View in Browser
California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.


By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 03, 2025

'Engaged California' and Digital Democracy

Happy Monday, Team CALocal supporters! This week, I bring you evidence that WE are WINNING.

By WE, I mean those of us who believe in democracy, and are working together to find ways to protect and improve our means of self-governance. (I realize there’s also evidence this week that this system is breaking down—you can find that elsewhere in your news feed. True, sadly, but NOT the whole story.)

By WINNING—I point to three good and true things.

1: Big news (for big fans of self governance): The state of California is launching a “digital democracy” tool that will allow all of us to participate in policy-making in new ways. More on this below.

2: A report from the Nieman Lab about “emergent civic media systems,” showing that local outlets are proliferating nationwide that make it easier for citizens to find information about their communities.

3: News about “a policy agenda for local news that treats public-interest journalism and civic information like the public goods they are” by “infusing values of community, equity and sustainability into policy.”

Of course, as always, you can find cool stuff about a local nonprofit community group, and a recipe, just a scroll downscreen AND: Unless you follow every news source in your county (we do), you are likely to learn something interesting and maybe important in our News Digest, which is also just down there a little ways.


Taking Politics Online For Real

Audrey Tang built a web tool that helped her county heal its political wounds. Now, it's coming to California. 


Engaged California Aims for ‘Rough Consensus’

Audrey Tang is bringing her revolutionary online civic engagement tool to California.
The state’s new digital deliberation platform, modeled by a Taiwanese champion of democracy, is meant to fight polarization with conversation.


California Local logo

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!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Winter! cookbook.


Put that citrus to work for dinner

Not the usual winter dish, this entree is essentially deconstructed kebabs: grilled chicken pieces with vegetables, all flavored with an orange juice marinade. Too wet outside to grill? Use the broiler.
New! This orange chicken is healthier than fast food


Get to Know a Group

Team Giving logo Team Giving

A regional resource, Team Giving contributes to the community by connecting individuals, businesses and service groups to projects that fulfill the specific needs of local nonprofit groups.

→ Learn more

California Media Alliance logo

From Our Media Allies

→ View All
Carmichael Times logo California Comment on Latest Small Business Optimism Index

Small business optimism across the nation fell a bit in January but for the third consecutive month, came in higher than its 51-year average, according to the release Feb. 11 of the monthly Small Business Optimism Index by the National …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo South Lake Tahoe Joins Nationwide Protest Supporting Public Lands and Employees

Last Saturday, joining with a national call to stand up for public lands, protestors from South Lake Tahoe to Carson City met at Lakeview Commons to show their support for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, recently fired employees, and …

Folsom Times logo El Dorado Hills Fire Honors Dedicated Personnel With Awards

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department wrapped up the month of February as personnel and their families dressed their best and gathered for the department's annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony this past weekend in El Dorado Hills, celebrating the dedication …

Folsom Times logo Dignity Health Awards Over $1M in Community Grants to Area Non-Profits

Folsom Lake College among recipients with $100,000 grant awarded

Folsom Times logo Local HOT Team, No Address Movie expands Perspective to Homelessness in Single Week

This past week, I had the opportunity to walk alongside Folsom’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) and witness firsthand the tireless and often thankless work they do to address the city’s homeless encampments.

Folsom Telegraph logo Annual Friends of the Folsom Library Spring Book Sale Set for March 7-9

The Roseville City Council renewed a 5-year agreement to share city park sites with local high schools, and vice versa.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Tahoe Wood Company Gives Caldor Fire Logs New Life: ‘Everything Is Cut From Down the Street’

Colby Albino at Well Rounded Wood Co. is salvaging logs from the Caldor Fire and giving them new life. In doing so, he hopes to redefine lumber sourcing regionally.

