States, Cities and Counties
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States, Cities and Counties
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Okla. A.G. Drummond: Guthrie Human Trafficking Operation Results in Arrests, Victim Recovery
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Sept. 15 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Guthrie human trafficking operation results in arrests, victim recovery
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 14, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Human Trafficking Response Unit, in conjunction with several law enforcement partners and Skull Games Solutions, arrested five individuals and recovered 15 potential victims during a trafficking bust last week at a Guthrie hotel.
The Guthrie Police Department arrested Carlos Rubio De Santiago, Kenneth Blevins, Victor Najera, Elwyn Patmon ... Show Full Article OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Sept. 15 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release: * * * Guthrie human trafficking operation results in arrests, victim recovery OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 14, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Human Trafficking Response Unit, in conjunction with several law enforcement partners and Skull Games Solutions, arrested five individuals and recovered 15 potential victims during a trafficking bust last week at a Guthrie hotel. The Guthrie Police Department arrested Carlos Rubio De Santiago, Kenneth Blevins, Victor Najera, Elwyn Patmonand Johnny Goforth on complaints of solicitation and violations of the Computer Crimes Act. The individuals who were recovered during the operation were offered victims' services.
"We appreciate the collaboration of our law enforcement partners throughout Oklahoma to protect victims of human trafficking and to hold predators accountable to the law," Drummond said. "Every training session and every operation bring us closer to driving human trafficking out of Oklahoma."
Drummond's office and Skull Games led an advanced human trafficking training session in Guthrie last week where four local law enforcement agencies participated.
Agencies who joined the training and aided in the operation included the Guthrie Police Department, Jones Police Department, Logan County Sheriff's Office and Payne County Sheriff's Office.
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/september/guthrie-human-trafficking-operation-results-in-arrests-victim-recovery.html
* * *
Guthrie human trafficking operation results in arrests, victim recovery
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 14, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Human Trafficking Response Unit, in conjunction with several law enforcement partners and Skull Games Solutions, arrested five individuals and recovered 15 potential victims during a trafficking bust last week at a Guthrie hotel.
The Guthrie Police Department arrested Carlos Rubio De Santiago, Kenneth Blevins, Victor Najera, Elwyn Patmon ... Show Full Article OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Sept. 15 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release: * * * Guthrie human trafficking operation results in arrests, victim recovery OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 14, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Human Trafficking Response Unit, in conjunction with several law enforcement partners and Skull Games Solutions, arrested five individuals and recovered 15 potential victims during a trafficking bust last week at a Guthrie hotel. The Guthrie Police Department arrested Carlos Rubio De Santiago, Kenneth Blevins, Victor Najera, Elwyn Patmonand Johnny Goforth on complaints of solicitation and violations of the Computer Crimes Act. The individuals who were recovered during the operation were offered victims' services.
"We appreciate the collaboration of our law enforcement partners throughout Oklahoma to protect victims of human trafficking and to hold predators accountable to the law," Drummond said. "Every training session and every operation bring us closer to driving human trafficking out of Oklahoma."
Drummond's office and Skull Games led an advanced human trafficking training session in Guthrie last week where four local law enforcement agencies participated.
Agencies who joined the training and aided in the operation included the Guthrie Police Department, Jones Police Department, Logan County Sheriff's Office and Payne County Sheriff's Office.
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/september/guthrie-human-trafficking-operation-results-in-arrests-victim-recovery.html
Idaho Education Dept.: J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, Blue Cross of Idaho Partner to Bring BARR Model to Three Idaho Public Schools
BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 15 -- The Idaho Department of Education issued the following news release:
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J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, Blue Cross of Idaho Partner to Bring BARR Model to Three Idaho Public Schools
(BOISE) - Strength-based school improvement organization Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) is developing a presence in Idaho classrooms thanks to support from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, and the Idaho Department of Education.
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has donated a total of ... Show Full Article BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 15 -- The Idaho Department of Education issued the following news release: * * * J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, Blue Cross of Idaho Partner to Bring BARR Model to Three Idaho Public Schools (BOISE) - Strength-based school improvement organization Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) is developing a presence in Idaho classrooms thanks to support from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, and the Idaho Department of Education. The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has donated a total of$700,000 to bring BARR to three schools throughout the program's three-year implementation period. The funding will cover coaching, data analysis, and ongoing meetings designed to address the individual development of every student. Idaho's participation is also supported by a two-time donation of $100,000 each from Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.
The BARR model of school improvement is built around two essential pillars: relationships and data. It works by organizing teachers into multidisciplinary teams who share a specific group of students, creating a small school feeling and functionality inside of the wider school community. Educators use simple, structured BARR data tools to track academic performance, attendance, and behavioral needs daily, giving schools the power to catch, track, and address problems precisely and proactively. The program also prioritizes parent and family engagement by encouraging teachers to communicate via phone calls, notes home, and other methods of staying in close contact, strengthening the vital relationship between parents and educators.
Nationwide, schools implementing the BARR model have seen improvements in test scores, reduced chronic absenteeism, increased teacher retention, and improved overall student wellbeing. The model is currently being used in 27 states nationwide and in Washington D.C. and is backed by two decades of evidence-based research. It was through the outcomes seen in other states that Superintendent Critchfield became acquainted with the program.
"When we were looking at the nationwide impact that the BARR model has had on students, I was eager to explore what it could mean here in Idaho," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. "When it came time to find a way to fund this opportunity, the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation said, 'we'd love to get behind this work.' That we also received support from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation was so meaningful, especially given this year's budget challenges."
In Idaho, Jenifer Middle School in the Lewiston School District, Meridian Middle School in the West Ada School District, and Taylorview Middle School in the Idaho Falls School District began implementing the BARR model in Spring of 2026. Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy is also launching the BARR model this fall.
"We believe strong academic outcomes start with supporting the whole student," said Roger Quarles, Executive Director of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation. "BARR is a proven, research-based approach that aligns with our commitment to investing in opportunities that help Idaho students reach their full potential."
"This model helps to ensure that every student's talents are recognized and supports strong relationships between schools, families, and communities. I am thankful to be partnering with the Idaho Department of Education to support schools in the state," said Angela Jerabek, founder and executive director of the BARR Center.
After three years of implementation and coaching from BARR, schools will have developed skills, routines, and collaborative structure needed to sustain the work independently. The BARR model's emphasis on strengthening systems, relationships, and data practices that are already in place within a school makes ongoing sustainability possible; by the end of the partnership, these practices are embedded in the school's daily operations and continue without the need for ongoing external support.
To learn more about BARR, its track record, and what it offers Idaho classrooms, go to https://barrcenter.org/proven-results/.
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Original text here: https://www.sde.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/09-14-2026-JA-and-Kathryn-Albertson-Family-Foundation-Blue-Cross-of-Idaho-Partner-to-Bring-BARR-Model-to-Three-Idaho-Public-Schools.pdf
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J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, Blue Cross of Idaho Partner to Bring BARR Model to Three Idaho Public Schools
(BOISE) - Strength-based school improvement organization Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) is developing a presence in Idaho classrooms thanks to support from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, and the Idaho Department of Education.
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has donated a total of ... Show Full Article BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 15 -- The Idaho Department of Education issued the following news release: * * * J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, Blue Cross of Idaho Partner to Bring BARR Model to Three Idaho Public Schools (BOISE) - Strength-based school improvement organization Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) is developing a presence in Idaho classrooms thanks to support from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, and the Idaho Department of Education. The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has donated a total of$700,000 to bring BARR to three schools throughout the program's three-year implementation period. The funding will cover coaching, data analysis, and ongoing meetings designed to address the individual development of every student. Idaho's participation is also supported by a two-time donation of $100,000 each from Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.
The BARR model of school improvement is built around two essential pillars: relationships and data. It works by organizing teachers into multidisciplinary teams who share a specific group of students, creating a small school feeling and functionality inside of the wider school community. Educators use simple, structured BARR data tools to track academic performance, attendance, and behavioral needs daily, giving schools the power to catch, track, and address problems precisely and proactively. The program also prioritizes parent and family engagement by encouraging teachers to communicate via phone calls, notes home, and other methods of staying in close contact, strengthening the vital relationship between parents and educators.
Nationwide, schools implementing the BARR model have seen improvements in test scores, reduced chronic absenteeism, increased teacher retention, and improved overall student wellbeing. The model is currently being used in 27 states nationwide and in Washington D.C. and is backed by two decades of evidence-based research. It was through the outcomes seen in other states that Superintendent Critchfield became acquainted with the program.
"When we were looking at the nationwide impact that the BARR model has had on students, I was eager to explore what it could mean here in Idaho," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. "When it came time to find a way to fund this opportunity, the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation said, 'we'd love to get behind this work.' That we also received support from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation was so meaningful, especially given this year's budget challenges."
In Idaho, Jenifer Middle School in the Lewiston School District, Meridian Middle School in the West Ada School District, and Taylorview Middle School in the Idaho Falls School District began implementing the BARR model in Spring of 2026. Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy is also launching the BARR model this fall.
"We believe strong academic outcomes start with supporting the whole student," said Roger Quarles, Executive Director of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation. "BARR is a proven, research-based approach that aligns with our commitment to investing in opportunities that help Idaho students reach their full potential."
"This model helps to ensure that every student's talents are recognized and supports strong relationships between schools, families, and communities. I am thankful to be partnering with the Idaho Department of Education to support schools in the state," said Angela Jerabek, founder and executive director of the BARR Center.
