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All articles shown on the County Overview. (More in Topics)

Image caption: Too much noise is a form of pollution. So what are governments doing about it?
How Governments Try to Quiet Down Noise Pollution, Explained

Noise is a form of pollution that threatens public health like any other type of environmental pollution. Here's what federal, state and local governments are doing to quiet things down.

Image caption: Larry Elder, the frontrunner among candidates hoping to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Is California’s Recall Voting Process Undemocratic?

The next governor of California could win election with far fewer votes that the incumbent governor in the state's recall vote Sept. 14. How did the recall process become so undemocratic?

Image caption: LAFCOs were created in part to rein in suburban sprawl.
LAFCOs Are No Joke: The Boards That Set Government Boundaries

What’s a LAFCO? That’s the odd-sounding acronym for the independent boards that get a grip on suburban sprawl and government inefficiency.

Image caption: The Caldor Fire in El Dorado County, seen via satellite photo.
Climate Change Fuels ‘Explosive’ Caldor Fire

A combination of factors all related to climate change are fueling the ‘unprecedented’ growth of the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County.

Image caption: An image of the California Bear Flag.
Welcome to California Local

Thank you for finding California Local. This is what we’re doing, and why we’re doing it.

Image caption: The Dixie Fire, as seen from a NASA Satellite on August 4.
Judge Orders PG&E to Hand Over Info on Dixie Fire

PG&E has a long history of starting wildfires, including the Dixie Fire, with equipment failures. Now, a federal judge wants the company to hand over information on the fires it has started this year.

Image caption: California Local Publisher Michael Gelbman talks about his vision for the site’s future.
Tell Us a Story

California Local gives a voice to community volunteers—and the business leaders who make their work possible.

Image caption:
I’ve Got a Hunch

And I know you have one as well. Let’s compare notes.

Image caption: The federal government has suspended its 'let it burn' wildfire policy.
New River Fire Burns 2,400 Acres in Placer, Nevada Counties

As a new wildfire burned through Nevada and Placer counties, federal officials said they would now be more aggressive fighting fires.

Image caption: Gov. Newsom has signed a new bill to fund rural broadband access.
Rural Counties Welcome $6 Billion in State Broadband Money

After criticizing an earlier state proposal for bringing broadband to rural counties, the Rural County Representatives of California now applauds a new bill with $6 billion in funding.

Image caption: Joint Powers Authorities are important government agencies with little public accountability.
JPAs Explained: Little-Known Govt Bodies With A Big Role

Under California law, local governments may work together in a "Joint Powers Authority." But these little-known agencies can wield broad powers—even to levy taxes—with little public accountability.

Image caption: With COVID cases on the rise, state and local governments are moving to require vaccinations for public employees.
Vaccine Mandates Are Coming to California

The state of California, as well as some local governments, will soon require all public employees to be vaccinated against COVID. Here’s why they’re taking that step.

Image caption: Last year, Gov. Newsom signed AB 1185. What changes has it made for sheriffs?
California's New Law To Create a Watchdog for Sheriffs, Explained

AB 1185, authorizing civilian sheriff's oversight bodies, was one of the few law enforcement reform bills to pass in the wake of the George Floyd protests. What does the law accomplish, and will it make a difference?

Image caption: PG&E now says it plans to place 10,000 miles of power lines underground.
After Dixie Fire, PG&E Announces Plan to Put 10,000 Miles of Wire Underground

After admitting a power line may have started the Dixie Megafire in Butte County, PG&E now says it will place 10,000 miles of power lines underground.

Image caption: It's well known that climate change is making wildfires worse — but how?
How Climate Change is Making Wildfires Worse Than Ever

Climate scientists say that global warming is making wildfire season much worse. Here's how climate change causes fires to be more destructive.

Image caption: California's largest county has reinstated mask requirements and others may soon follow.
Why Mask Requirements May Be Back, Explained

Mask requirements appear to be on the way back in California, including for fully vaccinated people. Here's why.

Image caption: PG&E reports that a power line may have caused the 60,000-acre Dixie Fire.
PG&E Power Line May Have Sparked Massive Dixie Fire

PG&E waited five days to report that one of its power lines may have sparked the Dixie Fire, which is burning across Plumas and Butte counties.

Image caption: Thousands of Californians continue to file for unemployment benefits.
CA Unemployment Claims Remain at High Levels

Even as the national economy quickly recovers, thousands of Californians continue to file for unemployment benefits, largely because small business is still struggling.

Image caption: The state legislature passed a basic income bill Thursday without a single ‘no’ vote.
CA Passes First-in-United States 'Basic Income' Bill

California will become the first state in the nation to provide monthly basic income payments to millions of residents, after the legislature passed a $35 million bill.

Image caption: A new bill would expand the state's paid family leave.
New Bill Makes Paid Family Leave Affordable for All Workers

A new bill now in the state Senate would make paid family leave accessible even to workers on the lowest end of the income spectrum.