South Los Angeles Shooting Case Remains Unsolved; LAPD Offers $50K Reward

The Los Angeles Police Department is seeking the public’s help in a case that has remained unsolved for years. Authorities have now announced a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible for the 2020 South Los Angeles shooting that took the life of Dominic Ladon Gooden.

Story Highlights:

Victim: Dominic Ladon Gooden
Location: 1300 block of West 69th Street, South Los Angeles
Date of Shooting: July 28, 2020
Suspects & Vehicles: Multiple suspects; gray 2013 Nissan Sentra & silver 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-320
Reward: $50,000 for information leading to identification, arrest, and prosecution
Contact Information: LAPD Detective Franco 323-786-5128; Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 / www.lacrimestoppers.org

Gooden was standing near the 1300 block of West 69th Street on the afternoon of July 28, 2020, when multiple suspects reportedly stepped out of their vehicles and opened fire. Police say Gooden was struck in the shooting and collapsed near the location, prompting an immediate emergency response.

Detectives from the LAPD’s South Bureau Homicide Division have emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving the case. “We are appealing to the public to come forward with any information,” said a spokesperson for the division. “Even the smallest detail about the suspects or the vehicles involved could be crucial in bringing justice to Dominic Ladon Gooden and his family.”

Authorities are particularly focused on identifying two vehicles believed to be involved in the shooting: a gray 2013 Nissan Sentra four-door sedan and a silver 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-320 four-door sedan. Detectives believe these vehicles may hold critical evidence linking the suspects to the deadly attack.

The Los Angeles City Council recently approved the $50,000 reward as part of an ongoing effort to solve violent crimes in South Los Angeles. Officials have stressed that tips leading to arrests will be eligible for the reward.

Residents and witnesses with any information are urged to contact LAPD Detective Franco at 323-786-5128. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or through the website www.lacrimestoppers.org. “No piece of information is too small,” added the spokesperson. “Community involvement can make the difference in solving this case.”

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Los Angeles Homelessness Funding Cuts Spark Fears of Reversing Hard-Won Gains

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PACOIMA, Calif. — On a hot weekday afternoon in the San Fernando Valley, Saundra Macpherson bent over a garden hose on Branford Street, rinsing dust from bedding and pillows spread across the sidewalk outside her camper. Inside, her younger sister — a disabled Navy veteran with an honorable discharge — lay resting with five Wheaten Terriers, all of them seeking relief from the midday heat.

Macpherson, 53, has an associate degree in business administration and once worked steadily in in-home care. But when a longtime client died, her income dried up, and she has been homeless in Los Angeles for three years.

“We’re out of hope here,” she said, pausing between rinses. “I don’t like living like this, but I’ve gotten so far down, I can’t get up by myself.”

She is one of thousands of Los Angeles homeless residents who now face deeper uncertainty as Los Angeles homelessness funding cuts begin to ripple through the system that has kept them afloat.

Story Highlights

Six major providers warn of budget shortfalls threatening homeless services in Los Angeles.
Rental subsidies, outreach teams, and rapid rehousing programs already shrinking.
City explores shifting funds away from LAHSA to the county’s Department of Homelessness.
Leaders fear reversal of progress after two years of declining street homelessness.

Providers Sound the Alarm

On Sept. 11, six of Los Angeles County’s largest homeless service providers released a joint report warning of deep reductions at the local, state, and federal levels. The group includes PATH, LA Family Housing, The People Concern, Union Station Homeless Services, Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System, and St. Joseph’s Center.

Their message was blunt: rental subsidies are drying up, outreach teams are shrinking, and shelters are at capacity. Without continued support, thousands of people could lose access to basic services — even as the city celebrates its second straight year of declining street homelessness.

“I feel very confident saying that we’re going to see an increase in homelessness in the coming years,” said Katie Hill, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services, the San Gabriel Valley’s largest provider.

She warned that the most severe consequences may begin early next year, when key funding sources are expected to expire. For now, existing programs are still keeping many people housed. But by January, she said, those without stable plans or backup options may fall through the cracks — and the full impact may not be visible until the next wave of evictions.

