Gov. Newsom grants 19 pardons, including to San Quentin ‘Ear Hustle’ podcaster [Video]

On the day before Thanksgiving, California Gov. Gavin Newsom pardoned 19 people, including Walter Earlonne Woods, who was incarcerated in San Quentin when he started a podcast that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. 

“This has been a beautiful week for me,” the 53-year-old Woods said in an Instagram video Wednesday afternoon. “I got a call from Gov. Newsom. He was like, ‘bruh,’ I appreciate the work you been doing. Continue doing it. Y’all doing your s— out here. I just want you to know this, I just granted your application for a pardon. So, your boy has been pardoned!”

Woods also recounted how he re-connected with his brother, who was also released from prison, and how he is the father to twin babies, a boy and a girl. 

In granting the pardon, Newsom said that Woods had “provided evidence that he is living an upright life and has demonstrated his fitness for restoration of civic rights and responsibilities.” 

Newsom said that this act of …