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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.

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


Impact Report Image for decorative use


  California Local Pin Marker  

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
  California Local Pin Marker  

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 United States seal. United States   (07/15/2024)

AW Farms Recalls Ready-To-Eat Hot Dog Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2024 - AW Farms, an Argillite, Ky., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,900 pounds of hot dog products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the...
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/13/2024)

Taylor's Sausage, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Landjaeger Sausage Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2024 - Taylor's Sausage, Inc., a Cave Junction, Ore., establishment, is recalling approximately 74 pounds of ready-to-eat Landjaeger sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the...