30 Healthcare Workers at Local Hospital Directed to Self-Quarantine, According to Their Union

At least thirty healthcare workers at Sutter Health Santa Rosa were quarantined on Thursday, according to their union, SEIU United Health Care Workers West. As of Thursday evening, neither Sutter Health nor Sonoma County Officials have confirmed the union’s statement. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with Sean Wherley, a spokesperson for SEIU, about what the union is hearing from healthcare workers in Santa Rosa and across the State.

County spokesperson, Rohish Lal, told our newsroom that the county has been communicating with their health care coalition on a weekly basis since January regarding the novel coronavirus and healthcare worker safety. This coalition includes local hospitals, health care providers, EMS providers, and health care facilities. The county shared the CDC guidelines for assessing risk in health care professionals with the coalition to establish best practices regarding potential exposures to the virus.

(Image: COVID-19 testing kits. Credit: Wikimedia. )

Coronavirus Resources

April 20, 2020

Tips for Spotting Fake News Stories — And Where to Find Sources You Can Trust

Anytime there’s a significant news event — like a global pandemic, for example — you can expect misinformation to spread across the Internet. “Fake news” means stories that contain fabricated information, or information that’s based on rumor, shoddy methodology or a partisan agenda. With the…
April 17, 2020

Recursos Alimentarios Durante COVID-19

La alimentacion es una gran prioridad para muchos durante esta pandemia de COVID-19- cómo mantener a su familia alimentada en medio de despidos del trabajo, preocupaciones sobre salidas para conseguir comestibles y la posibilidad de transmisión por medio de los alimentos, todo mientras se trata de…
April 14, 2020

COVID-19: Food Resources

Food is top of mind for many during the COVID-19 pandemic — how to keep your family fed amid layoffs, concerns about grocery outings and food transmission, all while trying to maintain social distance. If you’re struggling to put food on the table, have questions about food safety or need help…
April 10, 2020

COVID-19: Recursos Para Indocumentados y Sin Beneficios

English version available here. A medida que la pandemia de coronavirus da vuelta la economía de la nación y deja a muchos sin trabajo, los inmigrantes indocumentados son particularmente vulnerables. En esta página encontrará recursos para ayudar a los miembros de la comunidad indocumentados y que…
April 07, 2020

COVID-19: Resources for the Undocumented and Uninsured

As the coronavirus pandemic upends the nation’s economy and leaves many without work, undocumented immigrants are particularly vulnerable. On this page you’ll find resources to help undocumented community members and the uninsured. UndocuFund for Disaster Relief in Sonoma County The UndocuFund,…
April 03, 2020

COVID-19: Santa Clara County Resources

Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department is providing detailed information about COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospital capacity on several data dashboards available online. The county has also assembled a variety of COVID-19 resources, as listed below and found at sccphd.org/coronavirus. Food…
Apr 03, 2020

COVID-19: How to Help

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take lives and strain resources, you might be wondering how you can help. Perhaps the most important thing you…
Mar 31, 2020

Santa Rosa Police Department Mourns Loss of Detective

Updated March 31, 2020, 4:00 p.m. The Santa Rosa Police Department reported today that Detective Marylou Armer passed away from complications from…
Mar 31, 2020

Coronavirus Resources

The coronavirus pandemic has created new challenges for communities throughout the world. Whether you need help getting access to food, filing for…
Mar 30, 2020

COVID-19: Financial Resources for Sonoma County Residents

California and the nation have seen a surge in unemployment claims as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to close their doors, leaving…
Mar 30, 2020

Help the Sonoma County Library Tell the Story of Life During COVID-19

The Sonoma County Library will be documenting life during the coronavirus pandemic with a special collection, and you’re invited to contribute. The…
Mar 29, 2020

California’s Shelter-In-Place Order, Explained

By Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters As President Donald Trump considers easing national restrictions by Easter, Californians are into their first week of…
Mar 29, 2020

Santa Rosa Outlines COVID-19 Support for Homeless

The city of Santa Rosa says it’s following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect people experiencing…
Mar 28, 2020

Los Angeles Will Mirror New York As Coronavirus Surges, Newsom and Garcetti Warn

By Judy Lin, Ben Christopher and Matt Levin, CalMatters Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued dire warnings Friday that the…
Mar 28, 2020

