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San Francisco’s war on cars: The unfair targeting of drivers and businesses

by Marvin Ramírez

San Francisco has long prided itself on being a progressive, forward-thinking city, but in recent years, that progress has come at the expense of drivers, small businesses, and common sense. Nowhere is this more evident than in the disastrous decision to remove parking on Valencia Street to make way for a bike lane that has wreaked havoc on the local economy. This controversial move has made life harder for business owners and patrons alike, all while catering to a small but politically influential group of cyclists who neither pay road taxes nor contribute to the local economy in the way drivers do. This blatant prioritization of cyclists over working-class citizens and business owners is not just an inconvenience—it is outright unfair.

The loss of parking on Valencia Street

Valencia Street has historically been a bustling hub of small businesses, cozy restaurants, vibrant cafes, and entertainment venues that have thrived for decades thanks to accessible parking. However, when the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) decided to remove parking spaces and install a center-running bike lane, they effectively drove a dagger into the heart of this once-thriving commercial corridor. Businesses that relied on easy customer access saw foot traffic dwindle. Some restaurants and shops even closed permanently due to declining sales. The justification? Alleged improvements to cyclist safety, despite the fact that these same cyclists do not contribute to street maintenance costs the way drivers do.

A better alternative ignored

The reality is that the SFMTA had a much better alternative but chose to ignore it. South Van Ness, a nearby street with wide lanes and ample space, would have been a far superior location for the bike lanes. It could have accommodated both cyclists and four lanes of vehicular traffic without the need to strip Valencia of its lifeblood—parking. But instead, the city’s transportation planners pushed forward with a misguided agenda, disregarding the concerns of the business community and prioritizing the demands of an organized and politically influential bike coalition. This coalition has managed to wield enough influence over city politicians to force through policies that harm drivers and businesses, all for the sake of an idealized urban vision that does not align with reality.

The broader war on cars

The Valencia Street debacle is just one example of San Francisco’s broader war on cars. Over the past decade, thousands of parking spaces have been systematically eliminated under the guise of “public safety” and “environmental responsibility.” However, the truth is much more sinister. The removal of parking spots is not about safety—it is about control and revenue generation. The city’s bureaucrats have realized that making it harder for people to drive and park is an effective way to force compliance with their urban planning fantasies while simultaneously extracting more money from hardworking citizens through citations, increased parking fees, and extended meter hours.

Cash grab through parking enforcement

And now, in yet another blow to drivers, the city is extending parking meter enforcement until 10 p.m. and including Sundays. This move is nothing short of a cash grab, designed to milk more money from residents who are already struggling with the high cost of living. It disrupts people’s lives, making it harder to enjoy an evening out without worrying about a parking ticket or the added expense of constantly feeding a meter. Who benefits from this? Certainly not the average San Franciscan who simply wants to support local businesses, go out for dinner, or visit friends without being financially penalized.

Too little, too late

The recent reversal of the center-running bike lane experiment on Valencia is too little, too late. While the city now plans to move the bike lanes to the side of the street, this redesign still eliminates nearly 80 parking and loading spaces. This means that while business owners and patrons may see some minor relief, they will continue to suffer from reduced access and limited parking options. The city’s so-called “solution” does not address the root of the problem—it merely shifts the burden slightly while continuing to punish drivers.

Government disconnected from the people

What we are witnessing is a city government that has become too big, too unaccountable, and too disconnected from the needs of its citizens. Rather than serving the people, it seems more interested in pushing ideological agendas that favor niche interest groups at the expense of everyone else. San Francisco’s politicians and bureaucrats need to remember that their salaries are funded by taxpayers—many of whom rely on their cars for work, errands, and daily life. They need to understand that their policies are not just inconveniences; they are actively harming the livelihoods of the very people they claim to represent.

A Common-sense solution

The solution is simple: prioritize practicality over ideology. Instead of waging war on drivers and small businesses, city officials should focus on common-sense transportation policies that serve the majority of residents. This means choosing appropriate streets for bike lanes, preserving essential parking for businesses, and ensuring that any changes to infrastructure are made with input from all affected parties—not just the loudest and most politically connected voices in the room.

A better future for San Francisco

If San Francisco truly wants to thrive, it must stop punishing drivers and start listening to the people who make the city what it is. It should also build more public parking spaces, as was done in the early 1990s with the Bartlett and 21st Street parking structure, which included affordable housing above it—a solution pioneered by MEDA. This approach benefits both residents and businesses while addressing transportation and housing challenges in a balanced way.

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While merit is much better than DEI, hiring must also be based on virtue

A career, like a nation, is built from moral values in addition to technical merits. If a meritocratic government doesn’t bake values into its definition of merit, then that government’s hiring may become merely the flip-side to the DEI regimes

by Michael Bedar

— “What’s ‘meritable’ isn’t always veritable.”

Aptitude is a good place to start focusing for hiring criteria as an improvement over “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI). But a career, like a nation, is built from moral values in addition to technical merits. If a meritocratic government doesn’t bake values into its definition of merit, then that government’s hiring may become merely the flip-side to the DEI regimes.

For instance, just as a university might have gloated over its achievements in scientific research grants while rotting in wokism, likewise a meritocracy could tout its technical acumen even while its staff culture suffer from morals and values unaligned with America as a people. In other words, beware merit without virtue.

