Sacramento County History Articles

The defense industry built modern California. Though military dollars have declined, the military-industrial complex still plays a major role in shaping the state. Here’s how.

Sacramento County Schools have overcome a history of racial segregation to build the modern system that exists today.

California women have played a significant role in shaping every major industry within the U.S. and the world. Here are a few of them.

The effort to bring high speed rail to California has been an epic tale of ambition and failure—a story of endless delays and bloated cost overruns. Where does it stand now, and will the state ever see its own bullet …

The history of transportation in California has shaped the state, from the railroads to today’s highways, making the need for planning increasingly urgent. Here’s how it all happened, and where we stand today.

Travel, food, true crime politics—there’s a show for everyone. Here are some top-rated podcasts that focus on some aspect of California culture.

How a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling created a national, legal sports gambling industry which now sees California as its own 'Holy Grail.'

In 2022, California voters may see as many as four ballot initiatives to make betting on sporting events legal. Here’s how they would change sports gambling, and who's behind each separate measure.

Thousands of miles of railroad track, including some in Santa Cruz County, now sit idle. The fate of those largely abandoned tracks has become a burning controversy.

Sheriffs in some California counties and across the USA are engaging a dangerous movement toward right-wing extremism. What does this mean for local law enforcement?

California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger, 45, reported to be high on Pres. Joe Biden’s list for a U.S. Supreme Court nomination, is known for her cautious, moderate legal opinions.

Sacramento County fire protection is spread among 11 districts, two city fire departments and the state fire agency, Cal Fire. Here’s how it works, and how it came to be that way.

New Year's celebrations have been around as long as civilization itself. Here's how they started and how California marks the New Year today.

California homicide spiked by 31 percent in 2020. The shocking increase has continued into 2021. Here are several theories that attempt to explain the state’s suddenly rising murder rate.

California keeps on taking legislative steps that will keep it ranked in the top 10 of voter-friendly states.

California has historically been ahead of the rest of the country in expanding the legal right to abortion services. Here’s what state laws say today, and how we got here.

The Sacramento Civil Grand Jury is charged with keeping a watchful eye over all aspects of local and county government. Here’s how it works, and how to become a grand juror.

The district attorney and public defender are the key players in Sacramento County’s criminal justice system. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Where is Sacramento’s Black Wall Street? Which park was named after LeVar Burton? Find out on SacObserver.com.

California’s history of people getting directly involved in the affairs of government dates back more than a century, but it has sometimes been coopted by business and other interests.