Our Journalism Needs Your Support

By Chris Neklason
Published May 05, 2025

A man dressed in shorts, a broad rimmed hat, blue tshirt and sunglasses assists a young boy on a mountain bike as he traverses a plank bridge at a bike rodeo in San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz on April 11, 2015.

This isn't his first (bike) rodeo. Image credit: Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious CC BY-SA 2.0

The News: May 5 2025

Happy Monday, happy Cinco de Mayo, and thank you! Just so you know: Every single Monday, hundreds and often thousands of Californians click the link in their inbox that delivers The News—we are grateful that you are one of them and one of us. We hope the information you find here is useful.

The Headline: California is on the Move. Starting today (well, a couple days ago), we celebrate Bike Month and "biking as transportation, as recreation, as essential to our well-being and everyday lives"—(thank you, League of American Bicyclists). If you are happy on a two-wheeler, we honor you. Not yet? Now may be the time to start.

The Throughline: Up and down California, transporation projects funded by your tax dollars at work are gaining steam. Learn more in our News Digest below.

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Spring! cookbook.

Bright and juicy salsa for spring

Fresh strawberry salsa is a bright spring accompaniment to tortilla chips, or to grilled chicken or pork.

New! Strawberry salsa perfect for May celebrations

From Our Media Allies

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	Solar Canal Pilot May One Day Help California Achieve Its Ambitious Climate, Energy Goals
	AS YOU DRIVE through the Central Valley, it is hard to miss the iconic California Aqueduct, which moves millions of gallons of irrigation water through a large canal in the middle of the state. The canal is visible because it’s …

	As Transitional Kindergarten Programs Grow in Roseville, Other Communities Look to Expand Offerings
	California Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget provides $2.4 billion in ongoing Proposition 98 funding to permanently expand Transitional Kindergarten, or TK, which has been gaining steam in Capital area communities like Roseville.

Recent Statewide News

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● Many Californians Can’t Get Mental Health Help. Is It Too Hard to Become a Therapist?

In her home in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Eboni Moen, 42, struggled to find help. Some days she would rock back and forth in her shower, crying uncontrollably and thinking back to her son’s murder. She needed a therapist, she said, someone who could help her process what happened and find appropriate medication. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● Kaiser in the Hot Seat as California Lawmakers Blast Company for Skipping Mental Health Hearing

California lawmakers called an informational hearing on mental health services at Kaiser Permanente, but the company didn’t attend. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● Inmate Firefighters Battled LA’s Wildfire. Now a Lawmaker Wants to Help Launch Their Careers

As the Los Angeles fires raged in January, about 1,000 inmate firefighters labored on hand crews alongside professional firefighters battling the blazes. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● California Regulator Weakens AI Rules, Giving Big Tech More Leeway to Track You

Tech that helps businesses make decisions or target ads will be given freer rein following pressure from the governor. Read more.

(05/06/2025) CalMatters

● An Overdose Killed Her Son. Then, California Lawmakers Asked Her to Help Save Others

Ryan Matlock died of a fentanyl overdose after seeking addiction treatment. Today, his mother is urging lawmakers to get tougher on health insurance plans. Read more.

(05/05/2025) CalMatters

● When Will Democratic Lawmakers Make California More Affordable? Later, Leaders Say

It’s been five months since California’s legislative leaders deemed affordability an “urgent” issue for the session. So far: committees, bills, but few results Read more.

(05/04/2025) CalMatters

● California Democrats Backed Into a Corner Over Teen Sex Solicitation

California Republicans are increasingly pushing Democrats on child sex crimes bills. The supermajority is growing more divided about it. Read more.

(05/02/2025) CalMatters

● California Lawmakers Kill Bid to Force HOAs to Follow Open Meeting Laws

A Republican bill to require more transparency from California’s 50,000 homeowners associations failed to advance out of committee despite bipartisan support. Read more.

(05/01/2025) CalMatters

● Covered California Pushes for Better Health Care as Federal Spending Cuts Loom

Faced with potential federal spending cuts that threaten health coverage and falling childhood vaccination rates, Monica Soni, the chief medical officer of Covered California, has a lot on her plate — and on her mind. Read more.

(05/01/2025) California Healthline

● Reintroduced Condor Update

An update on the endangered condors released in California three years ago. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CapPublicRadio

● Yosemite Reservation Rules Released

On April 29, the administration released rules for Yosemite Park Reservations in the coming months. Read more.

(04/30/2025) The Mercury News

● They Found Their Homeless Loved Ones After Years Apart. But That Was Just the Beginning.