Budgets Falling, Programs Freezing

Union Station Homeless Services has already cut its budget from $45 million last year to $38 million this year. Next year, Hill said, it could fall below $30 million. “I just told my team today, we’re on a hiring freeze because I don’t want us to be in the position of bringing anybody else on while these programs are moving,” she added.

Other agencies are experiencing similar pressures. PATH — one of the largest homeless services providers in California — lost about 25% of its Los Angeles funding last year and expects more reductions.

“Because of the funding cuts we’re unable to serve really any new participants,” said PATH CEO Jennifer Hark Dietz. “We’re not able to provide families with that conduit from interim housing resource to permanent housing resource. So we’re turning people away.”

John Maceri, CEO of The People Concern, said the entire system is beginning to seize up.

“We are at risk of losing momentum,” Maceri said. “Homelessness is something that responds well to strategic, smart investments over time. The reductions in street homelessness we’ve seen year over year are the direct result of the investments that have been made into bringing people indoors and keeping them indoors. Now we’re venturing down a path which is going to undo that good work.”

Lives in Limbo

For residents like Macpherson, the path already feels narrower. She said programs like Hope the Mission gave her access to showers, hygiene supplies, clean clothes, and even a storage bin — basic support that helped her survive.

“They sign you up,” she said. “They said it takes about a year or two for you to get somewhere to stay or whatever. I just wish that it didn’t take so long to get housed because we’re out of hope here.”

Yannick Angomasi, 40, who had been staying at a tiny home village for three months, said he was removed after a verbal altercation with another resident and has been trying to return ever since. Without a cell phone to track follow-ups, he said, navigating the system has become even harder.

Keith Ulrich, 68, has been homeless since 2017. He hopes to one day move back to his family’s 80-acre ranch in Montana but remains in Los Angeles to care for his girlfriend, who needs double hip replacement surgery. Ulrich receives $1,500 a month in Social Security and says he is able to get by — for now.

“Everywhere you look, there’s people out there that need it way more than I do,” he said. “I’m a survivor. I don’t let nothing get me down.”

City Leaders Weigh New Approach

While service providers brace for Los Angeles homelessness funding cuts, city leaders say they remain committed to sustaining progress.

Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson agreed with the report’s assessment that the city has made recent progress in reducing homelessness and said the council remains dedicated to building on those gains.

“I agree with the report outlining the momentum our city has had in reducing homelessness; much can be attributed to Measure HHH housing coming online and Inside Safe,” he said in a statement. “The city is still dedicated to investing in housing our neighbors.”

He said the council’s recent vote to explore shifting funding away from LAHSA is part of a broader effort to evaluate what’s possible and prudent “to continue to fund our efforts to end homelessness with the possibility of creating working systems that can meet the magnitude of the issue.”

Fear on the Front Lines

On the ground, however, outreach leaders see a different reality.

“There’s so much fear in the unhoused community right now,” said Rowan Vansleve, president of Hope the Mission, one of the San Fernando Valley’s largest shelter and outreach providers.

“Those on the street waiting to get shelter, they’re going to lose hope and you’ll see an increase in mental health and addiction,” he added. “And those who are already in shelter, as they see that transition to permanent housing not happening, they’re going to lose hope. So on both fronts, it’s very heartbreaking.”

As Los Angeles balances budgets, agencies and residents alike wait to see whether the hard-won gains in reducing homelessness can survive the latest round of cuts — or whether the city’s fragile progress will unravel.

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Inside California’s Bold Net-Zero Energy Home Saving Thousands a Year

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With household bills rising faster than inflation, the promise of a net-zero energy home — a home that produces more power than it uses — has never felt more relevant. In Hermosa Beach, California, one family has been quietly proving for over a decade that it’s not just an idea.

Robert Fortunato, a longtime advocate of sustainable building, remodeled his family’s 1959, 2,150-square-foot house into what he calls the “Green Idea House.” Today it stands as one of the first net-zero energy, zero-carbon case study houses built for less than the cost of a traditional remodel.

“It’s one of the first net-zero energy, zero-carbon case study houses that was built for less cost than standard construction,” Fortunato says.
“We used standard construction materials and off-the-shelf technologies that anyone can use.”