Workplace virtue can be expressed by a motto seen peppered on bumper stickers throughout the nation on tool boxes, trucks, and creaky garage doors.

It states elegantly but plainly: “Dirty hands, clean money.”

The meaning hits you instantly.

Those who proudly display “dirty hands, clean money” across this land tend to choose small business entrepreneurship and manual work. Their careers focus on soil over salaciousness; sawdust over slickness; gears and grease over getting and graft.

By the sheer number of people volitionally heading into careers in the trades, when they have the intellectual heft for collegiate academics if they wanted it, the “dirty hands, clean money” attitude on aptitude has proven relevant. People are opting for careers that their souls as well as their wallets can live with.

After all, with some of the high-dollar high tech work out there nowadays, it’s plain why swaths of students coming of age struggle to mesh the potential personal benefits of “advanced” education and careers with possible sacrifices of norms and ethics.

Generation Z possesses the intelligence to achieve positions in fields with stratospheric capital investment such as biotechnology, AI, avionics, banking, law, surveillance data analytics, robotics, explosives, and more. While one measure of success is raw income size, pupils are deciding to look with extra scrutiny, and perceiving that their soul is worth something especially in an increasingly soulless economy.

Modern universities bear some responsibility for failures to prepare people for fulfilling careers. College educations have disappointed students, employers, and politicians alike, and colleges have duly seen their enrollment counts decline, only some of this drop being due to demographics.

The executive thrust towards meritocracy must make the connection between not only the preparation of students and future workers, but the moral climate of employers and the government as well. There is veritably a thirst for work that is more in touch with grassroots values.

An ethos of work that protects communities and the land may sound like a bygone era’s slogan, “healthy for children and other living things.” Indeed, dirty hands and clean money may be countercultural, and can be linked to a considerate, Christian mindset. It has reached high school students in the heartland and Americans everywhere in hardhats.

Thomas Jefferson said:

I have always believed it better to be settled on a good Farm…

Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever he had a chosen people, whose breasts he has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue.

The present move to cleaner money in old-fashioned hard “dirty” work like farming, milling, metalwork, wiring, etc., has substantial attraction and a zeitgeist, yet is so milquetoast politically that it is recognizably nonpartisan and, above all, normal of people to take part in. The aspiration to have sound and basically ethical work, for historically standard and sufficient pay, simply cannot be dislodged with rhetoric that would label it extreme.

It is people all around the center, politically, who are increasingly willing to eschew, for example, work on AI systems that automatically select human bombing targets.

The question is how will workers’ concerns about the awfully lucrative grime of modern technological sophistication trickle up to employers’ upper suites?

The language used in President Donald Trump’s executive order cites “talent,” “determination,” and the merit-basis for hiring. One might be at least partially correct to assume that hiring for ability and diligence would correspond to establishing high moral standards. But does wielding the skills for a job mean an employee would grimace or speak up about any job’s morally repugnant aspects?

While First Amendment constrictions on regulating values might account for the moral ambiguity of the executive order on meritocracy, a response about moral values in a meritocracy is the responsibility of civil society.

The 2025 Superman movie, with a new Lex Luthor character, might soon remind society of the existence of evil genius. In fact, in freezing “research” grants, the Trump administration seemed to acknowledge that large R&D institutions dependent on government funding and highly technical industries may be currently swallowed up in moral problems.

Hopefully, the new government hiring officers will dye values into the wool of merit-based hiring. As evidenced by extensive use of background checks and clearance levels, the country does not want to be mired in “meritorious” workers in key technical positions who nevertheless have adversarial values.

Background checks, though, are not the full picture. Let U.S. government human resources professionals hire as well for beneficial values.

An old proverb says that if you walk in a direction, there you will arrive. Extending the reasoning, if you walk in a direction, with especially talented ability, even farther over there will you arrive. Thus our country has to make sure where it is walking.

In the view of Jefferson:

Agriculture … is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals & happiness.

As Jefferson lived before the existence of modern infrastructure, Jefferson loved agrarianism itself and mentioned far more than any other trade, but further was a proponent of humble work that engages oneself and brings positive outcomes to the community:

… countrymen who have been obliged to work out their own fortunes here, have succeeded best with a small farm…a reasonable profit & comfortable subsistance results …

Having ample merit between one’s ears does not necessitate a career choice of making killer drones, bots, implants, pills, or 15-minute city plans. Leaving stained stacks of cash on the table for boots and gloves can and does often come from an informed morality, not stupidity.

Still seeking their self-interest, becoming builders and tradesmen may protect people, prolong their safety from predatory economics, and stabilize the moral direction of the country.

The growing dirty-hands jobs trend may root ultimately to a desire to get right with God and creation. Prayer, reflection, and talk about whether one is endangering or selling one’s soul could return to the commonplace. To the extent Constitutional, let the concomitant White House Office on Faith support HR teams in the meritocracy to fill government with morality.

As good character comes to pervade the right understanding of merit, the country’s moral backbone can flip the script, shining a hot spotlight on unscrutinized entry into knowingly corrupted industries offering meteoric stock options.

The virtue of temperance pairs with merit, providing moral restraint and an appreciation for the more precious, slower things than quick monetary gains. As Jefferson said about his agrarian trade:

I am constantly roving about, to see what I have never seen before and shall never see again.

Can many clean-fingered cubicle workers and bureaucrats say that? LifeSite.

