IN THIS ISSUE
Seawolves SPEAK!
Election
Celebrities urge youth to vote. PAGE 6.
Students reminisce about campus. PAGE 9.
Baseball SSU alumn goes pro abroad PAGE 10.
SINCE 1979
VOLUME 85 // ISSUE 6 SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 - OCTOBER 5, 2020
THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER
@SONOMASTATESTAR
STAR // Samantha Billingsly Sonoma State University provides a charging station for electric-powered vehicles.
Gov. Newsom signs executive order to ban gas-powered vehicles by 2035 SIEANNA NARINE STAFF WRITER
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overnor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order last Wednesday that bans the sale of gaspowered vehicles in the state of California by the year 2035. This bill was signed in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by motivating California drivers to switch to electric cars. This is the most progressive clean-air policy in the United States. The bill bans the production of new gas-powered vehicles after the 15 year mark, but it will still allow gas powered cars to be sold on the used car market. Governor Newsome endorses this bill, stating in an NPR article, “This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change.” A 2018 EPA analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere stated, “The transportation sector produced 28.2% of greenhouse emissions.” The transportation sector generates the largest amount of greenhouse emissions through burning fossil fuels in cars, trucks, ships, and planes. Collectively, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all U.S. emissions, producing around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for each gallon of gas used. According to a CA.gov article, “Communities in the Los Angeles Basin and Central Valley see some of the dirtiest and most toxic air in the country.” The World WildLife website explains that climate change takes form in our environment by causing more frequent flooding, a longer and more costly wildfire season, and droughts across the Great Plains. Newsome agrees that, “For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse and create more days filled with smoky air. Cars shouldn’t melt glaciers or raise sea levels threatening our cherished beaches and coastlines.” Following the order made by Newsom, the California Air Resources Board will develop regulations that mandate 100% of the in-state sale of gas powered vehicles to end by the year 2035. The California-based Coalition for Clean Air commended Newsom for his decision and gave full support in helping to put this mandate in full effect. This order will lead to a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 80% improvement in air quality. “The Governor’s Executive Order is a meaningful step in addressing the climate crisis and protecting the health of Californians,” the California-based Coalition for Clean Air told NPR. see GOV. NEWSOM SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER on pg. 4
COURTESY // Csufresno.edu Joseph I. Castro was recently appointed as the eighth CSU chancellor.
Joseph Castro elected as CSU’s first Chancellor of color
SAMUEL SAYER STAFF WRITER
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s of Wednesday, Sep. 23, the California State University Board of Trustees elected Joseph Castro to be the next CSU Chancellor following Timothy White’s retirement at the end of the year. Castro, a first generation college student and current President of Fresno State, will be the first person of color to serve as CSU Chancellor in the roughly 60 year line of 7 previous chancellors. Castro’s election by the Board represents another landmark for diversity in the California higher education system, as he joins recently selected President Michael Drake of the UC system and Chancellor of California Community Colleges Eloy Ortiz Oakley. This is the first time in the history of California that all 3 branches of public higher education are led by people of color. see JOSEPH CASTRO on pg. 4
STAR // Sarah Gallagher Silver Oak Vineyards, pictured on September 26, 2020, is ready to hire interns for harvest season.
COURTESY // Flickr.com President Trump announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for the United States Supreme Court.
Republican’s push for Supreme Court Justice nomination
JAYLINE ALVARADO STAFF WRITER
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ow that there’s an empty seat on the Supreme Court, the Republican party is pushing for the nomination of a new Supreme Court judge in order to fill the vacancy. Republican, and former presidential candidate, Mitt Romney has spoken out against President Trump, even voting to impeach him. However, they both agree that the vacant seat in the Supreme Court should be filled by the time the election rolls around in November. According to Senator Romney, the nomination should represent the beliefs of a center-right nation, and therefore, a Supreme Court that reflects that. see REPUBLICANS PUSH FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE on pg. 5
Sonoma County wineries are searching for harvest interns
TAYLOR CLARK
STAFF WRITER
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ine country brings many people from all over the world to California. Interns, in particular, are drawn to Sonoma and Napa counties to learn what makes California so special when it comes to the craft of wine making. Wineries typically need more help during the harvest season, which starts in August and usually ends in November. Interns who want to pursue a career in the wine industry come from Italy, Australia, and Chile, only to name a few. With the appearance of COVID-19 and President Trump’s restrictions on visa programs, international interns and local wineries are at a huge loss. Local wineries are scrambling to find extra hands to help, and this comes at a time when they tend to be the busiest. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Robert Morris, partner and general manager at the Grand Cru Custom Crush in Windsor, said, “We have five interns when we really should have nine.” Morris figured COVID-19 would affect his ability to find international interns, so he recruited domestic workers. see SONOMA COUNTY WINERIES on pg. 5