After reading a CalMatters article, two people were able to reconnect with their homeless relatives. Here’s what happened next. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● What to Do if Your Loved One Is Homeless

Finding a homeless loved one can be difficult. So can helping them once you’ve found them. Here are some tips from people who’ve been there. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● Unprecedented Vote Shows Dems Fractured Over Housing Policy

Two consecutive committee chairs getting overruled by their committee members signifies a growing rift among California Democrats about how to address the housing crisis. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● The ‘Science of Reading’ Won’t Be Required in California Schools, at Least for Now

The original proposal would have mandated phonics instruction in K-12 classrooms. The latest version makes that optional. Read more.

(04/30/2025) CalMatters

● Welcome to the First Fire-Resistant Neighborhood. Now What About the Rest of California?

Dixon Trail is the first purpose-built “wildfire resilient neighborhood” in the United States. Making that a reality for the millions of Californians who already live in harm’s way is a daunting and costly challenge that lawmakers are only just beginning to grapple with. Read more.

(04/29/2025) CalMatters

● Judge Restricts Border Patrol in California: ‘You Just Can’t Walk Up to People With Brown Skin’

‘You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin and say give me your papers,’ a federal judge told Border Patrol attorneys at a hearing challenging recent immigration sweeps. Read more.

(04/29/2025) CalMatters

● California Sent Investigators to ICE Facilities. They Found More Detainees, and Health Care Gaps

A California law empowers state investigators to check on conditions at ICE detention centers. A new report raises concerns about health care inside them. Read more.

(04/29/2025) CalMatters

Government Announcements

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	United States (05/02/2025) Ray & Mascari Inc. Recalls 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes Because of Possible Health Risk
Ray & Mascari Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, is recalling 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes packaged in clam shell containers [20 oz. (1 lb. 4 oz) 567g] with UPC# 7 96553 20062 1, and a master case label with Lot# RM250424 15250B or Lot# RM250427 15250B because of the potential for them to be contaminated

	United States (05/02/2025) Vietti Food Group Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in 15-oz Yellowstone Brown Sugar Molasses Baked Beans
Vietti Food Group of Nashville, TN is recalling 4,515 cases of its Yellowstone Brown Sugar Molasses Baked Beans (15 oz.) due to the presence of undeclared soy. Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

	United States (05/02/2025) Williams Farms Repack LLC Recalls Tomatoes Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination
Williams Farms Repack LLC is recalling Tomatoes sizes; 4x5 2 layer, 60ct 2layer, 3ct trays in the Williams Farms Repack label, and 5x6 25lb, 6x6 25lb H&C Farms Label, due to a potential contamination of Salmonella. Salmonella an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in you

	United States (05/01/2025) East Trading Inc., Issues Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in "Licorice Plum"
East CK Trading, Inc. of Long Island City, NY, is recalling its 8-ounce packages of "Licorice Plum" food treats because they contained undeclared sulfites and unallowed color, Amaranth (E123). Consumers who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reac

	United States (04/28/2025) Food Co. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Monkfish Liver - Ankimo
JJWV Marketing Corporation of Santa Fe Springs, California is recalling Ankimo Monkfish Liver because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

	United States (04/28/2025) Trader Joe's Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon Voluntarily Recalled Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 28, 2025 - A limited quantity of Trader Joe's Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon is voluntarily being recalled because the topping packet may potentially contain an undeclared milk allergen. The product may contain milk that is not declared on the label. 500 units of the sal

	United States (04/25/2025) Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds and Cashews in Mauna Loa Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias (0.6OZ and 4OZ)
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC of Kea'au, HI is voluntarily recalling Mauna Loa Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias (0.6oz and 4oz bags), due to the possible presence of undeclared almonds and cashews.

	United States (04/25/2025) My Life Inc Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in ML Natural Premium Quality Lactoferrin as Apolactoferrin
April 25, 2025, My Life Inc. of Federal Way, WA is recalling approximately 65 bottles of ML Naturals Premium Quality Lactoferrin as Apolactoferrin 300mg. capsules dietary supplement, lot FL2407511L19, expiration date 10/2027, because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or seve

	United States (04/24/2025) New England Village Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in "19th Hole Snack Mix"
New England Village Foods of Milford NH is recalling all lots of 5 -ounce and 10 -ounce containers of New England Village Snacks "19th Hole Snack Mix" because they may contain undeclared almonds. People who have allergies to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if th

	United States (04/18/2025) Recall Reminder: Gerber Products Company Previously Recalled and Discontinued All Batches of Gerber® Soothe N Chew® Teething Sticks Due To Potential Choking Hazard
On January 31, 2025, Gerber Products Company initiated a recall and discontinuation of all batches of GERBER SOOTHE N CHEW TEETHING STICKS due to a potential choking hazard for babies and young children.