Home About Articles Media appearances Contact
Press Telegram •

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest outside Biden’s star-studded LA fundraiser

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered Friday at Holmby Park — across the street from a star-studded fundraiser supporting President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign — for a loud, spirited and mostly peaceful demonstration against the U.S. government’s support of Israel amid the Jewish state’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

The president traveled to Los Angeles after making a stop in Las Vegas to attend fundraising events in support of his bid for a second term.

The Biden event in
Press Telegram •

President Biden, aboard Air Force One, has touched down in LA

Air Force One, carrying President Joe Biden, touched down at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, Dec. 8, just past 5:07 p.m., after soaring into in the Southland to launch a celebrity-studded fundraising swing ahead of his 2024 re-election campaign.

On a chilly Southland evening just after darkness fell, the president disembarked from the presidential plane accompanied by Secret Service agents. No ceremonies were staged to greet Biden, who was whisked away via helicopter for the first
Press Telegram •

Joe Biden rolls into LA amid glitzy fundraisers, large-scale protest

President Joe Biden swept into Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 8, diving into in a celebrity-studded fundraising swing ahead of his 2024 re-election campaign. First lady Jill Biden visited the Southland separately on Friday to tour women’s health research labs. A large-scale protest greeted the president’s arrival at his first event, a star-packed West L.A. fundraiser.

After arriving at LAX aboard Air Force One just after 5 p.m., Biden was whisked off via helicopter to Santa Monica Airport, where h
Press Telegram •

Concert to help Jordan High’s chorus, band perform at Carnegie Hall

Jordan High School’s chorus and band have a rare opportunity to showcase their musicianship on a global stage — at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City this spring.

But a cross-country trip for 75 students doesn’t come cheap.

So to help the kids get there, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and the nonprofit Mayor’s Fund will host a benefit concert to cover their expenses next week.

“For the students in Jordan High School music programs, music is much more than a subject — it’s a passion,
Press Telegram •

Some Long Beach cannabis businesses could get tax breaks early next year, memo says

Long Beach’s proposed tax relief plan for local cannabis dispensaries is another step closer to reality, a recent city memo said, and could be put into place starting early next year.

The City Council, in April, asked various departments to develop such a program — arguing that reduced taxes would help legal sellers compete with illicit operators and provide living wages to their employees.

A recent memo from City Manager Tom Modica’s office offered a first look at the proposed plan, which has
Press Telegram •

Time is running out to help domestic abuse survivors with Grunion’s Gift Card Drive

The Grunion Gazette’s annual Gift Card Drive, which aims to support domestic abuse survivors and their children through local nonprofit WomenShelter Long Beach, is underway — and we’re asking for your help to reach this year’s fundraising goal before the deadline in a few short weeks.

Over the last 20 years, readers have helped raise more than $300,000 in both gift cards and cash for the WSLB — with a record-breaking $33,265 contributed by generous readers just last year.

Those funds have dire
Press Telegram •

Thousands attend Christmas Remembrance Service at Long Beach cemetery

Thousands gathered at All Souls Catholic Cemetery on Sunday, Dec. 3, to remember lost loved ones during a Christmas Remembrance Service.

The service, which was led by Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, got underway around 2 p.m. on Sunday.
• None Thousands of folks attended a Christmas Remembrance Service at All Souls Catholic Cemetery in Long Beach on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. (Photo courtesy of All Souls Catholic Cemetery).
• None Thousands of folks attended a Christmas Re
Press Telegram •

Construction on Silverado Skatepark upgrades begin this week

Around $160,000 in renovations at West Long Beach’s only skatepark, located at Silverado Park, were set to begin this week — after a two-year wait.

Work on upgrading the Silverado Skatepark got underway in 2021, when former Seventh District Councilmember and longtime skate advocate Mike Donelon launched a campaign with his nonprofit, the ASK (Action Sports Kids) Foundation, to raise money for the project.

