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Historic California Hotels Reopen: La Bahia, El Roblar, and Hotel del Coronado Shine Again

California’s allure as a vacation destination has always been shaped by more than its stunning coastlines, deserts, and mountains. At the turn of the 20th century, California hotels played a vital role in shaping the state’s image. Bell towers rising above boardwalks, ballrooms humming with music on weekend nights, and verandas catching the golden sunset were more than architecture—they were experiences that defined California for generations.

Over time, many of these early historic hotels in California disappeared. Developers leveled some properties, while others continued operating until economic pressures or disasters forced them to close. Yet, a renewed appreciation for heritage and tourism has led to the resurrection of some iconic hotels. In 2025, three names stand out: La Bahia Hotel & Spa in Santa Cruz, Hotel El Roblar in Ojai, and the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.

Story Highlights

La Bahia Hotel & Spa, Santa Cruz: Reopened after 30 years with 155 rooms, four restaurants, a spa, rooftop pool, and restored Spanish colonial architecture.
Hotel El Roblar, Ojai: Revived after the Thomas Fire, offering 50 rooms, garden courtyards, and new dining options including Condor Bar and La Cocina.
Hotel del Coronado, San Diego: Completed a seven-year, $550-million restoration, stabilizing its Victorian wing, refreshing guest rooms, adding Nobu restaurant, and preserving its historic legacy.

La Bahia Hotel & Spa, Santa Cruz

After three decades in limbo, La Bahia Hotel & Spa reopened on September 8 along the Santa Cruz waterfront. Originally opened in 1926 by the Seaside Company, which also developed the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the hotel was designed as a long-term stay property in the Spanish colonial revival style. Over time, it was partially converted into a luxury resort and later sold as apartments in 1964.

Part of the building was demolished in 1989, yet the white bell tower remained a familiar landmark on the skyline. “The bell tower has always stood as a symbol of Santa Cruz’s coastal charm,” says a spokesperson for the Seaside Company.

After years of legal disputes and stalled plans, Seaside Company and Ensemble Investments invested $100 million into restoring the hotel. The newly reopened property now offers 155 rooms, including 29 suites, wrapping around a restored courtyard with four restaurants, a spa, a rooftop pool, and meeting spaces. The lobby, once neglected, now welcomes guests ranging from surfers shaking sand from their boards to bridal parties arriving for celebrations.

Hotel El Roblar, Ojai

Further south in Southern California, Hotel El Roblar in Ojai, a city known for its arts and natural beauty, has also returned to life. Built in 1919 and formerly known as the Oaks at Ojai, the hotel closed after the Thomas Fire in 2017. For two years, it sat dark on Ojai Avenue, its historic façades silent.

In 2019, hotelier Eric Goode and designer Ramin Shamshiri purchased the property and began a six-year redevelopment project. They restored the Mission Revival architecture, including stucco exteriors, hand-painted tiles, Mediterranean fountains, and classic red-tiled roofs. Courtyards were reimagined with gardens, walking paths, and intimate outdoor spaces.

“Restoring El Roblar was about respecting the past while creating a space for modern travelers,” Goode said.

The hotel reopened this summer with 50 rooms, including garden bungalows and the Sycamore House with eight rooms. Dining options highlight local and international cuisine: Condor Bar serves wood-fire Santa Maria barbecue and Mexican-influenced dishes with craft cocktails, La Cocina offers all-day brunch, and Snug Bar transitions from morning coffee to late-night drinks. On weekend evenings, the sound of voices fills Ojai Avenue once again, bringing vibrancy back to the town center.

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego

Located across from downtown San Diego on a scenic oceanfront peninsula, Hotel del Coronado represents a different scale of historic grandeur. Since opening in 1888, the hotel has never closed, but decades of continuous use demanded substantial updates.

Investment group Blackstone, in partnership with Hilton, completed a seven-year, $550-million restoration in June 2025. The work stabilized the Victorian wing and its iconic red turret, restored the Crown Room’s carved ceiling, refreshed hundreds of guest rooms, and introduced new dining options, including a Nobu restaurant and the Shore House residences.

“The Del has always been a stage for history,” said a hotel representative. “From presidential breakfasts to movie shoots, our restoration ensures that the legacy continues for generations.”

Hotel del Coronado’s historical significance includes hosting President Benjamin Harrison in 1891 and Richard Nixon’s 1970 state dinner with Mexico’s president. Classic film exteriors, such as Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot, were also filmed on the property, adding to its cultural footprint.

