Marin Youth Town Hall to bring students, elected officials together April 26
Marin County students will have the chance to speak directly with local elected officials at the 4th Annual Marin Youth Town Hall on April 26 at the Marin County Civic Center, county officials announced Wednesday. The free, student-led event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chamber and is open…
California civics teachers ‘tread lightly’ amid competing America 250 narratives
THE NATIONAL POLITICAL CLIMATE may be polarized and combative, but California is taking steps to ensure K-12 students learn to have respectful debates, get involved in their communities and understand their rights. The State Board of Education this month was poised to add civics to the California School Dashboard, the primary accountability tool for the state’s…
Why I spoke out against ICE: How a school walkout burst our bubble of complacency
MY LEGS SHOOK and my voice was sore from shouting into a crappy megaphone, but after seeing the sitting president of the United States call my friends, family (and to some extent — me) “animals,” I knew that I had to speak up. “It feels a little strange to be up here,” I began. “Because…
‘If it feels good, it’s not enough’: In Concord, Stacey Abrams urges defense of democracy
STACEY ABRAMS, the first African American woman to serve as a minority leader in the Georgia House of Representatives, the first Black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in U.S. history and a prominent advocate for democracy, spoke at the East Bay Leadership Council’s 40th Anniversary Leadership Series kickoff on Jan.…
Honoring students: Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Youth Hall of Fame
THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS is looking for standout students for its 2026 Youth Hall of Fame Awards. The awards, part of the county’s annual celebration of the legacy of civil rights leader and labor activist César E. Chávez, recognize students aged 12 to 18 who make significant contributions to their community. Nitya…
‘Today we had our chance to be loud’: Teens in San Ramon walk out to protest ICE actions
HUNDREDS OF SAN RAMON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS rose from their seats at 11:15 a.m. during fourth period on Jan. 30 and met in the quad to protest aggressive ICE immigration enforcement. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been a topic on many people’s minds lately, especially after what happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota.…
A civic tribute fit for a King: Antioch honors MLK’s legacy with community day of service
DOZENS OF ANTIOCH RESIDENTS came together to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy recently with hands-on service projects, including the Antioch Skatepark Restoration Project and Senior Engagement activities at the Antioch Community Center. Volunteers of all ages helped remove graffiti, restore benches, participate in art activities, and share conversations across generations, creating a sense of…
San Francisco task force recommends cutting over 40% of city’s boards and commissions
San Francisco may be reducing or consolidating the number of its boards and commissions following a report examining their efficiency and necessity. The San Francisco Commission Streamlining Task Force is recommending that of the city eliminate or consolidate more than 40% of its boards and committees, according to the task force’s final report that was…
With SF schools’ approval, students flood streets to protest immigration crackdown
San Francisco schools cleared the way for thousands of students to take part in walkouts Friday that filled Dolores Park and the Civic Center in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Youths from California’s sixth largest school district, with 55,840 pupils, took to the streets with others ranging from Novato and San Rafael to…
Alameda County officials seek District 3 residents for boards, commissions
Alameda County officials are encouraging residents of District 3 to apply for seats on a wide range of county boards, commissions and committees, offering what they describe as a hands-on way to shape local policy and represent community voices. The call for applicants includes openings or expiring terms in 2026 on bodies that advise on…
Mayor Lee hosting meetings to get feedback on possible charter reform ballot measures
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is starting the last week of what has been a months-long series of events to gather feedback on possible ballot measures to reform the City Charter. An event Monday was the first of three this week being held by Lee with the League of Women Voters of Oakland and the San…
Fate of Ukiah’s beloved pistache trees takes spotlight at downtown transportation forum
The city of Ukiah will hold a public meeting next week for community members to give feedback about a potential improvement project downtown that could lead to the removal of Chinese pistache trees that turn vibrant shades of red and orange. According to a news release sent by the city, the Dec. 11 meeting will…
‘Nobody knew her’: Shock, relief after Alcaraz resigns as SF supe; names float for successor
Local leaders and community members in San Francisco’s District 4 are reacting to Beya Alcaraz’s decision to step down from the role of supervisor of the district just one week after being sworn in. “I’m relieved,” Julia Baran, who took over Alcaraz’s small business earlier this year, said in an interview. “She was just not…