After three years of implementation and coaching from BARR, schools will have developed skills, routines, and collaborative structure needed to sustain the work independently. The BARR model's emphasis on strengthening systems, relationships, and data practices that are already in place within a school makes ongoing sustainability possible; by the end of the partnership, these practices are embedded in the school's daily operations and continue without the need for ongoing external support.
To learn more about BARR, its track record, and what it offers Idaho classrooms, go to https://barrcenter.org/proven-results/.
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Original text here: https://www.sde.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/09-14-2026-JA-and-Kathryn-Albertson-Family-Foundation-Blue-Cross-of-Idaho-Partner-to-Bring-BARR-Model-to-Three-Idaho-Public-Schools.pdf
Hawaii State Education Dept.: Mililani High School Opens Nation's First MEERA High School Manufacturing Lab
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Sept. 15 -- The Hawaii State Department of Education issued the following news:
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Mililani High School opens nation's first MEERA high school manufacturing lab
Sep 14, 2026
MILILANI - Kui Hao, in partnership with the U.S. Department of War Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, TECHnista, and the Hawai'i State Department of Education celebrated the opening of the nation's first high school MEERA lab at Mililani High School.
The first-of-its-kind facility brings hands-on, industry-relevant manufacturing education directly into the classroom, expanding ... Show Full Article HONOLULU, Hawaii, Sept. 15 -- The Hawaii State Department of Education issued the following news: * * * Mililani High School opens nation's first MEERA high school manufacturing lab Sep 14, 2026 MILILANI - Kui Hao, in partnership with the U.S. Department of War Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, TECHnista, and the Hawai'i State Department of Education celebrated the opening of the nation's first high school MEERA lab at Mililani High School. The first-of-its-kind facility brings hands-on, industry-relevant manufacturing education directly into the classroom, expandingopportunities for Hawai'i students to build technical skills, explore advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades, and learn about career pathways available in Hawai'i.
"Hawai'i needs a strong pipeline of skilled workers to fill high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, ship repair and other critical industrial trades," said Pono Chong, co-director of Kui Hao. "IBAS's investments in MEERA gives Mililani students early access to industry-relevant equipment and curriculum, while advancing Kui Hao's mission to connect education, defense and industry so Hawai'i students can prepare for careers here at home."
Developed by TECHnista, MEERA is a competency-based K-12 manufacturing education program designed to inspire and train the next generation of the manufacturing workforce. The turnkey program combines applied learning labs, industry-aligned curriculum and technology, and a teacher training network to support classroom implementation.
"Launching MEERA High School at Mililani High School strengthens the talent pathway established through MEERA middle schools by building on both career exposure and technical competence." said James Hubbard, COO and owner of TECHnista. "By connecting students to Hawaii's defense and advanced manufacturing workforce ecosystem, the program positions them for their next step in career and technical education (CTE), postsecondary, and workforce training opportunities while opening doors to meaningful, high-demand careers."
The MEERA lab at Mililani High School is one component of IBAS's $1.75 million statewide investment in MEERA manufacturing education, which also supports programs at six Hawai'i middle schools across O'ahu: Aiea Intermediate, Aliamanu Middle, Dole Intermediate, Mililani Middle, Wahiawa Middle, and Waipahu Intermediate. MEERA programs are expected to serve more than 1,400 Hawai'i students during the 2026-27 school year.
"One of the most important things we can do for our students is give them opportunities to connect what they're learning in school with the careers and possibilities ahead of them," Keith Hayashi, superintendent of the Hawaii State Department of Education, said. "This lab gives students hands-on experience with the same kinds of technology and equipment being used in today's advanced manufacturing industry, while introducing them to high-demand careers they can pursue right here in Hawaii. Opportunities like these help prepare our students to compete anywhere while giving them more reasons and pathways to build their futures here at home."
Mililani High School was selected for the first high school MEERA lab in part because of its strong pipeline to careers within Hawaii's shipyard workforce and the school's commitment to expanding career and technical education opportunities for its students.
As the nation's first MEERA high school lab, the Mililani facility gives students hands-on access to desktop CNC machines, collaborative robots, 3D printers, laser cutters and welding simulators. The lab also includes equipment for non-destructive testing, metrology and other manufacturing applications.
"Mililani High School is proud to be the first school in the nation to have this high-tech program and the opportunity it affords our students," said Fred Murphy, principal of Mililani High school.
"I speak for my classmates when I say we are literally counting down the days before we can get our hands on the robot arms, 3D printers, CNCs and welding simulators," said Kyle Le, junior at Mililani High School. "But it's not just about being able to use all this cool tech, it's about building a head start for our future. All these tools and machinery are the same ones that professionals are able to use in the field... Thank you for bringing this lab to our campus, for investing in us and putting the tools in our hands so that we can build our own future."
The opening of the Mililani High School MEERA lab advances Kui Hao's broader efforts to build Hawaii's industrial workforce pipeline from K-12 education, postsecondary training and employment.
In 2025, Kui Hao facilitated the partnership between IBAS and Honolulu Community College to launch the Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility, which provides hands-on training for highdemand careers in advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades. Together, these initiatives are creating a more connected pathway for Hawaii students to build their skills, continue their training and pursue careers here at home that support the state's industrial base.
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Original text here: https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-mililani-high-school-opens-meera-lab/
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Mililani High School opens nation's first MEERA high school manufacturing lab
Sep 14, 2026
MILILANI - Kui Hao, in partnership with the U.S. Department of War Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, TECHnista, and the Hawai'i State Department of Education celebrated the opening of the nation's first high school MEERA lab at Mililani High School.
The first-of-its-kind facility brings hands-on, industry-relevant manufacturing education directly into the classroom, expanding ... Show Full Article HONOLULU, Hawaii, Sept. 15 -- The Hawaii State Department of Education issued the following news: * * * Mililani High School opens nation's first MEERA high school manufacturing lab Sep 14, 2026 MILILANI - Kui Hao, in partnership with the U.S. Department of War Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, TECHnista, and the Hawai'i State Department of Education celebrated the opening of the nation's first high school MEERA lab at Mililani High School. The first-of-its-kind facility brings hands-on, industry-relevant manufacturing education directly into the classroom, expandingopportunities for Hawai'i students to build technical skills, explore advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades, and learn about career pathways available in Hawai'i.
"Hawai'i needs a strong pipeline of skilled workers to fill high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, ship repair and other critical industrial trades," said Pono Chong, co-director of Kui Hao. "IBAS's investments in MEERA gives Mililani students early access to industry-relevant equipment and curriculum, while advancing Kui Hao's mission to connect education, defense and industry so Hawai'i students can prepare for careers here at home."
Developed by TECHnista, MEERA is a competency-based K-12 manufacturing education program designed to inspire and train the next generation of the manufacturing workforce. The turnkey program combines applied learning labs, industry-aligned curriculum and technology, and a teacher training network to support classroom implementation.
"Launching MEERA High School at Mililani High School strengthens the talent pathway established through MEERA middle schools by building on both career exposure and technical competence." said James Hubbard, COO and owner of TECHnista. "By connecting students to Hawaii's defense and advanced manufacturing workforce ecosystem, the program positions them for their next step in career and technical education (CTE), postsecondary, and workforce training opportunities while opening doors to meaningful, high-demand careers."
The MEERA lab at Mililani High School is one component of IBAS's $1.75 million statewide investment in MEERA manufacturing education, which also supports programs at six Hawai'i middle schools across O'ahu: Aiea Intermediate, Aliamanu Middle, Dole Intermediate, Mililani Middle, Wahiawa Middle, and Waipahu Intermediate. MEERA programs are expected to serve more than 1,400 Hawai'i students during the 2026-27 school year.
"One of the most important things we can do for our students is give them opportunities to connect what they're learning in school with the careers and possibilities ahead of them," Keith Hayashi, superintendent of the Hawaii State Department of Education, said. "This lab gives students hands-on experience with the same kinds of technology and equipment being used in today's advanced manufacturing industry, while introducing them to high-demand careers they can pursue right here in Hawaii. Opportunities like these help prepare our students to compete anywhere while giving them more reasons and pathways to build their futures here at home."
Mililani High School was selected for the first high school MEERA lab in part because of its strong pipeline to careers within Hawaii's shipyard workforce and the school's commitment to expanding career and technical education opportunities for its students.
As the nation's first MEERA high school lab, the Mililani facility gives students hands-on access to desktop CNC machines, collaborative robots, 3D printers, laser cutters and welding simulators. The lab also includes equipment for non-destructive testing, metrology and other manufacturing applications.
"Mililani High School is proud to be the first school in the nation to have this high-tech program and the opportunity it affords our students," said Fred Murphy, principal of Mililani High school.
"I speak for my classmates when I say we are literally counting down the days before we can get our hands on the robot arms, 3D printers, CNCs and welding simulators," said Kyle Le, junior at Mililani High School. "But it's not just about being able to use all this cool tech, it's about building a head start for our future. All these tools and machinery are the same ones that professionals are able to use in the field... Thank you for bringing this lab to our campus, for investing in us and putting the tools in our hands so that we can build our own future."
The opening of the Mililani High School MEERA lab advances Kui Hao's broader efforts to build Hawaii's industrial workforce pipeline from K-12 education, postsecondary training and employment.