Reviving California’s Historic Hotels

These restorations are about more than preserving architecture—they are a way to keep California’s tourism legacy alive. Historic hotels in California like La Bahia, El Roblar, and Hotel del Coronado offer visitors not only a place to stay but a chance to experience the history, architecture, and coastal charm that have defined the Golden State for over a century.

From La Bahia’s Santa Cruz beachfront luxury to El Roblar’s Ojai charm and Hotel del Coronado’s San Diego grandeur, these properties showcase the enduring appeal of California hotels as destinations themselves.

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Jimmy Kimmel Live Returns to ABC but Faces Affiliate Boycott After Charlie Kirk Remarks

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“Jimmy Kimmel Live” is returning to the ABC network Tuesday night, but the late-night show is still caught in a storm of backlash and affiliate resistance after remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination prompted a national political controversy.

Disney-owned ABC had suspended the program for one week. The decision came after Kimmel used his Sept. 15 monologue to accuse what he called the “MAGA gang” of trying to “characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

Those comments sparked an unusual wave of pressure on the network, including a public warning from a senior federal regulator.

📌 Story Highlights

“Jimmy Kimmel Live” resumes Tuesday on ABC after a suspension over Charlie Kirk remarks.
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group will continue to preempt the show on many ABC affiliates.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr warned ABC about Kimmel’s comments.
Sinclair initially announced a “special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk” but aired “Celebrity Family Feud” instead.
Former President Donald Trump praised ABC’s suspension decision.

Affiliate Stations Pull Back

Two of California’s ABC affiliates will not air “Jimmy Kimmel Live” this week even as the network brings it back. KRCR-TV in the Chico–Redding market and KAEF-TV in Eureka are both owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which controls or operates 185 television stations nationwide.

Sinclair confirmed that all of its stations will preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Tuesday. Nexstar Media Group — another of the country’s largest station groups — said it would also continue to withhold the program. Together, Sinclair and Nexstar control about a quarter of ABC affiliates in the U.S., according to the Associated Press.

FCC Pressure Adds Fuel

Two days after Kimmel’s monologue, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson:

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct to take action on Kimmel or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Carr’s comment signaled possible regulatory scrutiny of ABC and its late-night programming.

Sinclair Responds to the Controversy

Shortly after Carr’s remarks, Sinclair issued a statement saying it would preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and instead air a “special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk.”

In the news release, Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith wrote:

“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country.”

The group ultimately aired “Celebrity Family Feud” in the late-night slot but kept Kimmel off the schedule. Smith added that Sinclair “appreciated” Carr’s comments.

ABC Suspension Draws Political Praise

ABC’s own suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” soon followed, halting production entirely. The move drew praise from former President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized late-night hosts.

The network has now reinstated the program, but the late-night landscape remains fractured, with major affiliate owners still boycotting Kimmel’s show despite its official return.

A Late-Night Show Under Scrutiny

The ongoing affiliate boycott underscores the growing tension between national networks, local station groups, and federal regulators. For “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the challenge is not just ratings but also managing fallout from politically charged remarks that can lead to programming disruptions in large portions of the country.

As the late-night host steps back onto ABC’s stage, the question is whether the show can recover its full reach — or if the affiliate backlash and political pressure will reshape how “Jimmy Kimmel Live” appears on local television across the U.S.

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USDOT Rolls Out $5 Billion National Railroad Partnership Program as Brightline Florida Rail Safety Projects Move Forward

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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has opened a massive new funding window for passenger rail safety, rolling out a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Sept. 22 for the National Railroad Partnership Program. The move allocates more than $5 billion to projects designed to enhance safety and performance across America’s intercity passenger rail networks.

At the same time, the Department obligated four separate grants totaling more than $42 million for rail safety projects on the Brightline Florida corridor, a private passenger rail line whose safety issues have been under public scrutiny.

📌 Story Highlights

USDOT issues NOFO for National Railroad Partnership Program with $5+ billion in available funding.
$2.4 billion redirected from California High-Speed Rail de-obligations.
Program run by Federal Railroad Administration emphasizes grade crossing safety and family-oriented station upgrades.
Four grants totaling $42 million+ committed to Brightline Florida safety fencing, crossings, and trespassing alerts.
Applications due by Jan. 7, 2026.

Billions Reallocated to Safety and Performance

According to USDOT, the new NOFO incorporates about $2.4 billion of the $4 billion the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) de-obligated in August from the California High-Speed Rail project. Those funds, the agency said, will now be “reinvested into successful projects, critical infrastructure upgrades, and rail safety.”

