[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:17] Speaker B: Good evening and welcome to the local news. Today is Wednesday, June 3rd. I'm Lauren Schmidt reporting for KMUD.
In tonight's news, Ocean salmon season reopens along California coast for the first time in two years Humboldt county declares Pride Month amid rising anti queer legislation and activists blast proposed Medicaid cuts with speeches, prayer and arrests. Stay tuned. News on those stories and more coming right up.
Measure O Public input meetings begin this week in Humboldt as residents will have multiple opportunities to weigh in on how funds from Measure O, a voter approved sales tax, roads and transit, will be spent over the coming years.
Measure O is expected to generate $24 million in its first year. County supervisors have designated 85% of the funds, about 20.4 million for urgent road repairs and around 15% for expanding and maintaining public transit.
Four public meetings are scheduled this month to gather community input Starting with tomorrow, June 5th at 2:30pm the roads spending plan review by the HCOG technical advisory committee June 9 at 1:30pm the board of Supervisors budget hearing for final approval of Road funds June 11 at 1:30pm at the transit Spending Plan review by the Social Services Transportation advisory council and June 25, the Humboldt Transit Authority Board meeting to adopt the final transit spending plan.
Funds could support resurfacing roads, ADA improvements, new buses, expanded dial of ride service and restoring early and late bus routes. For meeting details or to submit comments, you you can visit hcog h c a o g.net or hta.org Cayman News will be covering tomorrow's road spending plan review and we'll share the highlights on a later newscast.
For the first time in two years, recreational anglers will be taking to the water this weekend along the California coast as the ocean salmon season opens for two days only on June 7th and 8th with a 7,000 Chinook salmon limit. To learn more about what to expect this weekend, we spoke with CDFW spokesperson Steve Gonzalez, who shared what Anglers need to know.
[00:03:31] Speaker C: Yeah, we're really excited we're hosting. We're having two days of fishing for salmon, chinook salmon, and I know it's been a long time and it's been tough for a lot of anglers out there. But for the recreational crowd, we're just happy to let them know that we're having these two days where they can go out there and try and fish for this favorite fish of California.
[00:03:59] Speaker B: CDFW fish counters will be at various popular ports and boat launches across the state counting salmon until the 7,000 chinook harvest limit is reached.
[00:04:12] Speaker C: And if that limit isn't reached, then we'll reschedule other dates until that limit is reached.
And the one thing that we tell anglers is if you've caught a fish, you bring it back to shore. You see one of the CDFW folks out there, we're collecting the heads of the fish and also the adipose fin just so we can study where the fish came from and some of the other places that information that we get from those parts.
[00:04:44] Speaker B: He explained that this effort is a voluntary program to collect critical data on this important species.
Anglers should also be aware that they are required by law to relinquish the head of any adipose fin clipped salmon upon request by a CDFW representative. The minimum size for keeping a chinook salmon is 20 inches total length.
Anglers are allowed to keep up to two chinook salmon per day.
When you're on land, you can have no more than four in your possession. That's two per day over two days.
However, if you're on a boat in ocean waters, you're only allowed to have one day's limit on board, which is two chinook salmon.
All salmon must be brought to shore before the end of the open season.
It is illegal to keep any coho or silver salmon. They must be released immediately.
[00:05:43] Speaker C: We encourage you to go to our website.
There are some rules in there to identify between a chinook and a coho salmon. And then if you catch that fish. Yeah, see if you can find our CDFW people back at the beer back of the dock and help them out gathering this information for us. We really appreciate it.
[00:06:05] Speaker B: While ocean forecasts for Sacramento and Klamath river fall run chinook salmon are lower than average for 2025, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pacific Fishery Management Council approved the limited recreational season, which wasn't without controversy.
Commercial fishermen, however, have chosen to wait another year, holding off until a full season reopening is possible.
[00:06:32] Speaker C: Full opening that, that we hope to expect hopefully next year. But the limited opening is, is just a bright spot because the, the numbers of salmon have been growing every year.
