States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
Va. A.G. Miyares Leads Multistate Effort Defending Title IX and Student Privacy
RICHMOND, Virginia, Nov. 27 -- Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Attorney General Miyares Leads Multistate Effort Defending Title IX and Student Privacy
Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced that Virginia is leading a 21-state coalition in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to uphold the dismissal of lawsuits filed by the Fairfax County School Board and the Arlington School Board. The school divisions argue that Title IX and the Fourth Circuit's 2020 decision in Grimm v. Gloucester
... Show Full Article
RICHMOND, Virginia, Nov. 27 -- Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Attorney General Miyares Leads Multistate Effort Defending Title IX and Student Privacy
Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced that Virginia is leading a 21-state coalition in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to uphold the dismissal of lawsuits filed by the Fairfax County School Board and the Arlington School Board. The school divisions argue that Title IX and the Fourth Circuit's 2020 decision in Grimm v. GloucesterCounty School Board require them to adopt policies allowing students to access bathrooms and locker rooms based solely on self-declared gender identity. The amicus brief explains that this claim has no legal grounding.
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"Nothing in Title IX, its regulations, or the Grimm decision requires school divisions to adopt sweeping policies that disregard basic privacy protections or put student safety at risk. Privacy and safety are not partisan issues. They are fundamental expectations in every Virginia school," said Attorney General Jason Miyares. "The school divisions' effort to twist Grimm far beyond its actual holding is unsupported by law and profoundly irresponsible. The district court made the proper call, and the Fourth Circuit should uphold it. Fairfax and Arlington are not exempt from following the law, and their reckless choices make clear that protecting children was never their priority."
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The brief explains that Grimm was a narrow, as-applied ruling about a single student and a single bathroom policy. The court did not hold that schools must open all sex-segregated facilities to any student based on self-identification, and it explicitly did not address locker rooms or changing areas. Despite this, Fairfax and Arlington have adopted broad policies that treat a student's self-assertion of gender identity as sufficient to access private facilities reserved for the opposite biological sex.
Title IX was enacted to prevent sex-based discrimination in education. Its regulations were written with the understanding that "sex" refers to biological sex. When schools accept federal funds, they agree to comply with these clear, longstanding requirements.
In September, Attorney General Miyares filed two briefs opposing an earlier attempt by the school divisions to block the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing federal protections for women in school bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas.
Virginia was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming in filing the brief.
Read the brief here (https://files.constantcontact.com/d3e83e11901/91b6c8b2-7064-41bb-a948-3ce533ebcee1.pdf?rdr=true).
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2931-november-26-2025-attorney-general-miyares-leads-multistate-effort-defending-title-ix-and-student-privacy
Pa. Treasurer Stacy Garrity: S&P Global Reaffirms Highest Ratings for INVEST PA Pools Under New Management
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 27 -- The Pennsylvania Treasurer issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Treasurer Stacy Garrity: S&P Global Reaffirms Highest Ratings for INVEST PA Pools Under New Management
INVEST PA provides investment opportunities for local governments and nonprofits
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Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that Standard and Poor's Global Ratings (S&P) has affirmed its highest rating, AAAm, for Treasury's INVEST PA pools. Treasurer Garrity announced in October that INVEST PA would now be managed by Federated Hermes, Inc. INVEST PA provides
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 27 -- The Pennsylvania Treasurer issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Treasurer Stacy Garrity: S&P Global Reaffirms Highest Ratings for INVEST PA Pools Under New Management
INVEST PA provides investment opportunities for local governments and nonprofits
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Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that Standard and Poor's Global Ratings (S&P) has affirmed its highest rating, AAAm, for Treasury's INVEST PA pools. Treasurer Garrity announced in October that INVEST PA would now be managed by Federated Hermes, Inc. INVEST PA providesinvestment options for local government entities and nonprofit organizations.