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Mexico on alert as US steel tariffs go into effect: Monday’s mañanera recapped

En su conferencia de prensa del lunes, la presidenta Sheinbaum abordó diversos temas, entre ellos el narcotráfico, el tráfico de armas, el comercio internacional y la seguridad pública. --At her press conference on Monday, President Sheinbaum addressed a number of issues, including drug trafficking, arms trafficking, international trade, and public safety. (Presidency)

by Peter Davies

Mexico News Daily

United States President Donald Trump said Sunday that his administration would impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Mexico and Canada.

“Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25 percent tariff. Aluminum too,” he said.

At her Monday morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged Trump’s remarks, but said that her government was waiting for a formal announcement on the proposed tariffs from the U.S. government.

Trump signed an executive order to implement 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. on Monday afternoon.

At her Monday mañanera, Sheinbaum also spoke about the United States’ responsibility in the joint fight against drugs, and stressed that her government wouldn’t “distance” itself from its predecessor.

Sheinbaum tight-lipped on how Mexico will respond to US tariffs on steel, aluminum 

A reporter asked the president about Trump’s declaration on Sunday that the United States would impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.

“We’re going to wait for the announcement … and from there we’ll take our decisions,” Sheinbaum said.

She said she would keep a “cool head” as she waited for Trump’s formal tariff announcement.

Mexico is a major steel supplier to the United States, meaning that tariffs would be painful for Mexican manufacturers of the alloy.

Trump imposed tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum in 2018 during his first term as president, prompting Mexico to implement a range of retaliatory measures including duties on U.S. pork, apples and bourbon. The tariffs were lifted in 2019.

Last Monday, Trump agreed to pause planned 25 percent tariffs on all Mexican exports to the United States after Sheinbaum committed to deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to the northern border to combat the flow of drugs and migrants to the U.S.

Sheinbaum: The US ‘has to do its part’ in the fight against drugs

“Drug trafficking has to do with demand,” Sheinbaum told reporters when asked a question about fentanyl production in Mexico.

“In other words, there is demand for … a drug and there are those who supply that drug,” she said.

“… Our objective is to reduce violence in the country and in that process also reduce the production and distribution of drugs. … The United States has to do its part in the United States: attend to the public health issue of the use of drugs and also deal with the distribution of drugs in their territory,” Sheinbaum said.

The president also wants action from the United States to stem the flow of firearms to Mexico.

As part of the deal she reached with Trump last Monday, Sheinbaum said that the United States had committed to “work to avoid the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico.”

‘We won’t distance ourselves from’ the López Obrador administration, president says  

Asked about former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “hugs, not bullets” security strategy and whether her government was continuing it, Sheinbaum jumped to the defense of her political mentor.

“We’re always going to defend President López Obrador, no one should have the slightest doubt,” the president said.

“Why? Because he was, he is, … a great president. We’re always going to defend him, let no one be mistaken. We’re part of the same movement,” Sheinbaum said.

She said that opposition parties want her government to distance itself from its predecessor, but pledged it wouldn’t do so.

“We won’t distance ourselves,” Sheinbaum said.

She declined to say that her government is perpetuating the “hugs, not bullets” security approach, but noted that attention to the root causes of crime through welfare and social programs — the “hugs” part of López Obrador’s strategy — is one of the four pillars of the federal security strategy.

Probed as to whether the current strategy is “different” from that of AMLO, Sheinbaum responded:

“You want to get a declaration out of me that I’m not going to give you.”

There was speculation shortly after Sheinbaum took office that the current federal government had abandoned the “not bullets” component of AMLO’s security strategy given that federal security forces had used lethal force against civilian gunmen and others on a number of occasions.

The president said Monday that her government is providing “education, culture, sport, employment and rights” to young people and is not engaging in “wars, like those of Calderón.”

That was a reference to the militarized war on drug cartels that former president Felipe Calderón launched shortly after he took office in 2006.

Sheinbaum, like López Obrador, blames the Calderón administration for unleashing, with its war on cartels, the high levels of violence that continue to plague Mexico today.

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Demand for immigration legal services spikes at California colleges

Las obras de arte creadas por los estudiantes cuelgan de las paredes del Dream Resource Center en Pierce College en Woodland Hills, cerca de Los Ángeles, el 28 de enero de 2025. El DRC apoya a los estudiantes indocumentados, brindándoles recursos como servicios legales gratuitos, talleres educativos, información sobre becas y más durante su trayectoria académica en la escuela. --Obras de arte creadas por estudiantes cuelgan de las paredes del Dream Resource Center en Pierce College en Woodland Hills, cerca de Los Ángeles, el 28 de enero de 2025. El DRC apoya a los estudiantes indocumentados brindándoles recursos como servicios legales gratuitos, talleres educativos, información sobre becas y más durante su trayectoria académica en la escuela. Artwork created by students hangs on the walls of the Dream Resource Center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills near Los Angeles on Jan. 28, 2025. The DRC supports undocumented students by providing them with resources such as free legal services, educational workshops, scholarship information and more throughout their academic journey at the school. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters.

