Monday, March 9, 2026
Home Blog Page 30

Scammers are targeting PG&E customers at alarming rates; here’s what you need to know to avoid becoming a victim.

Customers report losses of more than $190,000 through 2025

OAKLAND, California — Utility scams have continued at an alarming rate through 2025, with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers reporting more than $190,000 in losses to scammers. To stem this trend, PG&E is committed to helping customers recognize the signs of a scam and avoid falling victim.

A typical sign of a scam targeting a utility customer may be a caller claiming to be from PG&E and threatening to disconnect service if immediate payment is not made via a prepaid debit card, digital mobile payment app, or other money transfer methods. As a reminder, PG&E will never send a notification to a customer less than one hour before a service outage and will never ask the customer to make a payment with a prepaid debit card, gift card, any form of cryptocurrency, or instant mobile payment apps like Zelle® or Venmo.

“Scammers seek to create panic by threatening to turn off utilities if immediate payment is not made. If you receive a phone call, a visit to your home, or an email that doesn’t sound right to you, don’t fall for it. Hang up, close the door, and don’t respond to the email,” said Amy Lucido, Cybersecurity Risk Manager at PG&E. “Remember, PG&E will never ask for your financial information over the phone or email, nor will we solicit payments via prepaid debit cards or other money transfer methods, including mobile apps.”

This year, PG&E has received nearly 10,000 reports of scams targeting residential and business customers, with customers reporting losses of more than $190,000. The average scam victim lost more than $900, and more than 200 customers have reported being victims. However, this number is likely just the tip of the iceberg, as many scams go unreported.

Business customers are also not immune to scam attempts. In fact, PG&E has received 250 reports of scams targeting small and medium-sized businesses this year. These attempts frequently occur during busy business hours, when scammers hope to trap unsuspecting victims while they are distracted or stressed.

Scammers can be persuasive and often target the most vulnerable, such as the elderly or low-income individuals. They also attempt to defraud small business owners during peak customer hours. However, with the right information, customers can learn to spot and report these predatory scams by visiting www.pge.com/scams or calling 1-833-500-SCAM.

Signs of a Possible Scam

  • Threat of Disconnection: Scammers may aggressively demand immediate payment of a supposedly overdue bill.
  • Request for Immediate Payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to purchase a prepaid card and then call them back, supposedly to make a bill payment.
  • Request for a Prepaid Card: When the customer returns the call, the caller asks for the customer’s prepaid card number, which will give the scammer instant access to the funds on the card.
  • Offers of Refunds or Discounts: Scammers may claim that their utility company overbilled them and they owe them a refund, or that they are entitled to a refund or discount, and then request their personal financial information.
  • Scammers posing as trusted phone numbers: Scammers can now create seemingly authentic 800 numbers that appear on your phone screen. However, the numbers don’t lead to PG&E if the call is returned, so if in doubt, hang up and log in to your pge.com account to confirm your bill details, or call PG&E at 1-833-500-SCAM. If customers feel in physical danger, they should call 911.

Customer Self-Protection Measures

  • Customers should never purchase a prepaid card to avoid service disconnection or shutoff. PG&E does not specify how customers should pay their bills, and instead offers a variety of bill payment methods, including online, phone, automatic bank drafts, mail, or in-person payments.
  • If a scammer threatens immediate service disconnection or shutoff without warning, the customer should hang up, delete the email, or lock the door. Customers with past-due accounts receive advance notice of disconnection, usually by mail and included with their regular monthly bill.
  • Signing up for an online account at pge.com is another protection. Customers can not only log in to check their balance and payment history, but can also register to set up recurring payments, paperless billing, and helpful alerts. Customers can also call PG&E Customer Service at 800-743-5000 to confirm their bill details and the current amount due.
  • Customers who suspect they have been victims of fraud, or who feel threatened during contact with one of these scammers, should contact local law enforcement authorities. We also recommend the Federal Trade Commission’s website as a reliable source on how to protect personal information.

For more information about scams, visit pge.com/scams or consumer.ftc.gov. About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across a 70,000-square-mile area in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

spot_img

We are witnessing the fruit of a culture that has rejected God’s law and desecrated His image in the womb

Obispo Joseph E. Strickland

To the faithful and to all people of good will:

With grave concern and unwavering conviction, I write in response to the National Right to Life Committee’s (NRLC) latest report, titled “The Status of Abortion in the United States: 2025 Edition,” published in June 2025. This report offers a clear and sobering assessment of the national abortion landscape in the post-Dobbs era — and its findings should awaken every conscience in America.

According to the report, chemical abortions now account for over 60% of all abortions performed in the United States. These drugs are increasingly accessible online, with dangerous consequences for both unborn children and vulnerable women. The report also highlights the surge of abortion “shield laws” — state measures designed to protect abortion providers from prosecution and obstruct interstate enforcement of pro-life laws.

