State GovernmentCalifornia sets a new flat charge for customers of large investor-owned utilities like PG&EMay 9, 2024 | Manola SecairaThe decision means middle and high-income households will pay a fixed electricity rate of $24 each month, and low-income households will pay either $6 or $12. Usage rates will drop a few cents as a result of the change.
Sacramento RegionCould the Sacramento Children’s Fund cover proposed city budget cuts to youth programs?May 9, 2024 | Kristin LamThe oversight commission for the Sacramento Children’s Fund plans to send the first five-year spending plan to the City Council for approval in July.
Housing and HomelessnessRock the Block tackles 20 projects in underserved Oak Park neighborhoodMay 9, 2024Over a dozen homes in Oak Park were repaired by 400 community volunteers during Habitat For Humanity of Greater Sacramento's seventh annual Rock the Block event last week.
EducationSacramento City Unified to start next 2 school years early to avoid nearly $40M state fineMay 8, 2024 | Srishti Prabha | Chris HaganSCUSD was fined $39.8 million for missing eight school days during the 2022 teachers strike. The state Board of Education granted a waiver after the district agreed to add 16 days over the next two years.
State GovernmentCalifornia Supreme Court weighs removing a measure making it harder to raise taxes from the ballotMay 8, 2024The California Supreme Court is weighing whether to remove a measure from the November ballot that would make it harder for the state and local governments to raise taxes.
Sacramento RegionSacramento State changes investment policies, says pro-Palestinian demonstrators ‘will be ending’ encampmentMay 8, 2024 | Tony Rodriguez | Claire MorganA group of pro-Palestinian protesters have been camping in the Sac State quad since April 29 to protest the war in Gaza and to prevent the university from financially supporting organizations that do business with Israel.
State GovernmentNewsom wants California state employees back in the office. New ruling makes it harder to objectMay 8, 2024The Newsom administration wants state employees in the office at least twice a week. Many civil servants prefer working from home, and their unions are fighting to protect generous telework policies.
EnvironmentNew California bills hope to mitigate health impacts linked to living near oil, gas wellsMay 7, 2024 | Manola SecairaAfter a 2022 law that would have established a buffer between new oil and gas wells and community areas was put on hold, advocates have sought other ways of addressing the issue.
EnvironmentCalifornia reports the first increase in groundwater supplies in 4 yearsMay 7, 2024After massive downpours flooded California’s rivers and packed mountains with snow, the state has reported the first increase in groundwater supplies in four years.
The Sofia launches jazz series — with shows booked through DecemberMay 7, 2024A new jazz series at The Sofia will provide audiences with historical context and musical insights intended to help them connect with the music on a deeper level, Manricks says.
EducationCalifornia could require kids to learn how to manage money. Should voters decide curriculum?May 7, 2024A ballot initiative that would require a personal finance class in high school circumvents the usual process for curriculum changes.
EducationCalifornia colleges agree on how to interpret in-state tuition law for undocumented studentsMay 6, 2024Advocates say many students have been wrongfully denied in-state tuition because of misinformation and different interpretations of the law.
EnvironmentSierra Nevada records snowiest day of the season from brief but potent California stormMay 6, 2024A weekend spring storm that drenched the San Francisco Bay area and closed Northern California mountain highways also set a single-day snowfall record in the Sierra Nevada.
Health CareCalifornia is investing $500M in therapy apps for youth. Advocates fear it won’t pay off.May 6, 2024California launched two teletherapy apps as part of the governor’s $500 million foray into health technology with private companies. But the rollout has been so slow that social workers worry youths who need clinical care won’t get referrals.
Sacramento RegionCity says Camp Resolution can continue operation, will hold off on terminating leaseMay 3, 2024 | Kristin LamIn a letter, Sacramento city officials said the self-governed homeless encampment could stay “if various conditions are met,” including limiting where people can live in their vehicles due to contaminated soil.
Sacramento RegionDon’t put your umbrellas away yet: Late spring storm brings rain, snow to Northern CaliforniaMay 3, 2024Sacramento could see a half to 1 inch of rain, while 4-8 inches of snow could fall at higher elevations in the Sierra Saturday. Forecasters expect dry weather to return by Sunday.
EnvironmentSacramento temperature blanket 2024: Cool weather continued in March, AprilMay 3, 2024 | Manola SecairaWeather-wise, things have been pretty chill — no pun intended. Cooler temperatures and precipitation have put us in a better spot ahead of wildfire season.
Sacramento RegionPro-Palestine encampment at Sac State permitted to stay through May 8, university saysMay 2, 2024 | Claire Morgan | Tony Rodriguez | Chris HaganThe group is led by Students for Justice in Palestine at Sac State, and demonstrators are asking for the university to divest from companies that do business with Israel.
Sacramento RegionCity of Sacramento releases budget plan to close deficit with cuts, fee increasesMay 2, 2024 | Kristin LamTo close the $66 million deficit, City Manager Howard Chan is proposing increasing parking and sports field fees, as well as cutting funding for some services.
EnvironmentPresident Biden announces expansion of Berryessa Snow Mountain National MonumentMay 2, 2024 | Manola SecairaEnvironmental advocates and tribes have rallied to include Molok Luyuk to the monument since 2015.
Pop Culture Happy HourEurovision 2024: Here are the songs with the best shot at gloryMay 9, 2024Another year, another glitter-filled spectacle known as the Eurovision Song Contest. The Grand Final airs Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET on Peacock in the United States.
EuropeLuis Rubiales faces sexual assault trial for unsolicited kiss at World CupMay 9, 2024The case against the ex-Spanish soccer federation head who kissed player Jenni Hermoso without consent is going to trial, a judge ruled. Three others will be tried for allegedly pressuring Hermoso.
ElectionsBarron Trump will serve as a Florida delegate at the GOP convention May 9, 2024Barron Trump, who turned 18 in March, has largely been kept out of the spotlight — until now. His name appears on a list of delegates for Florida at the Republican National Convention in July.
Goats and SodaRFK Jr. is not alone. More than a billion people have parasitic wormsMay 9, 2024Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke about a time when, as he put it, "A worm ... got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died." Here's a global perspective on these worms.
BusinessTheir batteries hurt the environment, but EVs still beat gas cars. Here's whyMay 9, 2024NPR listeners wrote to ask whether the environmental harm from building EVs "cancels out" the cars' climate benefits. Experts say the answer is clear.
KHN | Shots - Health NewsTheir first baby came with medical debt. These Illinois parents won't have another.May 9, 2024Millions of new parents in the U.S. are swamped by medical debt during and after pregnancy, forcing many to cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials.
AfricaNigeria has detained a journalist who reported on corruption in a widening crackdownMay 9, 2024Investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu has been arrested by police and held without charge for over a week, drawing criticism from advocacy groups over a worsening climate for independent journalism.
Pop CultureMiss USA and Miss Teen USA resign days apart, casting a spotlight on the organizationMay 9, 2024Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava stepped down, citing mental health and personal values. They are the latest to depart the organization, which is no stranger to controversy.