Daily Business Report: Monday, April 21, 2025
California Ponders Takeover of Oil Refineries as Facilities Shut Down
By Brad Jones | The Epoch Times
Analysts say Californians could be paying significantly more for gasoline with the impending closure of two Phillips 66 refineries in Los Angeles, which account for about 8 percent of the state’s oil refining capacity, by the end of 2025.
Valero Energy Corporation on April 16 also announced it will shut down or restructure its Benicia refinery in the San Francisco Bay area—which accounts for about 9 percent of state refining capacity—by April 2026, increasing concerns over gas prices and supply.
Before the refiners made their announcements, the California Energy Commission had proposed that the state take over oil refineries to try to mitigate price hikes.
California Republicans want to get tougher on crime. Are Democrats shifting their way?
By Jeanne Kuang | CalMatters
Republican state Sen. Brian Jones has been trying to block sex offenders from being released from prison through California’s elderly parole program for several years. Last week, for the first time, his bill to do so made it out of its first committee.
It was just one of many votes Senate Bill 286 will have to survive in a long road ahead in the Capitol, but it caught Jones’ attention. In a Legislature dominated by Democrats who often shelve Republican tough-on-crime proposals, the approval from the Senate Public Safety Committee was unanimous.
“I don’t think it would have passed a committee last year,” said Jones, the Senate minority leader.
California’s Democratic legislators — who for years have been passing progressive measures designed to reduce sentences and lessen mass incarceration by emphasizing more rehabilitative solutions to crime — were dealt a blow last fall when an overwhelming majority of voters approved Proposition 36.
San Diego County Fair, San Diego Humane Society to Discuss Fair Theme Partnership, Pet-Centric Activities
By The San Diego Humane Society
What:
Joining forces for pets and people across the region, the San Diego County Fair and San Diego Humane Society will host a joint media event next week to officially launch the 2025 “Summer Pet-Tacular” Fair’s pet-centric theme programming.
Hosted at San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego campus, this news conference and availability will provide media with a visual-rich showcase and preview of the pet-related entertainment, educational programming, and adoption efforts at the Fair, which opens June 11 and runs through July 6.
To attend, follow this link to RSVP.
When:
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Who:
- Frederick Schenk, President, 22nd DAA Board of Directors
- Katie Mueller, Chief Operations Officer, 22nd DAA and San Diego County Fair
- Dr. Gary Weitzman, President and CEO, San Diego Humane Society
Where:
San Diego Humane Society
5500 Gaines Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Media should park at or near the Main entrance to San Diego Humane Society at 5500 Gaines Street.
**TO ATTEND, RSVP HERE**
