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ANTELOPE VALLEY NEWS


Intensified Federal Scrutiny of the Newsoms
Federal scrutiny of Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has intensified, with multiple Justice Department probes examining their finances, nonprofit ties, and tax-related conduct. The investigations—active for roughly a year—have drawn national attention due to their political implications, the involvement of FBI and IRS agents, and Newsom’s expected 2028 presidential ambitions. 1 2 Governor Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Federal Investiga

Richard Sykes
12 hours ago3 min read


FBI Investigating June 2026 Election in Shasta County
Federal scrutiny has intensified in Shasta County as the FBI is now examining concerns raised about the county’s June 2026 election — a rare and politically charged development in a state that recently moved to restrict law‑enforcement involvement in elections. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the scope of the inquiry, but records and statements from county officials show that Shasta’s Registrar of Voters, Clint Curtis, requested federal intervention after claiming tha

Richard Sykes
2 days ago3 min read


Street Takeovers Continue to Put Lives at Risk Across Southern California
Street takeovers continue to create dangerous situations across Southern California, with recent incidents leading to injuries, arrests, and businesses being looted. Authorities say the illegal gatherings are becoming more than reckless driving—they're becoming major public safety events.

Brian Lawrence
5 days ago2 min read


Antelope Valley July Crime Summary — July 2026
The Antelope Valley saw a turbulent July marked by violent incidents, property crimes, narcotics enforcement, and holiday‑week crackdowns that kept law‑enforcement agencies stretched across Lancaster, Palmdale, and surrounding communities. The month’s reports reveal a mix of escalating gun violence, persistent vehicle theft, and intensified policing operations aimed at curbing repeat offenders and organized criminal activity. Violent Crime and Public‑Safety Emergencies The mo

Richard Sykes
Aug 73 min read


Palmdale’s mayor is no longer chosen by voters — and many residents still don’t know it.
PALMDALE, CA — Since 2022, the City of Palmdale has used a rotating, council‑selected mayoral system, replacing the long‑standing practice of electing a mayor directly. The shift happened quietly during the city’s transition to district‑based elections, and it continues to generate confusion, frustration, and organized opposition among residents. Palmdale City Council Chamber A Major Change With Minimal Public Awareness Palmdale’s current mayor is not elected by voters. Inste

Richard Sykes
Aug 64 min read


Los Angeles County Investigators Identify Cause of Deadly Eaton Fire
Los Angeles County investigators have officially determined that Southern California Edison equipment caused the deadly Eaton Fire, concluding that electrical arcing from an out-of-service transmission tower ignited dry vegetation during the extreme Santa Ana wind event on January 7, 2025. The fire killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes across Altadena.

Brian Lawrence
Aug 42 min read


Here We Go Again—The Recent Rise In Violent Crime In The Antelope Valley
The Antelope Valley is experiencing a sharp and unsettling rise in violent crime, marked by shootings, armed encounters, and high‑risk police responses across Lancaster, Palmdale, and surrounding communities. Recent incident logs and regional reporting paint a picture of a region under strain, where everyday spaces — neighborhoods, streets, even pool parties — have become the backdrop for sudden bursts of violence. 1 A Region on Edge: Gunfire, Chaos, and High‑Risk Encounters

Richard Sykes
Jul 303 min read


The E-Bike Debate: Safety, Freedom, and Where Parents Fit In
A series of serious crashes involving young e-bike and electric motorcycle riders has sparked a growing debate across California. Following a high-profile Seal Beach case, many are asking whether parents should face greater responsibility—or whether education and better safety measures are the real answer.

Brian Lawrence
Jul 293 min read


Homelessness Declines in the Antelope Valley—So Why Does It Still Feel Like a Problem?
The latest homeless count shows the Antelope Valley experienced a decrease in homelessness in 2026, even as Los Angeles County saw an overall increase. But many residents say the numbers don't match what they're seeing in their neighborhoods. So why does it still feel like homelessness remains a growing problem?

Brian Lawrence
Jul 272 min read


House Votes to End Clock Changes. Here's What It Means for California
The U.S. House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but Californians will still change their clocks for now. Here's what the bill means, why California can't act yet, and what happens next.

Brian Lawrence
Jul 152 min read


California Bill Could Change How Your Car Insurance Is Calculated. Here's What It Means for Antelope Valley Drivers
California lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow drivers to voluntarily use driving-tracking technology to help determine auto insurance rates. Here’s how AB 311 could affect Antelope Valley commuters, along with the potential savings, privacy concerns and consumer protections.