Story Highlights

Net-zero energy home: Generates more electricity than it consumes
Solar power: 26 rooftop panels run the house and charge two electric cars
Gas-free living: All-electric appliances, induction cooking and heat-pump water heaters
Passive design: Roof overhangs and thermal chimney reduce heating and cooling needs
Annual savings: About $4,800 a year after solar payback
Adaptation: Design tweaked as climate warms faster than expected

Cutting Ties With Gas

Before the remodel, the Fortunato household looked like any other. Gas powered the hot-water heater, furnace and kitchen appliances. Fortunato says the family decided to change course after repeated news about oil companies and environmental damage.

“We had just seen so many instances where the oil companies were not being responsible for the environment,” he recalls.
“We had a gas hot water heater. We had a gas furnace. We had all gas appliances.”

Disconnecting from the gas utility during construction saved money on pipes and allowed the family to choose electric systems. Twenty-six rooftop solar panels now supply all the household’s electricity and enough surplus to charge two electric cars.

“We really haven’t had an electric bill or a gas bill in the last 13 years,” Fortunato says.

He paid about $18,000 upfront for the system and estimates the family saves around $4,800 annually in utility costs, reaching payback in four years.

Research, Planning and Passive Design

From the street, the modern three-story house blends in with its Hermosa Beach neighborhood of contemporary and Mission-style homes. Yet its hidden features show how a net-zero energy home works.

A flat roof extends five feet beyond the front wall, hiding the solar panels from view while shading the southwest-facing façade. In summer, the overhang blocks direct sunlight and lowers cooling needs. In winter, when the sun sits lower, natural light and heat enter through large windows to warm the interior.

“Sixty percent of the energy that is saved, in terms of heating and cooling, is through that overhang alone,” Fortunato explains.

An open stairway doubles as a “thermal chimney.” By opening two vented windows at the top, hot air naturally escapes, reducing the need for air conditioning. Several skylights bring daylight indoors, and efficient LED lighting minimizes evening use.

This approach draws on centuries-old ideas such as Native American cliff dwellings and is echoed in Harvard’s HouseZero project in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Staying the Course

Some changes were straightforward, like swapping incandescent bulbs for LEDs. Others required persistence. Fortunato chose locally manufactured brown metal siding to cut transport emissions but discovered late in the process that the color he ordered came only from a Texas factory. He switched to a similar shade made in nearby Fontana, California, to meet his goal.

He even replaced an old garage-door opener that consumed 15 watts constantly with a model using 80% less standby power.

Chris Magwood of the Rocky Mountain Institute says homeowners need to be clear about their motivations.

“Having me as a consultant is like having that annoying two-year-old in your house because I just go, ‘Why?’ Like, why a solar house?” Magwood says.

He notes that rooftop solar panels make the most environmental sense in states that burn large amounts of coal for electricity, but less so where power grids already rely on cleaner sources.

Updating for a Hotter Climate

When Fortunato began the remodel 15 years ago, some now-common technologies were just emerging. He installed two heat-pump water heaters in the garage — one for domestic hot water and another to supply radiators that heat the home — even though contractors treated the idea like “science fiction.”

As local temperatures have risen faster than expected, he has added shades to skylights and is considering a small air-conditioning unit. Regular cleaning of the solar panels has also become necessary to remove soot from busy street traffic.

“It’s so ironic,” Fortunato says.
“The thing we’re trying to fight actually is depositing this layer that reduces the production of the solar panels.”

Will More People Follow?

The Fortunato family hoped their project would inspire others to build or remodel for net-zero energy homes. They have offered tours, hosted a reality show and shared lessons widely. Yet such homes remain a fraction of a percent of the nation’s 140 million housing units.

“We wanted to make the house something that anyone would want to live in,” Fortunato says, contrasting his home with some efficient houses he’s seen that resemble “spaceships” or “mud huts.”

He believes the financial argument may eventually persuade more people. His rough math: about $200 a month saved on household utilities plus $100 each for two electric cars — roughly $400 a month still adding up 15 years after completion.

