According to Antioch Police Lt. Joe Njoroge, a pedestrian was struck by a train on Tuesday evening, Oct. 7, 2025, in the area of 6th and A Streets. BNSF, the railroad company, are the primary investigators, he added.
According to Contra Costa County Deputy Coroner Aaron Carson, the victim was identified as Leighann Kingsbury, 34 years old, from Massachusetts.
Antioch homeless advocate Nichole Gardner spoke with Kingsbury’s sister who said she was from Worcester and moved here 14 years ago and confirmed Leighann was unhoused at the time of her death.
By Department of Public Safety and Community Resources, City of Antioch
Community voices are essential to creating a safer, stronger Antioch. Join us on October 15th for an open conversation with City leaders and community members about public safety and violence prevention. Whether you live, work, or volunteer in Antioch, we want to hear from you.
The City of Antioch is looking for a visionary leader ready to make a difference as the Housing Manager. If you’re passionate about housing stability, equity and public service, this is your opportunity to lead transformative change in our community.
Under direction from the Public Safety and Community Resources Director, serves as the City’s principal authority on housing policy, strategy, and program implementation. Provides strategic leadership in planning, developing, and managing the City’s housing portfolio, including affordable housing development, homelessness response, tenant protections, and federally funded programs. Oversees and advances the City’s housing goals in alignment with state mandates, regional plans, and local priorities, ensuring regulatory compliance, fiscal stewardship, and community impact. The Housing Manager manages, supervises, develops, maintains, directs and coordinates the activities of the Housing Division whose functions include providing direct public service. This position is responsible for embedding an equity lens, harm reduction, housing first, and cultural responsiveness throughout the Division’s programs and staff leadership, ensuring services are delivered with empathy, cultural competence, and respect for residents of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Examples of Duties
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Manage the operations of the Housing Division, including planning, developing, and administering housing programs, homelessness response initiatives, affordable housing projects, tenant/landlord mediation, and community funded activities, utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) federal funding, Housing Successor state funding, Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) state funding, and other federal, state and local funding sources.
Lead strategic planning, organization, and management of the Housing Division, implementing practical, long-term solutions to housing needs and affordable housing developments.
Provide leadership in embedding principles of equity, cultural responsiveness, harm reduction, and housing first across all Housing Division programs and policies, ensuring staff are trained and programs are implemented with empathy and cultural competence.
Oversee preparation, implementation, and compliance for community grant programs with local, state, and federal agencies; maintain accurate records for all program activities and monitoring for compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
Administer the City’s Fair Housing Program and Tenant/ Landlord and Rental Programs, including compliance with state and federal laws, and implementation of renter protections including tenant protection ordinances, rent stabilization, and anti-harassment and eviction protection programs.
Direct the City’s Unhoused Resident Services Program, including bridge housing, shower and laundry services, food distribution partnerships, and shelter referrals.
Monitor current and proposed legislation, codes, and policies affecting the City’s housing programs; recommend changes to City programs and policies as needed.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities; prepare and administer CDBG and Housing Successor Agency funds; ensure compliance with all funding requirements.
Oversee and monitor housing assistance programs such as the Antioch Home Ownership Program, Fair Housing Services, Rental Assistance, and Eviction Protection Programs.
Establish and manage performance metrics to evaluate housing program outcomes, ensuring data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
Negotiate and administer contracts with consultants, contractors, and developers related to Housing Division activities.
Coordinate community outreach and education activities; maintain positive relationships with residents, nonprofits, developers, lenders, and real estate professionals.
Prepare staff analyses and reports for City Council, the CDBG Standing Committee, and the Planning Commission; attend and present at public meetings.
Coordinate housing program activities with other City departments; represent the Housing Division at community and regional meetings; address citizen complaints and concerns.
Manage the Division’s budget, monitor expenditures, and maintain established service levels and objectives.
Represent the City in regional housing discussions with other agencies and community groups.
