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.
7月21日华盛顿讯，美国战争部长皮特·赫格塞斯（Pete Hegseth）今天在美国国会大厦告诉国会议员，美国发动的伊朗战争已耗资375亿美元，他表示，该数字包括预计到本财年结束的军饷支出。 美国军方公布了第3名据信在伊朗袭击约旦基地事件中丧生的士兵姓名，并确认了一名在伊拉克阵亡的美军士兵身份，使得自战争爆发以来美军死亡人数上升至18人。 伊朗7月21日声称袭击了位于科威特、巴林和约旦的美国目标以及霍尔木兹海峡的一艘船只后，美军连续第11个夜晚对伊朗发动空袭。 美国官员表示，本月已有近100名美军士兵在伊朗的袭击中受伤。美国战争部长赫格塞斯告诉美国国会议员，伊朗战争已耗资约375亿美元。但多位知情人士表示，伊朗战争实际总成本可能远高于此。 赫格塞斯今天在美国参议院拨款委员会听证会上接受伊利诺伊州民主党参议员迪克·德宾（Dick Durbin）质询时，给出了该最新估算，此估算远高于今年5月份公布的290亿美元。赫格塞斯和参谋长联席会议主席丹·凯恩（Dan Caine）正在就特朗普政府提出的数百亿美元追加拨款请求作证，这些拨款旨在帮助支付伊朗战争的费用。 赫格塞斯在作证时为特朗普政府的伊朗战略辩护。在接受该委员会副主席、华盛顿州民主党参议员帕蒂·默里（Patty Murray）的质询时，赫格塞斯一度表示，一些伊朗弹道导弹之所以能躲过美国的轰炸，是因为它们被埋在地下，但他认为伊朗的军事实力已遭到严重削弱。 赫格塞斯说：“我承认他们仍然有能力，这一点毋庸置疑，但我们在这一系列行动中对他们造成的破坏程度，已经使他们处于前所未有的最糟糕的境地。” 美国中央司令部（CENTCOM）今天晚间美东时间8点15分左右宣布，已连续第11晚对伊朗发动空袭。最新一轮空袭持续了一个多小时。中央司令部在社交媒体上发文称，此次空袭的目标是伊朗的飞机库、无人机存放处和作战中心，“旨在进一步削弱伊朗威胁霍尔木兹海峡商船的能力”。 中央司令部表示：“过去三个月，伊朗袭击了30多艘途经这条对区域和全球贸易至关重要的国际航道的商船。这些毫无根据的袭击危及了数百名无辜海员的生命安全，并破坏了航行自由。” 据英国军方消息，伊朗今天又在霍尔木兹海峡袭击了一艘油轮，迫使船员弃船。英国海军海上贸易行动中心表示，今天清晨，一艘油轮在阿曼海岸附近的霍尔木兹海峡遭到袭击，并补充说：“船员已弃船，目前已登上救生艇。” 伊朗革命卫队（IRGC）声称对此次袭击以及7月19日在该海峡发生的另外2起船只袭击事件负责。…
7月21日纽约讯，美国纽约市市长佐兰·马姆达尼（ Zohran Mamdani）今天在接受杂志《滚石》(Rolling Stone）的一次采访中，被问及前民主党全国委员会（DNC）主席杰米·哈里森（Jaime Harrison）的一番言论时表示，民主党已经“被高薪顾问和大财团掌控”。 哈里森在社交媒体X上写道：“我这么说绝无恶意或敌意：如果你憎恨民主党，那就请不要竞选我们的提名。不要动用我们的资源。不要依赖我们的志愿者。不要利用我们的基础设施。不要要求民主党人将他们的时间、金钱和精力投入到你的竞选活动中。专注于建设你真正支持的政党。” 哈里森还写道：“政党并非完美无缺，但它们是由数百万挨家挨户敲门、打电话、组织会议、为自己信仰的价值观而奋斗的人们建立起来的。