California’s estimated 100,000 undocumented college students are grappling with President Trump’s plans of mass deportations. Dream centers on many campuses are stepping in to provide guidance and meet the skyrocketing demand for legal services from students

by Delilah Brumer and Mercy Sosa

As President Donald Trump begins his second term with a declaration of a national emergency at the southern border and a steadfast pledge of mass deportations, California’s colleges and universities have been holding workshops and partnering with legal service nonprofits to help undocumented students on their campuses stay in school.

Across the University of California and California State University systems, as well as at many California community college campuses, Dream resource centers support the state’s estimated 100,000 undocumented students and students from mixed-status families. An estimated 3.3 million Californians live in mixed-status households, according to data from Equity Research Institute, a USC research group. These centers assist students with filling out financial aid forms, referrals to nonprofit immigration law firms, access to mental health support, and provide spaces to bond, do schoolwork or take a break.

Several Dream center coordinators and their nonprofit legal partners said they have seen unprecedented demand for legal services from undocumented college students since Trump’s election victory in November. Legal service providers say their free consultations are booked for several months with students seeking to understand the level of risk of deportation faced by them and their families.

Student demand for immigration legal services skyrockets 

It’s been tough for Carlos, a student at Sacramento State, to concentrate since Trump’s election win. News about Trump’s immigration and deportation plans on social media serve as a constant reminder of his undocumented status and risk of deportation under the new administration.

“I would try to write whatever paper I needed to, solve whatever equation I needed to, and for some reason, I just couldn’t do it,” Carlos said. “Those (election) results were just in the back of my mind.” CalMatters is only publishing Carlos’ first name at his request because he fears sharing his identity could lead to authorities targeting him for deportation.

“At the end of the day, how I cope is just like going to the center and being around the friends I’ve made there,” he said of Sacramento State’s Dreamer Resource Center.

Through workshops hosted by the center’s nonprofit legal partner, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Carlos is able to turn fear into action. He’s learned about his due process rights and how to react if immigration enforcement officials show up at his door: remain silent, remain inside and call an immigration attorney as soon as possible. Immigration enforcement officers cannot legally enter your home unless they have a warrant, signed by a judge, with the correct name and address listed, legal service providers advise.

A 2019 state law encouraged the designation of Dream resource liaisons at the state’s public colleges and universities, and many have created physical Dream centers on their campuses to help undocumented students navigate financial aid applications and connect them with free legal services. The state has since provided $52.2 million over five years to fund these centers and liaisons. California serves the greatest share of undocumented college students in the country, with the highest portion of those students attending one of the state’s 116 community colleges.

Since 2001, when lawmakers approved AB 540, undocumented students who attend a California high school for three years and graduate have been eligible to pay resident tuition at the state’s public colleges and universities. Resident tuition is significantly cheaper than non-resident tuition in each of the state’s three public higher education systems.

At the University of California, nonresident tuition is approximately $35,000 more per year than California residents pay. Nonresident students in the Cal State system pay an extra fee of $420 per semester unit, in addition to the standard $6,000 annual tuition. At California community colleges, resident tuition is $46 per unit, and nonresident tuition varies, but is typically at least five times that cost.

Although undocumented college students are ineligible for federal financial aid, many are able to apply for the state’s flagship financial aid program, the Cal Grant. These students must enroll at a California college and have a family income below the maximum threshold to apply through the California Dream Act Application. More than 35,000 undocumented students submit the application each year, but only about a third receive aid.

As the Dream Resource Center coordinator at Los Angeles Pierce College, D’arcy Corwin has been listening to her students’ fears — and “having their backs.” That’s meant connecting them with food programs and immigration lawyers, hosting events that teach self-advocacy and helping them fill out financial aid applications.

“There’s a lot of fear mongering out there,” Corwin said. “We want students to know that their education is available to them.”

Immigration experts have warned that those at the highest risk of deportation under the Trump administration are non-citizens who have had past convictions or other contact with the criminal justice system, as well as the 1.3 million people nationwide who have received final orders of removal.

After Trump’s election, Guillermo Metelin Bock, who leads the Undocumented Student Services program at Stanislaus State, says that the questions from students have transitioned from financial aid and college affordability to immigration policy. To get those questions answered, students at Stanislaus State have access to legal services through a partnership with Immigrant Legal Defense, a free legal service provider that partners with nine Cal State campuses and 34 community colleges in the Bay Area and Central Valley.

Many Cal State and community college Dream centers partner with nonprofits that provide free immigration law assistance, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the Central American Resource Center and Immigrant Legal Defense. Students at nine University of California campuses also have access to free legal support through the systemwide Immigrant Legal Service Center, housed at the UC Davis School of Law. These nonprofits and campus resources create a geographic patchwork of immigration legal help, serving students throughout California. With Trump’s threats of mass deportations, immigration legal nonprofits say the demand for their services has skyrocketed.

According to Geno Uyuni, a staff attorney at the nonprofit Central American Resource Center, which provides free immigration legal services to students at 20 colleges and universities, her consultations are currently booked through March. In those sessions, Uyuni works with undocumented students to explore their options for green cards, citizenship, work permits and other applications.

Uyuni said “the most heartbreaking cases” are the students who came to the U.S. as children, but who have no available path to citizenship. She is sometimes the first person to deliver the news that even if they attain a college degree, they will likely never be able to work legally in the United States.

“There’s a disconnection between how much California supports you to get through school, but then there is little support beyond that,” Uyuni said.

A growing number of college students are ineligible for protections like work authorization under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program or DACA, as only people who applied before 2017 are able to renew their status following attempts by the first Trump administration to end the program.

