Statewide Region Explainer Articles


Image caption: Julia Gitis (second from left) at a pop-up demo of a Community News Lab neighborhood bulletin board in San Francisco on May 8, 2025. (Image Contributed)
Julia Gitis on Civic Tech and Community Information

In part one of an extensive interview, California Local’s Chris Neklason talks to Community News Lab's Julia Gitis about the journey that led her to civic tech, journalism and community information hubs.

Image caption: Yeah. Scary. And it's within your power to make it survivable.
Fire-Adapted, Firewise, and Fire Safe, Explained

Here are three sets of strategies for protecting homes, neighborhoods and communities against wildfire.

Image caption: Kerry Wood, CEO of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, says the organization researches areas of need to help donors direct their contributions.
What Is a Community Foundation?

By channeling funds to a number of nonprofits working on various issues in a given region, community foundations help solve big problems throughout California.

Image caption: Does California’s signature environmental law protect the state’s scenic beauty, or cause more problems than it solves?
CEQA: The Surprising Story of CA’s Key Environmental Law

The California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, is the state’s signature environmental legislation, and is also often named as the villain in the state’s housing shortage. But the story may not be that simple.

Image caption: How does your local school measure up?
How California Measures School and Student Success

Measuring performance of the California public school system is a complicated business. We explain.

Image caption: Thirteen citizens are charged with keeping their eye on California government.
California’s Little Hoover Commission

A law from 1962 mandates the improvement of California government. We explain.

Image caption: Participation on Civil Grand Juries is open to all Californians of voting age.
How Civil Grand Juries Make Government Better

Civil Grand Juries are a powerful means by which ordinary citizens investigate local governments and provide recommendations for improvement.

Image caption: Everybody needs to eat. Agriculture remains the most important industry on the planet.
California’s Agriculture Commissioners and Sealers of Weights and Measures, Explained

Introducing the people who keep the food supply safe, make sure consumers get what they pay for, and protect the public from invasive pests.

Image caption: California’s farm workers help feed the whole country.
How California Feeds the Country

California stands as America’s agricultural powerhouse, growing half of its fruits and vegetables. Here’s how California farming has shaped the state, from the early missions to today’s “factories in the field.”

Image caption: Audrey Tang is bringing her revolutionary online civic engagement tool to California.
Engaged California Aims for ‘Rough Consensus’

The state’s new digital deliberation platform, modeled by a Taiwanese champion of democracy, is meant to fight polarization with conversation.

Image caption: Braver Angels members discuss election reform.
Bridging the Great Divide

In a time of unprecedented polarization, Braver Angels encourages citizens to do something completely revolutionary: listen to each other.

Image caption: Ryan Coonerty, co-host of the podcast "An Honorable Profession," and Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, whom he calls "my vice-mayor."
Little Santa Cruz Beats Big Sugar

SC Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson on centering health in policy making, and her path to politics.

Image caption: Yeah, it might feel like that but it (probably, mostly) isn't true.
Most Local Elected Officials Work Hard for Low Pay

Recent votes to give California's mayors and council members pay raises have led to criticism. Is it justified?

Image caption: The first all-electric school bus in the state of California pausing outside the California Capitol building in Sacramento, way back in March, 2014.
How California K-12 Public Education Works

The most populous state in the union has the largest public education system. We explain how it works.

Image caption: A Pyrocumulus cloud generated by the Dixie Fire in July, 2021.
What is Fire 'Containment?' That and Other Terms, Explained

What does it mean when firefighters call a fire "contained?" Here's a brief guide to commonly used fire prevention terminology.

Image caption: Founded as a business organization in 1915, the Kiwanis Club now serves millions of children worldwide.
Doing Good: Kiwanis International

Founded as a business organization in 1915, the Kiwanis Club now serves millions of children worldwide.

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 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:
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.

Explainer

Long form articles which explain how something works, or provide context or background information about a current issue or topic.