The inquiry comes less than a week after a coalition of Trump-aligned investors took control of the platform’s U.S. operations
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is launching an investigation into TikTok’s censorship practices after users reported being unable to post content critical of the Trump administration.
The inquiry comes less than a week after TikTok struck a deal with a group of non-Chinese investors to create a U.S. TikTok, ending a six-year legal saga that saw Congress ban the popular social media app over national security concerns.
U.S. TikTok’s new owners feature several Trump-aligned companies, including Oracle, run by longtime Trump ally Larry Ellison, and MGX, an Emirati investment firm, heightening concerns about censorship.
It’s time to investigate.
I am launching a review into whether TikTok is violating state law by censoring Trump-critical content. https://t.co/AZ2mWW68xa
Some TikTok users reported being unable to mention Jeffrey Epstein in direct messages, while others, including Hacks star Megan Stalter and singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, said content criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was barred on the platform.
“TikTok is under new ownership and we are being completely censored and monitored,” Stalter wrote. “I’m unable to upload anything about 🧊 even after I tried to trick the page by making it look like a comedy video.”
Stalter has since deleted her TikTok account and encouraged her followers to delete the app in protest.
Journalist David Leavitt wrote on X that “TikTok had begun censoring anti-Trump and anti-ICE content,” sharing a screenshot of videos on his profile that had been flagged as “Ineligible for Recommendation.”
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Another user saw his comments on videos removed for expressing anti-Nazi rhetoric and pro-Palestine viewpoints.
None of the users’ claims could be independently verified by Los Angeles Magazine.
I know this is out of character for me, but I’m speaking up.
I made this post (left) on my TikTok story.
Less than an hour later, it was replaced with a black screen (right).
Conversations surrounding social media censorship have risen in prominence since Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and rebranded the platform as X.
Musk, a self-described “free speech absolutist,” fired the platform’s content moderation team soon after taking control of the company, accusing the department of silencing conservative voices.
Despite the tech billionaire’s claims of transforming X into a “free speech app,” Musk has been accused of “silencing his critics” on the site by banning journalists and political commentators while tweaking the platform’s algorithm to promote conservative viewpoints.
Many Democrats fear Oracle and MGX could reshape TikTok in ways similar to Elon Musk’s changes at X.
“I know it’s hard to track all the threats to democracy out there right now, but this is at the top of the list,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) wrote on X.
The lawsuit argues that the new measure is unconstitutional and puts agents in danger.
The Trump administration filed a lawsuit on Monday against Governor Gavin Newsom over a law he signed in September banning federal agents from wearing masks. Seemingly in response to the president’s immigration crackdown this year.
The lawsuit claims the mask ban and companion measure requiring agents to wear identification are unconstitutional. Specifically, the states do not have the power to regulate federal agencies. With a policy that they claim puts federal agents in danger.
“The laws threaten the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedent wave of harassment, doxxing, and even violence” – statement by the US Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs.
The lawsuit says federal law enforcement agencies will not comply with the pair of state laws going into effect Jan. 1, and asks the court to strike them down.
“California’s anti-law enforcement policies discriminate against the federal government and are designed to create risk for our agents. These laws cannot stand,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.
Many argue that the ban on masking measures is constitutional, as there are other state laws that federal agents are required to follow. For example, they have to follow speed limits, which are regulated by local law enforcement.
Several states have considered a ban on masking by immigration agents, but California was the first to pass one into law. This comes as a response to the sharp increase in ICE presence and raids in many areas.
“If the Trump administration cared half as much about public safety as it does about pardoning cop-beaters, violating people’s rights, and detaining U.S. citizens and their kids, our communities would be much safer,” Izzy Gardon, a spokesman for Mr. Newsom, said in a statement.
Dana Williamson, 53, agreed to a restrictive bail package that includes her agreeing to not drink “any alcohol” after her arrest on a slew of alleged corruption charges
Dana Williamson – the former top aide to Governor Gavin Newsom, who was under investigation by the FBI as she held a powerful position in California’s state government – was being secretly surveilled and wiretapped during meetings with her codefendants last year, court records reviewed by Los Angeles reveal.
The powerful Democratic operative was arrested Wednesday at her home outside of Sacramento, federal prosecutors say. She pleaded not guilty at her initial appearance in front of a federal judge on a 23-count federal indictment.
Prosecutors say Williamson, who served as the governor’s top aide from 2022 until 2024, is accused of helping funnel around $225,000 from a dormant campaign account belonging to current California gubernatorial candidate and former Health and Human Services Secretary for the Biden administration, Xavier Becerra.
Williamson had served as Becerra’s campaign manager in 2018 during his successful reelection campaign for California State Attorney General and launched the scheme, federal prosecutors say, with a longtime top prosecutor from that office in 2022.
Sean McCluskie was Becerra’s second in command in the California AG’s Office, going back to 2017, and he then followed his boss into the Biden Administration in 2021 when he was appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services. He has since admitted to colluding with Williamson, along with his wife, stay-at-home mom Kerry MacKay, to funnel money out of a dormant campaign account containing funds raised for a future run at state office for Becerra.
McCluskie told a federal judge he was motivated by corruption and thievery alongside Williamson and a Sacramento lobbyist named Greg Campbell, in part to pad his paycheck because his new $183,000 a year salary in Washington D.C. was a pay cut, and he had additional travel expenses because he didn’t want to move to the Capitol.
