By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
California Kicks Off Earthquake Preparedness Month with Life-Saving Digital Tools, Events
As part of Earthquake Preparedness Month this April, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is encouraging residents to take proactive safety measures, including downloading early warning tools and participating in readiness activities.
California is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the U.S., with more than 70% of its population living within 30 miles of an active fault. In response, Cal OES is highlighting the importance of planning ahead to minimize the risk of injury, loss of life, and property damage.
“Being prepared is our best defense against the unpredictable nature of earthquakes,” said Lori Nezhura, Cal OES Deputy Director of Planning, Preparedness and Prevention. “From creating emergency kits to practicing safety drills, small actions can have life-saving results.”
This month, Cal OES is offering a variety of outreach efforts and resources, including:
- Earthquake Simulator Experience (April 5, 2025): Visitors to the Sacramento History Museum can learn about California’s seismic history and experience simulated quakes to understand the intensity of ground shaking.
- Earthquake Readiness Guide: A downloadable guide provides essential tips on how to prepare before, during, and after an earthquake.
- Statewide Social Media Campaign: In collaboration with content creators, Cal OES is sharing practical earthquake safety advice tailored to diverse communities, including families, individuals with disabilities, and residents of urban areas.
- Public Service Announcements (PSAs): Animated safety videos are being distributed to local newsrooms to ensure consistent, accurate messaging during emergencies.
Californians are also encouraged to download the MyShake app, launched in 2019, which delivers early warnings for earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or greater. The app is now available for both mobile devices and Chromebooks.
The public can access these tools and more through the Earthquake Warning California website, which offers safety checklists, community preparedness information, and instructions on how to secure household items against shaking.
Nezhura emphasized that awareness alone is not enough.
“Preparedness can make the difference between devastation and safety,” she said.
Sacramento: Hilary Swank Joins Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson to Support Maternal Health Bill
Last week, actress and entrepreneur Hilary Swank visited the State Capitol in Sacramento to advocate for Senate Bill (SB) 646, a proposed California law that would mandate prenatal vitamin manufacturers to test for — and to publicly disclose — heavy metal levels in their products.
Swank, testifying before the Senate Health Committee on April 2, emphasized the importance of transparency for maternal and fetal health.
“As a mother and entrepreneur, I’m dedicated to protecting both my family and yours,” she said. “Prenatal vitamins are vital for maternal and fetal health, but recent studies reveal that too many contain harmful heavy metals that can damage developing babies.”
The bill, authored by State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) in February, is co-sponsored by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Unleaded Kids. If passed, California would become the first state to implement such regulations.
Weber Pierson posted on the social media app BlueSky, “A huge thank you to Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Ann Swank and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – ACOG for testifying in support of my bill, SB 646!
Weber Pierson is also the Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).
Provisions in SB 646 respond to an environmental research study that revealed 15% of tested prenatal vitamins exceed California’s Proposition 65 lead safety threshold. Other toxic elements found include cadmium, arsenic, and mercury.
If the law passes, SB 646 would require companies to test representative samples and publish results online by 2027. Labels would include a QR code linking to the test data. Swank, who is Chief Innovation Ifficer at the brand HealthyBaby, said transparency empowers consumers and pushes industry standards higher.
“Producing products for babies requires a constant dedication to improving our standards,” she said.
Currently, no federal law requires prenatal supplement testing for heavy metals. EWG’s Melanie Benesh said the bill fills a critical gap in consumer protection.
“Pregnant people deserve to know what’s in the vitamins they rely on,” she said.
Weber Pierson said the bill protects both fetal and maternal health.
“Everyone deserves to trust the products they rely on during pregnancy. We must put health and safety first,” she posted.
Pasadena PD Hit With Shocking Racist and Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Two Pasadena Police Department (PPD) lieutenants have filed legal claims accusing Police Chief Eugene Harris of sexual harassment and making inappropriate comments, intensifying scrutiny of the department’s leadership.
Lts. Keith Gomez and Monica Cuellar, who are married, announced their claims Wednesday during a press conference held outside police headquarters. Their allegations follow previous misconduct claims filed by other department members and could lead to lawsuits, as legal claims often precede court filings.
Cuellar’s claim alleges that Harris made sexually explicit remarks, including comments about her sex life and intimate relationship with her husband. The filing also contends that Harris shared inappropriate personal experiences, including telling Cuellar and a deputy chief that he had been sodomized.
