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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Santa Clara 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
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Big Brothers Big Sisters |
Big Brother Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported mentorship. The organization believes that all children can achieve success when given the proper tools and resources—and volunteer mentors are among the most important of those resources.
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From Our Media Allies |
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2024 in Review: Little Saigon Had a Roller-Coaster Year |
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A courtroom battle over an alleged ‘Godfather.’ A City Hall protest against one San Jose mayoral staffer. A fight for control of a Vietnamese cultural garden. The takedown of a renowned charity organization. |
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2024 in Review: San Jose City Council’s Top Decisions |
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The San Jose City Council had a busy 2024, topped off with a general election that brings new faces to the dias come next year. It could shift votes toward more pro-business policies, but many of this year's decisions already … |
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San Jose Police ‘Ghost’ Team Shuts Down a Teen’s Illegal Gun Factory |
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San Jose police said Lucien Cabrera, 19, built illegal guns in his San Jose home and brazenly marketed them on social media. |
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The Peninsula May Be More Affordable Now Than at the Start of 2024 |
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Buying a home on the Midpeninsula is more affordable now than at the start of 2024, according to newly released data from the California Association of Realtors. In the second half of the year, |
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HomeFirst Brings Holiday Joy to Families |
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HomeFirst—a nonprofit organization that focuses on ending homelessness—hosted a festive gift distribution at Royal Oak Village in Morgan Hill. |
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San Jose Counts Homeless People Along Creek Ahead of Sweep |
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San Jose officials have homed in on a stretch of waterway to clean up debris and ban homeless encampments. |
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Harvest Fest Idea Gets Thumbs Up at Council Brainstorm Session |
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During their Dec. 17 regularly scheduled meeting, Council approved a $22,017.16 raise for Town Attorney Gabrielle Whelan. |
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Ousted Superintendent Gets $308,448 in Exchange for Waiving Right to Sue |
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Following the resignation of controversial former superintendent Bill Sanderson on Oct. 22, the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District has been taking steps to rebuild relationships. |
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Developer Proposes 104 Homes in North Gilroy |
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A Morgan Hill-based developer has submitted plans for a 104-unit housing project on an 18.3-acre parcel in unincorporated Gilroy. |
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San Jose Allows Housing Development in Business Districts |
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The dynamic in three San Jose neighborhoods is about to shift, with a greater focus on residential development. |
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Recent Local News |
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• Mountain View 2024 in Review
A look back at the top stories of 2024 in Mountain View,
(12/30/2024) → Mountain View Voice• A 2024 Review of the Saratoga City Council
The Mercury News looks back on the Saratoga City Council in 2024.
(12/29/2024) → The Mercury News• A 2024 Review of the Los Gatos Town Council
The Mercury News looks back on the Los Gatos Town Council in 2024.
(12/29/2024) → The Mercury NewsFollowing an a political career spanning more than four decades, including 12 years as a Santa Clara County Supervisor, a look back at Joe Simitian's time in office.
(12/29/2024) → The Mercury News• Minimum Wage Going Up in Mountain View
Read on to find out what's behind the 2025 increase in the minimum wage in Mountain View to $19.20 per hour.
(12/27/2024) → Mountain View Voice• Pardee Park Restroom Delayed
The Palo Alto residents who successfully petitioned the Palo Alto City Council to approve the construction of a restroom at Pardee Park will need to wait a little longer. Read on to learn why.
(12/27/2024) → Palo Alto Online• South Bay’s Mount Umunhum Offers Great Regional Views, Interesting Cold War History
A bit of Bay Area Cold War history and great Bay Area views await visitors to Mount Umunhum in the Santa Cruz Mountains above San Jose. At 3,486 feet, Mount Umunhum is among the highest peaks in the Bay Area.
(12/27/2024) → Local News Matters• New Year’s Eve VTA Bus &Light Rail Service Free
Rides on Valley Transportation Authority buses and light rail will be free on New Year's Eve, so leave the car at home. Read on to learn more.
(12/26/2024) → Mountain View Voice• ‘A Grim Reminder’: Nearly 200 Homeless People Died This Year in Santa Clara County
EYES WELLED WITH tears as people lit candles and spoke the names of Santa Clara County homeless residents who died this year at a memorial this past Friday — a reminder of the harsh reality of living on the streets and the urgency to get more people housed.
(12/26/2024) → Local News Matters|
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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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Town of Los Gatos (12/30/2024) Los Gatos Creek Trail Closures January 6 -10 & 13, 2025 |
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Heads up Los Gatos Creek Trail users!
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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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State of California (12/20/2024) Esmeralda Soria California Assembly 27: |
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Assemblywoman Soria Hosts 2nd Annual District Open House and Posada with Food, Music and Fun for All
gomezhe
Fri, 12/20/2024 - 15:04
Friday, December 20, 2024
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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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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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United States (12/20/2024) Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. Recalls Raw Pork Sausage Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection |
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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...
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United States (12/20/2024) Ralph's Packing Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Beef Bologna Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen |
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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...
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United States (12/19/2024) Orgain Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Possible Undeclared Peanut Residue in a Single Batch of 30G Protein Organic Plant Based Powder - Chocolate 2.01lb |
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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
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City of Milpitas (12/19/2024) Milpitas Matters - Happy Holidays! |
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As we approach the close of another remarkable year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for making Milpitas a vibrant and thriving community.
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