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Ports Briefs: POLB Cargo Slows as Clean Truck Study and Air Quality Report Highlight Progress

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Ports Briefs: POLB Cargo Slows as Clean Truck Study and Air Quality Report Highlight Progress

Port of Long Beach Sees Cargo Dip in September

Softening consumer demand and rising prices driven by shifting trade policies led to a decline in cargo containers moved through the Port of Long Beach in September.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 797,537 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo containers last month, down 3.9% from September 2024. Imports decreased 6.9% to 388,084 TEUs and exports declined 3.6% to 85,081 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the port inched up by 161 containers to 324,372 TEUs.

“Tariffs are impacting how consumers and business owners make financial decisions and purchases,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Our Supply Chain Information Highway digital cargo tracker is forecasting a relatively stable October, followed by a slight decline in November due to anticipated weather-related delays and vessel scheduling changes.”

The port has moved 7,390,245 TEUs through the first nine months of 2025, up 6.8% from the same period in 2024. It was also the Port’s second-busiest quarter on record with 2,643,614 TEUs moved between July 1 and Sept. 30.

 

San Pedro Bay Ports Release Final Drayage Truck Feasibility Assessment

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have released a final report on the current state and overall feasibility of using cleaner drayage truck technologies to help reduce air pollution in the San Pedro Bay port complex and reach the zero-emissions or ZE goals adopted in the 2017 Clean Air Action Plan or CAAP update.

The Final 2024 Class 8 Drayage Truck Feasibility Assessment Report focuses on battery electric and fuel cell electric trucks. It can be downloaded from the CAAP website, here.

The ports released a draft assessment in June 2025 for public review and comment. Previous assessments were conducted in 2018 and 2021. Following the CAAP framework for feasibility assessments, the 2024 report evaluates the feasibility of Class 8 ZE drayage trucks across five key areas: technical, commercial, operational, economic and infrastructure viability. The 2024 report shows a continued increase in the feasibility of ZE trucks compared to the previous assessments, a trend also reflected in the more than 600 ZE vehicles currently in operation throughout the San Pedro Bay port complex.

The 2017 CAAP Update established goals of ZE trucks by 2035 and ZE terminal equipment by 2030. As part of this strategy, the ports developed periodic feasibility assessments for drayage trucks and terminal equipment to inform the ports’ approach to meeting those goals.

 

Port of Los Angeles Strategies Continue to Deliver Clean Air Gains

LOS ANGELES – The Port of Los Angeles is furthering its progress in reducing pollution from all sources that move cargo through its gateway. In 2024, when the Port saw a 19% year-over-year increase in container volume, it recorded its best year ever for reducing emissions on a per container basis, according to the port’s new inventory of air emissions released Oct. 16.

Since 2005, the port has cut overall emissions of diesel particulate matter (DPM) by 90%, sulfur oxides (SOx) by 98% and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 73%. For every 10,000 containers, emissions of DPM, SOx and NOx are down 93%, 99% and 81%.

Each year, the port inventories air pollution from ships, trucks, trains, harbor craft and cargo-handling equipment to measure the results of its clean air strategies and programs. The port also evaluates its progress on a per container basis to analyze the efficiency of its pollution reduction initiatives. The new report is based on trade activity during calendar year 2024.

In addition to ground-level pollution, the port’s clean air strategies target greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change. Overall, port measures have resulted in an 18% reduction in GHGs since 2005. On a per container basis, GHGs are down 40%.

In 2024, the port handled nearly 10.3 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent units (TEUs), the standard measurement for international containers. The 19% year-over-year jump in container volume is the largest annual percentage increase in port history. The increase led to single-digit increases of DPM and SOx emissions, up 6% and 5% from 2023. NOx emissions remained flat at their 2023 level. GHGs, the most challenging group of emissions to tackle, increased 18%.

Long-term trends and strategies reducing emissions include fewer ships, each with greater capacity, delivering more cargo. With these newer, more efficient vessels calling at the port, container ship arrivals have fallen 34% while container volume has grown 38% since 2005.

Public Health Investigating Possible Local Spread of Clade I Mpox; Third Case Confirmed in Los Angeles County

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Public Health Investigating Possible Local Spread of Clade I Mpox; Third Case Confirmed in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating the possibility of a local spread of Clade I mpox cases after confirming its second case in an adult with no recent travel to regions where this virus is typically found. The individual was hospitalized and is now recovering at home.

