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California is suing the Trump Administration over its plans to cut $600 million in public health funding from California and three other Democratic states, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told Congress it would end Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants in California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. The attorneys general in those states filed a joint lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Wednesday, arguing the cuts are based on “arbitrary political animus” and would cause irreparable harm.

The grants under threat help fund workforce and data modernization as well as testing and treatment for diseases like HIV.

The cuts target grants provided to state and local health departments as well as universities and providers. According to the complaint, one of the grants at stake is the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, considered the “backbone” of public health nationwide.

California is due $130 million from that grant, according to Bonta’s office; the money pays for more than 400 jobs, including in areas lacking healthcare workers. It also goes to update the state’s ability to send electronic laboratory data and to provide urgent dental care to underserved children, the state claims.

Meredith Reyes, a lab technician 1, labels COVID-19 swab tests before processing at the Sonoma County Department of Public Health on June 8, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Losing those dollars would cause layoffs and weaken the state’s ability to prepare for public health emergencies, according to the lawsuit.

Another grant under threat, according to the lawsuit, supports planning for extreme heat events.

Other grants at risk include $6 million for Los Angeles County to address health inequities, $1.1 million that could be withdrawn from the Los Angeles County’s National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project; $876,000 for the Prevention Research Center at USCF to address social isolation among older L.G.B.T.Q. adults; $383,000 for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and $1.3 million for health staffing at Alameda County.

The U.S. Health and Human Services agency has not said why cuts to the Public Health Infrastructure Grant are happening only in four states, even though the program funds health departments in all 50. An agency spokesperson said only that “these grants are being terminated because they do not reflect agency priorities.”

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco Democrat, called the agency’s reasoning “a transparent excuse to punish states and communities it disagrees with, at the direct expense of lives and readiness.”

California Democratic U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff called the cancellation of grants “dangerous” and “deliberate.” “The Trump administration’s targeting of blue states is illegal and must end,” he said on X.

The California Department of Public Health and local health departments contacted by CalMatters said that they had not received official notice of the reported cuts. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health said the impact to Angelenos would be long-lasting.

“As local health departments across the nation face simultaneous health emergencies, cancelling federal investments will make our communities less healthy, less safe, and less prosperous,” the department said in an unsigned email.

Los Angeles County anticipates the cuts would undermine its capacity toIn summary The grants targeted help fund public health workforce and disease monitoring. Ending these grants could result in layoffs and worse health outcomes, according to a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Rob Bonta. respond to natural disasters and outbreaks like measles, avian flu and influenza, as well as its work monitoring sexually transmitted diseases and chronic conditions.

This isn’t the first time the Trump administration has targeted public health funding. Last spring, it tried to claw back billions of dollars from states meant to respond to public health threats, including COVID-19. A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled those cuts unlawful.

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Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.

Samasoni Talavou Fonoti (49) of Eureka passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026 at home surrounded by his loved ones. 

Samasoni was born on January 30, 1976 in Pago Pago, American Samoa at LBJ Hospital in Faga‘alu village to Fa’apisa Togafau Talamaivao and Toga La‘u Fonoti Sr. He was raised in Samoa until the age of 11 — a place that deeply shaped his values, strength and lifelong devotion to his family, faith and culture. He carried his Samoan heritage with pride everywhere he went, grounded in respect, solid in values, always putting family first, and carrying himself with dignity and purpose.

Growing up with a competitive spirit, Samasoni stayed active playing the sports he loved: baseball, basketball, football, and rugby. In 1987 he traveled with the American Samoa Youth Baseball Team to Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He remained there and lived with Aunty Isu Miller and her family who welcomed him with love and guidance. He attended Alva Scott Elementary School and ‘Aiea High School, graduating in 1994. During his years in Hawaii Samasoni continued to grow both academically and personally, forming lifelong friendships, deepening his sense of responsibility and independence. 

In 1998, Samasoni moved to Eureka with his father and little brother to attend College of the Redwoods and live alongside his older brother, Toga Fonoti Jr. Soon after, he met his wife Keaka (Roberts) Fonoti, and they were blessed with seven children: Talimaivou, Fa’apisa, Malia, Puletele, Tamasili, Samasoni Jr., and Kalea Fonoti. His children were his greatest joy. He took immense pride in each of them, always encouraging, teaching, and supporting them along the way. Samasoni was the foundation of his family, leading with integrity, wisdom and a strong work ethic that spoke louder than words. His family was the center of his world and everything he did was for them.

Throughout his life, he delivered newspapers, worked at Daiei Market, JCPenney, Sequoia Park Zoo, Costco #125, and in 2020 established his own restaurant. Island Delight held a special place in his heart for the following four years. He was deeply involved in every aspect and took great pride in running his family-owned business. He personally perfected his authentic Hawaiian recipes such as his Onolicious Chicken Katsu and Sweet and Sour Spareribs, along with his homemade sauces (all made from scratch with lots of love). These quickly became favorites among customers who raved about the tasty flavor. Cooking and sharing food became another way for Samasoni to connect with people, express his culture and give to others.  