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Philadelphia Luxury Homes Surge Nearly 500%, Driving Housing Market Concerns

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Philadelphia is witnessing an unusual surge in luxury home sales, a trend that economists warn could impact the broader housing market and further challenge affordability for residents. According to a recent report from the Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University, the number of homes selling for $1 million or more has increased by nearly 500% over the past five years. During the same period, the median home price across the Philadelphia region—including the city itself, surrounding suburbs, and parts of New Jersey and Delaware—rose by roughly 50%.

Story Highlights

Luxury home sales in Philadelphia region increased nearly 500% over five years.
Median home prices rose approximately 50% during the same period.
Rising Philadelphia luxury home sales could exacerbate gentrification and displacement.
First-time homebuyers and sellers upgrading or downsizing may face challenges.
Analysts see no slowdown in the current luxury housing trend.

Kevin Gillen, a senior research fellow at the Lindy Institute, describes the trend as a “mini bubble” with potentially wide-ranging effects. “The housing market metaphorically is like a chain of dominoes,” Gillen explained. “If I jam up the domino at the very end of the chain, it can jam up the whole chain.”

Gillen highlighted the impact on different types of buyers. “This surge could be concerning for first-time homebuyers, sellers looking to upgrade, and homeowners seeking to downsize to a condo, particularly in the Philadelphia suburbs,” he said.

The spike in luxury home sales also carries implications for gentrification. As asking prices climb in popular neighborhoods, homebuyers who historically could afford the area may be priced out. This could push them to more affordable communities, potentially inflating property taxes and putting long-term residents at risk of displacement.

“Which is regressive,” Gillen noted. “It falls disproportionately not only on low-income people, but minorities as well, and on the neighborhood that they have historically occupied.”

While the reasons behind the surge in Philadelphia luxury homes remain unclear, data indicates the trend shows no signs of slowing. Analysts warn that the ripple effects could affect everything from suburban property prices to urban affordability.

Economists continue to monitor the market, emphasizing that trends in high-end home sales can create chain reactions affecting the entire housing ecosystem. The rise in luxury home purchases could influence sellers’ expectations, shift buyer behavior, and intensify gentrification in certain areas, shaping the Philadelphia real estate market for years to come.

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Philadelphia Eyes End to Trash Incineration at Chester Facility

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Philadelphia may soon change the way it manages its waste, potentially ending decades of sending trash to be burned in Chester. A bill introduced to City Council Thursday seeks to ban the city from signing new contracts with companies that incinerate trash to produce energy, such as Reworld, formerly Covanta, which operates a major waste-to-energy facility in Chester, Delaware County.

The legislation comes amid growing concerns over environmental and public health impacts, particularly for communities near incineration plants. About 40% of Philadelphia’s trash is currently incinerated, according to the city’s latest waste management plan, while the rest ends up in landfills. Among the facilities used, Reworld’s Chester plant handles the largest share.

Story Highlights:

Philadelphia may stop trash incineration at the Chester facility.
Reworld, formerly Covanta, is the city’s largest waste-to-energy partner.
40% of Philadelphia’s trash is currently incinerated.
Incineration emissions include particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, affecting respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Bill aims to reduce environmental impact and address environmental justice concerns in Chester.

Zulene Mayfield, chairperson of Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living, said the community has long felt the burden of Philadelphia’s trash.

“Everything that we can divert away from that incinerator will improve our lives and the air quality for everybody,” Mayfield said.

She emphasized that Chester residents have been exposed to the facility’s emissions for decades.

“Our children and our community, we just literally cannot breathe,” she added.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who sponsored the legislation, noted that Philadelphia’s current contracts with Reworld and Waste Management are set to expire at the end of June 2026.

“Neither disposal method is perfect,” Gauthier said. “Landfilling is not perfect, but trash incineration has a greater impact not only on the environment, but on the people who live around trash incinerators. I think that’s something that we have to be cognizant of.”

Reworld markets its waste-to-energy operations as a more sustainable alternative to landfills. The Chester facility generates enough electricity to power approximately 51,000 homes each year and, according to the company, helps prevent methane emissions that would otherwise be released from landfills.