"The reaffirmation of our INVEST PA pools' AAAm rating, especially following our successful transition to a new program manager, underscores the superior standing of our pools for our participants. We're elated by the enhanced user experience and the improved benefits that our participants are already enjoying with Federated, and this reaffirmation further solidifies their confidence in INVEST PA to help them meet their financial goals."
- Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity
INVEST PA offers two investment pools, the Daily Pool for local governments and the Community Pool for nonprofit organizations. INVEST PA participants such as municipalities, counties, school districts, fire companies, libraries and many others, benefit from the cost savings associated with larger pooled funds which they could not achieve by investing on their own.
INVEST PA pools provide daily liquidity, have no minimum balance requirements, no minimum deposit amounts and no limits on the number of transactions an organization can make. With INVEST PA's new manager, Federated, participants are seeing lower fees, anticipated higher yields, improved customer service and many other benefits.
AAAm is the highest rating assigned by S&P. Funds achieving this rating demonstrate, "a fund's extremely strong capacity to maintain principal stability and to limit exposure to principal losses caused by credit risk."
Treasury has administered INVEST for over 30 years. In Fiscal Year 2024-25, More than 400 program participants shared $67 million in earnings. INVEST PA assets are currently over $1.4 billion.
To learn more about INVEST PA, visit patreasury.gov/invest.
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Original text here: https://www.patreasury.gov/newsroom/archive/2025/11-26-INVEST.html
Okla. A.G. Drummond Calls Out Tyson's Misinformation Campaign Over Poultry Lawsuit
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Nov. 27 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Drummond calls out Tyson's misinformation campaign over poultry lawsuit
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is addressing inaccuracies surrounding the ongoing litigation to protect water quality in the Illinois River watershed, calling out what he describes as a coordinated misinformation campaign by Tyson Foods. The attorney general says the poultry company is trying to intimidate Oklahomans and deflect accountability.
"Tyson Foods is engaging in shameless
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Nov. 27 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Drummond calls out Tyson's misinformation campaign over poultry lawsuit
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is addressing inaccuracies surrounding the ongoing litigation to protect water quality in the Illinois River watershed, calling out what he describes as a coordinated misinformation campaign by Tyson Foods. The attorney general says the poultry company is trying to intimidate Oklahomans and deflect accountability.
"Tyson Foods is engaging in shamelessgamesmanship, using Oklahoma's hardworking farmers as pawns while threatening to withdraw contracts," said Drummond. "But Tyson's actions speak louder than their empty threats. Even as they claim to be concerned about this litigation, Tyson is actively working to acquire additional processing capacity in the watershed. Oklahomans deserve better than corporate intimidation tactics from a company that has repeatedly shown it prioritizes profits over people and environmental responsibility."
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2005, seeks to hold major poultry companies accountable for polluting the Illinois River watershed with phosphorus from chicken waste. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell ruled in favor of the state and ordered each side to reach an agreement with regard to remedies imposed. After negotiations broke down, the court held a six-day evidentiary hearing and reaffirmed the findings that the watershed is still impaired. Proposed penalties exceeded $100 million against poultry companies Tyson, Cargill, George's, Simmons and Cal-Maine for violations of the Oklahoma Environmental Quality Code. The attorney general also requested that the companies be required to fund a restoration plan for the watershed.
Recently, local officials and lawmakers have pressured Drummond and the state to abandon or scale back the litigation, following warnings from Tyson Foods about potential reductions to Oklahoma operations. However, reports show Tyson is seeking to increase its production capacity in the watershed through the acquisition of Cargill's former processing plant in Springdale, Ark., which contradicts claims that it has been forced to scale back operations in the watershed due to the lawsuit.
"Let's be clear about what's really happening here," Drummond continued. "This isn't about protecting farmers. It's about protecting corporate profits at the expense of Oklahoma's natural resources."
The state's lawsuit specifically targets the corporate poultry companies responsible for waste management practices, not individual farmers or growers. Oklahoma's legal action seeks to enforce state laws protecting the water quality of the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. Despite no farmers being named as defendants in the case, poultry companies have attempted to redirect blame and portray the litigation as an attack on agriculture.
