8/11 KVCR Midday News: Fallout from FBI Raid in Ontario Continues, Beloved Big Bear Eagle Jackie Passes Away & More

For KVCR News, I'm Tony Lopez. The political follow continues in San Bernardino County following an FBI raid two weeks ago. An Ontario councilman whose home was searched by federal agents has dropped out of the city's mayoral race. KVCR's Anthony Victoria has more. FBI agents raided the homes of San Bernardino supervisor Kurt Hagman and Ontario Councilman Alan Wapner in July. Agents also executed a search warrant at Ontario International Airport. Both Hagman and Wapner serve on its board. The FBI told KVCR the search warrants are under seal and decline a comment on the investigation. Ontario officials said on Monday that Wapner dropped out of the mayor's race last week. Wapner told the council at last week's meeting that he did nothing wrong. Paul Leon, who is running for re-election as mayor, called on Wapner to step down from city committees and the airport board. Wapner declined a comment on the FBI search, but told KVCR he's now running for a council seat. He also endorsed councilwoman Daisy Macias for mayor. The clerk's office confirmed that Macias has filed to run. For KVCR News, I'm Anthony Victoria. Some sad news for tens of thousands of fans of the internet famous eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow, whose nest is high up in a pine tree in Big Bear. Jackie died early Monday morning. KVCR's Madison Amit reports. The female bald eagle had been in and out of intensive care at the Ohio Raptor Center for three weeks. The center had been treating her for severe anemia, but could not find a cause. Ursula Denai, who lives in Los Angeles, has been following the Big Bear Eagles since 2020. Yeah, this is a very personal thing. I feel like my old pet has passed or a family member or a friend. It is consuming grief. Thousands of others have shared their own George Soros on social media. Jackie was found on the ground and rescued in July after a fight with two younger eagles. She leaves behind her partner's shadow and two chicks, Sandy and Luna. For KVCR News, I'm Madison Ament and San Bernardino. Hundreds of Californians rallied at the state capital on Monday, calling on lawmakers to reverse cuts to transit, affordable housing, and clean air programs. The programs are funded by California's cap and invest climate program. In May, the State Air Resources Board changed how the money is divided. Natalie Spiebeck is with Affordable Housing Advocacy Group Housing California. California's housing, transit, climate, and environmental justice goals are deeply connected. In this year's budget, these programs face cuts of over 80%. And in future years, because of CARB's recent changes, they face a potential loss of funding altogether. Advocates say the change could cut about $2 billion a year while steering new subsidies to oil refineries and other big polluters. The Air Resources Board has said the changes are meant to hold down gas and electricity prices. Advocates want the legislature to act before the session ends in August 31st.

Electric cars just got cheaper for Californians looking to buy their first zero-mission vehicle. Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday new rebates for first-time EV buyers. Drivers will get $3,500 off a new EV and $1,750 off a used one. Lauren Sanchez chairs the California Air Resources Board. For millions of Californians, an electric vehicle is more than just new technology. It means cleaner air for their children. It means lower fuel and maintenance costs, saving money each month for the family budget. And it means an opportunity to be a part of California's clean air future. This comes after the federal government rolled back EV tax credits. In 2020, Gavin Newsom mandated all new cars sold in California must be zero-mission vehicles or hybrids by 2035. The local price at the pump has dipped a fraction overnight. The average price of a gallon of self-served regular gasoline in Riverside County dropped eight-tenths of a cent today to $5.54. The average price has increased by about $1 since the start of the joint U.S. Israel attack on Iran in February. This has been your Midday News report. For KVCR News, I'm Tony Lopez.