All California Local Articles


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Giving Locally Tuesday

A movement started just 12 years ago has gone global—and local. Meanwhile, one of the oldest and largest philanthropic enterprises in the world continues to serve.

Image caption: Lions Club International is made up of more than a million individuals and operates across the globe, including in Quezon City, Philippines.
Doing Good: Lions Clubs International

In the wake of the First World War, a group of business leaders built an international organization of more than 1,000 local service clubs in less than a decade. It has grown to be one of the biggest philanthropic organizations …

Image caption: The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which began life as a drinking club before becoming a major philanthropic organization, still toasts their fallen members at every meeting and social event.
Elks Helping Kids; and Giraffes on Webcam!

Week One of the charismatic-megafauna segment of our Doing Good series features the BPOE Elks. And: San Diego Zoo cams!

Image caption: The Elks honor their fallen comrades at every meeting and social event with a toast: 'To our absent brothers."
Doing Good: The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks

What happens when a 19th century drinking club becomes an enduring force for good? We explain.

Image caption: A statue of Rex the Lion greets visitors at the entrance to the San Diego Zoo.
One Good Thing: San Diego Zoo Live Cameras

Can't make it down to San Diego to visit one of the best zoos in the country? No problem; they bring the zoo to you.

Image caption: The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary
The Life Aquatic: Resilience and ... Aquarium Webcams!

Two plans to protect the ocean and its beaches—and the coolest marine-life webcams on the planet.

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Crowdsourcing Plans for Resilience

Seacliff State Beach was obliterated by storms in 2023. California State Parks is mobilizing the public to reimagine its future.

Image caption: The newest of the 17 U.S. marine sanctuaries is being stewarded by the people who know it best.
The Chumash National Marine Sanctuary

Thousands of square miles of ocean and coastal habitat are now preserved for future generations.

Image caption: The gentle waving back and forth of the kelp forest has entranced visitors since the aquarium opened.
One Good Thing: Monterey Bay Aquarium Webcams

Have a desire to watch a kelp forest, or some moon jellies, or some otters, or sharks, or birds? Not a problem thanks to these amazing live webcams.

Image caption: Thank you for your service.
Service to Country and Community

This Veterans Day, we pay tribute to those who have given parts of their lives to our armed services, and those who serve in our nation's army of government workers.

Image caption: Hundreds of soldiers came together in Paris in 1919 to build something bigger than the sum of its parts.
Doing Good: The American Legion

The organization responsible for the GI Bill and Veterans Day continues to help service members, veterans, and their families.

Image caption: The recipe for democracy is simple, with few ingredients, but requires time and our best energy.
The Formula for the Days Ahead

The way forward is simple but not easy. Can we count on you?

Image caption: Barricades being installed outside the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2024,
A Cure for Election Anxiety

As white-hot rhetoric and threats of political violence bring many voters to the edge of madness, we offer a hopeful reminder.

Image caption: The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse.
The Big Truth, and 'The Tunnel Vision'

Democratic institutions are at work statewide, dealing with local issues and big stuff including the California Delta.

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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 …

Image caption: A sign for the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose, California.
Doing Good: Rotary International

The first service club is over 100 years old and still doing good in the world.

Image caption: Rotarians fete foreign diplomats, Washington, D.C.,  February 24, 1937,  On the left and right are the presidents of two local Rotary clubs, along with the ambassadors of Russia, Italy and Germany.
Meet the Radical Rotarians

An international network of business leaders are working to build local alliances and solve global problems.

Image caption: The California Treasurer's Office
Billions in Bonds on Your Ballot

Californians are being asked to approve two bond measures totaling $20 billion in the election now underway. What does that mean, and how does it work? Find out here.

Image caption: Municipal bonds built the Redwood Shores water treatment plant in Redwood City, California.
How California Governments Borrow Money

Municipal bonds fund water systems, school buildings, parks, police stations and other public projects that require voter-approved money.

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Ballots Are in the Mail: It's Democracy Week

As voters receive their ballots for the 2024 presidential election and important statewide and local races, we look at efforts to build democracy, and efforts to weaken it.