Latest news with #Padilla
Axios
37 minutes ago
- Business
- Axios
California AI bills advance as Congress considers state-level regulation ban
Two California bills aiming to regulate artificial intelligence passed the state Senate this week. Why it matters: Those bills — both authored by Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) are clashing with efforts in D.C. to stop state-level AI legislation. House Republicans' reconciliation bill would prohibit states or localities from regulating AI for a decade. State of play: One bill, SB 243, aims to counter tech marketing of chatbots as an alleviation to loneliness and mental health struggles. It would prohibit operators from relying on addictive practices to boost engagement, require notifications and reminders the bot is not human. Between the lines: The other bill, SB 420, seeks to create a regulatory framework for AI systems. It would require for individuals to be notified when a public or private automated system is used to make decisions about them, how the tool works and in some cases to appeal for review by a person. The bill would also force an impact assessment on the purpose, use of data and potential for bias present in those automated systems. What they're saying: "Tech companies would have us believe any regulation at all would be disastrous," Padilla said in a statement. "The truth is it would be disastrous to allow tech titans to operate AI without oversight, accountability, or restraint." What's next: Both bills now move to the Assembly before a potential trip to the governor's desk. The big picture: All over the country, states are advancing and implementing AI safeguards while Congress considers a national moratorium in the reconciliation bill. Padilla told Axios he "can't think of a more irresponsible or stupid thing to do at this juncture" than for Congress to pass the AI moratorium and stop state lawmakers from regulating the tech. Threat level: The proposed federal moratorium could hinder California's broader efforts to develop a framework for governing AI models. In March, a working group appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom released a report outlining guidance for policymakers on how to regulate the burgeoning industry, which Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said strikes "a thoughtful balance between the need for safeguards and the need to support innovation." "AI presents tremendous opportunities to transform our world for the better. At the same rapid pace of technological advancement in AI means policymakers must act with haste to impose reasonable guardrails to mitigate foreseeable risks," Wiener, who introduced AI whistleblower bill SB 53 in February, said in a statement . The bottom line: California has historically led on tech regulation while Congress gets stuck in debate mode — first on privacy and now on AI. The state has enacted a wide range of bills addressing everything from digital replicas of individuals to election ads, and has more legislation in the works. Today, 260 state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle across all 50 states sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to oppose the moratorium.
GMA Network
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Robin Padilla wants Freddie Aguilar declared as national artist
Senator Robinhood Padilla has filed a proposed resolution seeking to declare late musician Freddie Aguilar as a national artist. In filing proposed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 1364, Padilla cited Aguilar's significant contributions to the Philippine music and culture and said he should be honored in accordance with Sec. 15, Art. XIV of the Constitution, as well as Presidential Proclamation 1001. "Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar, also known as Freddie Aguilar, who was born on Feb. 5, 1953, rose to fame in the late 1970s for his powerful and heartfelt compositions using folk rhythms and kundiman music," Padilla said in his resolution. "Given his achievements and contributions, Freddie Aguilar must be considered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for recommendation to the President as one of the country's national artists," he added. Freddie Aguilar succumbed to multiple organ failure. He was 72. The Filipino singer and songwriter was survived by Jovie, and his four children from his previous marriage: Maegan, Jonan, Isabella and Jeriko. Regarded as one of the pillars and icons of OPM (Original Pilipino Music), Aguilar is best known for his hit song 'Anak' which became an international hit and was translated into 51 languages. More of his hit songs include 'Bulag, Pipi At Bingi,' and 'Magdalena,' among many others. — Sundy Locus/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New York State Police arrest man wanted in Georgia for sex crimes involving minor
