Commentary

On Your November Ballot: Prop 45 Would Speed Up Environmental and Public Project Reviews

OAKLAND POST — The Committee to Build an Affordable California is leading the Yes on Proposition 45campaign. Supporters include Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland); the Agricultural Council of California; American Clean Power California; the California Building Industry Association; the California Chamber of Commerce; the California Council for Affordable Housing; the Housing Action Coalition; and Reform California.

Published

3 hours ago

September 14, 2026

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By Austin Gage, California Black Media

In November, California voters will decide on Proposition (Prop) 45, also known as the “Building an Affordable California Act” or the Expedited Environmental Review Process for Certain Projects Initiative.

If approved, the initiative would change the environmental review process established under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. Enacted in 1970, CEQA requires state and local agencies to identify and disclose the potential environmental effects of projects they propose to carry out, fund or approve. Agencies must also consider feasible alternatives and measures to avoid or reduce significant environmental harm. The law generally applies to projects that require discretionary government approval and could cause a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.

The Committee to Build an Affordable California is leading the Yes on Proposition 45campaign. Supporters include Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland); the Agricultural Council of California; American Clean Power California; the California Building Industry Association; the California Chamber of Commerce; the California Council for Affordable Housing; the Housing Action Coalition; and Reform California.

“Californians have too long paid the price for bureaucratic red tape and delays, and they’re ready for solutions. Voters are eager to modernize the project approval process so we can build what we need, bring costs down, and make California more affordable. We can protect the environment and good-paying jobs while delivering the essential projects California urgently needs,” said Jennifer Barrera, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce.

Supporters argue that accelerating the review process would reduce costs and help address the state’s housing shortage.

People Over Polluters is leading the No on Proposition 45 campaign. Other opponents include the California Democratic Party, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, the California Public Interest Research Group, Clean Water Action, Clean and Healthy California, the National Parks Conservation Association and Sierra Club California.

Opponents argue that the measure would sacrifice environmental protections and public oversight in the interest of speed. They contend that Proposition 45 could make it easier for polluting or environmentally harmful projects to adversely affect communities. They also emphasize the importance of maintaining existing review and public comment periods, as well as the public’s ability to challenge project approvals in court.

“We know that what they are really trying to do is eliminate a lot of the environmental safeguards that have existed for a long time. People have to read long technical documents to get a better understanding of whether a project is right or wrong for their community. It takes time for us to do discovery and have conversations with neighbors. Our input needs to be valued,” Miguel Miguel, director of Sierra Club California, said.

Prop 45 would also establish new tribal consultation requirements. Qualifying projects would first be screened to identify potentially affected federally recognized tribes, followed by formal consultation when required.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), the measure would tighten deadlines for environmental reviews, permits and court challenges while changing what courts may consider in related lawsuits.

A “yes” vote supports creating new review and court-challenge procedures for certain public and private projects, including tighter environmental review deadlines and limits on the scope of judicial review.

A “no” vote supports retaining the existing project-review and court-challenge procedures.

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Black History

BOOK REVIEW — Curved Air: A Biography of Sickle Cell Anemia and the Quest to Cure the First Molecular Disease

OAKLAND POST — Over decades, researchers worked haphazardly. Papers were written, treatments were tried, used, or discarded. Doctors discovered that genetic testing could prevent new cases, a heartbreak for would-be parents. Researchers discovered that “a perfect storm” of confluence spread SCD: malaria, human population, and mosquitoes.

Published

13 minutes ago

September 14, 2026

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By Kevin Davies

Copyright: c.2026, Publisher: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, SRP: $29.95, Page Count: 338 pages

Four weeks of testing, and you’re exhausted.

Two gallons of blood, maybe three, have been removed. No lie. You’ve laid on tables, slid through machines, been scanned so much you lost count and finally, your doctors have a diagnosis. As in the new book “Curved Air” by Kevin Davies, you have hope there’s a what next?

Though the disease was known in parts of Africa and likely existed here in the United States for hundreds of years, sickle cell disease (SCD) is a relative newcomer in disease research.

Says Davies, “Sickle cell was first identified more than 120 years ago” and it was considered as a “Black disease.” Because of that, discrimination followed “sickle cell warriors” and research was scant, though white people can and do get SCD.

With “agonizing” pain as a major symptom, “SCD is one of roughly seven thousand genetic diseases” currently known to science. When someone has SCD, a genetic mutation causes their red blood cells to curve and get stuck in blood vessels, rather than flowing freely as they should. This diminishes the oxygen supply “to various parts of the body… which causes inflammation and pain,” jaundice, stroke, and damaged organs. Anemia, Davies says, can leave a patient fatigued and short of breath. Anticipating pain crises causes anxiety and PTSD.

Says Davies, “More than forty million people carry” one copy of the genetic mutation that causes SCD, and “five hundred thousand affected” babies are born with the disease per year, worldwide.

Over decades, research was done haphazardly. Papers were written; treatments were tried, used, or discarded. Doctors discovered that genetic testing could prevent new cases, a heartbreak for would-be parents. Researchers discovered that “a perfect storm” of confluence spread SCD: malaria, human population, and mosquitoes.

There was always hope that someday, sickle cell disease might be cured.

Then, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) gene-editing therapy was approved by the FDA, and a brave volunteer named Victoria Gray stepped forward…

So, you want to – need to – learn more about sickle cell disease? Is it imperative for you? Then, this is your book. But there are things you’ll want to know before you dive into “Curved Air.”

Because author Kevin Davies is the editor of The CRISPR Journal, you can expect up-to-date, cutting-edge information; but that’s a two-sided coin: the information is heavy-duty, not always easy to grasp, and it’s burdened by acronyms that can be overwhelming. Yes, that’ll inform you, but it may also send you elsewhere for further understanding, which really should’ve come from this book.

