Prison-based program in CA aims to interrupt cycle of violence

April 4, 2025

by Ricky Rodas for Yes! Magazine.

When Cecilia González told family members she had volunteered to share her life story with men in prison, they were shocked.

González, 56, had spent most of her adult life recovering from the pain and trauma of childhood abuse and domestic violence. She has a loving family and a stable marriage of 25 years. Her family couldn’t understand why she would want to talk to the kind of person she’d spent her life trying to escape.

But for González, sharing her story was a way to bring her healing journey full circle. After years of perseverance, she’d established herself as a community services manager for House of Ruth, a nonprofit organization based in Pomona, California. Every day, she helps survivors wrestle with similar challenges to the ones she’s faced.

When she received an invitation to speak at the California Institution for Men, a prison in the city of Chino, California, in August, she saw a new opportunity to help interrupt the cycle of domestic and sexual violence: talking directly with people who have caused harm.

“I know that change is possible,” González says. “It’s good when somebody is able to tell you that a life without violence and any type of abuse in the home is possible.”

The panel was organized by a program called the Victim Offender Education Group. Founded by Insight Prison Project, the program provides rehabilitation activities for men at the California Institution for Men. The curriculum is grounded in principles of restorative justice, commonly defined as an alternative to punitive justice that promotes healing for the person who was harmed, the person who carried out the harm, and the communities they both belong to.

Although the group was not created specifically for people involved in domestic violence and intimate partner violence, it has increasingly focused on serving this population as it became clear that many program participants had committed these types of crimes, said Rev. Nora Jacob, a minister at Covina Community Church and program lead in restorative justice at the prison.

Jacob has been organizing education groups in prison settings since 2014 and has facilitated the rehabilitation of several cohorts of men who have committed a variety of crimes, including domestic violence and intimate partner violence. A two-hour session is held once per week and consists of a mix of readings and empathy-building exercises. Participants spend time sharing and self-reflecting on the decisions and circumstances that led to their incarceration.

“People come out changed,” Jacob says. At the introductory meeting, she tells participants: “We are asking you to share as much as you’re willing to share, and we are going to ask about everything.”

Reconciling with hurt is something that Jacob has had to do in her own life. As a child growing up in upstate New York, she was sexually abused. “What I’d been told about God—that a creator was real, that God had not seen or heard me when I cried out” she could no longer believe, she says. “So I rejected any kind of organized religion for a long time.”

Decades passed, and Jacob found herself married and living in Orange County, California. She then faced a crisis when her husband of 19 years suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm. “One night I was contemplating suicide and called out to God—I didn’t believe in God—and had a feeling of the Holy Spirit coming over and reassuring me.”

Jacob, a library services director at the time, joined the Disciples of Christ denomination church in her county. She eventually enrolled in Claremont School of Theology where she spent time with social justice activists. After graduating, Jacob trained at Insight Prison Project in the Bay Area to be a restorative justice facilitator and eventually secured her current position at the California Institution for Men.

“I’m committed to restorative justice,” Jacob says. “I live differently because of restorative justice, and anything that can do that [kind of transformation] for a person I think is worth the pursuit.”

Restorative justice started gaining momentum among grassroots organizations in the 1970s, but it is not a new practice, as its roots are in Indigenous customs, such as talking circles. Restorative justice has grown in popularity for its potential to reduce recidivism, which is the likelihood that a previously incarcerated person will re-offend for the same crime. That’s what Jacob has seen among the men her program works with. Incarcerated individuals who take part in rehabilitative programs are less likely to reoffend than their counterparts who don’t, according to data compiled by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The costs of violence

Domestic violence refers to any type of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse inflicted on a person by their partner, family member, or cohabitant. Intimate partner violence is similar, but refers specifically to violence from a partner, spouse, or ex-partner. These crimes don’t just affect the victims and their families; they also have huge financial implications for society at large.