The Silverado Skatepark was originally established in the early 2000s and was composed of
Press Telegram •

St. Mary Medical Center reopens CARE Center on World AIDS Day

Dignity Health’s St. Mary Medical Center celebrated the reopening of its CARE Center — a full service LGBTQ health care facility, with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS treatment — and a hosted a ceremony in honor of World AIDS Day on Friday, Dec. 1.

World AIDS Day, a yearly event, aims to memorialize the hundreds of thousands of lives lost to HIV/AIDS; rally support for HIV research, treatment and prevention; and help end stigma related to the AIDS and the virus that causes it..
• None Carolyn Caldwell,
Press Telegram •

Long Beach’s Rep. Garcia talks leading charge to expel Santos from Congress

Now former Rep. George Santos, D-New York, was expelled from the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority of his colleagues on Friday, Dec. 1, on the heels of a blistering House Ethics Committee report that accused the now-former lawmaker of breaking federal law.

Related: House expels New York Rep. George Santos in just the sixth expulsion in the chamber’s history

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, a freshman in the House, was one of the key leaders in the effort to expel Santos fro
Press Telegram •

Here’s how to commemorate World AIDS Day in Los Angeles County this Friday

Nonprofits, community organizations and local governments across Los Angeles County will comemmorate World AIDS Day on Friday, Dec. 1, memorializing those who have died from the disease in a series of events.

This is the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day, which originally launched in 1988.

The purpose of the event, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is to remember the hundreds of thousands of lives lost to HIV/AIDS; rally support for HIV research, treatment and pre
Press Telegram •

New mural celebrates Long Beach Airport’s 100-year legacy

The Long Beach Airport unveiled a new vinyl mural — dubbed “A Flight to History” — this week to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

The airport’s centennial officially took place on Sunday, Nov. 26, just a few days before the new art work, created by Southern California artist Marconi, was revealed to the public.

LGB will continue celebrating its milestone birthday with a series of events and initiatives over the next year — including by launching a new vintage poster series, and hosting a public
Press Telegram •

Some city data accessed during cyber incident, Long Beach officials say

Some city data was accessed by an unauthorized party during a cyber incident earlier this month, Long Beach officials announced on Wednesday, Nov. 29, though the exact nature and amount of the compromised information is still under investigation.

Wednesday’s announcement marked the first look into Long Beach’s investigation into the nature and scope of the cyber attack thus far. Long Beach first identified the security incident on Nov. 14 and shortly after, took the majority of its official web
Press Telegram •

Belmont Shore Christmas Parade returns for 39th year of holiday fun this weekend

Belmont Shore’s annual Christmas Parade — among the most popular holiday events in Long Beach — will return to Second Street this weekend for the 39th year, likely bringing thousands of spectators with it.

This year’s parade, themed “Christmas by the Sea,” aims to spotlight Belmont Shore’s coastal culture, according to the parade’s website, as well as uplift local businesses and community groups.

The 1.2 mile route down Belmont Shore’s main hub along Second Street will stretch from Livingston
Press Telegram •

California Heights neighborhood to host inaugural Christmas tree lighting this week

The California Heights neighborhood will start a new holiday tradition this year — with an inaugural Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 30.

The event, which will take place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., is sponsored by Councilmember Megan Kerr’s office — the elected official represents Long Beach’s District 5 — alongside the Cal Heights Business District and Neighborhood Association, according to a recent announcement.

Community leaders, including Kerr and others, will give remarks a
Press Telegram •

Grunion Gazette’s annual Gift Card Drive returns for 20th iteration

It’s time once again to leverage the immense generosity of readers — to help survivors of domestic violence,

The Grunion Gazette’s annual Gift Card Drive, benefitting the local nonprofit WomenShelter Long Beach, has returned for its 20th iteration — with a few new benefits for those who choose to contribute.