"Not one single farmer has been sued by the state, but these corporations continue to hide behind a false narrative, using hardworking farm families as human shields to avoid accountability," emphasized Drummond. "A thriving poultry industry and clean water can absolutely coexist. What we cannot accept is allowing massive corporations to pollute our waterways without consequence. Oklahoma is simply asking Tyson Foods to conduct its business responsibly and comply with laws--the same laws that protect the health and economic future of all Oklahomans."
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2025/november/drummond-calls-out-tyson-s-misinformation-campaign-over-poultry-lawsuit.html
Ohio State Auditor Faber Announces Auditor of State Award Recipients
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 27 -- Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Auditor Faber Announces Auditor of State Award Recipients
Auditor of State Keith Faber is pleased to announce that the following entities received Auditor of State Awards in October for their clean audit reports:
* Butler County Finance Authority (Butler County)
* Liberty Community Authority (Butler County)
* City of Urbana (Champaign County)
* Clermont County Transportation Improvement District (Clermont County)
* City of Mayfield Heights (Cuyahoga County)
* Cuyahoga Arts
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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 27 -- Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Auditor Faber Announces Auditor of State Award Recipients
Auditor of State Keith Faber is pleased to announce that the following entities received Auditor of State Awards in October for their clean audit reports:
* Butler County Finance Authority (Butler County)
* Liberty Community Authority (Butler County)
* City of Urbana (Champaign County)
* Clermont County Transportation Improvement District (Clermont County)
* City of Mayfield Heights (Cuyahoga County)
* Cuyahoga Artsand Culture (Cuyahoga County)
* Concord Scioto Community Authority (Delaware County)
* Capital City Career Prep High School (Franklin County)
* North Woods Career Prep High School (Franklin County)
* The RiverSouth Authority (Franklin County)
* Beavercreek Township (Greene County)
* City of Cambridge (Guernsey County)
* Cincinnati Classical Academy (Hamilton County)
* City of Harrison (Hamilton County)
* City of Norwalk (Huron County)
* Licking County Transportation Improvement District (Licking County)
* City of Brookville (Montgomery County)
* Perry County Metropolitan Housing Authority (Perry County)
* Richland County Regional Planning Commission (Richland County)
* City of Hudson (Summit County)
* Wolf Creek Local School District (Washington County)
"By keeping accurate financial records, governing bodies demonstrate their commitment to efficient, effective, and transparent service," Auditor Faber said. "This award honors public entities that have put in the hard work to keep their finances in order."
The Auditor of State's Office presents the awards to local governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit. Entities that receive the award meet the following criteria of a "clean" audit report:
* The entity must file financial reports with the Auditor of State's Office by the statutory due date, without extension, via the Hinkle System and in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
* The audit report does not contain any findings for recovery, material citations, material weakness, significant deficiencies, Uniform Guidance (Single Audit) findings or questioned costs.
* The entity's management letter contains no comment related to:
- Ethics referrals
- Questioned costs less than the threshold per the Uniform Guidance
- Lack of timely annual financial report submission
- Bank reconciliation issues
- Failure to obtain a timely Single Audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance
- Findings for recovery less than $500
- Public meetings or public records issues
* The entity has no other financial or other concerns.
The full reports are available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx.
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The Auditor of State's office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.
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Original text here: http://ohioauditor.gov/news/pressreleases/Details/7731
Maine Secretary of State: Maine Submits Opposition to Federal Rule That Would Restrict Legal Immigrants From Holding a CDL
AUGUSTA, Maine, Nov. 27 -- The Maine Secretary of State issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Maine submits opposition to federal rule that would restrict legal immigrants from holding a CDL
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) today submitted comments voicing strong opposition to a federal rule that would restrict legal immigrants from holding a commercial driver license (CDL).
