Unanimous GOP vote elects Rep. Mike Johnson for House Speaker

More than three weeks after the historical outsting of the Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Johnson (La.) was elected to succeed Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker.
However, Democratic representatives have questioned his ability to work across parties. Johnson is a staunch supporter of restricting access to abortions and a key figure in the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Despite the divisive decision, with the House’s leadership vacuum finally at an end, Johnson has begun his tenure with a first act to call a resolution to support Israel in the Middle-East crisis, a resolution that was passed in a 412-10 vote. Now, he is working to get a budget plan approved to prevent a potential government shutdown.
“The people’s house is back in business,” Johnson said.

Hotel development project in Janss Marketplace moves forward

Almost two years after the proposal for a hotel in Janss Marketplace, the TO Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend the approval of a development permit and a zoning change to Community Shopping Center-Height Overlay.
The proposed hotel will be the first one in Thousand Oaks in 14 years and the first in the history of the 60-year-old mall. The commission states that it will support the local economy by generating tax revenue and creating new jobs.
However, Vice Chair Justin Link is concerned about potential unaddressed traffic impacts. Senior Planner Scott Kolwitz denies this, claiming that projected traffic increases meet the city guidelines of less than 100 net peak-hour trips.
Now, it is up to the City Council to approve or deny the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Hate crimes on a rise as Hamas and Israeli troops clash in the Gaza Strip

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, America and the world have seen a spike in hate crimes against the Jewish and Muslim communities. With California being home to some of the largest of these communities in America, the state has taken steps to respond to the rise in hate crimes.
Following the rise of anti-Asian attacks during the pandemic, the state has had a legal framework to prosecute hate crimes, and “California vs. Hate,” a hotline dedicated to fighting hate crimes, has received more than 400 reports since it launched. Gov. Gavin Newsom has also announced a total of $30 million to ensure the security of religious organizations.
The ongoing war in the Middle East is testing responses to hate crimes all over the world and especially across the United States.

Maine shooting reignites gun debate

The town of Lewiston, Maine, was rocked on Oct. 25 after a mass shooting left at least 18 dead and dozens more injured. The shooting took place in two locations: a bowling alley, where a children’s league was taking place, and a bar.
Suspect Robert Card remained at large for several days before being found dead on Oct. 27.
In 2020, Maine’s yellow flag law, aimed at preventing mass shootings, went into effect. Since news of the latest shooting has spread across the country, gun control advocates are scrutinizing the effectiveness of the law.
“Today, in the wake of yet another tragedy, I urge Republican lawmakers in Congress to fulfill their duty to protect the American people…This is the very least we owe every American who will now bear the scars — physical and mental — of this latest attack,” President Joe Biden said.

Former president Donald Trump fined $10,000 in civil fraud case

Former president Donald Trump made headlines yet again with a $10,000 fine issued by Judge Arthur Engoron in his N.Y. civil case. Engoron had previously barred public comments about members of his staff in early October after Trump posted on social media about the judge’s principal law clerk.
On Oct. 25, Trump violated the gag order by publicly stating, “[Engoron is] a very partisan judge, with a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside of him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is.”
Just five days earlier, Trump had been fined $5,000, making the most recent fine his second violation. Trump’s lawyers are denying the claim that his statement was about the clerk.