A man wanted for charges of sex crimes involving a child in Georgia was arrested by New York State Police. According to state police, the New York State Police Computer Crime Unit got a request from the Duluth Police Department in Gwinnett County to find 41-year-old Oswin M. Guillen Padilla, of Hampton Bays. Police said he was accused of inappropriate communication with a minor in Duluth. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police said the investigation started when the minor victim's mother found photos and videos involving inappropriate content and messages sent back and forth between the victim and Padilla. When Duluth police investigated, they found that Padilla lives in Suffolk County, N.Y. TRENDING STORIES: McDonald's drive-thru blocked off after car shot up in DeKalb County 'The Wire' actor says his son was 'thrown 300 feet' from their home in Henry County tornado Todd Chrisley: 'I would have remorse if there was something that I did' N.Y. State Police found Padilla's home in Hampton Bays and interviewed him for the Duluth investigation. During that interview, police said Padilla 'admitted to using multiple social media accounts including Messenger, WhatsApp, Discord, Telegram, TikTok and Instagram to communicate and intentionally seek out explicit content from minors even when he knew their age.' As a result, Padilla was charged with four counts of possession sexual performance by a child less than 16, a felony. Padilla was in custody awaiting arraignment in Suffolk County as of May 23. An arrest warrant for Padilla to be extradited to Georgia was sent by Duluth police, New York State Police said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Meet the Senate's bipartisan wildfire-fighting duo
A few months ago, Alex Padilla was trying to keep Tim Sheehy out of the US Senate. Now the two senators are emerging as a forceful bipartisan duo. The California Democrat and Montana Republican are collaborating on a series of bills intended to more aggressively fight the wildfire epidemic now gripping the country from coast to coast. They've bonded over raising kids as senators, shared drinks, and — yes — Padilla thinks Sheehy is an OK guy, despite defeating former Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., during Padilla's stint as a deputy on Democrats' campaign arm last year. 'Don't get me wrong: I love Big Jon. I miss Big Jon,' Padilla said, sitting beside Sheehy in a rare joint interview with Semafor. 'But the voters of Montana spoke. And I guess he's not as bad of a guy as I heard.' Fourteen new senators have been sworn in since the 2024 election, replacing departing bipartisan dealmakers. Senators are trying to rebuild cross-party relationships following that turnover, and Sheehy and Padilla show that it's possible. Sheehy is a former Navy SEAL serving in his first elected office; Padilla was an engineer before grinding his way through California politics to the Senate. The two met when Padilla spoke to new senators, just as wildfires were wreaking havoc on Los Angeles. Sheehy, who founded an aerial firefighting company in Montana, was an obvious partner for Padilla. 'If we can't agree on literally making sure that cities don't burn to the ground, then our republic is probably lost, you know?' Sheehy said. Semafor spoke to both senators about their partnership and the half-dozen bills they are working on together, which address forest management, wildfire coordination and readiness. This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity. Burgess Everett: How do you all stay connected on these issues amid everything that's happening in the Senate? Tim Sheehy: We share margaritas. And some beer. Alex Padilla: Modelo specifically. TS: We make the point on the floor always to pop over: 'Working on this, work on that.' We don't have a set meeting. It's not structured, but whenever we pass each other, make sure to give a quick update. AP: I have him captive when I see him in the chair [presiding over the Senate]. He can't run away from me. How are you toggling Republicans' for executive action from President Trump with your legislative drive? AP: I can't wait for a joint letter to the White House once the bills get through both the Senate and the House. The Senate version of the Fix Our Forests Act is probably the prime example of what the collaboration can and should lead to. TS: That bill is flying kind of under the radar so far. But the scope and the implications of that bill really will be vast. Fire is kind of the breaching tool to focus people's attention on why it's critical we get after it. But the impacts are far beyond just fire. It's going to bring back a lot of common-sense management for our lands. … It's going to help revive our struggling timber industry, where in certain areas it's blossomed on private land, but on public land, in many cases, it's been restricted. This legislation has been crafted in a bipartisan way. Fires burn blue states and red states equally, they don't care. One of the things you are trying to do is centralize the national fire response. Why? TS: We have to. We keep referring to the West, which obviously is still the epicenter for it. But let's not forget, just about a month and a half ago, that town that burned in New Jersey was in the 98th percentile of fire danger. It wasn't a surprise. … Lahaina, the deadliest fire since Camp Fire — that was 99th percentile fire danger. That town had been modeled as a severe fire risk. Nothing had been done about it. So the disjointed, localized approach that's being defended by a lot of folks? … The same people that walked us into this mess are not the same people that are gonna get us out of this mess. Do you talk about climate change as you two work on this? TS: For me, no. My background as a soldier is: I'm in the middle of a gunfight. While I'm in the middle of