News

Songs For Freedom: A Juneteenth Playlist From Pianist Lara Downes

June 19, 2021

Music offers freedom. Freedom of expression — a way to rejoice and to mourn, to offer comfort, to call for change.

Despite The Heat, Few Take Advantage Of Sacramento Cooling Centers

June 18, 2021 | Chris Nichols

Altogether, about 30 people showed up to city and county cooling facilities on the first two days of the heat wave. Advocates say more must be done to advertise the facilities and provide transportation.

Health Care

California Launches Digital Vaccination Card

June 18, 2021 | Scott Rodd

The system would allow immunized residents to have a virtual backup of their physical card. The technology that would allow businesses to scan and verify the digital cards is still being developed.

This Season’s ‘Invisibilia’ Podcast Looks At The City Of Stockton. We Spoke With Host Yowei Shaw.

June 18, 2021 | Randol White

Last November, Stockton’s high-profile mayor, Democrat Michael Tubbs, lost his re-election campaign. The upset came as a surprise to some — but not those who closely follow the online publication 209 Times.

California State Of Mind | Episode 29

CA Wants Your Tourist Dollars; County Health Departments Want Your Tax Dollars

June 18, 2021

California is open! And business owners who count on tourism are especially happy about it. But not everyone is smiling. Some county health departments wonder how they’ll survive with shrinking budgets.

'I Want Real Substantial Progress': Mixed Feelings In Sacramento As Juneteenth Becomes A Federal Holiday

June 18, 2021 | Janelle Salanga

Though Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, there’s more to it than celebrating. Also, Juneteenth events in the Sacramento, East Bay and San Joaquin regions.

California Grid Operator Extends Flex Alert As PG&E Warns Of Possible Outages

June 17, 2021 | Steve Milne | Mike Hagerty

California's power grid operator is asking residents to conserve energy as record-breaking heat blankets the West.

State Government

California Drops Mask Requirements For Fully Vaccinated Workers

June 17, 2021 | Chris Hagan

Workers will no longer need to wear masks or physically distance themselves at work if they are fully vaccinated except in certain situations or if there is an outbreak. The move comes two days after the state reopened its economy.

As Drought Intensifies, State Warns Users To Stop Pumping Water From Major Rivers

June 17, 2021

About 4,300 users were issued notices to halt diversions from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Juneteenth Is Now A Federal Holiday

June 17, 2021

June 19 is a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, marking the day enslaved people in Texas were finally freed — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

California Could Make A $210 Million Investment In Asian And Pacific Islander Safety And Support. Here’s How.

June 17, 2021 | Janelle Salanga | Sarah Mizes-Tan

State lawmakers are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to agree to “historic” budget spending on everything from an Office of Racial Equity to more support for groups that help victims of hate incidents.

State Government

‘I’m Going To Be Here For A While’: One Man’s Journey From The Streets To A New Home

June 17, 2021 | Chris Nichols

Tens of thousands of homeless Californians are moving on from state-funded Project Roomkey motels where they took shelter during the worst of the pandemic. But as of June, only about 30% had been placed in permanent or temporary housing.

Sacramento Kings Announce Former Arena Site Will Become New Medical Center

June 16, 2021 | Chris Hagan | Mike Hagerty

The Natomas location will soon be turned into a medical center and teaching hospital for California Northstate University, according to an announcement on Wednesday.

Biden And Putin Say Their Summit Was Constructive As The World Waits For Results

June 16, 2021

After their more than 3-hour meeting in Geneva, the U.S. leader said he pushed his Russian counterpart on human rights and other administration priorities.

Bakersfield Police Broke 31 People’s Bones in Four Years. No Officer Has Been Disciplined for It

June 16, 2021

Between 2016 and 2019, Bakersfield police officers used force that broke at least 45 bones in 31 people, an analysis of public records shows.

‘Reopening’ In Sacramento: Excitement And Optimism, But Not Everyone Is Ready To Ditch Their Masks

June 15, 2021 | Rich Ibarra | Chris Nichols | Nick Miller | Scott Rodd | Sarah Mizes-Tan | Ed Fletcher | Janelle Salanga

From Sacramento and San Joaquin to Placer and Yolo counties, workers, customers and business owners celebrated the state’s easing of COVID guidelines — but not everyone was ready to take off their masks.

State Government

Interview: Dr. Ghaly Reflects On California's Response To COVID-19 As State Reopens

June 15, 2021 | Megan Manata | Vicki Gonzalez

With California doing away with many of the COVID-19 restrictions to slow the spread of the virus, state Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly discussed what he's learned since last March and how he sees our future with the coronavirus.

State Government

As California Reopens, Newsom's Recall Fortunes Still Tied To COVID-19 Response

June 15, 2021 | Nicole Nixon

On California’s big reopening day, Gov. Gavin Newsom is ready to usher in a new chapter. But some challenges loom for Newsom, who will face a recall election later this year.

Health Care

What Changes, What Stays The Same As California Reopens

June 15, 2021 | Steve Milne | Emily Zentner | Chris Hagan | Sammy Caiola | Mike Hagerty | Janelle Salanga

A lot changes on June 15, when California officially reopens. Here's a look at the new rules for businesses and individuals, and what things are staying the same for now.

Cooling Centers To Open Starting Wednesday Across Sacramento Region As Heatwave Arrives

June 14, 2021 | Chris Nichols

The National Weather Service expects temperatures to range from 100 degrees to 113 degrees during the heatwave. Thursday is expected to be the hottest day.