"Newsom Shifts Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting to Virtual Event Amid Protests"
California Governor Gavin Newsom has canceled the public capitol's annual Christmas tree lighting and opted for a virtual event due to planned pro-Palestinian protests. The decision was made to ensure the safety and security of participants. The Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights and other organizations had planned to protest at the event. Critics, including the California GOP Chairwoman, accused Newsom of being a "modern-day Grinch" and lacking the courage to stand up to extremists.