Newsom declares bird flu emergency in CA

For nearly three years, the bird flu has devastated poultry farms across the U.S. and California. The virus has since spread among cattle and there have been 34 confirmed human cases in the state — mostly among poultry and dairy workers — since the spring. 

While there have been no known cases of human-to-human transmission so far, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday issued an emergency proclamation to combat the spread of the virus and provide state and local agencies “additional flexibility around staffing, contracting, and other rules to support California’s evolving response.”

• Newsom, in a statement: “Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information.”

In California most of the outbreak has been concentrated in Tulare County, the nation’s biggest milk producer, where there have been 18 human bird flu cases. In a statement, Republican Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, a Visalia Republican who represents parts of Tulare, blasted Newsom for his “inaction” and failure to fund adequate testing. The virus has also shown up in at least 17 wastewater systems. 

Farmworkers have reported flu-like symptoms and pink eye, and one Alameda County child had mild upper respiratory symptoms. Local health departments and farms have responded by distributing personal protective equipment, but worker advocates argue the state isn’t doing enough and testing for infected cattle has been slow.

But even if you don’t work near livestock, the bird flu could still affect your life. Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, says the outbreak could have huge ramifications “when it comes to food security.”

• Pitesky: “Egg prices are near historic highs. … This ultimately affects the animal protein we can produce, and the ability of these farmers to survive. This is historic, we never had anything like this before.”

Pitesky also cited a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in Science earlier this month that found that a single mutation of the virus could lead to a much more infectious variant among humans.

To protect yourself, Pitesky suggests avoiding drinking raw milk. And if you raise chickens in your backyard (there’s an estimated 100,000 “backyard poultry premises” in the state), you should wash your hands regularly and have dedicated clothing that is only worn outside.

The Biden administration on Wednesday gave the green light to California’s mandate phasing out new gas-powered cars — but this will likely face challenges under the incoming Donald Trump presidency, writes CalMatters climate reporter Alejandro Lazo.

For over 50 years, the federal Clean Air Act has included carve outs for California to set its own stricter auto emissions standards — a vital arrangement that enables the state to combat air pollution. These exclusions are authorized by federal waivers and are required before California can begin implementing each of its own standards. 

The latest waiver allows the state to proceed with its requirement that 35% of new 2026 model cars sold in California be zero-emissions, and 100% in 2035. Nearly all zero-emission cars are electric.

In addition to challenging other California environmental policies, Trump is expected to deny or revoke the state’s emissions waivers. He tried to do this during his first term, and in October said no state would be allowed to ban gas-powered cars under his presidency.

Learn more about the electric car mandate in Alejandro’s story.

Let’s get into some education news:

• Civics education: This year, the Legislature failed to pass two bills aimed at strengthening student civic engagement. Schools serving low-income students are less likely to offer a robust civics education because they typically do not have the resources to support extracurricular activities that reinforce civics education, such as student councils and school newspapers. Read more from CalMatters K-12 education reporter Carolyn Jones.

• Campus protests: Fallout from spring demonstrations and pro-Palestinian encampments that erupted on campuses in protest of the Gaza war continues. In September, lawmakers passed a measure requiring the University of California and California State University to create training so that students know “what constitutes violent, harassing, intimidating, or discriminatory conduct…” Meanwhile, some of the roughly 560 students and faculty who faced discipline or were arrested are still facing charges or are suing their campuses. Read more from June Hsu and Lizzy Rager of CalMatters’ College Journalism Network.

Californians purchasing a faulty car will have to navigate an updated version of the state’s “lemon law” beginning Jan. 1. But lawmakers are already working on a proposal to allow car companies to opt out of the new rules. Find out why from CalMatters Digital Democracy reporter Ryan Sabalow.