In 2025, Kui Hao facilitated the partnership between IBAS and Honolulu Community College to launch the Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility, which provides hands-on training for highdemand careers in advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades. Together, these initiatives are creating a more connected pathway for Hawaii students to build their skills, continue their training and pursue careers here at home that support the state's industrial base.
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Original text here: https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-mililani-high-school-opens-meera-lab/
Gov. Newsom Announces California-backed Victory After Supreme Court Blocks Trump's Attack on Vote-By-Mail
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026:
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Governor Newsom announces California-backed victory after Supreme Court blocks Trump's attack on vote-by-mail
SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a ruling blocking the Trump Administration's U.S. Postal Service rule restricting access to voting via the vote-by-mail process. This ruling comes after the Governor promised legal action earlier this summer regarding this dangerous and harmful ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026: * * * Governor Newsom announces California-backed victory after Supreme Court blocks Trump's attack on vote-by-mail SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a ruling blocking the Trump Administration's U.S. Postal Service rule restricting access to voting via the vote-by-mail process. This ruling comes after the Governor promised legal action earlier this summer regarding this dangerous and harmfulrule potentially being implemented across the country.
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Today is a good day for democracy, the rule of law, and the American people looking to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. California stood up for democracy and we won. Trump's attacks on democracy these last 20 months have been nothing short of un-American. Finally, fifty days out, and the American people have certainty when it comes to our country's electoral process: Voting is safe, vote-by-mail is accessible to any and all who need it. And I encourage every Californian to make their voice heard this November.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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"The ruling on mail-in ballots has been made. The uncertainty is behind us. Now, let the people vote! Voters will be able to cast their ballots without uncertainty, without hesitation, and without fear that their voices will be questioned or their ballots rejected," said California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. "The ability to participate in an election is more than a procedure; it is a symbol of the very freedoms that make our democracy the bedrock of America and an example for the rest of the world. Now, we can finally move forward and get back to what we do best: conducting our elections without a dark cloud hanging over us --fairly, openly, for the people, by the people. No questions asked."
"After losing in the district and appellate courts, the Trump Administration has now lost at the U.S. Supreme Court. Today's decision is a victory for our democracy and a powerful affirmation of the rule of law," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "The stakes in this litigation could not have been higher. Voting is the fundamental right from which all other rights flow, and all 50 states allow ballots to be cast by mail in some form. In California and several other states, mail voting is the primary way elections are conducted. Had this rule been allowed to take effect, the consequences would have been catastrophic. We will remain vigilant in safeguarding our elections, and we urge every eligible voter to make their voice heard."
This ruling comes on the heels of a recent whistleblower report warning of "potentially catastrophic problems" and characterizing the Trump Administration's efforts as "sloppy and rushed." In a recent court filing, USPS admitted that the technology to implement the rule is not even available. And, election officials across the nation, including chief election officials from Republican-led states, argued that the USPS rule cannot be responsibly implemented for the November midterm elections.
A record of defending democracy
Today's ruling and related legal action builds on Governor Newsom's long legacy of defending democracy:
Earlier this summer, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 73 (Cervantes and Umberg), which prohibits any person from providing unauthorized access, disruption, modification, or seizure of voter rolls, voter lists, or certified voting technology to law enforcement agents -- including federal agents -- absent a court order or investigation into specific violations of California election law; restricts peace officers from interfering with election administration or disrupting election workers carrying out their duties, except in urgent public safety emergencies; requires the California Department of Justice to issue guidance to county election officials on how to respond to requests from law enforcement seeking access to areas where ballots are cast, processed, or handled; and increases protections against illegal removal or seizure of voted ballots and establishes criminal penalties for knowingly taking ballots from election officials. The legislation also makes it a crime -- punishable by a $1,000 fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or by both -- for a person to knowingly take a package containing voted ballots from the custody of elections officials.
Last year, Governor Newsom signed:
* SB 3 (Cervantes) -- requires that public vote counts are updated more regularly and made changes to the signature curing process for vote by mail ballots.
* SB 42 (Umberg) -- puts on the November 2026 ballot a measure to repeal the ban on public financing of elections in California, extending to all cities and counties the ability to create programs for publicly financed elections, helping level the playing field for candidates and reducing the ability of millionaires and billionaires to essentially buy elections.
* SB 398 (Umberg) -- criminalizes offering payments and other valuable items to incentivize voting or voter registration. The bill defines "other valuable consideration" to include a chance to win a lottery or prize-drawing contest. The crime would be punishable by imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both fine and imprisonment.
* AB 5 (Berman) -- requires election officials to finish counting all ballots by the 13th day following Election Day unless certain conditions are met.
* AB 16 (Alanis) -- extends the time before the election date that vote by mail ballots can be processed.
In 2024, Governor Newsom signed:
* AB 2655 (Berman) -- requires large online platforms to remove or label deceptive and digitally altered or created content related to elections during specified periods, and requires them to provide mechanisms to report such content. It also authorizes candidates, elected officials, elections officials, the Attorney General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance with the act.
* AB 2839 (Pellerin) -- expands the timeframe in which a committee or other entity is prohibited from knowingly distributing an advertisement or other election material containing deceptive AI-generated or manipulated content. The bill also expands the scope of existing law to prohibit materially deceptive content of elected officials, candidates, elections officials and others, authorizing them to file a civil action to enjoin the distribution of such material.
* AB 2355 (Carrillo) -- requires that electoral advertisements using AI-generated or substantially altered content feature a disclosure that the material has been altered. The bill authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to enforce a violation of these disclosure requirements by seeking injunctive relief to compel compliance or pursuing other remedies available to the commission under the Political Reform Act.
In 2021, Governor Newsom signed 10 bills into law that safeguard elections and increasing access so more Californians can lawfully participate, in 2020 the Governor took several actions (here, here, here) to ensure Californians could participate despite the ongoing global pandemic, and in 2019 Governor Newsom signed more than 17 bills into law to defend democracy -- including some of the nation's first that address deepfakes.
New investments to increase awareness and speed up elections
In his final budget, the Governor and Legislature included several key investments in the state's election system:
* $29 million for increased staffing, technology and equipment upgrades and purchases for counties to speed up counting and increase capacity.
* $5 million for voter outreach and education at the county level to help Californians know resources and tools available in their community.
* $5 million for voter outreach and education at the statewide level via the office of Secretary of State.
* $750,000 to support statewide efforts to combat mis- and disinformation and ensure the state is prepared to guard against federal interference.
Trump's history of attacking American democracy
Trump and his allies have spent years attacking the foundations of American democracy and undermining confidence in free and fair elections. After losing the 2020 election, Trump pressured state officials to overturn certified results -- including infamously demanding Georgia's Secretary of State "find" enough votes to reverse the outcome -- while simultaneously promoting false claims of widespread voter fraud that were rejected by courts, election officials on both sides of the aisle, and even members of his own administration. He backed the fake electors scheme in multiple battleground states, pressured former Vice President Mike Pence to block certification of the Electoral College vote despite lacking any constitutional authority to do so, and later granted sweeping clemency to individuals connected to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that sought to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
Trump and his allies have also fueled voter intimidation efforts through repeated false claims about noncitizen voting, pushed aggressive voter roll purges, deployed armed federal personnel near election sites, and sought access to voting systems, ballots, voter data, and election equipment -- including the seizure of ballots in Fulton County.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/14/governor-newsom-announces-california-backed-victory-after-supreme-court-blocks-trumps-attack-on-vote-by-mail/
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Governor Newsom announces California-backed victory after Supreme Court blocks Trump's attack on vote-by-mail
SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a ruling blocking the Trump Administration's U.S. Postal Service rule restricting access to voting via the vote-by-mail process. This ruling comes after the Governor promised legal action earlier this summer regarding this dangerous and harmful ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026: * * * Governor Newsom announces California-backed victory after Supreme Court blocks Trump's attack on vote-by-mail SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a ruling blocking the Trump Administration's U.S. Postal Service rule restricting access to voting via the vote-by-mail process. This ruling comes after the Governor promised legal action earlier this summer regarding this dangerous and harmfulrule potentially being implemented across the country.
* * *
Today is a good day for democracy, the rule of law, and the American people looking to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. California stood up for democracy and we won. Trump's attacks on democracy these last 20 months have been nothing short of un-American. Finally, fifty days out, and the American people have certainty when it comes to our country's electoral process: Voting is safe, vote-by-mail is accessible to any and all who need it. And I encourage every Californian to make their voice heard this November.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
* * *
"The ruling on mail-in ballots has been made. The uncertainty is behind us. Now, let the people vote! Voters will be able to cast their ballots without uncertainty, without hesitation, and without fear that their voices will be questioned or their ballots rejected," said California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. "The ability to participate in an election is more than a procedure; it is a symbol of the very freedoms that make our democracy the bedrock of America and an example for the rest of the world. Now, we can finally move forward and get back to what we do best: conducting our elections without a dark cloud hanging over us --fairly, openly, for the people, by the people. No questions asked."
"After losing in the district and appellate courts, the Trump Administration has now lost at the U.S. Supreme Court. Today's decision is a victory for our democracy and a powerful affirmation of the rule of law," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "The stakes in this litigation could not have been higher. Voting is the fundamental right from which all other rights flow, and all 50 states allow ballots to be cast by mail in some form. In California and several other states, mail voting is the primary way elections are conducted. Had this rule been allowed to take effect, the consequences would have been catastrophic. We will remain vigilant in safeguarding our elections, and we urge every eligible voter to make their voice heard."
