Tag: California

California Fines Church $1.2 Million for Worship; Now the Supreme Court Must Decide if the Constitution Still Stands

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Advocates for Faith & Freedom, in partnership with the American Center for Law & Justice, has filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari asking the United States Supreme Court to overturn more than $1.2 million in fines imposed on Calvary Chapel San Jose and Pastor Mike McClure for the simple act of gathering to worship. This case stands as one of the clearest examples of government overreach against a church in modern American history. During COVID, California forced churches to close, restrict worship, and enforce mandates that violated Calvary Chapel’s sincerely held beliefs. At the very same time, the state allowed widespread exemptions for secular operations such as restaurants, athletic programs, and government offices.

Calvary Chapel chose obedience to Scripture over obedience to shifting political orders. The county retaliated with rapidly escalating fines that soared to $5,000 per day, ultimately exceeding $1.2 million, along with coercive demands for sworn compliance with orders later deemed unconstitutional. In addition to the $1,228,700 judgment, Santa Clara County is seeking $1,098,244 in attorneys’ fees and $45,753 in costs, which remain stayed pending appeal. If imposed, the total financial burden on Calvary Chapel would exceed $2.37 million – a staggering sum designed to punish a church for worshipping God during a crisis. The petition emphasizes that the Supreme Court has already ruled in Tandon v. Newsom that government cannot treat religious gatherings worse than comparable secular activities. California ignored that mandate and continued to target churches. “Government officials may not weaponize emergencies to suspend the First Amendment,” said Erin Mersino, Vice President and Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation for Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “California imposed some of the most aggressive restrictions on churches in the country, and this case is about ensuring the government never does this again.”

Source: California Fines Church $1.2 Million for Worship; Now the Supreme Court Must Decide if the Constitution Still Stands – Christian Newswire

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

CA Makes More Per Gallon of Gas in Taxes Than Oil Companies Do in Profit

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When it comes to gas and oil prices, Democrats in California are facing increasing push-back, as the U.S. Oil and Gas Association and others blast claims that the Iran conflict, President Trump, or so-called corporate greed are responsible for the state’s prices, which are among the highest in the nation.  Advertisement Governor Gavin Newsom’s Press Office thought it would test its luck against Chevron, writing on X, “While America suffers, Chevron profits.”

For emphasis, the governor posted a picture of a Reuters article stating that Chevron expects to earn between $1.6 billion and $2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026.  However, they got absolutely destroyed by a community note pointing out that the State of California actually makes more profit per gallon of gas than any gas company does in the state.

Source: CA Makes More Per Gallon of Gas in Taxes Than Oil Companies Do in Profit

O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
Psalm 16:2

Ireland Out of Gas

Things have been dicey for a while on the Emerald Isle. But great googly moogly, do they look just awful right now. Mass protests have broken out across…

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by Drink of Jesus

Of gray whales that enter San Francisco Bay, nearly 18% die there, scientists find

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humpback whale tail in morro bay california

Gray whales migrate from Arctic waters full of food to the lagoons of Baja Mexico—but as the climate crisis gathers pace, they have been sighted foraging in unexpected places. Recently, some have begun to explore the dangerously busy waters of San Francisco Bay. Scientists at the Marine Mammal Center and the California Academy of Sciences investigating an unexpectedly high death toll among gray whales have found that almost 20% of individuals seen entering the Bay died there, in large part due to boat strikes. The team’s study appears in Frontiers in Marine Science.

Source: Of gray whales that enter San Francisco Bay, nearly 18% die there, scientists find

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
1 John 4:13

Tornado touches down in Northern California, no damage reported, officials say

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A tornado briefly touched down in Northern California Sunday afternoon as high winds and thunderstorms continued, officials said. The National Weather Service said the tornado happened at about 2:05 p.m. in an unpopulated area of Tehama County, located about four miles southeast of Vina. Weather officials said this area is rural grassland. The preliminary determination is that it was an EF-U tornado that touched down for about one minute. Officials say wind gusts, path width and length are unknown.  Maritza Arreola captured a video in the area of Highway 99 and Hamilton Nord Cana Highway. 

Maritza Arreola Officials added that there has not been any damage or injuries reported. Based on video the NWS viewed, it says no structures were impacted and that a damage survey team will not be sent to the area.  This all plays into the EF-U rating, which is when the tornado has an unknown strength. Since there is no damage to survey, officials would not be able to assign a rating, officials said. If there is damage reported, officials will further evaluate the tornado.  Radar aligned with the NWS video, which indicated a storm cell with rotation.  A Tornado Warning was issued around the time the tornado touched down. Earlier this week, down in the San Joaquin County area, a Tornado Warning was issued, but there were no reports of a tornado.  California averages about nine tornadoes a year, but they usually are rated EF-U to EF-1 and happen in the Central Valley. 

Source: Tornado touches down in Northern California, no damage reported, officials say – CBS Sacramento

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10

House Democrats call on Eric Swalwell to drop out of California governor race amid sexual assault allegations

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House Democratic leadership on Friday called on Rep. Eric Swalwell to drop out of the race for California governor in the wake of allegations that he sexually assaulted a former staffer. Swalwell denied the allegations and called them “false.”

In a statement Friday night, House Democratic leaders called for a “swift investigation” into the allegations and for Swalwell to immediately end his campaign. They called for accountability, but stopped short of urging him to resign from Congress. 

“This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California said. “All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable.”

Swalwell threatened to take legal action against the woman, who detailed the alleged encounters to the San Francisco Chronicle, which published a story Friday. 

The woman, who was not named, said Swalwell started pursuing her shortly after she was hired to work in his district office in Castro Valley in 2019. She alleged he sent her inappropriate photos of himself via Snapchat, requested nude photos of her and asked her to perform oral sex on him in a parking lot. She also alleged that after going out for drinks with Swalwell in September 2019, she woke up naked in his hotel bed with little recollection of the night.  

Source: House Democrats call on Eric Swalwell to drop out of California governor race amid sexual assault allegations – CBS News

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14

Justice Department says it has prosecuted $500 million in healthcare, COVID fraud claims in 3 states

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Article Dig Deeper The Justice Department said this week that it has wrapped up health care fraud investigations in three states which had cost Americans over $500 million among the respective parties. The announcement comes the same week that the Justice Department created its National Fraud Enforcement Division, which is a major step in the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on misuse of public funds. The Justice Department said it has finished its healthcare fraud investigations in California, Florida and Nevada and secured either guilty pleas, settlements or sentences.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.” The largest haul came from California, where a scheme defrauded American consumers of $269.1 million, according to the Daily Signal. Paul Randall, 66, of Orange, pleaded guilty this week for his role in the pharmacy plot. Two others pleaded guilty in the scheme in 2024 and 2025.

Source: Justice Department says it has prosecuted $500 million in healthcare, COVID fraud claims in 3 states | Just The News

Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:2