The California High-Speed Rail Authority, meanwhile, has filed suit against the POTUS 47 Administration over the $4 billion funding pull-back. That legal battle underscores the stakes in how federal passenger rail funds are allocated.

The FRA describes the National Railroad Partnership Program as a platform to “fund projects that improve safety, including grade crossing safety, or that reduce the state-of-good-repair backlog or otherwise improve performance.”

New Rules for Applicants

This NOFO replaces the FY 2024 version of the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program and adds FY 2025 funding. FRA officials noted several key changes in the reissued notice:

“The repeal of unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements.”

“Emphasizing grade crossing safety projects within the program.”

“Supporting projects that align with the Administration’s focus on the American family and ensuring a more seamless travel experience, such as adding mothers’ rooms, expanding waiting areas, adding new family restrooms, creating children’s play areas, and other projects improving overall travel for families in U.S. intercity passenger rail stations.”

Eligible applicants include states, groups of states, interstate compacts, public agencies or authorities created by states, political subdivisions of a state, Amtrak (acting alone or in partnership with states), federally recognized Indian Tribes, or any combination of these.

Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2026, and FRA will provide technical assistance to potential applicants before the deadline.

Brightline Florida Safety Upgrades

While announcing the new national program, USDOT also cleared a backlog of long-pending grants on the Brightline Florida corridor, obligating four awards totaling more than $42 million to fund fencing, crossing upgrades, and a trespassing alert system.

The Department said the grants—some announced as far back as three years ago—are part of a backlog of more than 3,200 “unobligated grants.”

The four Brightline safety grants include:

$24,934,138 for the East Coast Corridor Trespassing and Intrusion Mitigation Project. Announced in August 2022, the RAISE grant went to the Florida Department of Transportation to improve 330 highway/rail grade crossings along 195 miles of corridor with fencing, crossing delineators, crisis support signage, and other intrusion prevention measures.
$1,648,000 for a Trespassing Identification and Classification System. Announced in September 2023 under the CRISI Grant Program for FY22, the project will deploy technology to provide real-time alerts and aggregate data into heat maps of trespassing and potential collision events along the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way from Miami to Cocoa.
$15,440,000 for the Broward County Sealed Corridor Project. Announced in June 2023, this funding will increase safety at 21 grade crossings along the Brightline/Florida East Coast Railway corridor with additional gates and delineators.
$150,000 for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to cover overtime costs for targeted pedestrian trespassing enforcement at identified hot spots.

Accelerating “Long-Overdue” Funds

A Department spokesperson said the goal is to push these funds out faster after years of delays:

“Under [U.S. Transportation] Secretary [Sean P.] Duffy’s direction, the Department of Transportation is working diligently to accelerate the distribution of these long-overdue funds and address core infrastructure projects,” the USDOT stated.

By combining a new multi-billion-dollar National Railroad Partnership Program with action on older grant backlogs, the Department is signaling an intensified focus on rail safety, grade crossing upgrades, and family-friendly improvements in U.S. intercity passenger rail stations.

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Apple Restore Fund Takes Root in California Redwood Forest With The Conservation Fund

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California’s iconic coastal redwoods have gained a new ally. Apple has announced a fresh investment in the restoration and sustainable management of the Gualala River Forest, a working redwood forest in Mendocino County. The move underscores the company’s expanding Apple Restore Fund initiative, a program designed to scale nature-based carbon removal and protect vital ecosystems.

Story Highlights

Apple Restore Fund invests in Gualala River Forest restoration and sustainable management in California
Partnership with The Conservation Fund to safeguard coastal redwoods and other native species
Supports Apple’s carbon neutrality 2030 goal and nature-based carbon removal projects worldwide
Apple suppliers TSMC and Murata also invest in the Restore Fund
Projects now span six continents with dozens of conservation and regenerative agriculture efforts

A Growing Environmental Portfolio

The Apple Restore Fund began in 2021 as a collaboration with Goldman Sachs and Conservation International. In 2023, Apple added a fund managed by Climate Asset Management, and in 2025 it expanded again with direct investments in U.S. and Latin American nature-based projects. Apple suppliers TSMC and Murata have also joined the initiative.

By building a portfolio of forests and regenerative agriculture projects across six continents, Apple is positioning the Restore Fund as a global platform for climate action. It fits squarely within the company’s Apple 2030 goal to become carbon neutral across its entire footprint by the end of the decade.