While the Trump administration has yet to announce any new attempts to end the program, the future of DACA remains in limbo. On Jan. 17 the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower U.S. district court ruling that found some protections for DACA recipients to be illegal. The ruling still allows for DACA recipients to renew their status if already approved, but no new DACA applications can be processed. The case is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Founding Co-Executive Director of Immigrant Legal Defense Barbara Pinto says their online booking system saw “the biggest spike I think we’ve seen since we started this project” shortly after the presidential election results were clear.

Between the election and Trump’s inauguration, Pinto’s team hustled to file green card applications and DACA renewals in anticipation that the processing times for applications will grow during a Trump administration. Although it is difficult for Pinto to gauge exactly what Trump’s plans are, she said that the president would have to undergo a legal process to terminate DACA, meaning that the program would most likely not be eradicated overnight.

“Trump says a lot of things, and sometimes they’re true and sometimes they are not, and sometimes he follows through, and sometimes he doesn’t,” Pinto said.

The state steps in to protect undocumented students

Immediately following his inauguration Jan. 20, Trump began rolling out executive orders cracking down on immigration. In addition to the national emergency declaration, Trump designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He also issued an executive order trying to end birthright citizenship, despite its guarantee in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Twenty-two states, including California, are suing to challenge this attempt, and on Jan. 23 a federal judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect.

On Jan. 21, the Trump administration threw out policies dating back to 2011 limiting immigration agents from arresting undocumented people at sensitive locations, including churches and schools. In California, state law states that K-12 school officials do not have to allow immigration enforcement on campus without a judicial warrant. At the college and university level, the policies are less clear-cut, because parts of campuses are open to the public, while other areas, such as dorms, require a judicial warrant for immigration enforcement to enter.

“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a Jan. 21 statement. “The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”

California lawmakers are working to resist Trump’s deportation plans, but there’s only so much they can do at the state level. State Attorney General Rob Bonta issued directives to California’s public colleges and universities, reminding them of existing state laws that limits them from assisting federal immigration enforcement.

Bonta also emphasized that California local law enforcement agencies, including campus police departments, are prohibited by a 2017 state law from “generally providing personal information… about an individual for immigration enforcement purposes, including, but not limited to, the individual’s home address or work address, unless that information is available to the public.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders have agreed to set aside $50 million in state money to pay for the legal costs of fighting the Trump administration. Additionally, the current state Senate budget bill would allocate $10 million for legal service providers to support immigrants, as well as $15 million for legal support of “vulnerable persons,” including those at risk of deportation.

Since 2019, the state has allocated money to support the immigration legal service providers that partner with public colleges and universities, doling out a total of $2.9 million to the University of California, $42 million for the California State University and $50 million for the California community colleges. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2025-26 state budget includes an allocation of $17.6 million to immigration legal services for public higher education institutions, along with $11.6 million for Dream resource liaisons.

Some Dream center coordinators and their nonprofit legal partners said state funding is critical, and are calling for more stable money to fund their work. The Central American Resource Center based in Los Angeles received $9.3 million in government grants in 2023, which it primarily used to provide legal advice and services to more than 20,000 people in California. Uyuni said that the government funding they receive, which makes up the vast majority of their budget, can often be politicized, and can fluctuate substantially between state budget proposals.

“We’re in limbo sometimes, and it’s this uncertainty about funding,”  Uyuni said. “I wish funding could be increased, so that we could spread the work across more people to help more students, sooner.”

Many undocumented college students are left uncertain of their futures — a situation that resonates with David Álvarez, a Democratic Assemblymember from Chula Vista and the son of undocumented immigrants.

Alvarez emphasized there is still a legal process to be followed, and mass deportations can’t happen overnight. “As a state, we are doing what can be done, which is to provide resources and ensure the immigration process is being followed according to the law, in hopes that that process can enshield our students,” he said.

Brumer and Sosa are contributors with the College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. CalMatters higher education coverage is supported by a grant from the College Futures Foundation.

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­­­­­­­­­­PG&E To Customers: On Valentine’s Day, Let Hearts Soar, Not Metallic Balloons

Roses are Red, Chocolate is Sweet

Don’t Let Wayward Balloons Cause an Outage on Your Street

OAKLAND, Calif. — More metallic balloons are sold for Valentine’s Day than any other holiday and, not surprisingly, it’s also around this time of year that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) sees an uptick in outages caused by metallic balloons drifting into overhead power lines. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, PG&E reminds its customers to make sure metallic balloons are always tied to a weight – as required by California law – and to never release them outdoors.

In 2024, metallic balloons caused 369 power outages across PG&E’s service area in Northern and Central California, disrupting electric service to more than 230,000 homes and businesses. Unlike latex helium balloons, metallic balloons can stay inflated and floating for two to three weeks – posing a hazard to power lines and equipment even days after being released outside.

“On Valentine’s Day, nothing puts a damper on a romantic evening faster than a widespread power outage. If your February 14 plans include metallic balloons, please keep them tied down with a weight. If they contact our overhead lines they can disrupt electric service to an entire neighborhood, cause significant property damage and potentially result in serious injuries,” said Ron Richardson, PG&E’s Vice President of Electric Distribution Operations.