This ruling comes on the heels of a recent whistleblower report warning of "potentially catastrophic problems" and characterizing the Trump Administration's efforts as "sloppy and rushed." In a recent court filing, USPS admitted that the technology to implement the rule is not even available. And, election officials across the nation, including chief election officials from Republican-led states, argued that the USPS rule cannot be responsibly implemented for the November midterm elections.
A record of defending democracy
Today's ruling and related legal action builds on Governor Newsom's long legacy of defending democracy:
Earlier this summer, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 73 (Cervantes and Umberg), which prohibits any person from providing unauthorized access, disruption, modification, or seizure of voter rolls, voter lists, or certified voting technology to law enforcement agents -- including federal agents -- absent a court order or investigation into specific violations of California election law; restricts peace officers from interfering with election administration or disrupting election workers carrying out their duties, except in urgent public safety emergencies; requires the California Department of Justice to issue guidance to county election officials on how to respond to requests from law enforcement seeking access to areas where ballots are cast, processed, or handled; and increases protections against illegal removal or seizure of voted ballots and establishes criminal penalties for knowingly taking ballots from election officials. The legislation also makes it a crime -- punishable by a $1,000 fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or by both -- for a person to knowingly take a package containing voted ballots from the custody of elections officials.
Last year, Governor Newsom signed:
* SB 3 (Cervantes) -- requires that public vote counts are updated more regularly and made changes to the signature curing process for vote by mail ballots.
* SB 42 (Umberg) -- puts on the November 2026 ballot a measure to repeal the ban on public financing of elections in California, extending to all cities and counties the ability to create programs for publicly financed elections, helping level the playing field for candidates and reducing the ability of millionaires and billionaires to essentially buy elections.
* SB 398 (Umberg) -- criminalizes offering payments and other valuable items to incentivize voting or voter registration. The bill defines "other valuable consideration" to include a chance to win a lottery or prize-drawing contest. The crime would be punishable by imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both fine and imprisonment.
* AB 5 (Berman) -- requires election officials to finish counting all ballots by the 13th day following Election Day unless certain conditions are met.
* AB 16 (Alanis) -- extends the time before the election date that vote by mail ballots can be processed.
In 2024, Governor Newsom signed:
* AB 2655 (Berman) -- requires large online platforms to remove or label deceptive and digitally altered or created content related to elections during specified periods, and requires them to provide mechanisms to report such content. It also authorizes candidates, elected officials, elections officials, the Attorney General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance with the act.
* AB 2839 (Pellerin) -- expands the timeframe in which a committee or other entity is prohibited from knowingly distributing an advertisement or other election material containing deceptive AI-generated or manipulated content. The bill also expands the scope of existing law to prohibit materially deceptive content of elected officials, candidates, elections officials and others, authorizing them to file a civil action to enjoin the distribution of such material.
* AB 2355 (Carrillo) -- requires that electoral advertisements using AI-generated or substantially altered content feature a disclosure that the material has been altered. The bill authorizes the Fair Political Practices Commission to enforce a violation of these disclosure requirements by seeking injunctive relief to compel compliance or pursuing other remedies available to the commission under the Political Reform Act.
In 2021, Governor Newsom signed 10 bills into law that safeguard elections and increasing access so more Californians can lawfully participate, in 2020 the Governor took several actions (here, here, here) to ensure Californians could participate despite the ongoing global pandemic, and in 2019 Governor Newsom signed more than 17 bills into law to defend democracy -- including some of the nation's first that address deepfakes.
New investments to increase awareness and speed up elections
In his final budget, the Governor and Legislature included several key investments in the state's election system:
* $29 million for increased staffing, technology and equipment upgrades and purchases for counties to speed up counting and increase capacity.
* $5 million for voter outreach and education at the county level to help Californians know resources and tools available in their community.
* $5 million for voter outreach and education at the statewide level via the office of Secretary of State.
* $750,000 to support statewide efforts to combat mis- and disinformation and ensure the state is prepared to guard against federal interference.
Trump's history of attacking American democracy
Trump and his allies have spent years attacking the foundations of American democracy and undermining confidence in free and fair elections. After losing the 2020 election, Trump pressured state officials to overturn certified results -- including infamously demanding Georgia's Secretary of State "find" enough votes to reverse the outcome -- while simultaneously promoting false claims of widespread voter fraud that were rejected by courts, election officials on both sides of the aisle, and even members of his own administration. He backed the fake electors scheme in multiple battleground states, pressured former Vice President Mike Pence to block certification of the Electoral College vote despite lacking any constitutional authority to do so, and later granted sweeping clemency to individuals connected to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that sought to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
Trump and his allies have also fueled voter intimidation efforts through repeated false claims about noncitizen voting, pushed aggressive voter roll purges, deployed armed federal personnel near election sites, and sought access to voting systems, ballots, voter data, and election equipment -- including the seizure of ballots in Fulton County.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/14/governor-newsom-announces-california-backed-victory-after-supreme-court-blocks-trumps-attack-on-vote-by-mail/
Calif. Gov. Newsom: Ready is How California Leads, and Every Californian Has a Role to Play
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026:
* * *
Ready is how California leads, and every Californian has a role to play
During Preparedness Month, Governor Newsom highlights California's preparedness leadership and calls on every Californian to make a plan
What you need to know: Governor Newsom announces September as Preparedness Month, highlighting statewide events, resources, and readiness efforts to encourage Californians to be prepared for the next emergency. California's preparedness strategy is saving lives ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026: * * * Ready is how California leads, and every Californian has a role to play During Preparedness Month, Governor Newsom highlights California's preparedness leadership and calls on every Californian to make a plan What you need to know: Governor Newsom announces September as Preparedness Month, highlighting statewide events, resources, and readiness efforts to encourage Californians to be prepared for the next emergency. California's preparedness strategy is saving livesand protecting communities, from earthquake alerts that give people precious seconds to act, to AI-powered technology that catches wildfires before anyone calls 911, to stockpiles of flood-fighting supplies ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
-
SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today marked Preparedness Month by highlighting California's work to prepare for the full range of emergencies facing the state, and by urging Californians to take a few simple steps that can make a life-saving difference. The most consequential work California does in a disaster often happens before anyone sees the smoke, feels the ground shake, or hears an evacuation alert.
It happens when the state positions resources ahead of a winter storm. When a family receives an earthquake warning seconds before shaking begins. When a neighbor checks on an older resident during extreme heat. When communities reduce fire risk before the next red flag warning.
* * *
The first duty of government is to protect its people. That means acting before the disaster, not just responding after it. California is preparing earlier, investing more, and putting the best available science and technology to work for the people we serve. We are building a state that is ready for the threats we know are coming and resilient enough to meet the ones we do not.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
* * *
California ready: prepared for every threat
Since taking office, Governor Newsom has strengthened California's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
"Preparedness is a shared responsibility, built through strong partnerships and informed communities that know what to do when an emergency happens," said Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. "Preparedness is about looking out for one another, planning ahead, and helping our families, friends, and communities stay safe when emergencies happen. The steps we take today can make a meaningful difference when every second counts."
"Thanks to historic investments, we're leveraging the best tools and talent to help keep Californians safe," said CAL FIRE Chief/Director Joe Tyler. "However, while CAL FIRE remains vigilant and ready to respond to emergencies, true resilience comes when every Californian recognizes their role in preparedness and does their part too."
The state has expanded lifesaving warning systems, increased emergency response capacity, invested in prevention, and supported communities in preparing for the risks they face. Here's how the state is showing up across key areas:
* Earthquake ready: In 2019, Governor Newsom launched Earthquake Warning California, the nation's first public statewide earthquake early-warning system. The system detects earthquakes using ground-motion sensors and can issue alerts through the MyShake app, compatible Android devices, and Wireless Emergency Alerts before shaking is felt. As of today, the app has over 4.7 million downloads across all platforms. During a 2024 earthquake in Kern County, the system alerted millions of Californians, with some receiving up to 35 seconds of advance notice.
* Heat ready: Governor Newsom has also made extreme-heat preparedness a statewide priority. In 2025, California launched CalHeatScore, a first-in-the-nation tool that provides ZIP code-level information on the health risks of heat. In July 2026, the state mobilized ahead of extreme heat and elevated fire risk across the West, pre-positioning fire crews and equipment in eight counties and delivering heat-safety messaging statewide in 17 languages through Ready California. In August, Governor Newsom announced an updated Extreme Heat Action Plan, organized around four tracks -- public awareness, community response, resilient infrastructure, and nature-based cooling solutions -- to protect Californians as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe.
* Storm ready: California is preparing earlier for flood and winter storm threats. Before a 2025 atmospheric river event, the state pre-positioned more than 3.7 million sandbags and 162 flood-fighting material containers across 25 counties. Caltrans deployed 2,500 personnel and 1,253 pieces of equipment, including snowplows, backhoes, and storm-drain clearing equipment. Since 2015, the California Department of Water Resources has trained more than 7,000 local first responders on how to fight floods. And California maintains a stockpile of more than 6.1 million sandbags, 400,000 tons of rock, and other flood-fighting materials at 70 locations statewide.
