As gas prices soar, ONME News moves its election forums for audiences and candidates only, online
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
ONME News will be in its studio live during the forum; the candidates and audience can interact online
The average California driver spends a significant amount of time on highways, particularly in major metro areas like Los Angeles and the Bay Area, which are among the most congested in the nation. And now the gas prices are going up in the state.
As of early April 2026, the average U.S. gas price has surpassed $4 per gallon, reaching its highest level since 2022 due to rising oil costs from geopolitical instability. The national average is roughly $4.08–$4.09 per gallon, with California having the highest prices near $5.50–$6, although experts say the math does not make sense as to why they are higher in the state. Coastal communities in California are hitting almost $10.00 per gallon--an unaffordable rate for the average working, middle-class Californian. These high as prices are significantly altering consumer behavior, leading many residents to stay home, drive less, or reconsider transportation options, according to KCRA 3 News. The financial pressure from these costs is causing a shift in daily habits and business operations, with some reports noting that residents are cutting back on discretionary travel and exploring remote work to reduce commuting costs. Some employers are allowing their employees to work from home, due to the unexpected surging costs.
The ONME News team, which hosts the California Politics Now Election Forums every election season, and who moved its operations to a new location in Downtown Fresno in October of last year, heard from its news team members, community and general supporters--it is expensive to drive right now. As ONME News serves many Black and undeserved audiences throughout California and diverse audiences in general, the news team decided to move the audience and 2026 candidates to online login, making things more economical, while still streaming live from The ONME Network studio in Downtown Fresno, Calif. Posted forums will also broadcast on PEG access TV stations throughout California.
Candidates are urged to register online below to be included in the upcoming forums. The audience can participate by submitting questions via the online portal or watching online or on TV live.
WHERE TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO THE ONME NETWORK FORUMS
Live Online
ONME Sounds web radio station
Live OTT Channels via The AMPTV Network
Audience members can also watch and share the posted videos and audios:
Online on-demand starting
ONME TV (video)
ONME Podcast Network (audio)
Shareable Third-Party Audio Podcast
The ONME News team made several significant changes regarding the upcoming forums: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 is designated to showcasing the 11 insurance commissioner candidates, who will be broken into groups of 4-6 per panel, with up to 90 minutes of live discussion with a news moderator. The treasurer and controller candidates have been moved to Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Before the two groups of candidates were all together until the certified list of candidates came out on the California Secretary of State website at the end of March, which showed an increase in candidates for both candidate groups.
Each round-table discussion allows candidates to speak to constituents across California for up to 60 minutes for 3-5 candidates per session and 90 minutes for 5-8 candidates per session. ONME News has created forums for the following state elected positions: governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, insurance commissioners, state controller, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of state, and board of equalization.
Candidates can register and RSVP below to be included in the forum. (Candidates will be present online only.)
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Statewide candidates can find more information here.
Central Valley candidates can find more information here