Xavier Becerra denied knowing anything about a scheme federal prosecutors say was launched by his former campaign manager and chief of staff to pilfer $250,000 from his dormant campaign coffers Credit: Los Angeles file photo
McCluskie admitted to tapping into Becerra’s coffers in an elaborate scheme with Williamson that would funnel money through consulting contracts that named his wife, Kerry MacKay. According to federal court records, MacKay was paid as a “communications consultant,” which prosecutors say was in fact a no-show job. Williamson, a political consultant at the time, also billed Becerra’s campaign for consulting services that were never performed.
When Williamson learned she was being investigated for PPE loan fraud in the spring of 2024, prosecutors say, she reached out to the McCluskies to engage in what investigators call a cover-up attempt – one that was secretly recorded by the FBI. The three of them met near the Statehouse building for separate meetings in July, August and September 2024, according to his plea agreement. The last meeting came in September 2024, when Newsom’s administration was grappling with a series of wildfires.
“Collectively, they funneled the money through various business entities and disguised it as pay for what was, in reality, a no-show job,” FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said in a news release after Williamson’s arrest.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former Chief of Staff was indicted after “multiyear” FBI investigation, prosecutors say Credit: (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
Williamson is also accused of illegally writing off $1 million in vacations, luxury purses and private jet travel as business expenses on her federal income tax returns and illegally obtaining bogus PPE COVID loans.
Williamson, a longtime and powerful Democratic political consultant, pleaded not guilty during a brief hearing on Wednesday in Sacramento and has since agreed to turn over her passport and abide by special conditions imposed by a federal judge. Williamson, whose lawyer said she is awaiting a liver transplant, signed a court order that required an unusual emphasis on her remaining abstinent from liquor that read: “You must refrain from any use of alcohol.”
Both of her former bosses, Newsom and Becerra, have denied any wrongdoing and have not been named as targets in the investigation. Becerra is continuing his campaign to replace Newsom as California’s next governor.
Dana Williamson, a longtime political consultant, was the subject of a “multiyear investigation,” by the FBI for a slew of corruption-related crimes, prosecutors say
A former Chief of Staff for Governor Gavin Newsom was arrested Wednesday after what federal prosecutors call a “multiyear investigation” into pilfered campaign cash that allegedly propped up a lifestyle of “private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, home furnishings, and designer handbags, as well as deductions for no-show jobs for friends and family.”
Dana Williamson, 53, of Carmichael, was charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for California’s Eastern District announced Wednesday. The 23-count indictment was unsealed following Williamson’s arrest.
Prosecutors say Williamson, who served as the governor’s top aide from 2022 until 2024, is accused of helping funnel around $225,000 from a dormant campaign account apparently belonging to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to Becerra’s former chief of staff Sean McCluskie. McCluskie appears to be cooperating with federal prosecutors, as is Sacramento lobbyist Greg Campbell, who was part of the alleged scheme.
According to the indictment, Williamson and another unnamed co-conspirator transferred money from Becerra’s state campaign account to Campbell’s firm for purported consulting services. Then, according to court documents, Campbell’s firm sent thousands of dollars a month to a third-party payroll provider, which paid McCluskie. The payments were disguised as pay for a no-show job supposedly performed by McCluskie’s spouse, according to the indictment.
“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” Grant said. That timeline puts Williamson as a top executive in the Governor’s office as federal investigators were probing her for corruption.
Williamson is also accused of cheating on her taxes by putting roughly $1 million in luxury expenses on her returns as business appropriations, prosecutors say. Those bogus business expenses include an HVAC system for her house, a $15,000-plus Chanel handbag and ring, a $10,000 payment to one of her relatives, a $21,000 private jet trip, and a watch worth more than $9,000 for a close friend, according to the indictment. She also deducted an $11,000 yacht rental along with luxury hotel stays during a birthday trip in Mexico, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors say Williamson lied to FBI agents about the scheme involving Becerra’s campaign money. She is also suspected of feeding inside information to a company regarding a lawsuit by the state of California.
“Disguising personal luxuries as business expenses—especially to claim improper tax deductions or to willfully file fraudulent tax returns is a serious criminal offense with severe consequences,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Oakland Field Office Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen. “IRS-CI will pursue charges against those who deliberately exploit their business for personal enrichment.”
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When Williamson left Newsom’s office, while under investigation, the Governor released a statement praising her as a “fighter” with a “big heart.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s former Chief of Staff was indicted after “multiyear” FBI investigation, prosecutors say Credit: (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
“I greatly appreciate Dana’s counsel and her service to the state and the people of California over the last two years,” Newsom said in 2024. “Her insight, tenacity, and big heart will be missed.”
Healing and uplifting communities through music and unity is the foundation of this event space created by Zacil “DJ Sizzle Fantastic” Pech and Norma “Normz La Oaxaqueña” Fajardo.
For nearly a decade DJ Sizzle has built a reputation in the queer POC and Spanish-speaking undocumented communities for making the space for them to come together to celebrate their culture and partake in the ultimate act of resistance — joy.
Couples, companions, comadres all dance together on the dancefloor at Cumbiatón. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).
Cumbiatón was created during the first Trump administration as a direct response to the erasure, racism, homophobia and xenophobia that was engrained into the administration’s mission for those first four years. Now that the second Trump administration is upon us, the racism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia are tenfold.
This event space is a ‘party for the hood, by the hood.’ It is led by women, queer and trans people of color in every aspect of the production process.
The recent fires that burned through Altadena and Pacific Palisades made DJ Sizzle decide to step back from marketing the event in Los Angeles, an area where people had just lost their businesses, homes and where their lives were completely thrown for a loop.
Now they’re back, doubling-down on their mission to bring cumbias, corridos and all the music many of us grew up listening to, to places that are accessible and safe for our communities.