Even more troubling is the report’s documentation of the rise in state constitutional amendments that enshrine abortion as a fundamental right — including efforts in Michigan, California, and Vermont, and similar movements now underway in several more states. Meanwhile, at the federal level, legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act threatens to erase all state-level pro-life protections, while conscience protections for medical professionals and religious institutions face increasing hostility.

The NRLC rightly names this moment for what it is: a critical battle in the defense of human life.

But as a Catholic bishop, I must speak plainly and go further still. This is not merely a policy crisis — it is a spiritual revolt against the Author of Life. We are not simply witnessing legal maneuvering or partisan division. We are witnessing the fruit of a culture that has rejected God’s law and desecrated His image in the womb.

“No circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever can ever make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit… such as abortion.”
— Pope St. John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 62

“Every human being, even the child in the womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parents, nor from any human society or authority.”
— Pope Pius XII

The NRLC’s report is invaluable in detailing where we are. But as the Church, we must proclaim where we must go: toward the total abolition of abortion, without exception, without compromise.

We must not become content with “reducing” abortions or regulating the methods by which they are committed. Every single abortion is an act of murder. Every abortion kills a child. And every law that permits it offends divine justice.

To Catholic legislators: you cannot cooperate in any law or vote that expands or protects abortion — to do so is gravely sinful.

To Catholic voters: support for abortion is a non-negotiable disqualifier. No cause, no party, no personality can justify complicity in the culture of death.

To Catholic hospitals, schools, and institutions: do not cower before government threats. Stand firm. Refuse cooperation. Bear witness.

To every mother who has suffered the pain of abortion: come home. The mercy of Christ awaits you. There is healing. There is hope.

This report makes it clear: the fight is not over. It has simply moved into new terrain. Shield laws, pills by mail, and constitutional amendments are the latest weapons. But our response must remain the same: truth without fear, mercy without compromise, and a Gospel of Life proclaimed without apology.

We entrust this work to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who carried the Christ child in her womb and appeared in defense of the unborn. May she intercede for our nation, that we may rise from this culture of death and become once again a people who choose life.

In Christ the King of Life,

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland

This pastoral letter was originally published on Bishop Strickland’s X account.

spot_img

CA immigrants weigh health coverage against deportation risk

Online study session. Confident gen z female remote student wearing portable headphones looking at notebook screen speaking at virtual class workshop presenting idea on webinar answer teacher question

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett for KFF Health News.

Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service Collaboration

For months, Maria, 55, a caregiver to older adults in California’s Orange County, has been trying not to smile.

If she opens her mouth too wide, she worries, people will see her chipped, plaque-covered front teeth. An immigrant without legal status, Maria doesn’t have health or dental insurance. When her teeth start to throb, she swallows pain pills. Last summer, a dentist said it would cost $2,400 to fix her teeth. That’s more than she can afford.

“It’s so expensive,” said Maria, who often works 12-hour days lifting clients in and out of bed and helping them with hygiene, medication management, and housework. “I need money for my kids, for my rent, for transport, for food. Sometimes, there’s nothing left for me.”

KFF Health News connected with Maria through an advocacy organization for immigrant workers. Fearing deportation, she asked that only her first name be used.

Maria is among what the federal government estimates are 2.6 million immigrants living in California without legal status. The state had gradually sought to bring these immigrants into its Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. But now, facing a state enrollment freeze, low-income California residents in the U.S. without legal permission — along with the providers and community workers that help them — are anxiously weighing the benefits of pushing forward with Medi-Cal applications against the risks of discovery and deportation by the federal government.

Seeking to close a projected $12 billion budget deficit, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed a balanced state budget on June 27 that will end new Medi-Cal enrollment in January 2026 for those over 19 without legal status.

Meanwhile, federal immigration raids — which appear to have targeted at least one health clinic in the state — are already making some people afraid to seek medical care, say immigrant advocates and health providers. And the recent news that Trump administration officials are sharing Medicaid enrollee data, including immigration status, with deportation authorities is expected to further erode trust in the program.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the agency, which oversees the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, had the legal authority to share the data to address “unprecedented systemic neglect under the Biden-Harris administration that allowed illegal immigrants to exploit Medicaid while millions of Americans struggle to access care, particularly in states like California.”

Further complicating matters, the Trump administration has threatened to withhold funds from states that provide health coverage to people without legal status. Currently, about 1.6 million people in the country without authorization are enrolled in Medi-Cal.

In 2016, California began opening Medi-Cal to low-income people lacking legal status, starting with children, then gradually expanded it to young people, older adults, and — in January 2024 — those ages 26 to 49. The state Department of Health Care Services, which oversees Medi-Cal, partnered with community health clinics to help get eligible people enrolled.