Samasoni will be remembered as a man of dedication, generosity, strong will and kind-heartedness. His laughter filled rooms. His wisdom carried others forward and in a life shaped by humility he listened more than he spoke. Though our hearts are heavy we take comfort in knowing he passed surrounded by love and is welcomed with open arms in Heaven.

Samasoni is survived by his loving wife, Keaka Fonoti; his children Talimaivao Lokomaikaiokalani Fonoti, Fa’apisa Peleina Fonoti, Malia Atamai Fonoti, Puletele Talila Fonoti, Tamasili Fa’asoa Fonoti, Samasoni Makanatogiola Fonoti Jr. and Kalea Laginatia Fonoti; and his siblings Mila Fonoti, Fiti Fonoti, Sally Fonoti, Toga Fonoti Jr. and Susie Fonoti. He was preceded in death by his parents, Toga La‘u Fonoti Sr. and Fa’apisa Togafau Talamaivao, and his younger brother Talavou Fonoti. 

Services will take place on Friday, Feb. 20, at:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2806 Dolbeer St., Eureka, CA 95501
Viewing: 9 a.m. | Service: 11:30 a.m. 

Burial:

2 p.m. at Ocean View Cemetery, 3975 Broadway, Eureka.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Samasoni’s life and legacy, a fund has been set up to support his family. Monetary donations are deeply appreciated and will help assist the loved ones he devoted his life to. 

GoFundMe link.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Samasoni Fonoti’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Glenn E. Legg, age 95, of Eureka, passed peacefully on February 5, 2026, at Timber Ridge in Eureka, with family by his side.

Born April 7, 1930, in Eureka to Mannon and Beatrice Titus Legg, Glenn grew up in Rohnerville, graduating in 1948 from Fortuna High School. After graduation, Glenn worked in the timber and trucking industry for more than 50 years, first at Hammond Lumber Company and then Pacific Lumber Company. In 1958 he went to work for Redwood Construction Company for more than 25 years as a log truck driver, truck boss and safety supervisor. He ended his career as a log truck owner/operator for ten years retiring in 1993.

He enjoyed his deer and elk hunting trips with his hunting buddies both locally and in Colorado. Over the years other hobbies he enjoyed were camping, water skiing, fishing, golf, reading and RV traveling. In 1993 Glenn and his wife Mary took an RV trip around the United States, stopping in Casa Grande, Arizona to visit friends. They liked the area so much in 1994 they returned for one month, and in 1995 for two months and from that time on they went every year for six months until 2021.

Glenn was a past member of Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club in Fortuna and Big Foot Golf and Country Club in Willow Creek. He was a member of the Eureka Elks Lodge #652 and an avid San Francisco Giants and ‘49ers fan.

Glenn enjoyed a good argument and most of the time felt he was right.

Glenn is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Lee Legg; children Rob Legg (Kristine) of Eureka, Karen Gallagher (Jim) of Big Lake, Alaska; step-children Louise Goff (John) of Eureka, Lois Lee Busey (Gene Rinne) of Eureka and Robert Annis (Peggy) of Eureka, and two grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Timber Ridge of Eureka and Hospice of Humboldt for their excellent care and compassion. At Glenn’s request there will be no funeral service. Memorial contributions can be made to the donor’s charity of choice.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Glenn Legg’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Sandra Ellen Lingle, 86, of Eureka, passed away in the early morning of January 20, 2026, at the Hospice House of Humboldt.

She was born December 10, 1939, in New Haven, Connecticut to Camille and Arthur Johnson Sr. As the eldest sibling, she took pride in helping to care for her younger siblings whom she loved dearly. She graduated from Hill House High School and became a Connecticut state-licensed barber. She moved to California in 1978 and landed in Eureka in 1980. She also worked in banking, was a restaurant manager for many years, a case worker for income maintenance for the State of California and a union representative for her department. 

Sandra was a fierce defender of animal rights since she was a child. She took in dogs and cats of all kinds, giving them all her love and care through their old ages. She also cared deeply for the birds, always making sure the many bird feeders around her house were full. She very much enjoyed going bird watching as well, osprey being one of her favorites.

Sandra was preceded in death by brothers Richard Johnson, Peter Johnson and Arthur Johnson Junior. She was also preceded by many of her pets that she cared for and loved dearly; Minnie, Little Guy, Natia, Kia, Elle, Winnie, Fat Cat, KittyCoo, Hinckley, Walter, Snuggie, Lou, Hanns, Duncan, Cricket, Carrie, Winston and many others.