Intimate partner violence against women costs California $73.7 billion in health care, lost earnings, criminal justice expenses, and survivor support, which accounted for 2 percent of California’s gross domestic product in 2022 alone, according to a joint study by UC San Diego and Tulane University. The study, which primarily uses data compiled from the California Violence Experiences Survey, measures both the tangible and intangible costs of intimate partner violence. The study also draws on data from other sources, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the state budget, health care providers, the Centers for Disease Control, and many others.

Jakana Thomas, PhD, an associate professor at UC San Diego and principal investigator for the survey, said that while the price tag might be high, it only represents a fraction of these crimes’ negative impacts because of gaps in data collection.

Thomas gave some examples, such as lack of data quantifying the amount of time police spend investigating intimate partner violence, or more specific data regarding health care costs and the impact on survivors’ quality of life. “ This is not just costing taxpayers,” Thomas says. “It costs the people who have to deal with that violence quite dearly, both financially and in intangible ways.”

Breaking cycles of abuse

For the panel event, González and other nonprofit advocates were paired with an education group member and filled the role of a surrogate survivor, someone who could tell their member how it felt to be the victim of domestic or intimate partner violence. The exercise represented the culmination of the members’ education and was meant to gauge whether each man could feel empathy for their surrogate survivor and remorse for the immense hurt they had caused others.

For the surrogate survivors, sharing their stories is potentially a cathartic experience, said Melissa Pitts, the chief program officer for House of Ruth, who also served on the panel. That’s because many survivors have never had the opportunity to address the people who caused them harm.

That’s what convinced González to participate in the panel. She said she was initially skeptical of the idea. “Then I thought about it and [realized] I’ve never been able to face any of my attackers and let someone know exactly how I felt,” González says.

Pitts said that organizations like House of Ruth are increasingly interested in restorative justice practices, while remaining survivor centered. One motivation, she said, is that domestic violence is widespread, but carceral solutions typically don’t get to the root of the problem. For example, many people who cause harm are replicating abusive patterns they learned in childhood, she explained.

The need is widespread. “If you go to the prison system, a corrections officer will tell you 90 percent of their caseload has experienced domestic violence growing up in the home,” Pitts says. “And then you can go to an affluent community with lots of monetary resources, and they are experiencing domestic violence.”

One former education group participant at the California Institution for Men, who requested anonymity because of safety concerns, believes the harm he committed stems back to his traumatic adolescence. The participant was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a domestic-violence-related murder.

The man said he grew up in a household where violence was commonplace. Years of neglect and abuse carried out by his father, mother, and other adults in his life pushed him toward drugs and gangs, he said. The violence also distorted how he viewed relationships. “The way that my mom, father, and stepfather talked about women led me to believe that you couldn’t trust women, and I carried that into my relationships,” he says.

Once incarcerated at the California Institution for Men, the man began to meet other people in rehabilitation classes who had faced similar struggles. After connecting with Jacob and other advocates affiliated with the Victim Offender Education Group, he decided to apply. He spent the next few years in group restorative justice circles unpacking his pain and learning to accept responsibility for the violence he inflicted upon women and others.

The man said his life-changing moment came when, after years of therapy and reflection, he took part in a surrogate survivor panel. “Hearing the raw emotions coming out of someone that had been a victim of a similar crime, it stirred up something in me which I had never felt, which was empathy,” he says. “I really started to realize the harm that I caused. Before, I always felt that no one cared about me, so why should I care about anybody?”

The participant was paroled over a year ago and is now involved in restorative justice advocacy, speaking to youth in juvenile hall. He also visits the California Institution of Men to share his story with those who are incarcerated. For him, being able to feel guilt and remorse for his past actions has been the key to genuinely turning his life around.

“For me, genuine change is remorse,” he says. “It changes who you are, so you don’t … continue to harm people.”

For González, participating in the panel didn’t go as well as she’d hoped. She said she left the event feeling like the incarcerated person she’d spoken with had more work to do, a sentiment she shared with Jacob afterward.

