Los Angeles continued its ongoing struggle with rampant homelessness and crumbling infrastructure this week, with residents complaining of “rotting trash piles” that are attacking rats and posing a major risk to the health of residents and tourists.
“Rat-infested piles of rotting garbage left uncollected by the city of Los Angeles, even after promises to clean it up, are fueling concerns about a new epidemic after last year’s record number of flea-borne typhus cases,” reports NBC Los Angeles.
“Even the city’s most notorious trash pile, located between downtown LA’s busy Fashion and Produce districts, continues to be a magnet for rats after it was cleaned up months ago. The rodents can carry typhus-infected fleas, which can spread the disease to humans through bacteria rubbed into the eyes or cuts and scrapes on the skin, resulting in severe flu-like symptoms,” adds the article.
BAD EDUCATION: California Moves to BAN SCHOOLS from Suspending Students for ‘Willful Defiance’
The California State Senate voted this week to ban public and charter schools from suspending their students for acts of “willful defiance” against educators, administrators, and other staffers.
“Under the new version (Senate Bill 419), students in grades 4-8 wouldn’t be suspended for disrupting school activities or willfully defying school authorities, including teachers and staff. The bill would also ban schools from suspending students in grades 9-12 for the same thing until January 1, 2025. The law would apply to both public and charter schools,” reports CBS Sacramento.
According to the legislation, students can still be removed for other violations, including acts of violence, physical threats, possession of drugs and weapons, destruction of property, and more.
A similar bill was vetoed by former California Governor Jerry Brown.
“Teachers and principals are on the front lines educating our children and are in the best position to make decisions about order and discipline in the classroom,” he said at the time.
Read the full report at CBS Sacramento.
BLUE STATE BLUES: California Gas Prices SPIKE, Could Hit $4 Per Gallon for Millions
Millions of Californians have seen a massive increase for the price of gasoline in recent days; with several stations across the state charging $4 per gallon -a cost much higher than the national average of $2.75.
“A survey of more than 5,000 gas stations conducted by AAA shows that the average price for a gallon of regular gas is now $2.75, up 11% in the last month. And the average price is already above $3 a gallon in six western states: California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Alaska,” reports KTLA.
“Four-dollar gas is the average in a couple of California counties — San Luis Obispo and Mono. Many others are within a few cents of that mark, including San Francisco, where the average price is $3.98,” adds the article.
The rising prices come as Californians may soon face a series of new taxes from local officials, with the State government weighing whether to increase fees on drinking water, tires, pain medications, and more.
Read the full report here.