SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of 14 California superior court judges, which include two in Alameda County, three in Los Angeles County, two in Orange County, two in Sacramento County, one in San Bernardino County, two in San Mateo County, one in Santa Clara County and one in Yolo County.
Alameda County Superior Court
Rebekah B. Evenson, 45, of Oakland, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Alameda County Superior Court. Evenson has been director of litigation and advocacy for Bay Area Legal Aid since 2016. She was senior staff attorney at Prison Law Office from 2008 to 2016. She was an associate at Altshuler Berzon LLP from 2002 to 2008. She worked as a Skadden fellow for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area from 2000 to 2002. Evenson served as a law clerk for Judge Betty B. Fletcher at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit from 1999 to 2000. Evenson earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kimberly M. Briggs. Evenson is a Democrat.
Joscelyn Jones, 63, of Brentwood, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Alameda County Superior Court. Jones has served as a judge pro tem in the Alameda County Superior Court Probate Division since 2016 and has been president, CEO and attorney at Jones Torru Law P.C. since 1997. She was an adjunct professor at the John F. Kennedy University College of Law from 2006 to 2015. Jones was assistant chief counsel at the Bayview Hunters Point Foundation in 2000. She was a deputy state public defender from 1995 to 1996 and a sole practitioner from 1992 to 1995. Jones was interim director of the Criminal Defender Program at the New College of California School of Law from 1992 to 1994. She was a deputy public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 1990 to 1991 and at the Contra Costa County Public Defender’s Office from 1983 to 1990. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte. Jones is a Democrat.
Los Angeles County Superior Court
Michelle E. DeCasas, 43, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. DeCasas has served as a deputy city attorney at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office since 2007. She was a civil litigation associate at Tesser & Ruttenberg from 2003 to 2007. DeCasas earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John J. Cheroske. DeCasas is a Democrat.
Lisa R. Washington, 54, of Diamond Bar, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Washington has served as a deputy public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 1994. She was an associate at Dickson & Associates from 1993 to 1994 and at the Law Office of Leo James Terrell in 1994 and from 1992 to 1993. Washington was a legal redress coordinator for the N.A.A.C.P Legal Redress Committee in 1992. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Dan T. Oki. Washington is a Democrat.
John C. Weller, 39, of Inglewood, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He has served as a deputy district attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 2007. He served as a deputy district attorney at the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office from 2005 to 2007. He was a law clerk at the Law Offices of Caree Harper in 2005. Weller earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gerald S. Rosenberg. Weller is a Democrat.
Orange County Superior Court
Robert Gerard, 64, of Newport Beach, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Gerard has been shareholder and chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Group at Friedman Stroffe & Gerard P.C. since 2000. He was a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group at Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP from 1997 to 2000 and was an associate there from 1994 to 1997. Gerard was a senior associate at Pettis Tester Kruse & Krinsky from 1990 to 1994. He was an associate at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLC from 1987 to 1990. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert C. Gannon. Gerard is registered without party preference.
Thomas J. Lo, 55, of Lake Forest, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court. Lo has served as an assistant public defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office since 2001. He was an associate at Hatton, Petrie & Stackler from 1999 to 2001 and at Cooksey, Howard, Martin & Toolen in 1999. Lo served as a deputy public defender at the Orange County Public Defender’s Office from 1996 to 1999. He was an associate at LaFollette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames from 1992 to 1996 and at George & Shields in 1992. He was an associate at the Law Offices of Gerald Schubert in 1992. Lo was a law clerk at Lanak & Hanna in 1991. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law. Lo fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kim G. Dunning. Lo is a Democrat.
Sacramento County Superior Court
Carlton G. Davis, 41, of Roseville, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Davis has served as a court commissioner at the Sacramento County Superior Court since 2017. He served as a deputy district attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office from 2006 to 2017. Davis served as a deputy district attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office from 2003 to 2006. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California School of Law. He fills the vacancy of a new position created on September 24, 2019. Davis is a Democrat.