This is the third clade I mpox case in LA County and the third in the nation without known travel to another country where clade I is typically found. Public Health announced its first case yesterday and, earlier this week, the City of Long Beach, which has its own health department, announced its first case. At this time, no clear link has been identified between the cases.

Public Health continues collaborating closely with California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC to investigate these mpox cases as swiftly and effectively as possible. Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing are underway to identify any additional cases and potential sources of the infection and to prevent further transmission. The CDC is conducting additional testing to identify the virus’s genes (genomic sequencing) in each case.

How Mpox Clade I and Clade II Differ

Mpox is caused by two main types or clades of the mpox virus: clade I and clade II.

  • Clade II causes mild to moderate illness and has been circulating at low levels in the United States since 2022.
  • Clade I may be more severe than clade II and has recently been linked to outbreaks in some African countries since 2024.

Both clade I and clade II may present with flu-like symptoms followed by a rash and can be spread through close person contact and within households or by sharing personal items. Laboratory testing of lesions can confirm a diagnosis for clade I and clade II mpox.

So far in 2025, Public Health has reported 118 cases of clade II mpox.

Pharmacies across LA County offer the vaccine. To locate a nearby pharmacy location with JYNNEOS vaccine, visit the Bavarian Nordic Vaccine Locator webpage. Individuals can also call their healthcare providers to inquire about receiving JYNNEOS. Public Health maintains a list of public vaccination sites that carry the JYNNEOS vaccine which is updated frequently.

For more information on how to get the mpox JYNNEOS vaccine, call the Public Health Infoline at 1-833-540-0473, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

County Public Health Confirms Its First Case of Clade I Mpox

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County Public Health Confirms Its First Case of Clade I Mpox

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed its first case of clade I mpox in an adult with no recent travel to regions where this virus is typically found. The individual was hospitalized and is now recovering at home.

This is the second clade I mpox case in LA County and the second in the nation without known travel to another country where clade I is typically found. The City of Long Beach, which has its own health department, also announced a separate clade I mpox case earlier this week.

Public Health is collaborating with California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate these mpox cases as swiftly and effectively as possible. Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing are underway to identify any additional cases and potential sources of the infection and to prevent further transmission.

How Mpox Clade I and Clade II Differ

Mpox is caused by two main types or clades of the mpox virus: clade I and clade II.

Clade II causes mild to moderate illness and has been circulating at low levels in the United States since 2022.

Clade I may be more severe than clade II and has recently been linked to outbreaks in some African countries since 2024. Clade I mpox may spread more easily than clade II mpox, including through close personal contact (like massage or cuddling) in addition to sex.

Both clade I and clade II may present with flu-like symptoms followed by a rash, and can be spread through close personal contact and within households or by sharing personal items. Laboratory testing of lesions can confirm a diagnosis for clade I and clade II mpox.

So far in 2025, Public Health has reported 118 cases of clade II mpox.

Public Health strongly recommends:Get Vaccinated. Vaccination with both doses remains an effective tool in preventing the spread of mpox. The JYNNEOS vaccine is a safe, two-dose vaccine that helps protect against both clade I and clade II mpox, and getting both doses provides the best protection.

For the most up-to-date information and resources, please visit ph.lacounty.gov/mpox or contact the Public Health info line at 1-833-540-0473, seven days a week, 8a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for 2025 Statewide Special Election

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Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for 2025 Statewide Special Election

Register by Oct. 20 to Receive a vote by mail ballot; In-person Voting Begins Oct. 25

LOS ANGELES – The County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Logan reminds eligible voters that Oct. 20, is the deadline to register to vote and receive a Vote by Mail ballot for the Nov. 4, 2025 statewide special election.

Registering to vote is quick and easy and can be completed online at LAVOTE.GOV.

Voter registration applications are also available at most government buildings, such as libraries, the Department of Motor Vehicles and RR/CC offices throughout Los Angeles County.

Voters can check their voter registration to ensure they are registered to vote and their information is up-to-date.

If eligible voters miss the deadline, they will not be issued a vote by mail ballot, but can still vote in person at any Vote Center in Los Angeles County beginning Oct. 25.

Padilla, Peters File Amicus Brief Opposing Trump Administration’s Illegal Ploy to Purge Voter Rolls

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Padilla, Peters File Amicus Brief Opposing Trump Administration’s Illegal Ploy to Purge Voter Rolls

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit opposing the Trump Administration’s illegal ongoing attempts to purge state voter rolls across the country by developing a massive interagency database of Americans’ sensitive personal data. Their amicus brief in League of Women Voters v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security endorses the plaintiffs’ motion for a stay and a preliminary injunction to stop the Administration’s widespread collection of Americans’ legally protected data. The Senators argue that the overhaul of the Department of Homeland Security’s or DHS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or SAVE program to sift through voter rolls with no direct notice to Congress violates the Privacy Act and lacks legal authority.