“The reaction I got from this individual wasn’t what I was expecting, so I walked out of there feeling a little confused,” she says. “I thought I was going to see the remorse. My expectation was to see something visual.”

Instead, the man didn’t say much and, according to her, didn’t appear to show empathy. Still, González said she believes in the program’s mission and thinks the person she talked to can benefit from it.

“Even with the harm he’s caused, I feel he deserves to have somebody continue to teach him, whatever needs to be done for him to come to terms with how he has caused harm,” González says.

She also walked away feeling proud of the progress she’d made to date.

“The biggest thing I took [away] is that change is so powerful,” she says. “Even as a victim, it’s possible to become 100 percent a survivor and have full control.”

Mexico bans junk food in schools, U.S. keeps feeding kids unhealthy meals

April 4, 2025

by the El Reportero‘s staff

Starting this week, Mexico has enacted a significant public health law, banning junk food sales in all public and private schools across the nation. This move is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to combat escalating rates of childhood obesity and diabetes, declared a health emergency by UNICEF. The initiative starkly contrasts with the situation in the United States, where unhealthy food options remain prevalent in schools despite similar health concerns.

The ban, overseen by the Ministries of Education and Health under the “Healthy Living” program, prohibits schools from selling food and drinks marked with black warning labels. These labels, introduced in 2020, identify products with excessive amounts of sugar, salt, fat, or calories. These prominent octagonal labels aim to quickly inform consumers about potentially unhealthy nutritional content, empowering healthier choices at the point of purchase, a standard now extended to school environments. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has championed the ban, emphasizing that simple, nutritious foods like bean tacos are preferable to processed snacks like chips or sodas. Consequently, popular items such as donuts, hamburgers, French fries, flavored milk, and candy are now barred. Schools are mandated to offer healthier alternatives, including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and lean proteins like eggs, cottage cheese, and chicken.

This decisive action responds directly to Mexico’s alarming health statistics. The National Health and Nutrition Survey indicates that 37 percent of children aged 5 to 11 are obese. Mexico leads Latin America in consuming sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, which constitute roughly 40 percent of daily calories for preschoolers. This high consumption pattern is strongly linked not only to obesity but also to the early onset of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems, straining the healthcare system. These figures underscore the urgency behind the government’s intervention to foster healthier eating habits from a young age.

However, implementing this nationwide policy presents considerable challenges. Mexico has previously struggled with enforcing similar regulations, particularly given the logistical hurdles. Many of the country’s 255,000 schools, especially those in underserved areas, lack basic infrastructure like reliable water access or electricity, making compliance and the provision of fresh alternatives difficult. School administrators are responsible for reporting violations, but effective government monitoring across such a vast and diverse educational system remains a concern. Furthermore, regulating informal vendors often situated just outside school gates, who offer many of the banned items, presents an additional enforcement hurdle. Despite these obstacles, the government is hopeful the ban will positively impact the long-term health of Mexican children.

U.S. school nutrition lags behind

While Mexico prioritizes child health through legislative action, the United States has not adopted comparable measures. Junk food, including sugary drinks, greasy snacks, and highly processed meals, continues to be readily available in many U.S. school cafeterias and vending machines. Options frequently include pizza, burgers, chicken nuggets, sugary cereals, and vending machines stocked with candy and chips, often displacing healthier choices. This raises the question of why a developing nation like Mexico is implementing progressive health reforms that the U.S., with far greater resources, has yet to embrace.

The U.S. faces its own significant childhood obesity epidemic, affecting nearly 20 percent of children and adolescents. Public health advocates have long campaigned for stricter school nutrition standards and reduced access to unhealthy foods and beverages. Mexico’s bold policy serves as a potential wake-up call, demonstrating a commitment to prioritizing children’s well-being over potential pushback.