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an emergency interim final rule titled "Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of
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AUGUSTA, Maine, Nov. 27 -- The Maine Secretary of State issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Maine submits opposition to federal rule that would restrict legal immigrants from holding a CDL
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) today submitted comments voicing strong opposition to a federal rule that would restrict legal immigrants from holding a commercial driver license (CDL).
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an emergency interim final rule titled "Restoring Integrity to the Issuance ofNon-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL)" in late September to restrict how states issue "non domiciled" commercial driver's licenses (CDL). A non-domiciled CDL is issued to individuals who are legally permitted to work but who are not yet permanent U.S. residents. Under the new rule, only green card holders, U.S. citizens, and certain employment-based visa holders H-2A (Temporary Agricultural Workers), H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers), or E-2 (Treaty Investors) would be eligible for a CDL.
If the rule goes into effect, an estimated 97% of current non-domiciled CDL holders will lose eligibility nationwide and 100% of current non-domiciled CDL holders in Maine would no longer be eligible.
In addition to the comments submitted, Secretary Bellows today issued the following statement:
"In a time of shortages of qualified CDL drivers, this rule will harm not only immigrants who are legally here but also the Maine economy. The proposal is yet another cruel attempt by the Trump administration to punish immigrants who are legally here and make their existence here as difficult as possible. The proposal will be devastating to many immigrants and their families by taking away their livelihood and will harm Maine employers who need more qualified workers in the workforce."
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/maine-submits-opposition-federal-rule-would-restrict-legal-immigrants-holding-cdl
California Delegation Wraps Historic Participation at COP30: New Global Partnerships, Clean Energy Records, and Climate Leadership
SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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California delegation wraps historic participation at COP30: new global partnerships, clean energy records, and climate leadership
What you need to know: California delegation wraps historic participation at COP30: new global partnerships, clean energy records, and climate leadership
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Governor Gavin Newsom's administration wrapped up a landmark trip to Brazil for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) where California stepped into the U.S. leadership void left by the Trump administration.
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SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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California delegation wraps historic participation at COP30: new global partnerships, clean energy records, and climate leadership
What you need to know: California delegation wraps historic participation at COP30: new global partnerships, clean energy records, and climate leadership
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Governor Gavin Newsom's administration wrapped up a landmark trip to Brazil for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) where California stepped into the U.S. leadership void left by the Trump administration.Over the course of the conference, the Governor and California's delegation forged strategic partnerships across three continents, announced breakthrough clean energy achievements, and elevated Indigenous voices and subnational leadership on the world stage.
While the Trump administration refused to even send a notetaker -- let alone a delegation -- to Brazil, California's delegation showed up, representing the U.S. Climate Alliance and America is All In coalitions, meeting with world leaders, inking new partnerships, and proving that climate action, economic prosperity, and the health of our planet are a win-win-win.
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While the Trump administration stayed home, California brought a delegation of experts and leaders to COP30 who showed the world what real American leadership looks like. We formed new international partnerships that will make California stronger economically, environmentally, and as a global climate leader.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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Building Indigenous partnerships across continents
With this year's COP highlighting the leadership of Indigenous peoples as the guardians of biodiversity, California's first Indigenous Tribal Affairs Secretary, Christina Snider-Ashtari, engaged in focused discussions with Sonia Guajajara, Brazil's first Indigenous Minister of Indigenous Peoples, and Francisca Arara, the State of Acre's first Indigenous Secretary for Indigenous Peoples, to share approaches to advancing Indigenous climate solutions and set the stage for future international collaboration across Indigenous communities and cultures.
"California Native peoples have stewarded our lands and waters since time immemorial, and we will continue that work regardless of shifts in political winds," said Secretary Snider-Ashtari. "California remains committed to Native-led climate action, clean energy, and community resilience, and we look forward to advancing this work in collaboration with our Indigenous counterparts across the globe."