COVID-19: Sonoma County Resources for Seniors and Vulnerable Populations

On March 17, Sonoma County’s health officer issued an order for all residents to shelter in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The order…
Mar 27, 2020

Here’s What Happens to Science When California’s Researchers Shelter in Place

By Rachel Becker, CalMatters As California officials desperately try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Chris Miller is coaxing a sample of…

NorCal News

March 02, 2021

Santa Rosa Clears a Large Homeless Encampment

Dozens of people living in Santa Rosa’s largest homeless encampment were forced to pack up and leave Tuesday morning. It marks Santa Rosas’s second encampment clearance in the past week. Activists showed up before sunrise to protest the clearing of Santa Rosa’s biggest homeless encampment on…
February 26, 2021

County Postpones Vaccine Appointments Due to Scarcity

Next week, Sonoma County is suspending all first dose vaccine appointments due to supply shortage. But the county will keep second dose appointments for both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. Sonoma County has been allocated 7,680 doses for next week, five percent fewer than this week. This…
February 24, 2021

The County is Nervous about Blue Shield's Vaccine Takeover

On March 7, Blue Shield of California will start administering Sonoma County’s vaccine rollout. The nonprofit insurer will take over the data collection and decide how many doses each provider receives. They’ll also streamline the sign-up process, making most appointments available through…
February 19, 2021

County Shifts Vaccine Priority to 65 and Up and Food Workers

On Monday, residents 65 and older, along with food manufacturing, grocery store and restaurant workers will be eligible for a vaccine at one of the county-supported clinics. Prioritization will be given to those with server illnesses, such as cancer or kidney disease. The decision to expand…
February 17, 2021

The County Still Faces a Vaccine Shortage

Two months into Sonoma County’s vaccine rollout, 19% of the adult population has received at least one dose. The county is keeping up with other Bay Area counties in vaccinating residents and has opened up dozens of clinics, but the biggest problem has been the same since day one: the county isn’t…
February 10, 2021

The County Reaches for More Vaccine Data

Officials say Sonoma is administering vaccine doses at a faster rate than similarly sized counties. On February 10, officials announced the county has vaccinated nearly 50 percent of its residents who are 75 and older. But because of holes in statewide and local data collection, knowing exactly…
Feb 09, 2021

The County Compromises on Eviction Limitations

On February 9, Sonoma’s Board of Supervisors voted to place more limitations on evictions during COVID-19. The amendment limits evictions to extreme…
Feb 06, 2021

Sonoma County Extends Stay-At-Home Order

State public health officials have extended a Stay-Home Order for the 11-county Bay Area region, including Sonoma County. The move comes as COVID-19…
Feb 03, 2021

The County Promises an Equitable Vaccine Rollout

Earlier this week Sonoma County reaffirmed its commitment to vaccinate the oldest seniors first, those 75 and older. Younger seniors were told to be…
Feb 03, 2021

What We Need to Know: COVID in Sonoma County

What are the current county restrictions? Sonoma County is currently in the most restrictive purple tier of the California’s Blueprint for a Safer…
Jan 31, 2021

Santa Rosa Nurses Demand Safe Staffing

UPDATE: Earlier this week California’s Department of Public Health halted the staffing waivers. The State says they will not accept any new…
Jan 27, 2021

Sonoma County Opens its First Clinic for Oldest Seniors

Sonoma County is following the state’s guidance to prioritize seniors ages 75 and up in its vaccine rollout. While there’s progress and hope in the…
Jan 21, 2021

County Strategizes Reopening Schools

Covid-19 is rampant in Sonoma County and spreading faster than ever, which means kids are still stuck at home. While vaccines are being rolled out,…
Jan 13, 2021

PBS Employee Makes Controversial Statements on Hidden Camera

Julian Wyllie of CURRENT news reports in a story entitled "PBS Distances Itself from Former Staff Attorney Ensnared in Project Veritas Sting," that…
Dec 06, 2020

Understanding the New Regional Stay-At-Home Orders

Regional Stay Home Orders will go into effect within 24 hours in regions with less than 15% ICU availability, and prohibits private gatherings of any…
Nov 20, 2020

Radio Special: Democracy In Santa Rosa's First District

In 2020, for the first time, residents of Southwest Santa Rosa voted for a city council member to represent their community. The election gave more…

