GOLETA, Calif. — Community members, environmental advocates and fishing industry representatives gathered in Goleta this week for a public hearing on proposed changes to California’s marine protected areas, known as MPAs.

The California Fish and Game Commission is currently reviewing proposals that could expand, reduce or maintain the state’s network of marine protected areas along the coastline.

The hearing is part of a broader statewide review process aimed at evaluating how well current protections are preserving marine ecosystems and supporting ocean biodiversity.

“For the seven-year-olds today, the decisions that we make now are going to impact them when they’re in college,” said Jake Twomey, a UC Santa Barbara student and board chair for CALPIRG. “The last time they were considering updating marine protected areas was in 2012.”

Twomey and other environmental advocates say stronger protections are needed as California’s oceans face growing threats from climate change, pollution and overfishing.

“Given what’s been happening to our oceans, the huge decline in our kelp forests, the threats to so many different species, it’s imperative that we do everything we can to expand the protections that we have for healthy oceans,” Twomey said.

Environmental groups pointed to the rapid decline of California’s kelp forests as one of the clearest signs that marine ecosystems are under stress.

“Almost 90% of our historic kelp forest habitat is now gone,” said Laura Deehan, state director for Environment California. “There’s been a real shared concern around protecting more of these special places in our oceans so marine life can thrive again.”

Supporters of expanding marine protected areas argue that only a small portion of California’s coastal waters currently receive full protection and that increasing conservation zones could help restore habitats and fish populations over time.

However, not everyone at the hearing supported additional restrictions.

Some commercial and recreational fishing groups voiced concerns that expanding protected areas could limit fishing access and negatively affect local businesses that depend on the ocean economy.

“For our business here, Stardust Sportfishing, we take folks to the half-day fishing grounds right off Carpinteria,” said Jaime Diamond, CEO and manager of Santa Barbara Landing. “That’s where we take a lot of our first-timers, our kids groups, Fish for Life, which takes special needs kids fishing. That’s where we go because it’s protected a little more from weather.”

Diamond said further restrictions in those areas could directly impact opportunities for community programs and local fishermen.

Environmental advocates acknowledged the concerns raised by the fishing community but argued that stronger protections could ultimately benefit both marine life and fisheries in the long run by helping ecosystems recover.

Tuesday’s hearing was one of several being held across California before the Fish and Game Commission makes any final decisions.

The commission is expected to review public feedback from meetings statewide and could decide on proposed changes later this year.

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LOMPOC, Calif. — While Unity Shoppe’s Lompoc Free Store enters its second year serving underserved residents with food and clothing support, one grassroots group is making sure help reaches those who can’t make it through the doors.

Circle of Caring, founded by Lompoc resident Anita Macias, brings meals, clothing and hygiene supplies directly to unhoused individuals across the city.

A lot of them can’t go to the Unity Shoppe, or can’t go to Catholic Charities, or can’t go to the food banks,” said Macias. 

She explains how many people experiencing homelessness face barriers that keep them from seeking help at traditional service locations.

“They say, ‘We don’t bathe. We look dirty.’ They’re embarrassed, and some of them have no identification,” she said. “So it’s hard for them to come.”

Macias launched Circle of Caring in fall 2024 after personally purchasing meals for unhoused residents she encountered around Lompoc. What started as a small act of kindness quickly grew into a larger community effort.

She and her friend Anna Diaz began assembling snack bags filled with water, juice, chips and granola bars. As they spent more time with those in need, they realized food was only part of the challenge.

Soon, the group expanded to provide clothing, hygiene products, blankets and other essentials. Macias’ husband also joined the effort by repairing donated bicycles to help people get around town.

“We treat them with respect, with dignity,” Macias said. “We give them their food. We do not judge.”

Volunteers from across the community soon stepped in, helping cook meals and donate supplies.

Unity Shoppe Executive Director Angela Miller-Bevan said the organization partnered with Circle of Caring to help expand its outreach efforts.

“They said, ‘Can you get us produce and items from your shelves so that we can cook these meals?’” Miller-Bevan said. “So we partnered with them, and we provide that for them so they can go take the cooked meals.”

She said the partnership is rooted in empathy and understanding.

“We should all care because you never know when this will happen to you,” Miller-Bevan said. “I was raised in a very low-income household. I know what it looks like to have two items in the refrigerator. I know what that feels like — and it can happen to anybody.”

Now, every other Thursday, Circle of Caring distributes warm meals, clothing, sleeping bags and even small tents to Lompoc’s unhoused population.

For volunteers involved, the mission is simple: meet people where they are and remind them they are not forgotten.

It’s proof that even the smallest effort can make the biggest impact.

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By Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, CNN

(CNN) — Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is no longer in the ICU but will remain in the hospital for “some time” as he recovers from pneumonia, his spokesperson said Wednesday.

“The mayor and his family appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers sent his way,” spokesperson Ted Goodman said in a statement.

Goodman said earlier this week that Giuliani, 81, was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

Giuliani told viewers Friday on his X show, “America’s Mayor Live,” that his “voice is a little under the weather, so I won’t be able to speak as loudly as I usually do.” He’s seen coughing a few times on the streamed program.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

The-CNN-Wire
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