Critics argue the U.S. continues to allow corporate interests to heavily influence school food environments, hindering meaningful reform. Instead of contributing to the obesity crisis, the U.S. could learn from Mexico’s example by implementing stricter nutritional guidelines, investing in healthier meal programs, reducing the availability of processed foods, and enhancing nutrition education. Adopting stricter standards is not merely about addressing obesity statistics; it’s an investment in cognitive development, academic performance, and reducing future healthcare costs. If Mexico can take these crucial steps, the United States arguably possesses the capacity and resources to do the same, safeguarding the health of its future generations.

The US Education Department investigates Cal State San Bernardino as Trump dismantles the agency

April 4, 2025

frontp — -- The CSU San Bernardino campus on April 22, 2024. El campus de la CSU San Bernardino el 22 de abril de 2024.

Cal State San Bernardino is among several dozen universities under federal scrutiny for programs that have targeted disadvantaged groups of students

by Deborah Brennan

Cal State San Bernardino is one of more than 50 universities under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, even as President Donald Trump attempts to unravel the department.

A statement from the department’s Office for Civil Rights listed three California campuses — Cal State San Bernardino, Cal Poly Humboldt and UC Berkeley — among universities it says violated Title VI of the education code. That’s the section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that prohibits organizations that get federal funds from discriminating based on race, color or national origin.

The investigations aim to “ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the statement.

The Cal State University system is reviewing the claim and will cooperate in the investigation, said Amy Bentley-Smith, a Cal State spokesperson said in a statement.

“The CSU continues to comply with longstanding applicable federal and state laws and CSU policies and does not discriminate or provide preferences on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin,” she said.

A UC Berkeley official said the campus also is responding to the federal investigation.

“UC Berkeley has an unwavering commitment to having a campus free of discrimination,” Assistant Vice Chancellor Dan Mogulof said in a statement.

The Department of Education claims the three California universities violated civil rights laws by partnering with The PhD Project, which it describes as “an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.”

The PhD Project describes its mission as developing business school faculty and said this year it’s open to all applicants.

“Our vision is to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other, through networking, mentorship, and unique events,” it said in a statement . “This year, we have opened our membership application to anyone who shares that vision.”

Ahlam Muhtaseb, a professor of media studies at Cal State San Bernardino, said the federal complaint doesn’t make sense, because the university doesn’t offer a doctorate in business. It does offer a doctorate in educational leadership, and Muhtaseb believes that’s what the Department of Education is targeting.

“It’s frivolous because they are saying that we are infringing on the rights of white students because we have admitted 90% students of color,” into the educational leadership program, she said. “That is a ridiculous allegation because we are a Hispanic-serving institution.”

About 70% of students at Cal State San Bernardino are Latino, 10% are White, 6% are Asian and 5% are Black.

“So this is natural that this is the community that we serve,” Muhtaseb said.

The investigation, she said, “has a chilling impact. I see it as an attack on our marginalized communities.”

It’s not clear how the Department of Education will conduct the investigation, however, because the Trump Administration is trying to eliminate the department.

On March 11, the department announced it was cutting its own staff by half. On March 14 it announced it would investigate the universities for alleged civil rights violations. Last Friday Trump issued an executive order to dismantle the department.

The Department of Education did not respond to an email from CalMatters, and the phone line for its press information office had an automated message stating that it was temporarily closed.

On Monday, a coalition of advocacy groups and state leaders, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, sued to block the elimination of the department and the mass firing of its employees, arguing it would impair the administration of student loans, disability services and other functions.

They pointed out that Congress created the department and has sole authority to close it.

Faculty at campuses targeted by the investigation said it has already lost its original purpose.

“The Department of Education has been more or less dismantled in terms of its civil rights and student aid, but has now been turned against the institutions it was designed to support,” said Ryder Dschida, a history professor at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Preparing Financially for Future Emergencies: Building Resilience and Readiness

March 28, 2025

Student Using Calculator To Work Out Math Problem — A student sitting in a public library using his calculator to work out a math problem.

