In the News
Humanist in the House
by Roy Speckhardt
IN MY MANY YEARS of service to the humanist movement, this is the first time I've had the honor to personally introduce the Humanist of the Year, and I couldn't be more pleased to do so. After meeting Representative Jared ?Huffman (D-CA) back in September of 2017, I was struck by his open approach, his genuine commitment to humanity and the environment, and his deep respect for people from every kind of background and belief. He subsequently made news across the nation when he went public as a … Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
Protecting our public lands is a national health issue
by Maite Arce
In recent months we've seen an outpouring of interest in visiting parks and rivers nationwide. As someone who loves spending time outdoors, I can relate to anyone who seeks comfort and relaxation in nature - especially right now. Studies suggest that access to the outdoors can reduce risks for diabetes, improve heart health and promote mental health. Many of us are coping with the pandemic by visiting neighborhood green spaces to relieve stress, breathe fresh air and hear birds singing. … Continue Reading
October 23, 2020
Influential California congressman opposes Sonoma County-backed plan to drain Lake Pillsbury
by Guy Kovner
U.S. Rep. John Garamendi has filed an official objection to a plan backed by Sonoma County and his House Democratic colleague Jared Huffman to remove Scott Dam on the Eel River and drain Lake Pillsbury, a popular recreation spot for nearly a century. Garamendi, a fixture in California state politics since the 1970s, sent a letter to federal energy regulators faulting the plan for failing to include Lake County in planning the future of a remote hydropower project that forms a key link in the … Continue Reading
October 22, 2020
Rep. Jared Huffman introduces Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act
by Megan Bender
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman introduced the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act on Tuesday in a live virtual press conference. Huffman said the bill lays out a roadmap for leveraging the oceans’ carbon sequestration and renewable energy potential while boosting the climate resiliency of marine and coastal ecosystems and coastal communities. According to Huffman like the House Democrats’ Climate Crisis Action Plan, the new bill … Continue Reading
October 21, 2020
Klamath Residents, Yurok Tribal Members To Participate in 'Day of Action' Targeting PacifiCorp, Warren Buffett and Gates Foundation Over Dam Removal
by Jessica Cejnar
Yurok Tribal members and Klamath residents will take part in a series of demonstrations Friday targeting PacifiCorp, Warren Buffett and others over dam removal on the river they and others rely on. Virtual rallies will be held at the utility's headquarters in Portland and in Buffett's hometown of Omaha, Neb., according to a Save California Salmon news release. A rally will also be held in Seattle, home of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the top shareholder in Buffett's Berkshire … Continue Reading
October 20, 2020
Offshore wind research to continue with data collection
by Sonia Waraich
Humboldt State University's Schatz Energy Research Center has wrapped up its webinars on its first set of offshore wind research publications, and the state and federal government are continuing to supply funding to keep that research continuing into the coming years. "We are keen on having the best available science in all our of decision-making," Necy Sumait, chief of renewable energy in the Pacific region with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said at the final virtual webinar in the … Continue Reading
October 20, 2020
Democrats push expansion of offshore wind, block offshore drilling with ocean energy bill
by Rebecca Beitsch
A new bill from House Democrats turns to the oceans as a way to fight climate change, proposing to expand offshore wind while barring drilling along America's coasts. The more than 300-page legislation is broadly billed as a "blue carbon" bill - a way to harvest clean energy while protecting fisheries and resources like marshes and wetlands that can store carbon and protect eroding shorelines. The Ocean Based Climate Solutions Act, introduced Tuesday, comes as the ocean is rapidly warming … Continue Reading
October 20, 2020
Several Lawmakers Denied Access to Postal Facilities
by Rebecca Smith
Efforts by some members of Congress to observe firsthand how mail is being processed at large facilities in the final weeks of the election have been blocked-a policy departure by the U.S. Postal Service for visits that were once routinely approved, the lawmakers said. It's unclear how many lawmakers have sought access to postal plants, but at least five, all Democrats, said they'd received inconsistent explanations for the denials. Rep. Bill Pascrell, a New Jersey Democrat, visited a … Continue Reading
October 20, 2020
Offshore wind research to continue with data collection
by Sonia Waraich
Humboldt State University's Schatz Energy Research Center has wrapped up its webinars on its first set of offshore wind research publications, and the state and federal government are continuing to supply funding to keep that research continuing into the coming years. "We are keen on having the best available science in all our of decision-making," Necy Sumait, chief of renewable energy in the Pacific region with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said at the final virtual webinar in the … Continue Reading
October 19, 2020
RBG and the 116th Congress: Dispatches from Mark Dann, FFRF’s rep on Capitol Hill
by Mark Dann
If there's a common thread in my thoughts from Capitol Hill this year, it's the combination of dark and light moments: pessimism and fear coupled with tangible examples of victories and reasons for optimism. Like many of you, I'm living this emotional conflict. On one side, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died and a zealous ideologue, Amy Coney Barrett, has been nominated to "replace" her. On the other side, I'm optimistic because of the gains we have made in Congress and with the … Continue Reading
