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By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 09, 2023

Our New Book & Goodbye, Columbus

Before I make an important announcement, I want to briefly celebrate the fact that here in California and in 16 other states, today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. When he became the first president to recognize the holiday, Joe Biden said this: “The story of America’s Indigenous peoples is a story of their resilience and survival; of their persistent commitment to their right to self-governance; and of their determination to preserve cultures, identities, and ways of life.”

The book that you’re about to hear about shows proper respect in its telling of the story of our state.


What Californians Need to Know

Our friend and colleague Jon Vankin has spent the past couple of years working on a series of stories that add up to one big story. It has unfurled on California Local week after week, in a series of Explainers that run under headlines like “From Chaos to Confusion to Compromise: Why California Government is Set up This Way,” or “Joint Powers Authorities: Building Airports and Highways in the Dark,” or “Welcome to the Justice System.”

I am pleased to announce that we’ve gathered the best of this work, 47 chapters in all, and compiled them into the book How California Works: True Stories from the Golden State. The book will be available next month.

Jon explains why you might love this book in a short blogpost below, which is followed by a sample chapter with a fresh perspective on our state.


‘How California Works’—a Synopsis of California Local’s First Book

California is one of the most complex political entities in the world. California Local’s upcoming book explains it all in 46 fascinating chapters.
California Local enters the world of book publishing with its upcoming book, ‘How California Works,’ explaining the inner workings of this ‘most American state.’

California: The Most American State

How the American story begins in California, and continues to play out here.
California is the most American of all states, both setting the direction for the rest of the country, and acting as a mirror of what the U.S. is today. Here’s why, and how it got that way.

Some Real California Heroes

In this installment of the California Canon, we present some people (and one horse) who deserve a statue—probably more than Christopher Columbus does. 


10 Californians Deserving of Statues

A statue of Ishi, the last of the Yahi, would serve to honor an Indigenous man who survived the brutalities of the pioneer era.
Many statues can be found in California of its pioneers, but other historical figures are also deserving. Here are 10 who made the Golden State shine.


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From Our Media Allies

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Monterey County Weekly logo A New Pacific Grove Hotel Finally Breaks Ground

A new luxury boutique hotel in downtown Pacific Grove—over a decade in the making—finally broke ground on Sept. 29.

Monterey County Weekly logo District Attorney Won’t File Charges Against Anyone in Carmel Altercation

No charges will be filed in the scuffle between Carmel City Administrator Chip Rerig and gallery owner Craig Rose, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni says.

Monterey County Weekly logo Carmel Bach Festival Executive Director to Step Down

Executive Director Steve Friedlander will stay on while the festival board looks for his replacement.

Monterey County Weekly logo County’s Oldest Locally Owned Bank Merging With SoCal Firm

Monterey County Bank will soon be under non-local management after merging with PCB Financial, an Orange County-based investment firm.

Monterey County Weekly logo After Pilot Program, Salinas Agrees to Private Security at Closter Park

The City Council approved a one-year contract for up to $80,000 with Salinas-based Kysmet Security & Patrol.

Monterey County Weekly logo Pacific Grove’s Housing Plan Looks to a Contested Strip of Sensitive Coastal Land

A chorus of conflicting wants and needs are crashing together on a research building of the former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency.

Monterey County Weekly logo Salinas City Council Votes Unanimously to Fire City Manager

During a special meeting Oct. 4, the Salinas City Council deliberated for two hours in closed session, then announced their unanimous vote to fire Steve Carrigan.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Greenfield PD Highlights Mobile Crisis Team

The Greenfield Police Department is shining a light on its active partnership with Monterey County Behavioral Health.

King City Rustler logo CSUMB Institute to Target Entrepreneurs in South Monterey County

California State University Monterey Bay’s Institute for Innovation and Economic Development has been awarded a $50,000 grant.

Monterey County Weekly logo Carmel City Council Contemplating Next Steps After City Manager Tussles With Gallery Owner

An altercation caught on video between Carmel City Administrator Chip Rerig and gallery owner Craig Rose has Rerig’s behavior under scrutiny by the City Council.

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Recent Local News

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• Makerspace Hours Cut Short Despite Popularity

The Makerspace at CSUMB is packed with students eager to express their creativity. While it’s one of the most popular resources on campus, it struggles to keep up with demand due to a lack of funding.

