State Senator Mike McGuire spoke at a rally during a recess in the State of California-Providence trials outside the Humboldt County courthouse, held to support Anna Nusslock and reproductive rights. (Here’s a link to a story about today’s hearing.)

“I especially want to say thank you to Ms. Nusslock,” McGuire said. “[For] your strength. Your courage. Your conviction. You’re standing up and you’re standing strong to ensure that no other woman in this state faces the horrific conditions you did. You’re standing up for injustice, for all women in California.”

About a dozen people attended. Nusslock and Ferndale resident Ellie Titus also addressed the crowd, mostly composed of older attendees not too inclined to do much yelling. One of them (who asked to remain anonymous) said she was “shocked” she had to attend protests in California “in this day and age,” so long after the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision when she was 19. 

Nusslock said doctors at St. Joseph Hospital denied her an abortion for religious reasons when she sought care there in Feb. 2024 after she had a miscarriage 15 weeks into her pregnancy with twins. Nusslock says they gave her a bucket full of towels and a choice between going to Mad River Hospital in Arcata or hemorrhaging to death attempting to make a trip to a hospital in San Francisco.

Nusslock didn’t need a megaphone.

“When I was pregnant with my daughters, I truly thought they were going to change the world,” she said. “…I went to Providence that day for a lot of reasons. I went because my doctor told me to. I went because it was close to my house, and in an emergency every second matters. And I went because they claim to care about their pregnant patients’ outcomes. Miscarriage and loss are a part of pregnancy, and if it happens to you, you deserve to be cared for with compassion, to be treated with respect and to have your dignity maintained. Providence did none of that for me.”

“Providence sent their attorneys here today to argue for the right to hurt other people like they hurt me, and this is unacceptable,” Nusslock continued. “This is cruel and this is dangerous. You meeting here today shows the world what our community thinks about Providence continuing to hurt our families. We are not okay with forcing people to suffer in their most vulnerable moments, and we will not be quiet about it.”

After McGuire finished, Nusslock told him she appreciated his attendance and said she was willing to support him in his campaign for Congress. 

She also told the Outpost that she appreciated everyone who came. 

“I was so scared for my neighbors and my friends; I couldn’t live with myself if they went through what I went through without me standing up to fight back against it,” she said. “I was ready to do it alone, but the fact that I don’t have to gives me all the hope in the world.”

Alexandre’s address starts at about the 25-minute mark in the video above.

This morning, Blake Alexandre of Alexandre Family Farms appeared at a press conference announcing the Trump Administration’s launch of a $700 million pilot program designed to promote regenerative practices on American farms.

Alexandre, a Ferndale native, runs his family’s dairy and poultry operation out of Crescent City, though it still manages cattle in Humboldt County as well.

Well known for its organic offerings and “A2/A2” milk, Alexandre Family Farms has long been a proponent of regenerative farming, an approach that pays close attention to the health of the soil and the ecosystem, emphasizing nature-mimicking processes to keep land productive.

“Regenerative farming is simply farming in harmony with nature, in the way God intended, or our maker intended,” Alexandre said, after being introduced by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

He noted that Alexandre Family Farms was the first certified regenerative farm in the United States, and made a case that food produced on such farms are more nutrient-rich than it would be otherwise.

Not everyone is pleased with the farm’s operations. Early last year, a national nonprofit called Farm Forward issued a report alleging that Alexandre Family Farms employed inhumane practices on its animals. In a statement sent to the Outpost, the company said the report was “part of an ongoing campaign by an animal rights activist group questioning the validity of humane farming certifications.” The report prompted a pair of lawsuits, neither of which has been finally resolved.

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Press release from the USDA:

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.

Building off the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy released in September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also investing in research on the connection between regenerative agriculture and public health, as well as developing public health messaging explaining this connection.

“Protecting and improving the health of our soil is critical not only for the future viability of farmland, but to the future success of American farmers. In order to continue to be the most productive and efficient growers in the world, we must protect our topsoil from unnecessary erosion and improve soil health and land stewardship. Today’s announcement encourages these priorities while supporting farmers who choose to transition to regenerative agriculture. The Regenerative Pilot Program also puts Farmers First and reduces barriers to entry for conservation programs,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “This is another initiative driven by President Trump’s mission to Make America Healthy Again. Alongside Secretary Kennedy, we have made great strides to ensure the safe, nutritious, and affordable food our great farmers produce make it to dinner tables across this great country.”

