Tag

Rob Bonta

All articles tagged with #rob bonta

politics22 days ago•3 min saved

California AG Bonta Prepares Supreme Court Battle to Defend Climate Regulations

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is preparing a major legal confrontation with the Trump administration over the revocation of the EPA’s endangerment finding, which underpins federal climate rules. Bonta argues that the current Supreme Court composition, now dominated by justices who previously dissented against climate regulations, poses a significant risk, but he remains confident in the legal merits of his case. The dispute centers on the administration’s efforts to dismantle greenhouse gas regulations and undermine California’s authority to set stricter vehicle emission standards. While Bonta asserts that climate policies are essential for long-term economic stability, public opinion remains divided, with a majority of likely voters opposing California’s 2035 ban on new gas-powered car sales.

via Politico|

#california #climate-policy #epa

politics22 days ago•210 min saved

California Supreme Court voids sheriff's ballot seizure, setting national precedent for election security

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state law by seizing 650,000 ballots from the 2025 Proposition 50 election. The court ordered the immediate return of the materials to election officials, affirming that the Attorney General has direct supervisory authority over local sheriffs. This decision establishes a critical legal precedent as election officials prepare for the November 2026 midterms, with new state laws now criminalizing unlawful ballot seizures.

via CNN|

#ballot-custody #california-supreme-court #chad-bianco

business23 days ago•3 min saved

Judge Delays Paramount-WBD Merger Approval Amid Collusion Concerns and Public Backlash

US District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín delayed approval of the settlement allowing Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion. The judge questioned whether the deal resulted from collusion, particularly after Senator Cory Booker raised concerns. California Attorney General Rob Bonta defended the agreement, but critics argue it offers insufficient consumer protections. The merger faces significant opposition from free speech groups and some states, with a potential trial scheduled for March 2027 if the settlement is rejected.

via New York Post|

#antitrust #business #david-ellison

politics24 days ago

California Supreme Court orders sheriff to return 650,000 ballots, ruling seizure unlawful

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state law by seizing approximately 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 redistricting election. The court ordered the immediate return of the ballots and affirmed the attorney general’s authority to direct local sheriffs. Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation imposing criminal penalties for future ballot seizures.

via Democracy Docket|

#california #chad-bianco #elections

business24 days ago•6 min saved

Judge Delays Paramount-WBD Merger Approval Amid Antitrust Settlement Criticism

Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín postponed ruling on the $111 billion Paramount-WBD merger settlement, citing concerns about collusion and inadequate public remedies. Critics argue the deal fails to prevent price hikes or protect independent filmmakers, while Paramount faces potential daily fees if the merger is delayed further.

via Ars Technica|

#antitrust #business #david-ellison

politics25 days ago•20 min saved

California High Court Orders Sheriff to Return 650,000 Ballots, Affirming Election Officials' Custody

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco must return over 650,000 ballots he seized from the November 2025 Proposition 50 special election. The court determined that law enforcement lacks the authority to remove or count ballots outside of official election procedures, even during a criminal investigation. The ruling also affirmed that the state attorney general has the power to direct local sheriffs to pause investigations that conflict with state election laws. Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the decision, citing new legislation signed this month to prevent similar future seizures.

via The Washington Post|

#california-supreme-court #chad-bianco #election-integrity

politics25 days ago

California Supreme Court orders return of 650,000 ballots seized by Riverside sheriff

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state election law by seizing over 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 Proposition 50 special election. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero ordered Bianco to return the materials to the county registrar, stating that law enforcement cannot handle ballots in secret. The court also affirmed Attorney General Rob Bonta’s authority to halt the investigation, rejecting Bianco’s claim that he was acting as a mere bystander. Governor Gavin Newsom praised the decision and signed a bill to prevent future ballot seizures, while Bianco expressed disappointment and suggested possible appeals.

via The Guardian|

#california #chad-bianco #elections

california-politics25 days ago•4 min saved

California High Court Orders Sheriff to Return Seized Ballots, Citing Unlawful Election Interference

