Press release from the Yurok Tribe:

The Yurok Tribal Council voted to provide $300 food assistance cards to Yurok citizens experiencing disruptions in access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP and CalFresh benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

The prepaid cards are available to each Yurok household with one person enrolled in these supplemental nutrition programs, regardless of where they reside.

“Our goal is to help our most vulnerable citizens get through this challenging time,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “We are working day and night to mitigate as much as possible the near and far-term negative impacts that the federal shutdown is having on our families.”

“The Tribal Council and staff are committed to doing everything we can to alleviate the burden that the federal shutdown is placing on economically insecure families. We know the heads of these households are working equally hard to provide the best quality of life for their loved ones,” added Yurok Vice Chair Rose Sylvia.

The food cards can be used at Safeway, Grocery Outlet and Walmart. Please note that the number of Walmart cards is limited, as they cannot be purchased in bulk. To acquire a card, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria.

• One applicant per household
• Must have one enrolled Yurok citizen in the household
• Applicants must provide proof of participation in SNAP or CalFresh
• Applicants must not receive benefits from Yurok Tribal TANF as they will automatically receive a $300 food gift card.
• Apply before November 20, 2025

Starting today, tribal citizens may apply for a food card. Please complete the Emergency Food Gift Card application online at this link. The Tribe will be processing applications as quickly as possible. Tribal staff will contact local applicants to arrange a time to pick up the card at one of the following locations: Klamath Tribal Office, Weitchpec Tribal Office, Willow Creek Tribal Office, Eureka TANF Office and the Aawok Marjorie Buckskin Building in Crescent City. The application is available at these offices too. Cards will be mailed to applicants who reside outside the service area.

If you have any questions, please call the Client Services Receptionist at 855-55-YUROK, ext. 3068.

This measure is intended as temporary support and does not replace or replicate federally funded programs or services. Last week, the Tribal Council issued an emergency declaration to mobilize tribal resources for those in need. Concurrently, the Tribe is seeking emergency grant funding to bolster its response efforts.

Also last week, two judges ordered the federal government to continue funding SNAP during the shutdown. The 42 million Americans enrolled in the program may receive a portion of their November benefits, although the exact amount and timing of the payment remains unclear.

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Following yesterday’s meeting of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, at which Second District Supervisor Supervisor Michelle Bushnell was censured by her colleagues and removed from her position as chair, Bushnell posted the following statement to Facebook:

I want to start by saying I understand the board’s decision, and I take responsibility for the part I played in the incident that brought us here. I’ve already acknowledged that my behavior that day wasn’t appropriate, and I’ve taken steps to address it personally and professionally.

That said, I don’t agree with all of the findings or with how this process was handled. I’ve retained legal counsel because I believe there is a significant issue with due process — and that matters, not just for me, but for the integrity of this board’s procedures going forward.

I also think it’s unfortunate that some of my colleagues have chosen to go beyond the facts of the investigation and make additional, unsubstantiated claims in public.

My focus remains on serving the people of the 2nd District, who know my commitment to this community. I’m going to keep doing the work I was elected to do — with transparency, professionalism, and respect.

Note: Bell gave a statement to Redheaded Blackbelt yesterday, saying that he can’t share much information on the advice of legal counsel, but did say, “The people that were present and saw what occurred know that I am innocent … I look forward to clearing my name when the truth ultimately comes out.”

Find that story here.

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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On November 2, 2025, at approximately 1:26 a.m., Eureka Police Department patrol officers responded to a report of a physical altercation between two males on the 100 block of 2nd Street in Eureka. The investigation revealed that the incident began as a verbal dispute and escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, one of the individuals struck the other multiple times with his fists and, while the victim was on the ground, kicked him in the head, causing injury.

Following the investigation, officers issued a county-wide probable cause arrest for 38-year-old Cassion Jehial Bell.

On November 3, 2025, Bell turned himself in to the Eureka Police Department. He was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for felony assault causing injury.

If you have any information in regard to this incident, please contact Eureka Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 707-441-4300.