Forests as “Technology”

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, highlighted the role of forests in fighting climate change.

“We’re thrilled to help protect California’s iconic coastal redwoods as part of our growing Restore Fund initiative,” Jackson said. “Forests are one of the most powerful technologies we have for removing carbon from the atmosphere. Our global investments in nature are leveraging that technology while supporting communities, stimulating local economies, and enhancing biodiversity in ecosystems around the world.”

Apple is working to reduce its global emissions by 75 percent compared with 2015 levels and has already surpassed a 60 percent reduction. The company will use credits from high-quality carbon removal projects to balance remaining emissions. By 2030, Apple and its suppliers aim to remove 9.6 million metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year.

Protecting Working Forests in California

The Gualala River Forest is a large stretch of coastal redwood forestland that provides habitat for hundreds of wildlife species and supports rural communities along California’s northern coast. Through the new investment, Apple and The Conservation Fund will restore and sustainably manage the forest, generating carbon credits over time.

The Conservation Fund has been safeguarding at-risk U.S. forests since 2004, protecting more than 120,000 acres of California forestland in the redwood region alone.

Larry Selzer, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund, said the stakes are high:

“America’s forests are under immense pressure, with 13 million acres at risk of vanishing by 2050. This is one of the defining conservation challenges of our time,” Selzer noted. “Forests are a cornerstone of rural economies, supporting more than 2 million jobs. Our collaboration with Apple is a powerful model for protecting working forests, and we’re eager to replicate it with partners across the country.”

The nonprofit regularly measures tree diameter and height to monitor carbon storage, marking the same trees to track growth over time. Apple receives the resulting carbon credits while the forest remains under sustainable management.

Apple has previously worked with The Conservation Fund to protect over 36,000 acres of working forest in Maine and North Carolina and has also invested in a mixed-species temperate rainforest in Washington through its Restore Fund partnership with Climate Asset Management.

Global Reach Beyond California

Apple’s commitment to nature goes far beyond U.S. borders. Through the Apple Restore Fund and community grants, the company supports dozens of nature-based carbon removal, regenerative agriculture, and innovative conservation projects across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

New grants announced today include work with Conservation International to develop conservation leadership and protect ecosystems such as mangrove forests in India. Apple is also supporting the Jane Goodall Institute’s global Roots & Shoots program and new community-led conservation projects. In addition, Apple is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to evaluate remote-sensing tools for monitoring and verifying natural climate solutions.

Nature, Carbon, and Community

These efforts combine climate action with local benefits. Apple’s investments have advanced conservation research, supported sustainable livelihoods, and piloted new approaches to carbon sequestration, modeling, and finance. By focusing on nature-based solutions, the Apple Restore Fund reflects the company’s view that environmental and community outcomes can reinforce one another.

As the race toward carbon neutrality intensifies, Apple’s investment in California’s redwoods signals both a local commitment and a global strategy. With the Apple Restore Fund spanning six continents and partnerships extending from Mendocino County to mangrove forests in India, the company is betting that protecting nature is central to meeting its 2030 climate goals.

I-76 West Crash Causes Morning Chaos: Philadelphia Traffic Slowly Restores

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Philadelphia drivers were in for a frustrating start to their Monday commute after a crash on Interstate 76 westbound forced a temporary closure of a key stretch of the highway. Officials confirmed at 8:35 a.m. that traffic is once again moving, though delays are expected to linger.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation issued an early travel alert at approximately 6:44 a.m., warning motorists about the crash. “I-76 west is closed between Vare Avenue/Mifflin Street and Exit 346B due to a crash,” a spokesperson said. “Drivers should use alternate routes and allow extra travel time while crews work to clear the scene.”

Commuters reported heavy congestion in the surrounding areas as traffic was diverted to nearby streets. “It took me over 40 minutes to cover what is usually a 15-minute stretch,” said local driver Maria Jenkins. “Even after the reopening, cars are still moving slowly, so people should be patient.”

Authorities have not released details about the cause of the crash, whether any injuries occurred, or exactly when the highway initially closed. Residents and travelers are advised to check real-time updates on Philadelphia traffic before heading out.

Story Highlights:

I-76 westbound reopened at 8:35 a.m. after a crash forced closure.
Closure affected the stretch between Vare Avenue/Mifflin Street and Exit 346B.
Motorists warned of residual delays and advised to take alternate routes.
No official information yet on the crash cause or possible injuries.
Local drivers experienced significant traffic backups during the closure.