It’s too early to tell what impact the latest state and federal developments are having on enrollment numbers, since data is available only through March. But many health care providers and advocates said they expect a chilling effect on immigrant enrollment.

Seciah Aquino is executive director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, which supports community health workers — also called promotores — who help spread awareness about Medi-Cal’s expansion to adults lacking legal status. Just over half of public health insurance recipients in California are Latino, compared with just 30% of Medicaid enrollees nationwide.

Aquino said her coalition will tell promotores to disclose data-sharing risks so community members can make informed decisions.

“They take it very personally that advice that they provided to a fellow community member could now hurt them,” Aquino said.

Newsom condemned the data sharing, calling the move “legally dubious,” while U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, both Democrats, have demanded that the Department of Homeland Security destroy any data shared.

California’s Department of Health Care Services announced June 13 that it is seeking more information from the federal government. The agency said it submitted monthly reports to CMS with demographic and eligibility information, including name and address, as required by law.

Medicaid enrollee data from Illinois, Washington state, and Washington, D.C., was also reportedly shared with DHS. Jamie Munks, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the state’s Medicaid agency, said the department was “deeply concerned” by the news and that the data was regularly passed along to CMS with the understanding that it was protected.

In Sacramento, Democratic lawmakers found themselves in the uncomfortable position of rolling back health benefits for low-income residents with unsatisfactory immigration status, including people without legal status, people who’ve held green cards for under five years, and some others who are in the process of applying for legal status or have statuses meant to protect them from deportation. In addition to the Medi-Cal enrollment freeze for immigrants 19 and older in the country without authorization, all enrolled residents with unsatisfactory immigration status from 19 to 59 years old will be charged $30 monthly premiums starting in July 2027.

“What I’m hearing on the ground is folks are telling me they’re going to have a really hard time making these premium payments,” said Carlos Alarcon, health and public benefits policy analyst with the California Immigrant Policy Center, an advocacy group. “The reality is most people already have limited budgets.”

The legislature rejected a proposal from the governor to bar immigrants with unsatisfactory immigration status from receiving long-term nursing home and in-home care through Medi-Cal but went along with eliminating dental benefits starting in July 2026.

Health care providers said that without Medi-Cal coverage, many immigrants will be forced to seek emergency care, which is more expensive for taxpayers than preventive and primary-level care. Sepideh Taghvaei, chief dental officer at Santa Cruz County’s Dientes Community Dental Care, saw this play out in 2009 when the state cut adult Medi-Cal dental benefits. Patients came in with swollen faces and excruciating pain, with conditions so advanced that they required hospital treatment. “It’s not cost-effective,” she said.

State Sen. Roger Niello, a Republican who serves as vice chair of the Senate budget committee, said he believes California shouldn’t be funding Medi-Cal for people who lack legal status, particularly given the state’s fiscal challenges. He also said he worries that coverage of people in the country without authorization could encourage others to move to California.

“If we maintain that expense to the noncitizen,” he said, “we’re going to have to cut someplace else, and that’s undoubtedly going to affect citizens.”

Californians, too, are going through a change of heart. In a May poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, 58% of adults opposed the benefit.

For Maria, shifting health care policies have left her feeling paralyzed. Since she arrived here five years ago, the caregiver’s focus has been on earning money to support her three children, whom she left with her parents in her home country, she said.

Maria didn’t learn she might be eligible for Medi-Cal until earlier this year and hadn’t yet found time to complete the paperwork. After a friend told her that the state could freeze enrollment in January, she began rushing to finish the sign-up process. But then she learned that Medi-Cal data had been shared with immigration authorities.

“Disappointed and scared” was how she described her reaction.

Suddenly, she said, enrolling in Medi-Cal doesn’t seem like a good idea.

spot_img

Financial aid fraud is on the rise in California. How federal officials plan to crack down

Laney College in Oakland on Aug. 30, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters.-- Laney College en Oakland el 30 de agosto de 2023.

The U.S. Department of Education will begin more rigorous screening of financial aid applicants, citing instances of fraud at California’s community colleges

by Adam Echelman

CalMatters

Faced with growing reports of fraud, the U.S. Department of Education will make it harder for certain students to access financial aid, including some who could see delays of weeks or even months before cash is disbursed.

This month the department announced it would begin a new “screening process” for all financial aid applicants starting this fall. While that process is developed, the department will require colleges to do additional vetting of applicants this summer, which will place more of a burden on California’s community colleges.

Unlike four-year universities, such as the University of California system, the state’s community colleges are designed to accept everyone, and they use a simple application process. But as classes moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic, fraud rings increasingly exploited that process by posing as students to steal financial aid.