如果你不相信这个党，那就不要指望它的成员能助你赢得最终的胜利。” 对此，马姆达尼则回应道：“我认为，通常情况下，如果有人说这番话并非出于恶意或敌意，那么他们接下来要说的话往往就充满了恶意和敌意。” 34岁的穆斯林民主社会主义者马姆达尼强调，民主党必须对那些公开支持社会主义候选人的选民负责。马姆达尼认为：“你说这不能代表本党。这或许不能代表我们党现在的现状，一个由高薪顾问和巨额资金操控的政党，但它确实代表了民主党人自己想要看到的。” 马姆达尼还说：“这也代表了一个事实，在这个国家，只有一个多数群体，那就是工人阶级。这不仅仅适用于这座城市，也不仅仅适用于其他城市，而是适用于我们整个国家。人们想要看到一个理解这一点并为之奋斗的政党。” 马姆达尼上个月在接受采访时也曾批评民主党“忽视了劳动人民”，并敦促采取更多措施应对高物价。 马姆达尼说：“你知道，看看四大自由，看看新政的真正核心。曾经有一段时间，我们党毫不掩饰地关注劳动人民。我很高兴能把这种关注带回来。” 马姆达尼在周末对“工人阶级”的定义为，“那些努力工作以求维持基本生活尊严却无法做到的人”，并将收入门槛设定为“年收入约一百万美元”。 此前曾抨击过民主党的一些由美国民主社会主义者（DSA）支持的候选人在上个月的初选中，击败了现任政客。 此外，马姆达尼今天在一段视频中谈及纽约警方是否会逮捕以色列总理本杰明·内塔尼亚胡（Benjamin…
7月21日比弗顿讯，美国体育用品公司耐克（Nike）今天宣布，计划从明年1月起关闭中国数千家线上分销商，以期清理混乱的线上市场，重振该地区的增长。 从明年开始，耐克的线上销售渠道将主要集中于该公司的官方网站和应用程序，以及在中国的天猫、京东和抖音等大型电商平台和社交平台上的店铺。 目前，中国消费者可以通过上述渠道以及耐克在该地区实体店合作伙伴和二级分销商网络运营的数千家线上店铺购买耐克产品。虽然庞大的线上网络让消费者能够更便捷地购买到耐克的产品，但也造成了品牌和价格体验的不统一，阻碍了该公司扭转该地区销售下滑的局面。 耐克新任副总裁兼大中华区总经理凯西·斯帕克斯（Cathy Sparks）在一封信中写道：“这些新的旗舰店将成为耐克在这些生态系统中唯一的高端目的地，提供更清晰的产品展示、更引人入胜的故事讲述和更紧密相连的消费者体验，这旨在强化消费者购物旅程的起点和终点，确保这些体验直接、一致且具有鲜明的耐克特色。” 斯帕克斯表示：“这并非减少渠道，而是为了减少碎片化，强化消费者体验，当体验保持一致时，品牌就会更加强大。” 总部位于美国俄勒冈州比弗顿的耐克公司缩减其线上业务规模的计划，旨在为消费者创造更好、更一致的体验，并使其重新掌控线上定价权。然而，人们也担心这可能会导致该公司在中国市场的收入大幅下降，而该巿场在过去五年中已经萎缩了约30%。 耐克公司计划切断线上分销商的消息，最早于上月底由一家中国地方媒体报道曝光。 一名法国巴黎银行的股票分析师曾在一份报告中写道，此举让人想起耐克当年切断北美批发商渠道的不幸决定，该决定导致耐克在该地区的市场主导地位崩溃，销售额和利润率也大幅下降。 该分析师上个月表示，法国巴黎银行维持对耐克公司“表现不佳”的评级。他认为， “这一策略为竞争对手腾出了货架空间，最终对耐克来说以失败告终。我们认为，如果耐克在中国采取同样的做法，也会重蹈覆辙。