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Los Angeles Times •

In the Coachella Valley, a team of middle school girls is helping keep escaramuza alive 

COACHELLA, Calif. — Donning a bright red Adelita dress, a large beige sombrero and a silky bow tied to her hair, Rashel Zamorez rode her horse Bombón up to the starting line.She was preparing to compete in a friendly, untimed carrera con giros — an event in which riders guide their horses at top speed around a circular arena while completing three rotations at designated intervals.The race was the last act of her team’s performances, meant to show off their new skills to a small crowd of relativ...
Los Angeles Times •

The Chicano artist melting ice blocks in Riverside has a bigger story to tell

Some SoCal residents spent their summer at the beach, or at their local rooftop pool; others spent it indoors, hiding from ICE agents. It’s why Riverside artist Perry Picasshoe spent his summer documenting the melting of 36 ice blocks on sidewalks across the Inland Empire.He traveled to nine locations, a mix of parks, storefronts and gas stations, where immigration enforcement raids have taken place in the past few weeks. In each spot, he placed four 25-pound ice blocks on the ground and took ph...
Los Angeles Times •

After decades in prison, he transformed himself into the Inland Empire's homeboy news anchor

In prison and seemingly unable to escape a destructive cycle that began when he was a child, Ahmed Bellozo spent hours watching investigative journalism shows, educational documentaries and Huell Howser’s homespun travelogue, “California’s Gold.” It was a way, he said, to distract from his pain.Years later, out of prison and wanting a drastic change in his life, Bellozo turned to those shows for inspiration as he reinvented himself on social media as the star of “On the Tira” — a video series th...
Los Angeles Times •

Regional Mexican acts contributed millions of dollars at L.A.’s venues post-pandemic

During the final night of Grupo Firme’s 2021 stint of seven sold-out shows at what was then called Staples Center, frontman Eduin Caz launched into “En Tu Perra Vida” — “In Your Bitch Life” — by singing its chorus a capella.Standing in the back and wearing matching white Dodgers-inspired jerseys that read “Gracías L.A.,” the rest of the septet waited for Caz to finish before joining in. The crowd exploded with cheers and applause. “It was like a party happening onstage,” recalled Hallie Yavitch,...
KQED •

Tio's Tacos, a 30-Year Journey of Authentic Mexican Cuisine and Recycled Art

“I saw an opportunity in the garbage, in recycling,” Sanchez said. “I don’t have money to buy materials, but I have bottles. I have cans. I have what the restaurant throws away.”

Sanchez’s love for his hometown of Sahuayo, in the Mexican state of Michoacánis, is reflected in many of his pieces.

“Here we have ‘The Dance of the Old Men,’” Martín said as he pointed to a statue of traditional folk dancers in his back patio. “I always wanted to create different spaces. If you notice here, this dini
KQED •

Salvadoran American Voters in San Francisco Divided Over Tough-on-Crime Approach

Salvadorans are the second-largest Latino population in San Francisco, and with concerns about rising crime throughout the city, the idea of voting for a more law-and-order-leaning candidate is a political force in the community. Bukele’s popularity, however, has also moved progressives in the area to mobilize against the Salvadoran president’s influence abroad and in San Francisco.

Calderon, 73, is firmly in the law-and-order camp. She recounted the danger she faced in El Salvador from both it
Golden Gate Xpress •

Profesores de CFA participan en huelga en SFSU para un mejor contrato laboral

Daniel Hernandez (he/him) is a transfer student from the Inland Empire majoring in bilingual journalism. He also oversees Golden Gate Xpress' Spanish section. His passion for storytelling and journalism started after he bought his first camera six years ago. What began as a fascination for taking photos and videos grew into a passion for multimedia journalism. When he isn't researching for an article or working as the Spanish editor, he explores the Bay Area or falls down a YouTube rabbit hole.
Golden Gate Xpress •

Live Updates: CSU Board of Trustees votes to increase tuition

California State Student Association president Dominic Quan Treseler and students sitting in the meeting walk out.

The proposed amendment to reduce the five year tuition increase to four years fails 8-12.

Student trustee Diana Aguilar-Cruz has motioned to reduce the five-year hike proposal to four years as a way to compromise on students paying up to $7,682 by fall 2028. With this proposed amendment, tuition would be raised by $7,248 by fall 2027.

However, trustee Jack McGrory believes that t

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The Riverside Record •

Riverside Unified Highlights Career Readiness Programs At State Of The District Event

Over the past year, Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) officials have touted its Career Technical Education (CTE) programs for being able to prepare students for real world scenarios. 
Those skills were put on display yesterday at the annual state of the district event, RUSD’s Superintendent Sonia Llamas said, noting that students and staff had just two days to move the event to a new indoor location due to the potential for rain. 


“That is what this evening is about, not simply celebra...
The Riverside Record •

Riversiders Say Regional Roots, Experience Important For Next City Manager

A group of about a dozen Riverside residents voiced their thoughts about what the city should look for in a new city manager at a Wednesday forum. 
“[The city manager] works for the public, so you gotta get the public’s opinion of what’s happening in the city,” Frank Yost, a 54-year resident of Ward 5, said at the event. “People came up with some comments I’ve never heard before, but they’re good. It’s good to let [the next city manager] answer to those questions.”


