dependence on foreign supplies exposes populations to shortages, price spikes, and political leverage when global trade falters.

True sustainability does not come from replacing farms with concrete and servers. It comes from protecting the land that feeds the people. Farmers are not obstacles to progress; they are guardians of continuity and resilience. Their fields represent independence, memory, and the capacity to endure. If we allow farmland to disappear, we are not just losing acreage; we are surrendering sovereignty, security, and self-reliance. No nation that values its future should accept that bargain.

– With reports.

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California’s universal TK expansion leaves child care providers struggling, reduces options for youngest children

by the El Reportero staff

California’s rapid expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK) has delivered free pre-kindergarten access to 4-year-olds statewide, but the policy is also disrupting the private child care sector, contributing to preschool closures, reduced options for families with younger children and growing instability for small providers across the state.

While state leaders present TK as a milestone in early education, many child care operators say the rollout has weakened the fragile private preschool system that for decades carried much of the burden of caring for young children. The consequences are now visible in shrinking enrollment, shuttered centers and worsening shortages for infant and toddler care.

In Los Angeles County alone, 167 preschools closed between 2020 and 2024, according to a University of California, Berkeley report. Researchers attributed part of that decline to the expansion of TK, which redirected thousands of 4-year-olds from private preschools into public schools. Similar patterns are emerging elsewhere, particularly in urban and suburban areas where private centers relied on older preschoolers to remain financially viable.

Private child care providers face strict regulations, rising labor and insurance costs, and typically depend on 4-year-old enrollment to subsidize the higher costs of caring for infants and toddlers. When that age group is absorbed into public schools, providers lose a key source of revenue, making mixed-age programs difficult to sustain. Some operators say the shift has also reduced staffing stability, as teachers trained for preschool classrooms leave for higher-paying, more secure positions in school districts. This turnover, they say, further disrupts continuity of care for young children.

In Elk Grove, preschool owner Frisha Moore says enrollment of 4-year-olds at her center has collapsed since TK became universally available. Two classrooms now sit empty. Despite offering full-day care, Moore cannot compete with a free public option that lasts only part of the day. She has cut staff and combined age groups to keep the center open, but says the financial pressure is constant and the margin for error has disappeared.

The closures are reducing access to infant and toddler care, already the scarcest and most expensive segment of the child care market. As centers shut down or scale back, families face longer waitlists, fewer nearby options and higher costs. In some counties, parents now wait months to secure licensed care for babies and toddlers, forcing some to reduce work hours or rely on informal care arrangements that may lack oversight or stability.

State officials acknowledge TK has disrupted the existing market but point to declining birth rates as another factor. Child care advocates argue the scale and speed of the rollout accelerated financial pressure on private providers still recovering from pandemic-related losses, pushing some into closure before alternative support systems were in place.

Critics also note that the benefits of TK are unevenly distributed. Enrollment growth has been strongest in wealthier areas, while low-income communities continue to face long waitlists for subsidized child care. Families with flexible schedules are more able to take advantage of TK, while parents who rely on extended hours offered by private centers often find public school schedules incompatible with full-time work.

Geographic challenges have also emerged. School districts must offer TK seats but not necessarily at neighborhood schools, forcing some families to travel farther. Limited after-school care slots further limit access for working parents, especially those in service and shift-based jobs.

Advocates are urging the state to expand subsidies, stabilize reimbursement rates and create partnerships between school districts and private providers to prevent further closures. Without policy changes, they warn, California risks expanding access for 4-year-olds while deepening the child care crisis for infants and toddlers.

 

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Advocates push regulation of temp agencies; small businesses warn of unintended impacts

Community discussion at the convenience store. Discusión comunitaria en la tienda de conveniencia.

News analysis by El Reportero‘staff

As lawmakers in Sacramento consider a bill to regulate California’s largely unregulated temporary staffing industry, advocates say new oversight is urgently needed to protect workers and honest employers from widespread fraud. But small businesses and community employers warn the proposal could bring unintended consequences, making it harder to hire short-term help and raising costs for already strained local operations.

California hosts the largest temporary staffing market in the United States, employing hundreds of thousands of workers and generating billions in annual revenue. Yet, according to worker advocates and former prosecutors, the sector has become a magnet for abuse, with some staffing agencies allegedly presenting fake workers’ compensation insurance, evading payroll taxes and disappearing when workers are injured.

Jennifer Lentz Snyder, a retired prosecutor with the Partnership Organization for Workplace Ethics and Reform, said fraudulent operators undercut legitimate companies by offering lower prices while leaving injured workers without adequate medical coverage. Advocates estimate staffing-related fraud and payroll tax evasion cost California taxpayers and businesses up to $2 billion annually.