* Fire ready: California's investments are life-saving. The state now operates the nation's first state-owned fleet of C-130H airtankers, launched three FireSat wildfire-detection satellites in June 2026, and expanded ALERTCalifornia's AI camera network to more than 1,200 cameras statewide that have detected over 900 fires before 911 calls were made. As part of the state's ongoing investment in wildfire resilience and emergency response, CAL FIRE has significantly expanded its workforce over the past five years by adding an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually -- nearly double that available when Governor Newsom first took office. Since January 1, 2025, Cal OES has pre-deployed 1,132 fire engines, 154 water tenders, 80 helicopters, 142 pieces of heavy equipment, and more than 9,900 firefighters and support personnel to 41 counties ahead of critical fire weather and potential flooding.
* Security ready: Since 2015, Governor Gavin Newsom, in partnership with the Legislature, has invested $300 million in state funding to 1,614 nonprofits and places of worship to help protect against violent attacks and hate crimes. Under the Governor's leadership, California has updated its cybersecurity roadmap, known as Cal-Secure 2.0, to address emerging threats from artificial intelligence and foreign state actors. Increasing California's readiness in cyberspace.
Since its inception in 2019, Ready California has invested over $150 million in more than 680 community-based organizations, tribes, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) programs, volunteers, and service teams, reaching over 16 million Californians engaged through face-to-face outreach. Ready California continues to serve all 58 counties with over 3,000 community and emergency services leaders trained to lead preparedness efforts, strengthening statewide resilience. The Governor has also expanded Ready California to focus not only on preparedness but also on response, recovery, and the overall resilience of California communities. Ready California is reaching over 16 million Californians in all 58 counties and training more than 3,000 community and emergency services leaders.
California brings preparedness resources to every community
Preparedness work happens on a variety of fronts: bringing events, tools, and life-saving resources to communities, and reducing risk year-round so disasters are less likely to start in the first place. Here's how that vital work is playing out this month and every month:
Statewide events and resources reach every region
Throughout September, Cal OES coordinates statewide preparedness efforts and promotes Ready California, also known as Listos California, which provides preparedness information and tools for Californians, including more than 600 preparedness-specific resources designed to reach communities in multiple languages.
In particular, this is the 4th year that Cal OES has hosted statewide community-focused resiliency events -- known as Disaster Ready Regional Summits -- that bring together government partners and community participants to coordinate on preparedness, response, and recovery efforts specific to their communities.
Year-round wildfire prevention keeps communities safer
CAL FIRE is also continuing its year-round wildfire preparedness and prevention efforts, including its One Less Spark campaign, which reminds Californians that human-caused wildfires are preventable and that small actions can help stop fires before they start. Overall, California has invested billions in wildfire resilience and response, including expanded firefighting capacity, aviation resources, detection and mapping technology, forest management and thousands of landscape health and fire prevention projects.
But California cannot do this alone. The state continues to call on the federal government to fulfill its responsibility to maintain federal lands and provide the resources needed to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities. The federal government manages 57% of California's land, while the state manages only 31%, underscoring the need for strong federal-state partnership on wildfire preparedness and prevention.
What you can do right now to prepare
Getting ready before an emergency occurs gives you peace of mind, protects the people and things that matter most to you, and helps your community respond more effectively.
Preparedness means knowing what to do when an earthquake strikes, understanding evacuation routes and flood risks, knowing where to find trusted emergency information, preparing for extreme heat or severe weather, and making sure households have the supplies and plans they need to stay safe.
CAL FIRE's Wildfire Action Plan can help you prepare for more than just a wildfire. Get your emergency plan started today, and visit ReadyforWildfire.org for more resources.
Californians should take these basic steps now:
* Get alerts -- sign up for local emergency alerts here and follow trusted sources.
* Make a plan -- know your evacuation routes, meeting places, and how you will communicate.
* Help others -- check in on family, friends, neighbors and people who may need additional support.
Because whether the emergency is a wildfire, an earthquake, a flood, or something else entirely, preparedness starts long before the first warning.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/14/ready-is-how-california-leads-and-every-californian-has-a-role-to-play/
* * *
Ready is how California leads, and every Californian has a role to play
During Preparedness Month, Governor Newsom highlights California's preparedness leadership and calls on every Californian to make a plan
What you need to know: Governor Newsom announces September as Preparedness Month, highlighting statewide events, resources, and readiness efforts to encourage Californians to be prepared for the next emergency. California's preparedness strategy is saving lives ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026: * * * Ready is how California leads, and every Californian has a role to play During Preparedness Month, Governor Newsom highlights California's preparedness leadership and calls on every Californian to make a plan What you need to know: Governor Newsom announces September as Preparedness Month, highlighting statewide events, resources, and readiness efforts to encourage Californians to be prepared for the next emergency. California's preparedness strategy is saving livesand protecting communities, from earthquake alerts that give people precious seconds to act, to AI-powered technology that catches wildfires before anyone calls 911, to stockpiles of flood-fighting supplies ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
-
SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today marked Preparedness Month by highlighting California's work to prepare for the full range of emergencies facing the state, and by urging Californians to take a few simple steps that can make a life-saving difference. The most consequential work California does in a disaster often happens before anyone sees the smoke, feels the ground shake, or hears an evacuation alert.
It happens when the state positions resources ahead of a winter storm. When a family receives an earthquake warning seconds before shaking begins. When a neighbor checks on an older resident during extreme heat. When communities reduce fire risk before the next red flag warning.
* * *
The first duty of government is to protect its people. That means acting before the disaster, not just responding after it. California is preparing earlier, investing more, and putting the best available science and technology to work for the people we serve. We are building a state that is ready for the threats we know are coming and resilient enough to meet the ones we do not.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
* * *
California ready: prepared for every threat
Since taking office, Governor Newsom has strengthened California's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
"Preparedness is a shared responsibility, built through strong partnerships and informed communities that know what to do when an emergency happens," said Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. "Preparedness is about looking out for one another, planning ahead, and helping our families, friends, and communities stay safe when emergencies happen. The steps we take today can make a meaningful difference when every second counts."
"Thanks to historic investments, we're leveraging the best tools and talent to help keep Californians safe," said CAL FIRE Chief/Director Joe Tyler. "However, while CAL FIRE remains vigilant and ready to respond to emergencies, true resilience comes when every Californian recognizes their role in preparedness and does their part too."
The state has expanded lifesaving warning systems, increased emergency response capacity, invested in prevention, and supported communities in preparing for the risks they face. Here's how the state is showing up across key areas:
* Earthquake ready: In 2019, Governor Newsom launched Earthquake Warning California, the nation's first public statewide earthquake early-warning system. The system detects earthquakes using ground-motion sensors and can issue alerts through the MyShake app, compatible Android devices, and Wireless Emergency Alerts before shaking is felt. As of today, the app has over 4.7 million downloads across all platforms. During a 2024 earthquake in Kern County, the system alerted millions of Californians, with some receiving up to 35 seconds of advance notice.
* Heat ready: Governor Newsom has also made extreme-heat preparedness a statewide priority. In 2025, California launched CalHeatScore, a first-in-the-nation tool that provides ZIP code-level information on the health risks of heat. In July 2026, the state mobilized ahead of extreme heat and elevated fire risk across the West, pre-positioning fire crews and equipment in eight counties and delivering heat-safety messaging statewide in 17 languages through Ready California. In August, Governor Newsom announced an updated Extreme Heat Action Plan, organized around four tracks -- public awareness, community response, resilient infrastructure, and nature-based cooling solutions -- to protect Californians as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe.
* Storm ready: California is preparing earlier for flood and winter storm threats. Before a 2025 atmospheric river event, the state pre-positioned more than 3.7 million sandbags and 162 flood-fighting material containers across 25 counties. Caltrans deployed 2,500 personnel and 1,253 pieces of equipment, including snowplows, backhoes, and storm-drain clearing equipment. Since 2015, the California Department of Water Resources has trained more than 7,000 local first responders on how to fight floods. And California maintains a stockpile of more than 6.1 million sandbags, 400,000 tons of rock, and other flood-fighting materials at 70 locations statewide.
* Fire ready: California's investments are life-saving. The state now operates the nation's first state-owned fleet of C-130H airtankers, launched three FireSat wildfire-detection satellites in June 2026, and expanded ALERTCalifornia's AI camera network to more than 1,200 cameras statewide that have detected over 900 fires before 911 calls were made. As part of the state's ongoing investment in wildfire resilience and emergency response, CAL FIRE has significantly expanded its workforce over the past five years by adding an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually -- nearly double that available when Governor Newsom first took office. Since January 1, 2025, Cal OES has pre-deployed 1,132 fire engines, 154 water tenders, 80 helicopters, 142 pieces of heavy equipment, and more than 9,900 firefighters and support personnel to 41 counties ahead of critical fire weather and potential flooding.
* Security ready: Since 2015, Governor Gavin Newsom, in partnership with the Legislature, has invested $300 million in state funding to 1,614 nonprofits and places of worship to help protect against violent attacks and hate crimes. Under the Governor's leadership, California has updated its cybersecurity roadmap, known as Cal-Secure 2.0, to address emerging threats from artificial intelligence and foreign state actors. Increasing California's readiness in cyberspace.
