EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 63, NO. 13
January 1, 2026
Kim Knaus Elected San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem, Replacing Juan Figueroa, Who Calls for Clearer Selection Policy
IECN.com
Wrightwood Christmas Flood Ravages Mountain Town: 50 Homes Critically Damaged, Road to Mt. High Collapses Pg. 3
Chaffey College Rising Scholars Expands Access in Local Men’s and Women’s State Prisons—1,000 Served, 94% Pass Rate
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Now–Mayor Pro Tem Kim Knaus speaks moments after taking the oath of office as San Bernardino’s 5th Ward councilwoman on Dec. 18, 2024.
By Manny Sandoval
T
he San Bernardino City Council unanimously elevated 5th Ward Councilwoman Kim Knaus to mayor pro tem on Dec. 17, selecting a north-end representative to step into the leadership role after Councilman Juan Figueroa’s one-year term.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Former Mayor Pro Tem Juan Figueroa raises his right hand when he took the oath of office to serve again as San Bernardino’s 3rd Ward councilman on Dec. 18, 2024.
Before the vote, Figueroa thanked his colleagues for what he described as a year of support and collaboration, saying the position carries responsibilities beyond substituting for the mayor.
Knaus replaces Figueroa, the 3rd Ward councilman who was not re-elected by the council to continue as mayor pro tem after completing his term. Knaus accepted the role with a brief statement.
“Well, first of all, I want to say thank you to my colleagues for your help. For your trust and support of me being the mayor pro tem over this last year,” Figueroa said. “It certainly was an honor.” He said the role can serve as a bridge among council members, especially during disagreements, and can help build what he described as a support system.
“I accept. Thank you,” Knaus said.
“The role of mayor pro tem isn’t only just
necessarily filling in for those brief moments that the mayor might step out or might be away,” he said. “It is also an opportunity — a big responsibility — to meet with colleagues at times, talk things out, provide guidance, maybe some advice, and help process thoughts and feelings. It’s about getting to know each other and building some type of support system.” Figueroa said the year gave him a chance to connect individually with colleagues and understand their priorities. “Having been unanimously nominated as City Council, Cont. on next pg.
10 New California Laws Taking Effect Jan. 1, 2026, From Plastic Bags to IVF Coverage, and Minimum Wage By Manny Sandoval
C
alifornia’s annual January law changeover is almost here. After the Legislature sends bills to the governor and they are signed, most “regular session” statutes take effect on Jan. 1 of the following year unless a law sets a different date or is passed as an urgency measure, according to the California Secretary of State.
Pg. 4
Happy New Year! Do not drink and drive.
In 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 794 bills into law, according to a CalMatters tally of measures that reached his desk — though not all of those changes take effect on Jan. 1, and some have later start dates written into the bill text.
Inland Empire Community Newspapers
Here are 10 of the most significant, debated or widely felt changes scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2026:
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PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL A Redlands shopper carries a recycled paper Target bag to their vehicle on Dec. 30, 2025, as the retailer has offered paper carryout bags since at least early December ahead of California’s 2026 checkout-bag changes.
1) Plastic checkout bags: the rules tighten again (SB 1053, 2024).
California is moving to a stricter phase of its bag law. Under SB 1053, stores that charge for checkout bags will be limited to recycled paper carryout bags that meet state requirements. This builds on California’s earlier single-use bag restrictions — notably SB 270 (2014) — and is aimed at reducing litter and waste while standardizing what qualifies as an allowable “checkout bag.” 2) IVF and infertility coverage: delayed, then expanding (SB 729, delayed by AB 116). One of the most closely watched health-policy changes is SB 729, which requires large-group health plans in California to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including in vitro fertilization. The requirement was pushed back to Jan. 1, 2026 after lawmakers and the governor approved a delay through AB 116 (a budget-related meaNew Laws, cont. next pg.