我们认为耐克的问题不在于分销商，而在于产品本身，这个问题在其他市场也同样存在。” 预计这一变化也会对耐克公司在中国市场的实体零售商合作伙伴造成冲击，这些合作伙伴近年来一直在拓展线上业务以发展自身业务。不过，耐克公司在中国大陆最大的分销商滔搏体育（Topsports）表示支持耐克的决定。 滔搏体育公司首席执行官于武在一份声明中表示，滔搏体育与耐克合作已有27年，我们秉持互利共赢、共同发展的原则。这一调整会在短期内给我们的业务带来一些压力。但我们坚信，从中长期来看，这一方向将有助于在中国构建一个更健康、更有序、更可持续的零售生态系统，同时进一步提升消费者体验和产品吸引力。 于武还表示，展望未来，我们将继续与耐克紧密合作，充分发挥我们在线下零售运营、本地化客户服务以及跨城市深度市场开发方面的优势。通过全新概念的运动门店和高品质的实体零售体验，我们将为中国消费者带来更丰富、更有意义的运动体验。
7月21日特伦顿讯，民主党人新泽西州州长米基·谢里尔（Mikie Sherrill）今天承认，约有6600名在申领新泽西州驾照和其他州身份证件时填写自己为非公民的人，曾被错误地登记为2023年和2024年美国大选的选民。 今年上任的民主党州长谢里尔称，此事缘由机动车辆管理局的系统软件故障，并称初步分析显示最终有不到400名非公民投票。 特朗普总统和其他共和党人一直坚称，非公民投票在美国大选中十分普遍。非公民投票是犯罪，一旦被抓获，可能会被处以重罪，甚至面临被驱逐出境的风险。 谢里尔称，她已下令删除2023-2024年期间错误添加的选民登记信息，并正在更换负责该系统的供应商。她还声称，已经启动了一项调查，以查明错误发生的原因。 谢里尔表示：“我对导致此事发生的鲁莽失职以及当时负责人缺乏透明度感到震惊。” 新泽西州是美国允许非公民持有驾照和其他州政府颁发的身份证件的几个州之一。发生此事件的时任州长是民主党人菲尔·墨菲（Phil Murphy)。 特朗普总统曾指称，美国有超过25万非公民在4个州登记投票。上周，美国国土安全部（DHS）部马克韦恩·穆林表示，这些非公民登记在加利福尼亚州、宾夕法尼亚州、新泽西州和内华达州。 一位白宫官员7月16日曾表示，关于4个州共有25万非公民登记选民的估计是基于对商业数据库的分析。
7月21日华盛顿讯，美国五角大楼今天确认，来自美国北卡罗来纳州费耶特维尔的30岁中士迈克尔·斯温顿（Michael Swinton）7月19日在伊朗战争中阵亡。 美国陆军太空与导弹防御司令部（USASMDC）在一份声明中确认，斯温顿在美军驻伊拉克埃尔比勒空军基地执行引爆伊朗自杀式无人机炸弹时阵亡。该事件目前仍在调查之中。 斯温顿隶属于驻扎在北卡罗来纳州布拉格堡的第108防空炮兵旅第55防空炮兵团第2营D连。引爆的炸弹来自一架被击落的伊朗自杀式无人机。该爆炸中还有另一名美军受伤，并接受了治疗。 美国陆军导弹防御司令部司令约翰·拉弗蒂（John L. Rafferty）在一份声明中写道：“美国陆军导弹防御司令部对斯温顿中士的牺牲深感悲痛。他是在一次保护战友的行动中殉职的，他的功绩将永不磨灭，他的牺牲也不会白费。我们将在这个艰难的时刻为斯温顿中士的家人和他的部队提供支持。他的牺牲将激励他的战友们继续执行任务。” 斯温顿将获得铜星勋章、紫心勋章和战斗行动勋章，并被追授军士长军衔。