Since its inception in 2019, Ready California has invested over $150 million in more than 680 community-based organizations, tribes, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) programs, volunteers, and service teams, reaching over 16 million Californians engaged through face-to-face outreach. Ready California continues to serve all 58 counties with over 3,000 community and emergency services leaders trained to lead preparedness efforts, strengthening statewide resilience. The Governor has also expanded Ready California to focus not only on preparedness but also on response, recovery, and the overall resilience of California communities. Ready California is reaching over 16 million Californians in all 58 counties and training more than 3,000 community and emergency services leaders.
California brings preparedness resources to every community
Preparedness work happens on a variety of fronts: bringing events, tools, and life-saving resources to communities, and reducing risk year-round so disasters are less likely to start in the first place. Here's how that vital work is playing out this month and every month:
Statewide events and resources reach every region
Throughout September, Cal OES coordinates statewide preparedness efforts and promotes Ready California, also known as Listos California, which provides preparedness information and tools for Californians, including more than 600 preparedness-specific resources designed to reach communities in multiple languages.
In particular, this is the 4th year that Cal OES has hosted statewide community-focused resiliency events -- known as Disaster Ready Regional Summits -- that bring together government partners and community participants to coordinate on preparedness, response, and recovery efforts specific to their communities.
Year-round wildfire prevention keeps communities safer
CAL FIRE is also continuing its year-round wildfire preparedness and prevention efforts, including its One Less Spark campaign, which reminds Californians that human-caused wildfires are preventable and that small actions can help stop fires before they start. Overall, California has invested billions in wildfire resilience and response, including expanded firefighting capacity, aviation resources, detection and mapping technology, forest management and thousands of landscape health and fire prevention projects.
But California cannot do this alone. The state continues to call on the federal government to fulfill its responsibility to maintain federal lands and provide the resources needed to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities. The federal government manages 57% of California's land, while the state manages only 31%, underscoring the need for strong federal-state partnership on wildfire preparedness and prevention.
What you can do right now to prepare
Getting ready before an emergency occurs gives you peace of mind, protects the people and things that matter most to you, and helps your community respond more effectively.
Preparedness means knowing what to do when an earthquake strikes, understanding evacuation routes and flood risks, knowing where to find trusted emergency information, preparing for extreme heat or severe weather, and making sure households have the supplies and plans they need to stay safe.
CAL FIRE's Wildfire Action Plan can help you prepare for more than just a wildfire. Get your emergency plan started today, and visit ReadyforWildfire.org for more resources.
Californians should take these basic steps now:
* Get alerts -- sign up for local emergency alerts here and follow trusted sources.
* Make a plan -- know your evacuation routes, meeting places, and how you will communicate.
* Help others -- check in on family, friends, neighbors and people who may need additional support.
Because whether the emergency is a wildfire, an earthquake, a flood, or something else entirely, preparedness starts long before the first warning.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/14/ready-is-how-california-leads-and-every-californian-has-a-role-to-play/
Calif. Gov. Newsom Presses Secretary Wright to Admit the Truth
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026:
* * *
Governor Newsom presses Secretary Wright to admit the truth: Trump had no viable plan to protect Americans from his Iran war gas and diesel price spikes
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he prepared Trump for the consequences of military action against Iran. Americans deserve to see the plan.
What you need to know: Governor Newsom is demanding that Energy Secretary Chris Wright disclose what warnings, planning, and advice he provided to President Trump before military ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026: * * * Governor Newsom presses Secretary Wright to admit the truth: Trump had no viable plan to protect Americans from his Iran war gas and diesel price spikes Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he prepared Trump for the consequences of military action against Iran. Americans deserve to see the plan. What you need to know: Governor Newsom is demanding that Energy Secretary Chris Wright disclose what warnings, planning, and advice he provided to President Trump before militaryaction against Iran-- a reckless decision that left American families and businesses exposed to severe fuel-price spikes. Nearly 200 days into the war, American households have paid more than $100 billion in extra fuel costs -- over $805 per household -- with no transparency from the Trump administration about what it knew, what it planned for, or what could have been prevented.
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SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today is demanding answers from the Trump administration about whether it had any credible plan to protect American families, workers, and businesses before Trump started his reckless war on Iran that has since sent economic shockwaves through the U.S. economy.
It has now been nearly 200 days since Trump launched, on February 28, a war on Iran without any apparent plan for the economic fallout. This past Labor Day weekend, the average nationwide price for a gallon of gas topped $4 a gallon -- the most expensive in the history of the holiday, according to AAA. Last week, average diesel fuel prices reached $6 per gallon for the first time ever.
* * *
The economic risks of war with Iran were no secret: everyone knew that it risked disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and sending global energy costs soaring. Yet Californians, like all Americans, are still bearing the cost of Donald Trump's failure to prepare for foreseeable threats to the U.S. economy. Since he launched his reckless war on Iran, families are paying more to get to work, farmers are paying more to operate, businesses are paying more to move goods, and higher costs are rippling through every part of our economy.
The Trump administration owes Americans answers about what they knew, what they did to prepare, and why they failed to protect Americans from the predictable consequences of the war.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
* * *
Nearly seven months after Donald Trump launched a reckless military action against Iran, Americans have collectively spent more than $100 billion in extra fuel costs compared with what they would have paid absent the war, according to Brown University. That amounts to more than $805 in additional fuel costs per U.S. household, including more than $372 per California household.
Wright claims he advised Trump on Iran "from day one." What did he "advise"?
As Energy Secretary, Chris Wright is responsible for protecting America's energy security. Reporting from CNN reveals that Chris Wright was a key architect of the planning and execution of the Iran conflict. Yet President Trump's national security team, including Secretary Wright, significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. military strikes, while longstanding government and economic analysis about the consequences of such a disruption were treated as a secondary consideration. Even more troubling, reporting suggests that top Trump officials acknowledged to lawmakers during classified briefings that they did not plan for the possibility of Iran closing the strait in response to strikes. Why would they think that?!
On April 15, Secretary Chris Wright testified under oath before Congress that he had discussed Iran and the potential consequences of military action with President Trump and the administration "from the day I arrived in this seat."
* What exactly was Wright's advice?
* Did Wright really believe Iran would not close the Strait?
* What analysis did DOE conduct before the strikes, and who reviewed and signed off on it?
* Did Trump officials model the potential impact of a Strait closure on oil, gasoline, and diesel prices?
* Did Wright warn Trump of those consequences? If so, was his advice ignored?
* If Wright failed to warn Trump of those consequences, why did the nation's top energy official fail to prepare for a risk that the U.S. government had planned around for decades?
The risks were not a secret
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical oil chokepoint, carrying roughly 20% of all petroleum traded globally. For decades, preventing its disruption has been a foundational principle of U.S. national security and energy policy. A 2019 Heritage Foundation report referred to the Strait as a "U.S. strategic priority."
Prices are surging nationwide because Trump's military strikes on Iran continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, choking off the shipping lane that normally carries a fifth of the world's oil supply. Every $10-per-barrel increase in crude translates to roughly 24 cents more per gallon, which hits drivers in Texas, Florida, California, and everywhere else. With crude costs up nearly 50% since the start of the war, the only thing that will actually stabilize global oil markets -- and thus gasoline and diesel prices for American drivers and businesses -- is reopening the Strait of Hormuz. But Trump has offered no plan to do that. There's no oil rig in Texas or off the California coast that can reopen the Strait.
China Chris
At the marching orders of Donald Trump, Secretary Chris Wright has worked to block the best thing that would actually insulate American families from the next oil shock: getting off fossil fuels. Wright -- a former fossil fuel executive -- has gone after electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, the electric grid buildout, and clean energy manufacturing since joining the Trump Administration.
The rest of the world is moving in the opposite direction. The International Energy Agency's (IEA) 2025 World Energy Investment report found that global capital flowing into renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, and efficiency is on pace to roughly double the amount going to oil, gas, and coal. The IEA also found that China is the world's largest energy investor, accounting for nearly one-third of global clean energy investment. The IEA itself attributes China's investment push to reducing reliance on imported oil and gas and leading emerging technology markets.
* Why is Secretary Wright working overtime to cede emerging markets to China?
* Why is Secretary Wright using government power to enrich his former industry while stalling American-made clean energy and surrendering tens of thousands of American jobs to China?
Every year Donald Trump surrenders that ground to China and other competitors is another year of jobs, American manufacturing, and long-term economic security moving elsewhere, while Americans remain more vulnerable to volatile global oil markets that can be held hostage by foreign wars.
Rising prices, oil profits, and Chris Wright's Big Oil ties
Before joining the Trump Administration, Secretary Wright spent decades in the fossil fuel industry. As Americans face higher fuel costs amid the Iran war, Wright's deep ties to the fossil fuel industry raise concerns, especially as oil companies report major profits while gasoline prices climb.
According to a recent Climate Power analysis, 27 oil and gas companies reported $85.2 billion in profits, a 142% increase from the same period a year earlier. That amounts to roughly $39 million an hour during the second quarter of 2026. According to a Groundwork Collaborative analysis, Big Oil is taking windfall profits and delivering them to shareholders, not American drivers.
* Does the Secretary agree with the President that higher oil prices are good for America -- and does he think drivers, farmers, and truckers share in that?
* How did Secretary Wright's decades in the oil and gas industry shape the advice he gave the President?
Trump himself has said the quiet part out loud: "When oil prices go up, we make a lot of money."
