has signed legislation<\/a> authorizing a $590 million emergency loan to stabilize Bay Area transit systems, including Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), San Francisco Bay Area Municipal Transportation Commission (MTC), Caltrain and\u00a0 Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC) Transit.<\/p>\nThe measure allows the California State Transportation Agency to loan funds to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to help cover operating deficits as agencies continue recovering from steep pandemic-related ridership losses.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalifornia is stepping up to support Bay Area transit. This agreement will help protect transit service for more than three million monthly riders,\u201d Newsom said. He added that growing ridership, cleaner air and less congestion demonstrate \u201cthe benefits of a strong transit system.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin called the loan an emergency bridge to maintain reliable service while the region works toward a long-term funding fix.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis $590 million emergency loan helps ensure Bay Area communities continue to have reliable service as ridership returns,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said the funding would \u201cavert a traffic catastrophe\u201d and prevent devastating service cuts, describing the agreement as \u201ca major win for securing a bright future for Bay Area public transit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sen. Jesse Arregu\u00edn (D-Berkeley) called it \u201ca major victory for our region\u2019s transit operators, workers, and the communities that depend on public transit.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to regional leaders, Bay Area commuters take 900,000 daily trips on the transit network.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MTC Chair Sue Noack said the loan \u201ckeeps the transit system running smoothly next year,\u201d helping commuters avoid increased congestion.<\/p>\n
The loan is structured as a temporary bridge while the region pursues a potential November 2026 ballot measure that would generate new operating funds starting in 2027. Under the agreement, MTC will repay the loan to the state over 12 years, with interest-only payments during the first two years. Repayment will be backed by State Transit Assistance revenues.<\/p>\n
The legislation also directs state officials to ensure existing capital projects are not disrupted and requires monitoring of regional transportation funds.<\/p>\n
Officials say the emergency financing is designed to stabilize service now while laying groundwork for a more financially resilient transit system in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
Rest In Peace: California Leaders Mourn the Passing of the Rev Jesse L. Jackson\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gov. Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), and State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) were among a number of California leaders who joined the nation in publicly mourning the Rev, Jesse L. Jackson, who died Feb. 17, 2026, at age 84 in Chicago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speakers honored him as one of the nation\u2019s foremost civil rights leaders and described him as \u201cone of America\u2019s greatest civil rights champions\u201d and \u201ca patriot who had the love in his heart to preach a gospel of hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
In statements dated Feb.17, the Newsoms highlighted Jackson\u2019s decades-long activism and his impact across the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHis footprints are found in every civil rights movement in modern history, both as a leader and as a supporter, lending his strength and his spirit to communities around the country,\u201d they said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Newsoms noted Jackson\u2019s work in California, including standing with farmworkers in the Central Valley, advocating for racial and economic justice in Los Angeles and Oakland, and empowering young voters and activists on campuses throughout the state.<\/p>\n
Pelosi reflected on Jackson\u2019s national influence, recalling his 1984 Democratic National Convention speech in San Francisco, when he said, \u201cOur flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow, and we\u2019re all precious in God\u2019s sight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She praised Jackson for broadening the civil rights movement to include working-class communities, people of color, women, LGBTQ Americans, and others striving for a better future. Pelosi said his life and leadership continue to inspire a new generation of change-makers.<\/p>\n
Weber Pierson released a statement honoring Jackson\u2019s legacy, calling him \u201ca relentless advocate for equality and justice whose courage and vision paved the way for progress across our nation and here in California.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cHis legacy lives on in the hope he inspired, the barriers he broke, and the generations he empowered, giving courage to those who believed change was possible because he showed them it was,\u201d Weber Pierson posted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The leaders emphasized Jackson\u2019s enduring message of fellowship and justice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we grieve his loss \u2014 and tomorrow we honor the Reverend by picking up his mantle, by keeping hope alive, and fighting for the world he dreamed of,\u201d the Newsoms said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pelosi extended condolences to Jackson\u2019s wife, Jackie, and their five children, Santita, former Congressman Jesse Jr., Congressman Jonathan, Yusef, and Jacqueline, while acknowledging the national and global mourning of Jackson\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n
Jackson, founder of Operation PUSH and the Rainbow\/PUSH Coalition, ran for president in 1984 and 1988 and spent decades fighting for racial and economic justice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
California Signs Climate Deal With U.K.; Pres. Trump Reacts \u00a0<\/p>\n
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a strengthened climate partnership with the United Kingdom, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband to deepen cooperation on clean energy and sustainable development.<\/p>\n