In the claim issued by lawyers representing Gomez and Cuellar, there have been racist incidents at the PPD as well.
“Compounding the harassment, PPD is filled with racial slurs, derogatory comments and even a stuffed animal called “Rhesus the Racist Monkey” the claim states.
Harris, who is Black, also allegedly used the term “house nigger” in a meeting.
Harris responded in a statement reassuring the public that law enforcement will conduct a thorough investigation.
“I understand these allegations will be reviewed and fully welcome that process. I remain committed to transparency, accountability and service, and I trust the truth will come to light,” he said.
The City of Pasadena also issued a statement acknowledging the claims and affirming that proper procedures will be followed.
“The city takes all allegations of misconduct seriously,” the statement read. “The allegations will be addressed through the appropriate legal process, not through the media.”
The claims mark the latest in a series of complaints against Harris, who assumed his position as Pasadena’s top law enforcement officer in 2022. City officials have not announced whether an independent investigation will be launched.
“College Degree or Not”: California Launches Plan to Increase Jobs, Pay
Gov. Gavin Newsom has unveiled the Master Plan for Career Education, a statewide initiative to connect Californians with high-paying careers, whether they hold a college degree or not. The plan prioritizes practical learning, job readiness, and closer collaboration between education and workforce systems.
Unveiled at Modesto Junior College on April 2, the plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to prepare Californians for a rapidly changing job market shaped by automation and artificial intelligence. It focuses on expanding access, reducing barriers to career advancement, and aligning education with real-world workforce needs.
Backed by proposals in Newsom’s January budget, the plan includes two key tools: Career Passports and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Career Passports are digital records combining academic achievements with work experience, military service, and training, helping employers recognize skills beyond traditional degrees. The CPL expansion will allow veterans and working adults to earn college credit for real-world experience, benefiting an estimated 250,000 people, including 30,000 veterans.
“By aligning our education system with real workforce needs, we’re powering economic growth and creating stronger communities,” said Newsom.
The plan also calls for a new statewide collaborative to better align education, job training, and employer needs, while supporting stronger regional partnerships. Local efforts will focus on expanding paid internships, improving funding access, and helping students transition smoothly from classrooms to careers.
The Master Plan builds on the state’s 1960s higher education model and responds to modern workforce demands. It stems from Newsom’s 2023 Freedom to SucceedExecutive Order and reflects California’s commitment to flexible, inclusive pathways for learners of all backgrounds.
State officials disclosed that the plan is key to helping Californians succeed in a rapidly changing economy, whether or not they pursue a college degree.
California Lawyer Confirmed to Lead U.S. Civil Rights Division, Raising Concerns Over Impact on Marginalized Communities
The U.S. Senate has confirmed San Francisco attorney Harmeet Dhillon as the new U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, despite a sharp partisan divide.
The 52-45 confirmation vote, held April 3, secured the post for Dhillon California’s U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, both Democrats, voted against Dillon’s nomination. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (D-AK) was the sole Republican senator to oppose the nomination.
“As a fellow Californian, I’ve seen your work closely. You’ve opposed key voting rights protections over the years, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. You fought against the use of the Voting Rights Act to challenge discriminatory laws. You’ve also spread disinformation about the 2020 election, and you’ve defended restrictive voting laws in multiple states,” Padilla told Dhillon during her confirmation hearing.
Dhillon, a former vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party, rose to prominence in conservative circles for her legal work defending President Donald Trump’s claims about the 2020 election and her outspoken criticism of “woke” policies. Legal scholars predict she will bring a conservative interpretation of civil rights law to the Department of Justice.
Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law School, expressed concerns over the confirmation.
“My impression of her is that she is very conservative and hardly a champion of civil rights as it is generally understood,” he said.
He warned that Dhillon would likely use her position to advance Trump’s conservative agenda, particularly targeting issues such as transgender rights and affirmative action.
Dhillon’s legal career has included high-profile cases challenging progressive policies, such as California’s law protecting transgender students’ rights to keep their gender identity confidential from parents. Critics argue that her work has threatened civil liberties, particularly for marginalized communities.
In contrast, supporters, including Trump, praised Dhillon for standing up for “civil liberties” and combating what they see as the overreach of liberal civil rights organizations.
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