It's Friday. The latest updates on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Plus, California gas prices hit a record high. |
 | | Ukrainian military vehicles on the side of the road outside Severodonetsk on Thursday.Tyler Hicks/The New York Times |
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Thursday was Day 1 of the first major land war in Europe in decades. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a grim, unsettling development and one that has, rightfully, eclipsed the local stories typically highlighted in this newsletter. |
So today I'll be sharing some links and resources that hopefully will provide you with some context for what's happening in Europe and how it could affect us here in California. |
To recap what has happened so far: On Thursday, Russia invaded Ukraine, ignited battles that left dozens dead and seized the former power plant at Chernobyl. Early Friday, videos verified by The Times showed a large explosion in the sky over the outskirts of southern Kyiv, the capital. |
The attacks on Ukraine are upsetting for anyone watching from the United States, but particularly for those of Ukrainian descent. More than 90,000 Californians claim Ukrainian ancestry, about 15 percent of the nation's total Ukrainian population, according to 2019 American Community Survey data. |
 | | At Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, a large crowd protested the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.Jim Wilson/The New York Times |
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Many news outlets in California have covered anguished Ukrainian communities — in Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles and the Bay Area — that are raising money or gathering in local churches to pray. |
Irina Hetman, who lives in Southern California, told ABC7 that she feared for her 38-year-old son who serves in the Ukrainian armed forces. He has a young daughter and is currently stationed in the country's eastern region, which is under attack. |
"I would like to go to Ukraine and be close to my son," Hetman said. "But right now, I don't know what I can do." |
One consequence of the conflict you may have already felt is high gas prices. On Thursday, the average cost of a gallon in California reached an all-time high of $4.77, according to AAA. |
We had the most expensive gas in the nation yesterday and were one of the few states where the average gallon price exceeded $4. To blame are California's high gas taxes, myriad effects of the coronavirus pandemic — and, of course, the invasion. |
Russia is the world's third-largest supplier of oil, so oil prices have been creeping upward in recent days amid fears that an invasion could lead to sanctions limiting gas exports. Though California doesn't import any oil from Russia, limited supplies globally would lead to greater demand and rising costs here too, experts say. |
Indeed, gas price records were set Thursday across large swaths of California, including San Diego, Sacramento, Redding, Napa and Orange County. |
But after crude oil prices surged to their highest price in seven years on Thursday, they began to stabilize after President Biden said the United States was working with other countries to coordinate the release of supplies from strategic petroleum reserves. (In fact, fuel exports have been left off the country's list of sanctions against Russia — and not by accident.) |
"My administration is using every tool at its disposal to protect American families and businesses from rising prices at the gas pump, taking active steps to bring down the costs," Biden said. |
For more on the Ukraine conflict: |
 | | A dining area on the University of California, Davis, campus.Max Whittaker for The New York Times |
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- CalFresh: University of California schools are seeing a sharp rise in students enrolling in food stamps, LAist reports.
- Capitol rioter: A supporter of Donald J. Trump from California who participated in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was sentenced to 45 days behind bars, NBC reports.
- Pollution credit program: California officials said they're in no rush to make changes to one of the state's key climate change programs, The Associated Press reports.
- U.C. applications up: For the second consecutive year, the University of California shattered its freshman application record, The Los Angeles Times reports.
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- Los Angeles prosecutors: Rank-and-file prosecutors have voted nearly unanimously to back the recall of District Attorney George Gascón of Los Angeles County, Politico reports.
- Child abuse charge: Two assistant principals at a high school in Rialto were charged with child abuse after they were accused of failing to report sexual abuse of three teenagers on campus, reports The Associated Press.
- Hospice fraud: Sixteen people in Southern California have been charged with defrauding Medi-Cal of millions by enrolling people who were not terminally ill into hospice care, The Associated Press reports.
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- Immigration: Sheriffs in the San Joaquin Valley have facilitated the transfer of more than 1,000 immigrants to federal agents, despite state laws prohibiting such actions, The Fresno Bee reports.
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- Federal officer killing: A federal judge threw out pleas by three members of an anti-government militia in the Bay Area, requiring the men to go to trial, The Associated Press reports."They were dedicated exclusively and deliberately in a scheme to target and kill law enforcement officers," Judge James Donato said. "I haven't seen a case that is more of a threat to public safety."
- Nevada Union High School: Days after its district voted to remove mask requirements in schools, a Northern California high school was forced to close Thursday after teachers didn't show up for classes, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
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 | | David Malosh for The New York Times |
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 | | Jamie Rector for The New York Times |
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Today's tip comes from Cynthia Chambers, who recommends a getaway in Orange County: |
"Our favorite place is San Clemente because it's a good place to cycle near the beach and has good restaurants and resorts that take a pet. We love that San Clemente is small but within a short driving distance to San Diego. There are lots of outdoor restaurants and places to enjoy during this pandemic." |
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We'll be sharing more in upcoming editions of the newsletter. |
 | | The most recent in-person Black Joy Parade was in 2020.Adrian Bello/Black Joy Parade |
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And before you go, some good news |
The fifth annual Black Joy Parade, a promenade through the streets of downtown Oakland in celebration of Black businesses and artists, returns on Sunday. |
The last time the parade was held in person was February 2020. That year's event drew more than 25,000 attendees, Oaklandside reports. |
"We are so excited to host the Black Joy Parade in person again," the event's founder, Elisha Greenwell, said. "We can't wait for the community to see what we have created to celebrate us. It's going to feel like the largest family reunion ever." |
Thanks for reading. I'll be back on Monday. — Soumya |
P.S. Here's today's Mini Crossword, and a clue: "It was so funny," using a non-literal expression (5 letters). |
Briana Scalia, Mariel Wamsley and Geordon Wollner contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com. |
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