The Community Police Review Commission voted unanimously to delay recommendations on 2024 RIPA data showing Black residents were stopped at more than twice their share of the population.
The California School for the Deaf, Riverside Girls Softball Team gathers on the field in advance of the 2026 Hoy Softball Tournament, a national competition for deaf schools set for April 24–25 in Fremont, CA. More information is available at csdeagles.com. (Robert Reul) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Friday Gazette: April 24, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Last night, the Raincross Gazette hosted its first-ever candidate forum, and the Ward 2 race took center stage. We are so proud to have brought this to our community, and we are just getting started. Forums for Ward 4 and Ward 6 are still ahead, and if your ward is on that list, now is the time to grab your spot. Both are free and open to all Riverside residents. Register today and come ready to hear directly from the candidates who want to represent your neighborhood.
City Council Approves $3 Million in Loans to Keep Mulberry Gardens on Track
Loans will help cover construction delays at the 25-unit senior and 9-unit family affordable housing project on Mulberry Street.
Riverside's City Council unanimously approved nearly $3 million in loans to keep an affordable senior and family housing project on Mulberry Street on track after construction delays.
Why it matters: With Riverside permitted on less than 20% of its state-mandated housing target, every affordable unit counts — and these 34 units serve seniors at risk of homelessness and low-income families.
Driving the news: Council approved a $2,025,365 loan for the senior phase at 2520 Mulberry Street and a $971,108 loan for the family phase at 2560 Mulberry Street.
Delays stemmed from a state fire marshal permitting lag and ongoing firestopping issues found during inspections.
By the numbers: Mulberry Gardens will add 25 restricted senior units and nine restricted family units to Riverside's affordable housing stock.
The backstory: Riverside's housing shortfall is severe — nearly all permitted homes since 2021 have been above-moderate-income, with no new very-low-income units approved since then and no low- or moderate-income units since 2023.
What's next: The senior phase is expected to receive a temporary certificate of occupancy in November 2026; the family phase follows in November 2027.
Riverside's Police Review Commission Delays Recommendations on Racial Disparities in Stops
The Community Police Review Commission voted unanimously to delay recommendations on 2024 RIPA data showing Black residents were stopped at more than twice their share of the population.
Riverside's Community Police Review Commission postponed its racial disparity recommendations for a second time, pushing a final vote to May 27.
Why it matters: The delay affects a report examining why Black residents — about 6.6% of Riverside's population — accounted for roughly 15% of more than 21,000 police stops in 2024, more than double their population share.
Driving the news: Commissioners voted unanimously April 22 to hold off, saying the current draft identifies concerns but doesn't yet specify concrete actions or accountability measures.
"I think there are some additional edits that we do need to make," Commissioner Eileen Teichert said.
The backstory: The California Racial and Identity Profiling Act requires agencies to collect and analyze stop data. The commission has been reviewing Riverside's latest RIPA report since last year, following a 71% spike in police stops — from roughly 15,000 in 2023 to more than 21,000 in 2024.
Yes, but: Hispanic residents made up about 55% of stops in 2024, roughly proportionate to their share of the population.
What's next: The commission targets a May 27 vote. Commissioners are also weighing whether to set citywide goals for reducing disproportionate stops of Black residents and issue a formal racial profiling finding.
Local Food Bank Warns State Funding Cut Could Spike Hunger in Inland Region
Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino says a 90% drop in CalFood money would come as federal food aid faces separate rollbacks.
A youth participant holds a freshly harvested onion at a local farm. (Courtesy of Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino)
A state program supplying Inland SoCal food banks with locally grown produce faces a roughly 90% funding cut if California lawmakers don't act before it lapses.
Why it matters: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino already serves more than 5 million people annually in the region — and with federal CalFresh benefit reductions expected through 2026 and 2027, demand is likely to climb just as resources shrink.
By the numbers: CalFood is currently funded at $60 million annually; without renewal, it reverts to an $8 million baseline.
The program serves 6 million Californians per month statewide.
The backstory: FARSB served 1.5 million people at the height of the pandemic in 2020. By 2025, that number had grown to more than 5 million — roughly 1 in 5 households in the region now faces food insecurity.
What they're saying: "Other funding has already decreased," Interim CEO Joanna Solorio said, warning food banks are "expected to do more with less."
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
Meet Fawn, 2 year old, 20lb sweetheart who has come a long way since arriving in February. She started off shy and unsure, but thanks to time in a caring foster home, she’s grown more confident and is really starting to shine. Fawn enjoys walks, does great on leash, gets along with other dogs, and has a playful side that comes out in happy bursts of zoomies. She can be a little timid when meeting new people, but with patience and a gentle approach, her sweet, affectionate, and goofy personality quickly comes through. Fawn is looking for a home that will give her the time and understanding she needs to keep blossoming. Come meet Fawn and all the adoptable pets at the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in person. Stop by any day except Tuesdays, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., or learn more at petsadoption.org.
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