You know that salmon, most people know it's a three year cycle and this is the third year of a drought season. So next year will be the first year of a, of a wet year.
And so we're excited going into next year. We're happy that we can have these. We know it's a limited opening, but we're happy that we can have an opening for some recreational anglers out there. And you know, we just want people to enjoy themselves be safe. We, we, you know, salmon is an iconic fish for the state of California.
We're glad that we're able to have people go out there and fish, enjoy it, catch a fish, enjoy it for, for dinner that night. And you know, we're just looking forward to a time when fishing season isn't limited to two days and we're hoping that's in the near future.
[00:07:40] Speaker B: Given the two year ocean salmon fishery closure and the short duration of this fishing window, angler participation is expected to be high. Anglers should prepare for crowds and long wait times at public launches and marinas and consider travel, parking and launch conditions when finalizing their plans. CDFW also reminds anglers to test gear ahead of time and to check marine forecast, ocean conditions and current regulations before hitting the water.
For more on the predicted conditions, Cayman News reached out to the National Weather Service in Eureka.
[00:08:20] Speaker D: Yeah, my name is Matthew Kidwell and I'm a lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Eureka.
So we've had a really windy few days but it looks like we're going to get we've got a little weather system coming in. It's not going to really do much except bring the winds down and bring some coastal stratus.
So Saturday it looks like the winds are going to be pretty they're going to be diminishing through the day. In the morning, you know, close to shore there'll be 5 or 10 knots, still be some 15 to 25 knots, maybe 20 or 30 miles offshore.
But then by Saturday afternoon and Saturday night, most of the water's going to be around 5 to 10 knots out of the there will be some locally southerly winds and stuff a little bit squirrely, but all looks really light for the weekend.
[00:09:20] Speaker B: As of 6pm news time, there is a hazardous sea warning in effect which is expected to expire by 5am Friday.
[00:09:29] Speaker D: There's still some uncertainty on exactly what time on Saturday those winds will diminish and then what time on Sunday they'll start to pick back up. But there's looks like there will be a window in there.
[00:09:44] Speaker B: Anglers are urged to use caution and consult trusted weather apps or forecasts before launching.
With inland temperatures expected in the 90s and even low hundreds this weekend, Kidwell also urges caution for those recreating in local rivers.
[00:10:01] Speaker D: With all this warm weather, the rivers are still really cold so we really caution everyone even some of the warmer rivers around that we have gauges on show only 60 degrees and that's pretty cold. If you get swept out into the water or you try to swim across it or something. So we just want to remind people to be extra safe around the rivers because they're still running a little faster and there can be hazards you can't see in the river.
[00:10:31] Speaker B: For an up to the minute weather forecast you can visit weather.govEKA Multiple Pride flags are now flying on local government buildings, with the City of Arcata raising its Rainbow Flag on Monday and the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors following suit on Tuesday during an official proclamation ceremony. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors formally declared June as Pride Month, recognizing the history, contributions and resilience of the 2 SLGQIA community.
The proclamation celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion throughout the county.
Supervisor Natalie Arroyo introduced the proclamation and read it aloud during the Board meeting.
[00:11:23] Speaker E: Whereas in 2022 proclamations were signed by United States President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring June as Pride Month and the county of Humboldt joined the State of California and federal government in recognizing Pride Month to honor the history of of two Spirit lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual people and support the rights of all citizens to experience equality and freedom from discrimination and whereas the month of June is annually celebrated as Two Spirit LGBTQIA Pride Month throughout the country to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Manhattan, which is acknowledged as a tipping point for the Two Spirit LGBTQIA rights movement and whereas the first Pride March was held on June 28, 1970 in New York City on the one year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and continues across the United States and in Humboldt county and whereas the Rainbow Flag is widely recognized as a symbol of pride, inclusion and support for social movements that advocate for two Spirit LGBTQIA plus people in society and shall be raised annually throughout the month of June at County of Humboldt facilities and Whereas two Spirit LGBTQIA people are residents, colleagues, leaders, neighbors and loved ones who continue to have influential and lasting contributions that make the County a vibrant place in which to live, work and visit and whereas the county of Humboldt is committed to advocating for equity, visibility, dignity and safety of two Spirit LGBTQIA people, as well as our most vulnerable trans and BIPOC members in this diverse community and whereas in 2023, the county of Humboldt's first queer affinity group was established as a space for two Spirit LGBTQIA employees and their allies within the organization to convene for the purpose of policy suggestion, networking and professional development.