“In September, under President Trump’s leadership, we released the MAHA Strategy Report, which includes a full section on soil health and land stewardship,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “Today’s regenerative farming announcement directly advances that deliverable. If we intend to Make America Healthy Again, we must begin by restoring the health of our soil.”

“We cannot truly be a wealthy nation if we are not also a healthy nation. Access to wholesome, nutritious, and affordable foods is a key tenet of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, which President Trump has directed this administration to execute across all government agencies,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “I commend Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for today’s efforts to strengthen our nation’s food supply.”

Protecting Soil and Reducing Production Costs

In response to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, Congress created the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help people help the land and improve conservation of the nation’s soil and water resources.

This action led to improved soil health and natural resources management which, in turn, has led to increased productivity. Between 1948 and 2021, total U.S. farm production increased 190% while total farm inputs—such as land, labor, and water—decreased 2% in the same period.

However, current conservation programs at USDA have become overly burdensome and farmers are bogged down with red tape whenever they try to adopt soil health and regenerative agriculture practices. Even with the improved soil health since the creation of NRCS, USDA data shows that farmers recently reported that 25% of acres had water-driven erosion concerns and 16% of acres had wind-driven erosion concerns.

The Regenerative Pilot Program directly addresses these challenges by cutting administrative burdens for producers, expanding access to new and beginning farmers, and boosting yields and long-term soil resilience across operations.

About the Regenerative Pilot Program

Administered by NRCS, this new Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. The initiative highlights USDA’s commitment to putting Farmers First and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system.

In FY2026, the Regenerative Pilot Program will focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water, and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this first year of regenerative agriculture projects.

Producers can now bundle multiple regenerative practices into one application, streamlining the process and increasing flexibility for operations. The program is designed for both beginning and advanced producers, ensuring availability for all farmers ready to take the next step in regenerative agriculture.

Chief’s Advisory Council

To keep the Regenerative Pilot Program grounded in practical, producer-led solutions, NRCS is establishing the Chief’s Regenerative Agriculture Advisory Council. The Council will meet quarterly, with rotating participants, to advise the Chief of NRCS, review implementation progress, and help guide data and reporting improvements. Its recommendations will shape future USDA conservation delivery and strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors.

Public + Private Partnerships

There is a growing desire among private companies to fund conservation practices that improve natural resources management. This announcement unlocks new opportunities for USDA to leverage existing authorities to create public-private partnerships within NRCS conservation programs. These partnerships will allow USDA to match private funding, in turn stretching taxpayer dollars further, and bringing new capacity to producers interested in adopting regenerative practices.

Companies interested in partnering with USDA NRCS in the Regenerative Pilot Program can email regenerative@usda.gov for more information.

How to Apply

Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for consideration in FY2026 funding. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted under the new single regenerative application process.

Press release from the Humboldt Count Sheriff’s Office:

On Dec. 9, 2025, at 10:50 a.m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Vance St. and Bar View Ct. in Eureka following a report of an adult male walking near Pine Hill Elementary School with his shorts pulled down, exposing himself.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the individual, later identified as 37-year-old Kevin Charles Astry. Astry immediately exhibited hostile and aggressive behavior toward deputies. He refused to comply with verbal commands and actively resisted arrest, physically assaulting one deputy during the handcuffing process.

Deputies were ultimately able to gain control of Astry, and he was taken into custody without further incident.

Astry was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on the following charges:

• P.C. 314(1) Indecent Exposure
• P.C. 243(b) Battery on peace officer / emergency personnel
• P.C. 69(a) Obstruct/Resist executive officer

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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

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A federal judge has ordered the National Guard to leave Los Angeles and return to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s control in a stern rebuke of the Trump administration’s contention that it can leave troops in the city indefinitely.

The order handed down today goes into effect at noon on Monday.

“It is profoundly un-American to suggest that people peacefully exercising their fundamental right to protest constitute a risk justifying the federalization of military forces,” U.S, District Court Judge Charles Breyer wrote in the opinion.

The Los Angeles case is one of several challenging Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in liberal cities, including Chicago and Portland. The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a case on Trump’s call-up of troops to Chicago, which could further determine whether the domestic mobilizations are constitutional.

Breyer in June issued a separate decision against Trump’s Los Angeles deployment, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the ruling from taking effect and allowed the troops to stay.

The Trump administration used Section 12406 of the U.S. Code to justify sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles in early June, when aggressive immigration enforcement operations led to protests. The administration issued similar orders in August and again in October, each time citing the clause that permits Trump to federalize National Guard troops if “the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.”

