Sacramento, California - The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will be awarding a second round of grants meant to boost innovative programs and increase volunteerism in prisons.

Fresno, California - A Bakersfield-area man was sentenced in federal court Monday to five years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking scheme that led to the seizure of more than $6 million worth of cash and cocaine.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California - Help shape the future of two of your favorite national parks! The National Park Service would like your comments on a draft “Foundation Document” for planning and management of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Sacramento, California - I spent an energizing afternoon at Parker Elementary School in Oakland this week, where students took full advantage of a presentation about how to handle, prepare and store food safely and help protect their families from food poisoning.

Sacramento, California - Meat producers in California would be barred from routinely feeding antibiotics to healthy animals under legislation recently passed by state lawmakers that Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, is urging Governor Jerry Brown to sign. 

Sacramento, California - Assembly Bill 2 relating to redevelopment was signed by Governor Brown today. The bill was jointly authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville) which would allow specified "disadvantaged" areas throughout the state to create their own Community Revitalization Investment Authorities (CRIA). Each CRIA would allow property tax investments of consenting local agencies to, among other things, improve neighborhood conditions, increase employment opportunities, and reduce crime rates.