Health

California lawmakers are crafting an end-of-session package of proposed laws that could streamline the building of solar and offshore wind energy projects, according to people familiar with the discussions. Democratic legislators, who have shared drafts with environmental groups, industry, lobbyists and other interested parties, are...

Alzheimer’s education seminar The Community Foundation for San Benito County will host an Alzheimer’s Education Workshop on April 11 for members of the public to learn about the disease’s risk factors, warning signs, helpful resources and other information.  Presenters include Philip M. Geiger, Regional Director for...

Red Cross needs help to avert a blood shortage After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross needs the public’s help to prevent a blood shortage. Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood...

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital announced that it has achieved the “highly prestigious international Baby-Friendly designation after a rigorous review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States,” says a press release from the Hollister hospital. The honor...

Decision comes after independent report recommends a government body oversee the embattled hospital

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said Jan. 16 that he would veto any bill with an outright ban on youth tackle football. “My Administration will work with the Legislature and the bill’s author to strengthen safety in youth football—while ensuring parents have the freedom to...

The California Department of Public Health is urging Californians to get immunized against a triple-threat of viruses that are expected to surge in the coming months.  Rates of Covid-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are expected to spike in the late fall and...

People convicted of distributing fentanyl will face stiffer criminal penalties in the coming year under a new law shaped by rising overdose deaths. The law increases the penalty for selling or distributing more than one kilogram of fentanyl by an automatic addition of three years...

The Central California Alliance for Health last week announced its collaboration with Serving Communities Health Information Organization (SCHIO), one of the oldest and most advanced multi-stakeholder health information exchanges (HIEs) in the country.  The partnership will help Alliance Medi-Cal members and providers in five counties,...

After Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled out a deficit-bridging budget plan in January, advocates pushing for more affordable housing and shelters hoped he might reconsider his intent to make deep cuts—or scrounge up some more money. On May 10, Newsom released a revised proposal showing that...