A company spokesperson emphasized that the facility’s emissions remain “below federal and state limits.” However, Reworld has been cited in the past for environmental violations, highlighting ongoing community concerns.

For Gauthier, the proposed ban on trash incineration contracts is also a matter of environmental justice.

“Ending Philadelphia’s role in perpetuating environmental racism in Chester is crucial,” he said.

More than 70% of Chester residents are Black, and over one in four lives below the poverty line — higher than in Philadelphia.

“Being cleaner and greener can’t just be thought about as only within Philadelphia’s borders,” Gauthier said. “It cannot come at the expense of a city who is more vulnerable than we are. And, we’re breathing the same air,” he added.

The bill represents a potential shift in Philadelphia’s waste management strategy, balancing energy production and environmental responsibility. It highlights growing awareness of how waste-to-energy solutions can impact both local communities and neighboring cities.

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Philadelphia Honors McKinley: Inside the Monument at City Hall

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Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia, a city once favored by President William McKinley, moved quickly to honor the late leader following his tragic assassination in 1901. McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, had often spoken warmly of the city, once declaring, “There is no city I like to visit more than Philadelphia.”

Story Highlights

President William McKinley favored Philadelphia, calling it “his favorite city to visit.”
The Inquirer led the effort to establish a memorial after McKinley’s 1901 assassination.
The newspaper pledged $1,000, and city fundraising brought the total to $44,000 (nearly $1.4 million today).
The nine-foot bronze McKinley monument in Philadelphia was unveiled on June 6, 1908.
The statue stands on the south side of Philadelphia City Hall, not in Fairmount Park as originally planned.

Just days after the president became the third U.S. leader to be assassinated in office, Philadelphia’s leading newspaper, The Inquirer, took the initiative to create a lasting memorial. On September 17, 1901, the newspaper ran a front-page editorial with the headline: “Let a Monument To McKinley Rise in Philadelphia.”

The editorial emphasized Philadelphia’s significance, calling it “the most representative American city” and noting that it was fitting “that a shaft of enduring granite or marble should be reared to commemorate the life and rulership and martyr-like death of the President.”

James Elverson, the British-born owner and publisher of The Inquirer, had described the newspaper as “steadily and vigorously Republican in its political policy,” reflecting the paper’s alignment with McKinley’s party. The editorial went on to urge fellow newspapers, including The Public Ledger, as well as the city and local banks, to join in the campaign to fund the monument.

The following day, September 18, 1901, The Inquirer pledged its own support, announcing it would contribute $1,000 to the memorial fund. In today’s terms, this donation would equal roughly $40,000. The editorial noted, “He loved Philadelphia. He had good reason.”

The fundraising campaign quickly gained momentum. Citizens across the city contributed about $12,000 (nearly $400,000 today), while a separate monument committee raised an additional $32,000 from businesses and other donors. The collective effort demonstrated the city’s admiration for McKinley and its determination to honor his memory with a prominent landmark.

The resulting McKinley monument in Philadelphia is a nine-foot bronze likeness of the fallen president, carefully sculpted to capture even his deepest features. While initially planned for Fairmount Park, the monument was ultimately placed on the south side of Philadelphia City Hall. It was officially unveiled on June 6, 1908, where it still stands as a testament to both McKinley’s legacy and the city’s commitment to preserving history.

Philadelphia’s McKinley monument remains a symbol of civic pride, connecting past and present and reminding residents and visitors alike of the city’s historical role in honoring national leaders.

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George Soros Donation Fuels Gavin Newsom’s Redistricting Battle

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California’s high-stakes redistricting fight has drawn a $10 million boost from billionaire investor George Soros, a longtime progressive benefactor whose spending has become a lightning rod in national politics. The contribution, first reported by the New York Times, is the single largest to date for Proposition 50, the ballot measure backed by Governor Gavin Newsom to redraw the state’s congressional maps.

