[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:14] Speaker B: Good evening and welcome to the local news. Today is Thursday, August 21st. I'm Jordan Panjalinan reporting for KMUD. In tonight's news, Centro de Pueblo hosts Sanctuary Day August 23rd and Humboldt Supervisors narrowly approve of new lighting regulations, so stay tuned. News on those stories and more coming right up.
Redwood Community Radio acknowledges that its transmitter sites are located on the unceded territory of the Sinkion, Huilaki, Wyot, Wilkat and Kato people. We honor ancestors past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the ongoing cultural, spiritual and physical connection these tribes have to this region.
Since December 21st of 2018, Humboldt county has been governed by the Sanctuary Ordinance, also known as Measure K, codified in Humboldt county section 9121 5. The ordinance prohibits the use of county funds and resources for federal immigration enforcement. Specifically, it states in quote, no department, agency, commission, officer or employee of the county of Humboldt county shall use any county funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law or to gather or disseminate information regarding release status of individuals or any other such personal information in the county of Humboldt, unless such assistance is required by federal or state statute, regulation or court order or decision. Central de Pueblo, a leading organization supporting immigrant rights and providing essential resources to the migrant community, will host a Sanctuary Day this Saturday the 23rd as a part of ongoing efforts. This event aims to raise awareness and strengthen community protections. KMUD News spoke with Payton Leone, a part of the Youth Council and grant writer for Centro de Pueblo, to learn more about the upcoming event and the organization's ongoing work.
[00:02:13] Speaker A: Yes, so yeah, Sanctuary Day is a celebration of the sanctuary laws that were passed through Humble Measure K and also in Eureka and Arcata, Eureka being the most recent one that passed.
And Arcata has been a sanctuary city for a while now, so we're happy that those laws are in existence. There's also sanctuary law for California as a state.
So all these together provide protections for our migrant people in Humboldt and in California.
So in celebration of that and the lives of our migrant community, their stories, the culture they bring, we're going to be putting on a Sanctuary Day in Arcata on this Saturday the 23rd.
[00:02:53] Speaker B: The California Values Act SB 54, signed into law in October 2017 and effective as of January 1, 2018, ensures that no state or local resources are used to assist in federal immigration enforcement. This law helps protect the integrity of vital community spaces such as schools, hospitals and courthouses by making them safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of immigration status.
This commitment reflects the core values of inclusion, dignity and justice held by many in Arcata. In alignment with these principles, the city of Arcata has also been designated a sanctuary for two spirit, transgender, gender non conforming and intersex individuals, reaffirming its dedication to protecting and uplifting all members of its community.
[00:03:37] Speaker A: Yeah, it's also another excellent bill and measure passed by the city. Recognition of these protections and the, the safety of these people's lives. We know that folks that are LGBTQ and two Spirit and transgender, their, Their lives are often in danger and at risk of different, that like of suicide, of being victims of crimes. We know that these statistics exist. So I'm glad to see that the city is at least recognizing it and putting it on notice to everybody in the entire city and the area that this, our, our city is the sanctuary for these, you know, for different communities. It's really important right now, especially as we're seeing attacks on like the word sanctuary coming from the highest levels of our government.
It's something really that they're making very political is to like take away sanctuary protections from, from this Trump administration.
So I'm glad to see that Arcadia is not shying away from it and they're still passing sanctuary measures.
[00:04:33] Speaker B: Leonie speaks with KMNUD to explain what it means for a county or city to be designated as a sanctuary as and addresses common misconceptions circulating in the media.
[00:04:43] Speaker A: So sanctuary, despite what people might be posting or like saying about in on different news channels, you know, or political talk folks, like all sanctuary means is that if you're not convicted of a serious felon, felony or crime, then you cannot be handed over to ICE from our county jails. And it also limits the way that the police in Arcata and California can interact with ice and again limits it to just only like serious and grave crimes. So for it's very needed. There's other parts of the country where you could be sent to an ICE detention center for having a headlight out.
And that's just not, that's not fair. It's not just, it's not something we want to see in our city so, or our state. And that's why they're being attacked so heavily by this administration.
[00:05:32] Speaker B: While community organizations and voices play a vital role in promoting positive values across the city, Leone also emphasizes the importance of action at the local government level.