Develop, train, and implement new or revised housing policies, standards, and regulations.
Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.
Maintain strong working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of excellent customer service.
Perform related duties as required.
Typical Qualifications
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Principles, practices, and regulations related to affordable housing program administration and development.
Principles of harm reduction, housing first, and equity-centered program administration, and their application in supervising staff and designing housing and homelessness policies.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requirements, including eligible activities, compliance, and reporting as evidenced by HUD.
Principles of housing development, rehabilitation, and construction.
Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations governing public housing development and rehabilitation programs.
Best practices for addressing homelessness, including trauma-informed care and housing-first models.
Affordable housing program finance and administration, including grants, budgets, and feasibility analysis.
Research methods, data analysis, and needs assessment techniques related to housing trends.
Legislative processes at the county, state, and federal level related to housing and homelessness.
Principles and methods of community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and public communication.
Budget development, financial management, and resource allocation.
Project and contract management principles and negotiation strategies.
Management, supervision, training, and employee development techniques.
ABIITY TO:
Plan, organize, and administer complex housing programs and projects within established requirements and guidelines.
Lead with empathy and cultural responsiveness, fostering a team culture that respects diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, lived experiences, and varying abilities.
Develop and implement affordable housing strategies that address community needs.
Analyze and interpret housing finance data to evaluate program costs and benefits.
Interpret, apply, and explain housing-related laws, regulations, and policies clearly to a wide range of audiences.
Identify and pursue grant and funding opportunities from multiple sources; prepare competitive applications and ensure compliance with funding requirements.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with community groups, agencies, developers, and internal City departments.
Negotiate and manage contracts and agreements effectively.
Communicate effectively in writing and orally, including delivering clear and persuasive presentations.
Supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
Prepare accurate, clear, and concise written reports, budgets, and correspondence.
Organize work, set priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
Represent the City professionally in meetings, negotiations, and public events.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive information.
Model and enforce safe work practices.
Education and Experience Guidelines
Education/ Training:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Urban Planning, Community Development, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Work, Housing Studies, or a related field.
Experience:
Five years of progressively more responsible experience in housing program development and implementation, with
At least two years in a supervisory capacity.
License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license. An out-of-state valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License will be accepted during the application process, but a valid California license must be obtained within six (6) months of appointment to the position.
Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
2021 Houston, Texas area Congressional District maps that the state was sued over by the Biden Administration DOJ. Source:Mark Meuser on X
“To put Proposition 50 on the ballot for the voters of California to decide, the California legislature had to violate the California Constitution multiple times.”
By Mark Meuser, Attorney
I am tired of hearing that California is redistricting to combat President Trump and Texas redistricting efforts. Texas was forced to redistrict because the Biden DOJ sued Galveston County and lost which changed the law thus making four Texas Congressional Districts unconstitutional.
When Texas drew its congressional districts in 2021, they created four congressional districts where they combined two minority communities to create a minority-majority district (Coalition minority districts).
On March 24, 2022, the Biden DOJ sued Galveston County Commissioners because Galveston did not draw a coalition minority district for the Black and Latino population.
On October 13, 2023, a Federal Judge agreed with Biden’s DOJ and found that Galveston County was required to draw a Commissioner seat by combining two minority communities.
On November 10, 2023, a three Judge panel of the 5th Circuit found that combining two minority groups to create a minority-majority district was unconstitutional and thus asked for an en banc panel to review the issue to overturn prior precedents.
On Aug. 1, 2024, the en banc panel of the Fifth Circuit concluded “that coalition claims do not comport with Section 2’s statutory language or with Supreme Court cases interpreting Section 2.” The Fifth Circuit ruled coalition minority districts are unconstitutional.
On July 7, 2025, President Trump’s DOJ sent a letter to Texas highlighting the 5th Circuit Order, pointing out that there are four coalition minority congressional districts that are now unconstitutional and that Texas needed to fix the problem.