Officials continue to monitor traffic conditions along Interstate 76. For the latest updates on Philadelphia traffic, drivers are encouraged to follow real-time alerts and plan extra travel time during peak hours.

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California Redistricting Chaos: Common Cause Goes Neutral, Stirring Political Fire

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California Republicans have reassembled much of the coalition that helped bring independent redistricting lines to the state more than a decade ago, now aiming to challenge Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mid-decade redistricting plan. Yet one key change stands out: historically influential good-government groups, including California Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, have stepped back from opposing the proposal. Their neutrality has sent ripples through the political and civic landscape, raising questions about the influence of partisanship and internal pressures on watchdog organizations.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Republicans in California challenge Gov. Newsom’s mid-decade redistricting plan.
Good-government organizations, including California Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, have opted for neutrality.
Common Cause returned $200,000 from Charles Munger Jr., citing misleading mailers.
The neutrality reduces political pressure on Gov. Newsom and affects broader Democratic redistricting strategies.
Internal disagreements within Common Cause led to advisory board resignations over minority representation and fairness concerns.
Observers warn that the shift reflects growing polarization and pressures on historically independent watchdog organizations.

Until recently, California Common Cause was reportedly preparing a campaign to fight the snap gerrymander. Internal records and interviews suggest the group was actively strategizing to counter the redistricting plan and align with supporters of independent district mapping.

However, the national leadership of Common Cause ultimately approved Gov. Newsom’s plan, prompting multiple board members to resign. The move highlights the growing tension between the organization’s long-standing opposition to gerrymandering and its concern for broader democratic stability in a politically polarized era.

In an early August email to Charles Munger Jr., a wealthy philanthropist who has championed governance reforms, California Common Cause Executive Director Darius Kemp wrote:

“I am excited to work with you on this fight,”

and outlined strategies to combat both California’s Democratic-led redistricting and a GOP-led effort in Texas. He also detailed plans for a “full-scale campaign to defeat a gerrymandering ballot initiative.”

Such a campaign would have been consistent with the organization’s history. Common Cause spent years advocating for independent redistricting and had partnered with Munger to pass Proposition 20, a voter-backed initiative establishing independent oversight of district mapping.

Instead, that partnership dissolved. Common Cause returned a $200,000 donation from Munger, accusing his campaign of misleading voters into believing the organization supported his effort against California’s redistricting. A notice on the group’s website reads:

“Common Cause is not for sale.”

Munger expressed disappointment in a statement, noting:

“It is unfortunate both organizations reversed course. I am disappointed that both have (so far) been silenced in this campaign, and hope that in the future each will return to the principles on which they were founded.”

By stepping aside, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters removed a major source of scrutiny for Gov. Newsom. Newsom’s office emphasized that Common Cause dropping opposition signaled that “even watchdogs see the game Trump is playing.”

The neutrality also sparked a broader political ripple. Other Democratic leaders, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, began considering similar redistricting strategies. Even former President Barack Obama followed suit, calling Newsom’s plan “a responsible approach” to California redistricting.

Internally, Common Cause faced intense debate. Staff circulated analyses raising concerns that California’s plan could split minority communities, lacked sufficient public input, and did not explicitly prevent future mid-decade redistricting. Yet the national leadership ultimately deemed the plan fair, prompting advisory board resignations.

Meanwhile, the League of Women Voters also faced pressure, including from Newsom’s former chief of staff, Jim DeBoo, who cautioned:

“Your brand is not to be used against your wishes. The greater dangers arise if Trump prevails.”

The League subsequently announced it would take no position, aligning with national and state chapters and warning against strategies that emulate authoritarian tactics.

Observers are watching these developments closely. Former State Sen. Sam Blakeslee, who served on the California Common Cause board, said in an interview:

“Common Cause’s pivot suggests it was co-opted by a political machine. Even groups historically able to withstand partisan pressures are now buckling. If the center cannot hold, there’s little hope to find our way back.”

The controversy underscores the challenges facing good-government organizations in a highly polarized political environment, especially as California redistricting remains a flashpoint in U.S. democracy.

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California Cracks Down on AI at Work: No Robo Bosses Allowed

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California lawmakers have taken a decisive step toward regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace with the passage of SB 7, widely known as the “No Robo Bosses” Act. If Governor Gavin Newsom signs the bill by September 30, 2025, the law will take effect on January 1, 2026, immediately reshaping how employers use AI in hiring, performance evaluations, promotions, discipline, and terminations.