Julie G. Yap, 39, of Sacramento, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Yap has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California since 2019. She was a partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP from 2016 to 2019, where she was an associate from 2012 to 2016. Yap was an adjunct professor at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law from 2007 to 2018. She served as a U.S. Supreme Court fellow in the Administrative Office of the United States Courts from 2011 to 2012. She served as a law clerk for the Honorable Frank C. Damrell, Jr. at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California from 2005 to 2011. Yap earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Fordham University School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert M. Twiss. Yap is a Democrat.
San Bernardino County Superior Court
Shannon L. Faherty, 39, of Rancho Cucamonga, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the San Bernardino County Superior Court. Faherty has served as a commissioner at the San Bernardino County Superior Court since 2018. She served as a deputy district attorney at the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office from 2006 to 2018. Faherty earned a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. She fills the vacancy of a new position created on September 24, 2019. Faherty is registered without party preference.
San Mateo County Superior Court
Rachel E. Holt, 48, of Redwood City, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the San Mateo County Superior Court. Holt has served as a commissioner at the San Mateo County Superior Court since 2014. She was a partner at Carr Yeley and Associates from 2006 to 2014 and an attorney as a sole practitioner at the San Mateo County Private Defender Program from 2003 to 2014. Holt served as a deputy district attorney at the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office from 1998 to 2002. Holt earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position on June 20, 2019. Holt is a Democrat.
Michael K. Wendler, 43, of Belmont, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the San Mateo County Superior Court. Wendler has served as a deputy district attorney at the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office since 2006. He has served in the U.S. Marine Corps since 1998 and is currently a Lieutenant Colonel. Wendler earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Marta S. Diaz. Wendler is a Democrat.
