Sacramento Region‘Officials Knew, None Acted’: Yolo County Grand Jury releases report on deadly Esparto explosionMarch 26, 2026 | Sarit Laschinsky | Chris FeltsThe report released by the civil grand jury highlighted how county officials, staff and agencies missed enforcement opportunities that could have prevented the July 1, 2025 blast, which killed seven people. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentNew bill proposes reforming special education by empowering California familiesMarch 26, 2026Proponents say parents and students with disabilities need to have a stronger voice at the state level. The bill would authorize the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to award funding to a statewide advocacy organization.
Sacramento RegionNational media merger set to bring FOX40, ABC10 under one ownerMarch 26, 2026 | Sarit Laschinsky | Chris NicholsThe merger between Nexstar and TEGNA is valued at billions of dollars and would create a joint company controlling hundreds of stations. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued to stop the deal, saying it violates federal antitrust laws. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Health CareCalifornia jury finds Meta, Google liable for teen’s mental distress in landmark social media trialMarch 26, 2026The jury awarded a family $3 million in the closely-watched case over Facebook and YouTube addiction.
Sacramento RegionA sculpture, a missing poster, and a body bag: A moon rock’s journey in SacramentoMarch 25, 2026 | Ruth FinchA beloved sculpture in downtown Sacramento, affectionately called the “salt lick,” left the SAFE Credit Union Plaza in September. The neighborhood around the convention center yearned for its return. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Sacramento RegionEvangeline’s Costume Mansion to reopen in June after fireMarch 25, 2026 | Keyshawn DavisOld Sacramento’s year-round costume shop will have a grand re-opening in June after closure due to significant smoke and water damage from a fire. The first-floor gift shop will reopen at a later date.
State GovernmentPain at the pump turns political as CA governor candidates offer competing solutionsMarch 25, 2026 | Gerardo ZavalaCalifornians are feeling the squeeze at the pump and candidates for governor are offering sharply different ideas to bring relief.
EnvironmentWhat are the impacts of California’s unseasonably hot March?March 24, 2026 | Sarit Laschinsky | Laura FitzgeraldWestern states have been feeling the heat for more than a week, which has broken temperature records and raised longer-term concerns as California’s snowpack continues to melt. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Sacramento Region‘Oak Park reads too’: Can the neighborhood bring back a library after decades of not having one?March 24, 2026 | Riley PalmerOak Park has been without a library since the late 1980s, but for the last decade a mother and daughter duo have been leading a grassroots effort to establish some form of one in one of Sacramento’s first neighborhoods. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Sacramento RegionRep. Doris Matsui ‘demanding answers’ after mother arrested by ICE at SFOMarch 24, 2026 | Chris FeltsNorthern California leaders are responding to a viral incident at San Francisco International Airport involving immigration officials. The video shows a Sacramento woman struggling against two ICE agents in front of her daughter.
EducationTwin Rivers teachers return to classrooms after 12-day strikeMarch 23, 2026 | Greg MicekAfter 12 days on the picket line, Twin Rivers teachers secured 7% raises, a $4,000 bonus, and fully paid family healthcare.
EnvironmentSpring wildflowers arrive early across Northern CaliforniaMarch 23, 2026 | Andrew Garcia | Laura FitzgeraldWildflower season is already peaking across Northern California as warmer weather speeds up blooms. A Jepson Prairie docent explains where to go now before they’re gone. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Sacramento RegionShake The Future Up hopes to shake up the polls with increased youth voter registrationsMarch 23, 2026The campaign focuses on peer advocacy to encourage civic participation.
EducationLegislative Analyst sees merit in Gov. Newsom’s plan for realigning California’s school bureaucracyMarch 23, 2026The LAO concludes: Moving the education department to the governor’s control would reduce confusion. The state superintendent should become an independent evaluator of state programs.
State GovernmentCalifornia sheriff running for governor seizes more than a half million ballots from 2025 electionMarch 23, 2026A California sheriff running for governor has seized more than half a million ballots cast in a November special election from county election officials, saying he’s investigating a ballot count discrepancy.
Education11 California county education offices underpaid or overpaid millions due to state clerical errorMarch 20, 2026Nearly a dozen California county education offices were either overpaid or underpaid millions of dollars in school funding due to a state clerical error, according to the State Controller’s Office.
Sacramento RegionAgreement reached: Natomas teachers strike endsMarch 19, 2026 | Keyshawn DavisNatomas teachers strike ends after more than a week and 12 months of bargaining.
State GovernmentParole board delays decision on releasing serial child predator after public outcryMarch 19, 2026 | Ruth FinchRepublican lawmakers held a rally protesting the release of Gregory Vogelsang through the elder parole program. A hearing was called after Governor Gavin Newsom referred his case back to the parole board for review.
Sacramento RegionA (non-exhaustive) list of places in California named after César ChávezMarch 19, 2026An analysis by The California Newsroom — a collaborative of public media outlets, including NPR — found over 65 locations in the Golden State bearing the name of the late labor leader.
Health CareCalifornia is spending hundreds of millions on heat. Will it ever be a public health priority?March 19, 2026As heat becomes a year-round reality, California is often still responding like it’s an emergency.
