In the News
The Coachella Valley Housing Coalition announced Friday it was awarded a $6 million federal grant to be used to construct additional affordable housing in both Riverside and Imperial counties.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will be specifically used to fund the nonprofit's self-help single family program in which "families form an informal association and agree to help each other build their homes with technical assistance provided by a competent construction supervisor," according to the organization.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During military operations in the Global War on Terror and the Gulf War — and before those conflicts — the U.S. military employed open-air burn pits to incinerate garbage, medical waste, plastics, and other waste from military installations.
The practice exposed millions of American men and women in uniform to carcinogenic toxic fumes released by the burn pits, which has been an ongoing health concern for veterans, according to U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., who represents the San Gorgonio Pass Area and Coachella Valley in the 36th Congressional District.
In her native dialect, Elizabeth Esteban's mother tells him how proud she is to learn that she has just fulfilled the dream that so many young Latinos seek to achieve, a full scholarship to Harvard University .
"I am very proud, because no one in this community has been able to achieve this. And I am very proud and grateful. Nobody here, on this side of the valley thinks they can achieve something like that, "says Esteban.
Latino members of Congress are pushing for a U.S. Army base to be named after a Latino military hero and for a greater recognition of the role of Hispanics in the nation's defense.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and several members of the House Armed Services Committee sent a letter April 12 to the commission tasked with removing Confederate names from military bases and other Department of Defense properties.
U.S. Congressman Raul Ruiz M.D. (D-CA) is joining veterans advocate Jon Stewart, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), 9/11 responder and advocate John Feal, and an array of veterans groups Tuesday morning to announce "their landmark legislation, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act."
Michigan Reps. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, and Peter Meijer, a Republican, introduced a bill Thursday that removes a key barrier to health benefits for veterans exposed to toxic fumes while serving overseas.
It is the seventh piece of legislation introduced in Congress in recent weeks designed to help veterans who were exposed to fumes from burn pits while serving on military installations.
When Congress is out, the doctor is in.
California Congressman Raul Ruiz is an emergency room physician who trades in a suit coat for a lab coat to vaccinate his own constituents.
"For me, it's doctoring," Ruiz told CBS News. "It's going back to my heart and soul."
His heart and soul is his desert district outside of Los Angeles.
PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton residents now have another choice when it comes to finding a COVID-19 vaccine near them.
Retail giant Walmart announced just days ago that they are now administering vaccines at 137 of its California pharmacies — including in Pleasanton at 4501 Rosewood Drive.
Included in the 137 locations are Sam's Club and Walmart Neighborhood Market stores.
A sweeping measure was introduced in the Senate Friday that could open up health care and disability compensation to a huge swath of veterans made sick by burn pits and other toxic exposures during military service.
As President Joe Biden, the first lady, Vice President Kamala Harris, and second gentleman, continue their "Help is Here" tour this week to inform people about the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, one congressman in Southern California is doing his part to fight the pandemic as well.