In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, we celebrate local nonprofit community groups, and give appreciation to the individuals and businesses that support them. We also look at some partnerships between media companies and nonprofit community organizations, and the success they've had.
And, we announce the launch of the Good Business Directory, which is a place to find local businesses that give back to your community. (And, if you work for or own such a business, a place to share stories of your good work.)
As we roll into the second week of the new year, with resolutions still fresh in our heads, let’s take a moment to recap the recent Giving Period.
The Giving Period, which for many nonprofits begins during the last week of November on “Giving Tuesday,” is a time when organizations reach out to the community for donations so that they can continue to provide their services. This is a time when individuals and businesses choose to contribute to a cause that is near and dear to their hearts.
When I was the publisher of the Sierra Sun, I felt that the newspaper had a responsibility to give voice to the nonprofit community. I was fortunate to help create the Give Back Tahoe program with my partner Stacy Caldwell, the CEO of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation.
Part of the initial success of the program was that throughout the year, the Sun provided space to participating organizations to tell their stories. This was an opportunity to speak to donors and say: “Because you gave, here are the great things we’ve been able to do.” This had the effect of keeping the organization relevant throughout the year.
I am excited to let you know that the 2023 TTCF Give Back program raised more than $620,000.
Giving back is not just about the end-of-year Giving Period. It’s about commitment throughout the year—whether through financial support, volunteering or helping to spread the word.
So while resolutions are still fresh, I ask that you consider adding the resolution of giving.
• Newsom Sets March 19 Special Election to Fill McCarthy’s Seat
Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for a March 19 primary to elect a replacement for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who resigned from Congress in December. If a candidate doesn’t win outright, a runoff will be held on May 21.
(01/08/2024) → Sacramento Bee
• State Trying to Use Generative AI to Reduce Traffic
Caltrans has set a Jan. 25 deadline for tech companies to show how generative artificial intelligence might reduce traffic congestion in the state. This follows an executive order that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September related to this type of AI.
(01/08/2024) → LA Times
• New Year Brings Protections for Deep-Sea Corals and Ocean Fishing Opportunities
New rules took effect Jan. 1 permanently protecting the most fragile deep sea corals off Southern California. Simultaneously, more than 4,500 square miles of ocean waters are now reopened to fishing after more than 20 years of closures.
(01/08/2024) → YubaNet
• Homeowners Who Sued to Build a Seawall Could Reshape California’s Coast
Raging storms brought major damage to California’s coastline last winter. But in Half Moon Bay, a different kind of coastal upheaval is gaining momentum—one that could decide the fate of billions of dollars of property and affect hundreds of public beaches.
(01/07/2024) → Monterey Herald
• WWII-Era Dump Site Found Off LA Coast
Munition boxes, depth charges and smoke floats have been found 3,000 feet underwater off the coast of Los Angeles. More than 100 square miles of ocean might be contaminated.
(01/05/2024) → Los Angeles Times
• Repairing Sidewalks Can Cost Property Owners Big in California
California state law dictates that property owners are responsible for repairing damaged sidewalks. In Sacramento, this has left some owners facing bills of thousands of dollars or tax assessments from the city.
(01/04/2024) → Sacramento Bee
• Avian Flu Outbreak Hammers California Poultry Industry
An outbreak of the avian flu that began in California in October has killed 5.5 million birds throughout the Golden State. About 20% of the deaths have come in Sonoma County.
(01/04/2024) → SFGate
• The Chickadee in the Snowbank
Research shows that a mountain chickadee facing deep snow is like a canary in a coal mine—its survivability tells us about the challenges ahead.
(01/04/2024) → YubaNet
• Sacramento Councilman Under Federal Indictment Resigns from Office
Sean Loloee, a first-term Sacramento councilmember, has resigned from office—a move that came weeks after he was federally indicted on charges related to his business Viva Supermarkets.
(01/04/2024) → Sacramento Bee
• California Community College Students Helping Peers
Two-thirds of community college students in California admit to struggling to meet basic needs. The California Community Colleges’ Student Ambassador Program has empowered more than 50 students to act as resource guides to help them.
(01/03/2024) → EdSource
• Group to Sue California AG Over Title of Ballot Initiative Seeking to Prohibit Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth
Leaders of a parental rights advocacy group announced they’re planning to sue California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the way his office has characterized a 2024 ballot initiative they authored.
(01/03/2024) → CapPublicRadio
• Sierra Snowpack at 25% of Usual Levels
The California Department of Water Resources has found that the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is at just 25% of normal levels for this time of year. This could potentially impact water supply and wildfire protection.
(01/02/2024) → Sacramento Bee
• Hospitals Seeing More People with COVID-19 and Flu
Los Angeles County has entered the medium category of COVID-19 hospitalization defined by the CDC, with providers warning that illnesses like RSV like to travel in tandem with the virus. Officials are urging the public to mask when visiting hospitals or other indoor facilities.
(01/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times
• CA Minimum Wage Hits $16 an Hour
The dawn of 2024 meant that California’s minimum wage rose from $15.50 to $16 an hour. That puts the Golden State at the second-highest minimum wage for a U.S. state, trailing only Washington state at $16.28 an hour.
(01/02/2024) → New York Times
• Law Goes Into Effect Blocking Guns in Many California Public Places
A law passed by the California legislature in 2023 has gone into effect banning licensed gun holders from bringing their firearms to places like playgrounds, churches and casinos. The law faces an ongoing challenge in the federal court system.
(01/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times
