Sacramento RegionTwin Rivers Unified board denies Highlands charter schools’ revision appealJanuary 16, 2026The charter school was the subject of a state audit that uncovered wasteful spending and questionable practices. If the board votes to revoke the charter, school leaders could appeal to the Sacramento County Office of Education.
Housing and HomelessnessSacramento County expands camping ban as advocates warn of criminalizationJanuary 14, 2026 | Tony RodriguezA new Sacramento County ordinance lets deputies clear camps on private property. Critics say it adds pressure without adding housing or shelter.
EnvironmentHere’s what you need to know about death caps, the mushroom responsible for a recent rash of poisoningsJanuary 14, 2026 | Manola SecairaCalifornia officials recently advised residents against foraging for wild mushrooms due to a rash of over 30 poisonings linked to its consumption. Consuming it can result in severe liver damage or even death. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
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.
State Government5 states sue Trump administration for withholding billions in social safety net fundsJanuary 9, 2026Attorneys general in five Democratic-led states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration after it said it would freeze money for several public benefit programs.
EducationSchools chief was caught off guard by Newsom’s plan to pare down the future scope of his jobJanuary 9, 2026Newsom proposed shifting oversight of the Department of Education from the superintendent to the State Board of Education. The move would concentrate more power over K-12 schools with the governor, who appoints the school board.
Sacramento RegionFremont Park protest breaks out against ICE killing in MinneapolisJanuary 8, 2026 | Ruth FinchThe protesters expressed safety concerns about ICE officers being present in Sacramento. The group marched to join other demonstrators at the John E. Moss Federal Building, where a small group of protesters vandalized the building.
Sacramento RegionA’s denied trademark for ‘Las Vegas Athletics,’ but it’s not finalJanuary 8, 2026 | Chris FeltsThe Athletics have run into a legal snag with their trademark. The US Patent and Trademark Office denied the club’s application to trademark the names "Las Vegas Athletics" and the "Vegas Athletics" ahead of their relocation.
State GovernmentNewsom calls California a “beacon” amid Trump era chaos in his final State of the StateJanuary 8, 2026 | Gerardo Zavala | Laura Fitzgerald | Greg Micek | Chris NicholsNewsom’s final State of the State address zeroed in on California’s resilience, its budget crunch and high costs while casting the state as a counter to President Trump.
Arts and LifestyleNew and familiar: Los Escritores del Nuevo Sol's latest collectionJanuary 8, 2026A Sacramento Latino writer’s group has released its third anthology, “Then & Now.” It includes a nonfiction essay called "Trump International Hotel, Las Vegas."
State GovernmentMany L.A. fire survivors face insurance delays and can’t return home a year laterJanuary 8, 2026Despite billions in dollars of claims paid out, fires exposed problems in California’s beleaguered insurance market. All policyholders are likely to see premiums rise.