Sandra is survived by her sisters: Jane Ciarlone (Tony) and Debra Johnson (Maggie Goodwin); her children: John Sapiente (Leslie), Michael Sapiente, Bridgette Kubaki and Chadd Lingle; her grandchildren: Camille Sathrum (Andrew), Jennifer Sapiente, Zack Sapiente, Michelle Miller (Joseph), Ivan Kubaki and Atticus Kubaki; her great-grandchildren: Abigail Sathrum, Chloe Sathrum, Isaac Sathrum, Kyle Miller, Noah Miller and Jace Miller; her great-great-grandchild Hazel Miller and her beloved cat Pookie.

She was a communicant of St. Bernard’s Church in Eureka, where we will be holding a memorial mass on March 20, 2026 at 12:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to be sent to Miranda’s Rescue.

Born: January 27, 1950, in San Diego
Died: February 3, 2026, at 74 years old

She lived a quiet life and mostly kept to her home in Ferndale, however she worked as a manager in food service in Fortuna and Rio Dell over the years.

She enjoyed the fun things in life, like getting her nails done and shopping for pretty things like Jim Shore figures, jewelry and Temptation cookware.

No more will she sit on her porch in Ferndale, tanning her toes and enjoying the breeze. No more will she keep traditions alive with her wonderful cooking, hold a little dog in her lap, or spend time watching her birds.

After 44 years together, she will no longer be by the side of her favorite person, Roger, or with her son, Daryl McCombs, whom she lovingly raised.

Forever more she lives on in our hearts and our memories.

Forever more she will be at peace.

Services will be decided at a later date.

Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

On February 10th, 2026, Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) with the assistance of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office POP Team, served search warrants on Patrick Oneal Davis (52 years old from Eureka) and two residences associated with Davis. Agents located Davis at the first residence located in the 100 block of West Del Norte Street in Eureka. Davis was detained without incident. Agents located 2.3 grams of methamphetamine, 6.5 grams of fentanyl, and a digital scale. 

The second residence was located in the 3300 block of Cottage Street in Eureka where Agents detained Damon Austin Roberts Jr (22 years old from Eureka) without incident. Agents located 9 ounces of methamphetamine, 22 “M30” pills, 112 “B707” pills, a loaded stolen firearm, 2 digital scales, and approximately $9,705.00 in U.S. Currency.

Davis and Roberts were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where they were booked on the following charges:

Davis:

• HS11351- Possession of a controlled substance for sales
• HS11377(A)- Possession of a controlled substance 

Roberts:

• HS11378- Possession of a controlled substance
• HS11366- Operating/maintaining a drug house
• HS11370.1(A)- Possession of a controlled substance while armed 
• PC496(A)- Buying/receiving stolen property
• PC148.9(A)- Providing false identification 

Roberts was found to have numerous out-of-county warrants for various charges.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.

PREVIOUSLY

• Sheriff’s Office Investigating Potential Murder-Suicide in Weitchpec

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NOTE: The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office today publicly identified the individuals in the murder- suicide that occurred on Feb. 3, in Weitchpec as 52 -year-old Arthur Gutierrez Gonzales, Jr., and 59-year-old Celinda Jane Gonzales

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A member of the Yurok tribe who advocated for better mental health treatment and suicide intervention in rural Northern Californian has died in an apparent murder-suicide. 

Celinda Gonzales was 59. 

In 2020, CalMatters wrote about her work in Humboldt County, where about 2 and a half times as many residents die by suicide per capita as the rest of the state.  

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said they found two bodies in a home in the Yurok reservation village of Weitchpec on Feb. 3. 

“Based on the preliminary investigation, the incident appears to be consistent with a murder-suicide,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release. 

The sheriff’s office declined to elaborate on the nature of the crime scene or the identities of the people they found. 

The Yurok tribe confirmed Gonzales’s identity in a memorial. 

“She was a beloved friend to many Tribal Councilmembers, staff and community members,” the tribe said in the memorial. “This is a tremendous tragedy for the Tribe.”

Gonzales once had a grant-funded role as a suicide intervention specialist, working with local police and fire departments to recognize potential signs of an intent to self-harm. 

In 2019, the federal funds that paid for her grant position ran out, so she started working on her own. 

Gonzales lost her son, Paul, to suicide, when he was 19. Her 43-year-old brother, Gaylord Lewis Jr., died by suicide five years later, in 2014.

As the pandemic swept through California and rates of anxiety and suicidal ideation skyrocketed, Gonzales was motivated by her own losses to help in Humboldt County, where access to mental health services is already difficult, compounded by the dearth of psychiatrists willing to relocate to rural California. 

A 2016 Humboldt County grand jury investigation found that the county behavioral health board did not adequately serve the county’s residents. 

Gonzales believed that, despite the challenges of the pandemic, her community was resilient. 

“They’ve survived wars, floods, fires and landslides,” she told a CalMatters reporter in 2020. 

The Yurok tribe is offering grief counseling at the village clinic. 

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Nigel Duara joined CalMatters in 2020 as a Los Angeles-based reporter covering poverty and inequality issues for our California Divide collaboration. Previously, he served as a national and climate correspondent.