The League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and other plaintiffs are represented by Democracy Forward Foundation, the Campaign Legal Center, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and Fair Elections Center.

DHS and the Social Security Administration or SSA have dramatically expanded DHS’ SAVE program — originally meant to verify an individual’s immigration status for determining benefit eligibility — to examine the citizenship of voters on state voter rolls in response to false, unsubstantiated concerns of rampant noncitizen voting. Experts and officials have warned that the reconstructed SAVE program lacks essential safeguards and could lead to errors when applied to voter rolls, since it does not properly account for Americans born before 1978 or naturalized citizens.

Nevertheless, the information of more than 33 million voters has already been run through this new system with little to no transparency, further raising the alarm on how that information will be used. These concerns are especially urgent given that DOJ has sent letters to at least 38 states inquiring about state voter maintenance practices, while recently filing targeted lawsuits against eight states, including California and Michigan, for their refusal to hand over unfettered access to their state’s sensitive voter information and registration lists to the federal government.

In their amicus brief, the Senators argued that the secretive overhaul of the SAVE program to create a voter database violates the Privacy Act’s clear notification requirements to permit congressional oversight and the protection of Americans’ sensitive data. Congress would typically receive a System of Records Notification or SORN update upon a large restructuring of a program’s use like that made to SAVE to ensure they can uphold their oversight responsibilities; however, DHS did not provide Congress any notification. DHS would also issue an updated privacy impact assessment for SAVE assessing any risks to privacy and potential mitigations, which it has not done thus far.

The Senators warned that the requests for statewide voter registration files seek personally identifying and confidential information, including voting history, violating the Privacy Act and First Amendment freedoms. For example, the DOJ Civil Rights Division’s letter to Illinois requested information “including the registrant’s full name, date of birth, residential address, his or her state driver’s license number or the last four digits of the registrant’s social security number.”

Additionally, the Senators made clear that the executive branch lacks constitutional or statutory authority to create a national voter database, as Congress, not the President, can set voter registration laws and preempt state procedures. Congress has passed two laws, the National Voter Registration Act or NVRA and Help America Vote Act or HAVA, to make sure elections are administered freely and fairly with properly maintained voter rolls, but the DOJ has no statutory role influencing voter registration lists.

Details: Full text of the amicus brief is available here.

Governors Briefs: California to See New Homes for Veterans and State Reduces Cost of Prescription Drugs

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Governors Briefs: California to See New Homes for Veterans and State Reduces Cost of Prescription Drugs

Gov. Newsom Signs SB 41 to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Oct. 11 announced that he signed SB 41 by Sen. Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco), regulating pharmacy benefit managers or PBMs to prevent inflated prescription drug prices.

This bill enacts a sweeping reform of the allowable business practices for PBMs, which will be licensed by the Department of Managed Health Care or DMHC in accordance with trailer bill legislation enacted this year. The bill reforms the revenue generating abilities of PBMs, including prohibiting the practice of spread pricing, requiring manufacturer rebates to be passed through to health plans, and allowing only administrative fee charges to be assessed to health plan and health insurer clients.

Details: For full text of SB 41, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

 

Hundreds of New Homes for Veterans are Coming to California through Prop 1 Funding

California continues to honor its 1.5 million veterans — creating stronger supports and housing dedicated to serving veterans. Gov. Gavin Newsom Oct. 16 announced new awards to fund the development of 707 permanent supportive homes with services for veterans and other Californians who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and living with behavioral health challenges, along with 13 manager units.

Finding affordable housing can be extremely difficult for veterans, especially if they have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder, have suffered from a traumatic brain injury, or live with mental-health issues. Remaining stably housed can be even more difficult, especially without mental health support.

Prop 1, which was championed by Gov. Newsom, approved by voters in 2024, is transforming California’s mental health systems with a $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Bond for housing, services, and treatment for veterans and people experiencing homelessness.

California’s Essential Programs and Benefits Remain Available

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California’s Essential Programs and Benefits Remain Available

 

CALIFORNIA—Across the nation, the federal government shutdown is causing real disruptions, from airports and paychecks, to families who depend on federal programs. This shutdown stems from political gridlock in Washington and unfortunately, its consequences are felt here at home.