(10/09/2023) → The Lutrinae

• CHISPA Has New Chief at Its Helm

Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association Inc., or CHISPA, has appointed Geoffrey Morgan as its new president and chief executive officer.

(10/09/2023) → Monterey Herald

• Winemakers Anticipate ‘Exceptional’ Quality in 2023 Vintage

After an unseasonably cool start to the year and now a mini heatwave in October, winemakers said this weather pattern is having an interesting impact on their grape harvest—in a good way.

(10/04/2023) → Read the full KSBW NBC/ABC report

• Pacific Grove Unified to Train Administrators on Racism and Bias Incidents

The training will consist of five sessions through February 2024 to “provide legal and practical foundation for addressing and responding to bias incidents and creating a sustainable approach to system-wide practices based on a framework and internal accountability.”

(10/03/2023) → Monterey Herald
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Recent Statewide News

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• California Becomes First State to Ban More Than 2 Dozen Chemicals Used in Popular Cosmetics

A new California law will ban over two dozen chemicals from fragrances and cosmetics. It’s another first-in-the-nation law—and another instance of California following European Union regulators.

(10/09/2023) → CalMatters

• Climate Change Took Them to ‘Dark Places.’ Now These Californians are Doing Something About it

The facts of climate change can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Some California activists are creating communities for people to talk about those feelings.

(10/09/2023) → CalMatters

• To Make Water Conservation a ‘California Way of Life,’ the Price Tag is $13 Billion

Water providers say rebates for residential areas are costly and residents may refuse to remove their lawns. The rules aim to save enough water for more than a million households a year.

(10/04/2023) → CalMatters

• Cal Poly Humboldt Tree Research Will Help PG&E Reduce Outages, Wildfires

In an effort to reduce the risk of wildfire, Cal Poly Humboldt faculty and students have embarked on a three-year study to investigate tree health.

(10/03/2023) → YubaNet

• Cal State Student Workers to Vote on Joining Union

Student workers at the 23-campus system say their pay is low, their hours are restricted and they get no sick pay. They are hoping to join the employees union to fix that.

(10/03/2023) → CalMatters

• California May Ban Additives in Some Candies—But Not Skittles

The European Union has banned certain additives that are used in American candies and baked goods. California is on the cusp of prohibiting their sale by 2027.

(10/02/2023) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/09/2023)

Involuntary Manslaughter Arrest

Image of City of King City seal. City of King City   (10/06/2023)

Press Release: Senator Caballero Check Presentation and Quint Fire Truck Dedication Ceremony / Prensa: Presentación De Cheque Del Senador Caballero y Ceremonia De Inauguración Del Camión De Bomberos Quint

Traducción en Español debajo. Please see Senator Caballero’s Press Release below. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 6th , 2023 Senator Caballero Check Presentation and Quint FireRead More The post Press Release: Senator Caballero Check Presentation and Quint Fire Truck Dedication Ceremony / Prensa: Presentación De Cheque Del Senador Caballero y Ceremonia De Inauguración Del Camión De Bomberos Quint appeared first on …
Image of City of Seaside seal. City of Seaside   (10/05/2023)

Seaside Police Department Presents: Trunk-or-Treat!

OCTOBER 31, 2023 4:40-6:30 PM - CITY HALL LAWN ENJOY CANDY, TREATS, PUMPKIN PAINTING, AND MORE! / 31 DE OCTUBRE, 2023 4:30-630 PM - FRENTE A CITY HALL DISFRUTA DULCES Y GOLOSINAS, PINTA CALABAZAS, Y MAS!
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/04/2023)

Ribbon-Cutting and "Meet the Fleet" Event to Celebrate the New Waterfront Lot 1, Friday, October 6, 11am to noon.

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/04/2023)

The Western Flyer Returns Home to Monterey Bay Save the Date for the ´Welcome Home Celebration' on Saturday, November 4th

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/02/2023)

Controlled Substance for Sale Arrest

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (09/25/2023)

Wanted Subject Arrest

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (09/22/2023)

City of Monterey Condemns Anonymous Callers on Zoom Who Interrupted a City Council Meeting with Hate Speech 

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (09/22/2023)

Deadly Weapon Arrest

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (09/15/2023)

Draft Housing Element Comes Before City Council and Planning Commission at Joint Special Meeting, Sep. 19