The Gift Card Drive originally launched in 2004, and has continued every year since under the watchful eye of the Grunion’s former executive editor (and current columnist) Harry Saltzgaver
Press Telegram •

The runnin’ before the roastin’: ‘Turkey trot’ races kick off Thanksgiving all over LA County


• None A group of participants in Thanksgiving-themed attire revel at the 21st annual Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
• None Participants pose for photos after completing the 21st annual Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, on the beach path in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
• None Participants pose for photos after completing the 21st annual Turkey Trot on Thursd
Press Telegram •

Red Cross celebrates renovated chapter office, donation center in Long Beach

The American Red Cross’ Long Beach and South Bay chapter — one of five serving the greater Los Angeles area — recently celebrated the grand reopening of its renovated chapter office and blood donation center.

The ceremony, which took place earlier this month, marked the close of an extensive facility remodel that had been underway for more than a year, according to a Red Cross announcement.

The upgraded Long Beach facility, 3150 E. 29th St., features “cutting-edge technology” aimed at supporti
Press Telegram •

Long Beach children’s hospital launches new neonatal care network with Pediatrix

MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach has launched a new network of care, the company recently announced.

The new Neonatal Network, a partnership with the Pediatrix Medical Group, will expand the ability of Miller Children’s to provide neonatal and pediatric care in the region.

The hospital already features a level IV neonatal intensive care unit, which allows them to care for the sickest and smallest babies, alongside an extremely low-birth weight program and a transpor
Press Telegram •

Long Beach’s Rocket Lab to open new manufacturing complex in Maryland

Rocket Lab USA, an aerospace company based in Long Beach, will open a new manufacturing facility in Middle River, Maryland.

The dedicated product development and production complex, which Rocket Lab announced last week, will support the company’s efforts to expand its delivery of composite products to its customers and for Rocket Lab’s own internal needs, the announcement said.

Rocket Lab’s Space Structures Complex will be built in a 113,000 square-foot facility in Middle River, which was prev
Press Telegram •

Long Beach hosts Trans Day of Remembrance ceremony

Long Beach, in partnership with several local nonprofits, hosted a ceremony in honor of Transgender Day of Awareness this week.

Trans Day of Remembrance was originally founded in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith, according to GLADD, one year after the murder of Rita Hester.

Hester, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, was transgender and highly visible within her community. Her murder was never solved. Smith coordinated a vigil to commemorate not only Hester’s life, according to GLAAD, but a
Press Telegram •

WomenShelter Long Beach Executive Director Kathy McCarrell to retire in December

Kathy McCarrell, the current executive director of the nonprofit WomenShelter Long Beach, will retire in late December, the organization announced recently.

The WomenShelter, established in 1977, provides wrap-around services for survivors of domestic violence and their families, including safe housing, emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, legal advocacy and more.

McCarrell took over as WSLB’s interim executive director in January 2022 after Mary Ellen Mitchell, who served
Press Telegram •

Prepare for a busier Long Beach Airport this holiday travel season, officials say

The holiday travel season is upon us — and the Long Beach Airport is expected to be busier than usual starting this week through the duration of the yuletide.

LGB is expecting around 88,000 travelers to pass through its terminal during peak holiday travel weeks — including this week, because of Thanksgiving — according to a Tuesday, Nov. 21, announcement. That’s about 23% more than LGB’s average traffic during the regular season, and a 25% uptick in passengers compared to the airport’s pre-pand
Press Telegram •

Aquarium of the Pacific helping rehab sick birds from Tulare Lake

The Aquarium of the Pacific has joined a partnership with the UC Davis Oiled Wildlife Care Network and the state to help migrating birds heal from avian botulism.

Dozens of bird species, from the great egret to the northern shoveler, stop at Tulare Lake in Kern County every year during their migratory period.

The lake — the largest west of the Mississippi River — has been historically dry because of California’s ongoing drought. But after the state’s unprecedented rain and snowfall last winter
Load More

Let's stay in touch