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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[NOTE: With 23,259 Humboldt County ballots counted by last night and many more to go, Prop. 50 is easily passing locally as well, with 61.2% of the vote. —LoCO.]

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California voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Gov. Gavin Newsom’s measure that allowed the state to redraw its congressional map in favor of Democrats, pushing back against President Donald Trump’s effort to hold onto a Republican-controlled Congress by urging redistricting in Texas.

Tuesday capped off a whirlwind, hyper-partisan two-and-a-half-month campaign for one of the most expensive ballot measures in state history. Supporters poured more than $120 million into Newsom’s committee supporting the measure. Opponents raised just $44 million. Outside groups spent $27 million to try to sway the vote.

Here’s what you missed.

Newsom declares victory

In a triumphant speech, Newsom proclaimed that Prop. 50’s victory was not just a win for California, but a win for the entire country. He called on leaders in other Democratic-held states — Illinois, Virginia, Maryland and New York — to “meet the moment” and redraw their congressional districts, too.

“Instead of agonizing over the state of our nation, we organized in an unprecedented way,” Newsom said. “Tonight, I’m proud. But I’m very mindful and sober of the moment we are living in. Donald Trump does not believe in fair and free elections, period and full stop.”

Prop. 50’s passage marked a significant victory for the governor, who took a political risk on the measure, calculating that it would give the state’s Democratic voters who are frustrated with the Trump administration a way to “fight back.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to the press, alongside his partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, after Proposition 50 was passed by California voters, at the California Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento on Nov. 4, 2025. Photo by Jungho Kim for CalMatters

Though opponents criticized him for using the measure to burnish his national profile, Newsom was joined in his effort by numerous liberal groups, who argued that helping Democrats win the House could counter the administration’s aggressive immigration raids, cuts to social services and erosion of democratic norms.

Republicans vowed they will still challenge Democrats statewide, and said the election distracted from issues like the cost of living.

“Even under this new map, Republicans have clear opportunities to flip seats because Californians are fed up with Democrat chaos,” National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Richard Hudson said in a statement.

What this means for incumbent Republicans

Five GOP congressmembers now face steep odds to re-election and are more likely to lose their seats after next year’s midterms:

• Rocklin Rep. Kevin Kiley reaffirmed Tuesday night he’ll run for re-election despite his 3rd District becoming more liberal: “Politicians can change the lines on a map, but they can’t tell you how to vote.”
• Chico Rep. Doug LaMalfa, whose 1st District in the vast rural northeast corner of California, will lose several conservative counties and take in liberal Santa Rosa, has also said he will run again.
• Corona Rep. Ken Calvert will have to decide whether to run in a primary against a fellow Republican after his Riverside County district moves completely. He’ll instead be in the safe Republican 40th District held by Rep. Young Kim.
• Hanford Rep. David Valadao’s district in the southern Central Valley will become slightly more Democratic and stretch closer to Fresno. The race could still be competitive; the Republican has held onto his seat despite a Democratic registration advantage.
• Escondido Rep. Darrell Issa’s eastern San Diego County district will lose conservative pockets and gain liberal voters in the Coachella Valley. He said Tuesday night that he’s “not quitting.”

An election worker puts two ballots in a curbside ballot drop box outside a vote center at the Huntington Beach Central Library in Huntington Beach on Nov. 4, 2025. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters

What this means for Democrats

Five Democratic House incumbents have seen their districts grow safer under Prop. 50:

• Rep. Josh Harder, a Stockton Democrat, was swept into Congress during the 2018 Democratic wave and he has held onto his Stockton-based seat despite being a perpetual Republican target.
• Rep. Adam Gray of Turlock had the closest 2024 House race in the country. With more Democratic voters from Stockton, it will be much easier for him to hold the seat next year.
• Rep. George Whitesides of Santa Clarita represents northern Los Angeles suburbs in the 27th District that have grown gradually more liberal. His new seat brings in more Democratic voters from the San Fernando Valley.
• Rep. Derek Tran of Cypress should have an easier time defending his seat in the heavily Asian 45th District, which straddles Orange and Los Angeles counties.
• Rep. Dave Min of Costa Mesa won his 47th District seat by fewer than three percentage points last November. The new map shifts his district away from Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.

