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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

Biola students apathetic towards California’s governor race

The California state capitol in Sacramento, where the governor’s office is located.
With Gavin Newsom out of the running for California governor due to term limits, the race for the next governor has been left open. This has led to a contested, high stakes election. Despite this fact, Biola students remain disengaged.
Alivia Woolard, Staff Writer May 1, 2026

With the midterm elections rapidly approaching, the California gubernatorial race continues to heat up. The incumbent governor, Gavin Newsom, has reached his term limit and will therefore not be running for governor in the upcoming election. This has led to a highly contested race, with several individuals...

California explores a new mileage fee

If Assembly Bill 1421 passes, Californians may be paying a fee per every mile they drive in the state.
Commuter students give their thoughts on Assembly Bill 1421, a potential new law that would tax individuals in California for every mile that they drive.
Alivia Woolard, Staff Writer February 17, 2026

On Jan. 29, 2026, the California State Assembly voted 49-21 in favor of Assembly Bill 1421, a potential new law that would tax individuals in California for every mile that they drive. The bill proposes a new framework to potentially replace current gas taxes with a mileage-based tax. While the bill...

California voters pass Prop 50

California voters pass Prop 50
The measure allows state legislators to redraw congressional-districts ahead of regular schedule.
Lucas Brown, News & Politics Editor November 5, 2025

Last night Californians voted to approve Proposition 50, a measure backed by Governor Gavin Newsom to allow for partisan redistricting across the state of California. The win for Californian Democrats arrived alongside a wave of victories across the country for the party, including New York city’s...

Preserving humanity’s finest art against the forces of nature

The J. Paul Getty Museum as seen from above prior to the Palisades fires.
How do museums like The Getty protect themselves from fires, earthquakes and other disasters?
Jason Lee, Staff Writer January 25, 2025

On Jan. 7, the raging Palisades fires approached the J. Paul Getty Museum, putting about 44,000 ancient and precious art pieces at risk. The museum found itself at the front lines against a devastating fire that has wiped out thousands of homes. Employees were quickly gathered, plans were laid out and...

Politics Rundown: Former President Donald Trump faces criminal charges

Former President Donald J. Trump was indicted in New York on Thursday by a Manhattan grand jury.
California receives aid for winter storm effects.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief April 3, 2023

According to CNN, former President Donald J. Trump became the first former president to officially face criminal charges when he was indicted in New York on Thursday by a Manhattan grand jury for more than 30 counts related to business fraud. Trump’s criminal charges come following a cover-up of hush...

Tornado, heavy storms and flooding pummel California

A rare tornado touched down in Los Angeles County on March 22.
California weathers mudslides, hail and rain.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief March 31, 2023

California has been facing the effects of extreme winter storms — rain, floods, snow and mudslides. According to the Los Angeles Times, Montebello, a city in Los Angeles County, was hit by a tornado on March 22, the strongest to touch down in the county since 1983.  Though spring has arrived and...

Politics Rundown: Los Angeles teachers’ union plans to strike

LAUSD union announces teachers' strike will begin on March 21.
California tackles homelessness with additional state funding and President Joe Biden announces insulin price reduction.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief March 17, 2023

On March 15, the Service Employees International Union, a union that represents thousands of workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District, announced that workers will be on strike for three days beginning March 21. According to Associated Press News, the United Teachers Los Angeles expressed its...

Politics Rundown: Senior ISIS leader killed in US raid

Allies agree to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Allies promise to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Hannah Larson, Editor-in-Chief January 26, 2023

U.S. Special Operations forces killed Islamic State leader Bilal al-Sudani on Thursday during a raid in northern Somalia. According to a senior U.S. government official quoted in the New York Times, al-Sudani was a “key operative and facilitator for ISIS’s global network.” Secretary of Defense...

Borrowers face state income tax on student debt relief

Gov. Gavin Newsom encourages the California State Legislature to waive taxes on student debt relief.
Newsom plans to waive relief tax for California borrowers.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief November 7, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging the California State Legislature to waive taxes on student debt relief. California is included in the list of states — North Carolina, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana and Minnesota — that are planning to tax borrowers on the relief.  STATES DECIDE Borrowers will...

Politics Rundown: California passes legislation and US aids Ukraine

Politics Rundown: California passes legislation and US aids Ukraine
Gov. Gavin Newsom introduces multiple pieces of legislation and the US prepares to send $1.1 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief September 28, 2022

Over the course of the month, Gov. Gavin Newsom has moved to sign multiple bills into action. On Sept. 5, Newsom signed a bill to improve worker conditions and raise fast food workers' minimum wage to $22 an hour.  “Today’s action gives hard working fast-food workers a stronger voice and seat...

US gears up for 2022 midterm elections

US gears up for 2022 midterm elections
Political tensions rise as the election season approaches.
Dalet Valles, Editor-in-Chief September 12, 2022

As political tensions rise in the United States, the midterm elections taking place Nov. 8 have added to the nation’s stress. Midterm elections will sway the power of the Senate and House of Representatives in the way of either major political party — Democratic or Republican.  THE HOUSE AND THE...

The mask hypocrisy continues

The mask hypocrisy continues
People with authority and influence continue to hold double standards on COVID-19 restrictions—two years later.
Hannah Dilanchyan, Opinions Editor February 18, 2022

It is easy to make the rules—but it is difficult to follow them. When Super Bowl LVI was hosted in the freshly minted SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California last weekend, the stadium announced it was going to hand out KN95 masks to all attendees—fans would be required to wear the masks throughout...