Kevin Harral, financial aid director at Las Positas College in Livermore, said he’s already “bracing for what’s to come.” He said the education department could force his team to spend hours of additional work double-checking students’ identification this summer. While those students wait for verification, they may see long delays before they can access their financial aid.

Some students may decide to forego financial aid altogether, Harral said. “There’s some people who may not have the documents, may not have the ID, but there’s also the students where this is another barrier, maybe a psychological barrier, particularly if they have undocumented parents.”

In April, CalMatters reported that financial aid fraud was growing and that fake students stole more than $10 million in federal aid and more than $3 million in state aid from California’s community colleges in the prior 12 months — more than twice as much as the year before that.

In response to CalMatters’ reporting, college officials and federal and state lawmakers sprang into action this spring.

Anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent — and some without that — can apply to community college and enroll in classes, at which point they are eligible to receive federal Pell grants if they meet the income requirements. These grants, sometimes up to nearly $7,400 a year, cover tuition first, but for low-income students at a community college, whose tuition is free, the money goes directly into their pockets, covering other expenses, such as rent or food.

For scammers — who pretend to be low-income community college students — that’s a gold mine.

Many college officials are optimistic that by the fall, the education department’s new screening process, likely fraud-detection software, could stem the onslaught of financial aid abuse in California, which has burdened administrators and shut real students out of classes they need to graduate. The education department has said it will focus on screening first-time applicants but has not provided more details, such as what software it will use.

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, which oversees the state’s 116 community colleges, has said that fraud represents less than 1% of the billions in federal and state financial aid that go to its students each year. Asked by CalMatters about the education department’s new identity screening, Melissa Villarin, a spokesperson for the office, said she’s “waiting for more information.”

‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’

The federal aid application process, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, already has a number of ways to vet students. It requires applicants to submit their Social Security number, date of birth, and details about their income, which are verified by the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. Scammers get through that process by submitting personal information they have stolen from other people.

A small subset of applicants are also required to prove their identity, either because they are randomly selected or because their applications are suspicious. Those applicants have to submit a notarized document or show up to the college’s aid office with an ID in hand.

“The fraudsters, they won’t show up,” said Harral, leaving the legitimate students with the burden to verify themselves.

Under the new policy many more students will need to prove their identity this summer by presenting identification to their college. Starting in the fall, the new screening process will ultimately minimize the amount of work that colleges have to do, according to the department’s announcement.

“Do we support this or do we have concerns? Yes and yes,” said Karen McCarthy, vice president of public policy for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. She said she supports the federal government “taking on a stronger role in fraud detection” but is worried that the new policy will mean more work for college aid officers this summer.

For Harral, and many other financial aid directors, any changes to the federal financial aid system are nerve-wracking. In 2023 the education department created a new version of the FAFSA, which it was supposed to release on its usual October date. But it delayed the release until the end of December, sending students scrambling to submit their applications before the deadline. A glitch also prevented thousands of California students whose parents don’t have Social Security numbers from initially applying. The FAFSA was delayed once again this year to avoid “the kind of system errors that can derail millions of students,” according to a statement by the department.

Harral said he’s worried that the new screening process won’t be ready this fall, forcing his staff to continue verifying many students’ identities manually.

“The recent track record of our education department is them not delivering things on schedule,” said Harral. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Has fraud really gone ‘unaddressed’?

While California’s colleges control which students they accept, they rely on the U.S. Education Department to help determine who is eligible for financial aid. Even California’s state financial aid program, Cal Grant, vets applicants using FAFSA. However, the Trump administration has cut staffing at the education department, hindering its ability to administer aid and investigate abuses.

In April, Republican Congress members wrote to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, citing CalMatters’ reporting and asking for a federal investigation of the financial aid process for California’s community colleges. The Congress members accused the community college system of allowing fraud “to go unaddressed.”

The U.S. Education Department referred to the Republicans’ letter when justifying its new screening policy.

California’s community colleges have acknowledged the financial aid problem and spent roughly $150 million since 2021 boosting their fraud prevention and cybersecurity. Last month, the board of governors for California’s community college system agreed that it will eventually require all applicants to verify their identities.

The board also considered charging an application fee, which could disincentivize fraud rings from submitting hundreds of fake applications at a time. Students opposed that policy, saying the harm outweighs the benefit, and the board delayed a decision on the matter.

Speaking about the new screening policy, Daisy Gonzales, the executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, which oversees the Cal Grant program, said she’s concerned that eliminating fraud might complicate the financial aid process for students. “Over-compensating for the actions of bad actors cannot be solved by penalizing low-income students who rely on financial aid to pursue higher education.”

spot_img

Benefit concert for Youth Arts Education

By Magdy Zara

The Pacific Mambo Orchestra returns to light up the stage at this year’s Pour Your HeART Out charity event, which aims to raise funds for youth arts education.