SB 7 comes at a time when AI tools are increasingly influencing workplace decisions, raising questions about fairness, bias, and accountability. “The law is designed to ensure that no worker faces discipline or termination solely at the hands of a machine,” said a California labor official.

Story Highlights:

Broad definition of AI: SB 7 covers “automated decision systems” (ADS), including resume scanners, performance tracking, scheduling assistants, and training programs that impact employment decisions.
Comprehensive employment coverage: Wages, benefits, schedules, promotions, terminations, tasks, skills, access to training, productivity, and workplace safety are all included.
Prohibitions: Employers cannot rely solely on AI for discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions, nor use AI to violate the law, infer protected characteristics, or retaliate against employees.
Human oversight mandatory: Even when AI is primarily used, a human reviewer must verify outputs and evaluate other relevant information.
Notice and data rights: Employees must be notified before and after AI is used and can request access to their data from AI systems.
Enforcement: No private right of action exists, but civil penalties of $500 per violation apply, enforceable by the Labor Commissioner or local prosecutors.

What AI Tools Are Covered?

SB 7 uses the term “automated decision systems” or ADS to define AI tools as:

“Any computational process derived from machine learning, statistical modeling, data analytics, or artificial intelligence that issues simplified output, including a score, classification, or recommendation, that is used to assist or replace human discretionary decisionmaking and materially impacts natural persons.”

This broad definition encompasses many commonly used AI tools. Employers who use resume scanners, keystroke monitors, voice or text analysis tools, performance trackers, scheduling assistants, or AI-based training programs should assume their systems fall under the law. Essentially, any AI tool that affects employment decisions, from hiring to termination, is covered.

Wide Scope of Employment Decisions

SB 7 defines “employment-related decision” broadly, including:

“Any decision … that materially impacts a worker’s wages, benefits, compensation, work hours, work schedule, performance evaluation, hiring, discipline, promotion, termination, job tasks, skill requirements, work responsibilities, assignment of work, access to work and training opportunities, productivity requirements, or workplace health and safety.”

This leaves little room for interpretation—virtually all decisions affecting employees are included. From scheduling shifts to assigning work tasks, employers must consider SB 7 in nearly every aspect of employee management.

Prohibitions and Limitations on AI Use

SB 7 prohibits employers from relying solely on AI for discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions. The law also forbids the use of ADS to:

Violate the law or prevent compliance with regulations.
Infer a worker’s protected status, such as race, gender, or national origin.
Collect worker data for undisclosed purposes.
Retaliate against employees for exercising their legal rights.

Additionally, the law restricts reliance on customer ratings as the only or primary input for AI-driven employment decisions. For example, a gig worker cannot be disciplined or terminated solely based on customer reviews.

Human Oversight Required

While SB 7 allows employers to rely primarily on AI, it requires human review for high-stakes decisions such as discipline, termination, or deactivation.

“Employers must use a human reviewer to evaluate the AI output and consider other relevant information,” the bill states.

The law does not define “primarily,” leaving room for interpretation, but it emphasizes the need for human judgment alongside automated recommendations.

Notice and Employee Data Access

SB 7 imposes pre-use and post-use notice requirements:

Pre-use notice: Employers must provide written notice at least 30 days before using AI, describing the type of decisions affected, data collected, key parameters, and AI creators. Applicants must also be notified if AI will influence hiring decisions.
Post-use notice: When AI is used primarily for discipline, termination, or deactivation, employees must receive a written notice detailing the human reviewer contact, AI’s role, and instructions for accessing their data.

Employees can request a copy of their data used in the previous 12 months by an AI system, limited to one request per year. Employers must maintain an updated list of all AI systems in use.

Enforcement and Penalties

While SB 7 does not include a private right of action, violations carry civil penalties of $500 per incident, enforceable by the Labor Commissioner or local prosecutors. Though modest, penalties could accumulate if multiple employees are affected or if claims are pursued under PAGA.

Employer Recommendations

Experts advise employers to take several steps to ensure compliance:

Audit all AI systems in use and assess their impact on employment decisions.
Determine reliance on AI to identify when human oversight is necessary.
Organize and safeguard employee data to meet access and retention requirements.
Draft and distribute notices for all AI tools used in hiring, evaluation, or discipline.
Develop a compliance plan, including training human reviewers, documenting review processes, and establishing employee data access protocols.

“Compliance with SB 7 will require careful planning and oversight, but it represents a crucial step in protecting workers while responsibly using AI,” said a California employment attorney.

