State GovernmentHigh-speed rail projects in California and Nevada get a $6 billion infusion of federal infrastructure moneyDecember 8, 2023The White House hopes to jumpstart high-speed rail in the U.S. with money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Much of the funding announced this week will go to projects in Nevada and California.
The Sacramento region could see its first toll lanes. Caltrans wants to know what you think.December 8, 2023 | Chris Hagan | Vicki GonzalezA new plan would add toll express lanes spanning parts of I-80 and Highway 50 starting just east of UC Davis and crossing over into the city of Sacramento up to I-5. Caltrans is asking residents to weigh in through Jan. 5. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
EnvironmentGrassroots effort aims to alleviate Sacramento’s disparity in tree canopy coverageDecember 8, 2023 | Tony RodriguezThe Meadowview Urban Tree Project is a grassroots initiative in Sacramento that aims to address the disparity in tree coverage in South Sacramento areas by removing stumps and planting trees.
State GovernmentCalifornia budget rollercoaster: Analyst predicts $68 billion deficitDecember 7, 2023California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a 2024-25 budget deficit twice as large as 2023-24. It says the state could dip into reserves and cut some one-time spending.
EducationSacramento State faculty joined rolling statewide strike ThursdayDecember 7, 2023 | Janelle SalangaThe Dec. 7 strike closed out a series of four one-day strikes the California Faculty Association organized this week to put pressure on California State University leadership to increase salary and improve working conditions.
Sacramento County launches first-of-its-kind mobile clinic for pets of unhoused residentsDecember 6, 2023 | Chris NicholsKnown as the PAWS Clinic, the free service will focus on spaying and neutering pets while also providing vaccinations and caring for sick and injured animals. The clinic will visit local homeless shelters and encampments.
Health CareSutter Health psychiatric hospital workers hold one-day strike to call for higher wages, staffing increasesDecember 6, 2023 | Kate WolffeDozens of unionized health care workers picketed outside the Sutter Center for Psychiatry on Folsom Boulevard Wednesday to protest protracted contract negotiations, which have stretched on for more than a year and a half.
State GovernmentGaza cease-fire protests prompt Newsom to hold virtual Capitol Christmas tree-lighting ceremonyDecember 6, 2023California Governor Gavin Newsom won't host an in-person Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the state Capitol this year because of concerns that protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza would disrupt the annual event.
BusinessCity of Sacramento plans to poll voters on possible vacancy tax ballot measureDecember 6, 2023 | Kristin LamIf the City Council puts a vacancy tax measure on the November 2024 ballot, it would need a two-third majority vote to pass.
State GovernmentFormer Speaker Kevin McCarthy to retire at the end of the monthDecember 6, 2023Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., will retire at the end of this year, leaving just weeks left in his time in office.
EnvironmentSacramento DA adds environmental claims to lawsuit against city over homelessness responseDecember 6, 2023 | Mike HagertySacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho amended a lawsuit against the city of Sacramento, saying unhoused residents pollute rivers and streams. Homeless advocates say recent studies show that’s untrue.
EducationThreats, stress and politics pushing school superintendents out the doorDecember 6, 2023California superintendents have left their jobs in large numbers in recent years, but turnover appears to be particularly high this year. They are being replaced with a new group of less experienced school district leaders.
Tiny homes for unhoused residents likely won’t be placed at Cal Expo, after allDecember 5, 2023 | Chris NicholsThe state-owned site had been discussed for some of the 350 cabin-sized shelters Governor Gavin Newsom promised for Sacramento this past spring. Officials have proposed using a county-owned site on Watt Avenue.
EnvironmentAs atmospheric rivers become more frequent, California expands research to prepareDecember 5, 2023 | Manola SecairaA new law could help connect flood and reservoir control operations with new technologies and strategies that can more accurately predict the arrival of these storms.
EducationSacramento State commencements will be without live band in a cost-cutting measureDecember 5, 2023 | Janelle SalangaIn a shift from the majority of previous years, all of Sacramento State's commencements will be played by KSSU, the university's student-run radio station.
Arts and LifestyleSacramento’s LGBTQ+ Experience Project to preserve historic context, city sitesDecember 4, 2023 | Janelle SalangaThe new project will survey community members “where they are” to map out landmarks and places important to Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community members, using a similar framework to the African American Experience Project.
Health CareSome children on Medi-Cal have to wait weeks, months for mental health care, state audit showsDecember 4, 2023 | Kate WolffeThe audit surveyed hundreds of providers and found many were unable to offer a therapy or psychiatry appointment within state standards, sometimes egregiously so. Auditors say the state could be doing more to enforce wait time guidelines.
Health CareWhat works for treating the common cold? Many doctors say 'not much'December 4, 2023One common decongestant, phenylephrine, was found ineffective this fall. Doctors are skeptical about the rest of the over-the-counter cold cures lineup.
State GovernmentFive key moments from the Newsom-DeSantis debateDecember 1, 2023The high-stakes Newsom-DeSantis debate devolved into name-calling and arguing over facts — with the backdrop of the presidential campaign.
Arts and LifestyleCalifornia’s first Black-led conservancy acquires hundreds of acres in Placer CountyDecember 1, 2023 | Vicki Gonzalez | Tony RodriguezThe land is located 70 miles northeast of Sacramento and features 650 acres of open space, with lakes and trails the group plans to open to the public. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Middle EastIsraeli strike badly damages Gaza's oldest mosqueDecember 8, 2023An Israeli strike has destroyed an iconic and historic mosque in Gaza. As conditions around Gaza worsen amid the offensive, Israel claims it was aiming at Hamas militants.
WDET-FM | NationalMichigan high school shooter sentenced to Life in Prison without ParoleDecember 8, 2023 A Michigan judge hands down a life without parole sentence for the teenager who shot and killed fellow students and wounded others at Oxford High School in 2021.
Main Character of the DayHe won his seat on council by a single vote — which he cast himselfDecember 8, 2023Every election we're told that each vote counts. Ryan Roth, the newly-elected city council member for Rainier, Wash., is now proof that it does.
Interview highlightsHow a top economic adviser to Biden is thinking about inflation and the job marketDecember 8, 2023The latest numbers show a strong picture for the U.S. economy. Yet many Americans have a pessimistic view. Here's how an adviser to Joe Biden says they're addressing that.
NationalCalifornia faces record $68 billion budget deficit, analyst saysDecember 8, 2023The nation's most populous state — with an economy that is the fifth largest in the world — has been struggling with the rising prices of most goods and services.
LawTrump gag order is partially upheld in Jan. 6 caseDecember 8, 2023The appeals court ruling would allow Trump to make public statements about the special counsel in the case, Jack Smith, but not other prosecutors, court staffers or their family members.
NationalVisitors to Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home stop a woman from setting fire to it December 8, 2023"That action saved an important part of American history tonight," Atlanta's police chief told media gathered at the scene late Thursday.
Goats and SodaNdelika Mandela on 'climate apartheid,' how to stay hopeful and her granddad's legacyDecember 8, 2023The eldest grandchild of Nelson Mandela had a busy week — speaking at the climate summit COP28 about the need to aid the Global South and throwing a party to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing.