Under the theme “Pour Your Heart Out,” this unforgettable performance features the return of the Grammy®-winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra, bringing you vibrant entertainment from “one of the best large-scale Latin ensembles in the United States.”

This day, you can also enjoy delicacies from your favorite restaurants, wines and craft beverages, and dance to irresistible rhythms.

“Pour Your HeART Out” will take place outdoors in the beautiful Rhythmix Cultural Works courtyard, located at 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda, on August 3rd, starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are $154.

San José Summer Jazz Festival Celebrates 35th

The San José Summer Jazz Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary and among its attractions this year is the proud showcase of Oaxacan culture with the Mexican Alebrijes exhibit, which will be displayed throughout the festival grounds.

The Alebrijes are eight epic 7-meter-tall sculptures that amplify the artistic ingenuity of South American creators in both the visual arts and music.

To celebrate this 35th anniversary, a full program has been prepared centered on Latin culture in Northern California, featuring artists such as Common, Mavis Staples, PJ Morton, Ghost-Note, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, Butcher Brown, José James, and many others.

This time, the Festival returns to the Plaza de César Chávez from Friday, August 8th to Sunday, August 10th, 2025. For more information about tickets and programming, contact Jesse@jpcutlermedia.com or https://summerfest.sanjosejazz.org

Registration for the 10th Edition of “La Palabra” is now open.

Registration for the 10th edition of “La Palabra” is now open, and local artists who want to showcase their talents are expected to participate.

“La Palabra” is an annual event that showcases local artists, directed and produced by El Teatro Campesino, where diverse voices and performances converge in a single show.

Registration is now open for short plays (up to 10 minutes) that will be considered for the showcase. Selected plays are rehearsed, cast and directed, and presented in person at the ETC Theater in San Juan Bautista.

Submissions highlighting spoken word, poetry, music, theater, and more will be accepted. For more information, please email info@elteatrocampesino.com.

The presentation of La Palabra will take place on August 29, 30, and 31 at the theater’s headquarters located at 705 4th St in San Juan Bautista, California.

spot_img

Millionaires Move Their Fortunes to These Two Latin American Countries

This year, they are expected to welcome 650 new wealthy residents

by the El Reportero News Services

Costa Rica and Panama have emerged as the top destinations for the global elite looking to relocate their wealth. According to the annual Private Wealth Migration Report by international consultancy Henley & Partners, both countries are projected to attract a combined total of 650 new millionaires by the end of 2025. Costa Rica is expected to welcome 350 of them, while Panama will gain 300.

This trend stands in stark contrast to what’s happening in the region’s largest economies, which are seeing a sharp outflow of wealthy individuals. Brazil is forecast to lose around 1,200 millionaires this year, while Colombia and Mexico are each expected to see 150 high-net-worth individuals leave. Argentina is also projected to lose about 100.

The driving forces behind this shift include political instability, insecurity, high taxation, and unfavorable investment climates in those countries. Meanwhile, Panama and Costa Rica are gaining a reputation as safe, stable, and financially strategic places for the world’s wealthy to settle.

One of the biggest attractions for these high-net-worth migrants is the favorable tax environment. Neither Costa Rica nor Panama imposes inheritance or estate taxes, making them particularly appealing for wealth preservation and estate planning. Additionally, Panama boasts a low 10 percent capital gains tax—well below the international average—making it a popular option for investors and entrepreneurs alike.

Both countries also feature luxury real estate markets in high demand. In Costa Rica, areas like Escazú and Santa Ana offer gated communities, international schools, and scenic mountain views. In Panama, locations such as Punta Pacífica and Boquete combine modern amenities with natural beauty. These areas have become magnets for expats, retirees, and investors seeking a high standard of living.

Moreover, both governments have introduced investor residency programs that make it easier for foreigners to obtain legal status through real estate purchases, business investments, or fixed deposits. These programs not only streamline immigration but also offer a path to long-term residency or citizenship.

Though many of the new arrivals are from the United States and Canada, there is also increasing interest from Europe and Asia. Henley & Partners notes that today’s millionaires are seeking more than just tax breaks—they want peace of mind, security, and a better quality of life for their families.

In a world marked by political and economic uncertainty, Panama and Costa Rica are standing out as safe havens for global wealth.

spot_img

14 Mexicans are being held at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: Tuesday’s mañanera recapped

We know that there are some Mexicans in this detention center and we're insisting that they be deported [to Mexico] immediately," President Sheinbaum said on Tuesday. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)-- Sabemos que hay algunos mexicanos en este centro de detención e insistimos en que sean deportados [a México] de inmediato", declaró la presidenta Sheinbaum el martes.

by Mexico News Daily

The detention of Mexicans at the “Alligator Alcatraz” prison in the U.S. state of Florida and a reduction in the robbery of freight trucks were among the issues discussed at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Tuesday morning press conference.