The Queer Affinity Group is designed to cultivate an inclusive workspace for all employees and is not intended to be a space of educating but organizational progress. Whereas While society at large increasingly supports two spirit LGBTQIA equality, it is essential to acknowledge that education and advocacy remain vital to end discrimination and prejudice within Humboldt county and across the nation. And Whereas this nation was founded on the principle that every individual has infinite dignity and worth and the county of Humboldt calls upon the people of this county to embrace this principle and work to eliminate prejudice everywhere that it exists.
And Whereas. Celebrating Pride Month promotes awareness and provides support and advocacy for Humboldt County's two spirit LGBTQIA plus community. And is an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue to strengthen alliances, build acceptance, advance equal rights and honor the humanity of all two spirit LGBTQIA plus people.
Now therefore be it proclaimed that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims June 2025 and annually thereafter as Pride Month and celebration and support of the Two Spirit LGBTQIA plus community.
[00:14:22] Speaker B: In 2020, the Board of Supervisors issued a directive to support equity and inclusion in the workplace. One initiative that grew out of that effort is the Humboldt County Queer Affinity Group, which has created supportive spaces for employee connection and engagement. A member of the group accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community.
[00:14:46] Speaker F: Good morning members of the board, county staff and co workers.
My name is Ariel Hilton Bridges and I am here to accept this proclamation on behalf of the Queer Affinity Group and the queer community.
I am here on behalf of those in our community who are no longer with us. I am here for those who cannot be here due to stigma, fear or misunderstanding.
I am here because those who came before me stood up for equality, love and community.
Thank you for standing alongside us and standing up for us.
Thank you for your support in the affinity groups as a whole and in particular for the queer affinity group.
And thank you for being with us once again this year and hopefully for many years to come.
[00:15:52] Speaker B: In an emotional exchange, Supervisor Arroyo spoke to the troubling rise in anti queer rhetoric which has been highlighted with the widespread anti queer legislation and the ongoing attempts to erase queer and trans existence, which leads to devastating outcomes, especially for queer youth.
[00:16:17] Speaker E: I think it's safe to say that this is an unusual time for a lot of community members who feel scared. And so I appreciate you mentioning that and also speaking about people we've lost.
I know I've lost people in people I know have lost their children to suicide. And that is a real consideration. So I know we want to make this a celebratory moment, but I think it's really important to also talk about people's safety, physical safety, and intellectual, emotional, psychological, safety.
And that's why I will continue to be an outspoken voice in support of queer community members. So, you know, not only do I want to celebrate equality and everyone's right to be themselves, but it's critically important that we literally save people's lives.
[00:17:21] Speaker B: You can find a copy of Humboldt County's Pride month
[email protected] in state news earlier this Wednesday afternoon, at least 50 Humboldt county caregivers traveled to Sacramento with the SEIU Local 1000 to defend in home supportive services worker wages as Governor Gavin Newsom seeks to cancel a 3% raise that was scheduled to take effect in July under their current contract.
Critics argue that cutting these services will worsen the healthcare crisis and drive up long term costs. Cayman News will bring you more from the voices at today's rally later this week.
This comes just days after another major demonstration at the Capitol on Monday. Activists blasted proposed Medicaid cuts with speeches, prayer and civil disobedience. Dalia Loeser reports.
