Tag: california

California scientists sound alarm on role of pesticides in raising resistance to antifungal drugs

The proliferation of new fungicides in the U.S. agricultural sector may be raising resistance to critical antifungal medications in humans and animals, infectious disease experts are warning. 

Although antifungal pesticides have become vital to combatting the spread of crop disease, the ongoing development of new such fungicides may be leaving people more vulnerable to severe infections, according to new commentary published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

“Antimicrobial resistant pathogens are a constant reminder for us to use agents judiciously,” lead author George Thompson, a professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis, said in a statement.

“We have learned that the widespread use of antibiotics for livestock resulted in the rapid development of resistance to antibacterials,” Thompson continued. “We have similar concerns regarding the use of antifungals in the environment.”

In the past few decades, fungi that cause severe infections in humans — such as the difficult-to-treat Candida auris — have undergone a rapid increase, the scientists noted.

Yet because there are relatively few antifungals available to eradicate such microbes from the body, Thompson stressed that “preventing resistance is of paramount importance.”

In the U.S. today, the researchers found that there are about 75,000 hospitalizations and 9 million outpatient visits linked to fungal diseases every year, with direct annual costs amount to $6.7 billion to $7.5 billion.

At the same time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that fungi cause between 10 percent to 20 percent of crop loss, at a cost of $100 billion to $200 billion annually, according to the report.

However, scientists have now become increasingly aware that antifungal pesticides and antifungal drugs share some of the same mechanisms. The authors therefore warned that the promulgation of these chemicals “may select for resistant fungi in the environment, which can then endanger human health.”

The development of antifungal medications, meanwhile, is a difficult task due to the metabolic similarities shared by human and fungal cells, as well as the surge in antifungal resistance, the authors explained.

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Trump administration to pull $4 billion from California high-speed rail funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation says it plans to revoke $4 billion in federal funding for California’s high-speed rail project, citing what it calls “no viable path forward.”

The announcement came Wednesday in a 310-page report that outlines concerns about the project’s ballooning costs and delays, claiming the California High-Speed Rail Authority does not have the capacity to deliver the early operating segment by 2033 as planned. The DOT gave California 37 days to respond and correct the issues before the funding termination becomes final.

Voters initially signed off on California’s ambitious plans for a bullet train in 2008, with promises to connect the greater Los Angeles area to the Bay Area by 2033. It was originally expected to cost $33 billion, but now, estimates range between $89 billion and $128 billion.

Construction began in the Central Valley in 2015 but has incrementally progressed.

“Fifteen years, $16 billion, not one high-speed rail track has been laid. the waste, the abuse and the mismanagement of this project has called for this investigation,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an online video.

Transit policy experts acknowledge the project faces major financial hurdles. Sebastian Petty, a senior advisor at SPUR, said the project is struggling to deliver on promises made to voters, largely due to limited funding.

“It puts pressure on what are already fairly scarce state dollars for transportation. So if, California is going to continue to invest heavily in the high-speed rail system, it puts pressure on the availability of that funding for transit operations uses potentially for other transit capital projects in the Bay Area,” Petty said.

Supporters, including state lawmakers, argue the delays are frustrating – but cutting federal funding would worsen the situation. Gov. Gavin Newsom has previously vowed to fight back, insisting the project will move forward and federal dollars will be recovered.

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Trump Federalizes California National Guard as Violent Leftist Mobs Lay Siege to ICE Agents — Bypassing Democrat Governor

After weeks of escalating leftist violence against federal immigration agents that culminated in over 1,000 rioters laying siege to federal buildings and assaulting ICE officers, President Trump took the extraordinary step of federalizing 2,000 California National Guard troops, marking the first time since 1965 that a president has activated a state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent.

Using rarely invoked federal powers under 10 U.S.C. 12406, Trump bypassed the authority of California’s Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom after violent mobs launched coordinated attacks on ICE agents and laid siege to federal buildings across the state.

The president’s directive cites a specific provision within Title 10 of the U.S. Code that allows federal deployment of National Guard forces when “there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”

Trump’s order states that “to the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon was “mobilizing the National Guard IMMEDIATELY” and revealed that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton, about 100 miles south of Los Angeles, were “on high alert” and could also be mobilized.

Trump’s directive specifically authorized Hegseth to “employ any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property,” indicating the administration is prepared to use whatever force necessary to restore federal authority.

The violent confrontations have spread beyond Los Angeles, with Minneapolis seeing protesters throw traffic cones and trash cans at federal law enforcement vehicles during an ICE operation at Las Cuatro Milpas restaurant.