Folsom Times logo Folsom VFW Honors Local Vet With Long-Awaited Recognition

With 50 people in attendance, Cpl. Robert “Bob” Jack Calvillo was honored with the USAF Non-Commissioned Officers Association Korean War medal, presented by USAF CMSgt Jim Sullivan (Ret.) at Carlton Senior Living Orangevale.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Tahoe Chamber and Bruschetta’s Connect for a Cause Crab Feed Raises Funds for Local Nonprofits

The South Shore community came together in a spirit of generosity and camaraderie at the Connect for a Cause Crab Feed, hosted by Tahoe Chamber and Bruschetta on February 20, 2025. This community event brought over 60 attendees together for …

Folsom Times logo Business Owners Honored at 2025 El Dorado Hills Chamber Awards

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Installation & Business Awards Dinner on February 20th, welcoming a sold-out audience. Distinguished guests included Congressman Tom McClintock, California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, Victor Wolfe representing California State Assemblyman Joe …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Tahoe’s Entrepreneurs Unite: Free Monthly Roundtables Breaking Barriers in 2025

Every second Tuesday of 2025, the entrepreneurial spirit of Lake Tahoe comes alive as Tahoe Inc., a cornerstone initiative of the Tahoe Prosperity Center's Prosperity Playbook, brings together innovators, dreamers, and business leaders from both sides of the California-Nevada state …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Fuel Reduction Projects Are ‘First Time’ Collaboration Between Lake Valley Fire Protection and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue

As fires continue to be a concern for those living in the basin, both Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) will continue their new collaboration to improve fuel reduction and safety on South …

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo Assemblywoman Hadwick Introduces Bill to Manage Rising Black Bear Population in California

Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas) introduced Assembly Bill 1038 to address California's rapidly growing black bear population through non-lethal wildlife management. AB 1038 will reintroduce a "pursuit season", that will allow trained dogs to haze bears without harming them.

Tahoe Daily Tribune logo TRPA’s Environmental Threshold Evaluation Shows Improvements in Standards, New Long-Term Goals

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's (TRPA) environmental threshold evaluation report, which monitors the regional plan's environmental factors across 140 indicators, shows that in 2019 to 2023, 75% of the indicators trended positively. The results of the peer-reviewed report can now …

  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

→ View All
El Dorado Hills Community Services District to Hold Special Election

In their February 27 meeting, the El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors voted to hold a special election to fill the seat vacated ... or not ... by Director Chuck King. Read on for the messy details.

(03/03/2025) Village Life
Help Fight Hunger in El Dorado County

Read on to learn how you can help fight hunger in El Dorado County at the 25th annual Empty Bowls Dinner in Placerville on March 8.

(02/28/2025) Mountain Democrat
El Dorado & Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts Annual Local Work Group Meeting March 17

If you are an El Dorado County agricultural land owner, the Local Work Group meeting on March 17 is where you can give input or make requests to the El Dorado & Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District representatives. Read on to learn more.

(02/28/2025) Mountain Democrat
Federal Funding Freeze Affects Fire Safe Programs

Read on for more information about the impact of the federal funding turmoil on all El Dorado County Fire Safe Councils.

(02/28/2025) Georgetown Gazette
Artists Sought for Placerville Banners on Parade

Read on to learn how you can get your art displayed on a light pole banner on Main Street in Placerville this summer.

(02/26/2025) Mountain Democrat
Constituents Gather at McClintock's Office

On February 21, over 100 people converged on the office of Congressman Tom McClintock to share their concerns about the funding and staffing cuts underway in Washington D.C. Read on for more information.

(02/26/2025) Mountain Democrat
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Statewide News

→ View All
First-of-Its Kind Court Order Halts Sweep of California Homeless Camp

This appears to be the first such injunction since the U.S. Supreme Court let cities crack down on homeless encampments in California and beyond.

(03/04/2025) CalMatters
Towing Companies Can Sell Your Car — And the DMV Gets to Keep the Profit Without Telling You

Since 2016, the DMV has collected more than $8 million from nearly 5,300 car sales, according to a CalMatters analysis.

(03/03/2025) CalMatters
‘Too Damn Hard to Build’:  a Key California Democrat’s Push for Speedier Construction

Oakland Democrat Buffy Wicks said lawmakers will soon see 20 bills to speed up housing construction, along with more on energy, water and transit.

