Barricades being installed outside the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2024,
First: If, like me, you are one of those procrastinators who still celebrates Election Day the traditional way, a reminder that a few scrolls below, you will find a quick-and-easy list of stories from newsrooms in your county that might help you with your decisions.
And: Here is a handy, comprehensive set of Voting FAQs from our friends at Local News Matters.
The subject line for this edition of The Newsletter was going to be “a love letter to democracy”—a nickname Chris Neklason has given to a series of blog posts that we take turns writing. As you may have noticed, I chose a different angle.
I began to change my mind after I saw a couple of texts from family members in Washington D.C.. “The Observatory is being boarded up,” the first text read, referring to the historic U.S. Naval Observatory, which since 1977 has served as the residence of the vice president of the United States. A reply came shortly thereafter: “That means they’re expecting violence.”
A few minutes later I saw Steve Bannon’s face on the front page of the New York Times alongside a disturbing article, and that sealed the deal. A headline reported that Bannon and his allies are spreading disinformation “inviting chaos if Harris wins the race.”
If you have been protecting your mental health by avoiding frightening news like this, forgive me; I believe the photograph above says all we need to say about our perilous situation right now, so let’s jump immediately to the love-letter portion of this note.
Let’s get to the good news—the running theme here at the Newsletter: how democracy works.
A Love Letter to Democracy
It was Chris N. himself who suggested the headline just above as a subject for this week’s Newsletter. He did so because he spent much of last week reading scores of news stories in the 10 counties we serve, and came away from that exercise feeling hopeful.
All over Northern California, and all across the nation for that matter, people are in the process of making decisions about the cities and counties they call home. Chris, who is in the unique position of surveying and accumulating information about civic life from Big Sur to Lake Tahoe, reports that local news outlets statewide are doing a good job of getting their readers the information they need to vote.
A few years back, when building the database that underlies California Local, Chris made a similar discovery— and wrote about it in our first love letter to democracy. Then-managing editor, Sharan Street made her own discovery several months later—her love note also has Evergreen value. Taken together, I hope they help with your sanity.
• GivingTuesday Explained
Learn more about the annual fundraising day on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this year falling on December 3.
(11/04/2024) → Monterey Herald
• Santa Clara County Ramps Up Response as Invasive Mosquito Detected in More Areas
The invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitos have been detected in more areas of Santa Clara County, prompting officials to hold meetings to discuss their response to the threat posed by the species.
(11/01/2024) → Local News Matters
• A Century Later, Salmon Again Spawning in Klamath River After Dams Removed
Sixty years ago, I was a reporter for the Klamath Falls (Oregon) Herald and News and with my family lived in a small house on the Link River, which flows out of Upper Klamath Lake, draining a large portion of the Cascade mountain range.
(10/31/2024) → CalMatters
• It’s Hard to Vote in California When You’re Homeless. Why It Matters When Their Voices Are Silenced
Homeless Californians face many barriers to casting a ballot, even in elections that affect their lives. Some counties and nonprofits are trying to boost turnout.
(10/30/2024) → CalMatters
• A Third Straight Year With No California Salmon Fishing? Early Fish Counts Suggest It Could Happen
Low counts of spawning salmon could mean another year without fishing. Experts say the outlook still has time to turn around.
(10/30/2024) → CalMatters
• Bird Flu Jumped From Cows to People. Now Advocates Want More Farmworkers Tested
A strain of bird flu that imperiled California poultry and cattle has jumped to people. In humans, the symptoms are mild and the virus has not been transmitted among people.
(10/29/2024) → CalMatters
• California’s Transition Off Carbon Fuels Could Upset Gasoline Supply, Prices
California motorists buy and consume a billion gallons of gasoline each month and are very sensitive about pump prices, which are markedly higher than those in other states. Naturally, they are a political football.
(10/29/2024) → CalMatters
Barricades being installed outside the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2024,