Here’s an example of what can happen when metallic balloons hit utility power lines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqFm52C1n5Q

In order to significantly reduce the number of balloon-caused outages and to help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy their Valentine’s Day, PG&E reminds customers to follow these important safety tips for metallic balloons:

  • “Look Up and Live!”– Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
  • Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a weightthat is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never remove the weight.
  • When done with balloons, do not release them. Puncture them several times or cut the knot and throw them in the garbage to prevent them from floating away.
  • Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon— or any foreign object — tangled in power lines or inside a substation. There can be risk of electrocution. Instead, leave it alone and call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
  • Never go near a power linethat has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.
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Winter detox tips using superfoods and adaptogens

by HRS Editors

01/30/2025 – Winter brings shorter days, colder temperatures, and reduced sunlight, which can lead to lower vitamin D levels, low energy, and a weakened immune system. Superfoods and adaptogens are natural solutions to combat these seasonal challenges. Superfoods like wheat grass and functional mushrooms support detoxification, while adaptogens help the body manage stress, reduce fatigue, and maintain emotional balance.

As winter sets in, your body faces challenges such as weakened immunity, low energy, dry skin, and seasonal mood swings. Superfoods and adaptogens can help you thrive during this season by supporting gut health, boosting energy, and fortifying your immune system. A well-rounded approach to self-care, which includes nutritious food, mindful movement, and stress management, is essential for optimal well-being throughout the colder months.

Superfoods for winter detox

Superfoods and adaptogens can help detoxify the body, boost energy, and support immune function. Wheat grass is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it ideal for detoxifying and supporting gut health. A healthy gut is crucial for a strong immune system, and wheat grass’s chlorophyll content helps with energy production.

Incorporating wheat grass into your routine is easy—try a daily shot of wheat grass juice or mix powdered wheat grass into smoothies or water. Its alkalizing effects can help balance your body’s pH levels, leaving you refreshed and energized.

Functional mushrooms like chaga and lion’s mane have been used in traditional medicine for centuries for their health benefits. These mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans, which support wellness, and they are also a natural source of vitamin D, which is essential during the winter months. Chaga, known as the “king of mushrooms,” is packed with antioxidants that promote overall well-being.

Lion’s mane mushroom also contains a wealth of nutrients and antioxidants, making it an excellent winter superfood. You can enjoy functional mushrooms in teas, tinctures, or powdered supplements.

Adaptogens: Stress-busting allies

Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body manage stress and maintain balance. They regulate the body’s stress response, helping you stay steady even during stressful times. Winter can be a mentally and physically demanding season, and adaptogens provide excellent support by helping you maintain energy, mental wellness, and a positive mood.

How to incorporate superfoods and adaptogens into your winter routine

Pairing superfoods like wheat grass with adaptogens like functional mushrooms creates a synergistic effect that enhances their benefits. Start your day with a superfood smoothie by blending wheat grass powder, lion’s mane mushroom powder, and your favorite fruits. Sip on adaptogenic teas, such as chaga or turkey tail, in the afternoon to support energy levels. Consistency is key—incorporate these into your daily routine for the best results. For an extra boost, consider adding adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola to your diet, which further promote stress reduction and mental clarity.

Considerations before trying superfoods and adaptogens

Superfoods and adaptogens are generally safe but consulting with a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement regimen is important, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications.

Winter doesn’t have to be a season of sluggishness and sniffles. By incorporating superfoods and adaptogens into your routine, you can detoxify your body and support your well-being throughout the season. Enjoy a cup of chaga tea, blend a wheat grass smoothie, and embrace nature’s remedies for a healthier, happier winter.

Where to get lab-verified superfoods and adaptogens

The Health Ranger Store offers clean, lab-verified superfoods and adaptogens, including Organic Wheat Grass Powder, Organic Chaga Mushroom Powder, and Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules. These products are tested for purity, free from GMOs and additives, and certified organic, ensuring you maintain optimal health during the winter months.

NOTE: This article was shortened to fit space. To read the full piece, please visit www.elreporteroSF.com at Health.

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Sausalito’s Seahorse offers live music this weekend

by Magdy Zara

The Sausalito Seahorse Italian Seafood Restaurant promises a different weekend with live music starting with a free dance class, followed by a Latin music show.
You can’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a cozy place, to meet passionate and happy people from all over the world.
The appointment is this Sunday, February 9, starting at 4 p.m., with the salsa class, followed by the performance of the Julio Bravo orchestra, at 5:30 p.m., the cost of the tickets is $15.
Sausalito Seahorse is located at 305 Harbor Drive, for reservations please email: info@sausalitoseahorse.com

Registration now open for SJMA Summer Camp

As every year, the San Jose Museum of Art offers its Summer Camp, which is a week of artistic growth, fun and creativity at SJMA.
According to the organizers, camp participants get behind-the-scenes access to the Museum’s exhibits, learn about the elements of the exhibit, experiment with artistic processes and participate in a student exhibition.
The Museum’s popular summer art camps teach children and teens how to look at, talk about and create art.
Each camp is one week long and is offered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for campers ages 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 14. Each week of the teen camp (ages 12-14) is a specialized week with exclusive content. The camp starts on Monday, June 9, however registration will be between February 5-11 for current, new or renewing members at the Family level or higher, while general registration will be on February 12, to formalize registration go to the Museum located at 110 South Market Street, San José.

