Central Valley Coffee Shop Training The Next Baristas

Here are the morning’s top stories on Friday, September 5, 2025…

• Climate change and tariffs may be shaking up the coffee industry. But young people are still abuzz these days about specialty drinks like lattes and macchiatos. And a Merced coffee shop is even giving this industry a boost, by training more people to serve up the delicious drinks. The popularity of a barista internship in the Central Valley reflects nationwide trends.
• Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed suit against Southern California Edison, over its alleged role in starting a pair of deadly wildfires.
• A bill that would have created career pathways for incarcerated firefighters was shelved by a Senate committee on Thursday.

Internship At Merced Business Trains Next Generation Of Coffee Enthusiasts 

Climate change and tariffs have challenged the coffee industry in recent months and years. But coffee remains a staple in the daily lives of most Americans.

A Merced coffee shop is even giving the industry a boost, by training more young people to serve up specialty coffee drinks. Sensory Lab is an independent coffee shop in the heart of Merced. It offers internships through an employment program with the city of Merced. There’s a class on latte art — the shapes you can pour from steamed milk. Interns also learn coffee history and how to roast coffee beans.

Justin Shen owns The Sensory Lab. He said he’s trying to build the specialty coffee workforce in Merced. Data shows specialty coffee is growing in popularity, especially among people under 40.

Federal Government Sues California Utility Over Deadly Wildfires

The federal government filed two lawsuits Thursday against Southern California Edison, alleging the utility’s equipment sparked fires including January’s Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles area, which destroyed more than 9,400 structures and killed 17 people.

“The lawsuits filed today allege a troubling pattern of negligence resulting in death, destruction, and tens of millions of federal taxpayer dollars spent to clean up one utility company’s mistakes,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said at a news conference Thursday.

The filings allege that Edison failed to properly maintain its power and transmission infrastructure in the area where the Eaton Fire ignited on Jan. 7. It asks for more than $40 million in damages to the federal, state and local governments.

A second lawsuit filed Thursday alleges that Edison’s negligence led to the sparking of the Fairview Fire in September 2022, which scorched the San Bernardino National Forest in Riverside County. That fire burned more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) of forest, killing two people and destroying 44 structures. The government is seeking $37 million in damages incurred by the U.S. Forest Service. Edison spokesperson Jeff Monford said the utility is reviewing the lawsuits.

Bill To Support Incarcerated Firefighters Tabled In Senate Committee

A bill aimed at assisting incarcerated firefighters on career pathways when they return home was shelved by California’s Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday.

AB 1380 from Los Angeles Assemblymember Sade Elhawary would have granted entry-level firefighting certification to incarcerated firefighters who complete the California Conservation Fire Camp training programs prior to their release. “These are people who stepped up and protected our communities—your communities—under the toughest conditions. When they come home, we owe them more than a thanks—we owe them a real chance at the very least,” Elhawary said.

But in a closed-door decision, the bill was blocked in appropriations Thursday. “The decision to block AB 1380 defies reason, public safety, and compassion,” Elhawary said in a statement Thursday. “I am immensely proud of our work on this bill, and I promise we will not give up until those who risked their lives on the inside have the opportunity to continue in this heroic career path when they return home.”

Incarcerated firefighters often face huge barriers once they’re released, and looking for work in the firefighting industry. Royal Ramey is co-founder and CEO of The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a non-profit that co-sponsored the bill. “As someone who once served in a fire camp, I know the sacrifice our incarcerated firefighters make. FFRP’s mission is to ensure those same individuals have access to the training, resources, and opportunities needed to build meaningful careers once they return home,” Ramey said. “AB 1380 would have advanced that vision by recognizing their service and opening pathways to real employment. By shelving this bill, the Legislature has not only left a critical gap in our wildfire workforce, but also denied second chances to people who have already proven their commitment to protecting our communities.”