A trail of nonsensical lies
* On February 24, just days before Donald Trump ordered the Iran war, Trump took a victory lap on gasoline prices during his State of the Union address, boasting low gasoline prices. Today, Americans are left with higher costs at the pump, with working families, farmers, small businesses, drivers, and everyone else paying the price.
* On February 28, four days later, Donald Trump bombed Iran with no plan to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz -- a critical waterway where 20% of global oil trade passes through daily. The result: crude prices shot up, translating into higher prices on everything from gasoline and diesel to jet fuel and shipped goods.
* On March 8, as gas prices spiked nationwide, Energy Secretary Wright said on CBS's Face the Nation: "We have a temporary period of elevated energy prices, but it will not be long. In the worst case, this is weeks -- this is not months, and it leads to a better place." Today, over 3 months in, that statement stands as either a lie or a stunning display of negligence.
* On March 12, as gas prices continued rising nationwide, President Trump posted on social media that "when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money" -- an extraordinary admission that higher gas prices benefit his Big Oil donors while American families bear the cost.
* On March 15, Energy Secretary Wright appeared on NBC's Meet the Press and pointed to the illegal restart of the Sable pipeline off the Santa Barbara coast as proof the administration was acting. "We've got new oil production coming on in California," Wright said. "So lots of actions we're taking to mitigate this price rise." That was a lie. Sable promised its project would "offer Californians immediate relief at the pump by making gas more affordable." Oil from the Sable Offshore Pipeline would be a drop in the bucket -- 0.05% of total oil production -- that would have zero impact on lowering global oil prices.
* On April 7, Trump's own Energy Information Administration administrator admitted that fuel prices will keep rising unless there is a solution to the Strait's closure.
* On April 12, Trump confessed that gas prices "could be the same or maybe a little bit higher" by November. On the same day, he ordered a U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz -- driving prices higher still.
* On April 14, Secretary Wright accidentally let the truth slip out: "We're going to see energy prices high and maybe even rising until we get... meaningful ship traffic through the Straits of Hormuz."
* On May 10, after spending over two months making predictions and promises about gas prices, Secretary Wright avoided price predictions as gas prices continued to skyrocket: "I don't know the future of gas prices" -- this comes after he said there was "a good chance" that gas prices would drop below $3 per gallon before the summer travel season begins. On that same day, Wright also admitted that the only solution to Trump's energy crisis was opening up the Strait of Hormuz: "I can say that when we start to get free flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, energy prices will come down."
* On June 3, after weeks of falsely stating that gas prices would go down if California just drilled more oil in the ocean, Secretary Wright admitted the truth: "It's a global market."
* On June 5, with gas prices still remaining high, Secretary Wright bragged that the administration increased oil production after illegally using the Defense Production Act to reopen the Sable Pipeline in Santa Barbara, falsely claiming: "It grew California's oil and gas production by 20% -- just turning a valve." He then went on to state that "lowering pump prices will ultimately take a resolution with Iran to get more oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz."
* On June 6, Secretary Wright misled the public into believing that they were boosting oil supply by 20% after forcing an illegal oil operation to run at Sable Offshore Pipeline. Again, the truth the administration does not want Americans to know: oil from the Sable Offshore Pipeline would be a drop in the bucket -- 0.05% of total oil production -- that would have zero impact on lowering global oil prices. Since oil trades at a worldwide price, American crude sells to the highest bidder, not at a discount for American consumers. This is just more distraction from the real driver of gas prices.
* On June 9, Secretary Wright changed his tune from March, saying that the energy crisis would be temporary; now it will take "many months" to get back to normal after this energy crisis.
* On June 11, with the national average gas price still up 40% from before the war, Trump declared: "I love it. The numbers were great... I love the inflation."
* On August 15, at a New York political rally, Trump lectured Americans to accept paying "a tiny little bit more for your gasoline" as the cost of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
* On August 20, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he did not "really understand" why oil prices had spiked as Trump's Iran war dragged into its 6th month.
* On September 6, when asked whether prices could rise further, Secretary Wright said: "I don't want to have an opinion on that." Let that sink in. Trump's top energy official doesn't have an opinion on skyrocketing gas prices nearly 200 days after he assured the American people that higher gas prices were temporary.
* On September 9, Trump admitted oil prices would likely NOT begin "tumbling downward" until after the midterms, adding, "I think it's going to take a little bit longer than the midterm." On the same day, CNBC revealed that Trump's oil investments have gained millions. While our brave service members are fighting overseas, Trump's accounts keep trading.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/14/governor-newsom-presses-secretary-wright-to-admit-the-truth-trump-had-no-viable-plan-to-protect-americans-from-his-iran-war-gas-and-diesel-price-spikes/
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Governor Newsom presses Secretary Wright to admit the truth: Trump had no viable plan to protect Americans from his Iran war gas and diesel price spikes
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he prepared Trump for the consequences of military action against Iran. Americans deserve to see the plan.
What you need to know: Governor Newsom is demanding that Energy Secretary Chris Wright disclose what warnings, planning, and advice he provided to President Trump before military ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 15 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Sept. 14, 2026: * * * Governor Newsom presses Secretary Wright to admit the truth: Trump had no viable plan to protect Americans from his Iran war gas and diesel price spikes Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he prepared Trump for the consequences of military action against Iran. Americans deserve to see the plan. What you need to know: Governor Newsom is demanding that Energy Secretary Chris Wright disclose what warnings, planning, and advice he provided to President Trump before militaryaction against Iran-- a reckless decision that left American families and businesses exposed to severe fuel-price spikes. Nearly 200 days into the war, American households have paid more than $100 billion in extra fuel costs -- over $805 per household -- with no transparency from the Trump administration about what it knew, what it planned for, or what could have been prevented.
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SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today is demanding answers from the Trump administration about whether it had any credible plan to protect American families, workers, and businesses before Trump started his reckless war on Iran that has since sent economic shockwaves through the U.S. economy.
It has now been nearly 200 days since Trump launched, on February 28, a war on Iran without any apparent plan for the economic fallout. This past Labor Day weekend, the average nationwide price for a gallon of gas topped $4 a gallon -- the most expensive in the history of the holiday, according to AAA. Last week, average diesel fuel prices reached $6 per gallon for the first time ever.
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The economic risks of war with Iran were no secret: everyone knew that it risked disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and sending global energy costs soaring. Yet Californians, like all Americans, are still bearing the cost of Donald Trump's failure to prepare for foreseeable threats to the U.S. economy. Since he launched his reckless war on Iran, families are paying more to get to work, farmers are paying more to operate, businesses are paying more to move goods, and higher costs are rippling through every part of our economy.
The Trump administration owes Americans answers about what they knew, what they did to prepare, and why they failed to protect Americans from the predictable consequences of the war.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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Nearly seven months after Donald Trump launched a reckless military action against Iran, Americans have collectively spent more than $100 billion in extra fuel costs compared with what they would have paid absent the war, according to Brown University. That amounts to more than $805 in additional fuel costs per U.S. household, including more than $372 per California household.
Wright claims he advised Trump on Iran "from day one." What did he "advise"?
As Energy Secretary, Chris Wright is responsible for protecting America's energy security. Reporting from CNN reveals that Chris Wright was a key architect of the planning and execution of the Iran conflict. Yet President Trump's national security team, including Secretary Wright, significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. military strikes, while longstanding government and economic analysis about the consequences of such a disruption were treated as a secondary consideration. Even more troubling, reporting suggests that top Trump officials acknowledged to lawmakers during classified briefings that they did not plan for the possibility of Iran closing the strait in response to strikes. Why would they think that?!
On April 15, Secretary Chris Wright testified under oath before Congress that he had discussed Iran and the potential consequences of military action with President Trump and the administration "from the day I arrived in this seat."
* What exactly was Wright's advice?
* Did Wright really believe Iran would not close the Strait?
* What analysis did DOE conduct before the strikes, and who reviewed and signed off on it?
* Did Trump officials model the potential impact of a Strait closure on oil, gasoline, and diesel prices?
* Did Wright warn Trump of those consequences? If so, was his advice ignored?
* If Wright failed to warn Trump of those consequences, why did the nation's top energy official fail to prepare for a risk that the U.S. government had planned around for decades?
The risks were not a secret
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Strait of Hormuz is the world's most critical oil chokepoint, carrying roughly 20% of all petroleum traded globally. For decades, preventing its disruption has been a foundational principle of U.S. national security and energy policy. A 2019 Heritage Foundation report referred to the Strait as a "U.S. strategic priority."
Prices are surging nationwide because Trump's military strikes on Iran continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, choking off the shipping lane that normally carries a fifth of the world's oil supply. Every $10-per-barrel increase in crude translates to roughly 24 cents more per gallon, which hits drivers in Texas, Florida, California, and everywhere else. With crude costs up nearly 50% since the start of the war, the only thing that will actually stabilize global oil markets -- and thus gasoline and diesel prices for American drivers and businesses -- is reopening the Strait of Hormuz. But Trump has offered no plan to do that. There's no oil rig in Texas or off the California coast that can reopen the Strait.
China Chris
At the marching orders of Donald Trump, Secretary Chris Wright has worked to block the best thing that would actually insulate American families from the next oil shock: getting off fossil fuels. Wright -- a former fossil fuel executive -- has gone after electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, the electric grid buildout, and clean energy manufacturing since joining the Trump Administration.
