Leads:
- California Congressman Devin Nunes is leaving office at the end of the year. The Republican announced Monday that he is retiring from the House of Representatives and is set to become the CEO of former President Donald Trump's new media company. The former president confirmed the news, stating that Nunes will make an "excellent CEO" of Trump Media and Technology Group. Nunes has served in Congress since 2003 and represents California's 22nd District.
- Investor and anti-poverty activist Joe Sanberg is putting his money behind a move to get an $18 minimum wage initiative on next November's ballot. However, Sacramento State Economist Sanjay Varshney says it's small businesses who struggle amid wage increases and will continue to be impacted even more. Varshney believes legislators need to also address cost of living issues in California, rather than simply upping minimum wage rates.
- After a number of fights on campus, some teachers at a Sacramento high school are looking to leave. At Hiram Johnson High School, several fights have broken out leading to temporary lockdowns. Cassandra Drysdale, who is also a volleyball coach at the school, tried to break up a brawl on November 9th and got hit in the head that led to a concussion. Others have looked at early retirement or transferring to online learning because they are concerned about their personal safety. Some teachers surmise the pandemic and social isolation are factors in the rise of violent outbursts.
- San Mateo Rep. Jackie Speier threw her weight behind her one-time staffer, Assembly Member Kevin Mullin. Mullin was Speier’s district director when she was in the state Senate, and he was one of the first officials and political dignitaries to issue a statement after Speier’s surprise November announcement that she would not seek re-election.
Extra Stories:
- San Mateo Rep. Jackie Speier is endorsing Kevin Mullin.
- San Jose, California Mayor Sam Liccardo reacts to the White House claiming the coronavirus pandemic is the cause for the rise in smash-and-grab crime.