Alicia Ramirez (she/her)

California Secretary Of State Says Sheriff’s Election Investigation ‘Not Normal Behavior’ The California Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday confirmed that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office had seized the ballots from last November’s special statewide election on what it called “highly...

The California Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday confirmed that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office had seized the ballots from last November’s special statewide election on what it called “highly questionable allegations.”
riversiderecord.org/california-s...

Start Small. Build Trust. Make News. Building a Small Newsroom People Trust | Sunlight Research This session explores what it takes to start and grow a small newsroom that authentically serves its community with guest speakers from Shasta Scout, The Edge, and Riverside Record.

With guest speakers from @shastascout.bsky.social, The Edge, and @riversiderecord.bsky.social, join us as we explore what it takes to start and grow a small newsroom that authentically serves its community. www.sunlightresearch.net/event-detail...

Report Shows Riverside ‘Far Behind’ State Affordable Housing Requirements The state, as part of the 2021 general plan update, said the city needed a total of 18,458 units, with that number split between four income brackets: very low, low, moderate and above moderate.

The state, as part of the 2021 general plan update, said the city needed a total of 18,458 units, with that number split between four income brackets: very low, low, moderate and above moderate. 
riversiderecord.org/report-shows...

I…want this?

A lot of being a journalist is just asking people questions that you already know the answer to, but that you need them to confirm so you can print it.

The supervisors have adjourned to closed session, and there is no reportable action, so that’s a wrap on today’s meeting.

And now we’re onto board member comments.

The FGPA initiation is approved with supervisors telling the developer to work with the community before bringing an implementing project back to the board.

And now we’re onto public comment. We’ve got seven folks signed up. Will update if necessary.

We’ve made it through public comment on this item. A slight majority of speakers were against the initiation due to concerns regarding the potential for a logistics development as part of this initiation.

Those in support touted the potential for increased commercial development as a result.

A slide showing a potential proposal for the area if the supervisors approve the FGPA initiation.

Item 21.1: An FGPA initiation in the Mead Valley Area Plan for a proposal to change 53 parcels for potential development of a 669-acre multi-use project.

We’ve got 22 speakers signed up for public comment for this item, so we’re going to be here for a bit.

And we’re onto public hearings:

Item 13.1: A public hearing for the county housing authority’s Streamlined Annual Public Housing Agency Plan, Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Administrative Plan for the Homeownership Program.

No comments. Unanimously approved.

Consent Item 3.17: An agreement and resolution for RUHS-Behavioral Health’s Crisis Care Mobile Units program

Item was pulled by Supervisor V. Manuel Perez who said it was his hope that the program could be extended to specifically support veterans.

Supervisors unanimously approve item.

Consent Item 3.3: Receive and file the mid-year budget report.

County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen says the county’s budget outlook is stable, but still tightened.

We’ll have a more in depth story about the county’s budget outlook later today, and I’ll share it out as soon as it’s published.

Editor’s note: Item 3.2 was for projects within District 3

Consent agenda, minus items pulled, approved unanimously.

Consent Item 3.2: Approval of $1M in Unincorporated Communities Initiative funding to support a trio of projects.

Supervisors approve item unanimously.

RCDAS Partners With Ironwood State Prison For New Dog Foster Program The Riverside County Department of Animal Services has partnered with Ironwood State Prison in Blythe to launch a new foster program.

The first item on the agenda is a presentation from the Riverside County Department of Animal Services about its foster program at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe.

You can read more about that program here ⤵️

riversiderecord.org/rcdas-partne...

Emily, a deaf and blind 1-year-old Australian Shepherd mix wearing a halo, is held by a Riverside County Department of Animal Services employee while a second employee tells the audience all about her.

Today’s special guest is Emily (A1898114), a 1-year-old Australian Shepherd mix. She was born blind and deaf, but this resilient pup loves to play and is always down for a cuddle.

She’s available at the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter at 6851 Van Buren Blvd. In Jurupa Valley.

A photo of the dais ahead of today’s meeting

Happy Tuesday!

I’m back out at the Riverside County Administrative Building for the Board of Supervisors meeting for @riversiderecord.bsky.social.

Follow along here: riversidecountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Det...

Trump announced a hostile takeover of LA’s wildfire rebuild. Collaboration ensued. Despite an executive order to take control of wildfire rebuilding, the administration implemented only one minor regulation. Improved cooperation with local officials made further moves unnecessary, a...

NEW: The Trump plan to take over LA's wildfire rebuild is over before it started. www.politico.com/news/2026/03...

Augie Meyers, Whose Signature Organ Sound Helped Define Tex-Mex Music, Dead at 85 Augie Meyers, the Texas musician whose organ playing defined the sounds of the Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados, has died at 85.

I got to meet Augie Meyers back when I was a reporter in Texas. He was friends with Frenchie Burke and joined him on stage at a summer fest in Lytle.

He was a kind man who soundtracked my childhood and loved nothing more than to see people dancing to his music.
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Opposing Teams Wear ‘Keep CBU Wrestling’ Shirts At Big 12 Tourney This past weekend at the Big 12 Wrestling Championship, college wrestling teams from across the country wore “Keep CBU Wrestling” apparel in solidarity with the California Baptist University wrestling...

This past weekend at the Big 12 Wrestling Championship, college wrestling teams from across the country wore “Keep CBU Wrestling” apparel in solidarity with the California Baptist University wrestling team. 
riversiderecord.org/opposing-tea...

Riverside County Supervisors Celebrate Women Of The Year Supervisors last week honored the five Riverside County Women of the Year winners, a program started eight years ago by Board Chair Karen Spiegel.

Supervisors last week honored the five Riverside County Women of the Year winners, a program started eight years ago by Board Chair Karen Spiegel.
riversiderecord.org/riverside-co...

Public Meeting Roundup — March 9-13 One of the best ways to get involved in your community is to attend public meetings of county, city and school district elected officials.

Happy Monday! There are more than two dozen public meetings happening this week throughout Riverside County.

Be sure to check out the full roundup at the link below to see how you can get involved in your community.
riversiderecord.org/public-meeti...

My crisper drawer is specifically for cheeses, because cheese is the one thing in my fridge that I don’t need a visual reminder to finish before it goes bad 😅

California colleges spending millions on faulty AI systems, chatbots California community college districts spend millions of dollars on artificial intelligence-powered chatbots that don't always help students.

California colleges spend millions on faulty AI systems: ‘The chatbot is outdated.’ From our partner @calmatters.org. inewsource.org/2026/03/09/c...

Inside AI negotiations at The New York Times | The NewsGuild - TNG-CWA

What's happening with AI at the bargaining table at The New York Times? I wanted to know, so I called up Isaac Aronow. He's on the bargaining committee, on the games team and a shop steward. Here's our conversation: newsguild.org/inside-ai-ne...

(Spoiler: management is refusing ethical safeguards)

The special edition smoke machine vinyl for Harry Styles’ new album, “Kiss all the time. Disco, occasionally,” with insert and cover.

Today’s biggest delight: My Kissco album came in the mail!

Drains across the Iranian capital Tehran are continuing to explode after earlier Israeli and US strikes on oil depots and infrastructure.

Medical experts are warning the toxic smoke and runoff has increased the risk of deadly illnesses, including cancer.

holy shit

‘Dark, like our future’: Iranians describe scenes of catastrophe after Tehran’s oil depots bombed Residents report terror of smoke-filled city, from potentially toxic rain, air and water to food scarcity and difficulty of escape

“Tehran is burning. And smoke has filled the streets. It’s impossible to drive out of the city right now and even with the windows closed, heavy smoke is making its way inside."

Read every word.