In each case, the Trump administration argued that the conditions in Los Angeles in early June justified sending in the National Guard. Trump mobilized 4,000 of the state’s National Guard troops in response to two days of occasionally volatile protests against federal immigration raids in Southern California.

Before Trump’s federalization of those troops, at no time in U.S. history was the law invoked without the consent of the state governor. Use of the law is exceedingly rare: It was used just once before June by President Richard Nixon to mobilize troops during a postal worker strike in 1970.

“it defies the record — and common sense — to conclude that risks stemming from protests — in August, October, or even present day — could not have been sufficiently managed without resorting to the National Guard,” wrote Breyer, the brother of retired Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer.

There are three conditions that presidents can use to invoke Section 12406: If the country is invaded or in danger of invasion; if there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the U.S. government; or if the president cannot enforce the nation’s laws with regular forces.

The Trump administration focused on the last one, arguing that previous court rulings found that the president need only be “significantly impeded” from executing the country’s laws, rather than being completely “unable” to execute them, to comply with Section 12406, and argued that the existing risk of further protests justified the continued presence of the National Guard.

Breyer rejected that argument, saying that the mere threat of protests or uprisings compromising the president’s ability to execute the country’s laws is not enough to justify federalization of the National Guard.

“if federalization justified federalization, it would become a positive feedback loop that perpetually rationalized federal control of state troops,” Breyer wrote.

The Trump administration, in its briefings, argued both that the federal mission had succeeded and conditions in Los Angeles had improved, but said the situation still required the presence of National Guard troops.

“Their assertion that ‘[t]here remains an inability to execute the laws … in California’ is not only unsupported, but actually borders on a misrepresentation,” Breyer wrote.

Breyer also warned that the Trump administration’s justification for federalizing National Guard troops, if allowed to proceed, would set a dangerous precedent.

The Trump administration “confirmed their position that, after an initial federalization, all extensions of federalization orders are utterly unreviewable, forever,” Breyer wrote.

“That is shocking. Adopting Defendants’ interpretation of Section 12406 would permit a president to create a perpetual police force comprised of state troops, so long as they were first federalized lawfully.”

Press release from Calfire Humboldt-Del Norte Unit:

The Fortuna Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) recently dedicated time from their busy schedules to help restore one of CAL FIRE’s local signs, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to community service and disaster readiness. The project highlights the strong partnership between CERT and CAL FIRE, as well as their shared goal of supporting public safety across Humboldt County.

The sign refinishing project was led by Emily Mazzone-Clementi, leader of Fortuna Teen CERT, who oversaw the effort from start to finish, along with Dr. Lane Thomsen of the Fortuna Junior Academy. Two youth groups collaborated on the restoration: Fortuna Teen CERT and the Fortuna Pathfinder youth, a local organization similar to Scouts and part of the Seventh-day Adventist Youth program. Their teamwork underscores the important role young volunteers play in supporting and strengthening the community.

Battalion Chief Andrew Gonzales of the CAL FIRE Fortuna Command Center expressed his appreciation for the team and the ongoing partnership. “We are grateful for the Fortuna CERT volunteers and the work they do,” he said. “Whether responding to emergencies or supporting community projects like this, their efforts strengthen our mission and help keep residents safe. Their dedication is recognized and truly appreciated.”

The Fortuna Emergency Command Center supports CAL FIRE operations by handling emergency communications and dispatching resources throughout the region. The center plays an important role in ensuring timely and coordinated response during incidents.

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are trained volunteers who empower communities to be ready, resilient, and confident in the face of emergencies. Through hands-on learning and essential preparedness training, CERT equips individuals and organizations with the practical skills needed to protect themselves and support others during the critical first hours and days of a disaster.

Fortuna’s CERT team operates under the guidance and support of the Fortuna Fire District and works closely with other CERT members throughout the Humboldt County CERT Council. Together, these volunteers transform readiness into action and neighbors into lifesavers.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

With the holiday season underway, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves from mail and package theft.