And yet, if you or someone you love has SCD, this is your book. It explains where the disease came from, why it hasn’t been completely cured yet, and what kind of hope you can hold. It’s a good start on a path to comprehension.

Also, be aware that the narrative here is sometimes padded with journalistic fluff that might annoy you if you’re eager to get to the science. Indeed, “Curved Air” will teach you. Then again, it also might test you.

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Business

California’s Legal Cannabis Market Hits $8 Billion as State Touts Progress on Fighting Drugs, Crime

OAKLAND POST — “We are building a legal cannabis market that generates billions for Californians, and going after the illicit operators who undermine it,” said Newsom. “That’s public safety: protect consumers, support the businesses playing by the rules, and put the revenue to work in our communities.”

Published

53 minutes ago

September 14, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California’s legal cannabis market has generated nearly $8.4 billion in tax revenue since 2018 as the state ramps up enforcement against illegal drugs and touts declines in crime, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Sept. 2.

The cannabis revenue includes nearly $4.5 billion in excise taxes and nearly $3.4 billion in sales taxes. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, cannabis retailers remitted $261.7 million in cannabis excise and sales tax revenue.

The state uses cannabis revenue to support programs including childcare and early childhood development, youth substance abuse prevention, medical research and environmental recovery.

“We are building a legal cannabis market that generates billions for Californians, and going after the illicit operators who undermine it,” said Newsom. “That’s public safety: protect consumers, support the businesses playing by the rules, and put the revenue to work in our communities.”

California is also targeting illegal intoxicating products outside the regulated cannabis market. State officials have removed more than 15,000 illegal hemp, kratom, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, products from store shelves.

The enforcement effort resulted in the removal of 7,403 illegal hemp products and 7,888 kratom and 7-OH products. Officials reported compliance rates above 97% among Alcoholic Beverage Control licensees inspected for both categories.

The state has warned that kratom and 7-OH products have been linked to addiction, overdose and other serious health risks.

California is also using its law enforcement resources to target violent crime, drug trafficking and other criminal activity. Since 2023, CHP Crime Suppression Teams have made 15,197 arrests, recovered 7,042 stolen vehicles and seized 656 illicit firearms.

Since the teams expanded to six regions statewide in August 2025, they have also confiscated nearly 1.7 million grams of illegal drugs, including about 108 kilograms of fentanyl.

“Over the past few years, our Crime Suppression Teams have demonstrated the value of proactive, intelligence-driven enforcement,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said.

The Newsom administration says the efforts are part of a broader public safety strategy that combines regulation, enforcement, prevention and partnerships with local agencies.

California has also reported declines in major crime categories since 2024, including an 18.6% drop in homicides and a 25.8% decline in motor vehicle theft.

California officials say the combination of a regulated cannabis market, targeted enforcement and state-local law enforcement partnerships is helping protect consumers, disrupt illicit drug activity and improve public safety across the state.

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Commentary

Blacks and Latinos Clash Over LA’s Barrio Run; Mayor Karen Bass Calls for Dialogue Across Racial, Neighborhood Lines

OAKLAND POST — Leimert Park is widely regarded as the cultural heart of Black Los Angeles. Its weekly marketplace, food vendors and drum circle have long provided an economic and cultural gathering place for Black residents. That history, compounded with lingering concerns about gentrification and the city’s declining Black population, intensified sensitivity to the event’s promotion.

Published

2 hours ago

September 14, 2026

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Photo Courtesy of Mayor Karen Bass’s Facebook page.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged Black and Latino Angelenos to resolve their differences constructively after a dispute over a Latino-led running event planned for Leimert Park escalated into racial hostility online.

“Los Angeles is strongest when we listen to one another, treat every community with respect and work through our differences constructively,” Bass said in a statement she shared on Facebook.

Barrio Athletics, a grassroots fitness organization founded by South Central Los Angeles native Henry Gallardo, planned a 5K for Sept. 6. Participants were initially scheduled to meet in Leimert Park before running along Crenshaw Boulevard. In a promotional video,an organizer said the group would “take over the streets of Leimert Park.”

The language drew objections from Black residents and community leaders, who said organizers had not adequately consulted local stakeholders. They were also concerned that the gathering, which included plans for a DJ and vendors, would disrupt the Leimert Park Sunday Marketplace and other scheduled activities.

Leimert Park is widely regarded as the cultural heart of Black Los Angeles. Its weekly marketplace, food vendors and drum circle have long provided an economic and cultural gathering place for Black residents. That history, compounded with lingering concerns about gentrification and the city’s declining Black population, intensified sensitivity to the event’s promotion.

“This is a historic Black district which we fought for and built up, its arts district, its cultural hub,” KBLA radio host Dominique DiPrima told a local L.A. news station.

“You’re saying that you’re going to “take over” is sort of like the last stand for Black LA is problematic.”

In another widely circulated video, a woman warned organizers, “We don’t want you to come into Africa Town,” adding that they would be “met with resistance from the Black community.” A separate Black social media user suggested, “We should call ICE,” drawing condemnation amid federal immigration enforcement concerns affecting Latino communities.

Barrio Athletics said it did not condone “racism, violence or hate.” Black and Latino community organizers later joined the group for what local L.A. radio station KJLH described as a “tough but necessary conversation.”

KJLH posted a video of the discussion.

Following “careful conversation with community leaders,” Barrio Athletics relocated the run to Elysian Park “to respect Leimert Park and the surrounding community.”

Bass denied claims that she had ordered the move, saying she had not known about the dispute before its resolution.

“Bringing people across racial, cultural and neighborhood lines together has been the foundation of my life’s work,” Bass said, “and it continues to guide how I lead this city today.”