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Cadets, who were formerly-incarcerated firefighters, train at the Ventura Training Center (VTC) during an open house media demonstration Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Camarillo, Calif. California has a first-in-the nation law and a $30 million training program both aimed at trying to help former inmate firefighters turn pro after they are released from prison. The 18-month program is run by Cal Fire, the California Conservation Corps, the state corrections department and the nonprofit Anti-Recidivism Coalition at the Ventura Training Center northwest of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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Western fires outpace California effort to fill inmate crews
By DON THOMPSON - Associated Press
Sun,08/21/22-11:14AM , 192 Reads
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — As wildfires rage across California each year, exhausted firefighters call for reinforcements from wherever they can get them — even as far as Australia.
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A man holds a sign urging increased access to the monkeypox vaccine during a protest in San Francisco, July 18, 2022. California's governor on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, declared a state of emergency to speed efforts to combat the monkeypox outbreak, becoming the second state in three days to take the step. (AP Photo/Haven Daley, File)

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California governor declares monkeypox state of emergency
By DON THOMPSON - Associated Press
Mon,08/01/22-7:39PM , 175 Reads
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's governor on Monday declared a state of emergency to speed efforts to combat the monkeypox outbreak, becoming the second state in three days to take the step.
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California pair charged with smuggling drugs to 5 states
By DON THOMPSON - Associated Press
Fri,06/17/22-6:09PM , 392 Reads
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California pair not only smuggled drugs to five other states but repeatedly impersonated federal law enforcement officers as part of the nationwide scheme, a U.S. grand jury alleged this week.
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The John L. Burton California Democratic Party Headquarters is seen in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, July 16, 2021. In a plea agreement announced Friday, May 27, 2022, Ian Benjamin Rogers, of Napa, accused of plotting to blow up the Burton building, pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to destroy a building with fire or explosives, possessing an unregistered explosive device and possession of a machine gun. Under the agreement Rogers Could face seven-to-nine years in prison. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

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Guilty plea in plot to firebomb California Democratic HQ
By DON THOMPSON - Associated Press
Fri,05/27/22-6:09PM , 182 Reads
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A California man pleaded guilty Friday to plotting to blow up the state Democratic Party’s headquarters in what prosecutors said was the first in a planned series of politically-motivated attacks after the defeat of former President Donald Trump.
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