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

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Here are some practical tips to help you prepare financially for future emergencies, empowering you to navigate life’s challenges with confidence:

Create an Emergency Fund: Start by saving leftover money each month, gradually building up to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. You can set up automatic transfers from your checking to your savings account to ensure consistent contributions without having to think about it. By storing your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account or money market account, it can earn interest yet still remain easily accessible.
Budget Wisely: Use budgeting apps or spreadsheets to monitor your expenses and identify areas where you can potentially cut back. Also be sure to prioritize needs over wants by focusing on essential expenses and reduce discretionary spending to help free up more money for savings. Revisit your budget periodically to accommodate changes in income or expenses and ensure you’re on track.
Manage Debt Effectively: Focus on paying off high-interest debt, such as credit card balances, and explore options to consolidate or refinance loans at lower interest rates to save money and simplify payments. Be cautious about taking on new debt, especially for non-essential purchases, to maintain financial flexibility.
Protect Your Assets: Ensure you have adequate health, home, auto, and life insurance to protect against unexpected expenses and keep important financial documents, such as wills and insurance policies, in a secure location.
Plan for the Long Term: Contribute regularly to retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA, to help secure your financial future and consult with a J.P. Morgan advisor to develop a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your needs.

Adjusting to a budget takes time, as it’s about finding the right balance between spending and saving. By implementing these tips, you can help build a solid foundation to withstand future emergencies and enhance your financial security. Regularly reviewing your budget against your actual expenses allows you to refine and optimize your financial strategy.

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J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC. Insurance products are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida. Certain custody and other services are provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMCB). JPMS, CIA and JPMCB are affiliated companies under the common control of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Products not available in all states.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

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Quiet panic’ as national rental assistance program set to run out of cash

March 28, 2025

frontp image — Edificio del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE. UU. en Washington, D.C., -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development building in Washington, D.C.

by Ben Christopher

A $5 billion pot of federal money set aside to help people on the verge of homelessness pay the rent is running out of cash — and no one has a plan to keep the roughly 60,000 renters, more than 15,000 of them in California — from losing their housing after the last dollar is spent.

News of the imminent expiration of the Emergency Housing Voucher program came in a March 6 letter the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sent to local public housing authorities, the agencies that administer federal rental housing assistance programs.

A final payment this spring may allow some agencies to keep their emergency programs running into 2026, the letter reads. But housing authorities were advised to move forward with “the expectation that no additional funding from HUD will be forthcoming.”

For the housing authority staff who received the letter, it remains unclear whether the program is winding down simply because it has run out of funds on its own accord or whether it represents a policy shift from the Trump administration, which has been on an aggressive and often uncoordinated cost cutting tear across the federal bureaucracy.

The letter came as a shock to Lisa Jones, CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission. Jones said the commission could conceivably pay its share of the rent for the nearly 400 San Diego renters currently assisted by the program through December. After that, she could think of no obvious way to make up for the missing federal dollars.

Jones spoke to CalMatters from Washington D.C., where the heads of housing authorities across the country had gathered for a conference and to lobby their representatives. As news of the end of the program has spread among her counterparts, “a quiet panic” has set in, she said.

Absent federal money, “we don’t have the funding to solve that problem,” she said.

The program was modeled after the much larger and well-known Housing Choice Voucher program. Also known as “Section 8,” that long-standing program pays at least 70% of the rent for anyone earning under a certain income and lucky enough to secure one of its scarce vouchers. The Emergency Housing Voucher program is more narrowly targeted at those in most dire need: people currently living on the street or in shelters, those just on the verge of homelessness and anyone fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking.

“It’s a group of people who, but for the voucher, would be at extreme risk of falling back into homelessness,” said Mari Castaldi, who focuses on state housing policy for the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think tank.

The termination of the emergency programs comes at an inauspicious time for federal rental assistance programs across the country.

For decades, the federal government has offered Housing Choice Vouchers to fewer than 1-in-4 Americans who qualify for those benefits. In California’s large metro areas, voucher waiting lists — the time between when someone applies and actually receives one — regularly tops out at more than a decade.