[00:18:31] Speaker G: A group of clergy, faith based protesters, disability rights advocates and others gathered at the Capitol on Monday to stand against the cuts to Medicaid proposed in the Trump administration's Big Beautiful bill, which was introduced into the Senate Monday morning. The demonstration was part of a series of events entitled Moral Mondays, organized by the grassroots nonprofit Repairers of the Breach and led by Bishop William Barber. Speakers at the rally included Reverend Dr. Hannah R. Broom, the director of religious affairs for Repairs of the Breach.
[00:19:04] Speaker E: We gather here not in protest alone, but in prophetic power.
We stand not just as people of faith, but as stewards of moral memory.
We are here because injustice has written itself into the budget lines and silence is not an option when lives hang in that of a ledger.
[00:19:20] Speaker G: Moral Mondays are intended to be nonpartisan events that cater to everyone. They are focused solely on a common moral understanding, one that is often grounded in faith. Reverend Barber addressed this at the rally.
[00:19:33] Speaker H: A budget is a moral document.
We don't come here today as Republicans or Democrats. We come here because some things are not about left versus Right, but about right versus wrong.
[00:19:49] Speaker G: Along with the Institute for Policy Studies and the Economic Policy Institute, Repairs of the Breach re released an earlier report Monday on the proposed budget with additional information about communities that would be impacted if the budget is passed into law. It said the budget would result in a loss of health insurance for an estimated 8.6 million Medicaid enrollees due to new work requirements. That would penalize the minority of beneficiaries who don't work, those who attend school, care for family members or have a disability. The report also claimed that the budget would include a loss of coverage for an additional 4 million people whose tax credits would expire. Barber spoke about how members of the House voted for a budget that could directly harm hundreds of thousands of their constituents.
[00:20:35] Speaker H: When people talk about cutting Medicaid, they're talking about cutting that given to 85 million low income and disabled people.
Say low income and disabled, 37% of the enrollees are children.
[00:20:54] Speaker G: As clergy members spoke, the crowd often responded in a call and response style, which at times seemed more akin to a congregation in a church rather than protesters at a rally. Reverend Barber, Preacher we gotta work on.
[00:21:07] Speaker H: It while we're living. Let's work on it. While we got breath in our bodies, let's work on it. While God is giving us some power, let's work on it. Why don't we get everybody together? Get all those that need health care together. Get everybody that loves justice. Tell your neighbor it's time to live for justice.
It's time to stand for justice.
[00:21:35] Speaker G: A number of Medicaid beneficiaries spoke out, many sharing how the loss of their insurance would impact their lives. Sloan Meek, a man with cerebral palsy, spoke with the help of a speech.
[00:21:47] Speaker A: Generating device proposing to cut Medicaid is a death threat to me and my friends with disabilities.
Without Medicaid support in my home and my community, I will be forced into a nursing home to spend the rest of my life in a hospital bed until I die.
That seems to be the real plan. With these budget cuts, my life is not a waste.
Wanting to live a full life is not taking advantage of the system.
I hope our prayers can guide our country's leaders to make the right choice.
I pray that they choose to not kill the people they represent.
[00:22:32] Speaker G: Debbie Weinstein, director of the Coalition on Human Needs, wrapped up the speaking portion of the rally with a call to action and a plea to the Senate.
[00:22:41] Speaker I: It's a moral outrage to willfully deny.
[00:22:45] Speaker G: The harsh reality that you've heard here today. The House of Representatives has only very narrowly voted for.
[00:22:54] Speaker I: We call upon the Senate to say no.
[00:23:00] Speaker E: Be moral.
[00:23:03] Speaker I: And protect your constituents.
[00:23:06] Speaker G: Following the rally, Rev. Barber led a group of organizers, clergy and disability rights activists in several minutes of prayer inside the Capitol Rotunda.
[00:23:15] Speaker H: We come today to pray against this bill and instead of caring for the sick, caring for the hungry hurts the sick and hurts the hunger.
