California Congressman Robert Garcia invoked Sesame Street characters to make his point while defending NPR and PBS at a Senate hearing on Wednesday, March 26. Garcia continued his questioning, including large photos of Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Bert and Ernie, characters from Sesame Street, which is broadcast by PBS. According to NPR, radio broadcasters receive about 1 percent of their funding from federal sources, while PBS receives about 16 percent of its funding from federal source

California voters will decide in November whether to approve a redrawn congressional map designed to help Democrats win five more U.S. House seats next year, after Texas Republicans advanced their own redrawn map to pad their House majority by the same number of seats at President Donald Trump’s urging. | ABC7 News

California is stepping in as the ongoing government shutdown threatens food access for millions. Governor Gavin Newsom has sent the California National Guard and volunteers to support the food banks after SNAP benefits have been delayed for 5.5 million Californians. This came as local food banks say they've been stretched thin. | ABC7 News