Secretary Snider-Ashtari also met with private sector and subnational policymakers to share California's nation-leading approach to tribal-state climate partnerships through engaging in ongoing government-to-government consultation, creating tribal-specific climate action funding streams and dismantling harmful historical legacies preventing tribal nations from engaging in tried and true ancestral land management practices.
During COP30, Governor Newsom traveled into the Amazon River Basin to meet with Indigenous leaders in Jamaraqua, a small community of 47 families, to discuss how partnerships between Indigenous communities can drive conservation and strengthen the global climate response.
Advancing clean transportation across continents
In Belem, Governor Newsom witnessed the signing of an MOU between California and Nigeria, marking another bold step forward in the Golden State's global work to advance clean energy, climate resilience, and sustainable transportation. Weeks earlier, the State of California signed an MOU with the Republic of Kenya at Climate Week NYC 2025.
"California is honored to join hands with Nigeria, Kenya and all nations committed to climate action and clean mobility," said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. "Guided by Governor Newsom's bold climate and economic vision, these historic partnerships reflect our shared commitments to sustainable growth, advancing zero-emission transportation and opportunities for the next generation."
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, and Kenya is often referred to as the 'Silicon Savannah' and the Gateway to East Africa. Both nations are regarded as African leaders in innovation, clean mobility, digital technology, and creative industries -- areas well aligned with California's economy, climate policies, and innovation. Both MOUs focus on key areas of cooperation, including sustainable urban transportation, green ports, low-carbon fuels and academic exchange. They demonstrate our joint commitment to cleaner, more connected communities and advancing the global transition to zero-emission transportation.
Leading subnational climate coalitions and engagements
In Rio de Janeiro, the California Natural Resources Agency participated in the COP30 Local Leaders Forum -- co-chaired by Governor Newsom -- where subnational leaders from around the globe showcased their contributions to global climate change goals negotiated at the COP, learned from one another, and explored how we can move faster together. Secretary Wade Crowfoot met with leaders from around the world who expressed how California is helping their governments address a broad range of climate challenges - and vice versa. This meeting of local leaders has become a key part of the UN climate conferences as the conversation continues to shift from setting big goals to actually implementing them.
"With the federal government totally missing in action, the rest of the world needs to understand that America is still in this climate fight, and we're moving forward," said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. "Our brand of federalism invests real authority in our states - and no single president can erase that. We were proud to be part of a coalition of states that brought that message to Brazil for the rest of the world to hear."
Secretary Crowfoot also participated in several convenings of coalitions that the state helps lead, including the Under2 Coalition and America Is All In, and the U.S. Climate Alliance.
Key highlights:
* Under2 Coalition Anniversary: California and Baden-Wurttemberg, co-founders of the Under2 Coalition, signed a joint statement celebrating ten years of partnership. The coalition now represents more than 270 governments committed to keeping global temperature rise under 2 degrees Celsius.
* Para Partnership: Governor Newsom signed an MOU with the State of Para, Brazil to strengthen cooperation on wildfire prevention and response -- enhancing forest monitoring and sharing firefighting expertise.
* Colombia Partnership: California and Colombia signed an MOU to advance forest conservation, methane reduction, climate resilience, and clean energy development -- deepening coordination on protecting the Amazon and strengthening biodiversity.
Science-driven solutions and global cooperation
Ahead of COP30, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) played a leading role in coordinating interagency efforts and negotiating partnerships with several countries and subnational governments to cut pollution, reduce emissions, and share innovative technology and resources to build climate resilience for at-risk communities.
California and Chile signed an MOU that will help both governments develop best practices for methane detection and abatement. Methane is the second-largest source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions with a warming impact up to 80 times greater than carbon dioxide, and reducing it is critical to reaching our climate goals. Methane remains in the atmosphere for about a decade, which has two important implications: most damage occurs relatively quickly, and reducing those emissions will more quickly slow rising global temperatures.