Recruitment firm Jacob Gree...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Candidates Discuss Street Repairs, Homelessness, AI And More Ahead Of Election 

Welcome to The Riverside Record’s voter information guide for the November 3 Riverside City Council election where voters in Wards 2 and 4 will cast their ballots to decide who will represent them for the next four years.
The Riverside Record sent questionnaires to the four candidates about several citywide issues to help voters make more informed decisions for themselves, their families and their communities. Don’t know which ward you’re in? You can look that up here.


Use the links below to...
The Riverside Record •

Resident Commission Recommends New Name For Cesar Chavez Community Center

After months of collecting community feedback, the city of Riverside is one step closer to renaming a community center named after labor rights leader Cesar Chavez, who earlier this year was accused of sexual abuse.  
The Riverside Park and Recreation Commission Monday voted 5-2 to recommend the council rename the city-owned building as the Eastside Community Center.


“Arlanza, Casa Blanca, Eastside, this is how Riverside knows its locations,” Commissioner Oz Puerta said at the October 19 meet...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Unified Candidates Talk Test Scores, AI And More Ahead Of Election

There are three candidates running for the Riverside Unified School District Board of Education Trustee Area 1 seat this November.
Earlier this month, The Riverside Record interviewed the candidates about several districtwide issues to help voters make more informed decisions for themselves, their families and their communities. Don’t know which trustee area you’re in? You can look that up here.


Before diving into the issues, get to know who’s on the ballot and why they’re running. The candid...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Committee Sends 2 Data Center Policy Proposals To Council For Review

Riverside’s Land Use Committee Tuesday directed city staff to present the full city council with two potential policy options next month that would put a pause on the acceptance, processing or approval of applications related to data centers. 
“I don’t think we can afford to have something like large-scale data centers coming to Riverside,” Councilmember Sean Mill said during the October 13 special committee meeting. “I think it’s important that we get out in front of it before we have a bunch o...
The Riverside Record •

3 Inland Empire Mayors Urge Residents To Vote Yes On Prop 1

Three Inland Empire mayors last Friday called on voters to support a California housing bond on the November 3 ballot, which they said would help address the issue of affordable housing in the region.
“It gives us more affordable homes, the ability to build those and gives more of our residents the opportunity to build a life in the community they love,” Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said at the October 9 press conference.


The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 is a state...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Unified Candidates Discuss Declining Enrollment, Measure O at Community Forum

The three Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education candidates discussed districtwide issues like declining enrollment and Measure O bond spending at a forum put on last week by a local neighborhood group.
The Mission Grove Neighborhood Alliance, a community organization that advocates for residents living in a neighborhood split between Ward 2 and 4, held a candidate forum October 7 at the Orange Terrace Community Center.


The group invited several local political hopefuls t...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Candidates Talk Policy, Issues At Community Forum

The four Riverside City Council candidates this week discussed regional issues like warehouses, data centers and campaign contribution limits at a forum put on by a local neighborhood group.
The Mission Grove Neighborhood Alliance, a community organization that advocates for residents living in a neighborhood split between Ward 2 and 4, held a candidate forum October 7 at the Orange Terrace Community Center.


The group invited several local political hopefuls, including the four council candid...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Hires First Inspector General 2 Years After Voter Approval

Almost two years after voters approved Measure L, the city of Riverside has appointed its first inspector general. 
“This is very unique, the first of its kind, and I’m actually very glad that Riverside is paving the way,” Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, who served on the subcommittee tasked with establishing the office’s parameters, said during the October 6 meeting. “I do believe we went as fast as we could to make sure we could bring something back that is strong and that could fulfill what...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Unified Opens 900 Seats To Nonresidential Students As Part Of Statewide Program

The Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education Thursday unanimously approved a resolution opening up enrollment to nonresident students for the upcoming school year, continuing its streak as one of a handful of districts in Southern California participating in the state program. 
“If you lived outside the district, the best way to come in is to come in through a District of Choice transfer,” Deputy Superintendent Tim Walker said during the October 1 meeting. “Once you get here,...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Committee Looks To Amend Mobile Home Rules Despite Pushback From Park Owners

Riverside’s Housing and Homelessness Committee Monday moved forward with researching possible updates of its mobile home park rent stabilization rules to clarify which fees could be passed down to tenants and restrict rent increases for certain lease transfers. Councilmember Sean Mill, who serves on the committee, was absent.
“The annual review is important, especially right now at this moment of time, because the cost of living has just never been as high as it has before,” Councilmember Claris...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Police Say 17 Smoke Shops Closed Following Investigation Into Alleged Criminal Activity

The Riverside Police Department (RPD) announced Thursday that 17 smoke shops across Riverside, including nine in the Magnolia Avenue Corridor, have been shut down after months of investigations into alleged criminal activity.
The announcement comes after months of increased efforts by the Riverside City Council to crack down on the shops and certain product sales. 