That means few housing authorities will have many extra housing vouchers to offer anyone booted from the emergency program. Absent another solution, that would put housing authorities in the virtually unprecedented position of having to revoke assistance from people who are currently depending upon it to pay the rent.

“There’s just no plan in place to determine what would happen” in that case, said Alex Visotzky with the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “This could very well lead to thousands of additional people becoming homeless in California.”

Why the funds ran out

The emergency program was never meant to be permanent. Creating one of many COVID-19-era additions to the nation’s social safety net, Congress funded the emergency vouchers in 2021 with a lump sum of $5 billion. Once those funds were spent, the program was meant to come to an end.

The wind-down was supposed to be gradual.

After the program’s roll out, housing authorities were told to stop reissuing the emergency vouchers as renters exited the program — because they no longer needed the help, moved to a different city or died. That way, the program was meant to phase itself out of existence. The federal housing department was given until 2030 to spend all $5 billion.

That led many local officials and housing advocates to assume the program would be funded through the end of the decade.

The wind-down of the emergency program is just the latest shudder in an unprecedented upheaval in federal housing policy enacted by President Donald Trump. The administration is considering mass layoffs at the federal housing department, raising concerns among some housing policy experts about whether they can seamlessly operate federal programs, including Section 8. After temporary freezes on all categories of federal funding in late January, the administration, led by DOGE, its “Department of Government Efficiency,” has more quietly extinguished select federal housing programs. Earlier this month the City of Los Angeles stopped accepting new applications for its general Housing Choice Voucher program, citing uncertain support from Washington.

The federal housing department did not respond to repeated emails and voice messages requesting an interview about why the funds ran out sooner than many expected, and whether the news in the March 6 letter represented a change in federal policy.

“To me it just doesn’t sound right, that we’re so far off the mark — four years off the mark,” said Emilio Salas, executive director of the Los Angeles County Development Authority, which oversees federal housing voucher programs for 66 cities and all unincorporated communities across the L.A. basin.

Sonya Acosta, a policy analyst with the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, said she hasn’t seen any evidence that the end of the Emergency Housing Voucher program is the handiwork of DOGE. Instead, she pointed to a familiar problem as the more likely culprit: sky-high rents.

Since Congress authorized the new vouchers in early 2021, rents across the country experienced a post-pandemic boom. That’s even true at the bottom half of the rental market, which the federal housing department uses to set its rental support levels. Between 2021 and 2025, for example, “fair market rents” in San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood increased by 43%, nearly double the overall rate of inflation during the same period, according to the department.

Because the housing voucher programs pay the difference between a tenant’s income and rent, soaring rents and stagnant incomes mean the government pays more.

“We’ve seen those really big increases in rent that has also meant that some of the spending might have gone a little bit faster than initial HUD estimates,” said Acosta.

That basic math problem has put the screws to the overall Section 8 program too. Jones, in San Diego, said the Housing Commission’s average per-household rental assistance payment at the beginning of the pandemic was around $870 each month. Now it’s roughly $1,400. Because the emergency voucher program allows for more generous payments and because its voucher holders tend to have even lower incomes than regular voucher holders, the average emergency voucher is about $2,200, she said.

“The gap between the rental market and the lowest incomes in our community is widening,” she said.

What happens when the money runs out

Without fresh funding, there’s no way many housing authorities would be able to transfer emergency voucher holders onto the regular voucher program.

In Santa Barbara County, for example, nearly 1-in-10 of the local housing authority’s vouchers have been shelved, kept out of the hands of qualified renters because the authority can’t afford to provide the assistance.

So once the emergency funding runs out “we have no way of helping those people right now,” said housing authority director Bob Havlicek. “Even if we did have extra vouchers available, then its public policy issue of ‘why are you helping these folks if you have people on your waitlist?’ We can’t win either way.”