NorCal News Radio

Santa Rosa Clears a Large Homeless Encampment

Dozens of people living in Santa Rosa’s largest homeless encampment were forced to pack up and leave Tuesday morning. It marks Santa Rosas’s second encampment clearance in the past week. Activists showed up before sunrise to protest the clearing of…
County Postpones Vaccine Appointments Due to Scarcity

Next week, Sonoma County is suspending all first dose vaccine appointments due to supply shortage. But the county will keep second dose appointments for both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. Sonoma County has been allocated 7,680 doses for…
The County is Nervous about Blue Shield's Vaccine Takeover

On March 7, Blue Shield of California will start administering Sonoma County’s vaccine rollout. The nonprofit insurer will take over the data collection and decide how many doses each provider receives. They’ll also streamline the sign-up process,…
County Shifts Vaccine Priority to 65 and Up and Food Workers

On Monday, residents 65 and older, along with food manufacturing, grocery store and restaurant workers will be eligible for a vaccine at one of the county-supported clinics. Prioritization will be given to those with server illnesses, such as cancer…
The County Still Faces a Vaccine Shortage

Two months into Sonoma County’s vaccine rollout, 19% of the adult population has received at least one dose. The county is keeping up with other Bay Area counties in vaccinating residents and has opened up dozens of clinics, but the biggest problem…
The County Reaches for More Vaccine Data

Officials say Sonoma is administering vaccine doses at a faster rate than similarly sized counties. On February 10, officials announced the county has vaccinated nearly 50 percent of its residents who are 75 and older. But because of holes in…
The County Compromises on Eviction Limitations

On February 9, Sonoma’s Board of Supervisors voted to place more limitations on evictions during COVID-19. The amendment limits evictions to extreme circumstances, like when landlords can prove their tenants pose an imminent threat or danger, or…
Sonoma County Extends Stay-At-Home Order

State public health officials have extended a Stay-Home Order for the 11-county Bay Area region, including Sonoma County. The move comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and ICU capacity for the larger Bay Area region remains below 15%. The order…
The County Promises an Equitable Vaccine Rollout

Earlier this week Sonoma County reaffirmed its commitment to vaccinate the oldest seniors first, those 75 and older. Younger seniors were told to be patient, along with essential workers whose communities have been gravely affected by COVID-19. The…
What We Need to Know: COVID in Sonoma County

What are the current county restrictions? Sonoma County is currently in the most restrictive purple tier of the California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In order to qualify for the less restrictive red tier, the county must have less than 7 new…
Santa Rosa Nurses Demand Safe Staffing

UPDATE: Earlier this week California’s Department of Public Health halted the staffing waivers. The State says they will not accept any new applications and all approved waivers will expire February 8, unless a hospital can prove “unprecedented…
Sonoma County Opens its First Clinic for Oldest Seniors

Sonoma County is following the state’s guidance to prioritize seniors ages 75 and up in its vaccine rollout. While there’s progress and hope in the air, there’s also a lot of confusion and frustration about when and where people can actually get a…
County Strategizes Reopening Schools

Covid-19 is rampant in Sonoma County and spreading faster than ever, which means kids are still stuck at home. While vaccines are being rolled out, the question about when kids will be able to go back to school is still up in the air. KRCB’s Tessa…
PBS Employee Makes Controversial Statements on Hidden Camera

Julian Wyllie of CURRENT news reports in a story entitled "PBS Distances Itself from Former Staff Attorney Ensnared in Project Veritas Sting," that Project Veritas, a group founded by conservative activist James O’Keefe, has released a video of a…
Understanding the New Regional Stay-At-Home Orders

Regional Stay Home Orders will go into effect within 24 hours in regions with less than 15% ICU availability, and prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes most businesses and services except for critical infrastructure and retail, and…
Radio Special: Democracy In Santa Rosa's First District

In 2020, for the first time, residents of Southwest Santa Rosa voted for a city council member to represent their community. The election gave more power to historically disenfranchised neighborhoods in Santa Rosa. How will decades of inequity be…
Rohnert Park Welcomes Three New Council Members

Rohnert Park has three new city council members. The wins also mean there will be more diversity on what was formerly an all-white council. One of the newcomers is Jackie Elward who won against long-time council member Jake Mackenzie. KRCB News…
‘She’s From Oakland!’ Photos Capture Bay Area Celebrations of Biden-Harris Win

