A federal district court in Massachusetts has permanently blocked key provisions of President Donald Trump's Executive Order No. 14248, which sought to impose stringent voter identification requirements and restrict mail-in ballot counting.
The ruling, issued on June 24, 2026, marks a significant legal victory for a coalition of 19 state attorneys general co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The executive order, issued on March 25, 2025, attempted to compel state election officials to require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, force states to reject mail ballots received just days after Election Day, and withhold federal funding from non-compliant states.
The coalition filed a lawsuit in April 2025, securing a preliminary injunction in June 2025 and defeating a motion to dismiss in September 2025. After filing for a permanent injunction in December 2025 and oral arguments in February 2026, the court ruled all challenged provisions unlawful, reaffirming that election regulation powers rest with states and Congress.
Attorney General Bonta stated, 'We sued President Trump over his attempt to unilaterally impose voting restrictions across the country — and we won.' He acknowledged ongoing threats to voting rights and pledged continued legal battles. The coalition included attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin, with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford co-leading the lawsuit.
Source: goldrushcam.com

Three people are dead after losing control of their vehicle and driving off an embankment in the Santa Cruz mountains, authorities reported.
Officers were dispatched to the scene of the crash west of Redwood Gulch Road off Highway 9 at 9:36 p.m. Monday, according to the San José office of the California Highway Patrol.
A 2024 BMW M3 was traveling eastbound on the two-lane highway, which slopes downhill, when the driver lost control. The vehicle veered off the road and down a steep embankment, the CHP said.
The car fell approximately 400 feet, according to Ross Lee, a CHP public information officer.
“SR-9 is a windy mountainous road,” Lee said. “We have responded to crashes on SR-9 in the past to varying degrees of severity or injury.”
The driver, a 21-year-old man from Yuba City, and two passengers—a 17-year-old boy from San José and a 27-year-old man from Salem, Oregon—all died in the crash.
Officials stated the highway was closed in both directions for about three hours as investigators worked the scene. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Lee told The Times that the CHP's details of the incident are preliminary and subject to change.
Source: latimes.com

A domestic violence suspect with multiple outstanding warrants led police on a high-speed chase through Barstow on Tuesday, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, before abandoning his vehicle and breaking into an occupied home in an attempt to evade capture, authorities said.
Gabriel Romero, 35, of Barstow, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, domestic violence, reckless evading of police, and resisting or obstructing police, according to San Bernardino County jail records.
The incident began around 11 a.m. on June 23, when officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a motel in the 1300 block of West Main Street, according to Barstow Police Department officials.
Police determined that Romero had assaulted his girlfriend and fled before officers arrived, the department said in a written statement. Officers also discovered that Romero had several active felony arrest warrants related to charges including burglary, grand theft, drug possession, and multiple counts of vehicle theft, according to police and county records.
Responding officers spotted Romero driving in the area and attempted to pull him over, but he sped away, initiating a pursuit, officials said.
"The driver failed to yield, committed several additional traffic violations, and a vehicle pursuit ensued with speeds reaching up to 100 mph," the police statement said.
The chase ended just under 5 miles away in the 3600 block of West Main Street, where Romero abandoned the car and fled on foot through a desert area adjacent to a residential neighborhood, police said.
"Romero forced his way inside an occupied residence, and officers chased him inside," according to the statement. "Romero locked himself in a bathroom before officers forced the door open and took Romero into custody without further incident."
The suspect is being held without bail pending legal proceedings.
Source: vvdailypress.com

The state of California has secured a significant extension of federal housing assistance for survivors of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Under an approval received today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) financial housing assistance period for eligible homeowners through July 9, 2027.
Additionally, FEMA approved a three-month extension for eligible renters, now running through October 9, 2026.
“Recovery takes time, and for many Los Angeles fire survivors, significant challenges remain,” said California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. “This extension will provide critical stability for families as they navigate insurance claims, secure contractors, and work to rebuild their homes.
We appreciate FEMA’s recognition of the extraordinary circumstances survivors continue to face and remain committed to working alongside our federal and local partners to support every community through recovery.”
As of June 12, 2026, FEMA reported that more than 35,000 households have received assistance through the Individuals and Households Program, with over $177 million awarded to eligible survivors. The agency also noted that more than 1,200 households have received Continued Temporary Housing Assistance since the disaster.
California continues to lead an all-of-government effort to help communities recover and rebuild. Since the fires, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued more than two dozen executive orders to accelerate recovery, cut red tape, support rebuilding efforts, and restore critical infrastructure.
State and local partners have completed one of the largest and fastest debris removal operations in California history. The state has expanded direct support for survivors, including making more than $100 million available through the CalAssist Mortgage Fund to help homeowners remain housed while they recover.
Additional protections and resources continue to support impacted families and communities throughout the rebuilding process.
The FEMA extension will help ensure eligible survivors have the time, stability, and resources needed to continue rebuilding and transition into permanent housing. California will continue working closely with FEMA, local governments, community organizations, and federal partners to support survivors and advance the long-term recovery of Los Angeles communities impacted by the fires.
Source: gov.ca.gov

A 13-year-old boy was hospitalized and later released after falling approximately 50 feet down a waterfall at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred when the teenager exited the Grizzly River Run ride prematurely and ended up in a restricted area near the attraction's waterfall.
Park officials reported that the boy was evaluated at a hospital as a precaution and was discharged the same day. The incident took place on a busy afternoon at the theme park, prompting a swift response from Disneyland security and emergency medical personnel.
The Orange County Fire Authority also responded to the scene. The teen sustained minor injuries, but the exact nature of his injuries has not been disclosed.
Disneyland officials stated that they are reviewing the incident and reminded guests to follow all safety instructions while on rides. The Grizzly River Run, a whitewater rapids adventure ride, features several waterfalls and is popular among visitors.
The ride was temporarily closed for inspection following the incident but has since reopened. The boy's family has been notified, and no further details have been released.
Source: telemundo52.com

An 18-year-old Chico man, Bradley Scott Sayer, was arrested Tuesday on two counts of murder after a shooting Monday afternoon at the Chico library left two people dead and a young girl injured. The suspect, authorities said, was influenced by the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.
Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge, speaking at a press conference Tuesday at the city’s municipal center alongside officials from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI, identified the victims as Robert Johnson, 74, and Jacob Hull, 46. A girl who was with Hull at the time of the shooting sustained minor injuries from broken glass and has since been released from the hospital.
According to a statement released by Lt. Ben Love, Sayer’s motivation “appears to be founded in a desire to commit a Columbine High School massacre type shooting.” The release noted that investigators have found no evidence that Sayer had any prior relationship with or connection to any of the victims.
The shooting was reported at 5:12 p.m. Monday, with callers telling dispatchers they heard shots fired inside the library, followed by screaming.
Officers arrived on the scene at 5:18 p.m. and entered through the front doors shortly thereafter.
Chief Aldridge said the suspect attempted to escape from the back of the library but was apprehended without any exchange of gunfire between Sayer and responding officers.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey praised library staff for their quick action, saying they “heard the shots, they even saw what was going on, and they shepherded children and patrons into safe places and locked doors,” which he credited with saving lives.
A total of 35 officers from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office responded, with more than 100 law enforcement personnel at the scene overall, according to Sheriff Kory Honea. The investigation is being handled jointly by Chico police, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators are continuing to conduct interviews and collect evidence. Sayer was booked into the Butte County Jail.
Flowers and condolence notes were placed outside the library entrance on Tuesday, and plywood boards covered broken windows. The library remained closed as the investigation continued.
Source: mercurynews.com
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