There isn’t much optimism from advocates that the state will step up once the emergency funds run dry.

Bond funds that the state has used to prop up much of its affordable housing spending are running low, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes little extra and rental subsidies, a costly and ongoing expense, have historically been a federal responsibility anyway.

That leaves the federal government, which does not appear to be in a big spending mood when it comes to social programs.

On Monday, Trump signed a budget bill to continue funding the federal government at levels set last year. That may provide a steady funding source for the overall federal housing voucher program, though the bill may give his administration flexibility to redirect some of those funds if it chooses to. It does nothing to address the fate of the Emergency Housing Voucher program.

“We should figure out a way to save this program and make sure these people continue to receive federal rental assistance,” said Tushar Gurjal, a policy analyst at the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, an advocacy group for affordable housing providers. “None of these folks did anything wrong. They’re just using their vouchers and following all the rules.”

Commemoration of 500 years of Cuauhtémoc in the Zócalo: schedule and history

March 9, 2025

The Federal and CDMX governments will pay tribute to the tlatoani Cuauhtémoc in the Zócalo. It is 500 years since he was disappeared by Hernán Cortés

by México Desconocido

This year marks 500 years since the death of the huey tlatoani Cuauhtémoc, murdered by Hernán Cortés, according to some sources, on February 28, 1525 (another date could be the 25th). Therefore, as an unprecedented event in history, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a tribute to Cuauhtémoc in the Zócalo. It is expected that a recreation of the fight between the Spanish and the Mexicas will be held. In addition to this tribute, the Senate of the Republic recently also remembered the value of the last huey tlatoani of Mexico-Tenochtitlan.

For the first commemorative event of Cuauhtémoc’s death in the Zócalo, also the former political headquarters of Mexico-Tenochtitlán, screens, chairs and bleachers have been set up. Likewise, rehearsals have been held with dozens of people, so it is expected to be an event with a large number of artists on stage.

Commemoration of Cuauhtémoc in the Zócalo, how did he die?

Cuauhtémoc, or rather Cuauhtemoctzin (the honorific form of the tlatoani’s name in Nahuatl), was captured by Cortés and his allies on August 13, 1521. As a result, the heroic lord of Mexico-Tenochtitlan finally surrendered the city after a three-month siege. Later, the Tenochca ruler, along with the tlatoani of Tlacopan, were tortured to make them confess where Moctezuma Xocoyotzin’s treasure had been left, after the battle of the Noche Triste in 1520. When his feet were bathed in oil and burned by fire, Cuauhtémoc was left crippled, as recorded by the Spanish doctor Cristóbal de Ojeda.

Despite what happened, the young tlatoani was treated with a certain respect. And Hernán Cortés needed his authority to impose order among the Mexicas and to dialogue with the peoples formerly subject to Tenochtitlan. Despite being a ruler held captive by European power, Cuauhtémoc constantly interceded on behalf of his people in the years following the conquest of the Tenochca capital. As if that were not enough, he refused to be baptized. All of this generated various insecurities in the Extremaduran conqueror, who began to fear a rebellion led by the former lord of Tlatelolco.

The expedition to Las Hibueras and the death of the last Mexica tlatoani

In 1524, Hernán Cortés organized a military expedition against Cristóbal de Olid, who had betrayed him. The destination was the Hibueras region, which is currently Honduras. To do so, he mobilized at the head of a huge army where, as usual, the majority of the troops were the subjugated Mesoamerican peoples. The fact is that on that occasion, the bulk of the contingent was Mexica and to a lesser extent Tlaxcalan. For this reason, their main captains went, including the huey tlatoani Cuauhtémoc himself. In addition, with this Cortés managed to distance the noble Tenochca from his city, in order to avoid any uprising on his part.