The area, which was previously the site of violent riots following George Floyd’s death of a fentanyl overdose, again became a flashpoint as demonstrators physically obstructed federal vehicles and shouted at officers to “go home” and “quit their jobs.”

Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez joined the violent protesters, declaring the federal operation “completely wrong” and criticizing local police for assisting ICE agents in their lawful duties.

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California Boat Owner Ordered by City to Fence-In His Boat—So He Trolls Them With Hilarious Mural

A boat owner in Seaside, California, has deployed art in an uproarious and novel way to protest a city ordinance dictating to him how he must park his boat on his property.

Illusionistically painted on the new white fence he was forced to build on the driveway he had to have paved is the visage of his proud vessel’s prow and trailer—literally inches away from the actual ones parked behind, now fenced off from view from the street in front of his house.

Etienne Constable is the cheeky resident responsible for sticking it to the city for their “silly laws” with his First Amendment-inspired fence mural, though a local artist was hired to tackle the task of painting.

In July 2023, city officials had ordered Mr. Constable to build a proper driveway and a 6-foot-tall fence for the boat, which had until recently been stowed on a dirt patch in his yard, Fox News reported. The decree was on pain of paying a $100 fine for non-compliance, which Mr. Constable ended up not having to shell out.

“There’s some logic to the law about not having decrepit vehicles,” he told the outlet. “And I figured, ‘This is not unsightly.’ I don’t know why they would threaten me that way.”

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California Speaker: I Will Consider Withholding Federal Taxes from The Trump Administration If They Slash Federal Funding from My State

One of the most powerful Democrats in California is shooting his mouth off about breaking federal law after learning the Trump Administration might be about to drop the hammer on his state.

Multiple sources told CNN that the Trump administration is preparing to cancel a large portion of federal funding for California, which might begin as soon as today.

According to the outlet, Team Trump is specifically looking at entirely cutting off federal grant funding for the University of California and California State University systems.

As TGP readers know, President Trump has been rightfully livid over California’s open defiance of federal law, particularly over transgender issues.

President Trump issued an executive order in February, which was supposed to ensure that biological men could not compete in women’s sports. But California and other blue states have decided to defy Trump’s order and continue to allow men to compete against women.

White House spokesman Kush Desai released the following statement Friday afternoon, slamming California but adding that no final decision has been made.

“No taxpayer should be forced to fund the demise of our country. “No final decisions, however, on any potential future action by the Administration have been made, and any discussion suggesting otherwise should be considered pure speculation.”

Upon reading this, the speaker of the California State Assembly, Robert Rivas, erupted in anger and threatened various responses, including withholding federal taxes from the federal government.

“This is unconstitutional and vindictive,” Rivas wrote on BlueSky. “We’re the nation’s economic engine and the largest donor state, and deserve our fair share.”

“I’ll use every legal and constitutional tool available to defend CA — we must look at every option, including withholding federal taxes.”

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Gavin Newsom Threatens to Block California Tax Payments to Federal Government

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) threatened Friday that his state would stop tax payments to the federal government, after news reports suggested President Donald Trump was thinking of cutting funds to the state.

As Breitbart News noted earlier in the day, reports emerged suggesting that the Trump White House was considering cutting federal funding to California due to its challenges to, and defiance of, federal policy.

Breitbart News reported:

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering ways to pull more federal funding from the State of California, as Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) continues to defy White House policies, despite needing money.

California is suffering a large budget deficit for the second year in a row, with the state’s Medicaid program borrowing money to stay afloat. Newsom has also asked the federal government for $40 billion in fire relief.

But Newsom is also enthusiastically suing the Trump administration over many of its policies, often seeking the kinds of nationwide injunctions that would stop those policies everywhere, not just in California.

…

Trump had already threatened California’s federal sports funding after the state defied a federal transgender policy that bars biological males from competing in girls’ sports. And this week, the U.S. Department of Transportation suggested the administration could claw back billions of dollars in federal spending wasted on the state’s troubled high-speed rail project.

But Democrats have argued that California should be allowed to oppose federal policies while benefiting from federal spending, especially given the state’s large contributions to federal revenues. And they have pushed back against the idea of conditioning fire aid on policy changes.

It is not clear what constitutional authority Newsom has to withhold federal taxes on behalf of individuals, businesses, and other entities within the state. Trump’s authority to withhold funding is far clearer.

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California Passes Bill To Accept Crypto For State Payments

California has taken a step closer toward embracing crypto after a bill allowing state departments to accept digital currencies sailed through the state’s lower house with a unanimous vote and is now headed for the Senate.

