18 Months After the Eaton Fire in California Families Are Still Paying Mortgages on Burned Lots

California lawmakers are working through their final week before adjournment, with Eaton Fire survivors requesting $25 million in additional state rebuilding aid, former foster youth advocates pushing to preserve legal protections against abuse in state custody, and a bill restricting genetic engineering of animals for novelty purposes (e.g., "glow-in-the-dark rabbits") failing to advance. Assembly members remain split on a new federal rule cutting Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for transgender minors, with Assemblymember David Tangipa supporting the federal change and LGBTQ Caucus Chair Chris Ward calling it harmful to low-income youth.