Californians Travel Outside The State To Stump For Harris

Here are the morning’s top stories on Thursday, October 17, 2024…

• In this high stakes election year, many politically-engaged Californians are volunteering in their communities. But some feel they can make more of a difference traveling out of state, like to neighboring Nevada.  
• The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million dollars to victims of clergy sex abuse.
• Phillips 66 is shutting down its Los Angeles-area refinery.

Volunteers Canvas In Neighboring Nevada 

With the election just a few weeks away, both presidential campaigns are kicking into high gear in swing states, hoping to make a last minute pitch to undecided voters.

For many Californians who have been volunteering for their preferred candidate, the two closest states where they feel they can make an impact are Nevada and Arizona.

Harris-Waltz campaign volunteers Lisa Danz and David Bonaccorsi are from the Bay Area, but have been spending time in Nevada, canvassing neighborhoods. “We’re reaching a universe of voters that are not necessarily Democrats. They’re independents or no party preference,” Bonaccorsi said. “And so we don’t know who we’re going to get here.”

Archdiocese Of LA Agrees To Pay $880 Million To Victims Of Clergy Sexual Abuse

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse dating back decades, in what an attorney said was the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese, it was announced Wednesday.

After the announcement of the agreement in principle, Archbishop José H. Gomez said in a statement, “I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “My hope is that this settlement will provide some measure of healing for what these men and women have suffered. I believe that we have come to a resolution of these claims that will provide just compensation to the survivor-victims of these past abuses.”

Attorney Morgan Stewart, who led the negotiations, said in a statement that the settlement is the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese.

Oil Company Phillips 66 Says It Will Shut Down Los Angeles-Area Refinery

Oil company Phillips 66 announced Wednesday that it plans to shut down a Los Angeles-area refinery by the end of 2025, citing market concerns.

The refinery accounts for about 8% of California’s refining capacity, according to the state’s Energy Commission. The company said it will remain operating in the state.

“With the long-term sustainability of our Los Angeles Refinery uncertain and affected by market dynamics, we are working with leading land development firms to evaluate the future use of our unique and strategically located properties near the Port of Los Angeles,” CEO Mark Lashier said in a statement. “Phillips 66 remains committed to serving California and will continue to take the necessary steps to meet our commercial and customer demands.”