As their fundamental journalistic service, legacy local news organizations, most of which are struggling, help stop the spread of disinformation.
Happy Monday, and happy belated Cesar Chavez Day. Before moving on to this week’s featured news, I would like to take a moment to honor the man who tried to bring economic justice and dignity to California’s farmworkers and their families.
That work remains unfinished, and I invite you to remember that la lucha continua.
Journalism as a Force Against BS
We editors are generally happy when a news story breaks that aligns with a project we're already working on. Such a story broke this week, but it did not make me happy.
California Local contributor Graham Womack spoke this week to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, author of a bill that would help fund the state's local news media, which is in serious trouble. The day before that story came in, we read a piece in the LA Times headlined ‘The California newspaper that has no reporters left.’
The story of the Salinas Californian, which lost its last reporter in December, was made more poignant by the floods that the region experienced in January, which went unreported. Sadly, cities throughout California and the rest of the nation find themselves in similar circumstances as their main news sources essentially disappear.
You probably already know that the internet effectively killed the newspaper industry, as most local news outlets were slow to figure out how to publish effectively online. You may also know that advertisers who once supported their local paper sent most of their money online.
You might not know that two companies—Google and Meta (Facebook)—suck up fully half of the total dollars spent on online advertising. Much of that revenue is built on content generated by legacy media outlets.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Asm. Buffy Wicks’ bill, the Journalism Preservation Act, would make the big platforms pay for the content that they suck from online news outlets—along with vast sums of advertising revenue.
The Ghost of a California Newspaper
James Rainey reports that the Salinas Californian, the daily newspaper serving the capital of Monterey County, has completely emptied its newsroom.
• The Rise, Fall and Possible Redemption of the Cal-Neva Lodge
The Cal-Neva Lodge & Casino irreversibly changed the history of north shore Lake Tahoe when it opened in 1926.
(04/02/2023) → Sierra Sun
• Placer County Seeks Grand Jury Volunteeers
Placer County Superior Court is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2023-24 Grand Jury. The court encourages applications from all citizens to enable the Grand Jury to represent a broad cross-section of the community.
(04/02/2023) → Sierra Sun
• North Tahoe, Truckee Fire Agencies Get Training
North Lake Tahoe, North Tahoe Fire, Northstar Fire and Truckee Fire all received instruction from the the experts at Sustainable Workplace Alliance and learned about how to handle fuel tanker rollovers.
(04/01/2023) → Tahoe Daily Tribune
• Tahoe Groups Mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is celebrated nationally as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and organizations in the basin are preparing to recognize the month with events that center around raising awareness and supporting survivors.
(04/01/2023) → Sierra Sun
• GDPUD Gets Update on Fire Recovery, CIP
Facing the challenges of fire, rain and snow, the Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District staff continues to move forward with the district’s capital improvement plan.
(03/31/2023) → Mountain Democrat
• City Council Reviews Reports for Police, Development
The South Lake Tahoe council passed an ordinance combining special events and temporary uses and voted to enter a lease for new snow removal equipment..
(03/31/2023) → Tahoe Daily Tribune
• Project 8 Winery Recommendation Approved
The Horseshoe Bar/Penryn Municipal Advisory Council on Tuesday voted to recommend approval of the Project 8 Winery in Penryn to the Placer County Planning Commission. The proposed project is slated for a 17.96-acre portion of a 44.14-acre site at 7615 Callison Road.
(03/31/2023) → Gold Country Media
• Aerial Fire Retardant Drops Attacked as Ineffective, Harmful
For most Californians, the sight of aircraft spewing neon pink liquid over flaming trees and brush has become a hallmark of aggressive wildfire suppression campaigns. But some forest advocates say the substance does more harm than good. A federal lawsuit could reshape how the U.S. Forest Service battles wildfires throughout the western United States.
(03/29/2023) → Los Angeles Times
• Placer Looks to Increase Alcohol Licenses
The Board of Supervisors recently voted to increase the number of restaurant liquor licenses throughout the county.
(03/28/2023) → Read the full Auburn Journal report
• Loomis Welcomes New Planning Commissioners
Four Loomis residents were sworn in as new planning commissioners at the most recent monthly Planning Commission meeting.
(03/28/2023) → Loomis News
• Expanded Health Services Now Offered at EDCHC
After nearly a year of construction and half a decade of planning, El Dorado Community Health Centers has settled into its new, all-inclusive, $20 million facility on Missouri Flat Road.
(03/27/2023) → Mountain Democrat
• Lotus Property Slips Away From Marco’s Cafe Owners
With summer and rafting season on the horizon, area residents are discouraged by the news that the community will lose a family-friendly hot spot for tourists and locals.
(03/27/2023) → Mountain Democrat
• State Parks Looking for a Few Good Cadets
California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers or lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system. Through June 10, individuals can apply for the State Park Peace Officer Cadet exams.
(03/27/2023) → Village Life
• Douglas County VHR Ordinance Up for Review
Both the redlines prepared by the Vacation Home Rental Advisory Committee and changes from the March 20 planning commission meeting will be discussed April 10 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Stateline, Nev.
(03/27/2023) → Tahoe Daily Tribune
As their fundamental journalistic service, legacy local news organizations, most of which are struggling, help stop the spread of disinformation.
