FREE
EDGE Sound Research chosen for Riverside Mayor’s Innovation Award
San Bernardino County completes annual homeless count
PG 02
PG 19
MONDAY, JANUARY 26-FEBRUARY 01, 2026
VISIT HEYSOCAL.COM
NO. 260
VOL. 12,
Protesters, supporters gather in Riverside for launch of Turning Point USA tour By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com
T
he streets outside Harvest Church Riverside were filled with passionate chants and signs as protesters rallied against Turning Point USA’s “Make Heaven Crowded Tour” on Wednesday evening. Dozens expressed opposition to the organization’s conservative political message at the event gathering that marked the start of Turning Point USA’s 2026 tour, led by CEO Erika Kirk. She is the widow of the late activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September during a public event in Utah. The tour is slated to visit more than 30 cities across the country, kicking off in Riverside and culminating in Phoenix, Arizona, on Dec. 19. According to TPUSA, the Gospel-centered tour events invite attendees to engage in “a powerful night
of worship, preaching and ministry.” Pastors Greg Laurie and Lucas Miles have joined Kirk for the tour, which bears an air of a traditional religious revival for event attendees. Additional speakers at the event were Angela Halili, Arielle Reitsma and Bryce Crawford. The kickoff event, however, was not free from controversy. In addition to the protests outside the church, during her speech Kirk, 37, labeled recent demonstrations nationwide against the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration as “demonic.” Her remark referenced a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel in which liberal news commentator Rachel Maddow discussed with the late-night talk show host the potential positive impact of peaceful protests. Kirk emphasized her belief
in spiritual harm associated with such demonstrations. “I can’t even believe I’m saying their names in a church,” Kirk joked. “Personally, I do not think they’re helping,” she said of the protests. “I think it’s demonic, but I understood the sentiment of what she said.” Maddow brought up the “3.5% rule,” which is the notion that if only 3.5% of people consistently protest peacefully, they can cause effective political change. Kirk shifted the 3.5% concept to reflect her late husband’s point of view. She noted the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, which turned State Farm Stadium in Arizona into a gathering of as many as 100,000 attendees and surpassed 100 million online streams, Turning Point USA reported. Kirk elaborated that the memorial service showcased
Erika Kirk speaks during the launch of Turning Point USA’s “Make Heaven Crowded Tour 2026.” | Photo courtesy of Turning Point USA/X
the vast potential when a small but faithful group rises for Christ and the church. “It did not matter if you were Baptist, Pentecostal,
San Bernardino councilwoman charged with illegally recording police By Joe Taglieri
C
for Feb. 19, city officials said. Ortiz filed a federal lawsuit against the city seeking more than $2 million in damages for what she claims was an illegal search of the CLETS law enforcement database in March 2019 by a San Bernardino police detective. The lawsuit contends information from the database about Ortiz was shared with her political opponent. See Councilwoman Page 20
under the banner of Christ.” On the Thursday, the
See Turning Point USA Page 20
Public input sought on Moreno Valley truck routes By Staff
joet@beaconmedianews.com ity Councilwoman Treasure Ortiz is facing criminal charges for allegedly eavesdropping on and recording confidential communications of San Bernardino police, officials announced Thursday. According to San Bernardino County prosecutors, Ortiz violated state law when she allegedly used an electronic amplifying and recording device to eavesdrop on and record San Bernardino Police Department personnel. Her arraignment is scheduled
Catholic — it didn’t matter,” she said. “You were all there
Officials said an independent investigator hired by the city has confirmed that no one conducted an illegal search of the CLETS system, which is regulated and audited each year by the state Attorney General’s Office. Based on the independent investigation, Mayor Helen Tran and City Council members characterized Ortiz’s lawsuit “as a complete misrepresentation of the facts
M
oreno Valley residents and the local business community have the chance to weigh in on proposed updates to the city’s designated truck routes, officials announced. Public feedback will help inform the city’s evaluation and decision-making process as officials works to comply with state law while prioritizing public health, safety and quality of life, according to the city’s Jan. 16 announcement. “The use of heavy-duty
trucks for the transportation of goods plays an important role in our regional economy, but we must mitigate the impact it has on our neighborhoods,” Mayor Ulises Cabrera said in a statement. “These proposed updates are about protecting public health, improving quality of life, and ensuring our City complies with state law while balancing the needs of residents and businesses.” See Truck routes Page 20
The route review and proposed updates are part of complying with California Assembly Bill 98 and related state legislation, including Senate Bill 415. The laws aim to reduce air pollution and safeguard homes, schools, parks and hospitals from truck pollution and other hazards. Officials said the review evaluates existing and proposed truck routes,