Teach Democracy Hosts 43rd Annual California Mock Trial Finals
MGA Staff • April 1, 2024

Teach Democracy, formerly known as the Constitutional Rights Foundation, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that provides nonpartisan civic education through interactive programs for youth, hosted its 2024 California Mock Trial Finals at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles. This year’s state finals welcomed 550 students from 32 high school teams from 31 counties in California to argue the fictitious murder case of People v. Clark, in which a CEO of a company is murdered after an IPO goes awry. Hundreds of parents, teachers, and coaches joined the competitors in the courtroom galleries to watch students argue the case in front of real judges. Trinity Pacific Christian School from Woodland Hills in Ventura County won the state finals and will represent California at the 2024 National High School Mock Trial Competition in Wilmington, Delaware in May.


“Mock trial is a program that provides a valuable experience in learning about the U.S judicial system and helps young people get civically engaged,” said Lourdes Morales, senior program director at Teach Democracy. “Students who participate in Mock Trial develop critical thinking skills, strengthen their public speaking abilities and gain confidence that impacts their educational and personal growth.”


See our event coverage:

ABC7 Los Angeles - Teach Democracy Hosts 43rd Annual California Mock Trial Finals


Spectrum News 1 - Student Compete for Top Prize in California Mock Trial Finals


Los Angeles Daily News - Louisville High School students lost in mock court competition, but that’s OK


KNX-AM Los Angeles - Teach Democracy Hosts 43rd Annual California Mock Trial Finals


California Lutheran University Radio - Young legal eagles from the Conejo Valley win statewide trial competition



New Tang Dynasty - Teach Democracy Hosts 43rd Annual California Mock Trial Finals

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and L.A. County Fire Department Team Up to Promote Fireworks Safety Ahead of 4th of July

By MGA Staff • July 2, 2026
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of 13,000 people being treated in the Emergency room for firework related injuries, last year. Firework injuries are fully preventable, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, 90% of fireworks injuries are caused by legal fireworks. Fireworks of all kinds are dangerous and it is advised to attend a professional fireworks shows instead of buying your own. Dr. Michael Jimenez, trauma medical director for Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, spoke to local media on firework safety. View the coverage below: ABC 7 KTLA NBC KNX-AM Los Angeles Daily News

Retired Firefighter Stroke Survivor is Grateful to Celebrate Another Father’s Day Thanks to his Family’s Fast Action and Local Doctors

By MGA Staff • June 23, 2026
Retired 55-year-old firefighter and Chino Hills resident George Rojas is looking forward to celebrating another Father’s Day with his family after surviving a stroke last November. George Rojas, an avid cyclist, biked more than 100 miles per week and thought he was in good shape until he woke up to a numb left arm that caused him to collapse on the bathroom floor. George was experiencing a stroke, but he was fortunate that his wife and daughter were home and immediately came to his aide and called 911 where he was then transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. View the coverage below: ABC 7 NBC 4 Daily Bulletin

Southern California Doctors Become Non-Partisan Civic Advocates to Improve Community Health in Underserved Communities

By MGA Staff • June 19, 2026
AltaMed Health Services White Coats for Change doctors canvassed Santa Ana to speak to residents about the importance of participating in the upcoming elections in a nonpartisan effort focusing on civic engagement. That’s the idea behind White Coats for Change (WC4C), an innovative initiative from AltaMed Health Services, one of the nation's largest federally qualified community health centers that has more than 60 clinics in Los Angeles and Orange counties, that is training physicians, nurses, and healthcare providers to become advocates for structural change in healthcare policy and improving civic participation in underserved communities. View the coverage below: Orange County Register Activista Media

Swim Safety Tips from Emergency Medicine Doctor at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

By MGA Staff • June 2, 2026
According to the American Red Cross, children under five years old drown most often in pools owned by family and friends. With summer approaching, Dr. Kevin Goldman, emergency medicine at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, spoke with ABC7 on pool safety tips. Parents are urged to keep watch of their children when they are in the pool at all times as it can only take seconds before a drowning can occur. Dr. Goldman also recommends thinking twice about certain swimwear color choices, since some are harder to spot in the water than others.  View the coverage below. ABC 7 La Nueva Voz KNX

Los Angeles Students Present Civic Action Projects at California Endowment hosted by Teach Democracy

By MGA Staff • May 22, 2026
More than 150 Los Angeles high school and middle school students shared their Civic Action Project (CAP) that addressed pressing social issues in their community at the California Endowment. The Civic Action was hosted by Teach Democracy, a non-partisan non-profit that develops civic learning materials for K-12 students. The Expo is the culminating event for its CAP participants who presented on topics such as immigrant rights amid ICE raids, preventing gang violence, urban development, affordable housing and improving youth mental health. View the coverage below: ABC7 CBS Santa Monica Daily Press San Fernando Valley Sun Activista Media

CalOptima Health, AltaMed and The City of Santa Ana Launch Street Medicine Program

By MGA Staff • May 6, 2026
CalOptima Health has partnered with AltaMed Health Services and the City of Santa Ana to launch a Street Medicine Program to serve people experiencing homelessness. The program delivers comprehensive health care through a mobile health unit and provides services to create a path to permanent housing. Santa Ana is the fourth city in Orange County to participate in the CalOptima Health Street Medicine Program. View the coverage below: Orange County Register City of Santa Ana Excelsior California (Spanish) NBC4 Los Angeles Telemundo Los Angeles ABC7 Los Angeles KNX Radio

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center conducts Mass Casualty Event With Mt.SAC Nursing and EMT students

By MGA Staff • April 30, 2026
Across the United States there have been many mass shootings in public places. Mt. SAC and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center hosted a mass casualty incident simulation to give health careers students and emergency department staff an opportunity to prepare on how to respond to a crisis. The training event focuses on coordination, triage, communication, and patient care in a high-pressure environment. Watch the coverage from ABC7 here .

Project Sleep Raises Awareness on Sleep Health

By MGA Staff • March 25, 2026
March is Sleep Awareness Month, and with nearly 70% of U.S. adults reporting getting insufficient sleep or rest, Project Sleep, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to raising awareness about sleep health, sleep equity and sleep disorders. View the coverage below: Spectrum News 1 SoCal CBS Philadelphia

MedCAD CEO Helps Restore Lives of Ukraine War Victims Through Custom Implant Technology

By MGA Staff • February 17, 2026
Through its advanced custom implant technology, MedCAD supports Ukraine war victims on their journey to recovery and healing.

Orange County radiologists use AI to detect breast cancer earlier, saving lives

By MGA Staff • January 7, 2026
Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange is utilizing artificial intelligence software to support radiologists in detecting tumors in their early stages. Dr. Kenneth Meng, MD, with St. Joseph Hospital Orange uses the ICAD AI algorithm which helped flag a lesion in a patient's mammogram that could have been overlooked. The artificial intelligence software developed by ICAD is able to find cancer two to three years earlier than without using the program.  "It does take the AI and the radiologist together to get the best, most accurate reading," Dr. Meng said. View our coverage below: ABC 7 Yahoo! News Becker's Hospital Review