By Anne Wernikoff November 8, 2020 In the corner of California where Vice President-elect Kamala Harris grew up and launched her political career, residents cheered, danced, honked horns, donned American flags and popped champagne to celebrate the…
California Protects Homeowners From Having Fire Insurance Dropped — Again

By James Bikales November 5, 2020 As this year’s historic wildfire season winds down, Californians living in fire-prone territory got temporary relief from another threat: they can’t lose their homeowners’ insurance policies for another year.…
Slated For Deception? Beware of All Those Glossy Mailers Telling You How to Vote

By Ben Christopher, CalMatters Updated: Nov. 2, 2020 Amid the torrent of laminated campaign ads churning through the postal system this season, the slate mailer stands out as a perennial — and many say unseemly — California political tradition that…
Election 2020: Results, Voter Guides and More

By NorCal News Staff Looking for election results? We've put together key resources to help you find the information you need past election night. Find local news updates, live updated results, and interviews with experts looking ahead. California…
Santa Rosa Metro Chamber Hosts City Council Candidate Forum

NorCal News Team Oct. 16, 2020 At the end of September, the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber hosted a forum with city council candidates from districts 1, 3, 5, and 7. Listen to the forum below. Participating candidates: Eddie Alvarez - District 1 Duane De…
Annual State of the Latino Community Covers Gaps in Home Ownership

Sonoma County leadership organization, Los Cien, hosts an annual forum on the state of the Latino community. The topic this year was "Re-imagining Sonoma County Post Pandemic". Panelists focused on equity gaps in homeownership and how to fix them.…
SCHOOL CLOSURES for Thursday, October 1 & Friday, October 2, 2020…

The following school districts are confirmed to be closed through Friday, October 2, due to fire threat and evacuation: Bennett Valley Union School District (no distance learning) Kenwood School District (no distance learning) Rincon Valley Union…
Photojournalist Describes Monday Night's Firefight

Firefighters, law enforcement and others working to evacuate residents were all on the scene as the Glass fire made a fast run toward the city of Santa Rosa on Sunday night. Also out during those late hours was Erik Castro, a freelance…
Evacuation Orders Lifted for Some Santa Rosa Neighborhoods

Cal Fire announced Tuesday at 3:15 pm, evacuation orders are lifted for the following areas in Santa Rosa: All of Summerfield All of Spring Lake Northeast 1 Northeast 3/Middle Rincon Certain parts of the Calistoga-South/Skyhawk communities: west and…
Sonoma County Learns From Past Botched Care Home Evacuations

Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane has led the outreach effort to ensure that residents are getting the mental health support they need. She’s also been working to ensure that those housed at care facilities are evacuated safely and with ample…
Watch Cal Fire and Sonoma County's Glass Fire Updates

Sonoma County and Cal Fire host a joint press conference on the Glass Incident every evening at 5 p.m. Watch the press conferences here at 5 p.m. or on our facebook page @norcalpublic. . This article will update with the most recent press conference…
Sonoma County Glass Fire Evacuation Map: Updated Live

Monitor evacuation warnings and orders for the Glass Fire burning in Sonoma County. Please note that the map below is typically updated 15- 20 minutes after a Nixle evacuation alert is sent out. Sign up for Nixle by texting your zip code to 888-777.…
Sonoma County Supervisors Vote on 2020-2021 Budget

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is expected to finalize the county’s 2020-2021 budget today. Supervisors faced a 46-million-dollar deficit and spent Wednesday discussing where to make cuts. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with Board Chair Susan Gorin…
Conversations on Race Series Addresses Policy Reform (Aired: September 3, 2020)

Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County has been hosting weekly conversations to discuss racism in our community. In Monday’s conversation, CAP's Communications Manager, Marcus Clarke, spoke with Sheba Person-Whitley, Executive Director of the…
Could Strong DAs Be a Solution to Police Accountability?