(03/03/2025) CalMatters
Return to Office: Newsom Orders California State Workers Back Four Days a Week

The governor’s announcement affects most of the state workforce and will take effect on July 1.

(03/03/2025) CalMatters
California Made a Big Bet on Producing Its Own Insulin. There’s No ‘Date Certain’ for Delivery

Two years ago, California made a bold announcement that it would manufacture a state-branded, low-cost insulin. Drug manufacturers, insurers, economists and diabetics took notice. It had the potential to disrupt the market, bring down drug costs and save patients’ lives.

(03/02/2025) CalMatters
Newsom’s Homeless Funding Tracker Website Holds Counties Accountable for Housing Goals

RED MEANS FAILURE, green means progress. Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a new tracker tool this week that shows how local agencies are using state funds to eradicate homelessness and rates their success. The concept is to pool data on grants and reporting so counties can watch other counties; the public can watch state spending; and the governor can make the argument for granting or cutting funds.

(02/28/2025) Local News Matters
With Reservoir Levels in Good Shape, State’s Water Managers Increase Delivery Forecasts

State and federal water managers have announced significant increases to water allocations across California thanks to early February storms and healthy reservoir levels.

(02/28/2025) Local News Matters
‘It’s a Garbage Fire’: Some CA Legislators Leave X

In the past few months, some Democratic state legislators have joined the reported exodus of users on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

(02/27/2025) CalMatters
California Has a Lot to Lose if Trump Slashes Medicaid. Seniors, Kids and More Could Face Coverage Cuts

Almost 15 million Californians have health care coverage through Medi-Cal, a program that stands to lose billions of dollars if Republicans follow through on proposed cuts.

(02/27/2025) CalMatters
Californians Approved $1.5 Billion for Wildfire Prevention. How Will the State Spend It?

The governor has proposed spending climate bond money dedicated to wildfire mitigation in various ways. Some lawmakers think a focused strategy would be more effective.

(02/27/2025) CalMatters
Spotlight on 2-Year Yolo County Basic Income Program

Read on for details about a report on the 2-year Yolo County Basic Income Program which ended in April 2024.

(02/26/2025) The Sacramento Bee
‘Look, There’s Nowhere Else to Go:’ Inside California’s Crackdown on Homeless Camps

It’s been eight months since the U.S. Supreme Court fundamentally changed how cities in California and beyond can respond to homeless encampments, allowing them to clear camps and arrest people for sleeping outside — even when there’s nowhere else to sleep.

(02/26/2025) CalMatters
Why Bills to Help Prevent California Fires Fail

Each year, legislation aimed at better wildfire mitigation fails – often due to cost or conflict with environmental regulations.

(02/26/2025) CalMatters
California’s Fund to Build Student Housing Runs Dry — Leaving Community Colleges in the Lurch

Feather River College is still reeling from the 2021 Dixie Fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes in the surrounding community and warped the housing market. The college is one of many schools that have tried — and failed — to secure state grants to build more student housing.

(02/26/2025) CalMatters
‘We’re Out Here Not Getting Paid’: UC Workers Strike Amid Contract Negotiation Stalemate

University of California laboratory technicians, information technologists, museum and health care workers went on strike Wednesday to protest what they say are staffing shortages and other grievances.

(02/26/2025) Local News Matters
California Insurance Commissioner Meets Privately With State Farm, Hopes to Make Rate Hike Decision Within Two Weeks

Ricardo Lara said he will look at information provided by State Farm before revisiting his previous decision to reject the company’s emergency rate hike.

(02/26/2025) CalMatters
‘Engaged California’: New Statewide Initiative Aims to Give Public a Voice in Policy Decisions

A new program dubbed “Engaged California” aiming to give the public a greater voice in government is launching soon, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced. Described as an exercise in “deliberative democracy,” the program is designed to help the public influence and inform government actions such as the ongoing Los Angeles firestorm rebuilding and recovery, the governor’s office said.