While numerous Democrats have been running assuming the new maps would apply, several are poised to switch districts now:

• Rep. Ami Bera in Sacramento County, will shift from the 6th District to challenge Kiley in the 3rd District.
• In turn, Dr. Richard Pan, a prominent former state senator who had already declared a challenge against Kiley, said he will now run in the 6th District.
• Two candidates challenging Calvert in his current district — Brandon Riker and Anuj Dixit — have said they will instead challenge Issa in the newly drawn 48th District.

Trump threatens ‘legal and criminal’ review

Trump threatened Tuesday to challenge California’s mail-in ballot results, claiming without evidence that it was fraudulently conducted — even before any results were in.

The president said there would be “very serious legal and criminal review” of the state’s use of universal mail ballots. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt later said Trump was working on an executive order to strengthen elections and assure there isn’t “blatant fraud” in California’s universal mail-in ballots.

About 7 million Californians had already voted by Election Day, 4.6 million of whom put their ballots in the mail. Another 2.3 million put a ballot they received in the mail at a ballot drop-off box or at an elections office. For more than a decade, the majority of voters in California elections have participated by mail. Voter fraud is extremely rare, and studies have found no evidence that voting by mail increases fraud.

Liane Elizabeth John, 72, passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2025. Born on August 24, 1953, in Los Angeles, she was the beloved daughter of Nancy Carol Graden and the late Neil William Graden, and sister to Dekker Rogue Graden and Derek Storm Graden. A devoted mother, she is survived by her sons Jason Morley John, Jeffrey Martin John and Michael Ryan John, all of whom carry forward her spirit of curiosity, creativity and compassion.

From her early days as a proud Girl Scout, Liane’s life was colored by a joy for exploration, artistry and community. She found beauty in nature — whether bird-watching, stargazing, or collecting treasures while beachcombing along the Pacific coast. Her array of telescopes and her iconic red flashlight were staples of many family nights under the stars, as she passed on her love of the outdoors to her children and grandchildren.

Liane’s creativity was boundless. Quilting became both her art form and her legacy—what began as a pastime alongside her mother blossomed into an award-winning pursuit that earned her recognition in quilting circles and even a magazine cover. Later in life, she poured her heart into teaching others the joy of sewing, patchwork and self-expression. Her style — whether in her handmade wardrobe or her whimsical jewelry — was unmistakably her own: fun, fearless and endearingly offbeat.

Beyond her artistry, Liane dedicated herself to helping others. As lifelong public servant, Liane’s career spanned roles in the Welfare office, the gang task force and as an essential aide to a leading defense attorney in Humboldt County. She was deeply involved in civic matters, volunteering tirelessly during elections and never hesitating to offer thoughtful guidance to anyone who crossed her path.

She is survived by her sons, Jason Morley John (Ruthie John), Jeffrey Martin John (Tawnya John) and Michael Ryan John; and her grandchildren, Oak Allyson Whitney John, Connor Neil John, Addison Marie John Sousa, Cadence Renee John and Opehlia Elizabeth John, who will carry forward her sense of wonder and compassion.

Liane Elizabeth John will be remembered for her warmth, her humor and her unwavering belief in the goodness of people — a legacy stitched lovingly into the lives of all who knew her.

Celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on January 17, 2026 in the Bay Room at the Wharfinger Building, 1 Marina Way Eureka. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her honor to Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka.

Many thanks and appreciation to Goble’s in Fortuna for their support and services on her behalf. Please text (510) 396-9817 for any further information.

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PREVIOUSLY

• Humboldt County Supervisors May Remove Bushnell as Chair and Censure Her for Mistreatment of Employees
• Following Misconduct Complaint, Supervisor Bushnell Hires Private Attorney to Challenge the County’s Investigation Process

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This afternoon, at an emotionally intense meeting of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell was censured by her colleagues and removed from her role as board chair in response to sustained allegations that she mistreated two county employees.