“I started Cumbiatón back in 2016, right after the election — which was weirdly similar because we’re going through it again. And a lot of us come from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) movement. We were the ones to really push for that to happen along with the DREAM Act.”
DJ Sizzle says that she wanted to create a space out on the streets to celebrate life and come together, because of how mentally and physically taxing it is to be a part of the marginalized communities that were and still are, a major target for ongoing political attacks.
Edwin Soto and Julio Salgado pose for a photo at a Cumbiaton event in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).
“We need these spaces so that we can kind of refuel and rejoice in each other’s existence,” said DJ Sizzle. “Because we saw each other out on the street a lot, but never did we really have time to sit down, have a drink, talk, laugh. So I found that music was the way to bring people together and that’s how Cumbiatón got started. It was honestly like a movement of political resistance through music.”
DJ Sizzle is an undocumented community organizer who aims to not only bring awareness to the issues that her communities face, but also to make space to celebrate the wins and bond over the music that brings people in Latin America, East L.A., Boyle Heights and the Bay area together.
Julio Salgado, a queer, visionary artist and migrant rights activist from Ensenada, Baja California with roots in Long Beach and the Bay Area, connected with DJ Sizzle over their shared passion in advocating for immigrant rights.
“Cumbiatón was created during the first [Trump] administration, where you know, a lot of people were really bummed out and so what Sizzle wanted to create was a place where people could come together and celebrate ourselves,” said Salgado. “Fast-forward to the second [Trump] administration and we’re here and feel a little bit more like: ‘oh shit, things are bad again.’ But, things have always been bad.”
Salgado is involved with Cumbiatón through his art. He is a mixed-media artist who creates cartoons using his lived experience with his sobriety journey, undocumented status and queer identity.
With a background in journalism from California State University, Long Beach, Salgado documents what activists do in the undocumented spaces he has been a part of throughout his life.
In 2017, Salgado moved back to Long Beach from the Bay Area, and at the time he started doing political artwork and posters for protests against the first Trump administration, but because the nature of that work can be very tiring, he says that he turned to a more uplifting version of his art where he also draws the joy and unity in his communities.
When he and Sizzle linked up to collaborate during that time, he thought he could use his skills to help uplift this brand and bring it to the forefront of the many events that saturate the party landscape.
DJ Sizzle doing her thing on stage, giving the crowd the music they went looking for. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).
“We are familiar with using the dance floor as a way to kind of put the trauma a little bit away just for one night, get together and completely forget,” said Salgado.
Coming from an undocumented background, Salgado and Sizzle say that their experience with their legal status has made them very aware of how to go about the ID-check process at the door for their events.
“When you’re undocumented, you have something called a [High Security Consular Registration (HSCR)] and it’s kind of like your ID and many of these heterosexual clubs would see that and say it was fake,” said Salgado. “But at the gay club, they didn’t care.”
Just being conscious of what that form of ID looks like and knowing that it’s not fake, helps many of the hundreds of people who come through for Cumbiatón, feel just slightly more at ease.
Edwin Soto, who is another community activist and leader in the undocu-queer community, is also involved in the planning and organizing of the event.
In the long journey of making Cumbiatón what it is now, they say that they have all been very intentional about who they bring in, making sure that whoever they are, they also understand the experience of being undocumented and accepted anyway.
“Something that Sizzle and the team have been very intentional about is making sure that [the security at the door] knows that someone might be using their consulate card,” said Soto.
Bringing together this event space is no easy task, considering the fact that their events are deeply thought out, intentional and inclusive of not just people of color, but also people with differing abilities and people who do not reflect the norm in West Hollywood clubs.
“We created the space that we were longing for that we did not see in West Hollywood,” he said. “[Cumbiatón] is what life could really be like. Where women are not harassed by men. Where people are not body-shamed for what they’re wearing.”
When it comes to their lives outside of Cumbiatón and partying, Sizzle says that it does get exhausting and planning the event gets overwhelming.
“It is really difficult, I’m not going to lie,” said DJ Sizzle. “We are at a disadvantage being queer and being undocumented because this administration triggers us to a point that, anyone who is not a part of those identities or marginalized communities would ever be able to understand,” said Sizzle. “There are times where I’m just like: ‘I’m going to cocoon for a little bit’ and then that affects the marketing and the communication.”
Usually, the events bring in hundreds of people who are looking for community, safety and inclusion. (Photo courtesy of Cumbiatón).
That’s a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes — which really shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone who is out there fighting for basic human rights, while also making the space to party and enjoy themselves.
“I’m really trying to find balance and honestly my life raft are my friends and my community,” she said. “Like, being able to share, being able to have this plática, and be like ‘bitch, I see you and I know its fucked up, but we got each other.’”
Cumbiatón was made with the purpose of making space to include and invite the many different people in these communities who are otherwise sidelined in broader conversations and in party scenes where they are not as inclusive or thoughtful about their attendees.
“How beautiful is it to be queer and listen to rancheras and to norteñas and cumbia, and to just own it,” said Soto.
To join Cumbiatón at their next party, visit their Instagram page.
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of President Trump’s most notable opponents, announces in an exclusive interview that he will consider a run for president following the 2026 midterm elections
In an interview with “CBS News Sunday Morning,” Newsom was asked if he would give “serious thought” to a bid for the presidency after next year’s midterm elections. To which he responded, “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom replied. “I’d just be lying. And I’m not — I can’t do that.”
As his gubernatorial term ends in January of 2027, and he is unable to run again because of term limits, he notes any decision on this matter is years away, stating that “Fate will determine that”. Many political observers have long considered him a viable presidential candidate, although this is his first time addressing these assertions.