Here is a recap of the president’s July 22 mañanera.

Sheinbaum: Mexicans detained at Alligator Alcatraz should be ‘immediately’ repatriated 

A reporter noted that Human Rights Watch (HRW) published testimonies of people who have been detained at immigration detention centers in the United States.

Along with the organizations Americans for Immigrant Justice and Sanctuary of the South, HRW published a 92-page report on Monday entitled “‘You Feel Like Your Life Is Over’: Abusive Practices at Three Florida Immigration Detention Centers Since January 2025.”

The report “documents that people detained at Krome North Service Processing Center (Krome), Broward Transitional Center (BTC), and the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Miami have been held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, subjected to degrading treatment, and have not been given access to prompt and adequate medical care,” HRW said.

Sheinbaum didn’t comment on the report, but highlighted that her government sent a diplomatic note to its U.S. counterpart when it announced in early 2025 that it would send migrants to the U.S. military base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

She said earlier this year that her government told the Trump administration in the note that “no Mexican should be sent anywhere except Mexico.”

On Tuesday, the president said that her government sent another diplomatic note to its U.S. counterpart when it announced last month that it would detain undocumented immigrants at a facility in the Florida Everglades called “Alligator Alcatraz” due to the presence of the reptiles in the surrounding marshland.

Sheinbaum said that in the second note, her government expressed its view that any Mexican detained in the United States should be deported immediately and not held at Alligator Alcatraz.

“We know that there are some Mexicans in this detention center and we’re insisting that they be deported [to Mexico] immediately,” she said.

Sheinbaum said that Mexico’s consulates in the United States are investigating to determine whether any Mexicans held by U.S. authorities have suffered violations of their human rights.

“If that is the case, the protocol that must be followed will be followed,” she said.

“But what we’ve requested is that they be deported immediately in order to repatriate them.”

“All steps are being taken to have them repatriated immediately. A diplomatic note was sent, and from the Embassy of Mexico in the United States and the consulates, we’re insisting that they be integrated into Mexico as soon as possible,” she said.

Robbery of freight trucks down 22% in 2025

National Guard Commander Hernán Cortés Hernández reported that the number of robberies of freight trucks on Mexico’s highways declined 22.41% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period of last year.

Data he presented showed there were 3,126 robberies between January and June, down from 4,029 in the first half of 2024.

Cortés said that in order to combat the crime of highway robbery “with greater force,” Sheinbaum ordered the implementation of “Zero Robbery” plans on the Mexico City-Querétaro, Mexico City-Puebla and Mazatlán-Culiacán highways.

He said that 29% of robberies targeting freight trucks occur on the Mexico City-Querétaro and Mexico City-Puebla highways, while the beefing up of security on the Mazatlán-Culiacán highway is due to the “particular situation” in Sinaloa, where rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel are engaged in a bloody war.

The National Guard (GN) chief outlined the plans to combat robberies on the aforementioned highways, noting that hundreds of troops and GN vehicles have been deployed to them, and highlighting that their efforts will be supported by helicopters and drones.

“With this deployment of troops and [surveillance] means we’re seeking to reduce even more the incidence of robberies of freight and private vehicles,” Cortés said.

The robbery of freight trucks and other vehicles has long been a problem in Mexico. In early 2024, the then-president of the Confederation of Industrial Chambers said that the crime — which includes the hijacking of trucks in some cases — costs the economy over 7 billion pesos (US $375 million) per year.

Sheinbaum highlights security survey results 

Early in the press conference, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch reported that authorities have arrested more than 26,000 people for high-impact crimes since the current government took office on Oct. 1. He said that 204 tonnes of drugs and 14,000 firearms have been seized in the same period.

Later in the mañanera, a reporter noted that 63% of respondents to a recent poll said that Sheinbaum’s efforts to combat insecurity in Mexico have been good or very good.

The president called for the results of De las Heras’ July security survey to be displayed on the screen behind her.

“It’s a well-known polling company, and the question is whether the [security] situation has improved,” Sheinbaum said.

She noted that 56% of respondents said that the security situation has improved (52%) since she took office or remains “just as good” (4%) as before.

Among the other results Sheinbaum highlighted were those that showed that 53% of respondents said that her efforts to combat insecurity have been good and an additional 10% said that those efforts have been “very good.”