"The partnerships we forged with governments around the world during COP30 show how California consistently picks up the ball and keeps moving forward when the U.S. federal government chooses to sit on the sidelines," said California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia. Governor Newsom's leadership in the fight against climate change keeps California on the cutting edge of cleaner and more affordable innovation, at a global scale. CalEPA looks forward to strengthening ties further with our international partners as we get to work."
During the global conference, Governor Newsom announced that California's data from a new specialized methane-detecting satellite has already helped resolve 10 large methane leaks at oil and gas facilities across California since May -- cutting pollution equivalent to taking 18,000 cars off the road for a year. The leaks are detected by cutting-edge sensors on the Tanager-1 satellite and tracked on the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) dashboard. The breakthrough comes as the Trump administration proposes to end the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.
"California again showed the world it is committed to the fight against climate change," said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez. As the federal government abandons global partnerships and turns a blind eye to science and facts, CARB continues to drive meaningful solutions to reduce harmful emissions and clean the air we all breathe. This year's COP reminded us that we aren't alone in this work-- together with our international partners, we can create a future that is healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable for communities around the world."
Driving grid modernization and clean energy deployment leadership
California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Reynolds represented California throughout COP30, participating in panels on accelerating clean energy deployment, reducing methane emissions through satellite technology, managing AI power demand, and at the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance Ministerial. She highlighted how California's emissions have declined even as the state's economy has grown, with electric-sector emissions down more than 40 percent since 2006.
"Coming out of COP30, it is clear that we are facing a defining moment for the planet. And California is stepping up to the urgency that the pressing issue of climate change demands," said CPUC President Alice Reynolds. "We're innovating, collaborating, and investing to cut emissions, protect our communities, and build a clean-energy economy that works for everyone. The world is looking for courageous action and leadership, and California is all in."
At COP30, Governor Newsom announced that California has reached nearly 17,000 megawatts of battery storage capacity -- data from the California Energy Commission showing a 2,100% surge since Governor Newsom took office in 2019. California has now built one-third of the storage capacity estimated to be needed by 2045 to reach its clean energy goals.
California's agricultural delegation meets with UN Food and Agriculture Organization leadership at COP30. Left to right: Sarah Swig, Deputy Cabinet Secretary to Governor Newsom; Secretary Karen Ross, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Kaveh Zahedi, FAO Director of the Office of Climate Change; Virginia Jameson, CDFA Deputy Secretary of Climate and Working Lands; and Martial Bernoux, FAO Climate Change Team Leader.
Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food systems
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross represented California's agricultural innovation at COP30, participating in panels and bilateral meetings that showcased how the state has integrated climate action with food security. Secretary Ross strengthened existing partnerships and forged new collaborations on climate-smart, resilient, and regenerative agriculture.
"Of the four COPs I've attended, this was the strongest focus yet on the essential role of farmers and sustainable food systems--not only in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also in delivering solutions through healthy soils, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration," said California Department of Food and Agriculture, Secretary Karen Ross. "It was powerful to see programming that integrated climate, agriculture, water, and biodiversity as a holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities agriculture faces. Thanks to the Governor's leadership CDFA has distributed approximately $690 million for climate-smart practices, including livestock methane reduction, healthy soils, on-farm water savings, and energy efficiency."
California's food and agricultural leadership at COP30 sent a powerful signal that America's climate work in food security won't pause or slow. As one of the few Mediterranean climate regions in the world and the nation's leader in dairy and specialty crops, California produces over 400 crops and supplies three-fourths of the nation's vegetables, fruits and nuts, and 20 percent of the nation's milk. In 2023 alone, California agriculture generated $61 billion in sales, accounting for 11 percent of total U.S. agricultural sales and exported $22.4 billion in goods.
California's agricultural story is one of constant adaptation -- facing drought, flooding, rising temperatures, and new pest pressures while continuing to grow food for the world under some of the strongest environmental and labor standards anywhere.
