Housing and HomelessnessSacramento’s River District may limit shelter beds offered to unhoused peopleJanuary 14, 2026 | Riley PalmerCouncilmember Phil Pluckebaum is proposing to cap the amount of shelter beds available in the River District as a way to put pressure on other areas of the city to do their part.
Sacramento RegionCapitol Mall fountain active for the first time in 15 yearsJanuary 14, 2026 | Keyshawn DavisThe 100-year-old fountain has been inactive since 2010 due to renovations, according to the Department of General Services.
Sacramento RegionCalifornia protests show solidarity with Iranians amid intensifying government crackdownsJanuary 13, 2026 | Sarit Laschinsky | Vicki GonzalezProtests sprung up across California over the weekend in support of anti-government demonstrations in Iran, which have entered their third week. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Health CareLouisiana seeks California doctor’s extradition, testing the limits of shield lawsJanuary 13, 2026Louisiana is pushing to extradite a California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills, challenging laws that protect telehealth providers shipping these pills nationwide.
State GovernmentCalifornia’s budget outlook spells trouble for Sacramento’s city and countyJanuary 12, 2026 | Riley PalmerThose who advocate for cities and counties worry Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget does not prioritize funding for homelessness initiatives or properly respond to healthcare cuts coming down the pike from the federal government.
Arts and LifestyleMore than balloon animals, it’s a livingJanuary 12, 2026 | Tony RodriguezIn Old Sacramento, balloon animals are more than just fun art; they're how some street performers make a living. Meet the artists behind the twists.
EducationNewsom’s last budget as governor would give schools and community colleges an unexpected $22 billionJanuary 12, 2026The increase comes from robust tax receipts and AI-driven revenue.
Sacramento RegionNative American creatives combat erasure through visibility in artJanuary 12, 2026Three local Native American artists speak on their artistry.
State GovernmentCalifornia faces a bleak budget year, but not as gloomy as some expectedJanuary 9, 2026 | Chris Nichols | Greg Micek | Gerardo Zavala | Laura FitzgeraldThe state collected $42.3 billion more in revenue last year than expected. That’s largely due to higher capital gains tax revenue generated by the AI stock market boom, though there are questions about whether that boom will continue this year.
State GovernmentCalifornia’s budget projections rely heavily on a continued AI boomJanuary 9, 2026 | Ruth FinchGovernor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget notes a volatile market could risk revenue streams, but projections from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office warns against assuming growth will continue.
