Our Journalism Needs Your Support

By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 03, 2023

As their fundamental journalistic service, legacy local news organizations, most of which are struggling, help stop the spread of disinformation.

Democracy & Journalism

Happy Monday, and happy belated Cesar Chavez Day. Before moving on to this week’s featured news, I would like to take a moment to honor the man who tried to bring economic justice and dignity to California’s farmworkers and their families.

That work remains unfinished, and I invite you to remember that la lucha continua.

Journalism as a Force Against BS

We editors are generally happy when a news story breaks that aligns with a project we're already working on. Such a story broke this week, but it did not make me happy.

California Local contributor Graham Womack spoke this week to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, author of a bill that would help fund the state's local news media, which is in serious trouble. The day before that story came in, we read a piece in the LA Times headlined ‘The California newspaper that has no reporters left.’

The story of the Salinas Californian, which lost its last reporter in December, was made more poignant by the floods that the region experienced in January, which went unreported. Sadly, cities throughout California and the rest of the nation find themselves in similar circumstances as their main news sources essentially disappear.

You probably already know that the internet effectively killed the newspaper industry, as most local news outlets were slow to figure out how to publish effectively online. You may also know that advertisers who once supported their local paper sent most of their money online.

You might not know that two companies—Google and Meta (Facebook)—suck up fully half of the total dollars spent on online advertising. Much of that revenue is built on content generated by legacy media outlets.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Asm. Buffy Wicks’ bill, the Journalism Preservation Act, would make the big platforms pay for the content that they suck from online news outlets—along with vast sums of advertising revenue.

Making Online Media Giants Pay for the Industry They Crushed

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks' bill would make Google, Facebook, et al, pay when their ads appear alongside content generated by legitimate news media.

Asm. Buffy Wicks' AB 886, the Journalism Preservation Act, would require Google, Facebook, et al, to share advertising revenue with news media organizations.

The Ghost of a California Newspaper

Historic downtown Salinas, California, capital of Monterey County, and the hub of "America's Salad Bowl."

James Rainey reports that the Salinas Californian, the daily newspaper serving the capital of Monterey County, has completely emptied its newsroom.

	El Dorado County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://eldorado.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and El Dorado County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!

Here's Why We Need Local Journalism

In Placer County, three local school boards banned a nonprofit from all of their campuses because they were tricked by a malicious spreader of disinformation.

Editor Brings Truth to Placer County

Pastor Casey Tinnin has come under attack following a hit-piece by a notorious spreader of disinformation.

Last week Carol Feineman, managing editor of four Gold Country Media papers, provided her readers with an important piece of information that should reverse a hasty and ill-informed decision.

Get to Know a Group

Golden Empire Council

The Golden Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America pursues the mission of this national organization to “instill values in young people and prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetimes, to take leadership roles as adults, and to reach their full potential.”

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From Our Media Allies

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	Tahoe Weekly’s Best of Spring
	Every year, readers ask: What can I do in Tahoe this spring? To answer, our first guide to the “Best of Spring” features some of the best activities to enjoy in the Tahoe Sierra.

	Tahoe Boho Studio: Sparking Creativity
	Carla Sakrison is a creative maker, teacher and owner of Tahoe Boho Studio. Her journey with art began when she realized she was unhappy with her job and was looking for a change.

	Dorinda’s Chocolates: Divine Experience at New Truckee Store
	The smell of rich dark chocolate invaded my senses. The aroma of chocolate reached me before I stepped through the door.

	Heavenly Concert Series Returns in May
	The Shops at Heavenly Village will be kicking off free concerts on May 5 with Mariachi Cazadores from 4 to 7 p.m.

	Chocolate Stores Pair Up
	The Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory and Champagne & Chocolate have announced a partnership to bring the Chocolate Nugget’s wares to Champagne & Chocolate’s store in South Lake Tahoe.

	Kiwanis Hold Benefit Wine Tasting
	Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe is hosting its 31st Annual Benefit Auction and Wine Tasting on May 7 at Sunnyside Resort on the West Shore.

	Rosewood Tahoe Opens in Incline
	Rosewood Tahoe opened in the Raley’s Shopping Center in Incline Village, Nev., in March. The new restaurant offers dinner Wednesday to Sunday.

Recent Local News

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• North Tahoe, Truckee Fire Agencies Get Training

North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe Fire, Northstar Fire and Truckee Fire all received instruction from the the experts at Sustainable Workplace Alliance and learned about how to handle fuel tanker rollovers.

(04/01/2023) → Tahoe Daily Tribune

• GDPUD Gets Update on Fire Recovery, CIP

Facing the challenges of fire, rain and snow, the Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District staff continues to move forward with the district’s capital improvement plan.

(03/31/2023) → Mountain Democrat

• City Council Reviews Reports for Police, Development

The South Lake Tahoe council passed an ordinance combining special events and temporary uses and voted to enter a lease for new snow removal equipment..

(03/31/2023) → Tahoe Daily Tribune

• Aerial Fire Retardant Drops Attacked as Ineffective, Harmful

For most Californians, the sight of aircraft spewing neon pink liquid over flaming trees and brush has become a hallmark of aggressive wildfire suppression campaigns. But some forest advocates say the substance does more harm than good. A federal lawsuit could reshape how the U.S. Forest Service battles wildfires throughout the western United States.

(03/29/2023) → Los Angeles Times

• Expanded Health Services Now Offered at EDCHC

After nearly a year of construction and half a decade of planning, El Dorado Community Health Centers has settled into its new, all-inclusive, $20 million facility on Missouri Flat Road.

(03/27/2023) → Mountain Democrat

• Lotus Property Slips Away From Marco’s Cafe Owners

With summer and rafting season on the horizon, area residents are discouraged by the news that the community will lose a family-friendly hot spot for tourists and locals.

(03/27/2023) → Mountain Democrat

• State Parks Looking for a Few Good Cadets

California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers or lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system. Through June 10, individuals can apply for the State Park Peace Officer Cadet exams.

(03/27/2023) → Village Life

• Douglas County VHR Ordinance Up for Review

Both the redlines prepared by the Vacation Home Rental Advisory Committee and changes from the March 20 planning commission meeting will be discussed April 10 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Stateline, Nev.