Story Highlights

George Soros donates $10 million to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 redistricting campaign
Labor unions, a Democratic PAC, and wealthy liberal donors have raised over $30 million in total
New House maps could remove up to six Republican incumbents while strengthening Democratic seats
Soros previously spent $1 million defending Newsom during the 2021 recall election
Republicans call Soros’s influence “outside interference,” making the measure a highly partisan national fight

Democratic strategists say the George Soros donation highlights the urgency of the campaign. Labor unions, a national Democratic political action committee, and a network of wealthy liberal donors have already raised more than $30 million to push the measure ahead of the November vote. Supporters argue the proposed House maps would create fairer representation and end years of gerrymandering. Critics say the effort is a power grab designed to shore up Democratic seats.

“This is about ensuring California’s voters get a fair shake,” a Newsom campaign adviser said in a statement. “Governor Newsom welcomes the support of anyone who wants fair maps for all Californians.”

According to filings, the new House maps could force out up to six Republican incumbents while solidifying Democratic strongholds. The scope of the change has turned what might have been a low-profile state issue into a national fight watched closely in Washington.

Soros is no stranger to California politics. In 2021, he spent $1 million to help Newsom defeat a recall attempt. He has also bankrolled campaigns to elect progressive prosecutors who favor lighter sentencing and increased police accountability — policies that have brought him fierce criticism from conservatives.

“Republicans see George Soros as a symbol of outside influence,” said a GOP strategist opposed to Proposition 50. “This donation will only intensify opposition to what they view as a partisan redistricting scheme.”

Political scientists note that Soros’s involvement is likely to harden partisan lines around Proposition 50. For Democrats, his support is a sign of momentum and financial muscle. For Republicans, it’s evidence of what they describe as “big-money liberal interference.”

With weeks left before voters cast their ballots, the George Soros donation to Gavin Newsom’s redistricting campaign ensures the debate over California’s congressional boundaries will remain a headline-grabbing issue far beyond the state’s borders.

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Sesame Place San Diego Closes Until 2026: Passholders React to Surprise Seasonal Shift

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CHULA VISTA, Calif. — In a major operational change, Sesame Place San Diego announced on Sept. 15 that it will move from year-round operations to a seasonal schedule. The park will shut its gates on Sept. 21 and is not scheduled to reopen until May 2026, according to its online calendar.

A spokesperson for Sesame Place San Diego told SFGATE by email, “By focusing on our most popular times of year, we can deliver the best possible experience from the moment guests arrive until the moment they leave.”

Story Highlights

Park closure: Ends daily operations Sept. 21, 2024; reopening May 2026
Event cancellations: Count’s Halloween Spooktacular and A Very Furry Christmas dropped
Compensation: 2025 season passholders offered SeaWorld “Fun Cards”
Ownership: Park operated by United Parks and Resorts, also owner of SeaWorld San Diego

Background on the Park

Opened in 2022 in its current form, Sesame Place San Diego blends theme park rides with water attractions and interactive shows. The Chula Vista park features parades and meet-and-greets with Sesame Street favorites such as Elmo, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie.

Impact on Passholders

To offset the closure, the park said it would issue SeaWorld “Fun Cards” with unlimited admission to 2025 season passholders. Single-day ticket holders have been given options to rebook for 2026, switch their ticket to SeaWorld San Diego or request a refund.

But many loyal customers said the sudden announcement left them frustrated and scrambling.

Hayley Porter, a resident of the San Gabriel Valley, told SFGATE she had purchased a pass for the end of 2025 through 2026 and had been looking forward to returning with her daughter after a visit in May 2024.

After learning of the closure, Porter posted on the park’s Instagram account, calling the move “outrageous” and “unprofessional.”

In a direct message to SFGATE, she added, “We are not happy with the news, there was no notice or any type of communication. Not a big fan of SeaWorld, so we are not happy. … So sick of these big corporations taking advantage.”

Complaints Over Refunds and Cancellations

Nikki Lincoln Williams, a San Diego resident, said she purchased four 2026 passes during a promotion that included the rest of 2025. Because her passes are technically for 2026, she said she was not offered a SeaWorld Fun Card.

“I’m going to work with my credit card to cancel the charges and get a refund on what I’ve already paid because the park is not delivering what I paid for,” Williams told SFGATE in a direct message. “I tried reaching out through their website when I heard the news, and have not heard a response.”