[00:23:33] Speaker G: Nine of the congregants were arrested by the Capitol Police and charged with crowding, obstructing and incommoding in Videos taken during the demonstration. Barbara and several others can be seen continuing to pray as they are led away in zip ties. The reverend, who is walking gingerly with the aid of two canes, and Savaya Carroll, an activist and wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, were the last to be restrained and escorted out of the rotunda.
For KPFA News, I'm Dahlia Loesier.
[00:24:06] Speaker B: In national news, Palestinians call new Israeli aid distribution chaotic and dangerous as dozens are killed. Rami Amulari reports from Gaza.
[00:24:22] Speaker I: Hungry Palestinians in Gaza say the new aid distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U S backed NGO with support of the Israeli military, are dangerous and chaotic. Thousands of Palestinians have gathered to collect aid food despite the dangers of the Israeli army firing on the crowds.
Hani Al Najar, a displaced resident from Khan Younis, described the horrors he witnessed at the distribution site in central Gaza or the southern city of rafah.
[00:25:01] Speaker J: At about 3am the crowd began advancing and then we heard sounds of live ammunition. I heard some children were wounded. At 4am we arrived at the flag area and witnessed mad, heavy gunfire. One of the approaching women was killed and martyred. As we got closer to the A, we saw a woman and her husband lying dead on the ground and I was able to help take them to the hospital.
[00:25:28] Speaker I: Gaza health officials say at least 75 Palestinians have been killed at the aid distribution sites since they opened about a week ago. Bara Hussain is another resident who was among those seeking aid supplies at the same site.
[00:25:49] Speaker A: They ordered us to stay near the Muawiyah mosque and not move until it turned six o' clock in the morning when a quadcopter drone would come and guide us to the distribution site. But mobs of people did not comply and kept moving before 6 o' clock until they reached Alam, the flag distribution site. Then they began shooting at us using tanks, quadcopters and gunships. They used all means of weaponry to the extent that we were shocked to see so many people falling down dead.
[00:26:20] Speaker I: Yet a statement by the Israeli army says its forces did not open fire on Palestinians seeking food supplies and it's pledging an investigation. The Gaza Humanitarian foundation also said its private security contractors did not open fire on anyone. In a written statement, the organization said it distributed 16 truckloads of aid without incident and dismissed what it described as false reporting about deaths, mass injuries and chaos. United nations organizations call on Israel to resume the regular flow of aid into Gaza before Israel pulled out of a ceasefire in March. UNRWA suggests that 900 truckloads of aid to enter Gaza the past two weeks constitute only 10% of actual need. The forced starvation and chaos of comes against the backdrop of a failed ceasefire deal. US invoice Steph Witkov tried to broker between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. Dr. Ryad Najem is a Gaza based political analyst.
[00:27:38] Speaker J: The new demands stressed by mediator's statement are a new mechanism for aid supplies and a new schedule for prisoner swap. A ceasefire and complete withdrawal of the army could be phased in and will not constitute a main obstacle to a new agreement. The final demands proposed by Hamas include reopening the Rafah border crossing and forming a governance committee as well as a seven year long truce. This is subject to dialogue.
[00:28:06] Speaker I: Meanwhile, starving Palestinians continue to risk their lives on the track to the aid distribution site.
At least three Palestinians were killed and 40 more wounded today by gunfire while making the journey. Truckloads of aid are expected to enter Gaza via the World Food Program this week, but it's unlikely to ward off the threat of famine as more families are far from distribution sites and others too weak to make the trek. For Pacifica Radio kpfa, I am Rami Al Mirari in Gaza.
[00:28:48] Speaker B: That's all for tonight's broadcast. Thank you for listening. Thanks to our engineer Larry Lashley, and thanks to our reporters Dalia Loser, Christopher Martinez and Rami Amulari. Reporting for kmud, I'm Lauren Schmidt.
