Gomez brings ACA premium spike discussion to Bakersfield
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Downtown LA, Koreatown, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock) on Friday traveled to Republican Rep. David Valadao’s district in Bakersfield to meet with local residents, community advocates, and families concerned about rising Affordable Care Act premiums and the ongoing federal government shutdown’s local impact.
Gomez said in his office release that as open enrollment approaches, Central Valley families are bracing for higher health costs as Republican gridlock in Washington threatens both coverage and Medicaid funding. Without action from Congress, ACA premiums could more than triple — the direct fallout from Valadao’s vote to cut key subsidies in the so-called Big Beautiful Bill, said Gomez.
Gomez pointed out that:
- A 40-year-old earning $32,000 would see costs rise 210% — from $58 to $180/month.
- A 60-year-old couple making $85,000 would face a 301% hike — from $602 to $2,412/month.
Kern County’s economic reality underscores the stakes: roughly 35% of residents rely on Medi-Cal, the median household income is about $69,000, and nearly one in five lives below the poverty line, Gomez said.
Solis breaks ground on Pellissier Village Trailhead
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis (D-Downtown LA, East LA, Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, El Monte, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Pomona, San Gabriel Valley) on Friday marked the groundbreaking of the Pellissier Village Trailhead, a long-awaited project that will provide a formal equestrian entrance to the San Gabriel River and expand access to the County’s growing network of multi-use trails.
The trailhead is located on the eastern bank of the San Gabriel River near San Jose Creek and the Rio Hondo River, offering access to the Schabarum-Skyline Trail, Blackwell Arena, and the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area Equestrian Center. The site features exercise pens with stabilized soil and drainage, domestic water service, a bench area, pedestrian path, horse tie, watering trough, and a paved driveway apron for utility vehicle access. Interpretive signage will highlight the history of Pellissier Village and the county’s extensive trail network.
“The Pellissier Village community has waited many years for this trailhead, and today we celebrate this milestone together,” said Solis. “Pellissier Village is a proud, tight-knit community with a deep equestrian tradition. Horses are not just a pastime here; they are part of daily life, family history, and cultural identity. This trailhead will serve as a safe, welcoming, and functional access point for equestrians, walkers, and cyclists alike.”
The project is part of the Emerald Necklace Vision Plan, which connects several San Gabriel Valley cities—including El Monte, Baldwin Park, and Whittier—as well as unincorporated communities like Pellissier Village through a network of parks and greenways along the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel Rivers. This vision now extends all the way to the ocean.
Solis has invested more than $680,000 in funding through discretionary Proposition A funds and community grants. Additional funding came from the California Conservation Corps through the Nature-Based Solutions Grant Program.
Long Beach to host citywide college & career expo
The City of Long Beach, in partnership with Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), S.T.R.E.A.M. Global, the Long Beach College Promise, Port of Long Beach, California State University, Long Beach, the Office of Mayor Rex Richardson tomorrow will host the College & Career Expo.
The event will bring together students, families, educators and local and industry leaders under one roof for an immersive, hands-on experience to explore future opportunities.
The Expo, which is free and open to the public, will provide students and families opportunities to explore future and career pathways in a wide range of sectors such as aerospace and engineering, health and medical fields, skilled trades and apprenticeships, local government and public service, business, technology, creative arts and more.
“The College and Career Expo is a commitment to supporting our young residents’ futures and ensuring everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Richardson. “By bringing together local leaders, innovators, educators and industry professionals, we are working to close opportunity gaps and inspire students to dream big and pursue their passions. The future starts here.”
Representatives from various City departments, including Fire, Police, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Health and Human Services, Library, Arts and Culture, Financial Managment, Economic Development & Opportunity and Long Beach Airport, as well as industry leaders, professionals and post-secondary institutions, will provide participants with real-world insight and guidance through live demos, conversations and career simulations.
Whether students are planning to attend college, join the workforce or explore technical and vocational training, this Expo will provide meaningful exposure to the many possibilities that lie ahead.
The Expo is slated for between 5:30 and 8 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Parking will be available for $5 at the Long Beach Arena Garage on Seaside Way and South Hart Place. LBUSD high school students will also have the opportunity to attend this event as a field trip during the school day prior to the event opening to the public.
For more information, visit lbschools.net/expo and streamglobal.org/expo.
Waters introduces Head Start Shutdown Protection Act
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Inglewood, Gardena, Hawthorne, Lawndale, Lomita), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services and a former Head Start teacher, on Friday introduced the Head Start Shutdown Protection Act.
Head Start supports early childhood education and school readiness for our nation’s most vulnerable children. Head Start serves low-income children from birth to age five, including those living in poverty, in foster care, and experiencing homelessness. Head Start grant recipients provide quality education, health, and nutrition services to these children as well as parenting, employment, and educational support to their parents.
“I introduced the Head Start Shutdown Protection Act in order to protect children and families in the Head Start program from the devastating impacts of the Trump-Republican shutdown, which is now in its 17th day,” said Waters. “The Head Start Shutdown Protection Act will require the federal government to reimburse states, local governments, and school districts that use their own funds to continue the operations of Head Start programs in their communities and enable Head Start grant recipients to remain open and continue to serve the children and families who depend on them.”
The National Head Start Association reported that six Head Start programs serving 6,525 children are already operating without federal funding, drawing on emergency local resources to stay open. By November 1, 2025, the shutdown will affect 134 additional Head Start programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico, serving 58,627 children, threatening the programs with closure.
Previous government shutdowns have caused some local Head Start grant recipients to close temporarily, suspending programs and services with little or no warning to the affected families. During the October 2013 shutdown, the Office of Management and Budget reported that six Head Start grant recipients serving nearly 6,300 children were temporarily closed for several days, until their states or philanthropists provided funds for them to reopen.
“Vulnerable children and families and the dedicated Head Start teachers and staff who serve them should not have to suffer because of a government shutdown that is beyond their control,” said Waters.