[00:05:42] Speaker A: Well, the city has an important role of first like addressing it, which is, you know, it was a campaign that we had, that we had to do and it takes maybe convincing is the right word, but definitely awareness and effort and from hearing from folks who it first. Like the firsthand effects of this are felt. For us. It's really important that the city is one in like we're on the same page with it and going forward that they don't they don't shy away from, you know, declaring themselves a sanctuary and they're proud of that title rather than being fearful of any of the prosecution that they could face for that because for them it's optional. Their their support for other people. It's part of their lived experience and they don't have the option of shying away from it just because the times are getting heavy for them.
So we just ask that everyone stand in solidarity together right now and people come out to our event this Saturday.
[00:06:33] Speaker B: Solidarity and sanctuary day on Aug. 23 will start at 8am from the Bay Trail in Eureka to Arcata. Departure happens behind the target and will go to the marsh. 11am to 1pm will offer the Sanctuary Garden where there will be tacos, culture and arts from around the world. The Water ofrenda and Aztec Dance ceremony will also take place from 9 to 10am on Aug. 23. More information can be found on Centro de Pueblo's website at cdpueblo.com or KMUD will have flyer information with contacts under the
[email protected] control of lighting is set forth in a new Humboldt county ordinance approved in a split vote of the board of supervisors. KMUD's Daniel Mintz reports.
[00:07:17] Speaker A: A new Humboldt county lighting ordinance seeks to protect and preserve our skies.
We with restrictions on brightness and shielding requirements.
But the county board of supervisors Aug. 19 approval of the new regulations wasn't unanimous, with two supervisors voting against them due to concerns about the costs and viability of enforcement.
One of the primary means of controlling light is a cap on intensity as measured in lumens.
There's a residential limit of 1,100 lumens and 3,200 lumens for commercial, industrial and agricultural uses.
Lights are required to be directed downward and either fully shielded or shielded with a translucent material when warm lighting is used in inland areas.
Types of lighting prohibited unless approved through a conditional use permit include flashing lights, searchlight style lights and lighting that distracts the traveling public.
Exempt lighting includes temporary holiday decorations, warm colored string lights and lights that illuminate US Flags.
During a public comment period, representatives of Astronomers of Humboldt and Humboldt Waterkeeper welcomed the county's regulation efforts.
Various aspects of the ordinance were highlighted by Jen Kalt of Humboldt Waterkeeper. I really want to emphasize support for staff bringing this forward and for making the practical recommendations based on what's easily available in stores. That's super helpful for the average person.
Anybody who's, I don't know, of a certain age, goes to the store oftentimes and thinks, I only know what. And so you have to figure out what you're trying to buy.
And also the warm color temperature is really critical for migrating birds and producers particular, which our region is so famous for. It's, you know, it's not only a safety issue for drivers being blinded, It's a cost issue for people saving electricity. Like in McKinleyville, where I live, oftentimes the street light electricity is paid for by the residents whose neighborhood is being lit up by those lights. So saving electricity is another benefit of reducing light pollution and just being able to see the stars. The new rules apply to new construction projects and existing construction is exempt unless its lighting poses a nuisance. Planning director John Ford talked about how nuisances will be defined.
The only time that we would get into a code enforcement situation with this is when, as the ordinance identifies, is a lighting nuisance. The that is specifically defined in the ordinance. And a nuisance basically is something that makes it hard for somebody else to enjoy their property.
And the examples that we gave at the planning commission are, you know, Charlie's example, where you've got somebody with a spotlight that is just coming in. We've got two or three of these complaints right now. Spotlight coming into their house. They can see the shadow, their own shadow on their wall inside their house from somebody else's light on an adjoining piece of property. That makes it hard for them to enjoy their property. That's by definition a nuisance.
And then we would be working with them to. If they can put a shield on it, most even most lights can be tilted down.
So either shielded or redirected. But supervisor Rex Bone questioned whether the county's code enforcement unit has the resources to back up the ordinance's new rules. Who's doing all this, how much staff? You know, I. Tom didn't know he did streetlights and now he does and he wants part of it. And I'm just trying to figure out who's going to do this because I would love to see if we have those people on hand now. I would love to have some of them working on some code enforcement stuff that been going on too long. A majority of supervisors supported inland and coastal versions of the ordinance and approved them with modifications including a 10pm limit on use of string lights.
Street lighting and parking lot lighting will be covered in a separate ordinance.
Supervisor Michelle Bushnell agreed with Bone on the impracticality of enforcement and they voted against the ordinance.
