By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Gov. Newsom Calls Pres. Trump’s Attack on Iran “Reckless”
Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump over the recent U.S. military strikes on Iran, calling the action “reckless” and warning it puts American lives at unnecessary risk.
In a social media post on Feb. 28, Newsom said while he agrees that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons, he argued that the president’s decision to launch major combat operations was unjustified and dangerous.
“The corrupt and repressive Iranian regime must never have nuclear weapons. The leadership of Iran must go,” Newsom wrote. “But that does not justify the president of the United States engaging in an illegal, dangerous war that will risk the lives of our American service members and our friends without justification to the American people.”
Newsom’s comments came as the U.S. and Israel carried out coordinated strikes across Iran early Feb. 28, actions that have triggered Iranian missile retaliation and raised fears of a broader Middle East conflict. The moves also drew strong international responses, with global leaders calling for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic channels.
At a public event in San Francisco later that day, Newsom reiterated his critique, describing the administration’s approach as a distraction from domestic political challenges.
“It stems from weakness masquerading as strength,” he said, accusing Trump of manufacturing a crisis rather than presenting a clear strategy to the American people,” he said.
Newsom also emphasized the need for transparency and constitutional oversight, arguing that Congress –not just the White House — should be involved in decisions of war and peace. His remarks reflect mounting criticism from Democratic lawmakers and activists who say the strikes lack legal justification and could endanger U.S. troops without a clear exit plan.
In Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood — nicknamed “Tehrangeles” and home to the largest concentration of people of Iranian descent outside of Iran — as well as in smaller Iranian American enclaves across the state, some residents took to the streets to celebrate. Reports described people honking car horns, waving Iranian flags and rejoicing after President Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader.
DOJ Joins Lawsuit Claiming LAUSD Program Discriminates Against White Students
The U.S. Justice Department has joined a federal lawsuit alleging that a long-running Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) program unlawfully discriminates against White students by using race-based classifications to allocate school funding and admissions preferences.
In a motion filed Feb. 25, the U.S. Department of Justice said LAUSD’s Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Other program, known as PHBAO, violates federal civil rights law by treating students differently based on the racial makeup of their schools. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The lawsuit was brought by the 1776 Project Foundation, a Montana-based conservative group, and challenges a desegregation policy that traces back to a 1981 court order. While the original order aimed to address segregation, plaintiffs argue LAUSD has transformed it into a permanent system of racial preferences.
“Treating Americans equally is not a suggestion, it is a core constitutional guarantee that educational institutions must follow,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “This Department of Justice will never stop fighting to make that guarantee a reality, including for public-school students in Los Angeles.”
According to court filings, LAUSD labels schools in neighborhoods with less than 30% White residents as PHBAO and provides them additional benefits. The Justice Department said those schools receive extra funding to reduce student-teacher ratios by 5.5 students, increase parent-teacher conferences, and grant students preferences when transferring to magnet schools comparable to those given for overcrowded campuses.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the policy improperly categorizes students by race.
“Los Angeles County students should never be classified or treated differently because of their race,” said Dhillon. “Racial discrimination is unlawful and un-American, and this Civil Rights Division will fight to ensure that every LAUSD student is treated equally under the law.”
Fewer than 100 schools in the district lack the PHBAO designation, according to the lawsuit, which alleges that students at those schools, including White and Middle Eastern students, are denied equal access to resources.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said the policy has exceeded its original purpose.
“Now in its sixth decade, LAUSD’s desegregation program has outlived its usefulness to the point of being unconstitutional,” said Essayli.
An LAUSD spokesperson said the district could not comment on the lawsuit because it involves pending litigation but reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all students have meaningful access to educational opportunities.
Significant Drop: New Report Shows Major Decreases in California Crime Rates
California’s violent and property crime rates declined sharply in 2024, marking the first statewide decrease in violent crime since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).
The report found that California’s overall violent crime rate fell 5.3% in 2024, dropping from 508 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2023 to 481. Despite the improvement, violent crime remains 9.8% higher than in 2019, reflecting a sustained increase that followed the pandemic.
Several major violent crime categories saw notable declines. Homicides decreased by 13.5% in 2024, while reported rapes fell 1.2%. Robberies dropped 7.5%, and aggravated assaults declined 4.8%. Even with the year-over-year reduction, aggravated assaults remain 22% above pre-pandemic levels, highlighting uneven recovery across crime types.
The report notes that California’s violent crime trends follow long-term historical patterns. After peaking in the early 1990s, violent crime fell steadily for two decades, reaching a 50-year low in 2014. Rates then began rising again in the late 2010s before surging during the pandemic years.
Property crime also declined significantly in 2024. The statewide property crime rate fell 9.9% to 2,084 incidents per 100,000 residents, the lowest level recorded since 1985. Larceny thefts and burglaries dropped 7.1% and 11.8%, respectively, and both are now well below their 2019 levels.
Auto theft declined 16.7% in 2024 but remains 19.3% higher than before the pandemic. Shoplifting continued to rise, increasing 14.2% last year and standing 48% above its 2019 rate. Theft of car accessories, including catalytic converters, fell 27%, marking the second consecutive decline since 2020.
Crime trends varied widely by region. The lowest violent crime rates were reported along California’s southern coast and border counties, while the San Joaquin Valley recorded the highest violent crime rate. Property crime was lowest in the Sierra region and highest in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Most of California’s 58 counties saw declines in both violent and property crime in 2024, including the majority of the state’s largest counties, signaling broad but uneven improvements in public safety statewide.