The board also voted to draft a letter asking the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury to review the board’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone proposed taking this step after Bushnell hired a private attorney to challenge that code’s prescribed process for investigating and addressing complaints of supervisor misconduct.

The board chose not to go one step further and remove Bushnell from her other assigned roles on various boards and committees, a step Madrone had proposed. 

Bushnell’s removal from the role of board chair will only impact the remaining three supervisor meetings of 2025. Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson, who has been serving as vice chair, will take over the chair’s responsibilities.

As previously reported, an independent investigation, which included interviews with six witnesses, found that on May 5 of this year Bushnell raised her voice, spoke in a hostile manner, and cursed at two employees. The investigative report concluded that she likely repeatedly accused a county employee of being a liar, accused another employee of being a liar and slammed a door after yelling and cursing at the employee.

Today, supervisors repeatedly described their discussion about these matters as “uncomfortable.” Bushnell offered an emotional reflection on her behavior, and over the next hour or so, as her colleagues continued to deliberate what to do about the whole mess, her discomfort clearly accumulated.

“I just want to get through this,” she said at one point. Later, she beseeched her fellow supervisors to hurry up. Her voice trembled as she said, “I need to get off this dais.”

During the public comment period, several speakers voiced support for Bushnell. Former county supervisor Johanna Rodoni described her as “the epitome of a public servant.” Laura Lasseter from the Southern Humboldt Business & Visitors Bureau said she is “vital to Southern Humboldt and to all of her constituents.” Cannabis farmer Craig Johnson said, “What I look for in leadership is exactly what Supervisor Bushnell displays in every facet of the job.”

Bushnell’s appointee to the Planning Commission, Thomas Mulder, also expressed support for her, though he admitted to being really confused about “the censorship,” apparently mixing that word up with “censure.” (Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo later explained that the latter means a formal expression of disapproval.)

Wilson said the proposed censure was “not about Supervisor Bushnell’s performance as a supervisor in her community.” Rather, he said, “We’re here to to address a specific incident that occurred.”

Given the chance to address the public and her colleagues, Bushnell said, “I am regretful that the incident that happened … made everybody very uncomfortable. I was very loud. I felt wronged, and I reacted bad. I also made staff very uncomfortable, and nobody should have to feel that way in their workplace.”

‘I sometimes get heated when I feel wronged.’
—Michelle Bushnell

By way of explanation — though not an excuse — Bushnell said she has a “fight or flight personality” sometimes.

“It comes from past traumas of a very abusive relationship, and I work really hard, and I’ve been in counseling for it for a lot of years,” she said. “And I sometimes get heated when I feel wronged. In no way, though, should I ever make an employee feel uncomfortable in their work.”

She went on to say that she would respect whatever action the board chooses to take and move forward.

“I do not have the right to raise my voice, slam a door or cuss, and it’s something I work on continually and will continue to work on,” Bushnell said. She then added, “Again, to the employees, I am regretful and wish I would have handled it different.”

Arroyo made a motion to censure Bushnell. Madrone seconded it. Before a vote was taken, Wilson took issue with Bushnell’s framing of the incidents of May 5. He said that being “regretful” and “uncomfortable” is different than being sorry and that a county supervisor bears extra responsibility.

“When … we as people in power are doing or are behaving in this way, it actually is often perceived as threatening; it’s not just uncomfortable,” he said. “People are concerned about their job, about their livelihoods. They’re concerned about their place in the community.”

Wilson added that Bushnell is not the victim in this situation.

Bohn kept his comments brief. He took issue with Wilson’s dissection of Bushnell’s apology and said, “I hope this is a teaching moment and we move forward from here.”

The vote to publicly censure Bushnell was unanimous. Next up was Madrone’s proposal to take further actions he said were “designed to restore public confidence, ensure a safe and respectful working environment and uphold the standards of ethical governance expected by and owed to the residents of Humboldt County.”