In Eureka for KMUD News, this is Daniel Mintz.
[00:11:59] Speaker B: Turning to Mendocino Mendocino National Forest officials are issuing a fire restriction due to increase of fire starts. The combination of dry fuels, low humidity and high temperatures create conditions that elevate risk of ignition and rapid fire spread. Fire restrictions go into effect now through the end of the 2025 fire season. Fire restrictions prohibit the following activities and more building and maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire operating an internal combustion engine except on National Forest system roads or trails using an explosive and possessing, discharging or using of any kind of firework or any pyrotechnic device. With a valid California campfire permit, visitors may use portable stoves or lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel. Additionally, visitors with a valid California campfire permit may enjoy a campfire or stove fire in the designated fire safe recreation sites. Similar restrictions are also in effect on neighboring public lands. Because restrictions can vary by jurisdiction, visitors should contact the area they plan to visit for specific fire restrictions and conditions. California campfire permits are also available online and fire restrictions plus a list of designated fire safe campgrounds are available on the Mendocino National Forest website. The visitors can check the latest alerts and orders and recreation
[email protected] under the story in state news, Louisiana City Council discusses Fear and Trauma From Federal immigration raids KPFA's Lauren Schmidt reports.
[00:13:37] Speaker A: The Los Angeles City Council convened to address urgent concerns regarding federal immigration enforcement actions across the city.
The meeting featured testimony from leaders of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the Central American Resource center, and the ACLU of Southern California.
Council members spoke about the impact of immigration raids, particularly those targeting day laborers at Home Depot and other work sites. Reports described aggressive and violent actions, often carried out without warrants, leading to fear, trauma and disruption in immigrant neighborhoods. Council member Tim McOsker, who represents the 15th district, says he has seen the fear and trauma firsthand. I've had cars at high rates of speed come right at me, right at me.
They're thinking I'm somebody else, I'm sure, and then swerve away and then I get a gesture that's obscene.
We've had a raid in Wilmington where agents saw people eating at a taco stand. They flipped a U turn and they chased them down and arrested them on pch.
And now a raid in San Pedro at a Home Depot. Just three guys just looking for work in the parking lot. This pattern of enforcement is creating fear in our neighborhoods where people are simply trying to make money to feed their families and live in peace and live lawfully.
Advocacy groups also outlined recent legal victories, including temporary restraining orders that have slowed but not stopped immigration enforcement operations.
Speakers called on the city to declare a state of emergency, expand funding for legal defense and rapid response networks, and provide housing and economic support to affected families.
There were also calls to strengthen sanctuary policies, protect constitutional rights, and ensure local police are not aiding federal enforcement.
Public commenters highlighted the impact of raids on families already facing housing insecurity and rent increases.
Council member Hugo Soto Martinez called for bold action from city leaders.
What we're being asked to is to have solidarity in the city unlike we've never seen before.
No more living in silos, no more movements fighting for their own piece of the pie. We're all living in the same moment, and I think that's what you're asking us to do. Again, I appreciate you coming here and certainly you can count on this body to have solidarity in this moment and beyond against until we get past this very difficult moment.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, a U.S. senate investigation has identified more than 500 credible reports of human rights abuses in immigration detention since January.
Led by Senator John Ossoff of Georgia, the inquiry has uncovered at least 41 cases of physical and sexual abuse, 14 involving pregnant women and 18 involving children.
The investigation points to detention centers in Texas, Georgia and California, including both Homeland Security run facilities and federal prisons under ICE agreements.
Council member Eunice Hernandez, herself the daughter of Mexican immigrants, called the conditions torture.
It's not just about putting a person in a cage. It's about losing your autonomy over your not only where you can be, but your entire body.
The way that they search people's bodies, the way that it's they disappear, but they're being abused and their constitutional rights are being violated. They're being tortured. We complain in here when it's too cold in chambers.
Now imagine these people that are being put in literal iceboxes.
So I just want us to ground, ground us in that, that it's not only the kidnapping and disappearing our people, but it's the torture of our people as well that is occurring. And I want to name that because I've had people that I know that I love very much that have been in immigration prisons. And that's, you know, something that never leaves you. This is happening here in Los Angeles and we're trying to show everybody who's watching what is happening in Los Angeles telling the truth about what's happening in Los Angeles. But can you place us in the country? What is occurring nationwide? Because I don't think people understand how serious this is.