Texas Houston area Congressional District maps 2021 (left) and 2025 (right). Source: State of Texas
Texas made a prudent choice to redraw the congressional districts so as to save their taxpayers the expense of litigating the losing case of defending minority coalition districts.
Texas did not have to redraw four minority coalitions districts because of President Trump. Texas had to redraw the lines because Biden sued Galveston County and the law was clarified that coalition minority districts were unconstitutional.
It is important to understand that the 2021 lines drawn by the California Independent Redistricting Commission have never been challenged in Court as unconstitutional because districts were drawn to create coalition minority districts.
Since Texas law requires that the Texas legislature draw the congressional districts, the Texas legislature followed the law.
However, the California Constitution prohibits the California legislature from drawing congressional districts and instead places that responsibility on the Independent Redistricting Commission.
To put Proposition 50 on the ballot for the voters of California to decide, the California legislature had to violate the California Constitution multiple times.
Under Proposition 50, five Republican-held congressional districts would shift to become more Democratic, based on presidential election results from 2024. Kamala Harris (D) would have won three—District 1, District 3, and District 41—with margins above 10%. District 48 would lean Democratic, with a margin of 3%. District 22 would have shifted four percentage points toward Democrats; however, Donald Trump (R) would have won the district with a margin of 2%. The table above provides additional information about these five districts. Source: Ballotpedia
The California legislature is asking the voters of California to forgive them for violating the California Constitution when they should have asked the voters for permission to draw the maps.
I was a part of two lawsuits filed before the California Supreme Court asking the Court to stop Proposition 50 before it went to the voters because the California legislature violated the California Constitution. Unfortunately, the California Supreme Court refused to require the California legislature to defend their unconstitutional acts and simply dismissed the Writ without even deciding the merits of the matter
While I am preparing the next lawsuit that will be filed, it is important that the voters of California stand up against the unconstitutional actions of Gavin Newsom and the California legislature by voting No on November 4th to Proposition 50.
The next time someone tells you that Newsom had to Gavinmander the State of California, remind them that the reason Texas had to redraw Congressional Districts is because Biden sued and lost which resulted in Texas having to redraw its lines.
Meuser practices election and constitutional law at the Dhillon Law Group.
Workers demand public health department investigations into claims of unsafe staffing, unsanitary conditions, dangerous care practices
Fresnenius denies workers’ allegations, Satellite does not respond
By Renée Saldaña, SEIU, Press Secretary, SEUI – United Healthcare Workers West
CALIFORNIA – Dialysis healthcare workers in counties across California delivered complaints to local Departments of Public Health on Tuesday and Wednesday that detail alarming and persistent violations inside dialysis clinics operated by Satellite Healthcare and Fresenius Medical Care in Stockton, Santa Rosa, San Diego, Imperial Valley, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento, and the Bay Area, including a location in Antioch.
The complaints, filed by members of SEIU–United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), outline conditions that workers say create unsafe working conditions and put vulnerable dialysis patients at serious risk, including chronic understaffing, infection control failures, unsanitary facilities, and unsafe equipment.
“Dialysis patients deserve safe, quality care – but instead, we’re seeing clinics where workers are stretched so thin that even basic safety protocols can’t be followed,” said Mike Badilla, a patient care technician at Satellite Healthcare in Gilroy. “We’re speaking up because these conditions are unacceptable for workers and our patients. These companies know what the problems are. They’ve been warned before. But until they’re forced to change, patients will keep paying the price.”
The complaints detail a disturbing pattern of systemic issues across multiple facilities, including:
Unsafe staffing levels leaving workers responsible for more patients and tasks than can be safely managed, leading to skipped safety checks, improper infection control procedures, and missed treatments.
Equipment failures and unsafe environments such as broken Hoyer lifts requiring firefighters to move patients, leaking water treatment rooms, broken air conditioning systems, and debris left around treatment areas during renovations.
