Rape kit database unveiled + Latino Change Makers nomination deadline + Hall of Fame 2022
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Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
STATE UNVEILS SEARCHABLE RAPE KIT DATABASE
The California Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it has created a new online portal where sexual assault victims can track the progress of their rape kits, from the moment they are received by law enforcement to the completion of DNA analysis.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta named Dr. Sarai Crain as the state’s first-ever sexual assault evidence outreach coordinator, tasked with working directly with law enforcement, medical facilities and other organizations to to track and process rape kits.
“My office is committed to doing everything in our power to support survivors, reduce harm, and secure justice. That’s exactly what the new actions we’re announcing today are all about,” Bonta said in a statement.
California continues to struggle with a backlog of rape kits. The the idea for the portal originated with Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, whose 2021 bill, SB 215, lead the way to its creation.
“As the author of SB 215, I am so proud that California is continuing to prioritize and empower rape survivors by making sure that they are able to easily and privately find out where their rape kit is in the process,” Leyva said in a statement. “After they have already been sexually assaulted — and after they have bravely endured a long and invasive rape kit exam — it is crucial that we enable survivors to track the status of their rape kit securely whenever they wish.”
LATINO CHANGE MAKERS NOMINATION DEADLINE
Nominations for The Sacramento Bee’s inaugural Top 25 Latino Change Makers will close at 11:59 p.m. this Thursday.
The project, in partnership with the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program (NELP), looks to identify, elevate and empower Latinos in the region who are responsible for creating change and demonstrating leadership through their actions. Candidates from all aspects of the city’s life are welcome, including community organization, education, arts and entertainment, writing, entrepreneurship, law, medicine and health care, science, politics, nonprofit leadership or activism.
Candidates should identify as: Latino, Latina, Latinx, Latine, Chicano/a, Hispanic, AfroLatino/a or Indigenous.
This will mark the third Change Makers list from the Bee’s Equity Lab. The Bee honored Black Change Makers in February and AAPI Change Makers last month.
You can submit your nomination here.
SAY HELLO TO THE HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022
Wonder Woman has officially entered the hall of fame.
Actor Lynda Carter is one of 11 inductees in this year’s class of the California Hall of Fame, its 15th.
Joining Carter in a list of luminaries that includes everyone from Walt Disney to Maya Angelou is Chef Roy Choi, renowned physicist Stephen Chu, Olympic ice skater Peggy Fleming, sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild, choreographer Alonzo King, former astronaut Barbara Morgan, soccer great Megan Rapinoe, singer Linda Ronstadt, artist Ed Ruscha and the band Los Tigres del Norte.
“These phenomenal individuals are proof that the California dream is alive and well,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “
The California Hall of Fame launched in 2006, and its inductees are selected annually by the governor and first partner for their achievements in arts, business and labor, entertainment, food and wine, literature, music, public service, science and sports.
This year marks the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that an in-person ceremony will be held to induct the new class.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“This isn’t totally correct. Under CA Penal Code 422.55, ‘political affiliation’ isn’t a protected class to qualify for a hate crime charge. If lucky enough to be back next session, I will bring legislation to fix this loophole. Political violence has no place in CA! #CALeg”
- Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, R-Laguna Niguel, via Twitter.
Best of The Bee:
Dave Jones says he was first insurance regulator ‘in the world’ to call for fossil divestment. True? Via Andrew Sheeler.
California Democrats in a heated race for a Sacramento-area state Senate seat are using conservative policy credentials to attract Republican votes and fighting over ties to Gov. Gavin Newsom, via Lindsey Holden.
The 2018 midterm elections drew an historic turnout, the heaviest since 1914. And despite voters’ growing disillusionment with politics overall, next week’s contests may produce similar results, according to election officials, via Jenavieve Hatch.
Sacramento labor leaders attended Golden 1 Center concert with Ashby tickets, via Theresa Clift.
PG&E Corp. formally asked federal regulators Monday to extend the life of Diablo Canyon, the last operating nuclear plant in California, as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s effort to improve reliability of the electricity grid, via Dale Kasler.