Fairfax mayor, councilmember call for unity after last week’s recall election falls short
After surviving a recall attempt in last week’s election, Fairfax Mayor Lisel Blash and Councilmember Stephanie Hellman issued a statement calling for unity as the town navigates through the tangle of state housing requirements. One of the central frustrations that fueled the recall campaign stemmed from pressure from outside forces to build a massive housing…
Measure B to fund hospital services in southern part of Alameda County ahead in early returns
Early returns in Tuesday’s election show that voters in the Washington Township Healthcare District in southern Alameda County are favoring Measure B, a parcel tax to fund hospital services. Measure B had nearly 65% approval as of the first results released after polls closed at 8 p.m. and needs only majority approval to pass. If…
Latino graduates find their civic voice through Marin County’s Leadership Academy
FOR MOST OF THE GRADUATES of a Latino-focused civic training course, it was their first time visiting the chambers of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. They had gathered with their families Thursday to celebrate their completion in a Leadership Academy, a free course provided by the Canal Alliance, a nonprofit that serves the immigrant…
Proposition 50 voting guide: What to do if you need a new ballot or made a mistake
AS THE SPECIAL ELECTION TO VOTE on Proposition 50 approaches Tuesday, The Mendocino Voice has compiled a list of ballot “what-if” scenarios to help voters feel at ease in case they made a mistake on their ballot, misplaced it, or didn’t receive one in the mail. The sole item on the Mendocino County ballot is Prop. 50, a redistricting measure that if passed would redraw California’s congressional maps. Prop. 50 asks voters to approve redistricting…
Nov. 4 special election: Here’s what you need to know about Proposition 50
ON NOV. 4, Californians will vote on Proposition 50 in a special election. The outcome of this vote will determine whether Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to redraw the state’s congressional districts map will go into effect. Here’s everything people need to know about this election. What is Proposition 50? In August, Newsom announced a statewide…
Sen. Padilla introduces bill to protect voters from potential purges as election day nears
U.S. SEN ALEX PADILLA has announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at setting up more protections from the purging of voter rolls as the federal government seeks to collect personal voter information from dozens of states. As conversations around election integrity dominate with Texas’ congressional redistricting and California’s response with Proposition 50, Padilla, D-Calif.,…
Concord City Manager Valerie Barone to retire in 2026 after decade-plus at the helm
Concord City Manager Valerie Barone, who has guided the city through economic downturns, redevelopment battles and the COVID-19 pandemic, will retire at the end of the fiscal year in June 2026, city officials announced. Barone has worked in public service for more than three decades, including stints with the Peace Corps in the Philippines, the…
CoCo County seeks environmental justice member for hazardous materials commission
Contra Costa County is looking for residents to help shape policy on hazardous materials and waste. The county’s Hazardous Materials Commission announced this week it is seeking applicants for one environmental justice representative seat and one alternate seat. The 14-member panel advises the Board of Supervisors and county staff on issues ranging from hazardous waste…
Vallejo recruiting residents to fill seats on boards, commissions and committees
The City of Vallejo is inviting residents to apply for open seats on several boards, commissions, and committees, giving community members a chance to shape local policies and programs. Vacancies include the Architectural Heritage and Landmarks Commission, Code Enforcement Appeals Board, Commission on Culture and the Arts, Design Review Board, Housing Authority, Marina Advisory Committee,…
Mayor Lurie names 4 to key SF commissions
Mayor Daniel Lurie has announced four new appointments to city commissions, saying the appointees will help strengthen local government and advance San Francisco’s economic recovery. Michael Adams was named to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force. Al Perez and McKenna Quint were appointed to the Arts Commission, and Nancy Tung to the Airport Commission, the Mayor’s…
Sonoma County offers accessible voting workshops ahead of Nov. 4 special election
Sonoma County voters will have the opportunity to learn more about accessible voting and language assistance in two upcoming workshops, according to the county Registrar of Voters Office. The first workshop, set for Wednesday, Oct. 1, will focus on how voters with disabilities can use accessible ballot marking devices at local Vote Centers. It will…
California Latino voter survey reflects angst over Trump policies, confusion on Prop. 50
A NEW STATEWIDE SURVEY of Latino voters in California shows dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, concern about the economy, and widespread disapproval of President Donald Trump’s handling of key issues. Yet, the poll also reveals a lack of clarity around Proposition 50, a measure tied to redistricting, suggesting Latino voters will be pivotal…
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