Williams also expressed disappointment about the loss of seasonal events. “We were looking forward to the Halloween and Christmas events,” she said. “The park has always done a good job of decorating and having meet and greets with the characters and a special show.”

Travel Plans Disrupted

The cancellation of fall and winter programs at Sesame Place San Diego has also affected out-of-state visitors.

“My family planned to travel from out of state to attend the Halloween Spooktacular,” wrote Sel Ruiz on the park’s Facebook page. “How do you expect people to plan entire vacations around your posted operating schedule and pull the plug with less than two weeks’ notice?”

Corporate Ownership and Next Steps

Parent company United Parks and Resorts owns both Sesame Place San Diego and SeaWorld San Diego. The abrupt shift means the Count’s Halloween Spooktacular and A Very Furry Christmas are canceled for 2024 and 2025.

According to the park calendar, Sesame Place San Diego is slated to reopen in May 2026 under its new seasonal schedule.

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California’s Jewelflowers: Rare Wildflowers Racing Against Climate Change

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The small, bell-shaped blooms that sway like tiny jewels in the breeze give jewelflowers their evocative name. In dazzling shades of yellow, maroon, purple, brown and white, these plants light up the Sierra foothills, arid deserts, coastal bluffs and grasslands of California. Despite their exotic appearance, jewelflowers belong to the humble mustard family.

More than 60 species are scattered across the state. Some have incredibly restricted ranges. Farnworth’s jewelflower (Streptanthus farnsworthianus) grows only in the Sierra foothills. The striking Mount Tamalpais jewelflower (Streptanthus batrachopus) clings to the slopes of a single peak just north of San Francisco. Such endemism makes these wildflowers both captivating and vulnerable.

📌 Story Highlights

Jewelflowers (Streptanthus and Caulanthus) are endemic California wildflowers, with many species found only in one location.
They originated in arid southwestern deserts 2–5 million years ago and spread north into California’s Mediterranean climate.
A new study shows jewelflowers survive by altering their germination and flowering schedules rather than evolving new climate tolerances.
Seeds sprout after first rains, then bloom during the hottest, driest part of the year — regardless of region.
High habitat specificity leaves many species endangered and at risk from climate change.

A Long Journey From the Desert

The evolutionary story of jewelflowers stretches back millions of years. These plants began in the arid deserts of the Southwest and slowly moved north, establishing themselves from Baja California to Oregon. They now thrive in environments that seem far removed from their desert origin, including cooler, wetter regions of California’s Mediterranean climate.

For decades, botanists assumed this expansion was powered by classic adaptation — that jewelflowers evolved to tolerate a wide range of temperatures and rainfall. But a new study has upended that assumption.

Changing the Schedule, Not the DNA

Researchers discovered that jewelflowers’ real secret lies not in genetic overhaul but in the timing of their lives.

“Jewelflowers are really amazing plants,” said Megan Bontrager, study co-author and botanist at the University of Toronto.

She continued:

“It’s one of the groups of flowers that have figured out how to complete their life cycle under the constraints of that super dry spring and summer.”

The team examined 14 species and found a striking pattern. All of them — whether in hot deserts or cooler northern hills — germinated after the first rains and flowered during the driest, hottest part of the year. Even in mild regions, jewelflowers actively sought drought-prone soils with poor water retention, echoing the deserts of their ancestry.

Evidence Hidden in Herbarium Drawers

The researchers based their findings on nearly 2,000 herbarium specimens from the Consortium of California Herbaria. Each specimen included the location and date of collection. When paired with historic climate data, the records allowed scientists to reconstruct when the plants sprouted and how old they were.

The result was a clear picture: regardless of geography, jewelflowers consistently synchronized their life stages with the onset of heat and dryness.

Vulnerability in a Warming World

This survival tactic has limits. Many jewelflower species are already threatened. The California jewelflower (Caulanthus californicus) and the Tiburon jewelflower (Streptanthus glandulosus niger) are listed as endangered due to habitat loss, overgrazing, urban development and pollinator decline.