The rest of the world is moving in the opposite direction. The International Energy Agency's (IEA) 2025 World Energy Investment report found that global capital flowing into renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, and efficiency is on pace to roughly double the amount going to oil, gas, and coal. The IEA also found that China is the world's largest energy investor, accounting for nearly one-third of global clean energy investment. The IEA itself attributes China's investment push to reducing reliance on imported oil and gas and leading emerging technology markets.
* Why is Secretary Wright working overtime to cede emerging markets to China?
* Why is Secretary Wright using government power to enrich his former industry while stalling American-made clean energy and surrendering tens of thousands of American jobs to China?
Every year Donald Trump surrenders that ground to China and other competitors is another year of jobs, American manufacturing, and long-term economic security moving elsewhere, while Americans remain more vulnerable to volatile global oil markets that can be held hostage by foreign wars.
Rising prices, oil profits, and Chris Wright's Big Oil ties
Before joining the Trump Administration, Secretary Wright spent decades in the fossil fuel industry. As Americans face higher fuel costs amid the Iran war, Wright's deep ties to the fossil fuel industry raise concerns, especially as oil companies report major profits while gasoline prices climb.
According to a recent Climate Power analysis, 27 oil and gas companies reported $85.2 billion in profits, a 142% increase from the same period a year earlier. That amounts to roughly $39 million an hour during the second quarter of 2026. According to a Groundwork Collaborative analysis, Big Oil is taking windfall profits and delivering them to shareholders, not American drivers.
* Does the Secretary agree with the President that higher oil prices are good for America -- and does he think drivers, farmers, and truckers share in that?
* How did Secretary Wright's decades in the oil and gas industry shape the advice he gave the President?
Trump himself has said the quiet part out loud: "When oil prices go up, we make a lot of money."
A trail of nonsensical lies
* On February 24, just days before Donald Trump ordered the Iran war, Trump took a victory lap on gasoline prices during his State of the Union address, boasting low gasoline prices. Today, Americans are left with higher costs at the pump, with working families, farmers, small businesses, drivers, and everyone else paying the price.
* On February 28, four days later, Donald Trump bombed Iran with no plan to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz -- a critical waterway where 20% of global oil trade passes through daily. The result: crude prices shot up, translating into higher prices on everything from gasoline and diesel to jet fuel and shipped goods.
* On March 8, as gas prices spiked nationwide, Energy Secretary Wright said on CBS's Face the Nation: "We have a temporary period of elevated energy prices, but it will not be long. In the worst case, this is weeks -- this is not months, and it leads to a better place." Today, over 3 months in, that statement stands as either a lie or a stunning display of negligence.
* On March 12, as gas prices continued rising nationwide, President Trump posted on social media that "when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money" -- an extraordinary admission that higher gas prices benefit his Big Oil donors while American families bear the cost.
* On March 15, Energy Secretary Wright appeared on NBC's Meet the Press and pointed to the illegal restart of the Sable pipeline off the Santa Barbara coast as proof the administration was acting. "We've got new oil production coming on in California," Wright said. "So lots of actions we're taking to mitigate this price rise." That was a lie. Sable promised its project would "offer Californians immediate relief at the pump by making gas more affordable." Oil from the Sable Offshore Pipeline would be a drop in the bucket -- 0.05% of total oil production -- that would have zero impact on lowering global oil prices.
* On April 7, Trump's own Energy Information Administration administrator admitted that fuel prices will keep rising unless there is a solution to the Strait's closure.
* On April 12, Trump confessed that gas prices "could be the same or maybe a little bit higher" by November. On the same day, he ordered a U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz -- driving prices higher still.
* On April 14, Secretary Wright accidentally let the truth slip out: "We're going to see energy prices high and maybe even rising until we get... meaningful ship traffic through the Straits of Hormuz."
* On May 10, after spending over two months making predictions and promises about gas prices, Secretary Wright avoided price predictions as gas prices continued to skyrocket: "I don't know the future of gas prices" -- this comes after he said there was "a good chance" that gas prices would drop below $3 per gallon before the summer travel season begins. On that same day, Wright also admitted that the only solution to Trump's energy crisis was opening up the Strait of Hormuz: "I can say that when we start to get free flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, energy prices will come down."
* On June 3, after weeks of falsely stating that gas prices would go down if California just drilled more oil in the ocean, Secretary Wright admitted the truth: "It's a global market."
* On June 5, with gas prices still remaining high, Secretary Wright bragged that the administration increased oil production after illegally using the Defense Production Act to reopen the Sable Pipeline in Santa Barbara, falsely claiming: "It grew California's oil and gas production by 20% -- just turning a valve." He then went on to state that "lowering pump prices will ultimately take a resolution with Iran to get more oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz."
* On June 6, Secretary Wright misled the public into believing that they were boosting oil supply by 20% after forcing an illegal oil operation to run at Sable Offshore Pipeline. Again, the truth the administration does not want Americans to know: oil from the Sable Offshore Pipeline would be a drop in the bucket -- 0.05% of total oil production -- that would have zero impact on lowering global oil prices. Since oil trades at a worldwide price, American crude sells to the highest bidder, not at a discount for American consumers. This is just more distraction from the real driver of gas prices.
* On June 9, Secretary Wright changed his tune from March, saying that the energy crisis would be temporary; now it will take "many months" to get back to normal after this energy crisis.
* On June 11, with the national average gas price still up 40% from before the war, Trump declared: "I love it. The numbers were great... I love the inflation."
* On August 15, at a New York political rally, Trump lectured Americans to accept paying "a tiny little bit more for your gasoline" as the cost of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
* On August 20, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he did not "really understand" why oil prices had spiked as Trump's Iran war dragged into its 6th month.
* On September 6, when asked whether prices could rise further, Secretary Wright said: "I don't want to have an opinion on that." Let that sink in. Trump's top energy official doesn't have an opinion on skyrocketing gas prices nearly 200 days after he assured the American people that higher gas prices were temporary.
* On September 9, Trump admitted oil prices would likely NOT begin "tumbling downward" until after the midterms, adding, "I think it's going to take a little bit longer than the midterm." On the same day, CNBC revealed that Trump's oil investments have gained millions. While our brave service members are fighting overseas, Trump's accounts keep trading.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/14/governor-newsom-presses-secretary-wright-to-admit-the-truth-trump-had-no-viable-plan-to-protect-americans-from-his-iran-war-gas-and-diesel-price-spikes/
Ala. Secretary of State Wes Allen Announces Sample Ballots Are Available on the Secretary of State's Website
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 15 -- The Alabama Secretary of State issued the following news:
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Secretary of State Wes Allen Announces Sample Ballots Are Available on the Secretary of State's Website
Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, announces that sample ballots for the November 3, 2026 General Election are now available on the Secretary of State's website (https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes).
Secretary Allen extends his thanks to the county election officials for their work preparing and approving these sample ballots.
"As a former probate judge, I know firsthand the preparation ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 15 -- The Alabama Secretary of State issued the following news: * * * Secretary of State Wes Allen Announces Sample Ballots Are Available on the Secretary of State's Website Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, announces that sample ballots for the November 3, 2026 General Election are now available on the Secretary of State's website (https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes). Secretary Allen extends his thanks to the county election officials for their work preparing and approving these sample ballots. "As a former probate judge, I know firsthand the preparationand dedication required to conduct a fair, secure, and transparent election. I want to thank the county probate judges and election officials for their hard work in preparing and reviewing sample ballots, helping ensure Alabama voters have the information they need to be ready for Election Day," Allen said.
View the sample ballots for each of Alabama's 67 counties here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/2026-general-election-sample-ballots.
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Wes Allen is Alabama's 54th Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is Alabama's Chief Elections Official. Additionally, Alabama law gives the Secretary of State more than 1,000 different duties. To learn more about the Secretary of State and his responsibilities and duties visit www.sos.alabama.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/newsroom/secretary-state-wes-allen-announces-sample-ballots-are-available-secretary-states-website
* * *
Secretary of State Wes Allen Announces Sample Ballots Are Available on the Secretary of State's Website
Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, announces that sample ballots for the November 3, 2026 General Election are now available on the Secretary of State's website (https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes).
Secretary Allen extends his thanks to the county election officials for their work preparing and approving these sample ballots.
"As a former probate judge, I know firsthand the preparation ... Show Full Article MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 15 -- The Alabama Secretary of State issued the following news: * * * Secretary of State Wes Allen Announces Sample Ballots Are Available on the Secretary of State's Website Wes Allen, Alabama's Secretary of State, announces that sample ballots for the November 3, 2026 General Election are now available on the Secretary of State's website (https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes). Secretary Allen extends his thanks to the county election officials for their work preparing and approving these sample ballots. "As a former probate judge, I know firsthand the preparationand dedication required to conduct a fair, secure, and transparent election. I want to thank the county probate judges and election officials for their hard work in preparing and reviewing sample ballots, helping ensure Alabama voters have the information they need to be ready for Election Day," Allen said.
View the sample ballots for each of Alabama's 67 counties here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/2026-general-election-sample-ballots.
* * *
Wes Allen is Alabama's 54th Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is Alabama's Chief Elections Official. Additionally, Alabama law gives the Secretary of State more than 1,000 different duties. To learn more about the Secretary of State and his responsibilities and duties visit www.sos.alabama.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/newsroom/secretary-state-wes-allen-announces-sample-ballots-are-available-secretary-states-website