Infection control lapses including visible blood stains in patient areas, improper disinfection procedures, and insufficient time between treatments to safely clean equipment.
“Our clinics are understaffed, under-resourced, and run by executives more focused on profits than worker and patient safety,” said Bonnie Oconer, a patient care technician at Fresenius Medical Care in Riverside. “We’re calling on public health departments to investigate these conditions and hold these companies accountable.
Dialysis workers have been raising alarms for years about unsafe conditions in the dialysis industry. Despite past citations from state inspectors, similar safety failures continue, and caregivers say that without stronger enforcement and meaningful changes from employers, workers and patients will remain at risk.
SEIU-UHW represents more than 700 dialysis caregiversat Fresenius, Satellite Healthcare and U.S. Renal in various job classes, including registered nurses, patient care technicians, licensed vocational nurses, certified clinical hemodialysis technicians, dietitians, social workers, clinical administrative coordinators, and receptionists.
SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 120,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians, provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.
In response, Kirsten Stratton, Senior Manager for Media Relations, Global Communications of Fresenius Medical Care provided the following company statement:
“SEIU-UHW’s allegations are not supported by facts. Objective government quality metrics routinely demonstrate that our dialysis centers in California lead and outperform the rest of the industry.
The latest Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 5-star quality ratings showed that our California centers have a higher ratio of 4- and 5-star ratings than any other dialysis provider across the country. Our employee hiring and retention far outpace California and nationwide trends. From 2022 through 2024 in California, our average time to fill a position improved by 22%, open positions by 68%, and voluntary turnover from 22% to 10%.
As has been the case throughout this process, our focus will be on bargaining in good faith and providing high-quality, life-sustaining care.”
An effort to also reach Satellite Healthcare for comment was unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any additional updates.
By Yating Campbell, Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (CCSWG)’s co-sponsored legislation, SB 642 (Limόn) Pay Equity Enforcement Act, has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. CCSWG co-sponsored SB 642 along with the California Employment Lawyers Association and Equal Rights Advocates.
“SB 642 signifies an important victory in advancing gender equity in the workplace on the 10-year anniversary of the California Fair Pay Act, while also recognizing that there is still much to be done to achieve true progress,” said Chair of CCSWG Dr. Rita Gallardo Good. “We thank Governor Newsom and Commissioner Limόn for their leadership and continued commitment to California’s women and girls.”
SB 642 revises outdated gender binary language, allows workers to recover for up to six years of lost pay, harmonizes the statute of limitations with other wage and anti-discrimination statutes, and limits how wide pay ranges may be in public job postings
“With many families continuing to stretch to make ends meet, we reinforce our commitment to equal pay laws that strengthen the economic security of California families and communities,” said Senator Monique Limón. “On Latina Equal Pay Day, I am incredibly proud that Governor Newsom is building upon our pay equity legacy here in California. The Pay Equity Enforcement Act will help narrow the wage gap by providing workers with more negotiation power at the start of their career, while also strengthening workers’ rights to recover lost wages – this is a win for workers and an even bigger win for California families.”
“As a proud co-sponsor of SB 642, we thank Governor Newsom for his signature of SB 642, which will advance pay and gender equity in the state of California for millions of women and girls,” said CCSWG Executive Director Darcy Totten, “SB 642 addresses several critical pay transparency gaps and revising references to gender to be more inclusive and reflective of California’s values. We also thank the author, Senator and Commissioner Limón, for her relentless support of women’s rights and protections in the workplace.”
Research demonstrates that women continue to make 79 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts. Women of color are shown to be even more severely and disproportionately impacted. Studies also show that, on average, women nationwide lose a combined total of almost $1.7 trillion every year due to the wage gap, impacting the ability to afford basic needs like housing, food, childcare, and preventing women from building long-term financial security. SB 642 remedies these obstacles by enabling women to build long-term economic security and wealth. The provisions of the bill will go into effect January 1, 2026.