Nearly all of the public commenters who’d previously voiced support for Bushnell did so again. While some said it would be fine to refer the board’s code of conduct to the Civil Grand Jury for review, they argued that removing her from her position on various boards and committees would deprive her constituents of the representation they chose.

Madrone countered that while there’s no doubt that Bushnell is a strong advocate for her communities, the code of conduct points out, “We’re supposed to be looking out for the the interests of the county as a whole, the public interest, above and beyond any constituents’ interest.” He also pointed out that Bushnell had a similar instance of losing her temper in 2022, which included a sustained finding of misconduct.

‘I have a growing, increasing concern over that pattern of bullying, intimidation and retaliatory conduct and abusive treatment of others.’
—Steve Madrone

“I have further witnessed similar behaviors towards staff, the public and community partners … ,” Madrone said. “I have a growing, increasing concern over that pattern of bullying, intimidation and retaliatory conduct and abusive treatment of others.”

Madrone brought up his own sustained allegation of misconduct, from 2023, and said he has apologized for it over and over.

After Madrone wrapped up his comments, Bushnell, shaken, asked, “Can the board decide what they’re going to do?”

But Wilson had a bit more to say. If any of the county’s non-elected directors, supervisors or managers had acted the way Bushnell did, they likely would have been immediately placed on administrative leave to protect the employees who’d been subjected to such behavior, he argued. In this case, he continued, the right thing to do would have been to ask the Human Resources Department for recommendations and immediately implement them.

“That’s not what happened,” Wilson said. “HR did have recommendations for Supervisor Bushnell, and there were two of them. And one of them was partially done and the other was completely ignored. … That was what happened in May, and we are now in November, right? So there wasn’t much that really occurred in terms of the workplace environment response from that incident until now.”

That five-month delay has left employees vulnerable, Wilson said, adding, “We are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment, free of threats, free of violent behavior. The employees are scared.”

As the discussion continued, the majority of supervisors agreed that the Grand Jury should take an independent look at the board’s code of conduct to see if its procedures can be improved upon. 

Bohn then proposed asking Bushnell to step down from her role as chair for the remaining three meetings of the year but not stripping her of her committee assignments. He also suggested that the board should refrain from asking the Grand Jury to weigh in Bushnell’s conduct, but Wilson and Arroyo wanted to keep that included in the motion at hand.

That motion, proffered by Arroyo, was to remove Bushnell as chair and have two supervisors (Arroyo and Wilson) draft a letter asking the Grand Jury to review Bushnell’s conduct and to provide recommendations on changes to be considered for the Board of Supervisor’s Code of Conduct.

Arroyo, Wilson and Madrone voted in favor. Bohn voted “no” and Bushnell abstained.

Another Effort to Address Homelessness

During the morning session, the board spent 90 minutes grappling with the ever-intractable matter of homelessness.

The discussion was prompted by a proposal from Bushnell to ban overnight camping on county-owned properties. The ensuing debate focussed largely on whether such an enforceable measure would offer county personnel another “tool in the toolbox” — an oft-repeated phrase — or be a waste of resources that doesn’t get to the root of the issue.

Bushnell said she’d spoken with both Sheriff William Honsal and Public Works Director Tom Mattson, and her intent was to create an enforcement option that could encourage otherwise recalcitrant squatters to seek out sanctioned housing options.

Referring to issues near Dean Creek in her own district, Bushnell said, “We’re finding some folks that feel very comfortable on those county properties, and so they don’t feel the need to even try to seek that help, even when it’s offered.”

Honsal said his office has responded to about 1,500 calls in the last five years to address illegal camping. 

“We lead with compassion in these circumstances, where we’re trying to steer people towards services … to try and care for their needs and provide them housing, food [and] medical care,” he said. “I think people would be shocked if they actually walked with us into these unsheltered areas where people are are struggling and see how we treat them … and also [see] the deplorable conditions that they’re living in. We don’t treat animals the way that people are leave living in some of these areas in Humboldt County.”