They're going to comfort the immigrants first, then they're going to come for documented people, then they're going to come for everybody else. Black, brown, lgbtq. They are already doing it.
For KPFA News, I'm Lauren Schmidt.
[00:18:15] Speaker B: In national news, Texas House passes GOP redistricting plan as California lawmakers prepare democratic restricting response, KPFA's Christopher Martinez reports.
[00:18:29] Speaker A: Our communities are under attack. What do we do?
Texans rallied against the redistricting map at the State Capitol Wednesday inside the House chamber. The House approved a new Trump backed congressional redistricting map on a party line vote of 88 to 52. Republican State Representative Todd Hunter wrote the controversial legislation. The underlying goal of this plan is straightforward improve Republican political performance.
Debate was heated with Democrats trying to slow the process with amendments which failed given the Republican majority. With Democratic lawmakers back in town, Republicans have the quorum they need to act on the plan and they're serious about keeping tabs on the Democrats threatening to arrest any who try to leave Democrat China. Hinojosa posed a question to the Republican Republican House speaker during floor debate. If I attempt to leave this floor today with this call of the House on me, why am I not protected from arrest by Article 3, Section 14 of the Texas Constitution that prohibits the arrest of members during the legislative session? That is a hypothetical and general question. As previously stated, the chair declines to answer that the Texas vote was a victory for Republicans, but California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to neutralize that victory with a Democratic move in California to create five Democratic congressional seats to balance the five new Republican seats in Texas. Newsom spoke at a press phone call Wednesday defending California's move by blasting the Texas action. This is the ultimate wake up call trying to rig this election before one vote is even cast before 2026.
And so those that may have been holding out hope that some of this was anomalous and this recklessness was temporary. I think now deeply understand what's at stake. Newsom was joined on the call by several Democratic leaders. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey says this is a time to fight because Donald Trump is not playing by the rules. He's not honoring our Democratic traditions.
This is not a difference of light, right or left. This is indeed a difference of right or wrong. Texas State Representative Nicole Collier also joined the press call, phoning in from a restroom in the Texas State House, as the lawmakers there were in session. These are the most segregated maps that have been presented in Texas since the 1960s. The most segregated. And remember, these maps in Texas have been challenged in court for violating our Constitution every single decade. And this decade and, well, this mid decade, which is unusual, is no different. She had more to say, but at one point, she had to suddenly bow out of the press call. Sorry, I have to leave. They said it's a felony for me to do this. Apparently I can't be on the floor or in the bathroom. That drew outrage from Senator Booker. And first of all, let me tell you something. Representative Collier in the bathroom has more dignity than Donald Trump in the Oval Office. There you go. That is outrageous. What they're trying to do right there is silence an American leader, silence a black woman.
And that is outrageous. And I hope everybody took note of that. The fact that she can't even let her voice be heard is fricking outrageous.
And this is what we're fighting for here. This is ultimately what this is about. The Texas legislature has one more vote before sending the redistricting legislation to the governor. California's redistricting plan is also expected to pass. Given the Democratic majority's here, that will send the plan to voters in a Nov. 4 special election.
Other red and blue states are also considering redistricting plans, though Texas and California are the two big players with lots of seats at stake. All of this leading up to next year's congressional elections that will determine the fate of President Trump's final years in the White House. Reporting for Pacifica Radio News, kpfa, I'm Christopher Martinez.
[00:22:28] Speaker B: Texas oncologists worry about proposed federal cuts to cancer research. Freda Ross for the Texas News Service reports.
[00:22:37] Speaker A: According to the Texas cancer registry, almost 150,000 Texans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for Texans. And medical professionals are concerned about proposed federal budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute Institute. Houston radiation oncologist Dr. Fumiko Chino is with the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She says she's seen firsthand the importance of research conducted by the Cancer Institute for her breast cancer patients. We used to treat everyone with radiation, a daily treatment over six to seven weeks. And there are people today, they get zero doses of radiation or even as little as a week of treatment. And so that type of innovation is available today because of research dollars invested in the community and research. Years ago under the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services says the cuts are necessary to streamline programs, eliminate redundancies and prioritize gold standard science. The proposed budget reduces funding to the cancer institute by almost $3 billion. Clinicians, scientists and other workers have already been let go or quite quit. Gino says if the proposed cuts are implemented, they will have a negative impact on both future doctors and patients. I've already heard from people going into the field that they're concerned about the funding, about their ability to actually get good training, to get funding for future careers. And so this sort of brain drain means that maybe less people are going into cancer care and that will leave patients of the future, I think, at a real deficit. She adds, valuable research is already being lost because of cut structures to research programs. People come from all over the world for their training for cancer treatments. But honestly, investments in America helps Americans first. And it's a shame to think that the next person in my clinic may not have the opportunity for cure because of these cuts. I'm Freda Ross, Texas News Service. Find our trust indicators@public news service.org.
