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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 To Test New Housing Development Strategy On University Avenue

The Riverside City Council Tuesday voted unanimously to pilot a year-long program on University Avenue that, if effective, could jumpstart housing development in the area, according to the city.


“One of the biggest things I’ve noticed over the last five years has been the challenge of being able to see some of these sites be able to move forward,” Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes said during the April 21 meeting. “So I hope that this pilot project could be a creative opportunity and solution...
The Riverside Record •

ACLU Files Civil Rights Complaint Against Riverside

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU) announced Tuesday it filed a complaint to the state’s civil rights agency alleging Riverside officials violated anti-discrimination laws before, during and after a vote to reject $20 million in state funds for an affordable housing project. 


“There were a number of comments made by the council members that really conflated someone’s unhoused status with having certain behavioral health needs and then equating both of those thing...
The Riverside Record •

City Manager Mike Futrell Leaving Riverside For Pasadena 

Riverside City Manager Mike Futrell announced Wednesday morning that he would be resigning from his role next month after being named the new Pasadena city manager.


“Pasadena holds a special place in my family’s life,” Futrell said in a press release. “I look forward to collaborating with the [Pasadena City Council], staff and community members to advance the city’s priorities and ensure Pasadena’s continued success.”


Futrell will replace current Pasadena City Manager Miguel Márquez, who a...
The Riverside Record •

RUSD Board Pushes District To Move Away From Incremental Change, Take More Risks

Several Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education trustees last week signaled they would like the district to take more risks when implementing new teaching strategies after receiving a mid-year update on the district’s latest approach to education. 


“If we don’t do things differently, drastically differently, we’re not going to get drastically different results,” Trustee Brent Lee said at the April 9 meeting. “If we keep taking these little, tiny, incremental steps, the res...
The Riverside Record •

Downtown Experiment Owner Plans To Create Bar Alliance Following City Recommendation To Revoke Permit

After facing the possibility of having his business permit revoked, Downtown Experiment’s owner said he has begun putting together a local business coalition to unite several of downtown Riverside’s nightlife owners.


“When you have a group of people, I think that’s where the power comes in, that’s where the ideals come in,” Marco McGuire, the owner of Downtown Experiment, said in an interview with The Riverside Record. “We [want to] come together for what’s best for the city of Riverside and...
The Riverside Record •

RUSD Agrees To Pay Nearly $1M To Relocate Cellphone Tower

Despite attempts to negotiate a better deal, the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education Thursday voted 5-1 to pay more than $900,000 to permanently relocate a cellphone tower from the property of the soon-to-be built Ofelia Valdez-Yeager Eastside Elementary School. Trustee Brent Lee voted against the decision. 


“The realistic cost is probably more around $400,000,” Assistant Superintendent Orin Williams said at the April 10 meeting. “They are getting basically double the...
The Riverside Record •

Dispatches From Riverside County: The Riverside Tamale Festival

Nancy Melendez was thrilled last year when a California commission approved the inclusion of her “grandma’s house” in the National Register of Historic Places.


The announcement came 12 years after she started the annual Riverside Tamale Festival to raise awareness of the building’s cultural significance.


“Through the support of the people at the festival and all of those who have come to know us over the years, we’re really thankful that todos juntos we got it done,” Melendez said in an i...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Selects Entrepreneur Lorna Jenkins As Recipient Of Annual City Spirit Award

After brief deliberations, the Riverside City Council Tuesday selected education entrepreneur Lorna Jenkins as the 2025 City Spirit Award winner. 


“This is always a very difficult decision,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said during the April 7 meeting. “There’s no shortage of fantastic people in this community who serve and do it quietly, without much notice, so this is our opportunity to recognize them.”


The city council voted 6-1 to award Jenkins the honor reserved for community members de...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Officials Unveil New Chicano Art, Literature Section At Casa Blanca Library

A casual conversation over a shared interest in Chicano literature was the inspiration that led two Riverside officials to create a new permanent exhibit at the SSgt. Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library dedicated to highlighting Latino art and literature. 


“Young people from this neighborhood are going to come into the library and they’re going to see themselves in the books, in the art,” said Ward 5 Councilmember Sean Mill, who worked on the space with Riverside County Supervisor Jose Medin...
The Riverside Record •

Court Sides With Riverside Resident, Orders City To Update Measure Z Ballot Language

A superior court judge this week ordered the city of Riverside to change the title and summary for its June 2 sales tax increase ballot measure, ruling in favor of  a resident who argued the language was biased and violated election code.


“The city made some, in my opinion, really weak arguments,” said Jason Hunter, who filed the suit last month, in an interview with The Riverside Record. “A win is a win is a win, but I think that [the judge] left some language in there that was still kind of...
The Riverside Record •

Court Rejects Riverside Ward 2 Candidate’s Legal Challenge Against Opponent’s Job Description

A judge has rejected Riverside City Council Ward 2 candidate Gracie Torres’ challenge to the ballot designation submitted by competitor Aram Ayra, ruling it could remain on the ballot for the June 2 election. 


“They were essentially attempting to strike my entire designation, which could have ended up with me just ending up on the ballot with basically nothing underneath my name,” Ayra said in an interview with The Riverside Record. “If you’re a lower turnout voter, or someone that doesn’t vo...
The Riverside Record •

CBU Wrestlers Say University Discriminated Against Male Athletes, Ask Court To Reinstate Program

After spending months protesting against the decision to cut their team, three California Baptist University (CBU) wrestlers have filed suit against the school in an effort to save the program. 


“I hope it works, so that way we can get back in the room and start training,” Jesse Vasquez, one of the three wrestlers who filed the lawsuit, said in an interview with The Riverside Record. “Everywhere else in the world is getting better, and I’m losing days.” 