As climate change reshapes California, scientists expect the first rains — the vital cue for jewelflower germination — to arrive later in the year. This would compress the plants’ already tight growing window.

“If they can’t flower in time and produce seeds, fewer and fewer plants will appear in subsequent years,” Bontrager warned.

Pollinators Out of Sync

There is also the risk of a timing mismatch with pollinators. If insects emerge earlier than the jewelflowers bloom, fewer seeds may be produced. Such mismatches have been documented in other plant–pollinator systems and could accelerate declines.

Isabela Lima Borges, an expert in rare plants at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden who was not involved in the study, underscored the implications:

“This study shows how creatively using natural history collections can reveal the ecological limits of rare plants. These flowers may look widespread but still have very specific needs.”

Preserving Refuges

With intense heat waves, prolonged droughts, extreme rainfall and larger wildfires already altering California’s landscapes, protecting the refuges where jewelflowers can persist may be the only way to secure their future. Conservationists argue that understanding their unique survival strategy is a first step toward safeguarding these rare gems of the state’s flora.

Jewelflowers may have learned to adjust their clocks, but in a rapidly changing climate, even their finely tuned timing could be tested.

California’s jewelflowers are more than dazzling wildflowers; they’re a lesson in survival. By shifting their germination and flowering schedules instead of evolving new traits, these endemic plants have thrived for millennia. Yet their highly specific habitats leave them vulnerable to delayed rains, hotter summers and disrupted pollination under climate change. Without protecting refuges and pollinator networks, even this clever timing strategy may not save California’s rarest blooms. Safeguarding jewelflowers now means preserving a unique piece of the state’s natural heritage.

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Indian Techie Mohammed Nizamuddin Shot Dead by Santa Clara Police After Stabbing Call Sparks Racial Bias Debate

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Santa Clara, California: The death of Indian techie Mohammed Nizamuddin after an officer-involved shooting by the Santa Clara Police has shaken the Indian community in the United States and raised questions about racial discrimination and police response. Nizamuddin, 30, was originally from Mahabubnagar, Telangana, and had been working for a Santa Clara-based technology company.

According to authorities, the incident unfolded on 3 September after a 911 call reported a stabbing at a residential property. Responding officers found Nizamuddin allegedly pinning down his injured roommate while holding a knife.

In a statement, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) said:

“SCPD officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an officer-involved shooting. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.”

Police confirmed that the injured roommate was admitted to hospital and is reported to be recovering. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is jointly investigating the case with SCPD, and officials describe the probe as “active and open.”

📌 Story Highlights

Indian techie Mohammed Nizamuddin, 30, from Mahabubnagar, Telangana, shot dead by Santa Clara Police
Officers say he was holding a knife and pinning his injured roommate on arrival
Officer-involved shooting under joint probe by SCPD and Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office
Family alleges he called 911 himself and had faced racial harassment at work
Ministry of External Affairs urged to intervene for repatriation of remains

Family Rejects Official Account

Relatives of Mohammed Nizamuddin dispute the police version of events. They insist that it was Nizamuddin himself who called 911 seeking help and that he did not pose a threat requiring deadly force.

Family members described him as a “quiet and religious man” who had faced multiple personal and professional challenges in the U.S., including racial discrimination at work. They said he had publicly spoken about harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination.

LinkedIn Post Raises Questions

Adding to the controversy is a LinkedIn post attributed to Nizamuddin. In the post, he wrote:

“I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage fraud, wrongful termination and obstruction of justice. Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end.”

He also alleged food poisoning, eviction and surveillance by a supposed detective. These claims are now being cited by his family as they call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death at the hands of the Santa Clara Police.

Call for Indian Government Intervention

The family has appealed to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for assistance in repatriating his remains, which are being held at a hospital in Santa Clara pending formalities.

Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek, said:

“I have written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging the Indian Embassy in Washington and the Consulate in San Francisco to intervene and provide a detailed report.”

For now, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Clara Police say the investigation remains ongoing. The case has become a flashpoint for discussions on the safety of Indian tech workers in the U.S., racial discrimination, and the use of force by law enforcement.

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