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Assemblymember Petrie-Norris and Survivors Announce Bill to Fully End State-Sanctioned Child Marriage in California

Sacramento, CA — Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) introduced AB 2924, a bill to finally end the gruesome act of state-sanctioned child marriage in California. In 2021 alone, it is estimated that more than 8,700 children are estimated to have been married in California. The legislation is sponsored by Unchained At Last, a survivor-led nonprofit organization committed to ending forced and child marriage in the United States.

OC Register: Laguna Woods public library finally gets a home of its own

Laguna Woods, CA (February 2, 2024) - Since 2003, the city of Laguna Woods has had a branch of the Orange County Public Libraries operating from behind a 9-foot counter inside City Hall. Last Saturday, Jan. 27, the city finally celebrated the opening of its very own, newly constructed, 3,400-square-foot library building.

Daily Pilot: Costa Mesa gets moving on park upgrades funded by $11.2M from local lawmakers

Costa Mesa city leaders are beginning to move on a series of park improvements made possible by $11.2 million in funding from two local legislators seeking to expand access to public open space. Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) allocated $1.2 million in the state budget to help widen the footprint of another west-side pocket park, Ketchum-Libolt. 

Spectrum News In Focus: New Fentanyl and Ebony Alert Laws

Los Angeles, CA (January 21, 2023) - On this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” host Tanya McRae looks at new legislation that has gone into effect in California to address some important issues. Rising cases, the urgent need for intervention, and new legislation highlight the severity of the problem as the fentanyl crisis takes a toll on communities and families. 

United to End Homelessness Houses 1,000 Orange County Neighbors, Reaches WelcomeHomeOC Program Milestone

Orange County, CA (January 23, 2024) - United to End Homelessness℠, an initiative of Orange County United Way, announced that it has housed 1,000 individuals through its WelcomeHomeOC℠ housing navigation and landlord incentive program. The program marks this milestone to start the new year as it continues to actively match individuals and families experiencing homelessness with property providers throughout the county.

OC Register - Newsom: Housing conversion program, Homekey, has been a success, needs more funding

Costa Mesa, CA (January 18, 2024) - The state created the program called Homekey three years ago during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Homekey is one way the state is trying to confront the homelessness crisis by funding conversions that come with a far lower price tag than building new housing. The money from the state is typically combined with other funding sources to buy the buildings and renovate them for people to live in. 

OC Register: 7 new laws OC state legislators wrote this year

Orange County, CA (December 30, 2023) - Under the new legislation, introduced by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine, the sale, possession and transport of all species of an invasive saltwater algae, Caulerpa, is banned in California. The invasive species, typically found in tropical regions, was mostly recently discovered by a diver in Newport Harbor in 2021.

Daily Pilot: Volunteers clear more than 1.5 tons of trash and debris from Santa Ana Delhi Channel

Costa Mesa, CA (December 19, 2023) - Clad in protective gloves and rubber boots, about 40 volunteers ventured into the area where Irvine Avenue meets Mesa Drive at the Santa Ana Delhi River Channel in Newport Beach Saturday to help prevent debris from polluting coastal waters. A considerable amount of trash and debris awaited their attention. When the work was done some 3,100 pounds of it had been collected, all of which had accumulated since the last cleanup was held just before Thanksgiving.