To address the problem, the proposed Staffing Agency Fair Employment Act would require staffing firms to register with the state, disclose company principals, identify the industries they serve and provide verifiable proof of insurance and financial capacity. Supporters argue the bill would give employers a way to confirm that staffing agencies are legitimate before contracting with them.

However, business groups and some small employers caution that additional fees and compliance requirements could disproportionately affect smaller staffing agencies and the small businesses that rely on them. Under the proposal, agencies would pay a $5,000 registration fee, a cost that may be negligible for large firms but burdensome for smaller, community-based operators.

Local business owners note that rising labor costs, insurance requirements and regulatory compliance have already made it harder to hire part-time or temporary help. Some worry that tighter regulation could further reduce flexibility in hiring, particularly for small shops, ethnic media outlets and neighborhood businesses that depend on short-term or seasonal workers.

The debate reflects a broader policy tension in California: how to crack down on fraud and worker exploitation without shrinking job opportunities or pushing smaller players out of the market. As the bill moves through the Legislature, lawmakers face pressure to balance worker protections with safeguards that prevent overregulation from sidelining legitimate small businesses.

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Cumbia and reggaeton night at rumba colombiana

La orquesta Latin Rhythm Boys, te ofrece el mejor show latino del área de la bahía (Cortesía: https://www.bayarealatinjazzfestival.com/index ) - The Latin Rhythm Boys orchestra offers you the best Latin show in the Bay Area

By Magdy Zara

Like every Saturday, get ready for a night of great music, amazing people, and lots of fun, where reggaeton, cumbia, and vallenato will take center stage. However, as with any Latin party, you’ll also find salsa, bachata, guaracha, Latin pop, house, and more.

Carbon Lounge is an exclusive venue, known for its fun atmosphere and elite vibe, offering quality entertainment where you can have a great time to kick off the weekend. Rumba Colombiana is this Saturday, February 28th, starting at 10 p.m. Carbon Lounge is located at 383 Bay St – San Francisco.

Admission is free. For more information and reservations, please call (650) 281-5391 or visit www.carbonloungesf.com

Salsa Sunday at Sausalito Seahorse Restaurant

Italian food and seafood, live music, salsa, and free dance classes make for the perfect weekend plan.

To make it perfect, DJ José Ruiz and the Latin Rhythm Boys band will be spinning tunes. This renowned salsa and Puerto Rican music orchestra, based in the Bay Area, specializes in “salsa dura,” plena, and mountain rhythms, keeping Puerto Rico’s musical heritage alive in the United States.

The Sausalito Seahorse experience is magical. Enjoy exquisite Italian food, a warm atmosphere for families, live music, and free salsa dance classes every Sunday. This March 1st, the event will be held at Sausalito Seahorse, located at 305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito 94965, at the Golden Gate Bridge intersection and the Rodeo Ave exit, starting at 4 p.m. The entrance fee is $15.

Mexican singer Lila Downs in concert.

Lila Downs, winner of six Latin Grammys and one Grammy, possesses one of the most powerful and unique voices of our time. With her symbolic stage presence and emotionally charged narrative, her singing transcends all language barriers.

Downs’ music encompasses influences ranging from Mexican folk and ranchera music to the music of the southern United States, breaking down barriers and generating sounds that span folk, jazz, folk blues, indigenous music, ranchera, and even hip hop.

The Sonoma State University Green Music Center is the venue chosen by Lila Downs for her performance, which will take place this Saturday, March 7, starting at 7:30 p.m. The center is located at 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park.

Andrea Nicole Devis at the Ramp Gallery

On January 29th, the exhibition of artist Andrea Nicole Devis opened, featuring work that explores the sacred connection with Mother Earth, Lupa Yuta. It stems from a desire to reconnect with ancestral ways of knowing and caring for this beloved planet.

Andrea Nicole Devis is a multidimensional artist who works with painting and installation. Her work is inspired by nature and the feminine divine. Drawing from collective memory and diasporic rituals, her work invites the viewer to remember the sacred.

The Ramp Gallery is an artist-run exhibition space at SOMArts that is currently accepting applications for solo and group exhibitions.

The SOMArts Ramp Gallery is located at 934 Brannan Street in San Francisco.

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Rising optimism among small and middle market business leaders suggests growth for California

FG Trade / E+ with Getty Images

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans.

The 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey, released in January by JPMorganChase reveals a turnaround from last June, when economic headwinds and uncertainty about shifting policies and tariffs caused some leaders to put their business plans on hold.

Midsize companies, who often find themselves more exposed to geopolitical shifts and policy changes, experienced a significant dip in business and economic confidence in June of 2025. As they have become more comfortable with the complexities of today’s environment, we are seeing optimism rebounding in the middle market nationwide – an encouraging sign for growth, hiring, and innovation. Small businesses, meanwhile, maintained steady optimism throughout 2025, but they aren’t shielded from domestic concerns. Many cited inflation and wage pressures as the top challenges for 2026 and are taking steps to ensure their businesses are prepared for what’s ahead.