Unsanctioned camping on public land has led to persistent trespassing and pollution problems on the McKay Tract by Redwood Acres, off Lucas Street in Myrtletown and near Palmer Boulevard north of Fortuna, according to Honsal.

Mattson said the county spends between $50,000 and $150,000 per year disposing of illegal waste. He noted particular problems at the Fields Landing boat ramp and said a public ordinance banning overnight camping “would probably be very helpful.”

Regarding the problems associated with homelessness, Mattson said, “It’s beyond public works, it’s beyond the sheriff, it’s beyond DHHS [the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services]. This is an entire-community issue. It’s all hands on board.”

But some county supervisors were skeptical. Bohn worried that the proposed ban would just push illegal campers onto private property, setting off a game of Whac-A-Mole.

Madrone said homelessness is probably the most difficult issue the board has to deal with. “So I don’t know what the solution is. I really don’t,” he said, adding, “This [proposal], to me, is just going to make it even harder for people to find a place to just survive. So I have issues with it.”

Arroyo said she’s been “down this road before” when she helped to establish camping restrictions during her time on the Eureka City Council, “and I have, frankly, very little appetite to kind of go down that road again.” She argued that there are plenty of existing rules on the books to deal with illegal behavior, and she hasn’t seen broad punitive measures be effective in alleviating homelessness.

During the public comment period, two people called in to urge the board not to enact a camping ban, with one saying, “Criminalization only serves to further marginalize individuals, to further push them into more desperate situations.”

Michelle Stephens, assistant director of administration at DHHS, said a camping ordinance could be a “tool in the toolbox” and asked that her department be included should the board choose to have such a policy drafted.

Ultimately, Madrone made a motion to have staff work with a pair of supervisors — Bohn and Bushnell — to put together what he called a “compassionate assistance ordinance,” something that combines an enforcement mechanism with outreach for public services. 

The board approved the motion by a vote of 4-1, with Arroyo dissenting. She said the county already has “a lot of irons in the fire” and she’s not convinced that this particular approach would be the best use of staff’s time.

What Else?

• The board considered making changes to the county’s 11-member Human Rights Commission — discussing options to alter its membership, quorum requirements and/or focus — but decided to leave things as they stand.
• Following a bit of discussion, the board modified the county’s zoning ordinance to address density bonus provisions. Ford explained that the changes were “largely done to make our ordinance consistent with state law” when it comes to incentives for developing housing with above the maximum density that could otherwise be allowed, just so long as a percentage of the units are reserved for underserved demographics. The board unanimously supported the proposal.

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California will not run for governor in next year’s highly watched race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, the senator unexpectedly announced in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

The decision comes after months of speculation that California’s senior senator, who Newsom appointed to succeed former Vice President Kamala Harris after she stepped down in 2020, could throw his hat in the ring and dominate an otherwise open field.

Padilla’s staff confirmed Tuesday that he would not be seeking the governorship.

“It is with a full heart and even more commitment than ever that I am choosing to not be running for governor of California next year,” Padilla told reporters in the U.S. Capitol. “I choose to stay in this fight because the Constitution is worth fighting for.”

Padilla, the first Latino to represent California in the Senate, gained national attention this summer after a video went viral of him being forced to the ground and detained at a press conference hosted by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

In his brief remarks, Padilla said he had received encouragement to run from people across the state, including business and labor leaders, people who approached him at his church, the grocery store and local parks.

“Californians have urged me to do everything I could to protect California and the American Dream from this vindictive president,” Padilla said. “I’ve been truly honored and humbled by their encouragement, and I’ve taken it to heart.”

The crowded Democratic field still includes prominent names like former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, who made headlines for threatening to leave a televised CBS interview after the reporter asked questions she didn’t like, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Former California State Controller Betty Yee, the only other female candidate still in the race, has called on Porter to drop out.

Other Democrats still in the mix include former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villairaigosa, who lost to Newsom in 2018; former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond; former state Controller Betty Yee; and former Assemblyman Ian Charles Calderon. Prominent Republican challengers include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News contributor Steve Hilton.