The announcement was followed by a meeting with UK clean-tech company Octopus Energy, which pledged nearly $1 billion in investments for California projects focused on clean energy, carbon removal, and nature-based solutions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCalifornia is the best place in America to invest in a clean economy because we set clear goals and we deliver,\u201d Newsom said. \u201cToday, we deepened our partnership with the United Kingdom on climate action and welcomed nearly a billion dollars in clean-tech investment from Octopus Energy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Octopus Energy Generation CEO Zoisa North-Bond highlighted California\u2019s strong policy framework and entrepreneurial ecosystem as ideal for long-term investment that benefits both California and the UK economy. The UK government described the partnership as part of its broader mission to cut energy costs, create jobs, and tackle climate change.<\/p>\n
Newsom also met with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy to explore expanded collaboration in climate, trade, and business. The California-UK agreement builds on a growing network of international partnerships, including deals with Chile, Colombia, Nigeria, Brazil, Australia, China, Denmark, and Canadian provinces, covering areas such as methane reduction, forest conservation, zero-emission energy, and climate adaptation.<\/p>\n
California\u2019s climate leadership extends to global coalitions, including the Under2 Coalition, the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, and the Subnational Methane Action Coalition. Domestically, Newsom co-chairs the bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance and the America Is All In coalition, working with states, cities, tribal nations, and businesses to advance climate goals.<\/p>\n
Under Newsom\u2019s administration, California has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 21% since 2000 levels while growing its economy by 81% over the same period. Battery storage has surged to nearly 17,000 megawatts, and in 2023, the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy.<\/p>\n
President Trump reacted to the California-U.K. deal by questioning whether a state should enter international climate partnerships, calling the deal \u201cinappropriate\u201d and saying the U.K. \u201cshouldn\u2019t be dealing with\u201d Newsom on climate policy. California officials defended the partnership, citing the state\u2019s track record of delivering measurable emissions reductions while creating jobs and investment opportunities.<\/p>\n
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The Hon. Steven Bradford, candidate for CA State Insurance Commissioner. (file photo Antonio Ray Harvey, CBM)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Former State Sen. Steve Bradford Announces New Endorsements of His Campaign for Insurance Commissioner\u00a0<\/p>\n
Former Assemblymember and State Senator Steve Bradford announced a wide-ranging slate of new endorsements in his campaign for California Insurance Commissioner, signaling growing support from local leaders, elected officials, and labor organizations across the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese leaders understand firsthand how insurance impacts families, businesses, and entire communities,\u201d Bradford said. \u201cFrom homeowners struggling to keep coverage, to cities recovering after disasters, Californians need an Insurance Commissioner who will protect consumers and stabilize the market. I\u2019m honored to earn the support of leaders who are on the front lines every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bradford\u2019s supporters include mayors, city council members, county supervisors, and school board officials from across California, such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper, and city leaders from Gardena, Lawndale, Carson, Culver City, Torrance, and Victorville. Education leaders also backing Bradford include Tanya Ortiz Franklin of the Los Angeles Unified School District and Sunny Zia of the Long Beach Community College District.<\/p>\n
Labor and advocacy groups have joined the coalition as well, according to Bradford\u2019s campaign, including Teamsters California, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 13, and Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA).<\/p>\n
State and federal officials endorsing Bradford include U.S. Congressmembers Adam Gray (D-CA-13) and Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), California Treasurer Fiona Ma, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, former Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. P\u00e9rez.<\/p>\n
\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey Nichelle Henderson candidate for CA State Superintendent of Public Instruction\u00a0 State…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":194902,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[960,912,24115,5037,7988,44390,91057,32817,19907,121,123,122,60180,8353],"class_list":{"0":"post-194901","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sacramento","8":"tag-antonio-ray-harvey","9":"tag-carousel","10":"tag-eric-swalwell","11":"tag-gov-gavin-newsom","12":"tag-malia-cohen","13":"tag-mia-bonta","14":"tag-michael-tubbs","15":"tag-nichelle-henderson","16":"tag-pamela-price","17":"tag-sacramento","18":"tag-sacramento-headlines","19":"tag-sacramento-news","20":"tag-sen-lola-smallwood-cuevas","21":"tag-shirley-weber"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=194901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/194901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/194902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=194901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=194901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=194901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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Nichelle Henderson candidate for CA State Superintendent of Public Instruction\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Political-Playback_-California-Capitol-News-You-Might-Have-Missed-52.png\")
2026 Endorsing Conference Results: If a candidate receives 60% or more of the votes cast in an Endorsing Caucus, that candidate will be placed on the consent calendar.If no candidate reaches the 60% threshold, the caucus will be recorded as having \u201cno consensus\u201d on an endorsement.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-02-26-at-6.01.11-AM.png\")
YouTube post from @GothamOakland featuring former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price responding to a question, accompanied by a caricature image. Congressman Eric Swalwell reposted the video but did not produce it. The repost prompted concern and criticism from some members of the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n