California's climate leadership
Pollution is down and the economy is up. Greenhouse gas emissions in California are down 21% since 2000 -- even as the state's GDP increased 81% in that same time period, all while becoming the world's fourth largest economy.
California also continues to set clean energy records. In 2023, the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy, the largest economy in the world to achieve this level. California has also run on 100% clean electricity for part of the day almost every day this year.
Since the beginning of the Newsom Administration, battery storage has surged to nearly 17,000 megawatts -- a 2,100%+ increase, and over 30,000 megawatts of new resources have been added to the electric grid. California now has 33 percent of the storage capacity estimated to be needed by 2045 to reach 100 percent clean electricity.
California at COP30
COP30 is an annual global meeting where world leaders, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society leaders gather to discuss actions to tackle climate change. Hosted in Belem, Brazil, this year's conference marked ten years since the Paris Agreement and emphasized moving from ambition to action. California's leadership, as both a founder of the Under2 Coalition and co-chair of national climate alliances, exemplifies how states and regions are driving progress where national governments fall short.
California's delegation included the Governor, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, California Public Utilities Commission President Alice Reynolds, California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez, and Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari.
Related COP30 coverage
* Nov 14: Governor Newsom Champions Historic Climate Action at Global Climate Summit in Brazil
* Nov 13: Governor Newsom Announces California's Record Growth in Battery Storage and Clean Energy Leadership at COP30
* Nov 13: California Cuts Major Methane Leaks as Trump Turns His Back on Science
* Nov 12: Governor Newsom Expands California's Global Climate Leadership at COP30, Creating New Partnerships with Brazil, Colombia, and Chile
* Nov 11: Governor Newsom Inks New Global Partnerships at COP30 as Trump Administration Doesn't Even Show Up
* Nov 10: During COP30, Governor Newsom Highlights Subnational Climate Action as the Defining Economic Opportunity of the 21st Century, While Trump Sleeps
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/11/26/california-delegation-wraps-historic-participation-at-cop30-new-global-partnerships-clean-energy-records-and-climate-leadership/
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Sentencing for Embezzlement From Nogales Police Officers Association
PHOENIX, Arizona, Nov. 27 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Sentencing for Embezzlement from Nogales Police Officers Association
NOGALES - Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that Victor Hetherington has been sentenced to 4 years on probation and ordered to pay the full loss amount after pleading guilty to Computer Tampering for using his position as President of the Nogales Police Officers Association to steal $39,150.04 from that organization.
"This individual used his position of power to steal nearly $40,000
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Nov. 27 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Sentencing for Embezzlement from Nogales Police Officers Association
NOGALES - Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that Victor Hetherington has been sentenced to 4 years on probation and ordered to pay the full loss amount after pleading guilty to Computer Tampering for using his position as President of the Nogales Police Officers Association to steal $39,150.04 from that organization.
"This individual used his position of power to steal nearly $40,000in funds meant to support his fellow Nogales law enforcement officers. It's unacceptable," said Attorney General Mayes. "I'm proud of the work my office did to hold this individual accountable and return these funds to the Nogales Police Officers Association."
Between 2018 and 2023, Hetherington accessed NPOA's bank accounts to make transfers to his own personal accounts, pay off his own credit cards, dine at restaurants, gamble at casinos, and pay for a dental appointment. He misled other members of the NPOA Board about how he was using these funds. Over the course of 5 years, he completed 689 unauthorized transactions, which accounted for over half of the organization's operational budget in that time.
On November 10, 2025, the Santa Cruz County Superior Court sentenced Hetherington and ordered him to pay the full loss amount in criminal restitution. Hetherington had pled guilty to Computer Tampering on September 22, 2025.
This case was investigated by the Special Agent Annalisa Madsen of the Attorney General's Office Special Investigation Section, and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Matthew Ashton.
A copy of the indictment is here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=064285f31b&e=9153ff6c96). A copy of the sentencing document is available here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=82b648658d&e=9153ff6c96).
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-sentencing-embezzlement-nogales-police-officers