“Business leaders across the Pacific region continue to demonstrate a unique blend of resilience and forward-thinking, even in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Brennon Crist, Managing Director and Head of the Pacific Segment, Commercial Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Their commitment to innovation and growth is evident in the way they adapt to challenges and seize new opportunities. It’s this spirit that keeps our region at the forefront of business leadership and progress. We look forward to helping our clients navigate all that’s ahead in 2026.”

Overall, both small and midsize business leaders are feeling more confident to pursue growth opportunities, embrace emerging technologies and, in some cases, forge new strategic partnerships. That bodes well for entrepreneurs in California. Here are a few other key findings from the Business Leaders Outlook about trends expected to drive activity this year:

  1. Inflation remains the top concern for small business owners. Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, many anticipated a favorable business environment. By June 2025, however, that feeling shifted amid concerns about political dynamics, tariffs, evolving regulations and global economic headwinds.

Going into 2026, 37% of respondents cited inflation as their top concern. Rising taxes came in second at 27% and the impact of tariffs was third at 22%. Other concerns included managing cash flow, hiring and labor costs.

  1. For middle market leaders, uncertainty remains an issue. Almost half (49%) of all midsize business leaders surveyed cited “economic uncertainty” as their top concern – even with an improved outlook from a few months ago. Revenue and sales growth was second at 33%, while tariffs and labor both were third at 31%.
  2. And tariffs are impacting businesses costs. Sixty-one percent of midsize business leaders said tariffs have had a negative impact on the cost of doing business.
  3. Despite challenges, leaders are bullish on their own enterprises. Though the overall outlook is mixed, 74% of small business owners and 71% of middle market companies are optimistic about their company’s prospects for 2026.
  4. Adaption is the theme. For small business owners surveyed across the U.S., responding to continuing pressures is important in 2026. Building cash reserves (47%), renegotiating supplier terms (36%) and ramping up investments in marketing and technology are among the top priorities.
  5. Big plans are on the horizon. A majority midsized company leaders expect revenue growth this year, and nearly three out of five of (58%) plan to introduce new products or services in the coming year, while 53% look to expand into new domestic and/or international markets. Forty-nine percent say they’re pursuing strategic partnerships or investments.

The bottom line

Rebounding optimism among U.S. business leaders at the start of the year is setting the stage for an active 2026. With business leaders looking to implement ambitious growth plans that position themselves for the future, momentum in California could be beneficial for leaders looking to launch, grow or scale their business this year.

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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The passing of Willie Colón sent ripples of grief across the Latin world

William Anthony Colón - Willie Colón.
Willie Colón

Tributes poured in within hours after the salsa legend’s death, as fans and artists reflected on a legacy that crossed borders and generations

by the El Reportero staff

Willie Colón, born William Anthony Colón on April 28, 1950, and died Feb. 21, 2026, the legendary trombonist, composer, arranger and bandleader whose innovative sound helped transform salsa into a global musical force, died at 75, his family announced Saturday.

Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Colón emerged in the late 1960s as one of the defining architects of New York’s burgeoning Latin music scene. As a teenager, he signed with Fania Records, the influential label that would become synonymous with salsa’s worldwide rise. His 1967 debut album, El Malo, announced a new, urban sound—brassy, gritty and unapologetically rooted in the lived experiences of Latino communities in New York.

Across dozens of albums, Colón blended Afro-Caribbean rhythms with elements of jazz, rock and contemporary storytelling. His music drew on traditions from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Africa while speaking directly to immigrant life in New York. Over the course of his career, he sold more than 30 million records and earned multiple platinum certifications, along with 11 combined Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations.

In what now reads as a poignant farewell, Colón told a festival audience in Puerto Rico that the performance might be his last, offering emotional thanks to fans who had accompanied him throughout his life and career. The moment, which passed quietly at the time, has taken on deeper meaning following his death.

Colón’s creative partnerships helped define an era. His collaborations with singer Héctor Lavoe produced enduring anthems including Ché Ché Colé and Aguanilé. Later, his work with Rubén Blades culminated in Siembra (1978), pairing danceable rhythms with socially conscious narratives. Anchored by Pedro Navaja, Siembra remains the best-selling salsa album in history.

Colón’s influence also shaped personal journeys far from New York. One of the most enduring examples is tied to La Murga de Panamá, one of his signature songs. Marvin Ramírez, editor of El Reportero, recalls that the track became a turning point in the career of Nicaraguan singer Cali Alemán, whom he had recently brought to San Francisco from Nicaragua. After introducing Alemán to renowned bandleader Benny Velarde, Ramírez persuaded Velarde to let the young singer take the stage during a performance at Club El Señorial on Mission Street. That appearance opened doors that later — again with Ramírez’s support — led Alemán to work with figures such as José Fajardo, and eventually to share stages with Celia Cruz and members of the Fania All-Stars.

