dailycastsocal – Page 23 – Dailycast SoCal

Cabrillo, San Diego

source

#carnivalcruise 🎡 at Long Beach California

source

Bomb kills one near California fertility clinic; FBI calls it 'terrorism' – MSN

Bomb kills one near California fertility clinic; FBI calls it ‘terrorism’ MSN Source link

At Long Beach Pride, joy meets purpose this festival weekend

LONG BEACH, Calif. — At a kickoff reception earlier this week, the spirit of Long Beach Pride was already in full swing. With bright beats, colorful outfits, and the steady click of selfies being taken, the celebration started early, led by one of the city’s most special voices. What You Need To Know Long Beach Pride 2025 runs May 18–19 The festival is led by a nonprofit powered by volunteers and funds year-round LGBTQ+ outreach Organizers say the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community has not stopped them from creating space for community through Long Beach Pride This year’s Pride arrives when LGBTQ+ organizations across the country are facing heightened scrutiny, funding cuts and political pushback Drag performer and longtime Pride ambassador Jewels was already doing what she does best: greeting guests, lifting spirits and showing out for the LGBTQ+ community she calls family. “Pride is when we come out and we celebrate. Pride is you being allowed to be you,” Jewels said. “It’s that simple. Pride, to me, is freedom, baby.” Jewels, a former Grand Marshal who once received the key to the city, is known just as much for her flair as for her fierce advocacy. This year, she’s stepping into her role as a Pride spokesperson with a message: celebration and solidarity can, and should, go hand in hand. “I’m not only a fabulous superstar but also a big cheerleader for the LBC,” she said. “Long Beach is one of the best places to be seen, to be you, and to celebrate your community. It’s a big city with a hometown feel and it’s filled with [an] amazing, diverse population that celebrates Pride every single day.” That mix of local Pride and national significance is something Christopher J. Duvali, Vice President of Production for Long Beach Pride, said is especially critical this year. “What we are actually creating and manifesting with Long Beach Pride is that safe sanctuary. For not just LGBTQ+, but also the support and the friends. It is an area that everybody can come and just be liberated and be themselves,” Duvali said. A 2024 Gallup report found that 9.3% of U.S. adults identified as being something other than heterosexual. Duvali said they aim to serve the growing community during this festival and beyond. “Long Beach Pride is a 100% volunteer organization. We are a nonprofit. So this is a fundraiser and we do not just outreach for the festival. Our festival fundraiser actually funds our altruism of an LGBTQ+ organization throughout the year,” he said. This year’s Pride arrives when LGBTQ+ organizations across the country are facing heightened scrutiny, funding cuts and political pushback. Diversity programs have been defunded, leaving several Pride events nationwide canceled or scaled back because of budget shortfalls or security concerns. But Duvali said that hasn’t stopped their plans. “That has not prevented us from reaching out to other organizations in other communities for support. We have pounded the pavement and we are actually having a full-fledged festival, parade and a celebration,” he said. For Jewels, the opportunity to stand at center stage this weekend is about more than just her signature sparkle. It’s about substance. “This weekend is just another opportunity to show our pride in our city, in our allies, in our community, to stand up for our trans brothers and sisters, and to simply be you,” Jewels said. With more than a dozen performers, themed festival zones, and a weekend packed with parades, community booths and live music, the message is loud and clear: the party is on and so is the power of community The Long Beach Pride parade is free and kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19. Festival tickets and event information are available at longbeachpride.com. Source link

Fertility Clinic Explosion in Palm Springs, California

A fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, sustained significant damage on Saturday following what the city’s mayor described as “an apparent explosion.” Social media posts began circulating around 11 a.m. local time, showing smoke rising from the scene and shattered glass on the ground. The incident occurred less than a mile from downtown Palm Springs. According to Lt. William Hutchinson, authorities believe at least one person has died. “Everything is on the table, including the possibility of terrorism,” Hutchinson stated at the scene. The explosion was powerful enough to be heard and felt within a two-mile radius, and as of noon, emergency personnel continued to arrive at the site Officials urged the public to avoid the area so first responders could manage the situation safely. Footage from the scene showed flames flickering near the clinic’s broken terra-cotta roof tiles, with debris strewn across the entrance. The air remained filled with smoke as firefighters worked from across the street. Several nearby businesses were also impacted, including a liquor store with shattered front windows. “Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism,” Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, told reporters during a news conference Saturday evening. He said investigators believe the clinic was targeted. Statement from chief Andy Mills: “@PSPD is working in a unified command for an explosion at 1199 North Indian Canyon. The blast appears to be an intentional act of violence and the blast field extends for blocks with several buildings damaged-some severely. Asst Director Davis of the FBI is onscene working closely with PSPD. The agents and officers on scene will make a determination as to who takes the investigative lead. There has been one fatality, the person’s identiy is not known. If residents find potential evidence, leave it in place and call the non-emergency number. Agents or officers will collect the evidence. Our first priority is to make the scene safe for our community. Thanks for your patience. The incident appears to be isolated.”