This, however, is not the first indication Newsom has made that he may be interested in the Oval Office. He has made trips to key battleground states, including a visit to South Carolina in July, a state now slated to host the first democratic primary in the 2028 presidential election.
During his trip, where he met with Democratic leaders and paid a visit to a coffee shop to rally activists, he said, “I love people. I actually love people,” after expressing gratitude for being in the “right business”.
As of now, Newsom is focusing on passing Proposition 50, a California ballot measure he has spearheaded, which would allow state democrats to temporarily change the boundaries of the U.S. House Districts, making them more favorable to the party. This measure will be decided in a special election next week, in hopes of combating Trump’s push for Republican-controlled states to alter their congressional maps.
“I think it’s about our democracy. It’s about the future of this republic. I think it’s about, you know, what the Founding Fathers lived and died for, this notion of the rule of law, and not the rule of Don,” Newsom said.
The White House alters plans to shut down the I-5 for a military event at Camp Pendleton; The Freeway will remain open as ‘No Kings Day’ protests and the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps are underway this weekend.
This weekend, the White House intended to shut down part of the 5 Freeway between Los Angeles and San Diego due to a live fire demonstration for a military event happening at Camp Pendleton. However, after receiving concerned responses from local officials and residents, the 5 Freeway will now stay open during the event.
In a news release from the same day, the U.S Marines confirmed, “All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols. No public highways or transportation routes will be closed.”
The military event is scheduled for this Saturday, which marks the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps. The event is set to feature a live-fire and amphibious assault demonstration, which could include firing missiles over the Freeway and onto Camp Pendleton. It is also reported that Navy ships will fire missiles around the coast of the base.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and other military leaders are set to attend the event, which has been titled “America’s Marines 250: Sea to Shore – A Review of Amphibious Strength”.
Christopher Clark, a spokesperson for Caltrans, told SFGATE they were “informed of potential plans” to close the highway and “cautioned against it.”
Governor Gavin Newsom addressed plans to close I-5 with a post on X on October 15th, writing, “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military. PUT ASIDE YOUR VANITY PARADE AND PAY OUR TROOPS INSTEAD.
Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military.
If road closures had happened, they would likely result in extreme congestion from Dana Point to past Del Mar. The road services over 80,000 travelers, who would all have to find alternate routes of up to 30 additional miles.
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Following the Marine Corps’ announcement that I-5 would remain open, Governor Newsom’s press office responded on X, writing: “We’re relieved the White House backed off its plans to shut down a major interstate. Now that I-5 will stay open, we hope the Trump Administration applies that same common sense to reopening the federal government!”
We’re relieved the White House backed off its plans to shut down a major interstate.
Now that I-5 will stay open, we hope the Trump Administration applies that same common sense to reopening the federal government! https://t.co/6aGDaxhY9V
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 16, 2025
The Marine Corps anniversary comes amid the ongoing government shutdown, as thousands of federal workers are working without pay as lawmakers scramble to find a solution. On Wednesday, a ninth attempt at voting to fund the government ended unsuccessfully, leading into the third week of nationwide shutdowns.
Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, said, “We are ready, willing to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people.”
Air traffic controller Peter Lefevre said about the shutdown, “Not knowing how I’m going to have child care for my kids, put gas in the car or pay the next mortgage payment, adds a certain level of stress to an already stressful profession.”
The spectacular event is the latest in a series of costly military investments made by the administration at the expense of taxpayers. While the military continues to see significant budget increases, Federal workers, active duty members and American citizens are facing budget cuts and economic hardship. All the while, the government remains at a standstill over the future of its funding.
The event at Camp Pendleton coincides with another round of ‘No Kings Day’ protests scheduled for this weekend. Upcoming demonstrations are expected to bring out millions of citizens across the country who oppose the current administration.
The governor said the proposed AI restrictions were too broad, even as parents and advocates urged stronger safeguards for minors online
On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill meant to restrict the usage of AI chatbots for anyone under 18.
The bill was proposed by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s (D) as the Leading Ethical AI Development for Kids Act (LEAD). It would have restricted any companion chatbot platform, including those from OpenAI and Meta, from being used by a minor if there were obvious potential for harm or sexual conversations.
“While I strongly support the author’s goal of establishing necessary safeguards for the safe use of AI by minors, (the bill) imposes such broad restrictions on the use of conversational AI tools that it may unintentionally lead to a total ban on the use of these products by minors,” Newsom said.
Newsom faced intense pressure on the LEAD Act, including a personal letter from parents who said their son took his own life after ChatGPT became his “suicide coach.” On the opposing side, the tech industry argued that the bill was too broad and would stifle innovation by taking away useful tools for children, such as AI tutoring systems and programs that could detect early signs of dyslexia.
Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization that reviews and rates media for families, sponsored the LEAD Act, decried the veto. James Steyer, Common Sense Media’s founder and CEO, said in a statement, “It is genuinely sad that the big tech companies fought this legislation, which actually is in the best interest of their industry long-term.”
Newsom signed a narrower measure, Track authored by Sen. Steve Padilla (D), that will require chatbots to establish protocols to “detect, remove, and respond to instances of suicide ideation users.”
Chatbot operators now will have to implement protocols to ensure their system does not deliver self-harm or suicide content to users, as well as place “reasonable measures” to prevent chatbots from encouraging minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
Recent polls indicate that California’s Proposition 50 is likely to pass. So what does that mean?
What is it?
California’s Proposition 50 is a redistricting measure intended to counter Texas’s Republican-favoring redistricting plan by creating more Democratic seats representing California in the House of Representatives.
