City

Merced City School District Under Scrutiny as Grand Jury Alleges Misconduct and Violations

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MERCED, Calif. — A new report from the Merced County Grand Jury has cast a critical eye on Merced City School District, spotlighting a range of alleged misdeeds by its Board and administration that include sexual misconduct and multiple violations of the state’s open meeting laws. The scrutiny began following numerous complaints that painted a troubling picture of the internal operations within the district. Issues at the heart of the investigation range from workplace harassment and bullying to overt violations of the Brown Act, which guards against undisclosed meetings by local legislative entities. In a … Read more

Governor Hochul Appoints Veteran City Lawyer to New York Ethics Commission Amid Ongoing Legal Battle

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ALBANY, N.Y. — In a move reflective of ongoing efforts to enforce ethical governance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed James Caras, a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in public service, as a new member of the state’s ethics oversight body. Caras, a Manhattan resident with 31 years of service in New York City government, has been nominated to join the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, pending confirmation by a review committee of law school deans. Caras is positioned to serve a six-year term on the 11-member commission, which is tasked … Read more

Reedley Lab Owner Sues City and FDA, Alleges Rights Violations in Wake of Illegal Operation Crackdown

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Reedley, Calif. — A controversy continues to unfold more than a year after government officials unearthed an unauthorized laboratory in Reedley, leading to a complex legal battle. The owner of the lab, David He, also known as Jia Bei Zhu, has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Reedly and the FDA, alleging significant violations of his constitutional rights. This legal action did not catch the city officials off guard. Reedley’s City Manager, Nicole Zieba, commented on the city’s readiness to face these allegations, revealing that He had previously sought a substantial $50 million in … Read more

Daytona Beach Church Fights Back After City Forces Closure of Vital Food Pantry, Lawsuit Filed

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Daytona Beach, Florida – A small congregation in Daytona Beach finds itself at odds with the city’s zoning regulations, leading to the shutdown of its food pantry. Led by Pastor Ben Figueroa, the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Daytona Beach had been operating the pantry every Wednesday, providing assistance to hundreds of community members. However, the city cited a violation of an ordinance and forced the pantry to close its doors. Feeling powerless, the church is now working with attorney Chobee Ebbets to challenge the city’s decision in court. Ebbets, representing the church pro bono, … Read more