BusinessThe collapse of Silicon Valley Bank: A one-off calamity, or sign of more trouble for California?March 13, 2023Silicon Valley Bank’s failure is a sign of weakness in the tech industry, and that could spell trouble for the state of California.
State GovernmentCalifornia lawmakers take aim at ‘junk fees’ for ticket sales, hotel stays and moreMarch 7, 2023 | Nicole NixonA handful of bills introduced this year aim to crack down on hidden fees on concert tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, small business loans and more.
BusinessSacramento Starbucks stores file to unionize, following broader wave of national organizingFebruary 27, 2023 | Janelle SalangaWorkers at the two stores — one in midtown and the other in the Downtown Commons area — say they’re hoping unionization will push the company to respond to safety concerns, low pay and understaffing at both locations. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentNewsom’s oil profit penalty plan could face tough slog in LegislatureFebruary 22, 2023 | Nicole NixonA proposal from Governor Gavin Newsom to impose a “price-gouging penalty” on oil companies received a skeptical reception from state lawmakers during its first hearing.
BusinessSacramento City Council OKs cannabis dispensary, denying appeal by nearby detox centerFebruary 22, 2023 | Kristin LamThose opposed to the dispensary argued it would disturb the recovery of patients at a substance rehabilitation facility less than 600 feet away. Supporters argued that other businesses in the same vicinity sell tobacco and alcohol.
BusinessNorth Davis store becomes first Peet's Coffee in the country to form a unionJanuary 31, 2023 | Janelle SalangaThe north Davis location is the first of Peet’s 336 nationwide locations to unionize. Other locations in Northern California have approached SEIU 1021 about following suit.
BusinessA fight over seats could define the future of an iconic San Francisco movie theaterDecember 10, 2022Conservationists' objections to proposed renovation plans for the 100-year-old Castro Theatre in San Francisco illustrate an ongoing debate about the future of historic theaters.
Race and EquitySacramento revamps cannabis enforcement system after facing dozens of lawsuits, racism allegationsOctober 3, 2022 | Scott RoddThe city has issued over $100 million in fines against property owners, but the vast majority have challenged the penalties.
State GovernmentCalifornia lawmakers approve first-in-the-nation bill to let fast food workers organizeAugust 29, 2022 | Nicole NixonThe bill would create a Fast Food Sector Council to set minimum workplace wages, hours and standards. It could drastically change the fast food and franchising industries in California.
State GovernmentCalifornia’s fast food bill could link chains to wage theft and other workplace violationsAugust 21, 2022Proponents say AB 257 could curb wage theft, but restaurateurs say it could raise costs and prices and fundamentally change relationships with fast food chains.
BusinessInflation soars to an over 40-year high. These are the ways Americans are copingJune 10, 2022Consumers are watching their pennies at the gas station and grocery store as consumer prices surged 8.6% in May, pushing the annual inflation rate to its highest in over 40 years. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
BusinessA billion pounds of California almonds could be stuck in warehouses instead of being exportedMay 9, 2022 | Rich IbarraShipping companies are finding more profit bringing back empty containers than filling them with almonds and other American exports. Growers statewide are looking at hundreds of millions of pounds on hand.
BusinessSacramento housing prices surge in February, setting new recordsMarch 14, 2022Experts say it’s starting to look like a repeat of 2021, which was the most aggressive housing market in the region’s history. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentHere’s how state lawmakers want to help Californians facing high gas pricesMarch 13, 2022Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed pausing tax increase on gas sellers and Republican state lawmakers have pushed for suspending the tax entirely in the short term. Those plans would likely reduce the price of gas, but it’s not clear by how much.
Health CareWorkplace rights for California workers navigating the omicron surgeJanuary 25, 2022 | Janelle SalangaWorkers, regardless of immigration status, are protected by California labor laws. Here’s what to know about those protections and available benefits at this stage of the pandemic.
Business Journal: Despite Pandemic, Large Sports Bar Plans To Open In Sacramento’s Downtown Commons This FallFebruary 27, 2021It marks a sign of optimism for downtown Sacramento after a year of pandemic-related challenges. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Business Journal: New Industrial Development Coming Soon To North NatomasFebruary 12, 2021As the coronavirus pandemic has kept people indoors, many have turned to shopping online as a way to stay safe. According to the Sacramento Business Journal, the industrial sector is booming in Sacramento. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Business Journal: Sears Is Closing In Arden Fair Mall. What’s Next? It’s Still UnclearFebruary 5, 2021In their announcement, Arden Fair representatives said they've known this day was coming for more than five years. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Business Journal: The Future Of Office Space In Sacramento In A Post-Coronavirus WorldJanuary 29, 2021Sacramento’s market for office space has declined for the first year in nearly a decade as the coronavirus pandemic has radically changed the way people work. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Business Journal: Some Sacramento-Area Restaurants Are Surviving The PandemicJanuary 22, 2021With the shifting coronavirus restrictions in California, many local restaurants have had to make the hard decision to close over the past year. But some have survived due to support from the community. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