October 17, 2020
Yurok, Tolowa Dee-Ni’ tribes receive education grants
The U.S. Department of Education is awarding over $1.5 million in federal funding to the Yurok and Tolowa Dee-Ni' tribes in California's Second District. The Demonstration Grants have been awarded to evaluate and expand school services for Native children. Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), who represents the Tribes in California's Second District, said adequate funding is critical in ensuring the success of all students, especially Native American students who are often more … Continue Reading
October 16, 2020
Trump Administration Reverses Course and Approves California Wildfire Relief
by Associated Press and KQED
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday afternoon that President Trump has approved California's latest request for federal wildfire aid, reversing a Federal Emergency Management Agency decision this week to deny the funds, which could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. The request for disaster relief is aimed at cleaning up the damage from six recent wildfires among the siege of deadly and destructive blazes that have … Continue Reading
October 16, 2020
Tribes, minorities ask panel for fair chance at green grants
by Rob Hotakainen
Tribal officials on the front lines of fighting the effects of climate change told a House Natural Resources subcommittee yesterday that they rarely get federal help because they are forced to compete for grants against wealthier states. "A tribal nation of 500 people, no matter the financial resources, will find it difficult to compete against a government body - county or state - with anywhere from a few thousand to millions of citizens and an active tax base," said Fawn Sharp, president of … Continue Reading
October 15, 2020
West Sonoma County sees lowest census participation as count comes to a close
by Kaylee Tornay
The 2020 census wrapped up Thursday, and though Sonoma County as a whole showed a higher self-response rate than 10 years ago, low participation in the west county will likely affect federal funding for education and health care in communities recovering from calamities such as wildfires and flooding. "That's a real problem," said U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, whose Northern California congressional district stretches along the coast from the San Francisco Bay to the Oregon border. He said numbers … Continue Reading
October 15, 2020
Jared Huffman announces $1.5M for tribal students
by Andrew Butler
The U.S. Department of Education is awarding over $1.5 million in federal funding to the Yurok Tribe and the Tolowa Dee-Ni' Nation to evaluate and expand school services for Native children, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced Wednesday. The Yurok Tribe's Native Educational Choices and Empowerment Project will receive $1,038,353 and the Tolowa Dee-Ni' Nation's California/Oregon Indian Student Services Program will receive $655,193. "Adequate funding is critical in ensuring the … Continue Reading
October 15, 2020
West Sonoma County sees lowest census participation as count comes to a close
by Kaylee Tornay
The 2020 census wrapped up Thursday, and though Sonoma County as a whole showed a higher self-response rate than 10 years ago, low participation in the west county will likely affect federal funding for education and health care in communities recovering from calamities such as wildfires and flooding. "That's a real problem," said U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, whose Northern California congressional district stretches along the coast from the San Francisco Bay to the Oregon border. He said numbers … Continue Reading
October 14, 2020
The Sandpiper completes Petaluma River dredging
by Eldin Ganic
To celebrate the long-awaited milestone, the City of Petaluma hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday. Around-the-clock dredging started September 5 with The Sandpiper, an all-electric cutter-head suction dredger owned by Pacific Dredge & Construction. With the dredger in the background, San Francisco District Commander Lt. Col. John Cunningham, Congressman Jared Huffman and Petaluma Mayor Teresa Barrett provided remarks to a small, socially-distanced crowd before snipping the … Continue Reading
October 14, 2020
Huffman Announces Education Grants for Native Communities
San Rafael, CA - Today, Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced that the U.S. Department of Education is awarding over 1.5 million dollars in Federal funding to Tribes in California's Second District. Demonstration Grants have been awarded to the Yurok Tribe and the Tolowa Dee-Ni' Nation to evaluate and expand school services for Native children. "Adequate funding is critical in ensuring the success of all students, especially Native American students who are often more likely … Continue Reading
October 14, 2020
Petaluma River dredged for first time in 17 years
by Kathryn Palmer and Matt Brown
Local leaders this week celebrated the final days of the Petaluma River dredge project, marking the end of a protracted effort to clear the central waterway of a 17-year silty entombment blamed for declining tourism and river recreation. The nearly six-week long project is set to end Thursday, leaving the city with a rejuvenated river cleared of silt and debris as the electric-powered Sandpiper dredging barge and its San Diego-based Pacific Dredge & Construction crew make their way back … Continue Reading
October 14, 2020
2020 Census Deadline Tomorrow
by Iridian Casarez
If you haven't filled out the 2020 U.S. Census, you still have time. The last day for the 2020 census is tomorrow, Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii time (2:59 a.m. on Oct. 16 in California).The census is a data collection of the U.S. population that's administered every 10 years, it's used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and how much federal funding communities will receive for roads, schools, housing and social services.In a release sent by … Continue Reading