Leah Seneng, a 60-year-old California art teacher, died from rabies after being bitten by a bat in her classroom. The incident marked Merced County’s first rabies death in over three decades. Seneng initially dismissed the minor scratch, but later developed symptoms and succumbed to the disease. Health officials stress the importance of avoiding contact with bats and seeking immediate medical attention if bitten. Rabies is entirely preventable with prompt medical care.
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A voluntary recall of a batch of Raw Farm raw milk was issued in California after bird flu was detected in a single sample. The virus was found during routine testing, with no illnesses reported to date, but the state’s Department of Public Health advises against consuming the affected milk due to the ongoing spread of avian influenza. While further testing at the farm yielded negative results, officials emphasize the risks associated with consuming unpasteurized milk. The CDPH warns that contact with the contaminated milk may lead to illness through ingestion or indirect contact.
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California confirmed the first US case of clade I mpox, a more severe strain, in a traveler from East Africa. While historically clade I mpox has a higher mortality rate than clade II, recent data suggests less severe illness and lower death rates, particularly with adequate medical care. The CDC emphasizes that the public health risk remains low, and the affected individual is recovering. Contact tracing is underway, and the WHO is reviewing the global mpox situation.
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Huangting Gong, 30, has been charged with murder, kidnapping, arson, and burglary in connection with the deaths of Jing Li and Kuanlun Wang. Gong allegedly owed the couple $80,000 and is accused of killing them in the Southern California desert on October 12th. Following the murders, Gong is accused of stealing $250,000 worth of luxury items from the couple’s home. He was arrested on November 5th and is being held without bail, facing a possible life sentence without parole if convicted. The charges include “special circumstances” enhancements due to the brutality of the crimes, which involved shooting both victims, burning their bodies, and burning their vehicles.
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Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, has been making moves to “Trump-proof” his state, and it’s infuriating the incoming president. Newsom has been working for the past two years to create contingency plans in case the federal government under Trump cuts funding to California. This includes establishing bilateral climate change agreements with other countries, recruiting states to continue the Clean Air Act, and striking deals with automakers to move towards electric vehicles regardless of federal policy.
Newsom has also taken steps to protect California’s residents from a potential federal abortion ban by stockpiling millions of doses of Mifepristone and Misoprostol. He has bolstered gun control restrictions and created a natural disaster relief fund in case FEMA resources are pulled.… Continue reading
California voters have officially enshrined the right to marriage for same-sex couples in the state constitution by passing Proposition 3, repealing Proposition 8 which had defined marriage as between a man and a woman. This update removes outdated language from the constitution despite the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, ensuring the right to marriage for same-sex couples in California is solidified in the state’s foundational document. While opponents argued the initiative was unnecessary and could pave the way for other marriage changes, proponents emphasized its importance in aligning California’s constitution with current legal realities and ensuring equal rights for all couples.
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A California landlord, Charles Pierce, claimed on Reddit that he used ballots belonging to his former tenants to vote multiple times for Donald Trump in Shasta County, California. After Reddit users reported him for voter and mail fraud to the FBI, he was fired from his job as a landlord of an apartment complex in Redding. Pierce denied engaging in illegal activities and the Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters stated that the case had been passed onto the District Attorney’s Office. While no charges have been filed yet, the office is considering doing so. The FBI refused to comment on the situation.
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As I sit here reading about the tragic news of a 2-year-old sea lion being shot and killed on a California beach, my heart aches with sadness and anger. What kind of despicable human being could commit such a senseless act of cruelty against a defenseless animal? The sea lion, just lying innocently on the beach, didn’t deserve to be shot in the back for no reason. It’s heartbreaking to think about the pain and suffering that poor creature must have endured before its life was mercilessly taken away.
People who are needlessly cruel to animals often end up demonstrating the same cruel behavior towards humans.… Continue reading
I recently came across a news article that left me utterly disgusted and appalled. The state of California is suing a Catholic hospital for refusing to provide an emergency abortion to a woman whose water broke prematurely, putting her life at risk. The fact that any healthcare provider would prioritize their religious beliefs over the urgent medical needs of a patient is unimaginable to me.
Healthcare providers have a sacred duty to prioritize the well-being and safety of their patients above all else. In this case, the Catholic hospital’s refusal to provide a life-saving emergency abortion is not only unethical but also dangerous.… Continue reading
The news of 80 animals being shot to death in California is nothing short of horrifying. One man, Vicente Joseph Arroyo, has been arrested in connection with this senseless act of violence. The fact that these animals were people’s pets, cared for and loved, makes this crime even more heinous. They were defenseless creatures, innocent victims of a man’s apparent rampage with multiple firearms.
The sheriff’s office did an incredible job responding to the situation, with multiple agencies coming together to bring the perpetrator to justice. The discovery of 15 firearms, including an illegal assault weapon and “ghost guns,” raises concerns about how someone like Arroyo was able to acquire such weapons.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood