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The biggest mobile network in the United States, Verizon, experienced a huge outage on Wednesday, leaving at least tens of thousands of customers without cell service for much of the day.Users had no connectivity for much of the day and were only able to access"SOS" mode during the outage.
Verizon has not posted details nor an explanation of the cause of the outage on its website. In an email to NPR, a company spokesperson wrote that the problem stemmed from"a software issue" and that Verizon is conducting a full review. And while Verizon hasn't released a figure for how many customers were affected, the staff at the Downdetector website — where users go to report service outages — posted on Facebook that they receivedYep — to Verizon or any of its competitors."Modern telecom networks are cloud networks. 5G networks are mainly, like, hundreds of different cloud services," Lee McKnight, an associate professor in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University said."The telecom companies haven't yet adjusted their training to that reality, that their staff have to be expert not just in cell towers and wireless, like we think about, but about cloud services, like AWS, or Microsoft, or Google."The biggest mobile network in the United States, Verizon, experienced a huge outage on Wednesday, leaving at least tens of thousands of customers without cell service for much of the day.on Verizon's website today said the outage had been resolved."We are sorry for what you experienced and will continue to work hard day and night to provide the outstanding network and service that people expect from Verizon," it said.It's still unclear. Verizon has not posted details nor an explanation of the cause of the outage on its website. In an email to NPR, a company spokesperson wrote that the problem stemmed from"a software issue" and that Verizon is conducting a full review.And while Verizon hasn't released a figure for how many customers were affected, the staff at the Downdetector website — where users go to report service outages — posted on Facebook that they receivedSanjoy Paul, a wireless network expert at Rice University, says telecommunications systems have become more complex over the past decade and a half as they've moved from physical infrastructure — wires and cables — and into the cloud. "What used to be a completely hardware-dependent network transformed into a complete software-dependent network," he said. That shift has given operators more flexibility to add services or tweak products but, he said, it has come at the expense of reliability. With a cloud and software-based networks, there are more opportunities for glitches and attacks, he said. Small issues with computer code buried inside these systems can have big consequences.as America's best and most reliable network, has been in damage control mode. The company has issued instructions for customers to restart their devices to reconnect to the network if they are still having problems. It also pledged $20 credits as"a way of acknowledging your time and showing that this matters to us," according to their website.Since the cause of this latest outage remains unclear, it's too early to say whether or not this exact thing could happen again. But Lee McKnight, an associate professor in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University,"Modern telecom networks are cloud networks. 5G networks are mainly, like, hundreds of different cloud services," he said."The telecom companies haven't yet adjusted their training to that reality, that their staff have to be expert not just in cell towers and wireless, like we think about, but about cloud services, like AWS, or Microsoft, or Google." At the end of the day, experts say, consumers should consider having a"Plan B" for connectivity. That may mean a land line for your house or getting a second phone on a different cell network.covers Orange County and its 34 cities, watching those long meetings — boards, councils and more — so you don’t have to.Automatic cranes move containers at the Long Beach Container Terminal, one of the world's greenest terminals and the busiest at the Port of Long Beach, on Wednesday.Despite recent Trump administration tariffs and trade policies, the Port of Long Beach set a record high for container volumes over the last year.Noel Hacegaba, chief operating officer of the Port of Long Beach, said at the annual State of the Port address Thursday that the Long Beach port handled 9.9 million TEUs, or 9.9 million 20-foot equivalent containers. The port imported a record 4.8 million TEUs, Hacegaba said, as importers looked to get ahead of the tariffs. Export numbers were over 1 million TEUs, “not our highest ever, but still strong considering all the retaliatory tariffs imposed on U.S. exports,” Hacegaba said.The last year saw a global trade war after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on nearly all imports. And while the tariffs did not affect overall container volumes, Hacegaba said, they “reshape trade patterns.” Six years ago, he said, about 70% of cargo volume was tied to China. That has now dropped to 60% with more cargo coming in from Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.Despite recent Trump administration tariffs and trade policies, the Port of Long Beach set a record high for container volumes over the past year. Noel Hacegaba, chief operating officer of the Port of Long Beach, said at the annual State of the Port address Thursday that the Long Beach port handled 9.9 million TEUs, or 9.9 million 20-foot equivalent containers. “Along with our top imports like electronics, furniture and clothing came millions of Disney’s Ultimate Stitch interactive plush doll, the hottest toy from this past Christmas,” he said. The port imported a record 4.8 million TEUs, Hacegaba said, as importers looked to get ahead of the tariffs. Export numbers were over 1 million TEUs, “not our highest ever, but still strong considering all the retaliatory tariffs imposed on U.S. exports,” Hacegaba said.The last year saw a global trade war after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on nearly all imports — “the highest tariffs since the Great Depression” imposed on pretty much every U.S. trading partner, Hacegaba said. And while the tariffs did not affect overall container volumes, he said, they “reshape trade patterns.” Six years ago, he said, about 70% of cargo volume was tied to China. That has now dropped to 60% with more cargo coming in from Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.Hacebaga said this year’s key economic indicators show “signs of uncertainty, with unemployment rates higher than they were last year and inflation trending down. Consumer spending showed some signs of slowing down as lower-income groups cut back on spending on nonessential goods.” “The only certainty is more uncertainty,” he also said, adding that the port is still projecting another 9 million TEUs this year, “making it one of our top five busiest years ever.”is a senior editor for Orange County, including food trends, politics — and whatever else the news gods have in store.The Orange County Clerk-Recorder now has an office on wheels — a tricked out van — and is pulling into spots across Orange County to make it easier for residents to get key, vital documents such as birth certificates and even passports.Orange County Clerk Recorder Hugh Nguyen said his office is trying to help people who can't afford to take a day off work or otherwise struggle to get in the door during typical government office hours.... for how you can check the website to see when the van will be near you on an evening or upcoming Saturday. You can also make appointments, and even make a request to have the van come to your events, school or neighborhood usingYou don't have to trudge to an Orange County government office in Santa Ana anymore to get vital records like birth certificates and marriage licenses and even passports: Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is bringing the office to you. The Clerk-Recorder now has an office on wheels — a tricked out van — and is pulling into spots across Orange County to make it easier for residents to get key documents. You can check the website to see when the van will be near you, and make an appointment. Nguyen said his office is trying to help people who can't afford to take a day off work or otherwise struggle to get in the door during typical government office hours.Starting Satuday, Feb. 14: Valentine's Day kicks off a series of Saturday hours throughout 2026 for marriages, passports and renewal of vow. Start the processSaturday, March 28:to check for updates. You can also make a request to have the van come to your events, school or neighborhood usingNguyen said the mobile van has arrived just in time — the clerk-recorder's office has never been busier. The request for birth certificates skyrocketed 36% in 2025 over 2024. He said he attributes the rise in part to the county's population growth and outreach efforts. is high, too. The mobile van is the state's first designated passport acceptance facility, meaning it can accept new passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. , or calling their customer service hotline.The union that represents branch employees says those don’t offer the same level of service — and would negatively affect customers who need in-person for accessibility reasons.Southern California’s largest gas company wants to shut down all of its branch locations, which could affect how you pay your bill.across the region where customers can ditch the service hotline and get help with their bills in person. Its offices span from Dinuba all the way down to the border in El Centro.the California Public Utilities Commission for permission to close them last year. Now, the state agency wants your input.Chris Gilbride, a spokesperson for the utility, said in a statement the proposal is about adjusting to customer preferences and long-term affordability. Bill payments make up nearly all transactions at SoCalGas offices, but those have declined significantly over the years, according to the Most customers pay online, call in or go to one of 400 authorized payment locations, like grocery stores, all of which are cheaper to run. SoCalGas says these are reasonably comparable alternatives to the branches. Those 43 locations cost nearly $19 million to operate in 2024. If the closures are approved, the utility says it’ll return those savings to customers.While a majority of customers don’t rely on in-person anymore, there are still some who do. William Gilbertson, the local’s president and a lead construction technician at SoCalGas, said that at authorized payment locations, you pay your bill and leave. Branch offices do more, like schedule service and answer questions about your bill. “ Palisade Fire and the Eaton Fire, a lot of people went to our members to ask questions at the branch offices,” he said. “It was kind of like a lifeline for the community.” He said the union has also heard about difficulties customers have had resolving serious issues in their accounts without an in-person location. “ You can do online, but you have to have a fax machine and you have to fill out all the paperwork,” he said. “So it’s kind of tough for someone that isn’t tech savvy to do that.”. They’re asking the commission to deny the proposal, saying they want to continue providing a needed service for their customers. Some don’t trust the internet, can’t use the customer service hotline or experience language barriers.it’ll work with local faith and community groups to make sure vulnerable people, such as those with low-come or a disability, are aware of the closures and alternate options. The timing of branch closures would vary since the utility leases some buildings and owns others, but if it’s approved, SoCalGas is generally eyeing a 120-day timeline. Gilbertson expects a decision to come in June.. What you share at these meetings will be transcribed and put into the formal record so it can inform the agency’s ruling. The first few will take place in person in L.A. and Orange counties. If you want to give public comment, you’ll sign up at the location’s Public Advisor’s Office table. Another pair of hearings will happen remotely, which take public comment over the phone.with at least five business days’ notice of the given hearing. Here are the dates and times for both formats:Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal includes no money for a fund formed last year to boost the state’s local newsrooms, casting