Asked how she felt about the results of the survey — for which 1,000 people across Mexico responded to questions during interviews at their homes — the president responded:

“We have to keep working. … As long as people continue to feel unsafe in any part of the Republic we have to keep working. And, furthermore, [combating insecurity] is our job and we’re doing it every day.”

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com).

spot_img

Papaya: A Tropical Gem That Transforms Your Health from Within

by the El Reportero staff

Papaya is much more than a tasty tropical fruit. Behind its bright orange color and smooth texture lies a true nutritional and medicinal treasure that can profoundly improve your health if you regularly incorporate it into your diet. From its pulp to its seeds, this fruit has been used for centuries for its healing, digestive, and regenerative properties.

But what makes papaya so special? For starters, it’s packed with essential vitamins like C, A, D, and folic acid, as well as minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These components are essential for maintaining a strong immune system, healthy skin, and efficient digestion. Eating papaya isn’t just delicious: it’s also a simple and natural way to strengthen your body.

One of the most powerful aspects of papaya is its action on the digestive system. Thanks to an enzyme called papain, this fruit facilitates digestion, fights constipation, and helps eliminate toxins accumulated in the intestines. Furthermore, it has a natural anti-inflammatory effect, making it a great ally for people with digestive problems or chronic inflammatory diseases.

Consuming papaya on an empty stomach multiplies its benefits. By starting the day with a piece of papaya or a natural juice, you are helping to cleanse the colon, reduce abdominal inflammation, and detoxify the liver. This internal cleansing promotes better overall body function, which can translate into more energy, improved mood, and greater mental clarity.

Furthermore, papaya is an ally for the heart. Its ability to reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels contributes to cardiovascular health. Its antioxidants fight premature aging, protect cells from oxidative damage, and prevent chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cancer. It’s no exaggeration to say that papaya acts as a natural shield against many modern ills.

However, one of the lesser-known but most surprising aspects of this fruit is its seeds. Many people discard them, unaware that they contain impressive medicinal properties. Papaya seeds, although they have a strong flavor similar to black pepper, can be eaten raw in small amounts. Simply wash the fruit thoroughly and separate a few seeds to begin eating them.

Initially, it’s recommended to eat one or two seeds per day, gradually increasing to five or six if your body tolerates them well. What are they good for? One of their most notable uses is as a natural antiparasitic. The seeds contain an enzyme called carpaine, which helps eliminate intestinal parasites safely and effectively. This property has long been valued in the traditional medicine of many cultures.

To soften their strong flavor, you can mix the seeds with a little honey or add them to a natural smoothie. The important thing is not to overdo the amount, as too much can be too potent for the body. But when consumed in moderation, papaya seeds represent a simple and accessible tool for maintaining intestinal balance.

Another benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked is papaya’s impact on skin health. Thanks to its high vitamin A and antioxidant content, this fruit helps regenerate the skin, keeping it hydrated, soft, and healthy-looking. It can even be used externally in the form of homemade masks to combat acne and blemishes.

Including papaya in your daily diet is easy. You can enjoy it alone, in juices, salads, smoothies, or even as a side dish with savory dishes. Its versatility allows it to be part of breakfasts, snacks, or light dinners. And the best part is that its sweet and refreshing flavor makes it appealing to people of all ages.

In a world saturated with ultra-processed products, expensive medications, and artificial solutions to health problems, returning to nature becomes an act of wisdom. Papaya, due to its affordability, flavor, and proven benefits, should have a prominent place on the table in every Latin American home.

Furthermore, it is a fruit grown locally in many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, making it a sustainable and economical option. Supporting its consumption is also a way to strengthen the regional agricultural economy.

In short, eating papaya not only nourishes you: it heals, protects, and revitalizes you. And if you learn to take advantage of its seeds, you’ll discover that this fruit contains a true natural medicine cabinet.

Include papaya in your daily life and let this gem of nature transform your health. Your body, your skin, and your overall well-being will thank you.

Editor’s note: This article is part of our series on natural remedies and healthy eating. Find more content like this at www.elreporterosf.com, Health section.

spot_img

Request for Proposals

The Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide Peoplesoft Technical Upgrade Project and Managed Services , District Wide (RFP No. 25-26/01). Proposals are to be delivered electronically (via Planet Bids), until 3:00 P.M. on July 31, 2025.

The District is seeking a three-year managed services partnership to support its PeopleSoft ecosystem (CS, HCM, FSCM), including full functional support, quarterly regression testing, and on-demand resources. The project includes a PeopleTools 8.62 upgrade, CEMLI retrofitting for PUM compliance, and annual application hosting and lifecycle management. It also covers infrastructure support for production and non-production environments, enhanced recovery and SLAs, Oracle-managed IAM integration, and secure, scalable IaaS, along with annual CEMLI enhancements for configuration, testing, and deployment.