Santa Clara County Superior Court
Brooke A. Blecher, 47, of San Jose, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Blecher has served as a commissioner at the Santa Clara County Superior Court since 2018. She was an attorney and owner at Blecher and Hubbell from 2008 to 2018. Blecher was an attorney at Madden and Redding from 2004 to 2008 and at Olimpia, Whelan, Lively, and Ryan from 2000 to 2004. Blecher earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arizona College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Patrick Tondreau. Blecher is a Democrat.
Yolo County Superior Court
Daniel M. Wolk, 42, of Davis, has been appointed to serve as a judge in the Yolo County Superior Court. Wolk has served as a deputy county counsel in the Office of the Solano County Counsel since 2009. He was an associate attorney at McDonough, Holland & Allen P.C. from 2005 to 2008 and was founder and director of the Legal Clinic of Yolo County from 2006 to 2008. Wolk earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Janet Gaard. Wolk is a Democrat.
The compensation for each of these positions is $214,601.
4月16日华盛顿报道，上个月，美国和以色列对伊朗发动的大规模战争爆发数日后，美国情报机构发现，随着俄罗斯和中国寻求支持伊朗以削弱美国和以色列的军事行动，这场战争有可能超出直接战场范围。 据多位知情美国官员透露，五角大楼下属军事情报机构国防情报局（DIA）的分析人员评估认为，中国正在考虑是否向伊朗提供先进的雷达系统。与此同时，另有报道称，俄罗斯已向伊朗分享了有关美军在中东地区军事部署的情报。 据美国哥伦比亚广播公司新闻网（CBS News）此前的报道，虽然俄罗斯向伊朗传递情报，但中国在冲突初期就表现出的援助伊朗的意愿，而且这种援助可能持续很长时间，表明一些大国之间正在形成一种更广泛的、非正式的联盟，以制衡美国在该地区的野心。 据报道，不愿透露姓名的美国官员向哥伦比亚广播公司新闻网透露，中国曾考虑向伊朗提供X波段雷达系统。这项技术将显著提升伊朗探测和追踪来袭威胁，例如低空无人机和巡航导弹的能力，并有助于保护其防空系统免受先进打击。 美国官员表示，目前尚不清楚中国最终是否推进了这项转让，但这一评估凸显了美国的担忧，即伊朗战争不仅吸引了地区对手，也吸引了愿意提供关键支持的全球竞争对手，尽管这些支持并非直接军事介入。 4月15日，《金融时报》援引泄露的伊朗军方文件报道称，伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队（IRGC）利用其从中国地球之眼公司（Earth Eye Co.）秘密购买的间谍卫星，对美国在中东的军事基地进行了监视。 两名熟悉此事的美国官员表示，美国情报评估显示，伊朗此前曾使用过中国提供的卫星图像，包括在以色列和美国军队目前发生的冲突期间。这两名官员无法确认这些图像是否由中国的地球之眼公司提供。 五角大楼去年12月发布的一份关于中国军力的报告指出，截至2024年，总部位于中国的商业卫星公司已与伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队开展了商业往来。 这份由美国由情报界编制的全球安全风险非机密调查报告名为《2026年度威胁评估》，该报告警告称，中国在发展太空能力方面远远领先于其他国家。 该报告指出：“中国已超越俄罗斯，成为美国在太空领域的主要竞争对手。北京迅速部署太空能力，使其能够利用太空推进其外交政策目标，挑战美国在太空领域的军事和技术优势，并在全球范围内投射力量。” 两位美国官员表示，美国情报部门还显示，中国曾考虑向伊朗转让防空系统，并可能通过第三国转运以掩盖其直接参与。美国有线电视新闻网（CNN）上周报道称，美国情报界发现中国正准备向伊朗交付肩扛式防空导弹系统（MANPADS)。 美国参议院情报委员会副主席、弗吉尼亚州民主党参议员沃纳（Mark…
