San Francisco Startup Hits $1.3B Valuation

San Francisco Startup Hits $1.3B Valuation

San Francisco—Deepgram, a voice artificial intelligence platform, has secured $130 million in Series C funding at a $1. 3 billion valuation, marking a major milestone in the booming voice AI sector.

Meta Cuts 10% Reality Labs Staff; Metaverse Era Ends

Meta Cuts 10% Reality Labs Staff; Metaverse Era Ends

California—Meta has begun laying off more than 1,000 employees from its Reality Labs division, representing approximately 10% of its 15,000-person workforce. The cuts, announced this week, disproportionately target teams developing virtual reality headsets and metaverse platforms like Horizon Worlds.

Racist Slurs at Indian Teen: Bay Area Team Under Fire

Racist Slurs at Indian Teen: Bay Area Team Under Fire

San Francisco Bay Area — A high school baseball game in the East Bay has ignited outrage after players from Pinole Valley High School allegedly directed racist taunts at two Asian American players from Albany High School during an April 23 match.

From Coding to Congress Indian American Harvard Grad Challenges Pelosi in 2026

From Coding to Congress Indian American Harvard Grad Challenges Pelosi in 2026

San Francisco, CA— Saikat Chakrabarti, a 39-year-old Indian-American tech entrepreneur and former chief of staff to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has officially announced his candidacy for California’s 11th Congressional District. He will be running against longtime Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in the 2026 election, citing a need for generational change and bolder progressive action.

University of California Rejects Ethnic Studies Admission Mandate

University of California Rejects Ethnic Studies Admission Mandate

Oakland, CA— In a significant decision on April 23, 2025, the University of California (UC) Faculty Assembly voted against a proposal to make a semester-long ethnic studies course a mandatory requirement for freshman admissions. The proposal, known as "Area H," was defeated with 29 votes against, 12 in favor, and 12 abstentions. This move has ignited discussions about diversity, inclusion, and the role of ethnic studies in higher education.​

Indian Americans Unite at UC Berkeley Vigil After Pahalgam Attack

Indian Americans Unite at UC Berkeley Vigil After Pahalgam Attack

Berkeley, CA— A large number of Indian Americans gathered on April 23 at the University of California, Berkeley, to mourn the lives lost in the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. The candlelight vigil honored the 26 victims—most of them Hindus—and created a space for solidarity, empathy, and reflection. The attack has shaken the Hindu American community, especially young Kashmiri Hindus in the U.S. who still carry deep scars of past displacement and trauma.

Intel Appoints Indian-Origin Sachin Katti as CTO and AI Chief

Intel Appoints Indian-Origin Sachin Katti as CTO and AI Chief

Santa Clara, California— In a significant leadership overhaul, Intel has promoted Indian-American technologist Sachin Katti to Chief Technology Officer and Head of Artificial Intelligence. This move is part of CEO Lip-Bu Tan's initiative to streamline the company's hierarchy and revitalize its focus on AI innovation. ​

California College of Ayurveda Welcomes Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman as New Dean

California College of Ayurveda Welcomes Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman as New Dean

Nevada City, CA—In a significant leadership transition, the California College of Ayurveda (CCA) has appointed Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman as its new Dean, effective April 1, 2025. This move follows CCA's integration with the Hindu University of America (HUA) in August 2024, marking a new chapter in the institution's commitment to advancing Ayurvedic education in the United States.

California Senate Bill 509 (SB 509): Overview and Concerns from Hindu Communities

California Senate Bill 509 (SB 509): Overview and Concerns from Hindu Communities

California Senate Bill 509 (SB 509), introduced by Senator Anna M. Caballero on February 19, 2025, aims to address transnational repression—actions by foreign governments to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals in diaspora communities. The bill mandates the California Office of Emergency Services (OES), through the California Specialized Training Institute, to develop specialized training for law enforcement to recognize and respond to such activities.

Indian Astronomer Sagnick Mukherjee Awarded Prestigious 51 Pegasi b Fellowship

Indian Astronomer Sagnick Mukherjee Awarded Prestigious 51 Pegasi b Fellowship

Santa Cruz, CA—Sagnick Mukherjee, an astronomy Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), has been honored with the esteemed 51 Pegasi b Fellowship by the Heising-Simons Foundation. This fellowship recognizes exceptional postdoctoral scientists in planetary astronomy and provides substantial support for their independent research.

New U.S. Citizens Take Oath in Parking Lot as Feds Cut Venue Deal

New U.S. Citizens Take Oath in Parking Lot as Feds Cut Venue Deal

San Jose, California—The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has terminated its contract with the Heritage Theatre in Campbell, California, leading to the relocation of naturalization ceremonies to alternative venues, including the parking lot of the USCIS San Jose Field Office.

Millions in California to Get Climate Credit on April Utility Bills

Millions in California to Get Climate Credit on April Utility Bills

Sacramento, CA— Millions of Californians will see an average credit of $137 applied to their April utility bills, thanks to the state's California Climate Credit program. This initiative, part of California's Cap-and-Trade Program, aims to combat climate change while providing financial relief to residents.