Assembly Bill 1180 (AB 1180), which passed the California State Assembly on June 2 with a 68-0 vote on its third reading, would require the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to develop rules permitting state fees and transactions under the Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL) to be payable in crypto.

The DFPI is California’s regulatory agency tasked with overseeing financial services and protecting consumers while promoting responsible innovation. Individuals and entities conducting crypto business activities in the state must obtain a license from the DFPI.

If AB 1180 clears the Senate and is signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, the bill would become effective on July 1, 2026.

According to the bill’s sponsor, Democratic Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, a pilot program would run until Jan. 1, 2031, when it would become fully operational.

If AB 1180 is passed, California could join the likes of Florida, Colorado and Louisiana that have accepted crypto payments for certain obligations in recent years.

California’s bill would require the DFPI to submit a report by Jan. 1, 2028, detailing all crypto transactions processed, in addition to any technical and regulatory challenges encountered.

Crypto transactions under DFAL are defined as any digital representation of value that is used as a medium of exchange, but is not legal tender.

AB 1180 saw four amendments before being passed by the California Assembly on June 2.

The most notable exclusion concerned a section that sought to define terms related to ride-sharing companies and personal vehicles used for transportation services.

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‘It’s Disgusting’: Voters Are Furious With Gavin Newsom For Pulling Rug From Under Passed Ballot Measure

Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom elected not to dedicate funds in his proposed budget to enforce a widely-popular ballot proposal that passed in November, prompting small business owners and lawmakers to tell the Daily Caller News Foundation that they aren’t pleased that the governor appears to be ignoring the will of the voters.

In November 2024, 68.4% of California voters approved Prop 36, aimed at cracking down on retail theft and drug use and subsequently reversing Proposition 47, which reduced criminal punishments such as shoplifting and grand theft. But when Newsom released his revised $322 billion budget in May, small business owners and lawmakers criticized him for leaving out funding and ignoring the measure’s broad support.

Speaking to the DCNF ahead of the November 2024 vote, Fraser Ross, owner of a small business with multiple locations across Los Angeles County, said theft in the city had been rampant. He described how businesses were “taking a loss” because Prop 47 downgraded drug possession penalties and reclassified thefts under $950 from felonies to misdemeanors.

The small business owner ripped into Newsom when asked by the DCNF about the governor’s decision to exclude funding for the measure in his May budget revision. “He’s just a puppet and he has no care for California,” Ross told the DCNF.  “He likes to emphasize we’re now the fourth biggest economy in the world, wherever these statistics came from. But Newsom does not care about business in California.”

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‘Anti-natalist’ Washington man arrested in connection with bombing of fertility clinic

A man from Kent was arrested Tuesday, accused of supplying chemicals used to make the explosives that destroyed a California fertility clinic on May 17.

The FBI arrested 32-year-old Daniel Park, of Kent, Tuesday night at an airport in New York upon his extradition from Poland. KOMO News knocked on the door of Park’s home and a woman answered, confirming that she knew Park but denying any additional comment.

The federal arrest warrant for Park stated that he was wanted for providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Park is accused of shipping 180 pounds of ammonium nitrate to Guy Edward Bartkus, the man authorities state attacked the Palm Springs clinic.

Bartkus, who died in the bombing, is accused of detonating a bomb so large that it sent pieces of the vehicle he drove hundreds of feet into the air.

The explosion wounded four people and left a debris field that stretched about 250 yards.

Investigators said Bartkus’ attack was motivated by his “pro-mortalism, anti-natalism, and anti-pro-life ideology,” a set of beliefs centered on the idea that people should not be born without their consent and ultimately humans should not exist as a species.

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President Trump Blasts Gavin Newsom, Says “Large Scale Fines” Incoming After Biological Male Steals California Girls’ Track and Field Finals

President Trump put California Governor Gavin “Newscum” on notice that he is imposing fines on the state of California in response to a male high school student winning two state titles in female track and field competitions.  

President Trump signed a landmark executive order in February to ensure that biological men could not compete in women’s sports. But California and other blue states have decided to defy Trump’s order and continue to allow men to compete against women.

“As Governor Gavin Newscum fully understands, large scale fines will be imposed!!!” the President said on Truth Social shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

This follows a warning from the President last week that the state is breaking the law and that “large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to.”

“This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!” he added, noting that Governor Newsom has admitted that it’s unfair to allow boys in girls’ sports but allowed it to happen anyway.

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