◇ Program Summary
1. California Governor Newsom signed a law banning grocery stores from using plastic shopping bags
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on Sunday (September 22) that bans all plastic shopping bags. When checking out at California grocery stores, “paper bag or plastic bag” will no longer be an option.
California already bans thin plastic shopping bags in supermarkets and other stores, but shoppers can buy thicker plastic bags that they say can be reused and recycled. The new measure, approved by state lawmakers last month, will ban all plastic shopping bags starting in 2026. Now, consumers will be asked directly if they want paper bags.
State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, one of the bill’s sponsors, said people don’t reuse or recycle plastic bags. She pointed to a state study that found the number of plastic shopping bags discarded per person grew from 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) per year in 2004 to 11 pounds (5 kilograms) per year in 2021. The California Public Interest Research Group said Sunday that the new law finally meets the intent of the original plastic bag ban. California has finally banned plastic bags at grocery store checkouts once and for all.
2. California squatters take over abandoned mansion
Recently, a former mansion in the Hollywood Hills area of California has become an eyesore after being taken over by squatters and graffiti painters.
Neighbors say the abandoned mansion is a headache and a safety hazard. The house is now covered in graffiti and squatters have been in and out for more than two years. “Every time we call, the police come to clean it up, and then within an hour or two, there will be five more people staying there overnight,” said the neighbor, who said there have been violent incidents at the property in the past.
The Los Angeles Police Department said police have been called to the home multiple times this month for trespassing and vandalism. There’s nothing police can do because it’s still owned by the homeowner. The owner is John Bowers Middleton, son of Phillies owner John S. Middleton, and other members of the family have no ownership, investment, control or involvement in the properties, according to public records. Neighbors said they will continue to fight for a solution, adding that they’re even considering the idea of possibly banding together to buy the property.
3. California firefighter arrested for allegedly starting 5 wildfires
A California firefighter was arrested Friday on suspicion of starting five different wildfires in the state over the past six weeks.
Robert Hernandez, a 38-year-old fire apparatus engineer, was arrested by Cal Fire marshals at a fire station in Mendocino County, California, on charges of “arson of woodland,” according to a press release from Cal Fire. The press release said Hernandez is suspected of intentionally starting five different fires while off duty between August 15 and September 14. All of the fires occurred in Sonoma County. Cal Fire said residents and fire suppression teams acted quickly to minimize the damage caused by the fires, and the Union Fire only burned one acre of land. Sonoma County Jail records show that Hernandez faces five counts of arson of woodland and is being held on bail at $2 million. It is unclear whether Hernandez has hired an attorney. A news investigation showed that more than 100 firefighters are arrested for arson each year.
