Grand

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

“Girls Will Be Girls” Triumphs at IFFLA: Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s Production Seals Grand Jury Prize

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Los Angeles, USA — The movie ‘Girls Will Be Girls,’ produced by Bollywood actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal under their banner Pushing Buttons Studios, has been awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. This victory marks yet another milestone for their debut production, following previous triumphs at international film festivals in Romania and France. Richa Chadha, co-founder of Pushing Buttons Studios, expressed her delight over the film’s ongoing success. She highlighted the significance of the prize, noting it as an incredible honor and appreciating the acknowledgment of their … Read more

Stanislaus County Welcomes New Civil Grand Jury Members for 2024-2025, Aims to Boost Local Government Accountability

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Modesto, Calif. — In a ceremony held on June 27, the Stanislaus County Superior Court moved forward with the traditional selection and swearing-in of the 19 members set to serve on the Civil Grand Jury for the 2024-2025 term. Presided over by Judge Carrie Stephens, the event marked the initiation of the new jury’s responsibilities which officially begin on July 1, 2024, and will conclude on June 30, 2025. The Civil Grand Jury, a fundamental element of local governance in California, plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability within various government bodies. By … Read more

Grand Jury Exposes Governance Flaws in Antioch, Urges Leadership to Respect Boundaries and Fill Staff Vacancies

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Antioch, CA — A recent investigation by the Contra Costa County Grand Jury into Antioch’s City Council activities under Mayor Lamar Thorpe has unveiled significant operational and managerial issues. The findings revealed probable violations of the Brown Act, which mandates transparency in public agency meetings, and inappropriate interventions in hiring and other administrative functions typically reserved for the City Manager. The turmoil includes a notably high turnover among city managers and an alarming 21.6% vacancy rate in city employment as of February 2024, starkly contrasting the national average of 5.3% for local and state government … Read more