(02/26/2025) Local News Matters
Prop. 36 Poses Cash Problem for Local Governments

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, a new law that stiffened penalties for certain drug and theft charges, and pledged to provide “mass treatment” for those facing drug charges.

But since the law took effect, some counties have been scrambling to implement the measure without new funding or, according to people involved in enforcing the law, sufficient resources.

(02/25/2025) CalMatters
California Extends State Financial Aid Deadline Until April 2

California is giving students more time to apply for college aid due to a drop in completed applications.

(02/25/2025) EdSource
  California Local Pin Marker

Government Announcements

→ View All
Image of United States seal. AKT Trading Inc. Recalls Prepared Vegetable Products Because of Possible Health Risk
AKT Trading Inc. of Torrance, California, is recalling certain prepared vegetable products manufactured by Choshiya Honten Co., Ltd. due to a potential risk of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. The products lack the necessary "Keep Refrigerated" s
United States   (03/03/2025)
Image of United States seal. Little Leaf Farms Announces Limited Voluntary Withdrawal of a Specific Lot Code of Southwest Salad Kit Due to Undeclared Fish and Wheat
Little Leaf Farms is voluntarily recalling a specific lot code of its Southwest Salad Kits due to the potential presence of undeclared fish and wheat allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat and/or fish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they
United States   (02/28/2025)
Image of United States seal. Lyons Magnus Recalls Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes Manufactured by Third Party Because of Possible Health Risk
Lyons Magnus LLC ("Lyons Magnus") today announced that it is voluntarily recalling 4 oz. Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes due to the potential for the products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Lyons Magnus is taking this action in response to a recall of t
United States   (02/22/2025)
Image of City of South Lake Tahoe seal. Police Chief David Stevenson to Retire After 30 Years
City of South Lake Tahoe   (02/21/2025)
Image of United States seal. Kayco Issues an Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Limited Units of Glicks Dark Chocolate Conettos
Kayco, a Bayonne NJ company is recalling their Glicks Dark Chocolate Conettos because it may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
United States   (02/21/2025)
Image of United States seal. Kedake Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Red No. 6 in Botana Mix Snacks
KEDAKE, INC. of Houston, TX is recalling it's 2 lb packages of Las Ollas Botana Mix Snacks because they may contain undeclared Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No 5, Yellow No 6, and Red No 6. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No 5, Yellow No 6 and Red No 6, ru
United States   (02/20/2025)
Image of United States seal. ZB Importing Issue Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg, Wheat and Milk in Certain Ulker Brand Products
ZB Importing LLC is voluntarily recalling certain lots of six varieties of Ulker Brand snack rolls, biscuits, and wafers due to undeclared wheat, egg and/or milk in the Ingredient List and/or Contains Statement on the product labels. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat, egg, or
United States   (02/18/2025)
Image of United States seal. Naturipe Value Added Fresh LLC Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Wheat & Eggs In "Berry Buddies, Berries & Pancakes" Lot # 1097901
Naturipe Value Added Fresh LLC. of Alma, GA, is recalling its 2.1 oz./60 gram packages of "Berry Buddies, Berries & Pancakes" bento box snack packs because they contain wheat and EGGS that were not declared on the label. People who have allergies to WHEAT and/or EGGS run the risk of serious allergic
United States   (02/18/2025)
Image of United States seal. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC Issues a Product Recall on Undeclared Almonds in Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias (1oz) Pouches
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC of Kea'au, HI is voluntarily recalling one batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen.
United States   (02/15/2025)
Image of United States seal. JE Bakery 2019 LLC DBA Broadway Bakery Issues Allergy Alert for Mislabeled Raisin Bran Muffin 6 Count Due to Undeclared Walnuts
JE Bakery 2019, LLC, Minneapolis MN is voluntarily recalling its Raisin Bran Muffin 6 count due to a labeling error. The affected product was mislabeled and instead contains Glorious Morning Muffins, which contains Walnuts, a known allergen not declared on the label.
United States   (02/13/2025)