Almost every day, we survey stories being published by newsrooms in 10 California counties to include in our News Digest. This practice gives us a uniquely advantageous view of trends in the news. Over the past year, we’ve witnessed big changes throughout the state, and today we present a quick look at a handful of some important ways California's civic landscape is shifting.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Dec 30, 2024
Water, and the complex infrastructure required to quench California's thirst, remained a key issue in 2024.
Image credit: Photo by Daniel Parks
CC BY-NC 2.0
The Trending Stories of 2024
Homelessness and Lawlessness
While most Californians continue to express compassion for their unhoused neighbors, for folks experiencing substance-abuse issues, and for the conditions that can lead a person to get in trouble with the police, we saw evidence in 2024 that may people's tolerance for disorder has worn thin. Squalid encampments, overdose epidemics, and thieving mobs led to a tipping point this year.
In the past couple of weeks, local officials began enforcing mandates created by Proposition 36, which made certain property and drug crimes felonies. At the same time, addicts who have been arrested multiple times are being sent to CARE courts. Two new phrases entered the public conversation: “forced treatment" and “coercive compassion."
From our archives, here’s how this legal and social shift occurred.
Newsom’s Prop 1: Revolution or Return to Reason?
Prop 1 was designed to help unhoused people get off the streets by forcing them into treatment. That’s one reason it took two weeks of vote-counting to pass.
Proposition 36, AB 2943 & 1179: California Cracks Down On Crime
Californians are fed up with flash-mob shoplifting, smash-and-grab theft, and an alarming uptick in Fentanyl deaths.
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Sacramento County's Homepage |
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Dams and the Tunnel
One of our favorite stories of the year came in October from our friends at Local News Matters. It deals with the most durable controversy in the state of California (and throughout the American West)—the use and abuse of our most valuable resource.
In this piece, the writer, podcaster, and video storyteller Ruth Dusseault places a troubling fact at the heart of her story: At the same time that a terrible water shortage is destroying California’s salmon fishery and threatening ecological and economic collapse, farmers are replacing drought-tolerant crops with almonds and other heavy water-users. This (and the still-growing poulation of Southern California) necessitates the construction of the most ambitious water project in human history.
Dusseault’s story, and Chris Neklason’s round up of news about dams throughout the state, deal with one of our favorite topics: resilience, and the infrastructure required to help our state thrive and grow.
From Local News Matters: Water War on the Delta
“This is a local story about a global issue, the future of water. In a three-part series of field reports and podcasts, Bay City News reporter Ruth Dusseault looks at the tunnel’s stakeholders, its engineering challenges, and explores the preindustrial Delta and its future restoration."
The Ups and Downs of California Dams
We check in on efforts to raise some dams in the state to store more water, and to raze some dams to to let water run free.
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.
Persimmons put seasonal twist on California favorite
New! Persimmon date-walnut tea bread uses super-ripe fruit
Get to Know a Group
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Big Brothers Big Sisters |
Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The chapter serves Sacramento and Yolo counties, as well as southern Placer County.
