The Grapevine: 4/24/23
Dear {first_name},
Good morning. California legislators weigh in on a dispute over community colleges granting bachelor's degrees, a Lake Tahoe community starts to recover after a devastating winter, and an appeals court weighs in on whether or not honking your horn is protected by the constitution (it's not). Here's what you need to know:
- A dispute between community colleges and the California State University system over a new law that allows community colleges to grant bachelor's degrees has prompted the state legislature's higher education leaders to send a letter siding with the CSU system. (https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2023/04/california-community-college-fire/)
- In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that honking one's horn is not protected as free speech under the First Amendment. (https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-04-21/dont-toot-your-own-horn-honking-is-not-free-speech-judges-rule)
- A pair of bills introduced in the California Legislature would add an additional $1 billion in state tax credits for low-income families, but may be a tough sell as the state projects a deficit between $22.5 and $25 billion. (https://laist.com/news/california-bills-to-expand-state-tax-credits-could-send-1-billion-to-low-income-families)
- In South Lake Tahoe, a winter that brought more than 50 feet of snow has taken a toll, causing roof collapses, displacing residences, and, in two instances, leading homes to explode as a result of cracked gas lines. (https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/tahoe-winter-homes-explode-17893831.php)
- A protestor who sued the San Diego Police Department after being injured during a 2020 protest over the killing of George Floyd sat down with the San Diego police chief and senior department leaders as part of a negotiated settlement, a move he said was aimed at ensuring "basic accountability" for the department's leadership. (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2023-04-23/burgess-protest-settles-lawsuit-sdpd-meeting)
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