SB 7 represents a major regulatory shift in AI workplace governance. California employers will need to rethink AI use, ensure human oversight, and maintain robust records to comply when the law takes effect in January 2026.

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California Earthquake Rocks Bay Area: Berkeley Epicenter Feels Magnitude 4.3 Tremor

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A California earthquake struck the Bay Area in the early hours of Monday, leaving residents startled as tremors were felt across multiple cities. The US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that the epicenter of the quake was near Berkeley, with a shallow depth of just 5 miles. Phones blared with USGS Shake Alerts, waking up many residents as their homes shook.

Data from the USGS indicated that the main earthquake had a magnitude of 4.3 and occurred around 2:56 a.m. on Monday. Earlier in the night, a smaller magnitude 2.4 tremor was recorded near Petrolia, California, at 12:50 a.m., signaling early seismic activity in the region.

Story Highlights

Magnitude 4.3 California earthquake strikes near Berkeley at 2:56 a.m.
Earlier magnitude 2.4 tremor recorded near Petrolia at 12:50 a.m.
Tremors felt across the Bay Area, including San Francisco and Vallejo
No reports of injuries or significant damage have been reported

Residents took to social media to describe the sudden California earthquake. One X user shared, “Pretty big earthquake just now at 2:56 a.m. Felt a strong jolt here in San Francisco. Did you feel it?”

Another resident added, “Yeah, that rocked me out of bed #earthquake. It was hard to ignore the shaking.”

Some felt the intensity of the quake more closely to the epicenter. One user reported, “Very hard shaking and loud. I thought it would have been bigger, but I am a mile from the epicenter.”

In Vallejo, the tremors were strong enough to wake residents instantly. One wrote, “Yes! Woke me up – whole house shook hard. It definitely felt stronger than usual.”

Despite the widespread shaking and social media buzz, local authorities confirmed that there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant structural damage. Residents were advised to remain alert for potential aftershocks, a common occurrence following a magnitude 4.3 California earthquake.

This latest event underlines the ongoing seismic activity in California and highlights the importance of preparedness for residents in the Bay Area, particularly near Berkeley and surrounding cities. With frequent minor quakes occurring, authorities continue to emphasize earthquake safety measures, including securing heavy furniture, keeping emergency kits, and staying aware of official alerts.

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California Cap-and-Trade Program Pushes Forward as U.S. Clean Energy Policy Retreats

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While federal clean-energy policy is rolling backward, California is charting a different course. State lawmakers have passed a long-term extension of the California cap-and-trade program, strengthening its climate framework even as Washington scales back tax credits and dismantles regulations.

Story Highlights

Federal reversal: Clean-energy tax credits reduced; new regulatory barriers delay projects; major projects halted.
California action: Cap-and-trade program extended to 2045 to align with net-zero goals.
Program scope: Covers 85% of California emissions in transportation, energy and industry.
Economic benefits: Generates billions for climate investments and market-based pollution reduction.
Affordability steps: Electricity bill credits, refinery relief, and regional grid participation.
Broad support: More than 40 companies, including IKEA U.S. and Rivian, backed the law.

Federal Backsliding on Clean Energy

Across the United States, federal clean-energy incentives are shrinking. Tax credits have been rolled back, new regulatory barriers are delaying energy projects and some nearly completed facilities have been halted. Investors are unsettled, jobs are at risk and costs are climbing. At the same time, the administration is moving to repeal core rules for regulating climate pollution, threatening both public health and U.S. leadership in global clean-technology markets.

“The rollback of clean-energy policy is creating real uncertainty,” said one energy-market analyst. “It unnerves investors and raises costs for everyone.”

California’s Forward Path

California, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, has chosen a different path. First launched in 2013, the California cap-and-trade program sets limits on carbon pollution across transportation, energy and industrial sectors, covering about 85% of the state’s emissions. By putting a price on climate risk, it encourages businesses to reduce emissions in the most cost-effective way and has generated billions for local climate projects.

“It has been central to our emissions reductions,” said a state environmental official. “Market-based policies like this one are proven to work.”

Need for Long-Term Certainty

The program was due to expire in 2030. Uncertainty over its future had begun to rattle markets and put billions of dollars in revenue at risk. Although the system had proven effective, its pollution cap was not projected to meet California’s net-zero target by 2045.

In response, lawmakers moved to strengthen and reauthorize the California cap-and-trade program through 2045. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law shortly after its passage.

“At a time that demanded leadership, California answered the call,” Newsom said in a statement. “This ensures policy certainty and keeps our climate goals on track.”