La Gente SF presents its new single Llama Cumbia

In the framework of the celebration of Valentine’s Day, La Gente SF presents its fifth album called “Entre dos Mundos“, which includes its single Llama Cumbia and its respective music video.
This group was born in the city of San Francisco, currently resides in Madrid, Spain.
La Gente SF has created its own unique mix of world music, cumbia, reggae, salsa and reggaeton. Their music and live shows fuse rhythms, dances, and cultural influences from across Latin America and the Caribbean with a distinct San Francisco flavor to create an infectious, high-energy dance party.
The album and music video series were shot between San Francisco, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and Morocco.
The band is currently on their 2025 world tour, spanning several countries including Spain, Mexico, and the United States, the latter including a joint performance with Djladyryan on February 14 at New Parish, located at 579 18th St, Oakland, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

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Traditional Mexican masks: History and meaning

Traditional Mexican masks are symbols of culture and tradition. Discover their history, significance, and where to buy authentic pieces

by the El Reportero staff

From pre-Hispanic times to the present, these pieces have been part of rituals, festivals, and dances that express the worldview of Indigenous peoples.
Today, traditional Mexican masks remain a symbol of identity, culture, and resistance that has transcended generations. They continue to be key elements in popular culture and art. Their craftsmanship follows artisanal techniques that vary by region, and their presence in festivals and traditional dances keeps one of the most fascinating expressions of Mexican folklore alive.

Origins and History of Mexican Masks

The ancient tradition of masks

The use of traditional Mexican masks has deep roots in Mesoamerican civilizations. For example, in Mexica and Maya cultures, these pieces were fundamental in religious ceremonies, theatrical performances, and war rituals.
Masks served as a means to invoke deities or assume new identities. Priests wore jaguar or eagle masks to absorb the strength of these animals and communicate with the gods.

Colonial influence and cultural syncretism

After the arrival of the Spanish, the Church attempted to eradicate the use of masks due to their connection to Indigenous rites. However, missionaries found them to be a powerful tool for religious teaching, integrating them into performances such as the Dance of Moors and Christians or nativity plays.
Thus, a cultural syncretism was born, allowing masks to survive, now adapted to Christian celebrations but retaining a distinctly Indigenous essence.

Traditional Mexican masks and their meaning

Each region of Mexico developed unique styles of masks, reflecting its history, worldview, and traditions.

Representative examples:

  • Tlahualiles Masks (Sinaloa): Used in ritual dances dedicated to Saint James the Apostle.
  • Devil Masks (Guerrero): Represent the battle between good and evil, featuring horns and terrifying details.
  • Jaguar Masks (Chiapas and Oaxaca): Symbolize power and connection with nature, used in the Tecuanes dance.

Materials range from wood to leather, cardboard, and papier-mâché, depending on the artisanal techniques of each community.

Mexican Carnival Masks: Color and Tradition

Carnivals in Mexico are an explosion of music, dance, and costumes, where masks play an essential role.

Most representative carnivals:

  • Huejotzingo Carnival (Puebla): Reenacts historical battles with masked characters.
  • Veracruz Carnival: Known for its colorful and festive masks.
  • Tlaxcala Carnival: Features “camadas” dances with elaborate wooden masks.

In these events, masks reflect local histories, characters, and traditions, strengthening cultural identity.

Mexican Masks in Art and Popular Culture

Masks have inspired artists, filmmakers, and designers. Their impact has transcended ritual spaces to become symbols of cultural identity and artistic expression in various disciplines.
In cinema, they have starred in lucha libre films and cultural festivals, representing both tradition and Mexican creativity. However, to truly understand their history and evolution, several museums in Mexico have dedicated exhibitions to these impressive pieces.

One of the most important institutions is the National Mask Museum in San Luis Potosí, which houses one of the largest collections in the country. This museum displays masks from various regions, used in rituals, carnivals, and traditional dances.
Additionally, its collection includes both ancient and contemporary pieces, allowing visitors to appreciate the diversity of materials, styles, and symbolism that have accompanied these cultural expressions over the centuries.

Similarly, the Museum of Popular Art (MAP) in Mexico City also preserves an important collection of Mexican masks. Visitors can admire both traditional examples and modern reinterpretations created by contemporary artists.
Other institutions, such as the Zacatecas Mask Museum and the Museum of Popular Cultures, feature exhibitions highlighting the importance of masks within Mexican identity. These places offer a window into the past and present of traditions that remain alive in dances, festivals, and cultural expressions throughout the country.

Visiting these museums is an opportunity to understand how masks have accompanied Mexico through its history and continue to inspire new forms of art and expression.

Where to buy traditional Mexican masks

If you want to acquire an authentic mask made by Mexican artisans, here are some of the best places:

  • Pátzcuaro, Michoacán: Known for its detailed wooden masks.
  • Tonalá Market, Jalisco: A craft market with a wide variety of options.
  • La Pila, Chiapa de Corzo: Specializes in Parachico masks, used in the San Sebastián festival.

Buying directly from artisans not only ensures authenticity but also supports the preservation of this tradition.

Traditional Mexican masks are not just works of art but also witnesses to the country’s history and cultural identity. Through them, communities have transmitted their worldview, myths, and sense of belonging from generation to generation.
Whether in pre-Hispanic rituals, vibrant carnivals, or contemporary festivals, these creations continue to captivate with their symbolism and beauty.