On November 4, 2025, voters will have the chance to vote in favor of or in opposition to these new district lines designed to favor Democrats in the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, effectively overriding the map drawn by the state’s nonpartisan independent redistricting commission. This, a decision that would represent a strong departure from California’s commitment to independent redistricting as established during the Great Recession, to put the power in the hands of a citizen panel.
What’s the impact?
Though the vast majority of California’s representatives are Democrats, of the 9 current Republican seats, it is likely that 4 to 5 will be cut as a result of this redistricting. This map would heavily impact the likelihood of a reelection for current Republican officeholders Ken Calvert in the Inland Empire, Kevin Kiley in Greater Sacramento, David Valadao in the San Joaquin Valley, and Darrel Issa in the San Diego area. All of which are in districts that are likely to turn blue under this redistricting plan.
The Democratic Party sees this proposition as an immediate way to combat the actions of the Trump Administration that are harming Californians, stripping billions of dollars in federal research grants, drastically cutting funds for Medicaid, and separating families through immigration raids.
This, however, does not mitigate concern for what could be to come in the future for redistricting in Republican led states. States such as Indiana, Florida, and Missouri are also considering redistricting plans to create more Republican seats in the House.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun, a Republican even mentioned in a local radio interview that if a state is not “getting involved as well as you can on the political side, you probably are not going to be the first call when it comes to the benefits”, demonstrating the fear that Republican states have about losing Presidential support as a result of staying out of redistricting initiatives.
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What do the polls say?
Many polls have been taken regarding this proposition, though all have come up with slightly varying numbers, the consensus demonstrates that Californians are in favor of this proposition. UC Berkeley’s Institute for Governmental Studies found in August that 48 percent of people polled were in favor of the proposal, while 32 percent opposed it. Similarly, polls at Emerson College show that 51 percent of people were in support of the ballot measure while 34 percent were against.
What are people saying?
Governor of California Gavin Newsom says that California has no choice but to “fight fire with fire” against what he claims to be Trump’s attempts to steal the 2026 midterm elections by redrawing state lines in favor of his party.
Former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger combated this idea during an appearance he made at the University of Southern California last month by saying, “I hate to get political here, but this is not political. This is more about democracy,” and “If you vote yes on that, we go backwards.” Providing a direct critique of this proposition.
He even suggests that people need to lose the idea of having to “fight Trump,” claiming that it doesn’t make sense to “become him” in order to fight him, specifically noting that “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
What does this mean for democracy?
Schwarzenegger also fears that Proposition 50 is an attempt to try to “fight for democracy by getting rid of the democratic principles of California,” which Democratic Assembly member Mark Gonzales disagrees with, asserting that “We had to push back and create five seats of our own in order for us to make sure that we maintained democracy, especially here in California.”
In a page out of Trump’s operating manual, Newsom is threatening to withhold state funding for what he calls ‘sell-out universities’ that agree to the President’s demands
Gov. Gavin Newsom is threatening to withhold state funds from California universities that agree to Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which is a White House push to make education more conservative Credit: (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
Governor Gavin Newsom has taken his mimicking of Trump on social media to mimicking his policies in real life.
On Thursday, Newsom warned California schools and universities that he would cut “billions” in state funding, including to USC, from any campus that signs a Trump administration pledge that promises federal funding to any school that adopts sweeping conservative campus policies.
“If any California University signs this radical agreement, they’ll lose billions in state funding — including Cal Grants — instantly,” Newsom said. “California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers, and surrender academic freedom.”
This week, the White House sent letters to the University of Southern California and eight other major universities across the nation asking administrators to limit their political bend on gender identity, admissions, diversity and free speech, among other areas. In return, those schools will be on the favorability list for the President’s federally funded research grants and other monies.
University officials who accept Trump’s terms will be asked to commit to what his administration has dubbed the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” Newsom called the proposal a “hostile takeover” of U.S. schools.
“It would impose strict government-mandated definitions of academic terms, erase diversity, and rip control away from campus leaders to install government-mandated conservative ideology in its place. It even dictates how schools must spend their own endowments. Any institution that resists could be hit with crushing fines or stripped of federal research funding.”
Newsom did not address that his move to block state funding for schools that agree to Trump’s plan is essentially the same sort of extortion tactics being employed by the White House.
Newsom told Colbert he is worried that efforts to manipulate election maps could threaten the fairness of future elections, including the 2028 presidential contest
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
California Gov. Gavin Newsom raised alarm Tuesday night over the integrity of future elections, telling Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, “I Fear We Will Not Have An Election in 2028.”
Newsom criticized President Donald Trump for attempting to “rig the midterm elections,” citing pressure on GOP-led states to redraw congressional districts ahead of 2026. These redistricting efforts are part of a broader strategy to help Republicans maintain control of the House of Representatives, Newsom said.
I fear that we will not have an election in 2028 — I really mean that in the core of my soul — unless we wake up to what’s happening in this country. pic.twitter.com/BjPsmw2izX
Newsom signed legislation in August calling for a Nov. 4 special election that would allow Californians to temporarily give lawmakers authority over congressional maps for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections. The measure, called the Election Rigging Response Act, would override the state’s independent redistricting commission, and Newsom hopes it will help counter these risks.
“As the Democratic Party, we have a lot of work to do to make up for our failures in the past,” Newsom said. “We got crushed in this last election.”
This act has received criticism and opposition from many, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. California should never resort to gerrymandering tactics, Schwarzenegger said.
“I’m getting ready for the gerrymandering battle.” Schwarzenegger wrote on a post on X while wearing a shirt that read: “F*** the politicians, terminate gerrymandering.”
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However, many House speakers agree with Newsom.
