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By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 02, 2024

Family and friends are the best part of any year.
Family and friends are the best part of any year.
Image credit: AlessandroBiascioli   Shutterstock/standard

The Best and Worst of 2023

Happy 2024 from your friends at California Local. In this week’s edition of The Newsletter, you will find more of what you’re looking for, if what you’re looking for is reliable information about the place you call home.

This week’s News Digest, as always curated by our good friend and executive editor Sharan Street, is the most robust ever, and can be your guide to the most important stories you may have missed over the holiday.

Our Year in Review, also cat-herded by Sharan, will remind you that this was (another) nut job of a year—and that there’s some good stuff happening in California, too.

Speaking of good stuff: Chris Neklason, our good friend and fearless leader, compiled a list of the big changes that have happened here at California Local over the past 12 months. It kind of blew my mind, and I work here every day—so I’m not sure why I was surprised.

And yes! Even more good stuff. From our good friend and publisher, Mike Gelbman, some retrospection and inspiration.


What Happened in the Year 2023?

In October of this year, California’s own Kevin McCarthy lost his job as speaker of the House of Representatives following a long and ugly fight with extremist members of his own party. It was the first time in U.S. history that a house speaker was fired, was one of the biggest stories of 2023, and in some ways epitomized the year. As you will see, there were some tectonic shifts in the year just past that will reverberate into the future, and not all of them were bad.


Facing the New Year


California Local looks back at 2023, with an eye toward what stories will matter most in 2024.

A Note from CALocal's CEO

No brag—just fact: Some good stuff happened here at California Local over the past year. Teaser: We are publishing a book boldly and accurately titled How California Works. We won two big awards from the California News Publishers Association. Click below to learn more. (And please consider joining our family by taking 10 seconds to click the red button and sign up for a free membership ;-)


2023 at California Local in Review

We look back as we rush forward.
In which we count our accomplishments, and blessings, at the turning of the year.

A Letter from Our Publisher

Michael Gelbman had a big reason to give some thought to the meaning of his life and his work, and he had some longtime beliefs confirmed.


Reflections on My 2023


Michael Gelbman finds some perspective amid the divisiveness.


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Recent Statewide News

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California Community College Students Helping Peers
Two-thirds of community college students in California admit to struggling to meet basic needs. The California Community Colleges’ Student Ambassador Program has empowered more than 50 students to act as resource guides to help them.
(01/03/2024) EdSource
Group to Sue California AG Over Title of Ballot Initiative Seeking to Prohibit Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth
Leaders of a parental rights advocacy group announced they’re planning to sue California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the way his office has characterized a 2024 ballot initiative they authored.
(01/03/2024) CapPublicRadio
Sierra Snowpack at 25% of Usual Levels
The California Department of Water Resources has found that the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains is at just 25% of normal levels for this time of year. This could potentially impact water supply and wildfire protection.
(01/02/2024) Sacramento Bee
Hospitals Seeing More People with COVID-19 and Flu
Los Angeles County has entered the medium category of COVID-19 hospitalization defined by the CDC, with providers warning that illnesses like RSV like to travel in tandem with the virus. Officials are urging the public to mask when visiting hospitals or other indoor facilities.
(01/02/2024) Los Angeles Times
CA Minimum Wage Hits $16 an Hour
The dawn of 2024 meant that California’s minimum wage rose from $15.50 to $16 an hour. That puts the Golden State at the second-highest minimum wage for a U.S. state, trailing only Washington state at $16.28 an hour.
(01/02/2024) New York Times
Law Goes Into Effect Blocking Guns in Many California Public Places
A law passed by the California legislature in 2023 has gone into effect banning licensed gun holders from bringing their firearms to places like playgrounds, churches and casinos. The law faces an ongoing challenge in the federal court system.
(01/02/2024) Los Angeles Times
7 Ways to Hang On to More Money in 2024
Just as you might intend to change your diet or workout plan, resolve to make changes that will allow you to meet financial goals.
(12/27/2023) Daily Democrat
American Graffiti is Back: Cruising Now Legal Again in California, But So Are Speed Cameras
Under new state laws, five cities will test cameras to catch speeding drivers and cruising bans will be lifted statewide. The first is supposed to improve road safety, but critics of the second say it will endanger the public.
(12/27/2023) CalMatters
San Diego Zoo Displays World’s Rarest Insect
Visitors can see the critically endangered Lord How Island stick insect, on display for the first time in North America, in a special habitat at the zoo’s Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.
(12/27/2023) San Joaquin Valley Sun
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. Valley Meats, LLC, Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31, 2023 - Valley Meats, LLC, a Coal Valley, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 6,768 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli...
United States   (12/31/2023)
Image of United States seal. Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Select Batches of Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder Because of Possible Health Risk
Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN), a producer of nutrition products, announced today that it has voluntarily chosen to recall from the U.S. market select batches of Nutramigen Powder, a specialty infant formula for the dietary management of Cows Milk Allergy (CMA) in 12.6 and 19.8 oz cans, due to
United States   (12/30/2023)
Image of United States seal. Nam & Son of MD Recalls Soybean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Nam & Son of MD, Jessup, MD is recalling one-pound bags of soybean sprouts, with the sell-by date of December 14, 2023, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
United States   (12/28/2023)
Image of United States seal. World Variety Produce, Inc. Recalls Kimchi Hot Because of Possible Health Risk
World Variety Produce, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Melissa's Kimchi Hot 14 oz, because of mislabeling of allergen ingredient "Fish" was not listed in the ingredient panel within the allergen information panel. Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and l
United States   (12/26/2023)
Image of United States seal. Scanga Meat Company Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O103 Contamination
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2023 - Scanga Meat Company, a Salida, Colorado establishment, is recalling approximately 563 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103, the...
United States   (12/22/2023)
Image of United States seal. Tampa Bay Fisheries, Inc. Dover, Florida is Voluntarily Recalling 1 Lot of 365 Whole Foods Market Beer Battered Pollock Fillets and 2 Lots of 365 Beer Battered Cod Fillet Due to an Undeclared Soy Allergen
TAMPA BAY FISHERIES, INC. IS VOLUNTARILY RECALLING ONE LOT OF 365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET "BEER BATTERED POLLOCK FILLETS" (32OZ) BAGS WITH UPC 9948249803, LOT# 32508201, AND BEST BUY: 03/07/2025 LOCATED ON THE BACK OF BAG. 2 LOTS OF 365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET "BEER BATTERED COD FILLET" (12OZ) CARTONS WITH UP
United States   (12/21/2023)
Image of United States seal. Astor Chocolate Corporation Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Coconut in Burnt Caramel Bars
Astor Chocolate Corporation of Lakewood, New Jersey is recalling 1,092 Burnt Caramel Candy Bars, because it may contain undeclared coconut. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to coconut run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The Th
United States   (12/20/2023)
Image of United States seal. Houdini, Inc. Recalls Gift Baskets with Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars Because of Possible Health Risk
Wine Country Gift Baskets / Houdini Inc. of Fullerton, CA is taking precautionary measures of voluntarily recalling all gift baskets produced with Quaker Chewy Granola bars due to a recall by the Quaker Oats company because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which c
United States   (12/19/2023)
Image of United States seal. RDK Corp (DBA Racine Danish Kringles) Issues Allergy Alert on Potential for Undeclared Pecans in 14oz Raspberry Kringle
Racine Danish Kringles of Racine, Wisconsin is recalling 960 units of Raspberry Kringle 14oz with lot code 23299 sold in select ALDI retail stores because the item may contain undeclared pecans. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk of serious or life- threatening a
United States   (12/18/2023)