Footage of a U.S. strike on three drug trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Dec. 29, 2025. U.S. Southern Command/Screenshot

US strikes 5 more drug boats, killing 8 

By Joseph Lord, Troy Myers Contributing Writer  U.S. Southern Command struck five drug-smuggling boats Tuesday, killing eight people and causing the remaining occupants to abandon their vessels, prompting a search and rescue,

Marsha McLean

Marsha McLean | New Year, New Amenities 

As we usher in a new year, I want to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy 2026. There’s something special about the end of the year, when we reflect on

Letters to the Editor

Jim Scott | A New Year’s Inspiration

I was enjoying a relaxing Christmas and New Year’s season and looking forward to 2026, but Jonathan Kraut’s “New Year’s Wishes” (commentary, Dec. 30) has inspired me to write just

Dan Walters

Dan Walters | UC System’s Chaotic Pension Payouts

The University of California is one of the world’s most prestigious centers of higher education and cutting-edge medical, technological and social research. One assumes that its faculty and administrative cadre

Letters to the Editor

Glenda Roybal | Missing the Mark on Prop. 50

A response to Jack Teoli’s Dec. 3 letter on Proposition 50: Jack Teoli’s recent letter in The Signal presented Prop. 50 as if Santa Clarita delivered a clear and unified

Dan Walters

Dan Walters | State Budget Gap Has Pandemic Roots

When Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils his draft of the state’s 2026-27 budget next month, he’ll reveal whether he intends to deal squarely with its chronic, multi-billion-dollar deficit or punt to

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference announcing a proposed 2024 ballot initiative to improve mental health services across the state, at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, on March 19, 2023. Photo by Adriana Heldiz/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool

New state law expands Newsom’s mental health court 

By Marisa Kendall Contributing Writer  In 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a new program intended to revolutionize the way counties provide mental health care to some of their most vulnerable residents.  

Israel news filler

5 takeaways from Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu 

By Jacob Burg Contributing Writer  U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the U.S. leader’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday, where the leaders discussed updates on the future