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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 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...
The Riverside Record •

Dispatches From Riverside County: Center for Employment Opportunities

For almost a year, Miguel Castañeda has supervised a crew of people tasked with clearing piles of trash and overgrown weeds collected on the sides of the freeways across the Inland Empire. 
He loves his job and interacting with his team on a daily basis, he said, especially since he didn’t expect to ever have the opportunity. 


“I’m a former lifer,” Castañeda said, referring to a felony conviction that led to a life sentence. “Before, I used to be the ongoing problem, unfortunately, but now it...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Proclaims Dell Roberts Day In Honor Of Longtime Community Leader

Residents filled every seat and covered almost every inch of the walls in the Riverside City Council chambers Tuesday as they came together to celebrate longtime community leader Dell Roberts.
“I want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart,” Roberts said during the August 25 public meeting. “I’ve been in Riverside 81 years, and I came here when I was 9 years old, and I can truthfully say, unlike some others, I’ve never wanted to be [in] any other place.”


Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson pro...
The Riverside Record •

‘I’m Calling ICE Next’: Immigrant Rights Groups Call For Action Following Viral Video

Three Inland Empire immigrant rights organizations called on Riverside officials to take action to protect workers without permanent legal status after a viral video showed a person at a hair salon threatening to call immigration enforcement agents on people standing under the shade of a tree. 
“We want justice, and that means justice for the workers here, that means justice for the people that were recording, and that means justice for all undocumented workers in Riverside,” Eddie Torres, polic...
The Riverside Record •

RPOA Joins Other State Agencies In Opposing Bill To Restrict License Plate Reader Tech

The Riverside Police Officers’ Association (RPOA), the union representing most of the city’s officers, has joined other California law enforcement agencies to oppose a local state senator’s attempt to add restrictions on automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. 
“Senate Bill 1013 is about one simple principle: Protecting the privacy of all Californians, immigrants and our most vulnerable communities while ensuring law enforcement tools are used responsibly,” Sen. Sabrina Cervantes (D-Ri...
The Riverside Record •

Campaign Finance Filings Show Large Gap In Riverside City Council Races

About a month after results for the June 2 primary election were certified, all 10 Riverside City Council candidates submitted their mid-year financial reports. 
Of the remaining Riverside City Council Ward 2 and 4 candidates who have moved on to the November 3 general election, records showed two candidates have outraised and outspent their competition by wide margins. 


The other six candidates, including those for Ward 6 where one candidate surpassed the 50% threshold required to win the se...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside, Housing Advocates Set To Meet For Mediation Amid State Civil Rights Probe

More than a dozen supporters of a rejected affordable housing project spoke during Tuesday’s Riverside City Council meeting, days before the state’s civil rights agency is set to hold mediation talks between city representatives and housing advocates.
“This week, you will have the opportunity to make a new decision, one that restores this much-needed housing initiative,” resident Ash Davis said at the August 11 meeting. “We can still house 100 people. 


“We can still have something that would...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside’s Healthy Lifestyle Initiative Ramping Up Efforts

After spending months grieving the untimely death of his husband, Jesus Lopez’s friend suggested he should sign up for the Mission Inn Run to help him break out of his routine. 
“It takes something like the passing of a loved one for you to really feel fearless,” Lopez said. “I was trying everything and anything, and I figured, ‘You know what? Yeah, let me at least try running a 5K.’”


With the help of a personal trainer, Lopez began preparing for his first 3.1 mile race, but felt like it wasn...
The Riverside Record •

Food Waste From LA Warehouse Fire Dumped In Corona Landfill

The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health said there have been no issues since Corona-based El Sobrante Landfill began taking in millions of pounds of rotten food from a Boyle Heights warehouse that caught fire in June.
“The waste that they’re bringing in is not hazardous — it is food waste — so that’s something that is assessed at the site before it’s even transported,” Sandi Salas, a spokesperson for the department, said. “As far as smells and odors, we have not had any smells or...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Gathers Community Input On Future Of Cesar Chavez Community Center

Riversiders came to the table this week armed with ideas for renaming the Cesar E. Chavez Community Center on the city’s Eastside. 


“I think there were some noteworthy contributions, suggestions and names for the city to consider,” said Art Alcaraz, a Riverside Latino Network board member tasked with leading the group through the discussion. “I think the city’s got a lot of content that they can assess and weigh and figure out how they’re going to handle it.” 


The Riverside Parks, Recreati...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside’s Latino Neighborhoods Most Impacted By Year Of Immigration Enforcement, Advocates Say

Guadalupe Flores has spent the last year responding to reports of federal immigration enforcement actions across the Inland Empire. 


“I have vulnerable family members and, just unfortunately, my family got caught in the crossfire,” she said. “It’s just not something that I could allow to happen to other families after it happened to mine.”


Flores, a Riverside resident, is part of a small volunteer network of IE-based legal observers tasked with watching immigration enforcement activities,...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Appoints Tom Hatch As Interim City Manager Amid Search For Permanent Replacement

The Riverside City Council Tuesday unanimously voted in closed session to appoint Tom Hatch as the interim city manager while the city continues its search for a permanent replacement.  Councilmembers Steve Hemenway and Chuck Conder were absent. 


“I’m so honored by your vote and trust that you put in me,” Hatch told the city council during its July 28 public meeting. “I’m going to work very hard to make you very proud of that vote and work very closely with you, and I’m excited about the oppo...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Interviews Inspector General Candidates In Closed Session

The Riverside City Council this week moved closer to hiring its first inspector general, fulfilling an obligation mandated by voters almost two years ago.


The council met in back-to-back closed session meetings Monday and Tuesday to interview finalists for the role, though Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes announced there had been no reportable action either day. The council is scheduled to continue its discussion in closed session next week.


Maggie Tanner, principal human resources analyst...
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