By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
Gov. Newsom: California Won’t Sit Idle While Texas “Games the System” in Redistricting Battle
Gov. Gavin Newsom says California won’t “sit idle” as Republican-led states like Texas manipulate congressional maps to entrench power — even if that means rethinking California’s own redistricting rules.
“We’re not going to play by a different set of rules anymore,” Newsom said last week, after Texas Republicans approved new congressional maps in a special session pushed by former President Trump. He called the move a “five-alarm fire for democracy” and signaled that California may need to respond in kind to help Democrats reclaim control of the U.S. House.
The governor’s office confirmed that four legal and political options are under review, including a 2026 ballot measure that would dismantle the state’s independent redistricting commission and return the power to draw political maps to the Legislature. California voters created the commission in 2008 to insulate the process from partisan influence.
The idea, still in exploratory stages, has sparked sharp backlash from California Republicans, who accuse Newsom and state Democrats of trying to upend a fair system for political gain.
“We win elections by a war of ideas, not by manipulating the lines,” said Assembly Republican Leader Heath Flora (R-Ripon). “This could cost everyone a lot of money and destroy voter trust.”
Other GOP leaders warn the proposal could unravel nearly two decades of bipartisan reform and tarnish Democrats’ credibility on voting rights. They argue that responding to Texas by undermining California’s own democratic safeguards sends the wrong message.
Newsom, however, insists California can’t be passive while other states exploit partisan redistricting to tilt national power. He noted that the state’s independent system was created under different political conditions and may no longer serve California’s strategic interests.
“This could cost everyone a lot of money and destroy voter trust,” he said.
Still, critics from both parties remain skeptical that California voters — who overwhelmingly approved the redistricting commission — would back a return to lawmaker-controlled mapmaking. Newsom has not ruled out putting the issue before voters in 2026.
As of publishing time, the Texas Legislature had not officially approved the redrawn electoral maps, and Gov. Greg Abott had not signed them into law.
The redistricting debate comes at a critical moment, as both parties aim to lock down control of the U.S. House. Any changes to California’s maps could reshape the national political landscape for years to come.
California Governor’s Race Wide Open After Kamala Harris Bows Out
California’s 2026 governor’s race is now wide open after former Vice President Kamala Harris announced July 30 that she will not run, ending months of speculation about her political future following her 2024 presidential loss to Donald Trump.
“I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their governor,” Harris said in a statement. “But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run in this election.”
Harris, who previously served as California attorney general and U.S. senator, said she plans to remain active in public service, though not in an elected role at this time. She expressed interest in campaigning for Democrats nationwide and hinted at future plans, including possible nonprofit or political action committee work.
The decision keeps her national profile intact as she considers a potential 2028 presidential run. A person close to Harris said running for governor would have limited her ability to stay visible on national issues and might have conflicted with a future White House campaign.
“This does keep the door open for 2028,” the person said, adding that Harris spent months talking with advisors and was deeply conflicted before deciding not to run.
Harris, the first Black and South Asian American vice president, replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in 2024 after he left the race. Although she carried California by 20 points, she lost the general election.
Her decision leaves a crowded Democratic field vying to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is barred by term limits from running again in 2026. Among the declared or likely candidates are Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter, former state Senate leader Toni Atkins, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Despite the competitive field, Democrats are expected to retain the governorship in the solidly blue state.
For now, Harris says she looks forward to reconnecting with Californians as a private citizen.
Record-Breaking UC Freshman Class Includes 6% Black Students
The University of California has admitted a record number of California first-year students for fall 2025, with 100,947 in-state freshmen offered admission, which is a 7% increase over last year.
Among them, 6% identify as Black.
The UC system continues to see steady growth in racial and ethnic representation. Latinos made up the largest share of admitted students at 39%, followed by Asian Americans at 33%, White students at 18%, and Native American and Pacific Islander students at about 1% or less. The growth comes even as the total applicant pool dropped slightly to 249,824.
Much of the admissions increase was driven by UC Merced and UC Riverside. Merced boosted admission offers by over 60%, and Riverside increased them by more than 38%. In contrast, UCLA and UC Berkeley admitted fewer California freshmen this year, despite high application numbers.
