Midwinter greetings from the gray and rainy capital of the greening Golden State. According to the Farmers' Almanac, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, marks the exact halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox—this day is celebrated in snowy cultures as Midwinter.
There are two ways we might use this obscure holiday to inform our discussion in this episode of The Newsletter. 1) Grimly contemplate the dark, cold months we have traversed since the happy holiday season ended, while gravely considering the darker events of those months (or last week). 2) Look forward hopefully to the warmth and brightness of spring, and find something within our remit to celebrate.
Okay, you win. This week, in our endless quest to present a fresh perspective on the news: While goverment workers are being virtually massacred back east, we offer an appreciative look at the people we like to call "public servants."
Also, below: Maybe you don't need me to tell you that you can find (right here!) local news you need; an inspiring hook-up with a heroic non-profit organization; and (what?) a recipe for a dish that might make everythng feel better.
What is Government Work Worth?
As you have probably heard, some of our California technology brothers (love 'em, hate 'em, or both) have achieved positions of power in DC, and are cleaning house—relieving longtime government workers of their jobs. This is being seen as either a much-needed move toward government efficiency or an attack on democracy. (If the tech bros had any demonstrated understanding of civics or government policy, I'd say that's an open question.)
Coincidentally, local elected officials here at home are being vilified for giving themselves raises—often for the first time in decades. Chris Neklason presents some context.
A look at 14 places in California where Black businesses and culture thrived.
(02/04/2025) The Sacramento Observer
Roughly a month after deadly wildfires erupted in Los Angeles County, killing at least 29 people, lawmakers in the state Senate have introduced a proposal to bolster Cal Fire staffing, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is meeting with President Donald Trump over disaster aid.
(02/04/2025) CalMatters
State Farm, which already has rate increase requests pending, asked state officials to approve more insurance price increases.
(02/04/2025) CalMatters
The California Community Foundation is accepting donations to help the folks impacted by the fires in Southern California. Consider donating today.
(02/03/2025) California Community Foundation
The statewide count of overwintering monarch butterflies shows a sharp drop in number. Read on to learn more.
(02/03/2025) The Sacramento Bee
For the past three years, more than 200,000 western monarch butterflies spent their winters along the California coast — huddling together in tall tree groves, finding respite from the wind from November to February.
(02/03/2025) CalMatters
The unusual move is alarming activists who worry they could be in the ordinance’s crosshairs.
(02/03/2025) CalMatters
Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which supplies about one-third of California’s water needs, was far lower than average for the end of January at one of the state’s measurement points on January 31.
(02/03/2025) Local News Matters
Read on to learn more about the Trump-ordered "emergency" release of water from two San Joaquin Valley reservoirs and how it is literally going down the drain (and not to preserve LA from fires as claimed).
(02/01/2025) Stocktonia
Plaintiffs claimed that being evaluated on their commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility principles is unconstitutional and has a chilling effect on their free speech rights.
(01/31/2025) EdSource
CHRIS BENNER AND MANUEL PASTOR have had front row seats to the changes taking place in the so-called Lithium Valley, the region around the Salton Sea, where a network of companies have hatched a plan for local and state government entities to mine vast quantities of lithium to use in the batteries that power electric vehicles.
(01/31/2025) Local News Matters
Insurance companies have paid out $4.2 billion in claims so far to survivors of the Los Angeles County fires, the state Insurance Department said Thursday.
(01/30/2025) CalMatters
The number of monarch butterflies overwintering in California are at a near-record low, and the wiping out of the Topanga butterfly habitat by the LA fires has made matters worse. Read on to learn more.
(01/30/2025) Los Angeles Times
Energy demands from big tech, including for AI, has elected officials giving an old power source a second look.
(01/29/2025) CalMatters
Struggling with prior cuts, California State University calls latest proposed budget cuts unacceptable. Read on to learn more.
(01/29/2025) Los Angeles Times
In the wake of the fire earlier this month at Vistra Corporation’s Moss Landing Power Plant and Energy Storage Facility, the California Public Utilities Commission has proposed new standards for battery energy storage facilities.
(01/29/2025) Local News Matters
