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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.
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

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.


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?

An assembly hall at Agnews Developmental Center in Santa Clara. Agnews was one of five hospitals that served California residents with developmental disabilities and mental illness, all of which were emptied in the misguided move toward “community care."
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

You know it's bad when they need to lock up the baby formula.
Californians are fed up with flash-mob shoplifting, smash-and-grab theft, and an alarming uptick in Fentanyl deaths.


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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!


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

Tens of thousands of truck loads of earth will be moved to raise the B.F. Sisk Dam by ten feet.
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

This tea bread uses about four very ripe persimmons, of either variety.
New! Persimmon date-walnut tea bread uses super-ripe fruit


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Local News Matters Stockton logo Meet the $3M Robotic Surgeon That Just Made Its Debut at San Joaquin General Hospital

FOR SURGEONS, USING San Joaquin General Hospital’s newest robot is like “playing a virtual reality game in which everything is in 3D,” the hospital says. “Your hands are the instruments.”

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Recent Local News

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Bird Flu Infects Over 600,000 Chickens in San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County is home to one of the largest flocks of chickens infected with H5N1 bird flu according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Read on to learn more.

(12/31/2024) → Stocktonia

Transportation Changes Coming to Manteca

Learn more about the new red light cameras and roundabouts coming to Manteca in 2025.

(12/30/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

Stockton Ballpark Upgrades Approved

The Stockton City Council approved $6.1 million for upgrades to the Stockton ballpark for upgrades to bring it up to Major League Baseball standards. Read on to learn more about the work to be done.

(12/27/2024) → Stocktonia

High School Poetry Competition Opens

Learn more about the San Joaquin and Amador County Arts Councils poetry contest for high school students and how to apply.

(12/27/2024) → Tracy Press

Manteca Rezones for Possible Kaiser Expansion

In anticipation of the expansion of the Kaiser Permanente West Yosemite Avenue campus, the Manteca City Council approved zoning changes to make it easier. Read on to learn what that entailed.

(12/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

Apply for Lathrop City Council Vacancy

The deadline for applications to fill the vacancy on the Lathrop City Council for a two-year provisional term is January 2, 2025. Read on to learn more.

(12/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

Update on Terraces at Bethany in Ripon

Learn more about the progress of construction of the three-story housing development Terraces at Bethany in Ripon on West Main Street.

(12/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin

What's Next for 682 South Main in Manteca

There are big plans for the 8-acre parcel on South Main in Manteca, including a homeless navigation facility, library and community center and multi-story affordable housing. Read on for details.

(12/26/2024) → Manteca Bulletin
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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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Damon Connolly CA Assembly 12:
Assemblymember Connolly Appointed as Chair of Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Assemblymember Connolly Appointed as Chair of Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials myreme Fri, 12/27/2024 - 17:04 Assemblymember Connolly will serve as Chair of the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee for the 2025-26 legislative session. Title Press Contact Email megan.myre@asm.ca.gov Phone 916-319-2012 Friday, December 27, 2024 SACRAMENTO, CA Today, Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) was appointed as …
State of California   (12/27/2024)
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Braga Fresh Issues Voluntary and Precautionary Advisory Due to Possible Health Risk

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.
United States   (12/27/2024)
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Gardners Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in Cappuccino Meltaway® Bars and Gardners Meltaway Treat Boxes Containing Cappuccino Meltaway Bars

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
United States   (12/27/2024)
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Lidl Recalls Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables Due to Undeclared Milk Allergens

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
United States   (12/20/2024)
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Recall of Jose Madrid Salsa Chipotle Con Queso

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
United States   (12/20/2024)
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Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. Recalls Raw Pork Sausage Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 - Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products that were produced without the benefit...
United States   (12/20/2024)
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Ralph's Packing Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Beef Bologna Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 - Ralph's Packing Company, a Perkins, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products due to misbranding and an undeclared...
United States   (12/20/2024)
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Orgain Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Possible Undeclared Peanut Residue in a Single Batch of 30G Protein Organic Plant Based Powder - Chocolate 2.01lb

Orgain of Irvine, California is voluntarily recalling a single batch of its 30g Protein Organic Plant Based Powder - Chocolate 2.01lb because it may contain undeclared peanut residue. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic
United States   (12/19/2024)
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Nail Factory Recalls Ineligible Frozen Siluriformes Fish Products Imported From Vietnam

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2024 - NAIL Factory, the importer of record, located in Huntington Beach, Calif., is recalling approximately 1,635 pounds of ineligible frozen Siluriformes fish products that were produced...
United States   (12/19/2024)
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Frito-Lay Issues Limited Recall on Undeclared Milk in Lay's Classic Potato Chips Distributed in Oregon and Washington

December 16, 2024 - Frito-Lay today issued a recall of a limited number of 13 oz. bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips that may contain undeclared milk, after being alerted through a consumer contact. Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening al
United States   (12/16/2024)