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By Chris Neklason
Published Sep 25, 2023

It's a long way to the top, if you wanna rock ’n’ roll (or do journalism). It's a long way to the top, if you wanna rock ’n’ roll (or do journalism). Image credit: Elnur/Shutterstock   Standard

Progress Report

The theme for this issue of The Newsletter is incremental progress, told in two stories below.

The first is a blog post about new features we’ve recently rolled out on California Local—small improvements we hope enhance your experience. 

The second is a Q&A with the co-founder of a “tiny newsroom” (and member of the California Local Media Alliance) who is using new tools to do old-fashioned accountability journalism.

Santa Cruz Local (no relation) started in 2019, and co-founder Kara Meyberg Guzman describes here the experience of starting a newsroom, surviving the pandemic, and now expanding.


California Local New Features

Our motto is Discover > Connect > Act, but with thousands of articles and government and community group directory listings in our database, and more being added every day, discovery of information and resources can be difficult, and connection less than convenient.

The good news is, we’ve been working on that.


What’s New @CALocal: September 2023

The tricky part is putting it all together.
We’ve made it easier to find and track news and other information and connect with your local elected representatives.


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Nevada County's Homepage

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


Q&A With a Local Tiny Newsroom Founder

We’re privileged to work with a lot of local newsrooms, and going forward, we’re going to be spotlighting some of our fellow local journalists and the amazing work they do in communities across the state.

I recently interviewed Kara Meyberg Guzman, co-founder of a tiny newsroom named Santa Cruz Local in my home town on the Central California Coast. I’ve gushed about them before, and the Q&A below illuminates the effort and commitment to public service required to, in their words, “hold public officials to account.”


Q&A: Kara Meyberg Guzman of Santa Cruz Local

Kara Meyberg Guzman is one of the hardest working journalists in the business.
Meet tiny newsroom co-founder Kara Meyberg Guzman, who has been honored by the Local Independent Online News Publishers Association.


Impact Report Image for decorative use


Get to Know a Group

Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus logo Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus

Supporting local singers by building, promoting, and nurturing vocal music programs, the Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus hosts two annual concert series that feature music from a range of genres, such as classical, Broadway, and contemporary hits.

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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Folsom Telegraph logo Gold Country Writers to Honor Short Story Contest Finalists

The first Gold Country Writers Short Story Contest attracted 56 writers from Placer, Sacramento Nevada, El Dorado, Solano, Yolo, San Joaquin and Yuba counties.

Sierra Sun logo Sierra Sun Welcomes New Truckee Reporter

Sierra Sun welcomed a new reporter this week: Zoe Meyer, fresh out of college at Denison University in Ohio, where she studied journalism.

Sierra Sun logo Sierra Community House Celebrates Partnership With New Rakkan Ramen Restaurant in Truckee

Sierra Community House is taking action during Hunger Action Month through a virtual food drive and a newfound partnership with Rakkan Ramen.

Sierra Sun logo Newsom to Decide on Proposed Cannabis Legislation; NV County Cannabis Advocates Weigh In

California lawmakers recently put forth 17 bills regarding cannabis and psychedelics to Governor Gavin Newsom in recent weeks.

Sierra Sun logo Save Mart in Tahoe City to Close

After more than 50 years of Save Mart serving the Tahoe City community, the property landlord has chosen not to renew the store’s lease.

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Recent Local News

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Gorman Museum of Native American Art Opens Expanded Gallery at UC Davis

A major new addition at UC Davis is unveiled to the public. 

(09/22/2023) → CapPublicRadio

Animal Sanctuary: Class Is in Session

Animal Place, an animal sanctuary in Nevada County, is offering a program designed for students interested in farmed animals and their care. The program is sponsored by an organization called Leaders for Ethics, Animals and the Planet.

(09/21/2023) → YubaNet
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Recent Statewide News

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Want a Piece of the Warriors? 10 Percent Ownership Stake Reportedly Up for Sale

The $700 million price tag sets a $7 billion mark that would make the Warriors one of the world’s most valuable sports teams.

(09/22/2023) → Daily Democrat

Construction Around California Capitol Can Finally Start

Work on a new annex, visitors center and underground parking garage can legally begin after the state issued a final, court-ordered review of the project. Plans have been on hold since early 2021.

(09/21/2023) → CapPublicRadio

Mayo Clinic Expert Answers Questions on COVID Tests, New Variants

Companies set the original test dates arbitrarily due to these diagnostic at-home tests being developed rapidly. So, check your boxes before you toss them.

(09/21/2023) → Daily Democrat

Why California Rivers Saw Fewer Harmful Algal Blooms This Year

Outbreaks have wreaked havoc on the state’s river ecosystems for years. But this year was different. Faster, colder river waters led to fewer outbreaks of the harmful algae.

(09/20/2023) → CapPublicRadio

California Tops FEMA’s New List of Areas Vulnerable to Weather Disasters

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has identified nearly 500 “zones” that are ill-prepared to tolerate flooding, earthquakes, heat waves, wildfires, landslides and other natural hazards. California topped all states with 51 total zones, followed by 35 in Texas and 32 in Florida.

(09/19/2023) → Read the full The Mercury News report