“California will not be a bystander to Trump’s power grab,” Speaker Robert Rivas said. “We are acting to defend our state from his attacks by taking it directly to the voters. Californians believe in democracy and freedom, and we will not stand by while the House is hijacked by authoritarianism.”
Rick Caruso told Bloomberg TV on Wednesday that he has not decided whether he will run for the position of Mayor of Los Angeles or Governor of California.
Rick Caruso ran against Karen Bass in the elections for Los Angeles mayor in 2022.
On Wednesday, businessman and philanthropist Rick Caruso told Bloomberg TV that he has not decided whether he will run for California Governor or Los Angeles mayor.
If he chose to run for mayor, Caruso would be running once again, following his loss to Karen Bass in 2022. Since Bass’s election, Caruso has been critical of the mayor’s actions regarding the 2025 Palisades fires, as he felt that she carried out a negligent response to the fires.
Though Caruso was not in office as mayor, he took the initiative to respond to the fires himself, creating his own nonprofit called Steadfast LA, which was aimed at speeding up the recovery and rebuilding process for Los Angeles communities that were impacted by the fires.
Caruso’s passion for rebuilding LA after the devastating fires extends to his criticism against the governor, whom he may run to replace in the elections. Current Governor Gavin Newsom has asked for $40 billion for California to rebuild after the fires from the federal government, but the motion has not passed through Congress. The businessman called on Newsom to stop bickering with Trump and instead to work with him on getting the money to California.
“We need federal funding and we’re getting none of that,” Caruso stated. “I don’t think the bickering and name-calling that’s going on serves any purpose of advancing the negotiations or discussions in getting federal help in Los Angeles.”
The feud over redistricting continues across the country with new developments in Indiana, California and Texas. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Indiana state lawmakers are in Washington, D.C., Tuesday to meet with President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for more Republican seats in Congress. This comes after Vice President J.D. Vance met privately with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun earlier this month. For any redrawing of the congressional map in Indiana, Braun would have to call a special session to start the process, but lawmakers have the power to draw new maps. Republicans in the U.S. House outnumber Democrats in Indiana, limiting the chances they can pull off an additional seat.Things are also heating up in California. On Monday, Trump threatened to sue California over its plan to allow voters to decide whether to redistrict before next year’s election. Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on social media responding to the president with two words: “Bring it.” Newsom approved a special election that will take place in November for residents to vote on a redrawn congressional map. Republican lawmakers in California filed a lawsuit Monday aiming to remove Newsom’s redistricting plan from the November ballot. If the congressional map is approved, it could help Democrats win five more seats in the House next year.In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott is planning to sign into law a new congressional map that includes five more districts, favoring Republicans. Trump has pushed for the map to help the GOP maintain its slim majority in Congress in 2026. The timing of this is noteworthy because Republicans normally lose seats in the House during the midterms. Democrats are expected to challenge the new Texas map in court.Keep scrolling for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
WASHINGTON —
The feud over redistricting continues across the country with new developments in Indiana, California and Texas.
Multiple media outlets are reporting that Indiana state lawmakers are in Washington, D.C., Tuesday to meet with President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for more Republican seats in Congress. This comes after Vice President J.D. Vance met privately with Indiana Gov.Mike Braun earlier this month.
For any redrawing of the congressional map in Indiana, Braun would have to call a special session to start the process, but lawmakers have the power to draw new maps.
Things are also heating up in California. On Monday, Trump threatened to sue California over its plan to allow voters to decide whether to redistrict before next year’s election. Gov. Gavin Newsomposted on social media responding to the president with two words: “Bring it.”
Trump has pushed for the map to help the GOP maintain its slim majority in Congress in 2026. The timing of this is noteworthy because Republicans normally lose seats in the House during the midterms.
Democrats are expected to challenge the new Texas map in court.
Keep scrolling for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
You’ve probably seen the word “deepfakes” in the news lately, but are you confident you would be able to spot the difference between real and artificial intelligence-generated content? During the summer, a video of Vice President Kamala Harris saying that she was “the ultimate diversity hire” and “knew nothing about running the country” circulated on social media. Elon Musk, the owner of X, retweeted it. This was, in fact, a deepfake video.By posting it, Musk seemingly ignored X’s own misinformation policies and shared it with his 193 million followers. Although the Federal Communication Commission announced in February that AI-generated audio clips in robocalls are illegal, deepfakes on social media and in campaign advertisements are yet to be subject to a federal ban. A growing number of state legislatures have begun submitting bills to regulate deepfakes as concerns about the spread of misinformation and explicit content heighten on both sides of the aisle. In September, with less than 50 days before the election, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed three bills that target deepfakes directly — one of which takes effect immediately. AB 2839 bans individuals and groups “from knowingly distributing an advertisement or other election material containing deceptive AI-generated or manipulated content.” This ban would take effect 120 days before an election and 60 days after it, an aim at reducing content that may spread misinformation as votes are being counted and certified. “Signing AB 2839 into law is a significant step in continuing to protect the integrity of our democratic process. With fewer than 50 days until the general election, there is an urgent need to protect against misleading, digitally altered content that can interfere with the election,” said Gail Pellerin, the chair of the Assembly Elections Committee.According to Public Citizen, 25 states have now either signed a bill into law that addresses political deepfakes or have a bill that is awaiting the governor’s signature. Do you know how to spot a deepfake?According to cyber news reporter and cybersecurity expert Kerry Tomlinson, “a deepfake is a computer-created image or voice or video of a person, either a person who doesn’t exist but seems real, or a person who does exist, making them do or say something they never actually did or said.”Tomlinson says there are several giveaways to identify a deepfake. Objects and parts of the face, such as earrings, teeth or glasses, may not be fully formed. Pay attention to the breathing. The speaker takes no breaths while speaking. Ask yourself: Is the message potentially harmful or manipulating?Can the information be verified?Ultimately, Tomlinson encourages people to “learn about how attackers are using deepfakes. Learn about how politicians and political parties are using deepfakes. Read about it. It’s as simple as that.”