Business and Community Support

More than 40 companies—including Dignity Health, Franklin Energy, Grove Collaborative, IKEA U.S., REI Co-op, Rivian and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company—publicly endorsed the legislation. They cited policy stability, program efficiency and local investment benefits.

“California’s long-term commitment gives businesses confidence to invest in clean technology,” said a spokesperson for one supporting company.

Addressing Affordability Concerns

Cost-of-living pressures remain a major issue across the country. Critics of the extension argued that it could raise energy prices in a state where electricity is already expensive. Some environmental advocates also questioned whether market-based systems reduce local air pollution.

To address affordability, lawmakers paired the extension with other measures, including relief for oil refineries to mitigate gas price spikes, authority for California’s grid operator to join regional electricity markets and twice-yearly credits applied to Californians’ peak-season electricity bills.

“These steps help merge climate action with pocketbook concerns,” said an industry group representative who dropped opposition after the package came together.

A Pragmatic Model for States

While not all critics were satisfied, the final package marked a pragmatic approach to balancing consumer affordability with climate action. California has shown that cost-of-living concerns—currently top-of-mind for voters—can be integrated with clean-energy policy, which often feels more abstract.

As federal policies move in the opposite direction, California’s example offers a template for other states seeking to integrate economic and environmental priorities through market-based solutions.

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Goodman LAX01 Data Center Powers Up Los Angeles Digital Scene

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Los Angeles has gained a major step forward in its digital infrastructure network as Goodman Group announces the structural topping out of its Goodman LAX01 data center in Vernon, California. The project marks one of the largest new data center developments in the region and signals the company’s growing commitment to U.S. digital hubs.

Located at 3094 E Vernon Avenue, the three-story LAX01 spans 263,410 square feet (24,471 sqm) and is designed to deliver up to 32MW of critical IT power (49.5MW gross). When complete, the facility will support high-density workloads for hyperscale and enterprise customers, strengthening Los Angeles’ role as a West Coast data center gateway.

Story Highlights

Goodman LAX01 data center Los Angeles: 263,410 sq ft with 32MW critical IT power, 49.5MW gross
Address: 3094 E Vernon Avenue, Vernon, California
Timeline: Construction began March 2025; power shell-ready mid-2026
Infrastructure: High-density workloads, 2N substation with dual 66kV feeds from Vernon Public Utilities
Partnership: Built with Whiting Turner
Global Capacity: Goodman Group holds 5GW across 13 cities worldwide

Construction Progress

Goodman began construction with partner Whiting Turner in March 2025. The company now expects the facility to be power shell-ready by mid-2026, giving customers access to a large-scale, high-density data center in Los Angeles’ growing technology corridor.

The site is engineered for resiliency. Its 2N substation design includes dual 66kV feeds transformed on-site by Vernon Public Utilities, allowing the center to deliver reliable power even in high-demand conditions.

Goodman’s Approach

In a separate statement, Anthony Rozic, CEO of Goodman North America, highlighted the company’s strategy:

“At LAX01, Goodman has drawn on its planning capabilities, strategic sites, and proven expertise to deliver complex infrastructure,” Rozic said.

He added:

“What sets Goodman apart is our ability to integrate every stage of development – from site selection and power procurement to construction and delivery. With the right land, power, people, and partners, we create reliable, scalable solutions in some of the world’s most important digital hubs.”

Global Reach

Goodman Group, an integrated property company, operates across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the UK, and the Americas. The company claims a global power bank of 5GW across 13 cities—2.7GW already secured and another 2.3GW in advanced stages of procurement. Earlier this year, Goodman announced plans to raise AU$4 billion (US$2.5 billion) to support its data center expansion.

The company joins other major logistics and industrial real estate firms—including Prologis, Segro, GLP, ESR, and P3—that are moving deeper into the data center sector. Reports also suggest Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC may invest in Goodman’s data center assets, reflecting rising interest in this market.

Los Angeles Data Center Market

The Los Angeles data center ecosystem is already home to operators such as Digital Realty, Centersquare, Hivelocity, Evocative, Prime, CoreSite, DataBank, Cogent, Telehouse, Lumen, and Equinix. With the arrival of Goodman’s LAX01 Vernon facility, the region’s capacity and competition continue to grow, offering more choices for businesses needing high-density digital infrastructure.

As the Goodman LAX01 data center Los Angeles moves toward its 2026 completion, it stands as both a physical landmark and a symbol of the city’s expanding role in the global digital economy.

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