a gunfight, I'm not opining as to whether we should be where we're at … my job is to fight the fight and win. If climate change is the cause of all these fires — guess what? Whatever dials we turn on the climate will be 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 years down the line. And in the meantime, we owe our communities better protection than we're giving them now. AP: We have to do both. So I agree that the here and now has created a crisis, has created a sense of urgency, which is why we're doing this bill to be more strategic and effective in how we respond. But I do feel a responsibility to think: Why are there more frequent and larger wildfires? … California has been proudly a leader on things like the shift to renewable energy, electrification of the transportation system, just on and on and on to try to reduce emissions, because we also see how they're connected. In 2020 wildfires alone in California offset emission reductions that we had made for 20 years. TS: [In 2021] just two fires, the Dixie and the Caldor fires combined, emitted more carbon into the atmosphere than every single car in California. How do you get to the finish line on these bills, like the Fix Our Forests Act? AP: We're committed to each other. If there are amendments that we agree and help strengthen the bill, then great. But no poison pills that unravel this agreement, because it was a tough negotiation. … When we first announced it publicly, I got a message from [Rep. Bruce] Westerman on the House side. First positive message. OK, that's good. I can see the pathway to get out of the Senate, there's more than just hope on the House side.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Local man's desire to help draws volunteers to disaster scene
A disaster this week has shown how united Pittsburg County is in the face of adversity. On Monday, May 19, two preliminary rating EF-2 tornadoes hit Pittsburg County. Most of the damage took place in Blanco, but Pittsburg also received severe damage along with the stretch of Highway 63 between the towns. Those storms destroyed 10 during the disaster. One person sustained injuries, but there were no fatalities from these tornadoes. Since then, Pittsburg High School has accepted donations for those affected by the tornadoes. Businesses and individuals have donated countless items to Blanco Baptist Church so it can be a spot for its community to turn to. There are countless volunteers working at and behind the scenes. Joshua Padilla is one of those volunteers using his resources from JP All American Outdoor Contracting to help those in need. Monday evening, Padilla chased one tornado and got fairly close to it. He turned around to avoid getting hit before coming back later. 'I drove into Blanco, and I seen how much devastation there was here (SIC),' Padilla said. His reaction was to get the saw he had with him. 'We got out of the truck and immediately got to work helping the fire crews clear the roads,' he said. He and several others worked throughout the night before contacting his workers. He said they needed to get ready, because they were helping with the storm disaster in Blanco. Then they were back early the next morning. 'We were here by 7 o'clock the next morning, and we started rolling in with all the equipment and getting started getting everything cleaned up,' Padilla said. Some of the equipment they brought included skid loaders, dump trucks, bucket trucks and more. That night, he went to one of the Pittsburg County contracting groups on Facebook he is in and reached out for help. 'I said, 'Hey let's get some volunteers out here for all of the contractors to come out, you know, and try to organize and donate some help 'cause we're going to need it,'' he said. They have had people come out and dedicate their time to help him with this project. 'We're here for the long haul,' Padilla said, who responded to the scene since Monday evening. 'We're still here cleaning, helping them get cleaned up, making sure they're taken care of.' They have cleared over 20 properties in Blanco. The goal, he said, is to take care of all the damaged trees, leaving only stumps and hauling it away. They have also raked lawns for homeowners. 'Right now, in this town, we're going to try to get all the debris off the roads and stuff like that cleaned up,' Padilla said about some of his last steps in Blanco. He said they will branch out and help other areas out, too. That includes going wherever the damage is, but said they will start moving east toward Hartshorne. Padilla wants to make sure everybody is cut out, so they can get in and out of their driveways. Bruce Brannon, the pastor at Blanco's Baptist Church, expressed his gratitude for what Padilla and the community have done. 'He's not taking any money. It's all volunteer,' Brannon said. Padilla says it is not only him putting his time and resources into the project, but also the help of his workers and other volunteers. He continues to use Facebook to gather more people. It is easier to plan when and where to meet and gives him time to coordinate what jobs to give to people. 'When disaster strikes, when everything goes bad, we can always depend on each other to come together and work together for the greater good,' Padilla said. 'I have all my equipment, but these are the guys running and operating that equipment.'