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California schools prepare for potential immigration raids on campuses

El fiscal general del estado de California publicó recientemente una guía que establece que los agentes de ICE deben tener una orden judicial para ingresar a las instalaciones escolares. --California's state attorney general recently released guidance that ICE agents must have a judicial warrant to enter school properrty. (Mehaniq41/Adobe Stock)

by the El Reportero staff

California’s K-12 school districts are working to ease the fears of parents and students as concerns rise over potential immigration enforcement at schools. The Trump administration’s clear stance on allowing immigration authorities to conduct raids in sensitive places such as schools has added to the anxiety. This change in policy has left many families, particularly those with undocumented members, wondering if their children’s schools are still safe spaces.

According to data, one in ten children in California has at least one undocumented parent. The fear of raids has been especially concerning for those in communities near the U.S.-Mexico border, like Desert Sands Unified School District, about 2 ½ hours north of the border. Laura Fisher, assistant superintendent of student support services, explained that while schools must comply with a judicial subpoena, student safety remains a top priority.

“We’d be asking for the officers’ credentials, contact information, the details of the request,” Fisher said. “And ask to see a copy of any reason for them being on the school grounds, and any documentation that authorizes their school access – before we would allow anything.”

Desert Sands recently sent home a letter to all parents, outlining their district’s protocols to protect student confidentiality should immigration enforcement come onto campus. Fisher also assured parents that the district will minimize disruption and provide mental health counseling if necessary. To date, Fisher reported that the district has not seen a significant drop in school attendance since the new administration took office, but concerns remain.

Luis Valentino, who recently retired as superintendent of Coachella Valley Unified School District, expressed concern about the broader implications of the administration’s policies. He warned that the environment of fear created by potential ICE visits will lead to challenges for schools, particularly regarding teacher retention and the well-being of students and staff. “It is creating an environment of fear that will make it very difficult for school systems to recover from,” he said. “The amount of stress that is being placed on the students and communities, it could be irreparable.”

Reports have surfaced about recent ICE visits to schools, though these actions have sparked mixed responses. Immigration authorities have stated they do not typically target schools or other “sensitive locations” unless there are extenuating circumstances. However, many districts are still on high alert and are taking measures to ensure that immigration authorities do not create an atmosphere of fear on campus.

As the tension continues, many districts across California are advocating for a policy shift, hoping to create a more supportive and secure environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status.

– With reports by Public News Service.

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Sheinbaum receives praise for ‘acing’ tariff negotiations with Trump

La primera presidenta de México recibió elogios el lunes después de que anunció que había llegado a un acuerdo con el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, para evitar aranceles del 25%. -- Praise for Mexico's first female president rolled in on Monday after she announced that she had reached a deal with United States President Donald Trump averting 25% tariffs. (Gustavo Alberto/Cuartoscuro)

by the El Reportero‘s wire services

An “undoubtable triumph” for President Claudia Sheinbaum. The Mexican president is a “very intelligent” politician. Sheinbaum “played it well.”

Praise for Mexico’s first female president rolled in on Monday after she announced that she had reached a deal with United States President Donald Trump that included a one-month postponement of the 25 percent tariff the U.S. government planned to impose on all Mexican exports starting Tuesday.

At least temporarily, the deal averted a crisis for the Mexican economy, which is heavily dependent on income derived from exports sent to the United States.

As part of the agreement, Sheinbaum agreed to bolster security at the northern border with the deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops “to avoid the trafficking of drugs from Mexico to the United States, in particular fentanyl.”

On his program for the media outlet Latinus, high-profile Mexican journalist Carlos Loret de Mola declared that “the president of Mexico bet and she won.”

“… She got another month, she won time, she won oxygen,” he said.

“… So the countdown begins again. It’s an undoubtable triumph for President Sheinbaum. It’s not easy to face up to the president of the United States, especially when we know he’s a man who knows no limits,” Loret de Mola said.

“The war wasn’t won, but a time bomb was defused, or better said minutes were added to the time bomb’s clock. It didn’t explode,” he said.

Sheinbaum’s management of the looming tariff crisis and the outcome she achieved impressed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

“I believe that the president of Mexico is a very intelligent politician,” he told reporters in Brussels on Monday.

“She played it cool,” Scholz said.

On the X social media platform, former Mexican ambassador to China Jorge Guajardo heaped praise on Sheinbaum’s management of the situation.

“President Sheinbaum played it well. Masterfully,” he wrote.

Guajardo, who also represented Mexico as consul general in Austin, Texas, said that Sheinbaum provided an example to other world leaders on how to deal with a tariff threat from Trump.

While the president said that her administration would respond to Trump’s tariff on Mexican exports with “tariff and non-tariff measures” of its own, she kept the details of the plan under wraps, in contrast to the Canadian government.

Lila Abed, director of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute in Washington, said that Sheinbaum “has taken a very cautious and strategic approach to the Trump administration.”

Similarly, political scientist Denise Dresser said Monday that the president “kept a very measured tone” after Trump announced his proposed tariffs. Since Trump took office on Jan. 20, Sheinbaum has said she will maintain a “cool head” when dealing with the U.S. government.

Abed, who was quoted in a Reuters report, noted that Sheinbaum has been “taking actions within her government to send a clear signal to the United States that it understands that fentanyl and organized crime are a top priority for the Trump administration.”

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