FREE SPEECH
The Trump administration’s investigation into an advocacy group was an act of retaliation against its reporting on Elon Musk’s X, a federal judge said Aug. 15. In November, Musk sued Media Matters, alleging the liberal group was colluding with advertisers in order to chill speech by conservative actors. Since Musk took over X and many advertisers have fled, Media Matters has published reports on the Nazi propaganda and other hate speech that is prevalent on the social media platform. Soon after President Donald Trump took power, the Federal Trade Commission opened an investigation into Media Matters, prompting the group to file a suit against the FTC. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan granted a preliminary injunction in favor of Media Matters, writing, “Media Matters is likely to succeed in its First Amendment retaliation claim, which is all it needs at this stage.” In a statement, Media Matters President Angelo Carusone said, “The court’s ruling demonstrates the importance of fighting over folding, which far too many are doing when confronted with intimidation from the Trump administration.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s a sad day, but you sometimes have to do the right thing.” - Scott Caraccioli, speaking for the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, about the decision to shutter the organization that advocates for local vineyards (see story, montereycountynow.com)
GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK
GOOD:
Five more Rancho Cielo recent graduates now have cars to get to college and work thanks to the trade school’s Rancho Cielo Invests in Driving Equity (RIDE) car scholarship award. The scholarship was created earlier this year after the Rancho Cielo Board of Directors’ Equity Committee recognized the barrier that not having transportation creates for graduates. Three grads received the first donated cars in February. The new awardees – Kenia Perez, Isaiah Barajas, Severiano De Jesus, Serenity Lucas and Melissa Torres – received their cars at an assembly the first day of school, Aug. 12. Eligible students first complete driver’s education, provided free in partnership with Drive Carmel, and receive their driver’s license. A panel interviews each candidate. “The RIDE program has the largest return on investment of anything we do here,” CEO Chris Devers said.
GREAT:
For those with disabilities, getting from point A to point B can be a difficult task, especially if they are unable to drive themselves. Lift Line, a program of nonprofit Community Bridges, provides rides for income-eligible people for medical appointments and other places. But until now, only those who qualified could access the service. Community Bridges announced Aug. 15 that it is expanding its Access for All service into North Monterey County, giving rides to people with disabilities with no income restrictions. For a $5 fare per ride, people can be picked up in a fully ADA-accessible vehicle and transported to any destination within Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. The program is funded by a California Public Utilities Commission grant and administered by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County. The service launched in Santa Cruz County in 2023.