doubt on whether a heralded effort to help California journalists will amount to anything and how serious Newsom is about supporting the struggling industry.An August 2024 deal between state leaders and Google established an agreement to jointly spend $175 million over five years to fund local journalism. The deal was reached after Google spent $11 million to lobby state lawmakers successfully to drop two proposals that would have forced Google to pay newsrooms for using their content. Under the agreement, the state would pay $70 million and Google $55 million into the newly established California Civic Media Fund for local news outlets. Google would also continue issuing its annual $10 million newsroom grants. But in May 2025, citing budget restraints, Newsom slashed the state’s first-year commitment to just $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26, with no future state funding guaranteed. Google subsequently said it would match the state’s $10 million investment but no more.None of the $20 million pledged has reached local news outlets, drawing disappointment from journalism advocates. The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, which administers the funds, has received the money and expects to distribute it this year. The lack of future commitment from the state also raises the question whether Google will deposit anything into the fund next year.Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal includes no money for a fund formed last year to boost the state’s local newsrooms, casting doubt on whether a heralded effort to help California journalists will amount to anything and how serious Newsom is about supporting the struggling industry. It’s a significant walkback from an August 2024 deal between state leaders and Google in which they agreed to jointly spend $175 million over five years to fund local journalism.— $11 million — lobbying state lawmakers successfully to drop two proposals that would have forced Google to pay newsrooms for using their content. Under the agreement, the state would pay $70 million and Google $55 million into the newly established California Civic Media Fund for local news outlets. Google would also continue issuing its annual $10 million newsroom grants.citing budget restraints, Newsom slashed the state’s first-year commitment to just $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26, with no future state funding guaranteed.Google was clear in the deal that “its contributions were contingent” on state funding, similar to its journalism funding deal in Canada, said Erin Ivie, spokesperson for Assemblymember— its “first ever $100 billion quarter,” said Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. By Wednesday, Alphabet’s market cap was over $4 trillion. None of the $20 million pledged has reached local news outlets, drawing disappointment from journalism advocates. The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, which administers the funds, has received the money and expects to distribute it this year, said agency spokesperson Willie Rudman. “At this point right now, nobody should be jumping up and down and getting excited,” California News Publishers Association President Chuck Champion said. Newsom’s lack of proposed funding for future years angered Champion, who said the governor failed to keep his promise. “He’s more interested in the billionaires and his friends than he’s interested in journalists who are out on the street,” Champion said. “He talks about democracy, he talks about how critically important it is, and then he allows our journalists to starve on the vine.” The lack of future commitment from the state also raises the question whether Google will deposit anything into the fund next year. Google News Initiative did not immediately respond to a CalMatters inquiry for comment. Newsom’s office did not respond to questions about his decision to skip the funding this year, directing CalMatters to the state Department of Finance and Rudman.“There’s no going back on the deal,” Department of Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw stressed to reporters during a budget briefing last week, saying that the state has already contributed the $10 million promised last year.“What you saw last year was the budget being what it was,” she said. “Programs across the board got cut and sliced, either got completely zeroed out or significantly reduced, and this is no different.”“I’ve been operating on the assumption that will honor the multiyear commitment,” Wicks said. But even the full amount of the Google deal may not be enough to “arrest the collapse of independent community news in California,” said former state Sen. Steve Glazer, an Orinda Democrat who authored a bill that would have“Leaders can't just talk about protecting our democracy,” he said. “They need to act to direct the resources to support independent news reporting that provides the oversight and accountability of our democratic institutions.”As of that year, California had 1.5 news outlets for every 100,000 residents, ranking 45th among all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Between 2013 and 2024, the number of newspaper journalists in California dropped by more than half.in peril. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a national nonprofit that has funded public media since 1967, announced its dissolution due to the funding cuts last week. California’s public broadcasters stand to lose as much as $30 million a year due to the federal cuts, said AssemblymemberWard, along with 11 other Democratic assemblymembers, is asking for $70 million next year for public broadcast stations. “California is one of only 16 states that do not provide funding for public media,” he said in the letter. “California’s 33 non-profit public media organizations provide coverage to over 90% of the state, and serve diverse communities in both largest metropolitan areas and rural communities — services that not only include arts, culture, and community engagement, but emergency alerts and education.” CalMatters CEO Neil Chase was involved in the 2024 deal as a board member for Local Independent Online News Publishers. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the organization, newsroom or its staff.
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