By Eric Johnson
Published Apr 03, 2023

As their fundamental journalistic service, legacy local news organizations, most of which are struggling, help stop the spread of disinformation.

Democracy & Journalism

Happy Monday, and happy belated Cesar Chavez Day. Before moving on to this week’s featured news, I would like to take a moment to honor the man who tried to bring economic justice and dignity to California’s farmworkers and their families.

That work remains unfinished, and I invite you to remember that la lucha continua.

Journalism as a Force Against BS

We editors are generally happy when a news story breaks that aligns with a project we're already working on. Such a story broke this week, but it did not make me happy.

California Local contributor Graham Womack spoke this week to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, author of a bill that would help fund the state's local news media, which is in serious trouble. The day before that story came in, we read a piece in the LA Times headlined ‘The California newspaper that has no reporters left.’

The story of the Salinas Californian, which lost its last reporter in December, was made more poignant by the floods that the region experienced in January, which went unreported. Sadly, cities throughout California and the rest of the nation find themselves in similar circumstances as their main news sources essentially disappear.

You probably already know that the internet effectively killed the newspaper industry, as most local news outlets were slow to figure out how to publish effectively online. You may also know that advertisers who once supported their local paper sent most of their money online.

You might not know that two companies—Google and Meta (Facebook)—suck up fully half of the total dollars spent on online advertising. Much of that revenue is built on content generated by legacy media outlets.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Asm. Buffy Wicks’ bill, the Journalism Preservation Act, would make the big platforms pay for the content that they suck from online news outlets—along with vast sums of advertising revenue.

Making Online Media Giants Pay for the Industry They Crushed

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks' bill would make Google, Facebook, et al, pay when their ads appear alongside content generated by legitimate news media.

Asm. Buffy Wicks' AB 886, the Journalism Preservation Act, would require Google, Facebook, et al, to share advertising revenue with news media organizations.

The Ghost of a California Newspaper

Historic downtown Salinas, California, capital of Monterey County, and the hub of "America's Salad Bowl."

James Rainey reports that the Salinas Californian, the daily newspaper serving the capital of Monterey County, has completely emptied its newsroom.

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

Here's Why We Need Local Journalism

In Placer County, three local school boards banned a nonprofit from all of their campuses because they were tricked by a malicious spreader of disinformation.

Editor Brings Truth to Placer County

Pastor Casey Tinnin has come under attack following a hit-piece by a notorious spreader of disinformation.

Last week Carol Feineman, managing editor of four Gold Country Media papers, provided her readers with an important piece of information that should reverse a hasty and ill-informed decision.

Get to Know a Group

San Benito County Historical Society

Since 1957, the Historical Society has devoted itself to collecting and preserving materials pertaining to the San Benito County of yesteryear.

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From Our Media Allies

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	Massive Snowpack Helps Drought, But Flood Concerns Grow
	The latest statewide snowpack measurement is another indication that the tremendously wet winter might have been too much of a good thing.

	County Releases Pre-Approved ADU Plans
	San Benito County and architecture firm CallisonRTKL have produced pre-approved plans for accessory dwelling units that residents and builders can download for free from the county’s website.

	Local Officer Graduates from FBI National Academy
	San Benito County Sheriff’s Commander Tomas Corral graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, where he absorbed knowledge that he expects will be beneficial to his local colleagues.

	Locals Set to Open Pop’s Public House on April 14
	The Gilroy eatery will replace The Claddagh Irish Restaurant & Pub in the Hecker Pass Plaza. The concept is primarily American grill with Irish-Mexican fusion specialties.

Recent Local News

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• Jovenes de Antaño Reopens Dining Room Service

At Jovenes de Antaño Senior Services in Hollister, the loss of founder Paulina Valdivia can still be felt.

(04/04/2023) → Benito Link

• California Fish & Wildlife Reverses Policy on Clearing Waterways

Steve Loup, the county’s public works administrator, informed the San Benito County Board of Supervisors that individuals could go into Pacheco Creek, on an emergency basis, to clean out debris, some of which has amassed for decades.

(03/31/2023) → Benito Link

• Hollister Council Temporarily Stops Traffic Calming Projects

The previous Hollister City Council approved over $1 million for traffic calming on two of 50 roads studied. Mayor Mia Casey, who was not on the council that approved the projects, was determined to stop spending money spending money and angering residents.

(03/30/2023) → Benito Link

• Aerial Fire Retardant Drops Attacked as Ineffective, Harmful

For most Californians, the sight of aircraft spewing neon pink liquid over flaming trees and brush has become a hallmark of aggressive wildfire suppression campaigns. But some forest advocates say the substance does more harm than good. A federal lawsuit could reshape how the U.S. Forest Service battles wildfires throughout the western United States.

(03/29/2023) → Los Angeles Times

• New Bill Would Limit Sprawl in Disaster-Prone Areas

Sprawl has allowed Californians to live closer to nature and buy homes where it is cheaper to build. But it has also left millions vulnerable to wildfires and flooding.

(03/27/2023) → Monterey Herald

• Caltrans Seeking Input on Hollister Project

Caltrans is engaging with the public on the sculptural concept to be installed at Hwy 25 and Meridian Street. Titled “Woven,” the geometric sculpture interlaces painted aluminum panels.