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From Our Media Allies |
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Matt Hedges Named Chief of Staff to County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez |
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Today, Sacramento County Supervisor-elect Rosario Rodriguez has officially announced that she has selected Matt Hedges as her new Chief of Staff. Hedges, an experienced public servant with deep roots in Sacramento politics, starts in his role today. |
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SN&R’s Top Ten Stories of the Year |
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Based on reader feedback, web analytics, SN&R’s storytelling history and the broader community conversation, here are the top ten stories for 2024 that we think are worth a second look if you missed them the first time. |
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Sacramento State President Luke Wood Signs Memorandum With Compton College, Establishing Direct Pipeline to Attend CSU Campus |
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Sacramento State President Luke Wood signed an official memorandum with the President of Compton Community College, Keith Curry, on Thursday, Dec. 12 in Sacramento Hall. |
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Video: Folsom Police Make 30 Retail Theft Arrests as Prop. 36 Takes Effect |
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In the wake of recent updates to Proposition 36, the Folsom Police Department has reported a significant uptick in arrests related to crimes that they cite would have previously have resulted in citations. |
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Folsom Christmas Tree Recycling Jan. 4 at Rodeo Park |
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The city of Folsom is offering several ways to recycle Christmas trees after the holidays. |
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Folsom Offering Free Sandbags to Locals |
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With wet weather forecast this weekend, sand and sandbags are available for Folsom residents and business owners at no charge. The city’s two self-serve sandbag stations are next to Fire Station 36 at 9700 Oak Avenue Parkway and behind City … |
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Folsom Light Rail Free for Youth During Holiday Week |
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Folsom Light Rail and countywide buses will be free to youth during the holiday season, Sacramento Regional Transit announced. |
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SMUD Partners With Scout Troops to Recycle Local Christmas Trees |
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Give your Christmas tree the proper holiday send-off. Instead of tossing it in the trash, recycle it. You’ll be doing our local landfills a big favor and in some cases, helping local your charity at the same time. |
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X Games Set to Celebrate 30th Anniversary in Sacramento |
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On Dec. 12, X Games announced a new three-year partnership with California Dreamin’ Entertainment which will bring the renowned actions sports and music festival to Cal Expo in Sacramento each summer from 2025-2027. |
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United Way Unveils New Brand to Reflect Transformative Approach |
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United Way California Capital Region has joined United Way Worldwide in announcing a refreshed brand to reflect the organization’s reach and impact in communities as one of the world’s largest and oldest privately funded charities that helps more than 48 … |
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Rick Sloan and Michael Yearwood Elected to CRPD Board |
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On Dec. 18, Rick Sloan and Michael Yearwood officially took their oaths of office to serve on the Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) Board of Directors. |
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Folsom Shines Bright: See the Winners of 2024 Citywide Light Contest |
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Members of the Folsom City Council turned in their judging results and announced the winners of the 2024 City of Folsom Holiday Lights contest sponsored by Folsom Times late last week. |
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River Cats Recognized as Top Triple-a Organization |
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The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have been named the top Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball as winner of the prestigious 2024 Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America. |
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World-Class Pickleball Event Returns to Sacramento Region |
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The 2025 Association of Pickleball Players' (APP) Sacramento Open is set to take place Feb. 26 through March 2, at Johnson Ranch Pickleball Complex in Roseville |
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Recent Local News |
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• Sacramento Bee Looks Back on 2024
The Sacramento Bee looks back on its most impactful stories from 2024.
(12/30/2024) → The Sacramento Bee• Looking Back at the City of Elk Grove
The Elk Grove News looks back at 2024 in the City of Elk Grove.
(12/30/2024) → Elk Grove News Net• A Review of 2024 Sacramento Traffic Deaths
The Sacramento Bee tracked 2024 traffic deaths for the year. Read on to learn about their findings.
(12/26/2024) → The Sacramento Bee• City of Citrus Heights Announces Best Lights Winners
Learn more about the different categories, the 27 nominees, and the winners of the annual Best Lights in Citrus Heights contest.
(12/24/2024) → Citrus Heights Sentinel|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• Protect Your Cats from Bird Flu
Following news of the death of pet cats from eating bird flu infected raw food or raw milk, CapRadio has information about how to protect your feline friends.
(12/26/2024) → CapPublicRadio• Legal Battles and Funding Woes: California Housing 2024 Year in Review
California officials continued to fight with cities that don’t want to build more housing and everyone struggled to find more money to pay for new housing.
(12/26/2024) → CalMatters• California’s Economy of Ups, Downs and Uncertainty: 2024 Year in Review
Despite a budget deficit and continued high costs, there was good news and bad news for the California economy in 2024. The next year will depend in part on what the Trump administration does.
(12/26/2024) → CalMatters• California Stiffened Penalties for Theft — And More Changes Are Coming
Californians accused of certain drug and retail theft crimes may already be facing stiffer penalties under an initiative voters passed this year, alongside related bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law.
(12/26/2024) → CalMatters• New Law Doubles Eviction Response Time, Giving California Tenants Leeway to Fight Back
Tenant advocates suffered a big defeat this fall when California voters decided against expanding cities’ ability to limit rent increases. But a state law set to take effect Jan. 1 will give renters facing eviction a little more breathing room.
