melodygutierrez.bsky.social
@melodygutierrez.bsky.social
Gov. Gavin Newsom laughed and deflected when asked how often he’s been asked about his presidential plans.

“It’s not about me,” he said in Brazil before fishing a malaria pill out of his suit pocket and chasing it with borrowed coffee. “It’s about this moment…” www.latimes.com/california/s...
At Brazilian climate summit, Newsom positions California as a stand-in for the U.S.
As the United States retreats from its climate commitments under President Trump, Gov. Gavin Newsom is stepping onto the world stage in Brazil, casting himself as a de facto U.S. climate envoy at COP3...
www.latimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Thrilled that our investigation into the underground pipeline of dogs
coming into CA from Midwest puppy mills - which are then rebranded as locally bred - won the Impact in Journalism Award and Best Capitol Enterprise Award from the @SacPressClub last night!
May 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Nearly 1,000 workers left state service last year with $100,000 or more in banked leave benefits, a Los Angeles Times analysis of California state payroll records found.

www.latimes.com/california/s...
Banked vacation leads to a $1.2-million payday: How state workers cash in on days off
More and more state workers are able to retire with massive payouts for unused vacation and other leave, with a new record set last year when a prison dentist walked away with $1.2 million in unused d...
www.latimes.com
April 21, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Thrilled that our investigation “Pets for Profit” has been named a semifinalist for the 2025 Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. State lawmakers recently announced three bills in response to the issues raised by our reporting. www.latimes.com/california/s...
February 26, 2025 at 7:32 PM
CA lawmakers propose banning sales from dog brokers in crackdown on puppy pipeline. Three bills announced today are in response to a Times investigation that found truckloads of dogs from profit-driven mass breeders pour into the state and are resold as locally bred. www.latimes.com/california/s...
California lawmakers propose banning sales from dog brokers in crackdown on puppy pipeline
Legislation would close the loophole in California's pet retail ban by prohibiting brokers from selling or shipping dogs to consumers in the state, in response to a Times investigation.
www.latimes.com
February 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A deep analysis of the Palisades fire evacuation paints a chaotic scenario: As the fire roared toward homes, major escape routes were gridlocked before the first evacuation orders were given
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Escape from the Palisades: Split-second decision making, confusing responses
A deep analysis of the Palisades fire evacuation paints a chaotic scenario: As the fire roared toward homes, major escape routes were gridlocked before the first evacuation orders were given
www.latimes.com
February 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Reposted
California vowed to phase out businesses where hundreds of captive dogs give their blood to save the lives of pets thruout the state But blood from so-called "closed colonies" still account for almost all the dog blood sold in the state

Alene Tchekmedyian, Melody Guttierez

t.co/XmesHVlRjK
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-12/puppy-mill-pipeline
t.co
December 18, 2024 at 11:18 PM
Reposted
‘A necessary evil’: The captive dogs whose blood saves lives.

More important work from @melodygutierrez.bsky.social and Alene Tchekmedyian in their sobering Pets for Profit investigative series.

www.latimes.com/california/s...
Pets for profit: An in-depth investigation
A deep look into exploitation within the nation's multibillion-dollar pet industry, from the unregulated pipeline of puppies and other animals imported to California, to lax oversight that enables abu...
www.latimes.com
December 17, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Reposted
‘A necessary evil': An in-depth look at the hundreds of full-time donor dogs and cats kept in closed colonies in California whose blood is used to save the lives of pets

www.latimes.com/california/s...
'A necessary evil': The captive dogs whose blood saves lives
California vowed to shut down colonies where hundreds of captive dogs supply blood for veterinary care. But blood from the closed colonies is still crucial for saving lives.
www.latimes.com
December 17, 2024 at 4:47 PM
‘A necessary evil': An in-depth look at the hundreds of full-time donor dogs and cats kept in closed colonies in California whose blood is used to save the lives of pets www.latimes.com/california/s...
'A necessary evil': The captive dogs whose blood saves lives
California vowed to shut down colonies where hundreds of captive dogs supply blood for veterinary care. But blood from the closed colonies is still crucial for saving lives.
www.latimes.com
December 17, 2024 at 11:19 AM
Calling all journalism students – the Sacramento Press Club scholarships are open for applications. Scholarships range from $5,000 to $8,000 each to help support journalism students with ties to Sacramento region www.sacpressclub.org/scholarships/.
Scholarships
The Sacramento Press Club awards scholarships annually totaling more than $50,000. The application process for this year’s scholarships is now open and applications should be submitted online. Student...
www.sacpressclub.org
December 9, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Reposted
A dangerous combination of howling winds and extremely flammable brush right up against homes made the Mountain fire one of Southern California’s most destructive in years. Here’s how it unfolded. @latimes.com www.latimes.com/california/s...
In a few terrifying hours, the Mountain fire exploded into SoCal's most destructive in years
In just a few terrifying hours, the Mountain Fire became the most destructive blaze in Southern California in years. The conditions were ripe for disaster, and neighborhoods had few defenses. Here is ...
www.latimes.com
November 13, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Reposted
Should Kamala Harris run for California governor? The LA Times and UC Berkeley are out today with the first poll looking at how Californians feel about it. Story by me! www.latimes.com/california/s...
California Gov. Kamala Harris? New poll finds she'd have a clear advantage
Nearly half of California voters would be very or somewhat likely to support Kamala Harris if she were to run for governor in 2026, according to a UC Berkeley poll.
www.latimes.com
November 13, 2024 at 8:03 PM
Reposted
The new owner of one of Skid Row's largest homeless housing portfolios immediately cut janitorial and security services when he took over the 17 properties weeks ago. One 78-year-old tenant broke into the maintenance closet to mop the floors himself www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
New owner cuts security, janitors at Skid Row homeless housing as tenants fear worsening conditions
Tenants at Skid Row properties owned by a Beverly Hills developer said recent cuts in security and janitorial services has led to renewed filth and safety concerns in the buildings.
www.latimes.com
November 5, 2024 at 5:03 PM