The university announced January 2...
The Riverside Record •

Corona-Norco Unified Student Victoria Li Wins Riverside County Spelling Bee Second Year In A Row

After 16 rounds of competition, seventh grade Corona-Norco Unified student Victoria Li has won the county spelling bee. This was the second year in a row that she came out on top.


“I feel completely like I’m in bliss,” Li told The Riverside Record. “I could be in heaven right now, because I’m going back to [Washington] D.C.”


Twenty-nine elementary and middle school students from across the region competed March 26 in the 48th Annual Riverside County Spelling Bee in downtown Riverside, all...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Approves 2 New Warehouses, Developers Promise Over $1M In Donations

Riverside officials cleared the way Tuesday for a real estate firm to build two new warehouses inside of its industrial sector in exchange for more than $1 million in donations to the city and local higher education institutions.“It’s going to bring jobs, bring in public art [and] workforce opportunities for our city,” Councilmember Sean Mill said. “This project doesn’t just transform this site, they’re going to transform that whole neighborhood.”


The Riverside City Council voted unanimously...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Council Approves Civil Rights Walk Project Highlighting Local Historical Landmarks

The Riverside City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to use almost $3 million in state grant money to fund the Riverside Civil Rights Walk project, a self-guided tour through 24 local historical sites across Ward 1. Councilmembers Philip Falcone and Jim Perry were absent.


“This is what the museum of the 21st century looks like,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said during the March 24 city council meeting. “It’s a totally different reimagining of experiencing history.” 


The project will create...
The Riverside Record •

RUSD Looks To Prioritize Community, Student Voices In Updated Strategic Plan

Trustees of the Riverside Unified School District said they wanted to prioritize school safety, community engagement and data-driven results during a workshop discussion about setting goals for the next five years. 


“Integrity, trust and transparency are really important to the community,” Board President Noemi Hernandez Alexander said at the March 19 meeting. “I would like to be able to articulate the commitment…we have to maintain the trust of our families because we acknowledge how valuabl...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Officials Planning Community Forums On Future Of Cesar Chavez Monument, Building

Following several sexual abuse accusations against labor rights leader Cesar Chavez, Riverside officials said they planned to ask residents, especially Latino communities, about the future of a city building and monument dedicated to him and his work.


“Being strategic in anything that we do — being thoughtful in our approach — is always more prudent than trying to be the fastest and the first to do everything,” said Councilmember Philip Falcone, who represents the ward where both memorials ar...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Whistleblower Sues City Over Measure Z Ballot Language

A Riverside whistleblower has filed a lawsuit against the city alleging that the ballot language for the June 2 Measure Z election is biased and violates election code. 


“I’d like to get an actual fair and impartial ballot title and ballot summary,” Jason Hunter, who filed the lawsuit March 13, told The Riverside Record. “Our government has a really hard time — and the city of Riverside in particular — telling people the truth, because they’re afraid that if you actually told them the truth,...
The Riverside Record •

Local Electric Motor Company Says It’s On Track With Production, Hiring

More than a year after Voltu Motor opened its headquarters in Riverside, the company unveiled its flagship heavy-duty electric truck March 19 to prospective buyers.


“The people from the county, both Riverside and San Diego, that were here today are really excited about this,” said Voltu Motor owner George Gebhart. “Let’s see how it’s rolled out, but everyone wants to jump in once they see the vehicle…can do what it needs [and] what is required.”


The truck, called the Voltu3, starts with th...
The Riverside Record •

National Organization Files Petition To Reform Title IX On Behalf Of CBU’s Discontinued Men’s Athletic Teams

As both the men’s and women’s California Baptist University (CBU) basketball teams prepare for March Madness, supporters of three discontinued men’s sports programs continued their push for the university to change course.


An organization focused on reforming federal gender equity rules announced during a Tuesday press conference in front of CBU that it had filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of the three programs. 


“We ask the administration to help us today,”...
The Riverside Record •

Oversight Committee Says Riverside Unified Used Measure O Funds Appropriately Over Last Fiscal Year

An independent committee told the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education Thursday that its annual review of Measure O bond funds found the district had used the money in accordance with the law during the last fiscal year. 


“I know it’s not always glamorous or fun, but it’s important and necessary,” Trustee Brent Lee said during the March 12 board meeting. “Not only to be in compliance with the state law, but also reassure the public that their dollars are being spent how...
The Riverside Record •

Report Shows Riverside ‘Far Behind’ State Affordable Housing Requirements

Over the past five years, the city of Riverside has permitted less than 4% of state-mandated housing units for residents making below $90,000 a year, according to data provided by the city. The same data also showed the city has permitted more than 40% of its required market-rate housing units for residents making more than $90,000 per year.


“I see that there are too many homeless people due to the fact that the rent is so high right now,” Rose Mayes, executive director of the Fair Housing Co...
The Riverside Record •

Opposing Teams Wear ‘Keep CBU Wrestling’ Shirts At Big 12 Tourney

This past weekend at the Big 12 Wrestling Championship, college wrestling teams from across the country wore “Keep CBU Wrestling” apparel in solidarity with the California Baptist University (CBU) wrestling team. 


“We’re really thankful that all these other teams are able to amplify our voice when we don’t have one,” Tristan Kemp, a CBU wrestler who competed at the tournament, said in an interview with The Riverside Record. “Even at a tournament with [such] high stakes, at the end of the day,...
The Riverside Record •

Riverside Begins Search For City’s First Inspector General

Three months after voting to formally create the Office of the Inspector General, overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2024, the city of Riverside announced Tuesday the search for a candidate has begun. 


“As of today, the recruitment is officially open,” Miriana Gonzalez, the city’s human resources director, told the Riverside City Council at the March 3 meeting. “All qualified applicants and candidates are invited to apply.”


This announcement was the latest step taken by the city to accom...
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