A year after beginning the military campaign, Cortés received a certain Mexicalcingo, who told him of a supposed plot that the lord of Tenochtitlan was preparing to rise up against the conquistadors. Faced with this, the Castilian captain decided to execute Cuauhtémoc. The decision was controversial and questioned even by the Spaniards on the expedition. In the end, the young tlatoani was hanged along with the ruler of Tlacopan, Tetlepanquetzal, from the branch of a ceiba tree. Before that, he was baptized and given the Christian name Hernando de Alvarado Cuauhtemotzin. The gruesome death is estimated to have occurred around February 28, 1525 in Itzamkanac, currently the region of El Tigre, in Campeche, north of the border with Guatemala.

The last speech of the Huey Tlatoani

The last Mexica ruler was executed without trial by the Spanish invaders, and thus became a symbol of all the martyrs who saw the fall of the Mexica culture. Witnessing the end of their culture, the great orator offered these words:

«Our sacred energy has already seen fit to hide itself, our venerable sun has already worthily disappeared its face, and in total darkness it has deigned to leave us. We certainly know (that) it will deign to return again, that it will once again see fit to rise and will once again come worthily to enlighten us.»

Lime juice: A natural remedy to prevent hair loss

March 7, 2025

by Marvin Ramírez

Hair loss affects millions worldwide, and while various factors contribute to it, one lesser-known cause is follicle infections. Many have found that natural remedies like lime juice can help combat hair loss and restore growth.

Lime juice, rich in vitamin C and natural acids, possesses antimicrobial and cleansing properties. When applied to the scalp, it eliminates bacteria and fungi that cause inflammation and weaken follicles. “Lime juice stops hair from falling because hair loss often results from follicle infections,” says Carlos Mendez, a natural health enthusiast.

Research supports the antibacterial and antifungal properties of citrus fruits, particularly limes. These properties help maintain a healthy scalp by reducing dandruff, irritation, and excess oil—factors that can weaken follicles. “Lime juice tightens skin and pores, reducing oil that clogs follicles,” explains Dr. Laura Espinoza, a dermatologist specializing in scalp conditions. “This keeps follicles clean and free from infections, which are a common cause of hair loss.”

Many people who experienced thinning or baldness report noticeable improvements. “After weeks of applying lime juice, I noticed less hair falling out,” says Julia Rojas, who struggled with shedding. “Over time, new hair grew in thinning areas. It was incredible!”

Applying lime juice is simple. Extract fresh juice and massage it into the scalp. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. Some people mix it with coconut oil or aloe vera to prevent dryness. “Lime juice alone is potent, so I mix it with coconut oil to keep my scalp moisturized,” advises Manuel Ortiz, who uses lime juice for hair regrowth.

Another method is to apply lime juice to the scalp at night, cover the head with a t-shirt, and leave it overnight. This can be done two or three times a week. Additionally, applying lime juice during the day to thinning areas is beneficial. “You can spread lime juice on the thinning spots, and people won’t notice,” suggests Ortiz.

Although beneficial, lime juice can cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin. A patch test is recommended. Also, avoid sun exposure after application to prevent scalp irritation or burns. “Wash it off thoroughly before going outside, as it increases sun sensitivity,” warns Dr. Espinoza.

However, some people apply lime juice by itself at night and experience no irritation. They just wash it off in the morning.

Experts emphasize that while lime juice promotes follicle health, it is not a cure-all. Genetics, hormones, and nutrition also affect hair health. “Lime juice can help, but persistent hair loss requires professional consultation,” adds Dr. Espinoza.

Some suggest combining lime juice with other natural ingredients for enhanced benefits. Aloe vera, known for its soothing properties, can reduce potential irritation, while coconut oil provides hydration, preventing excessive dryness.

Despite these considerations, many testimonials highlight lime juice’s potential as an inexpensive natural remedy. “I was skeptical at first, but after seeing results, I believe in its effectiveness,” says Rojas. “Nature provides incredible solutions.”

For those seeking natural alternatives, lime juice may be worth trying. With its antimicrobial properties and scalp-cleansing ability, it offers a simple, effective way to maintain hair health and potentially restore lost hair.