NEW YORK, Aug. 16 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The American Civil Liberties Union, an organization that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the U.S., issued the following news release: SAN FRANCISCO The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today blocked several provisions of the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA) that impermissibly and unconstitutionally placed content-based burdens on speech. The court agreed that,   more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 17 -- The Asian American Journalists Association issued the following news release: Close to 1,500 Asian American Journalism Association members descended on Austin for AAJA's 2024 National Convention, where they explored everything from covering the upcoming election to the ethics of AI in journalism to the challenges of reporting on growing Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in Texas. The AAJA convention barely affected the sun-baked streets of  more

SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 17 -- The California Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement on Aug. 16, 2024: * * * California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jennifer Barrera today issued the following statement following Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of a package of bills to improve public safety and address retail theft in the state: "California business owners and operators, and the customers they serve, greatly appreciate the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 -- Clean Water Action issued the following news release: * * * Senate Bill 1255 Held in Appropriations Committee * * * SACRAMENTO -- California is past due delivering on the Human Right to Water by making water affordable. Water is the only necessity that has no low-income rate assistance program available for our hard working families. Senate Bill 1255 (Durazo) was the best path forward to address our water affordability crisis. This program would have funded critically   more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 15 [Category: Environment] -- Earthjustice issued the following news release: Salem, OR All customers of Oregon's largest natural gas utility and low-income customers in particular will experience lower increases on future utility bills thanks to a victorious partial settlement in a contested rate case between NW Natural and climate and community-based environmental justice organizations. In its rate hike request before Oregon's Public Utility Commission (OPUC),  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 15 [Category: Environment] -- Earthjustice issued the following news release: Denver, CO Conservation groups today sent a formal notice of their intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to take steps to protect the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), the world's smallest rabbit, under the Endangered Species Act. In response to a 2023 petition, the Service announced in January that the rabbits may warrant protection under the Endangered Spe  more

SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 17 -- The League of California Cities issued the following statement on Aug. 16, 2024: * * * Today, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a ten-bill legislative package that seeks to reduce retail theft. Following the bill signing, League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman released the following statement: "The alarming rise of retail theft is impacting every corner of the state. Cities of all sizes have called for smart and tailored reforms that p  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 15 [Category: Environment] -- Earthjustice issued the following news release: Today, a coalition of public interest organizations filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit defending the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against challenges to its final rule requiring public companies to disclose climate-related risks to their businesses and plans to manage or mitigate them. "By issuing its climate disclosure rule, the SEC re  more

SANTA MONICA, California, Aug. 17 (TNSres) -- Rand issued the following excerpts of a commentary on Aug. 16, 2024, to War on the Rocks: * * * Russia's Post-War Military Recruiting Strategy Emerges By Dara Massicot After the war in Ukraine freezes or ends, the Russian military will begin a long-term effort to regenerate equipment and personnel. How will they recruit the next generation of professional enlisted soldiers and officers, having sustained an estimated 350,000 casualties (https://ww  more

SANTA MONICA, California, Aug. 17 (TNSres) -- Rand issued the following commentary on Aug. 16, 2024: * * * Community-Driven Recovery: The Lahaina Wildfires a Year Later By Aaron Clark-Ginsberg, Lance Tan and Elizabeth Bowen Since wildfires devastated Lahaina, Maui, just over a year ago, the town has been consumed by the monumental tasks of rebuilding and recovery. To keep the momentum going in the years ahead, Lahaina should remain focused on existing efforts (https://www.mauicounty.gov/Civi  more

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 17 -- The Trust for Public Land issued the following statement on Aug. 16, 2024: * * * Washington, D.C. -- Trust for Public Land issued the following statement upon the official designation of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot as a National Monument. Statement from Dr. Jocelyn Imani, Senior Director at Trust for Public Land for Black History and Culture: "Trust for Public Land commends President Biden for designating the Springfield 1908 Race Riot as a National Mo  more

VIENNA, Virginia, Aug. 16 -- The News/Media Alliance issued the following news release: The News/Media Alliance applauds California Senators for their continued support and steadfast commitment to passing the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA, AB 886). The bill, which was introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) in March 2023 and passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in June 2024, would require Big Tech platforms to pay news publishers and broadcasters for their use of jo  more