4月16日华盛顿报道，负责审查华盛顿特区公共建筑的美术委员会（CFA)，在最初对特朗普总统的凯旋门重点项目提出质疑之后，最终还是批准了其初步设计。这座未来的巨型地标重要建筑项目的高达250英尺（约76米)，将超过林肯纪念堂（Lincoln Memorial）和阿灵顿国家公墓（Arlington National Cemetery)。 该美术委员会成员就凯旋门的结构基础、行人及轮椅通道以及拱门顶部的金色雕像等问题质询了项目建筑师沙博诺（Nicolas Charbonneau)。 该建筑方案计划在华盛顿特区波托马克河中的哥伦比亚岛上建造凯旋门，设计方案包括一座镀金青铜自由女神雕像和两只白头鹰雕像，三座雕像均展开双翼。凯旋门的两侧还将建造两座金色狮子雕像。 美国内政部长伯古姆（Doug Burgum）今天介绍了该项目，并援引历史来论证建造拱门的合理性。伯古姆表示，美国国会当年制定国家广场（National Mall）规划时，曾在哥伦比亚岛上规划了两根柱子作为“装饰”。这两根柱子高160英尺，象征着内战后的南北双方。这两根柱子最终并未建成。 伯古姆说，拟建的凯旋门的两根支撑柱是对一百多年前规划的致敬，高度也将达到约160英尺。这座拱门周围将设置防护柱，并设有一个可通过电梯到达的观景台。 该美术委员会的一位委员麦克雷里（James McCrery）在谈到这些带翼的雕像时说：“这看起来有点奇怪。我认为应该改进狮子雕像。” 麦克雷里还建议建造一个更大的入口，取消地下通道，并且缩小凯旋门的尺寸。 麦克雷里虽然投票赞成初步设计方案，但他建议将凯旋门的高度调整到166英尺（约50米)，理由是可以比目前提议的尺寸更能“更好地融入”华盛顿的纪念性天际线。…
4月16日华盛顿报道，特朗普政府将于下周推出一个门户网站，允许企业申请退还被美国最高法院裁定为非法的关税。但退款并非自动到账，法律专家表示，企业在追回款项的过程中可能还会面临其他障碍。 美国海关与边境保护局 (CBP) 将启动一个该局关税退款申请系统的“条目的综合管理和处理”(CAPE）门户网站，以便企业提交关税退款申请。当局在4月14日提交的文件中确认，该网站将于4月20日开放退款申请。 今年 2 月，美国最高法院裁定特朗普总统依据《国际紧急经济权力法》(IEEPA) 征收的关税非法。此后，特朗普政府需要向企业退还高达 1750 亿美元的税款。自这项具有里程碑意义的裁决以来，已有数千家公司向国际贸易法院 (CIT) 提起诉讼，要求关税退款。 美国海关与边境保护局在其网站上发布的指南中指出：海关与边境保护局“关税豁免申请系统”将简化根据法院命令和相关法律法规提出的《国际紧急经济权力法》关税退税申请，提供电子途径提交有效的 关税退税申请。” 以下是关于特朗普政府关税退税门户网站的信息，包括哪些人有资格提交申请以及企业多久可以收到退款。…
4月15日华盛顿报道，美国国务院首席副发言人皮戈特（Tommy Pigott）今天在一份新闻声明中宣布，美国正在采取行动，果断限制伊朗在企图挟持霍尔木兹海峡时牟取收入的能力。 皮戈特表示，今天的制裁针对的是受到美国制裁的沙姆哈尼（Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani）的数十亿美元石油走私帝国的组成部分，该走私集团让伊朗政权及其权贵敛财。制裁还针对一个单独的石油换黄金网络，该网络为受到美国制裁的真主党以及伊斯兰革命卫队圣城旅提供资金。 该声明指出，伊朗政权继续让沙姆哈尼家族等腐败权贵敛财，而普通伊朗人却在不断恶化的经济下受苦受难。该政权同样将伊朗人民的财富输送给真主党及中东地区的其他恐怖主义分子。这些制裁措施彰显了我们对伊朗及其恐怖主义代理人最大限度施压的承诺。 该声明表示，涉及非法的伊朗石油、黄金和恐怖主义融资的复杂阴谋表明了伊朗及其同伙为规避制裁、资助恶意活动所不惜采取的手段。我们将继续揭露并瓦解这些网络。 该声明表示，自特朗普总统发布第二号国家安全总统备忘录以来，美国已对1000多名个人、船只和飞机实施制裁，作为我们打击伊朗恶意活动行动的一部分。我们将不懈努力，切断伊朗及其代理人用于威胁美国利益和地区稳定的资源。 该声明称，今天的行动标志着自第二号国家安全总统备忘录发布以来，针对伊朗石油销售及其对恐怖主义代理人的支持所采取的最新一轮制裁，总统备忘录指示对伊朗及其地区代理人施加最大压力。
4月15日华盛顿报道，一名美国心胸外科医生最近在特朗普总统的大儿子小特朗普（Donald Trump Jr.）的播客节目中，转述了特朗普总统对无糖汽水能杀死癌细胞的说法后，有一些医生提醒公众注意该说法。 据报道，美国心胸外科医生和电视名人、美国医疗保险和医疗补助服务中心主任奥兹（Mehmet Oz）透露，特朗普总统声称无糖汽水可能有助于预防癌症。该言论甚至促使一些医生提醒公众，无糖汽水并不能预防癌症。 奥兹在小特朗普的播客节目“ 小特朗普与风波”(Triggered with Don Jr.）中声称：“你爸认为无糖汽水对他有好处，因为它能杀死草坪——如果倒在草坪上——所以，它肯定也能杀死体内的癌细胞。” 随后，奥兹描述了最近在空军一号上的一个场景时说：“你知道，前几天我们在空军一号上，我走进去，因为他想跟我谈谈，结果发现他桌子上放着一瓶橙味汽水。是芬达（Fanta)，我说，‘你在开玩笑吧？’然后他就开始不好意思地咧嘴一笑。他说，‘你知道吗，这东西对我有好处——它能杀死癌细胞。’” 奥兹也回忆起特朗普曾开玩笑说，这种用浓缩橙汁制成的饮料芬达不可能不健康，因为它“是鲜榨的”。 小特朗普回应说，他父亲的习惯或许有道理：“但也许他说的有道理。因为我得说：我认识很多快80岁的人，但很少有人能像他那样精力充沛、记忆力惊人、耐力惊人。” 在特朗普总统发表这些关于他饮食习惯的言论之际，美国卫生部（HHS）正在更新美国营养指南，包括修订食物金字塔，以强调“真正的食物”。 特朗普总统长期以来一直为自己偏爱甜饮料和快餐辩护，称这是他保持健康的方式之一。…