TRÂN NGUYỄN, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan speaks in Sacramento Calif., March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

San Jose mayor, a frequent Newsom critic, jumps into the California governor’s race

January 29, 2026

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is jumping into the race to replace Gavin Newsom as governor of California. Mahan announced his bid Thursday. He touts himself as a moderate Democrat who could tackle some of the state’s biggest issues, including homelessness, crime and housing. Mahan was a tech entrepreneur before elected to lead Silicon Valley’s largest city in 2022. He is also a vocal critic of Newsom over the governor’s handling of homelessness and his social media trolling. The mayor joined a large field of candidates just months before the primary election in June. Newsom cannot run for reelection because of term limits.

Gov. Gavin Newsom gives his State of the State address at the State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP, Pool)

Federal judges allow California to use new US House map ahead of 2026 election

January 14, 2026

A panel of federal judges has sided with California in the fight over a new U.S. House map approved by voters. It is designed to help Democrats flip as many as five House seats in the 2026 elections to take control of the chamber. The Wednesday ruling is a victory for Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic allies. The map is California’s counter to a similar effort in Texas backed by President Donald Trump. State Republicans and the U.S. Justice Department say California illegally considered race to favor Hispanic voters while drawing the map. A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 to deny their request to block the map for future elections.

FILE - Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., speaks during a press conference in Chico, Calif., , Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, FIle)

California Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s death leaves a vacant House seat. What happens next?

January 6, 2026

California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s sudden death this week leaves a new vacant seat in the House. It comes just ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. LaMalfa’s death will further intensify a fight between Republicans and Democrats this year for the U.S. House control. His passing shrinks Republicans’ narrow majority in the House to 218 seats, to Democrats’ 213. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has 14 days to call a special election to fill LaMalfa’s remaining term.

Dhillon Law Group partner Mike Columbo, second from left, speaks to reporters during a press conference announcing a federal lawsuit challenging Proposition 50, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

California Republicans sue over new US House map approved by voters

November 5, 2025

California Republicans have filed a lawsuit to block a new U.S. House map that voters just approved. The map, backed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to help Democrats flip up to five congressional seats in next year’s midterm elections. The Dhillon Law Group filed the lawsuit, arguing the map illegally uses race to redraw the map in favor of Hispanic voters. They’re asking the court to block the new districts before the 2026 elections. Newsom’s office said the challenge will fail. It’s unclear if a temporary restraining order would be granted before candidates can start collecting voter signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Brenda Haynes places signs throughout a conference room before a No on Prop 50 rally in Redding, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

GOP voters in Northern California brace for loss of representation in fight for US House

October 28, 2025

Conservative voters in Northern California are alarmed that a ballot measure designed to diminish Republican representation could pass in November. Ranchers and farmers in the rural region fear the passage of Proposition 50 will further dilute what little political power they possess in the heavily Democratic state. The Democratic proposal to redraw U.S. House maps is intended to oust five GOP members to counter moves by President Donald Trump to gain five Republican seats elsewhere. If it passes, Trump supporters in three northern counties would become part of a new district, paired with populous liberal coastal communities that could dominate in elections.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks before signing legislation related to student literacy in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

New California law aims to stabilize insurance for people who can’t get private coverage

October 9, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill to prevent the state’s plan that provides insurance to homeowners who can’t get private coverage from running out of money. The FAIR Plan is designed as a temporary option until homeowners can find permanent coverage, but more Californians are relying on it than ever. It needed a $1 billion bailout earlier this year after the Los Angeles fires destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The new law allows the FAIR Plan to request loans and bonds to spread out its financing claims payments. Supporters said the new financial tools will prevent future bailouts after a major disaster.

Governor of California Gavin Newsom, right, speaks next to former U.S. President Bill Clinton, left, during the Clinton Global Initiative on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs landmark bill creating AI safety measures

September 29, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law legislation aiming to increase transparency and prevent AI models from being used to cause catastrophic harms. The law, signed Monday, requires AI companies to disclose safety protocols for their most advanced models and report safety incidents to the state within 15 days. Some tech companies opposed the legislation, arguing for federal regulation. Proponents said the guardrails are needed to prevent catastrophic harms from the technology that has had little oversight. Newsom said the law establishes regulations without hurting the state’s homegrown industry. The signing comes after Republicans in Congress unsuccessfully tried to temporarily ban states from regulating AI.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks after signing legislation calling for a special election on a redrawn congressional map on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Newsom says Trump has a ‘relentless, unhinged’ obsession with the state

September 9, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling out President Donald Trump for a “relentless, unhinged California obsession” in his State of the State address. The Democratic governor sent the letter to the state Legislature Tuesday in lieu of delivering it publicly. California has been a battleground for Trump over a number of policies including those on immigration, climate change and transgender athletes, among other things. The state has sued the administration 41 times since January. The letter also outlines what Newsom described as California’s achievements. State Republicans criticized Newsom for prioritizing building his national profile instead of working on issues in the state.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The next steps in California Democrats’ plan to counter Texas Republicans’ redistricting push

August 15, 2025

California is stepping into a national redistricting battle after President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw maps to maintain their U.S. House majority. California lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Monday to take up the partisan plan. State Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers, enough to act without Republican votes. Gov. Gavin Newsom is leading the campaign in favor of the maps, signaling a referendum on Trump and the future of American democracy. Lawmakers will hold hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday on a package of bills to establish the new congressional map.

FILE - A view of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada, File)

California closes $12B deficit by cutting back immigrants’ access to health care

June 27, 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a budget that pares back a number of progressive priorities to close a $12 billion deficit. The Legislature approved it Friday. It includes capping new enrollment to a state-funded health care program for low-income adult immigrants without legal status. Democratic leaders also rely on using state savings, borrowing from special funds and delaying payments to plug the budget hole. California also braces for potential cuts to health care and other benefits from the federal government. Republicans say Democrats haven’t done enough to prevent future budget shortfalls.

FILE - Supporters of proposals to expand California's government-funded health care benefits to undocumented immigrants gather at the Capitol for the Immigrants Day of Action, on May 20, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California Legislature OKs proposal to freeze health care access for some immigrants

June 13, 2025

The California Legislature approves a proposal Friday to freeze enrollment in a state-funded health care program for immigrants without legal status. The budget proposal would help close a $12 billion deficit. The plan is a scaled-back version of a measure from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Under the lawmakers’ proposal, low-income adults without legal status will no longer be eligible to apply for the state’s Medicaid program starting next year. Adults between the ages of 19 and 59 who are enrolled would have to pay a $30 monthly premium starting in July 2027. The plan is not final.

FILE - People walk around the California State Capitol, Aug. 5, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada, File)

Power bills in California have jumped nearly 50% in four years. Democrats think they have solutions

June 6, 2025

California lawmakers advanced several reform measures this week to rein in utility profits, slash electricity bills and potentially save consumers billions of dollars. The legislation is part of Democrats’ agenda to tackle the sky-high costs of living. California ratepayers pay some of the highest power bills in the country. Utilities say they need to increase rates to pay for wildfire mitigation projects, among other things. The legislation would limit utilities’ ability to collect a return for shareholders and provide credits to customers during summer months, among other things. Republicans, utilities and the California Chamber of Commerce said it would only increase costs.

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