News Briefs

By Lake County Record-Bee on July 4, 2024

SACRAMENTO

Senate Leader McGuire to serve as acting governor

"As Californians gather to celebrate this amazing nation we all call home over the 4th of July holiday, we'll also be on high alert as record-setting temperatures and challenging fire conditions set in across a wide swath of the Golden State. The State Office of Emergency Services has pre-deployed firefighting resources in the highest fire threat regions and CalFire is throwing everything they've got at the Thompson Fire in Butte County. We'll remain in close contact with CalFire and State OES leaders in the coming days, and will ensure counties and local communities are receiving the resources they need during this extreme heat wave and time of high fire danger.

"We're grateful to the women and men of the state's fire service and all first responders who will be working day and night keeping our communities safe over this extended holiday weekend. We hope all Californians stay safe, stay cool and stay vigilant as they celebrate the 4th of July holiday!"

—Submitted

CALIFORNIA

Another roadblock to broadband?

Californians who don't have broadband internet access have already been dealt one major setback this year: In April, a federal subsidy to make high-speed internet more affordable ended.

Now underserved populations could face another hurdle: Today, the 30-day process starts of challenging federal internet coverage maps that the state uses to allocate $1.8 billion in aid. But advocates argue it's too difficult for residents to give their feedback to the California Public Utilities Commission, writes CalMatters tech reporter Khari Johnson.

—Only local and tribal governments, internet service providers and advocacy groups can demand changes to the map.
—If an individual wants to challenge it, one of these groups must verify the evidence and file their challenge.
—To challenge internet speeds, an individual must conduct speed tests three times a day over three days and provide details.
—Individuals must also upload a copy of their current bill and be on the highest speed offered by their provider.

Advocates focused on expanding internet access, particular in low-income neighborhoods, say it's already difficult for groups to challenge the map, let alone individuals.

Patrick Messac, director of Oakland Undivided: "We kind of all agree that this process is designed to make it impossible for communities to submit data."

—Submitted

SACRAMENTO

Harris and Newsom stand by Biden

Ever since President Joe Biden's debate debacle last week — and the fevered speculation that ensued — Gov. Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris have been among the names bandied about as potential replacements should Biden actually step aside.

But both Newsom and Harris have been steadfast Biden backers, at least in public. Newsom has batted down talk of replacing Biden on the ticket, plans to attend a meeting today with other governors at the White House to show his support and is scheduled to stump for the president Monday in New Hampshire.

Harris has also been making the rounds of cable news shows and holding campaign events to defend her running mate.

She fares better than Newsom in the first major poll to gauge which Democrat might do better against former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical matchup.

Released by CNN on Tuesday, the poll found Trump leading Harris 47% to 45% (within the margin of error), while Trump has a 48% to 43% edge over Newsom. Trump has a similar lead over Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (47% to 43%) and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (47% to 42%). Harris does better than the other Democrats thanks to her support among women and independent voters.

While Trump's 49% to 43% lead over Biden hasn't changed since a CNN survey in April, three quarters of voters say Democrats have a better chance of winning with another Democrat running.

But take the poll results with two big mounds of salt: It's a snapshot, and a national one at that, when the race will almost certainly be decided in a handful of swing states again.

Harris, California's former attorney general and U.S. senator, and Newsom have had a political frenemy relationship ever since both started climbing the political ladder in San Francisco two decades ago.

—Submitted