You’ve probably seen the word “deepfakes” in the news lately, but are you confident you would be able to spot the difference between real and artificial intelligence-generated content?
During the summer, a video of Vice President Kamala Harris saying that she was “the ultimate diversity hire” and “knew nothing about running the country” circulated on social media. Elon Musk, the owner of X, retweeted it. This was, in fact, a deepfake video.
By posting it, Musk seemingly ignored X’s own misinformation policies and shared it with his 193 million followers.
A growing number of state legislatures have begun submitting bills to regulate deepfakes as concerns about the spread of misinformation and explicit content heighten on both sides of the aisle.
AB 2839 bans individuals and groups “from knowingly distributing an advertisement or other election material containing deceptive AI-generated or manipulated content.”
This ban would take effect 120 days before an election and 60 days after it, an aim at reducing content that may spread misinformation as votes are being counted and certified.
“Signing AB 2839 into law is a significant step in continuing to protect the integrity of our democratic process. With fewer than 50 days until the general election, there is an urgent need to protect against misleading, digitally altered content that can interfere with the election,” said Gail Pellerin, the chair of the Assembly Elections Committee.
According to Public Citizen, 25 states have now either signed a bill into law that addresses political deepfakes or have a bill that is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Do you know how to spot a deepfake?
According to cyber news reporter and cybersecurity expert Kerry Tomlinson, “a deepfake is a computer-created image or voice or video of a person, either a person who doesn’t exist but seems real, or a person who does exist, making them do or say something they never actually did or said.”
Tomlinson says there are several giveaways to identify a deepfake.
Objects and parts of the face, such as earrings, teeth or glasses, may not be fully formed.
Pay attention to the breathing. The speaker takes no breaths while speaking.
Ask yourself: Is the message potentially harmful or manipulating?
Can the information be verified?
Ultimately, Tomlinson encourages people to “learn about how attackers are using deepfakes. Learn about how politicians and political parties are using deepfakes. Read about it. It’s as simple as that.”
Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom took steps to provide better pay for the state’s many minimum-wage fast food workers. However, he is now facing scrutiny amid claims that he gave Panera Bread an exception to the law to please one of his campaign sponsors.
The minimum wage for fast food workers in California is currently $16/hr, but it will rise to $20/hr when a law Newsom signed last year goes into effect on April 1st, 2024. He signed the legislation, AB 1228, into law in September and it was hailed as a major victory for the state’s half a million fast-food employees who have been fighting for better wages. The fight for minimum wage increases is a nationwide one, as fast-food, retail workers, and more highlight their right to earn a livable wage. Hence, Newsom’s law raised hope that it would set a precedent for other states to follow. Additionally, it allows California to increase the minimum wage annually from 2025 to 2029, meaning working conditions could continue improving in the state.
However, there was something unusual about the law: It included an exemption for bakeries. When defining “fast food restaurant” for the purpose of the bill, the legislation states, “‘Fast food restaurant’ shall not include an establishment that on September 15, 2023, operates a bakery that produces for sale on the establishment’s premises bread … so long as it continues to operate such a bakery. This exemption applies only where the establishment produces for sale bread as a stand-alone menu item and does not apply if the bread is available for sale solely as part of another menu item.” Now, allegations have arisen that this exception was made to benefit Panera Bread.
Gov. Gavin Newsom denies Panera Bread exemption
Recently, Bloomberg News published a report alleging that Newsom’s exemption was made to benefit Panera Bread due to billionaire franchisee Greg Flynn being a prominent donor to the governor’s campaigns. Flynn and Flynn Properties have reportedly donated over $220,000 to Newsom’s campaigns since 2017. Flynn provided a statement to AP News claiming that he had made the suggestion that restaurants like bakeries and bagel shops be excluded if the bill was only trying to “address alleged labor code violation in fast food restaurants.” However, he denied pushing for the exemption or personally discussing it with Newsom.
A spokesperson for Newsom denied the allegations and stated, “This story is absurd.” Additionally, the governor’s office is claiming that Panera is actually not an exception to the law. Although Panera Bread sells bread as a “stand-alone menu item,” it is not produced “on the establishment’s premises” because the franchise makes its bread off-site. However, in the past, when questioned about the exemption, the governor did not deny it. For now, it remains unclear whether the franchise is or is not required to raise its minimum wage. Flynn explained to AP that it’s not very consequential as the restaurant will likely have to raise wages anyway to compete with other fast food restaurants.
Although Newsom’s representatives denied the claim, the governor has yet to explain the exemption. Other exemptions have been proposed, but only for fast food restaurants within larger venues, like airports and hotels, because these locations are trying to negotiate even higher minimum wages for themselves, and the law doesn’t want to introduce a new wage for them. However, there’s no explanation why bakeries are being left out of the bill, especially when there are instances, such as with Big Apple Bagels or Panera, where restaurants may double as a bakery and fast food restaurant.
If Newsom did give Panera an exemption due to Flynn’s donations, it certainly would be unethical. Despite Republicans long having advocated against raising the minimum wage, several GOP leaders have slammed Panera’s alleged exemption and demanded an investigation into the matter. For now, though, it remains unconfirmed what the exemption means and if Panera is or ever was even exempt from the law.
