Los Angeles, California - Bird owners in Southern California are responding to outreach provided over the past several days related to virulent Newcastle disease (VND), and have started reporting sick birds. VND has now been confirmed in a number of flocks of backyard birds in San Bernardino County. CDFA is working closely with USDA to respond to these findings, and is investigating any potential links between these cases and a case recently identified in Los Angeles County.

Sacramento, California - A former U.S. Air Force staff sergeant pleaded guilty today to seeking and receiving a bribe from an Afghan contractor while serving in Afghanistan.  The sergeant worked at the Humanitarian Aid Yard (HA Yard) at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and was involved in the issuance of contracts to replenish supplies at the HA Yard under the Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP).  The sergeant is the eighth defendant to plead guilty in the investigation of this matter.

Los Angeles, California - More than 500 law enforcement personnel executed a major operation this morning, taking into custody 32 defendants who are charged in two federal racketeering indictments, one of which outlines how members of the Mexican Mafia were able to control drug smuggling, narcotics sales and the extortion of prisoners inside the Los Angeles County jail system (LACJ).

Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued a proclamation declaring Monday, May 28, 2018 as Memorial Day in the State of California.

Fresno, California - A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Aurora Cuara, 38, of Lemoore, last Thursday, charging her with theft from an Indian tribal organization, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Sacramento, California - California agencies combatting the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels remind boaters to remain cautious over Memorial Day weekend.