Torres to Trump: Hernández must not be pardoned
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas) sent a letter to President Trump this weekend urging him not to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, a convicted drug trafficker sentenced to 45 years in U.S. prison for crimes that devastated communities in Honduras, the United States, and beyond.
“Juan Orlando Hernández ran a violent, cartel-backed empire that trafficked hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States, stole taxpayer dollars, and terrorized communities across Honduras and Central America,” said Torres. “A pardon would erase years of work holding powerful criminals accountable, reward corruption at the highest levels, and betray every American family harmed by his crimes. He must serve his full sentence.”
Torres said Hernández’s trial and conviction marked a critical victory for international anti-corruption and anti-drug efforts, demonstrating the importance of U.S. oversight and Central American cooperation in combating transnational crime. His pardon would undermine these efforts and embolden violent networks across the region.
“Over his presidency, Hernández turned the Honduran government into a tool of violence and corruption,” Torres continued. “He deployed police and military forces to protect cocaine shipments, used death squads to intimidate opponents, and openly branded drugs with his initials while profiting from American deaths. Pardoning him would signal to the world that power and money can shield criminals from justice and that victims’ lives do not matter.”
Torres called on Trump to stand with victims, law enforcement, and communities across the Americas, not shield criminals, and to ensure Hernández serves his full sentence.
Bass announces recent storms captured 5.5 billion gallons of water
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced last week that following one of the rainiest Novembers in recent memory, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) estimates the cumulative amount of stormwater captured since October 1, is nearly 5.5 billion gallons of water – enough to meet the annual water needs of almost 68,000 L.A. households.
Stormwater capture is an important element of LADWP’s overall plan to enhance Los Angeles’ water supply. LADWP uses various methods for capturing rainwater, including neighborhood green stormwater infrastructure, residential rain barrels and cisterns, and large spreading grounds – like the Tujunga Spreading Grounds – that help recharge underwater aquifers that serve as “groundwater banks.” This groundwater can be pumped and treated to water quality standards for residential use.
“The City’s investments in stormwater capture infrastructure have allowed us to leverage the significant amount of recent rain to the L.A. region to add nearly 5.5 billion gallons of water to our local water supply, enough to serve almost 68,000 homes annually,” said Bass. “These investments are helping to improve our local water supply, reduce runoff into the ocean, and enhance Los Angeles’ overall resilience.”
Today, LADWP’s stormwater capture facilities have the capacity to capture more than 83,000 acre-feet per year (more than 27 billion gallons) under average conditions. Stormwater runoff that cannot be contained at these facilities is discharged to the Pacific Ocean via streams, rivers, and storm drains.
LADWP will continue implementing stormwater capture projects that decrease the amount of runoff lost to the Pacific Ocean, including through large-scale spreading ground enhancements and smaller-scale strategies that leverage green streets, rain gardens, and rain barrels.
Long Beach earns perfect score in nationwide LGBTQ+ index
For the 14th consecutive year, the City of Long Beach has been named one of the best cities in the nation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) inclusion in municipal law and policy, earning a perfect score in the 2025 Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI).
The City was also awarded 18 total bonus points, the highest amount it has ever received. Long Beach was one of 506 cities nationwide to participate and one of 132 to achieve a perfect score, a new MEI record.
“This recognition is a testament to who we are as a city and demonstrates our dedication to inclusion, respect and opportunity for our vibrant LGBTQ+ community,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “While this is a proud moment for Long Beach, inclusion is more than a score—it requires constant attention, collaboration and action. Even in the face of political uncertainty seen across the country, we are committed to building on this success and deepening our support for our LGBTQ+ community.”
Long Beach has long recognized LGBTQ+ rights in its municipal laws and policies. The MEI is an annual evaluation that examines laws, policies and services of municipalities and rates them based on their inclusivity of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Cities are rated on a scale of 0 to 100, with bonus points additionally awarded for essential programs, protections or benefits that are either not attainable or are very difficult to attain for some cities.
Lieu floats bill enhancing penalties for AI committed fraud
U.S. Reps. Ted W. Lieu (D-Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Manhattan Beach) and Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) last week introduced the bipartisan AI Fraud Deterrence Act, which would enhance penalties for those who use artificial intelligence to commit fraud.
The AI Fraud Deterrence Act would increase the maximum penalties for various kinds of fraud engaged with the assistance of AI, including the impersonation of a federal official.
The measure comes after recent bad actors have reportedly used artificial intelligence to impersonate federal officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the President’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles.
“AI technology has exploded in recent years and we’ve seen incredible opportunities to make life better, but we’ve also seen new and dangerous ways AI can be used for harm,” said Lieu.
“AI has lowered the barrier of entry for scammers, which can have devastating effects. Both everyday Americans and government officials have been victims of fraud and scams using AI, and that can be ruinous for people who fall prey to financial scams, and can be disastrous for our national security if government officials are impersonated by bad actors. I am pleased to work with Congressman Dunn on increasing penalties for those who use AI to commit fraud.”