“This growth is a clear indication that Californians recognize the value of a UC degree,” said UC President Michael V. Drake, who stepped down from the post last month.
James B. Milliken, former University of Texas chancellor, has assumed the role.
The UC system continues to admit large numbers of students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. This year, 42% of California first-year admits come from low-income families, and 42% are the first in their family to attend college.
In total, UC offered admission to 180,382 first-year and transfer students, including international and out-of-state applicants. International admissions rose 17%, and out-of-state offers went up 9%, despite concerns about federal visa restrictions and tuition hikes. Nonresident tuition increased to $37,602 last fall.
UC officials say their admissions process follows all state and federal laws, even as the system faces federal investigations into alleged race-based practices. “We are proud to offer these exceptional young people a place at the University of California,” said Han Mi Yoon-Wu, associate vice provost for undergraduate admissions in a statement.
As students prepare to make enrollment decisions, UC leaders say expanding access remains a top priority. Final enrollment numbers are expected in the fall.
Confronting a Suicide Crisis: California Steps Up for Men and Boys
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at reducing suicide rates among California’s boys and young men, calling the issue a crisis fueled by isolation, stigma, and lack of support. The order directs the California Health and Human Services Agency to develop recommendations to close gender disparities in mental health care and improve access to services.
“Too many young men and boys are suffering in silence,” said Newsom in a statement his office issued last week, highlighting the state’s commitment to providing pathways to purpose, connection, and dignity.
According to the California Department of Public Health, males aged 15 to 44 die by suicide at three to four times the rate of females in the state.
Newsom’s office said harmful stereotypes and a lack of male-focused mental health resources contribute to broader challenges, including increased drug use, crime, workforce disengagement, and school dropouts. The governor emphasized the need to rethink outdated ideas about care work and improve school and mentorship support for boys.
The executive order builds on ongoing state initiatives, such as the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, California Jobs First, and the Community Schools Partnership Program. These programs aim to boost mental health access, economic opportunity, and educational outcomes for youth.
The governor also pointed to Proposition 1, recently passed to modernize the state’s behavioral health system, as part of a wider push to close gaps in care.
Advocates supported the state’s latest move, arguing that it represents a significant step toward addressing gender-specific mental health challenges. Newsom’s office says implementation will involve schools, families, and community leaders working together to ensure young men no longer fall through the cracks.
Gov. Newsom Announces World’s Largest Firefighting Helicopter Fleet
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom that California now operates the world’s largest civilian helicopter firefighting fleet, marking a major expansion of the state’s wildfire response efforts amid cuts to federal fire funding under the Trump administration.
The milestone comes with the final delivery of two Fire Hawk helicopters to CAL FIRE, bringing the state’s total to 16. These advanced aircraft replace the aging Vietnam-era Huey helicopters and are now stationed at all 10 of CAL FIRE’s Helitack bases statewide.
“These helicopters are saving lives, homes, and entire communities,” said Newsom during a press event at McClellan Airfield in Sacramento on July 31. “California is leading the nation with the most advanced aerial firefighting program on the planet.”
The Fire Hawks, modeled after the military Black Hawk, can carry nearly three times more water than the Hueys, with a capacity of up to 1,000 gallons. They are also equipped for night operations, allowing for around-the-clock fire suppression, and are built with enhanced safety features and rescue capabilities.
CAL FIRE Director Joe Tyler said the fully modernized fleet will allow the agency to respond faster and more effectively to increasingly dangerous wildfire conditions. “This is about giving our crews the best tools possible,” he said.
The state’s investment in wildfire readiness includes hiring thousands of new personnel and allocating billions of dollars for prevention and response efforts. Officials say the new helicopters played a critical role during this year’s Palisades Fire, where night drops helped prevent flames from reaching homes near the 405 Freeway.
Meanwhile, California officials continue to criticize federal cutbacks to the U.S. Forest Service, which manages 57% of the state’s forest land. Newsom recently urged the White House to adopt measures to improve federal fire management.
As wildfires grow more frequent and intense, California leaders say the new fleet is part of a long-term strategy to safeguard communities, forests, and infrastructure across the state.