(12/26/2024) → Local News Matters• Community Volunteer Program Helping Reach Zero Recidivism Among Parolees in California
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS ARE proving that they play a vital role when it comes to public safety in California. The California Reentry Institute, directed by Collette Carroll to help potential parolees, has graduated more than 230 incarcerated individuals in San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
(12/26/2024) → Local News Matters• Number of Registered Lobbyists Jumps to a Record High in California
The increase in lobbyists means there’s now at least one lobbyist for every legislative staff member.
(12/26/2024) → CalMatters• 2024 Year in Review: How Did California Pay for Everything?
The California state budget has been a rollercoaster over the past few years. Big deficits generally mean cutting plans and programs.
(12/25/2024) → CalMatters• Get Up to Speed Fast on These New California Laws Taking Effect in 2025
Here are some of the most noteworthy 2025 laws that go into effect on Jan. 1.
(12/25/2024) → CalMatters• Most Medical Debt Can No Longer Hurt Your Credit Score Under New California Law
A new state law will keep medical debt off your credit report, sparing a hit to your all-important credit score. This is a big deal for California where millions struggle with unpaid medical bills. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
(12/25/2024) → CalMatters|
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Government Announcements |
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City of Sacramento (12/27/2024) Here is how to dispose of your holiday tree for free |
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Wondering what to do with your decorative tree after the holidays are over? The City has multiple options for recycling trees. The easiest method for City residents who receive curbside collection services from the Recycling and Solid Waste Division is to put their tree out as part of their leaf season collection. Those who receive [...]
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City of Citrus Heights (12/27/2024) Citrus Heights Police Department to Partner with Community on Illegal Firework Use |
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United States (12/27/2024) Braga Fresh Issues Voluntary and Precautionary Advisory Due to Possible Health Risk |
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Soledad, Calif. - Dec. 27, 2024 - Braga Fresh is voluntarily issuing a precautionary advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets with best if used by date.
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United States (12/27/2024) Gardners Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in Cappuccino Meltaway® Bars and Gardners Meltaway Treat Boxes Containing Cappuccino Meltaway Bars |
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Gardners Candies of Tyrone, PA is recalling its 1.25 ounce packages of Gardners Candies brand Cappuccino Meltaway Bars because they may contain undeclared tree nuts (cashews). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction
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City of Sacramento (12/26/2024) Data Report: How the City responded to homelessness Dec. 16-22 |
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The City of Sacramento has released its weekly progress report for the Citys Incident Management Team responding to homelessness. From Dec. 16-22, the City of Sacramento received 655 calls to 311 customer service related to unsheltered individuals. Through the work of the IMT, 1,021 calls were closed, meaning that either the issue was remedied, compliance was achieved, [...]
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City of Sacramento (12/26/2024) 5 tips to have a fun and safe night on New Year’s Eve |
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New Years Eve is a time to gather with friends and family to say goodbye to 2024 and count down to 2025. As Sacramentans attend parties and celebrations, the Citys Office of Nighttime Economy has a few tips to help everyone have fun and a safe night. New Years Eve is a big night for [...]
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City of Citrus Heights (12/24/2024) Fatal Traffic Collision - Van Maren Road Near Mercedes Avenue |
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On December 23, 2024, at approximately 9:46 PM, the Citrus Heights Police Department received several 911 calls regarding a collision between a motor vehicle and a bicyclist on Van Maren Road near Mercedes Avenue.
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United States (12/20/2024) Lidl Recalls Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables Due to Undeclared Milk Allergens |
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DECEMBER 20, 2024 - Lidl US is recalling all lots of their Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables 10.5 oz box UPC 4 056489 122876 due to undeclared milk allergen. The recall was issued due to undeclared milk in the products. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threate
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City of Sacramento (12/20/2024) City activates weather-respite centers Dec. 21-26 |
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With the National Weather Service forecasting consecutive days of rain, the City of Sacramento will activate weather-respite operations at its Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC) and the North 5th Street Navigation Center. The OEC (3615 Auburn Blvd.) will operate from 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 to 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26. Walk-ups will be accepted, with [...]
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United States (12/20/2024) Recall of Jose Madrid Salsa Chipotle Con Queso |
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Jose Madrid Salsa is announcing a voluntary recall of our Chipotle Con Queso Salsa. The salsa is being recalled because it contains Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which were not listed on the ingredient label. Individuals who are allergic or sensitive to Yellow 5 or Yellow 6 run the risk of minor to serious
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