The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco violated state law by seizing over 650,000 ballots from the November 2025 Proposition 50 special election. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero ordered Bianco to immediately return all materials to the county registrar, stating that his actions compromised election integrity. The court also affirmed that Attorney General Rob Bonta had the authority to halt the sheriff’s investigation, rejecting Bianco’s claim that the state’s chief law enforcement officer could only advise local sheriffs. The decision comes weeks before the November 2026 midterm elections, prompting new state legislation to protect ballot custody.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california-politics #california-supreme-court #chad-bianco

business25 days ago•15 min saved

Judge Halts Paramount-WBD Merger Approval, Demands Public-Interest Review

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín delayed approval of the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger settlement, granting opposition groups time to file briefs. The judge questioned the deal's arm's-length nature and assigned parties to respond to Sen. Cory Booker's request for an independent public-interest review by Monday. Paramount faces a $7 million daily ticking fee starting October 1, while California AG Rob Bonta defends the settlement as a necessary compromise to prevent industry exodus.

via indiewire.com|

#antitrust #business #david-ellison

business26 days ago•14 min saved

Coalition Seeks Delay to Challenge Paramount-WBD Settlement as Ellison Deal Nears Close

The Block the Merger Coalition has petitioned U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin to delay the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger settlement, arguing the proposed consent decree is too weak. While state attorneys general have agreed to a deal to avoid a $7 million daily penalty, critics claim it fails to protect competition or First Amendment rights. Paramount opposes the delay, calling the coalition's request improper and lacking standing.

via Deadline|

#antitrust #business #david-ellison

business26 days ago•18 min saved

Judge Delays Paramount-WBD Merger Approval Amid New Financing Push

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin has delayed the formal approval of the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger by granting amicus brief requests from opposition groups. This move prevents the deal from closing today, despite a recent settlement with state attorneys general. Simultaneously, Paramount is raising an additional $7.5 billion in debt to fund the acquisition and pay down existing liabilities.

via deadline.com|

#antitrust #business #david-ellison

business27 days ago•9 min saved

Judge Sets Hearing for Paramount-WBD Settlement as Merger Nears Closing

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin scheduled a Zoom hearing for September 23 to review the consent decree settling the antitrust lawsuit against the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The agreement, reached by 12 state attorneys general, avoids immediate asset divestitures but requires Paramount to produce 30 films annually and establish an independent board for CNN and CBS News. While Wall Street views the combined streaming entity as a powerhouse, critics argue the deal yields to political pressure and lacks sufficient safeguards for journalistic independence.

via Deadline|

#antitrust #business #david-ellison

business28 days ago•13 min saved

Paramount-Warner Merger Clears Final Hurdle, Setting Stage for Immediate Layoffs

Paramount Skydance and 12 state attorneys general reached a settlement on September 21, 2026, clearing the final legal obstacle to the $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal includes a $1.5 billion production investment and newsroom safeguards but lacks structural divestitures, prompting industry insiders to anticipate multiple rounds of layoffs within two weeks.

via Variety|

#antitrust-settlement #business #david-ellison

media-and-business28 days ago•11 min saved

Paramount Settles Antitrust Suit, Securing Merger with Concessions on Cable and News

Paramount has reached a settlement with 12 state attorneys general, clearing the final legal hurdle for its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal, announced by California AG Rob Bonta, requires Paramount to maintain editorial independence for CNN and CBS News, release 30 films annually in theaters, and keep its free streaming service Pluto TV operational for five years. While the merger is expected to close by early October, the agreement notably excludes premium channels like Showtime and HBO from carriage separation rules, and omits protections for TV studio jobs.

via Deadline|

#antitrust #david-ellison #media-and-business

business28 days ago•11 min saved

Paramount-WBD Merger Clears Final Hurdle as States Settle Antitrust Suit

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have reached a settlement with 12 state attorneys general, clearing the final legal obstacle for their $110 billion merger. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the deal on September 21, 2026, following a final weekend of negotiations. The agreement requires Paramount to release 30 films annually and establish an editorial independence board for CNN and CBS News within 180 days. While the merger is expected to close by early October, critics argue the concessions are insufficient, and some state officials remain opposed to the combination.

via Deadline|

#antitrust #business #david-ellison