Brian Lawrence
Jul 103 min read


Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go? How to Track State and Local Spending in California
Californians pay taxes every day, but many residents may not know where that money actually goes once it is collected. From state spending and city budgets to public salaries, special districts, roads, schools, and public safety, much of the information is public — but it is not always easy to find or understand. Here is how residents can start tracking where their tax dollars go.

Brian Lawrence
Jun 302 min read


Lancaster Pauses Several Prop 218 Assessment Hearings, Sewer Hearing Still Moving Forward
Lancaster – Mayor R. Rex Parris says most of the City’s proposed Proposition 218 district increases will not move forward at this time, citing the financial pressure many local families are already facing. In a statement to Lancaster residents, Parris said he will not place the Proposition 218 district elections on the upcoming City Council agenda, a move he said would “effectively stop the tax increases from being enacted.” “Our residents are hurting,” Parris said in the sta

Brian Lawrence
Jun 293 min read


Could AI Be Driving Up Gas Prices in California? New Lawsuit Raises Questions for Antelope Valley Drivers
California drivers are already used to paying some of the highest gas prices in the country, but a new federal lawsuit is now raising a different question: could artificial intelligence be helping keep those prices higher? A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Sacramento accuses several major gas station operators, including BP, Circle K, Marathon Petroleum, 7-Eleven, Walmart, and Albertsons, of using AI-powered pricing software from a company called Kalib

Brian Lawrence
Jun 263 min read


BREAKING NEWS: B‑52 Bomber Crashes at Edwards Air Force Base
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — June 15, 2026A U.S. Air Force B‑52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at 11:20 a.m. today on the Edwards AFB airfield, military officials confirmed. Emergency crews rushed to the scene within minutes, and the situation remains active and developing. 1 3 Image from Citizen App Base officials announced the crash in a statement posted to social media, confirming that the aircraft went down on the installation’s airfield just moments aft

Richard Sykes
Jun 152 min read


Incumbent Robert Luna Set to Face Predecessor Alex Villanueva in High‑Stakes L.A. County Sheriff’s Race
LOS ANGELES — In a dramatic rematch that underscores deep divisions over the future of the nation’s largest sheriff’s department, incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna is set to face off against his predecessor, Alex Villanueva, in the upcoming Los Angeles County sheriff’s race. Both candidates advanced after early returns showed them leading a crowded field, setting the stage for one of the most closely watched law‑enforcement elections in California. The contest marks the second ti

Richard Sykes
Jun 112 min read


Sales Tax is High In The AV, and It Is About To Get Even Higher
LOS ANGELES — After a dramatic late-count surge from mail-in ballots, Los Angeles County voters narrowly approved Measure ER on the June 2 primary ballot, enacting a temporary half-cent increase in the county sales tax to bolster healthcare services amid significant federal funding cuts. The measure, officially the Essential Services Restoration Act, passed with approximately 50.35% of the vote in favor and 49.65% opposed, according to updated results from the Los Angeles Cou

Richard Sykes
Jun 103 min read


A Classic That Crossed Continents: The Story of Starr Long’s 1959 Volkswagen Beetle
PALMDALE, CA—In the Antelope Valley, where desert winds carry stories across decades, few local treasures turn heads quite like Starr Long’s 1959 Volkswagen Beetle. Parked today in Palmdale, California, this Reseda Green time capsule isn’t just a car — it’s a documented survivor with a lineage as carefully preserved as its paint. What makes this Beetle special isn’t only its age or its California Historical Vehicle designation. It’s the fact that its entire life story has bee

Richard Sykes
Jun 93 min read


Allegations of Massive Fraud in California’s Grid Solar Program and the Gas Taxes That Fund It
California’s SOMAH solar program, managed by GRID Alternatives, faces allegations of $928M in public funds diverted from solar projects to political activism. Only 269 solar installations completed out of nearly $1B budget over a 10-year period (based on their own reporting). Investigations highlight oversight failures and political controversy. A Program Sold as Clean Energy Relief Now Faces Accusations of Political Diversion California’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Hous

Richard Sykes
Jun 83 min read


A History of Palmdale: From Ancient Trade Route to Modern Desert City
Palmdale’s story is one of migration, reinvention, and steady transformation—from Indigenous trade corridor to aerospace powerhouse and modern charter city. PALMDALE, CA — Long before Palmdale became one of California’s fastest‑growing desert cities, the Antelope Valley was a crossroads of movement, culture, and survival. Archaeological and historical records show that the region has been inhabited for over 11,000 years, serving as a major trade route for Native peoples trave

Richard Sykes
Jun 43 min read
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