此前，他曾获得陆军嘉奖勋章、陆军成就勋章、陆军优良行为勋章、国防服役勋章、全球反恐战争远征勋章、陆军服役勋带和战斗行动勋章。 此前，特朗普总统7月20日在社交媒体平台“真实社交”上发帖写道：“伊朗每次杀害一名美国士兵，都将付出数倍的代价！这项指令已传达给战争部长皮特·赫格塞斯（Pete Hegseth）、参谋长联席会议主席丹尼尔·凯恩（Daniel Caine）以及所有军方领导人。” 斯温顿是自伊朗战争开始以来，美军公布死亡的第17 人。这些美军死亡人数包括伊朗袭击造成的死亡，以及与美国在该地区军事行动相关的坠机和其他事件造成的死亡。 在斯温顿阵亡之前，7月17日有2名美军士兵在约旦阵亡。来自夏威夷埃瓦海滩的25岁陆军中尉泰勒·詹姆斯·费汉（Tyler James…
7月20日华盛顿讯，特朗普政府今天宣布，将对加拿大进口到美国的多种商品加征50%的关税，理由是加拿大将在2025年对特朗普的关税政策进行报复。这些关税将于30天后生效。 今天下午，一位高级政府官员在与记者的电话会议上宣布了这项关税政策。他表示，此举是为了“追究”加拿大“对美国进行实质性报复的责任”，因为美国正在采取贸易措施以重振工业、将生产迁回国内并支持其制造业。 这位高级政府官员表示，特朗普总统今天根据1930年《关税法》第338条签署了三项公告，对加拿大某些商品加征50%的关税，以回应这些歧视性措施。 这位高级政府官员说：“例如，目前的情况是，除两个省份和地区外，加拿大所有省份和地区都已停止购买、分销或零售美国酒精饮料，但他们并未对其他国家实施类似的限制。” 这位高级政府官员还指出，加拿大对部分美国汽车征收关税，并对乳制品征收关税和实施贸易配额。新关税涵盖的商品范围非常广泛，从乳制品、酒精及相关产品到部分食品均包含在内。此外，建筑材料、服装、家具和科技产品等也受到关税影响。 这位高级政府官员表示：“特朗普总统此举旨在为美国关键出口产品——汽车、酒类和乳制品——创造公平的竞争环境。” 这位高级政府官员表示：“每一项第338条款公告都对不同的加拿大进口商品征收50%的关税，涵盖的产品范围从葡萄酒到曲棍球棒再到水泥。” 该官员指出，即使是受《美墨加协定》（USMCA）约束的商品也适用这些关税。据这位美国官员称，部分商品可获豁免，包括：“能源、受第232条款约束的钾肥产品，以及某些其他商品，例如鱼类或关键矿物。” 当被问及哪些商品受此条款约束时，这位高级政府官员表示：“因此，我们正努力根据贸易量以及这些歧视性规则对美国贸易造成的损害，制定切实有效的措施。” 对加拿大商品征收50%的关税相当高昂，这是特朗普总统根据《1988年贸易法》第338条可以征收的最高税率。 当被问及美加贸易谈判目前的进展时，这位美国官员表示，虽然双方团队进行了“实质性讨论”，但目前尚未进行任何正式谈判。 这位高级政府官员表示：“我们当然与他们就加拿大贸易壁垒或做法交换了意见，美国希望看到这些问题得到解决。他们也与我们分享了关于未来贸易关系以及如何加强北美经济安全的想法。因此，我们确实进行过讨论，包括实质性讨论。即便如此，我们目前仍未进入正式谈判阶段。” 这些关税并非特朗普总统7月17日在社交媒体上呼吁征收的关税。当时，特朗普总统批评美国的北方邻国加拿大山火产生的烟雾笼罩了美国城市。 这位高级政府官员表示，特朗普总统“已要求就此提出方案，目前正在与他分享这些方案”。