OAKLAND — A former African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church bishop pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire fraud, mail fraud and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud for transferring church property deeds to an entity he created then using them to obtain loans, prosecutors said. Staccato Powell, a 65-year-old resident of Wake Forest, North Carolina, agreed
California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined officials from 23 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the federal government Monday for the release of more than $6 billion in federal education funding that they say never arrived, including $939 million for California. Bonta, a Democrat, filed the legal challenge in the U.S. District
The federal funding freeze could cost the Coachella Valley’s K-12 school districts at least $6 million, forcing districts to dip into reserves and rethink staffing. How are schools funded in California? Here’s what you need to know An overview of the funding sources for K-12 schools in California, including the Local Control Funding Formula, local
“It’s just stunning,” McDonald told CalMatters. “I’ve been working for insurance companies for more than 20 years. I’ve never had a check bounce to a claimant in 25 years of practice.” On July 10, the check finally cleared. A bank manager reportedly told McDonald the hold was due to uncertainty over whether the funds would
By Dr. Maria Gnarra Buethe Contributing Columnist Here in sunny Southern California, children spend a lot of time outdoors — whether it’s at the park, pool or beach. But while we’re quick to provide them with swim goggles and life jackets, there’s one safety habit that too often gets overlooked: sun protection. Skin cancer is
Top California Democrats say they’ve averted a worst-case scenario for struggling Bay Area transit agencies — but only for now. Tucked into the $320 billion state budget agreement that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last week is a $750 million loan for four local transit agencies to keep operating while they face massive deficits. The loan
Most local government officials in the US still welcome Chinese-invested projects despite a rise in trade tensions this year, a Chinese chamber of commerce leader said this week as potential investors weigh up economic benefits and geopolitical risks. City leaders want Chinese investment to help stimulate their local economies, especially in manufacturing projects that are
The Trump administration on Monday moved to withhold a projected $6.8 billion nationwide in education funds — including at least $811 million from California — money appropriated by Congress to boost teacher training, after-school programs and classroom technology and to help students who are learning English and those who are from migrant families. Although the
San Rafael has approved $600,000 in allocations to three nonprofits in support of their affordable housing projects in the city. The total outlay from the city’s affordable housing trust fund is $100,000 more than what staff initially recommended. The City Council agreed to kick in the extra money after hearing moving testimony from the applicants.
A proposal to pause a planned tax hike on retail cannabis has set off alarm bells among child safety advocates whose substance use prevention and treatment work depends on funds generated by sales of cannabis products. Industry members say the move, which lawmakers in Sacramento are considering, is necessary to keep struggling retailers afloat. This