California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits
May 18, 2022
The government website for requesting free COVID-19 at-home tests from the U.S. government is accepting a third round of orders.
Latest News
Sacramento-area schools seeing rise in COVID-19 cases, but don’t plan to require masks again
May 17, 2022 | Janelle Salanga
Despite rising cases, schools are staying away from reinstating mask mandates, instead electing to “strongly recommend” masking and urge students get vaccinated, boosted and tested.
FDA authorizes first COVID booster for children ages 5 to 11
May 17, 2022
The Food and Drug Administration expanded authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID vaccine to enable kids ages 5 to 11 who were vaccinated at least five months ago to get a third shot.
With inflation, California worries about progress on poverty
May 16, 2022
California lawmakers and activists are pressing Gov. Gavin Newsom to spend more to help the state’s poorest residents.
California church shooter was motivated by hate for Taiwanese people, officials say
May 16, 2022
A gunman killed a 52-year-old man and wounded five others in an attack at a Southern California church on Sunday, authorities said.
The federal government is offering another round of free COVID tests
May 16, 2022
Households in the U.S. will receive eight test kits via the U.S. Postal Service. The release comes as cases have risen over 60% in the U.S. over the past two weeks.
Job program provides some hope in neighborhood at center of Sacramento’s homelessness crisis
May 16, 2022 | Chris Nichols
Sacramento’s River District Business Association has hired several homeless and formerly homeless people to help clean up trash at neighborhood encampments.
Is your house at risk of a wildfire? This online tool could tell you
May 16, 2022
Many people move without realizing the danger that wildfires pose to their new home. A new risk rating system could help buyers learn more on real estate sites.
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Five things to know about nuclear power in California
May 14, 2022
Gov. Newsom is considering seeking federal funds to keep Diablo Canyon open as California transitions away from fossil fuels. But there are many complications to keeping nuclear power in California.
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A salty dispute: California Coastal Commission unanimously rejects desalination plant
May 14, 2022
The commission, in a marathon session today, killed a proposed desalination plant in Huntington Beach that’s been debated for more than 20 years.
Interview: Cal Fire’s staffing shortage, and a bill that could bring in more firefighters
May 13, 2022 | Nicole Nixon
Cal Fire has been facing staffing shortages for years. While most municipal fire stations have three firefighters per engine, Cal Fire has an average of 2.7, requiring employees to work forced overtime and causing severe mental health issues.
With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding
May 13, 2022 | Nicole Nixon
The governor’s revised budget proposal is an update to the spending plan he released in January, using new tax revenue data. It’s just a wishlist, part of a lengthy process in which state leaders decide how to use Californians’ tax dollars.
War in Ukraine live updates: Finland abandons neutrality and will move to immediately join NATO
May 12, 2022
Bridget Brink, a career diplomat who is President Biden's pick to serve as ambassador to Ukraine, will be on Capitol Hill today before the Senate Foreign Relations committee for a confirmation hearing.
Rural California Hatches Plan for Engineered Mosquitoes to Battle Stealthy Predator
May 11, 2022
Tulare County officials hope the region will soon be a testing ground for a new generation of technology in a centuries-old war: Human vs. Mosquito.
California spent millions to boost COVID vaccination rates of Medi-Cal members — but they lag even more
May 11, 2022
Gaps in COVID vaccination rates among the state’s Medi-Cal population persist. Five Medi-Cal plans still have vaccination rates under 50%.
How bad is water use in California? March is the worst so far, up 19%
May 10, 2022
Ignoring urgent pleas from water officials, Californians used substantially more water after a record-dry three months gripped the state.
Sacramento City Unified could extend school year a week to avoid state fine following strike
May 10, 2022 | Janelle Salanga
The district must make up the lost instructional time by July 1 in order for the district to avoid paying the state over $40 million.
Anti-worker or pro-worker? Why labor unions are fighting over a housing bill
May 9, 2022
A new bill aimed at increasing affordable housing construction has an important backer: California’s carpenters’ unions. The state’s formidable Construction and Building Trades Council, which represents most other construction unions, is opposed.
A billion pounds of California almonds could be stuck in warehouses instead of being exported
May 9, 2022 | Rich Ibarra
Shipping 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.
California may chop late fees that add hundreds of dollars to traffic tickets
May 9, 2022
California lawmakers want to remove a fee that can transform a minor ticket into hundreds of dollars of debt for low-income residents.
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Sacramento County Sheriff Candidates: Undersheriff Jim Barnes and Assemblymember Jim Cooper | National Tiny Desk Winner
Today on Insight, we're looking at Sacramento County Sheriff candidates Undersheriff Jim Barnes and Assemblymember Jim Cooper, and we listen to NPR's 2022 Tiny Desk Contest Winner
California Voter Guide | UC Davis Study of Pregnant Women and Exposure to Chemicals | Sacramento Bacon Fest
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NEWS
Music
Eric Clapton cancels shows after testing positive for COVID-19
May 18, 2022
The 77-year-old guitar legend has been a critic of coronavirus vaccines and pandemic restrictions. He has tested positive for COVID-19 and canceled two upcoming European gigs.
Goats and Soda
Fighting the horror of wartime rape, Nobel Prize Peace winner won't give up hope
May 18, 2022
Dr. Denis Mukwege has spent decades treating women who have been raped in his homeland of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He's calling on the world to take action for women in Ukraine.
FA | Race
Biography examines how systemic racism shaped the troubled life of George Floyd
May 18, 2022
Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis in 2020. Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa reconstruct the course of his life in His Name is George Floyd.
Elections
With a key race too close to call, here are 4 takeaways from Tuesday's primaries
May 18, 2022
The five statewide primaries once again tested former President Donald Trump's influence on the Republican side — with mixed results. Here's what we learned on Tuesday.
World
In a war crimes trial, a Russian soldier pleads guilty to killing a Ukrainian civilian
May 18, 2022
Sgt. Vadim Shishimarin, 21, is facing the first war crimes trial since Russia invaded Ukraine. The Russian soldier could get life in prison for shooting a 62-year-old unarmed civilian in the head.
Africa
Drought and soaring food prices from Ukraine war leave millions in Africa starving
May 18, 2022
A report finds 23 million people are experiencing extreme hunger in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, which face their worst drought in 40 years. Food prices hit record highs after Russia attacked Ukraine.
Obituaries
Remembering Urvashi Vaid, an LGBTQ activist who spent decades fighting for equality
May 18, 2022
Colleagues, friends and admirers are paying tribute to Vaid, the pioneering attorney and organizer who died at age 63 on Friday. She worked for the ACLU and National LGBTQ Task Force, among others.
National
A former Minneapolis cop pleads guilty to manslaughter in George Floyd killing
May 18, 2022
Thomas Lane pleaded guilty to a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's killing. The state is recommending a sentence of three years in prison.