Rachel Ulatowski is an SEO writer for The Mary Sue, who frequently covers DC, Marvel, Star Wars, YA literature, celebrity news, and coming-of-age films. She has over two years of experience in the digital media and entertainment industry, and her works can also be found on Screen Rant and Tell-Tale TV. She enjoys running, reading, snarking on YouTube personalities, and working on her future novel when she’s not writing professionally. You can find more of her writing on Twitter at @RachelUlatowski.
You trust your local dispensary or your “guy” – but do you know about the marijuana?
Legalization continues to march across the US. Currently, over 50% of citizens have access to approved recreational marijuana and more for medical marijuana. Even in Florida, the DeSantis nanny state, citizens are balking at his cannabis restrictions with over 70% supporting the industry being expanded and available to more people. But do you know where your weed comes from?
A key consumer benefit from federal legalization is the tracking and security of weed and products. Like canned tuna, In-N-Out Burgers, and Stoli Vodka, consumers will not have a worry about how their weed was grown and what was in it – and who is behind it.
Two big concerns now is the unlicensed dispensaries in NYC and China’s musclinginto the US black market. Both are reasons to be careful if you aren’t buying from a legal dispensary.
Photo by Riccardo Livorni/EyeEm/Getty Images
Mexican cartels have long been the villain of the US drug trade, but with consumer spending soaring, Chinese investors have become the funder and producer of the illegal marijuana production.
From interviews with state law enforcement officials, experts on the international drug trade, economists and lawmakers it seems the number of farms funded by sources traceable back to Chinese investors or owners has skyrocketed. Chinese owners and workers have become a larger presence at illegal grows in Oklahoma, California and Oregon
In Oklahoma, over 40% of licensed marijuana farms have been flagged for suspicious activity by law enforcement over the last year. They. are now being investigated for obtaining their licenses fraudulently and/or for selling into the illicit market, according to Mark Woodward, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.
The major issue is New York City’s unlicensed dispensaries. The NY market is significant and retailers are thought to have almost $500 million in products which are being flipped. It is believed many of these products have fake labeling claiming what is in the product OR are real products illegally shipped from California or other states.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, with an eye on the national stage, has signed a series of laws with the hope of cleaning up some of the state’s mess around the cannabis market. The primary issues is over taxation and zero enforcement of illicit grows. Legal organization have suffered as the states asks for more and more and the black market has boomed.
Do you know where your weed comes from – is it safe, does it support small business and it is the dosage it claims?
Bitcoin (BTC) ATMs have become both convenient and worrying, with scammers taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. Authorities in the US and other jurisdictions are now waging a war against crypto-ATM-based scams.
California takes a stance on new cryptocurrency laws
The state of California has introduced rules for cryptocurrency transactions. Senate Bill 401, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, means you can only make $1,000 worth of cryptocurrency transactions at ATMs each day, and starting in 2025, the maximum they can charge you is $5, or 15% of the transaction. Whichever is higher.
Initially, some Bitcoin ATMs allowed up to $50,000 in transactions with fees ranging between 12% and 25% above the value of the digital asset. These changes are intended to protect people from scams and high fees, explained Sen. Monique Lemon, one of the co-authors.
Scammers taking advantage of the convenience of Bitcoin ATMs have been a growing concern, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that more than 46,000 people have lost more than $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams since 2021. New transaction limits give victims more time to spot scams before loss of money. But Charles Bell of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition worries that these rules could hurt the cryptocurrency industry and small businesses.
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FBI Alerts About Bitcoin ATM and QR Code Scams
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has raised the alarm about fraudulent schemes exploiting ATMs for cryptocurrencies and quick response (QR) codes for payments. These schemes take various forms, including online impersonation, romance scams, and lottery fraud, all using cryptocurrency ATMs and QR codes as tools.
QR codes, which smartphone cameras can scan, simplify cryptocurrency payments. However, criminals are now using it to trick victims into paying money. Victims are often asked to withdraw money from their accounts and use a QR code provided by scammers to complete transactions at physical cryptocurrency ATMs.
Once the victim makes the payment, the cryptocurrency is transferred to the scammer’s wallet, making recovery nearly impossible due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies. The FBI offers several tips to protect against these schemes, focusing on caution, verification, and avoiding cryptocurrency ATM transactions that promise anonymity using only a phone number or email.
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Cryptocurrency regulation efforts in California
The passage of Senate Bill 401 in California is part of a broader effort to regulate the cryptocurrency industry while protecting consumers. Another law, scheduled to take effect in July 2025, will require digital financial asset companies to obtain licenses from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. This represents a clear shift towards tightening government regulation and oversight in the world of digital finance.
Gavin Newsom’s decision to sign these bills into law demonstrates California’s commitment to strengthening the cryptocurrency industry and protecting its citizens. Balancing innovation and security remains a challenge, especially in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Bitcoin Depot’s historic debut on the NASDAQ
In July, Bitcoin Depot, a leading bitcoin ATM operator, went public on the Nasdaq. This milestone comes after Bitcoin Depot merged with GSR II Meteora, a blank check company.
The move to go public demonstrates the growing legitimacy and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in major financial markets.
Authorities vs. illegal crypto ATMs
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking a strong stance against illegal cryptocurrency ATM operators. Using its power under money laundering regulations, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has carried out raids on cryptocurrency ATMs suspected of illegal activities across England.
The measures, which follow previous operations in east London and Leeds, are part of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) efforts to crack down on unregulated cryptocurrency operations. This highlights global pressure for stronger cryptocurrency regulation, mirroring steps taken in California. The balance between innovation and security remains a fundamental concern for regulatory bodies around the world.
