CALIFORNIA – As of January 1, 2026, California has begun imposing a new fee on many consumer products with built-in batteries.  The 1.5% surcharge, capped...

BARSTOW – WorldStrides, an educational travel and experiential learning company, announced that Barstow High School Aztecs marching band was selected to perform at the Alamo Bowl, December 29, in San Antonio Texas.

CALIFORNIA – As of January 1, 2026, California has begun imposing a new fee on many consumer products with built-in batteries.  The 1.5% surcharge, capped at $15, is part of an expanded effort to reduce fires and improve recycling of electronic waste.  Under Senate Bill 1215, the state amended its longstanding Electronic Waste Recycling Act to include “covered battery-embedded products.” These are devices that contain a battery not designed to be easily removed by the user with common household tools. Examples of these items include electronics such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, power tools, toys, and other devices with non-removable batteries that can pose hazards when disposed of improperly. Retailers selling these products in California must now charge a recycling...