“I’m not sad to see an empty storefront when a business that was operating outside the rules and outside the law and preying on t...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Sends E-Bike Ordinance To Committee For Further Review

The Riverside City Council Tuesday unanimously decided to hold off on amending city code to add regulations on e-bikes, opting instead to have the ordinance further reviewed by a council-led committee. Councilmember Philip Falcone was absent. 
“I want to make sure that we’re not banning e-bikes from the Santa Ana River Trail,” Councilmember Sean Mill, who worked on the ordinance, said during the September 22 meeting. “We need to be mindful of the fact that there are pedestrians that are using th...
The Riverside Record •

Reflections On A Year With The Riverside Record

Dear reader, 


I was recently asked if being a journalist was something I dreamed about since childhood.


“Not really,” I recall saying after pausing to think for a few moments. “But now that I am one, I can’t envision myself doing anything else.” 



Today marks four years since The Riverside Record published its first story, and as both a Riverside County native and the publication’s first full-time reporter, I am honored to be part of this local nonprofit newsroom’s growth and history....
The Riverside Record •

RUSD Board Votes To Keep Public Comment Status Quo Despite Repeated Pushback

Despite repeated pushback from two of its trustees, the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education voted 4-2 to maintain the board’s ability to host public comment before a topic’s presentation. 
The decision to uphold the status quo came after several board discussions on how to best conduct public meetings after Board President Noemi Alexander Hernandez moved public comment to near the beginning of the meeting at the start of her presidential tenure. 


“This is a process tha...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Approves Specialty Alcohol Shop In Magnolia Center Neighborhood

The Riverside City Council Tuesday unanimously upheld a high-end wine and spirit store’s appeal to open the business at the site of a former party supply store in Ward 3 despite previously being denied by a resident advisory commission. Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes abstained from the vote. 
“The biggest issue is, when people hear [about a] wine spirit store, they hear [about a] tasting bar, they might immediately jump to the worst case conclusion,” Councilmember Steven Robillard, who represe...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Establishes Temporary Committee To Research Artificial Intelligence

In response to the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), the Riverside City Council Tuesday established a temporary committee tasked with researching the technology and creating citywide policy recommendations.
“Artificial intelligence is going to change the way we work, the way businesses operate and the way cities provide services,” Councilmember Steven Robillard, who suggested the working group, said during the September 15 meeting. “I don’t think Riverside should wait for thos...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Committee Recommends Temporary Data Center Pause

The Riverside Land Use Committee Monday unanimously voted to direct city staff to draft a 90-day moratorium on data center applications to be brought before the Riverside City Council for discussion at a future meeting. 
The temporary pause, if approved, would give the city time to research and put together a presentation on potential data center regulations — including a possible ban — for the Land Use Committee to review in the coming months. 


“The full city council, yet, is not debating if...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Hopes To Grow Tourism, Local Economy With New Competition Between Universities

Several Riverside organizations, including Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson’s office, this week announced a new spin on a longtime local athletic rivalry between the city’s two Division I universities as part of an effort to increase tourism and support the local economy. 
“As we continue to grow our sports, entertainment and recreation opportunities, events like this gives us a chance to showcase Riverside to new audiences,” Dawson said in an email to The Riverside Record. “The more visibility we can...
The Riverside Record •

The Riverside Unified School District Election Is Set. Here’s What You Need To Know

There are two Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education seats up for grabs in the upcoming November 3 general election, with three candidates hoping to represent Trustee Area 1 and an unopposed candidate seeking reelection to the Trustee Area 5 seat. 
Incumbent Trustee Noemi Hernandez Alexander, retired superintendent Jinane Annous and local business owner Duffy Atkinson are running to represent  Trustee Area 1. 


The winning candidate would represent Riverside Unified’s sout...
The Riverside Record •

Developer Plans To Convert Motels Near Tyler Mall To Affordable Senior Housing

Two motels near Riverside’s Ward 6 portion of the Magnolia Avenue corridor could be converted into affordable housing for seniors, according to a report shared Monday with the Housing and Homelessness Committee.
“Converting these hotels, which are a huge issue in our area, to senior affordable housing is obviously a much better use of these properties,” Councilmember Luis Hernandez said during the August 31 committee meeting. “I’m really excited about this [proposed] project.”


Allied Argenta,...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Partners With Tech Training Nonprofit As Part Of Push To Create Workforce Pipeline

Riverside officials have taken another step toward establishing a workforce development pipeline for jobs in emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing fields. 
The council voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve a non-binding collaboration with the nonprofit Institute for Veterans and Emerging Technology Skills (iVETS) and its for-profit counterpart StemWorx. 


The nonprofit iVETS would prioritize preparing veterans and underserved communities in the region to work in emerging fields like artifici...
The Riverside Record •

RUSD Vows Greater Transparency After Reviewing State Audit Findings

The Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education Thursday vowed it would be more transparent with the public on how it plans to spend bond money after reviewing the findings of a state audit report on the now-shelved STEM academy expansion project. 
“Although we complied with the law, transparency, confusion and mistrust developed by not including new schools in the long-range facility plan and on the ballot,” Trustee Dale Kinnear said at the August 27 school board meeting. “Much...
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