On Your 2026 Ballot: Measure Would Allow Cities and Counties to Create Local Election Financing Systems That Prioritize Small Donors
A new ballot measure set to appear on the November 2026 ballot for California voters would allow cities, counties, districts, and the state to establish public campaign financing systems designed to amplify small-dollar donors and limit the influence of wealthy special interests.
The California Clean Money Action Fund, California Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters of California launched the campaign and will serve as chairs of the new ballot measure committee, Californians for Fair Elections.
If approved, the California Fair Elections Act would repeal the statewide ban on public financing and give local communities the option to implement systems that strengthen accountability, enforce spending limits, and protect taxpayer funds. Participation would remain voluntary, and programs would include strict criteria for candidates to qualify for public funding. Public funds could not be used for legal defense fees or fines.
Supporters argue the reform is needed because California campaigns are dominated by big money. Since 2020, more than $1 billion has been spent on state-level campaigns, and polling shows 81% of California voters believe large donors exert too much influence over elected officials. Five charter cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and Long Beach, already run public financing programs that give everyday candidates a chance to compete. The measure would expand those opportunities statewide.
“The California Fair Elections Act is about restoring trust, strengthening accountability, and making sure everyday Californians have a real say in who represents them,” said Trent Lange, California Clean Money Action Fund’s executive director.
Common Cause California Executive Director Darius Kemp added, “This measure opens the door for teachers, nurses, small business owners, and community leaders to run competitive campaigns and win.”
Legislative supporters highlighted the potential for broader representation.
“The California Fair Elections Act puts power back in the hands of the people,” said Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), author of SB 42, which placed the measure on the ballot.
Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) said, “Public financing is the reform we need to bring power back to the people and level the playing field for grassroots candidates.”
The measure is backed by a coalition of state, local, and national organizations, including the ACLU, AFSCME, Asian Law Caucus, California Environmental Voters, California Nurses Association, California Labor Federation, and others.
Gov. Newsom Sets Historic Goal to Secure 9 Million Acre-Feet of Water by 2040
For the first time in state history, California has a statewide water supply target: 9 million acre-feet by 2040.
On Feb. 26, Gov. Gavin Newsom formally launched the California Water Plan 2028, calling it the most ambitious water planning effort in state history and a critical response to climate change-driven droughts and floods.
“California is committed to protecting the water that families, farmers, and communities depend on for generations to come,” Newsom said in a statement. “The 2028 Water Plan is a commitment to every Californian that we will capture, store, and conserve the water our state — the 4th largest economy in the world — needs to thrive, no matter what climate change throws at us.”
The plan begins implementation of Senate Bill 72, authored by State Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced), which mandates modernization of the state’s water blueprint through improved data collection and measurable supply targets.
“For the first time, we are setting a clear statewide target of 9 million acre-feet of additional water supply and establishing measurable benchmarks that hold us accountable,” Caballero said. “California must plan with discipline and act with urgency to secure a reliable water future for every part of our state.”
The 9 million acre-feet target — roughly equal to two Shasta Reservoirs or enough water for 18 million homes — reflects what the state could lose as shrinking snowpack and intensifying drought strain supplies.
“California’s hydrology is changing,” said Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme wet swings to intensely dry within the same season. The work of crafting the next California Water Plan will help us plan smarter to deal with the way climate change is testing our water systems.”
The Department of Water Resources will convene a diverse advisory committee in April, including urban and agricultural water suppliers, tribal representatives, labor, environmental justice advocates and business leaders. The California Water Commission will serve in a formal advisory role.
“We applaud the launch of the California Water Plan 2028 and the collaborative framework envisioned under SB 72,” said Commission Chair Fern Steiner, pledging support for “sustainable water solutions for all Californians.”
State officials say the plan will focus on improved data, localized supply targets and practical adaptation strategies — with progress tracked publicly through a new project website.
“Fake Outrage”: Gov. Newsom Pushes Back on Racist Allegations
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing back against accusations of racism after conservatives criticized comments he made about his academic struggles during a public appearance in Atlanta tied to his new book.
The backlash followed a conversation on Feb. 22, between Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, where the governor spoke candidly about scoring a 960 on the SAT and continuing to struggle reading prepared speeches.
“I’m not trying to impress you, I’m just trying to impress upon you I’m like you, I’m not better than you,” said Newsom. “You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech. Maybe this is the wrong business to be in.”
Conservative commentators and Republican officials quickly circulated the clip, claiming that the governor’s remarks were racially offensive because Newsom was speaking to a Black elected official. Fox News host Sean Hannity shared the video and claimed Newsom “thinks a 960 SAT makes him ‘like Black Americans.’”
Newsom fired back, accusing critics of hypocrisy and selective outrage.
“You didn’t give a s*** about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations s***holes,” Newsom said. “But you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Spare me your fake f***ing outrage, Sean.”
Newsom was referencing a Truth Social post shared by former President Donald Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. The post was later deleted after bipartisan backlash.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina criticized Newsom, saying he suffers from the “bigotry of low expectations” and admonished the governor for “using your mediocre academics as a way to patronize communities.”
Dickens rejected that interpretation, writing online, “That wasn’t an attack on anyone. It was a moment of vulnerability about his own journey.” He added, “We don’t need anyone to tell us when to be offended.”
Newsom’s office called the criticism “fake MAGA-manufactured outrage,” noting the governor has discussed his dyslexia and SAT scores publicly for years as he begins a national book tour that is fueling speculation about a possible 2028 presidential run.