While this is a federal issue, California’s state government remains open. Assemblymember Mike Gipson’s district office also remains open. Agencies and departments continue to provide critical programs that support Californians’ health, safety and well-being.

What continues operating:

  • Medi-Cal & Covered California: Health benefits and appointments remain active for October. You may enroll in Covered California through Special Enrollment.
  • CalFresh & WIC: Benefits continue and EBT cards are still active. WIC continues to serve and enroll families and should continue to attend their WIC appointments.
  • Unemployment and Disability Insurance (EDD): State programs remain available and funded.
  • Social Security & SSI/SSP: Recipients will continue to receive their checks, but customer wait times may be higher than usual and individuals may experience limited service.
  • Public schools, community colleges and universities: Classes continue as scheduled.
  • Local transit, DMV and other state offices and mail service: Services will operate as normal.

What may be affected:

  • Federal agencies and programs: Passport services, IRS operations and TSA queues at airports may experience significant delays.
  • Federal employees: Thousands of workers are being furloughed or required to work without pay.
  • Community partners: Some nonprofits and local agencies, depending on federal grants, could face temporary funding disruptions.

September Cargo Volume Boosts Port of Los Angeles to Record Quarter

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September Cargo Volume Boosts Port of Los Angeles to Record Quarter

 

LOS ANGELES — The Port of Los Angeles processed 883,053 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in September. While cargo eased 7.5% compared to last year, it helped propel the Port to its best quarter on record.

“As trade policy unfolds, we can only predict more unpredictability,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “When sweeping changes were first announced, importers abruptly stopped their orders from China. When those policies were softened and deadlines extended, cargo volume picked up again. The supply chain has been on a roller coaster all year and that ride continues.

“Approximately 20% of vessels that call at the Port of Los Angeles are China-made. Some cargo-handling equipment and cranes are also manufactured in China. Tariffs in one area tend to lead to rising prices in other segments. In the end, making goods more expensive.”

Richard DiNucci, a senior international trade advisor and former U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations, joined Seroka for the briefing. DiNucci discussed how the federal government shutdown has impacted global trade.

WATCH BRIEFING HERE

September 2025 loaded imports came in at 460,044 TEUs, 7.6% less than last year. Loaded exports landed at 114,693 TEUs, about the same as 2024. The port handled 308,317 empty container units, 10% less than last year.

The port closed out the third quarter moving 2.9 million TEUs, its best three-month quarter ever. Nine months into 2025, the Port of Los Angeles has handled 7,817,057 TEUs, 3% more than the same period in 2024.

“Heathers: The Musical” superficial but spirited

Greggory Moore
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“Heathers: The Musical” superficial but spirited

For intermission of Heathers: The Musical, Long Beach Playhouse put together a playlist ostensibly honoring the 1980s, the decade in which the story takes place. “This is the best song ever!” gushed a guy behind me over the opening riff of “Just What I Needed” [1970s, but never mind]. Then the vocals kicked in. “Oh,” he said disappointedly, “I thought it was ‘Stacy’s Mom’.”

If you don’t know from The Cars but think Fountains of Wayne has got it going on, you may be the ideal candidate to enjoy the music Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe crafted in their adaptation of the 1988 Winona Ryder / Christian Slater skewering of society’s pop-culture approach to teen suicide. And not knowing the film probably helps. But however lacking Heathers: The Musical may be, there’s no shortage of spirit in the Playhouse’s production.

Veronica (Arystaysha West) wants to be popular in the worst way, and the shortest route to that destination is by teaming up with the school’s triumvirate of Heathers (Harper O’Laughlin, Kacey Oschack, and Journie Ma-Johnson). But when she falls for a mysterious new kid with misfit written all over him (Quinn Vann), things get dangerously complicated.

Why is she singing about her love for him even though they’ve spent literally eight inconsequential seconds together? Why does she refer to someone she hates as her best friend? Why is there a reprise after only three songs? Don’t ask — literally, don’t. Murphy & O’Keefe eschew character development, leave plot holes all over the road, and seem to have played hooky from Musicals 101 one too many times. And while Heathers is no Network in terms of depth, satire, or even yuks, Heathers: The Musical is no Heathers, so you’re best off putting your brain on hold and channeling your inner high-schooler to go with the superficial flow.