Residents are encouraged to follow these guidelines to safeguard their mail and packages:

• Pick Up Mail Promptly: Avoid leaving letters or packages in your mailbox or on your porch for extended periods.
• Arrange for Alternate Pickup: If you cannot be home to receive a delivery, ask a neighbor to retrieve it, or have packages sent to your workplace.
• Customize Delivery Instructions: By using the United States Postal Service website at: https://www.usps.com/ Track a Package and select Delivery Instructions to designate a secure location for delivery.
• Use USPS Hold for Pickup: When mailing or expecting important items, consider USPS’s Hold for Pickup option, which keeps packages securely at the Post Office until retrieved. Packages can also be redirected using Intercept a Package under Track & Manage.
• Request a USPS Mail Hold: If you will be away from home, sign up for Hold Mail service. Notify your mail carrier at least three days before leaving.
• Inform a Trusted Neighbor: Ask a reliable neighbor to collect mail or packages while you are out of town.
• Avoid Sending Cash: Do not mail cash or other high-risk valuables.
• Follow Up on Missing Items: If an expected check, credit card, or other important mail does not arrive, contact the sender immediately.
• Install Secure Mailboxes: A USPS-approved locking mailbox or package delivery box can help prevent theft. Also maybe consider using a post office box.
• Use Home Security Cameras: Ensure your camera system covers your front door and mailbox.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. We also want to thank our community for staying alert and helping us keep our neighborhoods safe during this busy time of year.

To report mail theft or other crime in the county’s unincorporated area, contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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

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Five California correctional officers who were accused of sexually assaulting incarcerated people over the last dozen years remain employed by the state, according to a new audit from the state prisons’ inspector general.

The audit, released last week, is a twice-a-year summary of how the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation addresses complaints about its staff members. Overall, the inspector general found fault with the internal affairs department’s investigations into prison guard misconduct.

The audit labeled 86% of the prison system’s internal affairs disciplinary and criminal caseload as “inadequate” or “needs improvement” — only 14% of the cases handled by the internal affairs department were rated “adequate.” Inadequate means there were significant problems with the investigation that affected its final outcome. The less-serious label, “needs improvement,” meant that the process had problems, but none so serious that they compromised the investigation.

It comes as the department faces what the report called “a wave” of lawsuits from incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women who allege they were sexually abused by prison staff. The audit said at least 279 women have sued the department, and they have accused at least 83 prison employees of sexual misconduct.

The inspector general report does not include the names of the officers or even identify the prisons where they work, which is in keeping with its past disciplinary audits. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not immediately return calls and emails seeking comment for this story.

California has two prisons that primarily house women. At the larger prison, the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, former guard Gregory Rodriguez was found guilty of 64 counts of sexual abuse in January, The Fresno Bee reported, and later sentenced to 224 years in prison.

Thirteen incarcerated or formerly incarcerated women testified against him. A 2023 investigation by The Guardian found that women had made reports about Rodriguez as early as 2014. He worked at the prison until 2022.

As Rodriguez’s case unfolded, the inspector general’s office learned of other sex assault lawsuits. The inspector general’s office in the new report said it looked at 68 cases and it faulted prison lawyers for being too slow in referring names to internal investigators who could have developed disciplinary cases against officers.

On average, the audit said it took nine months for the corrections department’s legal staff to send cases to internal investigators. “Delayed investigation of sexual assault significantly impairs the integrity and effectiveness of the investigative process,” the audit said.

The audit then described three cases involving six officers, five of whom continue to work for state prisons.

In a separate case not connected to the “wave” of lawsuits, internal investigators took so long to review allegations of sexual assault that a lieutenant accused by a dozen women was able to retire before facing discipline, the audit said.

The inspector general’s office wrote that the officer allegedly traded chewing gum, a radio and marijuana for sexual favors between 2021 and 2023, and then lied to the prison system’s internal affairs unit when asked about it.

The internal affairs unit “unnecessarily delayed the completion of the investigation, which prevented the department from imposing discipline for some allegations,” the audit found.

Other violations ranged from minor administrative chicanery, like two guards who allegedly faked the numbers in a prisoner count so they could use the time to eat Thanksgiving dinner instead, to allegations that a prison guard loudly, publicly and untruthfully indicated to other inmates that a prisoner was acting as an informant.

The audit reflects a chaotic process for even routine investigations. In a January 2024 case, one of eight prison guards who had broken up a fight struck an incarcerated person with a baton, even though the incarcerated person had already “disengaged.”

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was aware of the case in January 2024, according to the lawsuit, but didn’t refer it to internal affairs until June 2024, according to the audit. An investigator didn’t start conducting interviews until August 2024. Then the case was reassigned to a second investigator, who didn’t start interviews until November 2024, and tried to close the case without interviewing the incarcerated person, the guard who allegedly struck him or any witnesses.

Then, the second investigator went on extended leave, handing the case off to a third investigator who had weeks to wrap up an investigation that is supposed to take months to complete. Ultimately, the prison system was handed a case four days before the deadline for disciplinary action with “a wholly deficient investigative report.”