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By Eric Johnson
Published Jul 28, 2024

Will Kamala Harris become the first Californian since Richard Nixon to lead the nation? Will Kamala Harris become the first Californian since Richard Nixon to lead the nation?

Statecraft takes time: Kamala Harris & Gavin Newsom

For people who care about democracy, this has been a good week. Many of us are feeling, maybe for the first time in a while, optimistic—or at least hopeful—about our political future. This warm feeling is made possible because a bunch of civic leaders, journalists and others, working individually and together, executed a master class in statecraft.

“Statecraft,” in its broadest and driest definition, is the art of governance. In a democracy, the term can be used to describe the way our elected leaders and others involved in politics wield power. Note that the skillful execution of political power is an art and not a science—it has been likened to “listening for the footsteps of God and catching his coattails as he strides by.” 

In his five decades as a public servant, Joe Biden wielded power effectively and gracefully, but, in his Covid fever last week, he may have heard those footsteps heading away. He definitely also heard from leaders of his party, and finally heard a message that he had not allowed himself to hear for at least a couple of years. 

As we’ve seen, the wave of gratitude that followed the president’s courageous decision to step aside and anoint his successor immediately morphed into a storm of enthusiasm, proving the collective wisdom of the longtime friends and allies who gently but firmly pulled the levers that dislodged him. 

And here we are, with Kamala Harris making a strong bid to be the first Californian since Richard Nixon to serve as president of the United States. So the word of the week: Statecraft!


Years of Legislation Preceded Homeless Camp Crackdown

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week ordered state agencies to clear homeless encampents on state property, "while respecting the dignity and safety of Californians experiencing homelessness," and advised cities and counties to do the same. This followed a number of successful efforts by the governor and legislature to begin to fix the massive housing shortages that are the number-one cause of homelessness, and also to address dignity and safety concerns. There's a word for this. 


California Weighs In on Homeless Camps

A homeless camp in Santa Cruz, California in 2022, since disbanded.
Following the June 28 SCOTUS ruling on homeless encampment removal, Newsom brings the hammer down—but only after years of the state’s efforts to cushion the blow. Will it be enough?

‘Letters From an American:’ A Newsletter for Those Who Choose to Remember the Past

Heather Cox Richardson interviewing President Biden in 2022.
Heather Cox Richardson provides historical context for everyday civic events.


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San Joaquin County's Homepage

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


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 Summer! cookbook.


This old-fashioned dessert is berry, berry good

This easy dessert makes the most of summer berries.
New! Spoon cake combines blackberries, blueberries


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Chest of Hope logo Chest of Hope

Created in 2005 by friends and volunteers, Chest of Hope raises funds to support women and orphans who are suffering from domestic violence.

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Recent Local News

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• Manteca Unified School District Announces New Principals

Manteca Unified School District announced the hiring of new principals for French Camp, Mossdale, and New Haven elementary schools.

(07/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• New Teen Center Offers Sneak Preview

The new Thomas Toy Community Center at 602 East Yosemite Avenue in Manteca opened for a "sneak preview" game night on July 25 and received positive reviews from local teens.

(07/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• High Cost for New Manteca Pool Complex

A new swimming center for Manteca could cost as much as $30 million.

(07/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• Solar and Battery Storage Coming to Manteca Schools

New state green energy rules for public education facilities mean that Measure A funded upgrades to Brock Elliott and Joshua Cowell schools will include solar panels and onsite battery storage.

(07/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• Mixer Held for new Teachers in Tracy

A July 23 mixer sponsored by the Tracy Unified School Districts and the Tracy Chamber of Commerce welcomed dozens of new teachers to the community.

(07/26/2024) → Tracy Press

• New Art Freiler School Principal Named

Maureen Riley has been hired as the new Principal of Art Freiler School by the Tracy Unified School District.

(07/26/2024) → Tracy Press

• Manteca Homeless Enforcement Hardens

Following the recent US Supreme Court homelessness ruling, police in Manteca are stepping up efforts to clear homeless encampments.

(07/25/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• Stockton to Begin Clearing Homeless Camps

In a July 25 press release, Mayor Kevin Lincoln of Stockton announced the city will begin clearing homeless camps on public property.

(07/25/2024) → Stocktonia

• Sacramento Police Annual Military Equipment Report Under Review

The annual Sacramento Police Department military equipment policy and usage report is before the city council for review, citing 324 incidents involving use of military equipment between May 2023 and April 2024.

(07/24/2024) → CapPublicRadio

• Manteca Sees Large Increase in Fire Service Calls

A 43% rise in calls over five years is putting pressure on the Manteca Fire Department.

(07/24/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• Manteca Looks to Build 6th Fire Station

Officials in Manteca are seeking to take an acre of the 17-acre Tara elementary school for use as a sixth fire station.

(07/24/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• Manteca Museum Seeks Volunteers

Volunteers are needed to help staff the Manteca Historical Museum.

(07/24/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• Manteca's Sequoia School Upgrades Complete

Work funded by $8.4 million from Measure G and Measure A bond measures has upgraded the classrooms, playground and playing field turf.

(07/24/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

• Stockton Unified Superintendent Contract Extended

In their July 23 meeting, the Stockton Unified School District voted to extend Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez's contract another four years.