This, at least, is where I can find things to like about this show — although here I credit director Sean F. Gray and his cast more than the writers. As the capo de tutti capo Heather, Harper O’Laughlin’s reactions from beyond the grave during “The Me Inside of Me” are precious. In “Blue” (as in balls), Zavier Davis and Mitchell Dambrowski manage to make stupid, obvious zingers kinda funny. And then there’s the slo-mo fight that, thanks to the complete commitment of everyone on stage, is more charming than it has any right to be.

Musically, although the lead vocals aren’t always strong, the harmonies usually are. Davis and Dambrowski are a case in point. The fact that their solo lines in “Blue” meander a bit (not that it really matters in a song like this) makes it that much more of a pleasant surprise the way their voices lock together when they sing in tandem. And although she doesn’t get a lot of opportunities, Amanda Webb (in a dual role as Veronica’s mom and a teacher/counselor) is a secret sauce to any song involving her.

Fortunately, the castmember with the most leads, Arystaysha West, is also one of the strongest. And on “Seventeen”, she and Quinn Vann co-produce the show’s most arresting musical moments.

Another vocal highlight is “Kindergarten”. Ignoring the fact that the song is sorta shoehorned into the storyline, as the discarded Martha Dunnstock, Alana Ruhe’s solo turn soars high enough to overcome Murphy & O’Keefe’s mawkishness.

Technically, opening night was problematic. During the first 10 minutes actors were consistently left in darkness downstage when clearly the opposite was meant to be the case; and for more than half of Act One the mics didn’t work, meaning that lead vocals on early numbers were somewhat drowned out by the solid seven-piece band backstage, even though without mics their sound was muffled by the set. Gradually these problems were redressed, and by Act Two everything was going pretty much according to plan, though sporadic mic noise was an issue throughout.

The people around me had a raucously good time at Heathers: The Musical. Some of that enthusiasm came from many in the opening-night audience being friends of the cast, while no doubt some was simply in response to the spirit of the performances. How much did the material itself contribute? Who am I to say? “Stacy’s Mom” was a Top 40 hit in 2003 and to date has over 500 million plays on Spotify. De gustibus non est disputandum.

Heathers: The Musical at Long Beach Playhouse
Times: Fri–Sat 8:00 p.m., Sun 2:00 p.m.
The show runs through November 16.
Cost: $20 to $30
Details: (562) 494-1014; LBplayhouse.org
Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

Kaiser Permanente Faces New Strike Threat as SoCal Pharmacy Workers Authorize ULP Walkout

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Kaiser Permanente Faces New Strike Threat as SoCal Pharmacy Workers Authorize ULP Walkout

 

LOS ANGELES — United Food and Commercial Workers or UFCW local unions representing Kaiser pharmacy employees Oct. 15 announced an overwhelming membership vote in favor of authorizing their bargaining team to call for an Unfair Labor Practice or ULP strike to protest Kaiser’s labor violations throughout negotiations that have prevented frontline pharmacy healthcare workers from getting the fair contract they deserve.

The UFCW Locals 324 and 770 Bargaining Committee said the following:

“This vote sends a strong message to Kaiser: We’ve had enough of their union-busting tactics that undermine workers and silence our voices. And if they thought Kaiser members could be scared away from standing up for our rights, they just found out that they are very wrong.”

“An Unfair Labor Practice strike is always a last resort, and we will continue to push Kaiser to do the right thing and come back to the table to bargain in good faith. We are hopeful that Kaiser will get its act together after witnessing the 46,000 Alliance workers who declared a strike this week and seeing that UFCW is ready to join a potential second wave of a strike. With this strike authorization vote, we’re now prepared to join forces with our Alliance siblings if Kaiser continues to commit unfair labor practices that undermine our rights.”

Kaiser Permanente pharmacy workers are fighting for a fair contract that ensures safe staffing and sustainable workloads to safeguard the highest standards of patient care. They are demanding industry-leading compensation and wage equity that recognizes their expertise, while also upholding dignity and equity for all workers, because quality patient care depends on a supported workforce.

BACKGROUND

On Oct. 3, union locals with the Alliance of Health Care Unions, including HNHP, UNAC/UHCP, UNITE HERE Local 5, OFNHP Local 5017, and USW 7600 issued a 10-day strike notice to Kaiser Permanente.

With no agreement reached by the Oct. 13 deadline, the unions began a five-day strike on Oct.14. This collective action demonstrates the workers’ resolve and sends a powerful message to Kaiser about the necessity of bargaining in good faith and respecting frontline healthcare staff.

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