Tracy Interfaith Ministries learned this week that California Assemblymember Carlos Villapadua (D-Stockton) has selected the local charity a 2022 California Nonprofit of the Year.

Tracy Interfaith Ministries is one of more than 100 nonprofits that will be honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for their contributions to the communities they serve.

In the nearly two months since Russia invaded Ukraine, the images of wartime devastation continue to haunt us. Vladimir Putin’s war crimes have disrupted the world’s economy, driving up energy costs and affecting every Californian. To bring relief from high gas prices and reduce California’s reliance on foreign oil, we need to support more local production of the abundant energy sources we possess.

Jackson is 4 years old. His little sister, Isabella, is 3. They live with their mother, Rachel, a recovering heroin addict at Saint John’s Program for Real Change, a shelter for formerly homeless women and children that I head. Rachel, like many of the mothers in our shelter, is a participant of a court-ordered reunification program. To keep custody of her children, she must refrain from using alcohol and drugs.

SACRAMENTO, Calif — Since 1973, the California Latino Legislative Caucus has been serving Latino people and their communities.  

The mission of the Caucus is 'to identify, promote and advocate on behalf of the professional, educational, social, political and cultural interests of the Latino community.' 

The Caucus is made up of members from the State Senate and Assembly  and on Wednesday, the Caucus voted to prioritize 20 bills for this legislative session. Out of the 20 bills, nine of them focus on education.

Lawmakers in California are considering a pilot program that would financially support would-be physicians from underrepresented groups while addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in underserved communities.

Julia Conover’s advocacy for veterans, and for the families who have lost loved ones to war, has become well-known in Northern California and in San Joaquin County and Tracy, where she is most active.

FRENCH CAMP, Calif. —

Stockton Assm. Carlos Villapudua wants to bring much-needed physicians to underserved areas of the Central Valley by offering full scholarships to aspiring doctors.

According to his office, San Joaquin County has a dire need for more physicians. For every 100,000 residents in the county, there are only 39 primary care physicians, leading to delays in care. However, if Assembly Bill 2132, known as the “California Future Physician Fund,” is passed by the State Assembly, $20 million would be set aside for scholarships.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

A bill that would make possession of a detached catalytic converter a crime and punishable with jail time faced stiff opposition on California's Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Assm. Carlos Villapudua, D Stockton, vied for his bill in front of the Assembly committee, where he spoke about the importance of implementing a bill that cracks down on thefts, so his constituents can feel some relief.