“The gender wage gap costs California women billions in lost wages each year—money that could otherwise go toward rent, groceries, childcare, and other essentials that families depend on,” said Jessica Ramey Stender, Policy Director & Deputy Legal Director of Equal Rights Advocates. “SB 642 ensures California remains at the forefront of advancing pay equity. Ensuring women and all workers are paid fairly is not only critical for their financial stability, but also for the economic security and well-being of families across the state.”
“One of the biggest barriers to advancing pay equity is that workers often don’t know that they are being paid unfairly until it is too late,” said Mariko Yoshihara, Policy Director for the California Employment Lawyers Association. “We applaud Governor Newsom for signing SB 642, which will comprehensively strengthen our equal pay laws and extend the ability to recover lost wages due to pay discrimination.”
For more than 50 years, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls has identified and worked to eliminate inequities in state laws, practices, and conditions that affect California’s women and girls. Established as a state agency with 17 appointed commissioners in 1965, the Commission regularly assesses gender equity in health, safety, employment, education, and equal representation in the military, and the media. The Commission provides leadership through research, policy and program development, education, outreach and collaboration, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Learn more at www.women.ca.gov.
By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations Coordinator, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department
Ballots have been mailed for the November 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election and the Elections Office is ready to receive voted ballots sent by mail or dropped in drop boxes. The Contra Costa County Elections Division will perform the County’s official logic and accuracy testing on central ballot tabulation and processing equipment at 10:00 am Friday, October 10, 2025, a at the Elections Office, located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez and the public is invited to observe.
Logic and accuracy testing is a standard pre-election procedure. The test will confirm that all central count equipment is in working order and functioning properly. A set of test ballots will be run through each scanner to ensure they are properly programmed and operating as expected.
If you would like to observe this process, we encourage you to let us know in advance by contacting the Elections office at 925-335-7800. On the day of testing, visitors will be asked to check-in at the Elections lobby on the first floor.
By Karla Davis, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, California’s Credit Unions
Ontario, CA (Oct. 9, 2025):California’s Credit Unions today announced a broad package of financial relief options for employees of the federal government impacted by the government shutdown.
Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions that offer services like checking and savings accounts, auto loans, debit and credit cards, low-cost or free financial counseling, and much more.
How Federal Employees Can Get Help Today
According to Congressional Research Services, over 155,000 federal employees work in California. This does not include the thousands of employees who work for federal contractors and may also be impacted.
Loan Relief: Loan payment deferrals and temporary hardship modifications.
Emergency Assistance: Short-term, low- or no-interest loans to cover essential expenses.
Fee Waivers: Waiving late fees, overdraft fees, and penalties.
Financial Counseling: Access to financial wellness counselors to provide budgeting and debt management guidance.
Online Resources: Tools and information on our website to help with everyday expenses such as food, utilities, housing and healthcare.
“Credit unions are financial institutions focused on their mission of ‘people helping people.’ This includes times of need and emergencies, such as the government shutdown,” said Stephanie Cuevas, Senior Vice President of Federal Advocacy for California’s Credit Unions. “Credit unions are moving quickly to offer support to federal workers — from TSA agents to air traffic controllers, service members, and more. The goal is to support families during these times of uncertainty while the shutdown is resolved in Washington, D.C.”
Contact, Ask, and Explore
Federal employees can get help today by:
Contacting a credit union. Those reaching out should mention shutdown-related assistance. You can find a local credit union here.
Asking about eligibility. Every credit union has its own unique method to serving the community. Be sure to ask about how you can receive support.
Exploring options. The credit union will want to tailor financial solutions to your needs and circumstances.
California’s Credit Unions
Headquartered in Ontario, CA, California’s Credit Unions exists to help credit unions change people’s lives by supporting their operations, guidance, strategy, and philosophy. Our trade association helps local credit unions in California serve more than 14.4 million members. Credit unions are for people, not profit.