[00:24:48] Speaker B: In national native news, Antonia Gonzalez reads today's headlines.
[00:24:53] Speaker A: This is National Native News. I'm Antonia Gonzalez. California's only Native American state lawmaker is calling on the University of California to return Native American remains and cultural items still in its possession despite federal and state laws requiring repatriation. Christina Onisted reports.
California lawmakers condemned the University of California campuses that have failed to return thousands of Native American remains and hundreds of thousands of indigenous artifacts in their possession 35 years after federal law required their return to tribal communities. A new audit in April found UC campuses of Berkeley, Riverside, San Diego and Santa Barbara have failed to comply and fully utilized funding allotted to them to help rematiate the remains. Here's Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez. If my grandmother was found, I would expect her remains to be given to her family not in one year, not in 35 years, but immediately. The audit recommends specific funding and conditions on that funding to force compliance. UC Provost Kathryn Newman says they're investing more money, but part of the challenge is finding experts to assist. It's actually not easy to find those folks. There are some very technical requirements. We're the qualified people. Lee Sisco, tribal member of the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yukot Tribe we're the expert in this field because those are our ancestors. He spoke with California Assemblyman James Ramos of the Serrano Cahuilla tribe, who says repatriation will help Native Americans heal from the state's historical wrongs. Those remains do carry connections to our people, and it's not until they're properly reburied that healing can start to take place from a traumatic experience that our people suffered from the history of the state of California. Christina onisted California National Native News earlier this week, the ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a land swap that would hand a swath of the Tonto National Forest, a parcel sacred to Native Americans, over to a multinational mining company. As KJZ's Gabriel Pietrazio reports, President Trump has weighed in on Truth Social. Trump blamed a radical left court for delaying the swap, which would clear the way for a massive mine run by Resolution Copper. Trump is blatantly attempting to strong arm the court. Adelita Grijalva says his rhetoric is reckless, dangerous and even corrupt. She's running to fill the seat of her father, the late Arizona Congressman Raul, who spent his political career trying to stop mining in the area known as Oak Flat. Trump called those who opposed the mine anti American.
Trump can try to shame us. We're not going to be silenced. For him to call us all anti American for standing up for tech Oak Flat, it's not just wrong, it's offensive. Standing up for our communities, our land and our future is the most American thing that we can do and we're going to continue to do that. Resolution Copper is owned by foreign mining giants Rio Tinto and bhp. It's no surprise to see this president side with foreign corporations over America's natural resources and less for having any kind of consideration of tribal leaders in land. San Carlos Apache Chairman Terry Rambler believes Trump has been misinformed by Resolution Copper supporters, even offering to sit down with the president and share, quote, factual information to protect American assets. For National Native News, I'm Gabriel Pieterrazio. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan announced a donation of $200,000 to support RX Kids in the eastern Upper Peninsula. The program provides cash to moms and babies, which helps cover costs of necessities, including baby supplies, food, utilities and rent. According to RX Kids, the investment reflects the tribe's commitment to maternal and child health and to uplifting families across the region.
I'm Antonia Gonzalez, Native Voice 1, the Native American Radio Network.
[00:29:03] Speaker B: That's all for tonight's broadcast. Thanks for listening. Thanks to our engineer Lisa Music and thanks to our reporters Daniel Mintz, Lauren Schmidt, Christopher Martinez, Frida Ross and Antonia Gonzalez. KMUD News is online and you can find us on kmud.org and now streaming on most podcasts platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can download our stories and newscasts for offline listening during your rural commutes. You can also follow us on social media. If you have questions or suggestions, you can give us a call at 707-923-2605 or send an email to newsmud.org Redwood Community Radio is funded by Press Forward, the national movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news. Learn More at present, PressForward News reporting for KNUD, I'm Jordan Panjalinan.
