A Sacramento based congressman is looking to eliminate the California Coastal Commission. Republican Kevin Kiley has introduced the Coastal Commission Accountability Act, which he says would “strip the CA Coastal Commission of its powers under federal law.” Kiley, a Placer County resident, who represents the 3rd district, called the agency out of control and says it’s undercutting innovation and economic progress. Coastal Commission members who are appointed by the Governor, Senate Rules Committee and Speaker of the Assembly, are responsible for protecting more than 1,100 miles of ocean coastline stretching from Oregon to Mexico.
Reports of vandalism targeting Tesla’s, including a Cybertruck which was hit last week. Someone slashed one of the tires. The Ukiah Journal reports that a few days later, a video of a person breathing heavily before appearing to slash a Cybertruck’s tire was posted on the Humboldt subreddit. The Eureka Police Department says an investigation is ongoing. You should know that there have been other reports of vandalism against Tesla’s in Eureka and Arcata. Notes were left in Arcata ordering Tesla owners to get rid of their ev’s or face vandalism. However, according to Arcata Police Sergeant Heidi Groszmann, there have been no reports of Tesla’s being there.
The Skunk Train is getting national recognition. It was described, in a New York Times article yesterday, as one of the most “spectacular North American train trips" by New York Times Journalist Michael Harmon. Harmon also gave a shout out to the Glen Blair Bar. The Mendocino Voice says yesterday’s great New York Times review coincides with this week’s Fort Bragg City Council’s decision to pause its lawsuit against Mendocino Railway and continue negotiations.
California is joining a coalition of Democrat-led states in suing the Trump administration over mass layoffs across the Department of Education. The suit claims that the layoffs are unconstitutional and asks the court to prevent the Trump administration from dismantling the department. It goes on to state that only Congress has the power to terminate the department or dismantle its core work. Attorney General Rob Bonta put out a statement saying that dismantling the department from within would have "catastrophic consequences."
A lot of folks are in favor of creating a new park along the Russian River. The property, which is city owned, is located at the end of Norgard Lane. Ukiah city officials say they’re moving forward after getting the green light from the Public Spaces Commission this week. Ukiah Community Services Director Neil Davis says first steps include “preparing a grant application to the California Coastal Conservancy. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports that several people who spoke up either online or in-person at the meeting say they loved the idea about having another park, especially one with river access, but concerns centered around parking access and the potential of crowds given the narrow access road.
California’s Insurance Commissioner was a no show at Wednesday’s home insurance crisis meeting. California lawmakers met briefly on Wednesday to discuss the insurance crisis without insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara. Officials at the meeting say Lara was absent due to prior engagements. It’s unclear what those were. The discussion is crucial as communities continue to recover from wildfires, while at the same time, many insurers have stopped offering policies in the state.