There will be a Non-Mandatory pre-proposal Zoom meeting on July 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Meeting Link: https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/86280211795

Copies of the proposal documents may be obtained at PlanetBids via:

https://vendors.planetbids.com/portal/71895/portal-home

Advertisement Dates: 7/11/25 and 7/18/25
Governing Codes:
GC 53068
EC 81641
El Reportero

spot_img

Legendary Saxophonist Leandro “Gato” Barbieri dies at 83

Leandro “Gato” Barbieri.

by Marvin Ramírez and the El Reportero‘s staff

Leandro “Gato” Barbieri, the Argentine saxophonist whose raw, passionate playing style helped shape Latin jazz and whose music touched audiences across continents, died on April 2, 2016, in New York City. He was 83.

Barbieri’s death was confirmed by his wife, Laura, who said the cause was pneumonia. With his trademark wide-brimmed hat, dark sunglasses, and blazing tenor saxophone, Barbieri forged a singular sound that fused jazz, tango, Latin American folk rhythms, and political urgency into something entirely his own.

Born on November 28, 1932, in Rosario, Argentina, Barbieri grew up immersed in the tango music of his homeland. Inspired by Charlie Parker, he picked up the clarinet and later the saxophone, eventually moving to Buenos Aires and then to Europe, where he worked with jazz luminaries like Don Cherry and Carla Bley.

His breakout came in the 1960s and early 1970s, when his powerful, avant-garde playing caught the attention of the international jazz scene. But it was his score for Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1972 film Last Tango in Paris that brought him to mainstream fame. The haunting, sensual soundtrack earned him a Grammy Award and established him as a leading voice in the emerging genre of Latin jazz.

In the years that followed, Barbieri released a string of influential albums, including Chapter One: Latin America and Caliente!, blending traditional South American sounds with jazz improvisation and funk rhythms. His music resonated deeply during times of political upheaval across Latin America, offering both solace and resistance through sonic expression.

“Music is the soul of a country,” Barbieri once said. “When you play the music of your people, you’re telling their story.”

Barbieri’s style was known for its emotional intensity—each note seemed to cry out with yearning, defiance, or celebration. Whether playing in small clubs or large festivals, he captivated audiences with a blend of romanticism and fire rarely seen in jazz performers.

The shock of his passing still ripples through the global jazz community, including musicians in the Bay Area who grew up studying his records. “It pains me deeply to hear of his passing. For us saxophonists, Gato is a great example to have—to follow in his footsteps, to try, even though it’s unreachable. He was a beast of a beast, that kind of musician. A tremendous musician of the old school. We are of death—may God have him in His holy glory,” said Nicaraguan saxophonist and San Francisco resident Julio César Molina.

Julio César Molina, saxofonista nicaragüense del Área de la Bahía. Julio César Molina, Nicaraguan saxophonist from the Bay Area.

Another Nicaraguan saxophonist from the Bay Area, Mario Vega, who has spent over 50 years behind the saxophone, said he grew up listening to Barbieri’s music.

“The sound he had—not unique, but very expressive. A strong sound. Nothing ordinary,” Vega told El Reportero. “His way of expressing himself influenced how I play.”

Vega noted that Barbieri had the rare gift of sonic identity. “It’s hard to match. A sound that, when you heard it, you instantly knew who was playing. That’s something every musician wants—to be recognized by their sound. I wish people would recognize me that way.”

Vega, who saw Barbieri perform live several times, also recalled the powerful impact of Barbieri’s collaborations. “When he worked with Santana, the impact was huge. And when he played, he surrounded himself with musicians who gave him the perfect foundation to improvise.” Reflecting on Barbieri’s passing, Vega added, “It’s a big loss. That’s life—some come, and others go.”

Mario Vega, saxofonist del Área de la Bahía de SF. Mario Vega, SF Bay Area’s saxophonist.

In later years, Barbieri continued to tour and record, even after undergoing heart surgery in the late 1990s. He was a familiar figure in New York’s jazz scene and was honored with a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, just one year before his passing.He is survived by his wife Laura and his son, Christian.

Barbieri’s music, like the feline nickname he carried all his life, was agile, fierce, and untamed. His saxophone voice will echo for generations in the history of Latin jazz and beyond.

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=gato%20barbieri

With reporting from archival sources and jazz community tributes.

spot_img
1...293031...695Page 30 of 695

SELECTIONS

POPULAR TICKETS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

Welcome to our Marvin J. Ramirez website! We are an innovative newspaper located in the heart of San Francisco. With a relentless passion for telling powerful stories, we inform our community with truthful news, insightful analysis, and compelling reporting.

Contacto: lreportero@aol.com

FOLLOW US

© Copyright 2023. AMAYCOM.NET. All rights reserved.