Davis Vanguard

04/17/2026

When institutions claim to stand for constitutional rights, their actions should reflect it.

This open letter by attorney Scott Sanders raises serious concerns about honoring a figure tied to one of the most troubling informant scandals in Orange County history. At the center is the case of People v. Paul Smith—a case that exposed years of concealed evidence, constitutional violations, and a system that failed the very rights it’s meant to protect.

What does accountability really look like in our justice system? And what message do we send when recognition is given without reckoning?

Read the full piece. Sit with it. Ask questions.

Justice isn’t just a principle—it’s a practice.

READ MORE: www.davisvanguard.org

04/17/2026

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has launched a new Media Center at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. The center aims to provide incarcerated individuals with multimedia training for successful reintegration into society, featuring a TV studio, newsroom, and radio podcast program.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/california-corrections-rehabilitation-programs/

04/17/2026

California K-12 schools have experienced a significant drop in enrollment, the largest since 2021-22. This decline, attributed to lower birth rates and immigration losses, is impacting school budgets and leading to staff layoffs and school closures. This trend is observed nationwide.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/california-school-enrollment-decline/

04/17/2026

A Black man has been acquitted of all charges related to a 2024 stabbing and robbery case after spending over 18 months in jail. The acquittal came after exculpatory DNA evidence was allegedly withheld for 16 months and the victim's identification was deemed questionable.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/black-man-acquitted-stabbing-robbery/

04/17/2026

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has altered its accounting method, no longer factoring in the health benefits of pollution regulation. Critics argue this change, which only considers the cost to industry, will disproportionately affect vulnerable communities near polluting industries.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/pollution-regulation-math-problem/

04/17/2026

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton advocates for restorative justice in the criminal legal system. She highlights the limitations of punishment and the need for broader approaches to justice, citing three restorative justice initiatives currently in operation in Contra Costa County.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/reimagining-accountability-justice-reform/

04/17/2026

Marlee Liss, founder of Survivors for Justice Reform, recently addressed Berkeley Law School, criticizing the criminal legal system's response to sexual violence. Liss, a survivor herself, advocates for a shift towards restorative justice, emphasizing repair and healing over punishment.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/berkeley-law-restorative-justice/

04/17/2026

Davis City Council is set to discuss the proposed Willowgrove development, a 232-acre project that includes 1,250 housing units, 250 of which are affordable apartments. The project requires multiple city approvals and voter approval before it can proceed.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/davis-council-reviews-willowgrove-development/

04/16/2026

New data from the Death Penalty Information Center reveals a continuing decrease in death sentences and executions for individuals aged 18-20 at the time of their crimes. In 2025, only one person in this age group was sentenced to death, marking a significant decline over the past five years.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/death-penalty-youth-sentences-executions/

04/16/2026

A Texas judge is set to review evidence in the case of Robert Roberson, who has been on death row since 2003 for the death of his daughter. His legal team seeks a new trial, citing discredited 'shaken baby syndrome' theory and new scientific developments.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/robert-roberson-case-shaken-baby/

04/16/2026

A transgender employee's discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, Federal Injury Center of Birmingham, is set to proceed after a judge ruled her allegations of termination post-gender identity disclosure were sufficient. The case raises questions about employers' justifications for termination and consistency with prior feedback.

https://davisvanguard.org/2026/04/judge-allows-transgender-discrimination-lawsuit/

04/16/2026

The Memphis Safe Task Force, deployed to combat violent crime, has arrested over 800 immigrants in Memphis, with only 17 charged with violent crimes. The operation has sparked fear and disruption within the Hispanic community, according to Latino advocacy groups and civil rights organizations.

The Memphis Safe Task Force, deployed by President Trump to reduce crime in Memphis, has resulted in the arrest of over 800 immigrants, with only 2% of those arrests being for violent crimes, causing fear and turmoil in the Hispanic community.