(07/24/2024) → Stocktonia

• Sacramento County Grand Jury Explainer

An explainer about the Sacramento County Civil Grand Jury.

(07/22/2024) → CapPublicRadio
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Recent Statewide News

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• Watch Duty Park Fire Incident Page

The official Watch Duty incident page for the massive Park Fire burning in Butte and Tehama Counties.

(07/27/2024) → Watch Duty

• CA Indoor Heat Rule Put on Fast Track

After years of delay, a new California regulation to protect indoor workers from extreme heat is now in effect.

(07/25/2024) → CalMatters

• Newsom Set an Ambitious Goal to Launch 500,000 Californians Into New Careers. Many Are Firefighters

In his 2018 campaign, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would create 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. So far, the state has registered more than 180,000 new apprenticeships. Many of them are firefighters.

(07/25/2024) → CalMatters

• California Has Seen Many Towns Created, but as Population Drops a Big Project Has Stalled

When California emerged from its colonial beginnings nearly two centuries ago and began coalescing into a distinct society, its towns and villages tended to be located either on navigable rivers, such as Sacramento, or around the 21 missions that Spanish explorer priests had established, such as San Diego.

(07/25/2024) → CalMatters

• CHP Justifies Its Officers’ Use of Force at Gaza Protests, Without Providing Evidence

“This doesn’t build public trust. Where is the evidence?” said Jeff Wenninger, a former Los Angeles Police lieutenant who oversaw use of force investigations.

(07/25/2024) → CalMatters

• California Forever abandons ballot measure in face of growing opposition, looks to 2026

California Forever’s announcement July 22 that it has decided to pull a ballot measure that would have let voters decide on a controversial planned city in rural Solano County drew swift reaction from political leaders and opponents.

(07/24/2024) → Local News Matters

• When California Housing Regulators Beef With Voters, Who Wins?

What happens when voters take to the ballot to thumb their nose at state housing law? Courts haven’t offered a clear answer.

(07/24/2024) → CalMatters

• West Nile Cases in Yuba and Stanislaus Counties

The first two human cases of West Nile virus this season were reported in Yuba and Stanislaus Counties.

(07/24/2024) → The Sacramento Bee

• As Newsom Finishes His Governorship, Would-Be Successors Are Multiplying

There never was much of a chance that California Gov. Gavin Newsom would be running for president this year, even if President Joe Biden were to step aside.

(07/23/2024) → CalMatters

• California Forever Pulls Initiative

Following a report released the previous week by Solano County citing billions of dollars in costs and a host of other issues, California Forever pulled their initiative from the November ballot.

(07/23/2024) → The Mercury News
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (07/26/2024)

Supreme Service Solutions LLC Voluntarily Recalls Supreme Vegetable Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Summary of Recall: Supreme Service Solutions LLC. (dba Supreme Produce) is assisting in a Kroger Store recall for items purchased from Weirs Farm Inc. (purchased from Kroger Stores) due to possible contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes.
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/26/2024)

ALB-USA Enterprises Recalls ALB Flavor Ground Cinnamon Because of Possible Health Risk

ALB-USA Enterprises, Inc. of Bronx, NY is recalling ALB Flavor brand Cinnamon Powder, because it potentially contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short-term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparen
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/26/2024)

Boar's Head Provisions Co. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Liverwurst And Other Deli Meat Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2024 - Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is recalling all liverwurst product produced by the establishment that is currently available in commerce because...
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/25/2024)

JFE Franchising, Inc. Recalls A Limited Number of Products Because Of Possible Health Risk

JFE Franchising, Inc. of Houston, TX, is recalling a limited number of products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/23/2024)

Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese Recalls St. Jerome Cheese Lot: 231129 Because of Possible Health Risk

Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese of Austin, Ky is recalling St. Jerome cheese, batch 231129, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened im
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/22/2024)

Wiers Farm, Inc Expands Voluntary Recall on Whole and Salad Cucumbers Due to Possible Contamination with Listeria

Willard, OH (July 22, 2024) - Out of an abundance of caution, Wiers Farm Inc. of Willard, OH, is expanding its July 12, 2024, recall to include additional produce because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Wiers Farm Inc., in cooperation
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/22/2024)

In Association with Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc., ALDI Recalls Jalapenos, Green Peppers and Green Beans Due to a Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Batavia, Ill. (July 22, 2024) - In cooperation with Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc. and out of an abundance of caution, ALDI Inc., ("ALDI") recalls Freshire Farms jalapenos, green peppers and green beans. The affected product from Wiers Farm, Inc. and R.S. Hanline Co Inc is recalled due to
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/19/2024)

Stutz Packing Co. Recalls Walnut Product Because of Possible Health Risk

Stutz Packing Company of Indio, CA is voluntarily recalling it's 1-pound packages of Shelled Walnuts, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others
Image of City of Lodi seal. City of Lodi   (07/15/2024)

Lodi City Council’s Statement Regarding Past Weekend’s Events

Image of City of Lodi seal. City of Lodi   (07/15/2024)

The Lodi Business Registration Portal is Back

The City of Lodi business license registration portal is now open...