Tributes highlighted Colón’s role as more than a performer. His longtime manager, Pietro Carlos, said Colón expanded salsa’s artistic and political reach, using music to chronicle urban life and give voice to Latino identity. Fania Records praised him as a visionary who helped carry Latin music from the streets of New York to international stages. Colón was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, received a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Recording Academy in 2004, and was named by Billboard as one of the most influential Latin artists of all time.

Within hours of his passing, the news spread across the Latin world through social media and mainstream outlets, and by the time El Reportero published this story, the loss of Willie Colón was no longer breaking news. But publishing this account is not about being first. It is about being part of the storytelling — preserving the memory of an artist whose music shaped generations and ensuring that his legacy is kept on the record as part of our shared cultural history.

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CESAR’S LATIN PALACE – Court battle turns as César Ascarrunz is removed from senior facility  

César Ascarrunz.

Follow-up: Family alleges financial stripping, isolation and attempted private sale of property

by Marvin Ramírez

In a dramatic turn in the legal dispute surrounding renowned Latin music promoter and businessman César Ascarrunz, the 90-year-old cultural icon was removed Tuesday from a senior care facility in Modesto, California, after attorneys representing his younger son and the child’s mother secured his release after months of restricted contact amid allegations of financial abuse, unlawful isolation and misuse of legal authority.

Marta Rodríguez, the mother of Ascarrunz’s youngest son, Leonardo “Leo” Ascarrunz, confirmed in a phone interview that César was taken out of the facility after months of restricted contact. “He was being isolated. They wouldn’t let family speak to him or see him. Today we finally got him out,” Rodríguez said. “This has been about control — of his person and of his money.”

According to family members and attorneys involved in the case, several bank accounts belonging to Ascarrunz were allegedly emptied while he was confined to the facility, leaving him with roughly $200. The family also claims that preparations were underway for a private sale of his property without broad notice — a move they say would have concealed the transaction from other interested parties and the court. “They were moving fast to dispose of assets while he was cut off from the outside world,” Rodríguez said.

The case centers on accusations that older siblings, identified in court filings as Scott and Michael Ascarrunz, exerted control over César’s finances and access to communication by disconnecting phones, limiting visits and relying on what the family contends was an invalid or misused power of attorney. Family members say César was presented to outside parties as mentally incapacitated, despite the absence of any court determination to that effect. “They told people he was not able to make decisions. That is not what the doctors found,” Rodríguez said.

The legal fight is now expected to intensify. A restraining order has been issued against the siblings accused of exploiting César, and a return to court is scheduled for next week. Attorneys for Leonardo Ascarrunz are seeking further court supervision over any decisions involving César’s person and property. The family says false accusations were also made against Rodríguez and Leonardo, alleging they had abused César financially. “That was a lie used to justify taking control away from him and cutting us off,” Rodríguez said.

The dispute also extends to César Ascarrunz’s home near the Mission District, where a tenant identified as Blanca was allegedly allowed to remain while César was kept away. Family members say Blanca, who was purportedly acting as a caretaker, prevented phone calls and visits and used César’s vehicles while he was confined. The family expects the tenant to vacate so César can return to his home. “He wants to go back to his house. That’s his place, his life,” Rodríguez said.

Beyond the immediate legal battle, the family says plans are underway to help César regain independence and dignity after prolonged isolation. Those plans include providing assistive technology for the visually impaired — such as accessible phones and computer tools — as well as physical therapy to rebuild strength after prolonged inactivity. “He’s been sitting for so long that his body needs to be reactivated,” Rodríguez said. “We want him to be able to communicate freely and live with some normalcy again.”

César Ascarrunz is widely remembered as the founder of Cesar’s Latin Palace, a landmark venue that helped define Latin music and culture in San Francisco for decades. Friends and community members have expressed concern that the elder musician’s legacy stands in stark contrast to the vulnerability he has faced in recent months. As the case returns to court, advocates for elder rights note that allegations of isolation, financial stripping and misuse of legal authority fall squarely within areas of concern under California’s elder protection statutes.

For now, the family says the priority is restoring César’s freedom of communication, protecting his assets under court supervision and allowing him to return home. “This is about his liberty,” Rodríguez said. “No one should be isolated and stripped of their life’s work at the end of their life.”

This follow-up report is based on court filings, interviews with family members, and statements from attorneys involved in the case.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/661450205251109

SEE ALSO:  https://elreporterosf.com/isolation-silence-and-legal-dispute-surround-the-case-of-cesar-ascarrunz/

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