Editor's Note: Solutions Journalism is a way of looking at problems and issues with an eye toward uncovering and explaining ways that communities have moved toward solving those problems. Find out more here. Driven by community input, our current…
The West Is Burning, So California Struggles To Find Help Fighting Its Wildfires

BY JULIE CART , CALMATTERS AUGUST 28, 2020 California’s wildfire resources are the envy of the world: It owns the most extensive fleet of firefighting aircraft, and the largest and best-equipped crews. Yet, already this year, CalFire can’t keep up…
Kaiser Begins Phase 3 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial in Northern California

Northern California residents can now join the efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. Kaiser Permanente began recruiting participants for an advanced clinical vaccine trial at the beginning of August. Dr. Nicola Klein, Director of the Kaiser…
Crew Shortage Reveals California's Reliance on Incarcerated Firefighters

California’s efforts to fight destructive fires across the state were hampered this year by an unexpected circumstance. Coronavirus precautions made inmate crews a less reliable source of labor. This system has long been criticized, as their pay…
Farmworkers Risk Hazardous Air to Continue the Harvest

The LNU Lightning Complex Fires broke out in Napa and Sonoma Counties during this year’s peak grape harvest season. Reports are now surfacing that vineyard workers are being asked to continue the harvest despite poor air quality. KRCB’s Adia White…
Timely Film Tells Story of Napa, Sonoma Essential Workers

In a film now available on the web and through KQED's series Truly, CA, Eva Rendle explores the aftermath of the 2017 Wine Country Fires, and their impact on agricultural workers and others at the bottom of the pay scale in our divided and unequal…
Concern Workers Are Being Asked To Harvest Despite Smoke

By NorCal News Staff August 20, 2020 During the 2019 Kincade Fire and 2017 Wine Country Fires, workers were asked to continue to work outdoors despite hazardous conditions. Often, they were not given masks. This concern is again surfacing as the…
Sonoma County Reassures Voters Ahead of Election

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has agreed to suspend changes to the USPS as 20 States announced plans to file a federal lawsuit. The states behind the lawsuit say these changes would disrupt mail service ahead of the November Election. KRCB’s Adia…
In Sebastopol, Out in the Streets for the Post Office

Our roving photographer Diane Askew was in Sebastopol Monday, recording the demonstration there at the local post office. Those who showed up are watching carefully as the president says he may be delaying the mail to thwart voters. Hearings are…
Sonoma County Celebrates Centennial Of Women's Suffrage

Tuesday marked the centennial of the ratification of the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote. But there is still much work to be done to increase voter enfranchisment. Events are planned throughout the week. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with…
Make Your Voice Count! Community Meeting Sept. 9, 7:00 pm

In cooperation with Community Action Partnership, Sonoma County; the League of Women Voters, Sonoma County; and Los Cien; Northern California Public Media is helping lead a virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, September 9 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm for…
Officials Urge Residents to Prepare for High Fire Conditions

As the dog days of summer roll by, residents of Sonoma County can't help but worry about fire season. This year’s conditions are especially concerning, with recent temperatures soaring into the triple digits. KRCB’s Nate Charles has the story. We…
Trump Withheld Calif. Wildfire Aid Says Former DHS Official

In a new video released on the eve of the Democratic convention, a top ranking former official in the Trump Department of Homeland Security says that the president told FEMA to withhold aid to California during the 2017 wildfires. "He was so…
Vox Video on Changing Approaches to Election Coverage

In July, Northern California Public Media had the chance to attend a workshop on how journalists are abandoning "horse race" election coverage (Who's Up? Who's Down?) in favor of a more nuanced approach to elections that talks about what the…
Board of Supervisors Rejects County Sheriff's Request to Fund Legal Services

Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick requested $50,000 from the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday for legal services. Essick intended to explore the legality of a ballot measure aimed at strengthening oversight of his office. KRCB’s Adia White reports.…
Community Action Partnership Hosts Discussion on Law Enforcement Accountability

We're in the midst of a national debate about law enforcement oversight and accountability. That was the subject of this week's edition of the virtual "Community Conversations on Race". These interactive panels have been presented by local nonprofit…
Health Officials Warn Against Ending Protections For Renters

Housing and tenant advocates are concerned the State’s current eviction moratorium could end Friday, causing a wave of homelessness that would worsen the current public health crisis. On August 3rd, San Francisco Assemblymember David Chiu held a…
CEO Discusses Racism and Starting a Sonoma County Business

Every Monday, the Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County hosts a community conversation on race. On July 27, the conversation focused on the experience of local Black business owners and influences. In this excerpt, moderator Joy Dehnert…
Changes to Police Oversight Set for November Ballot

In an epic meeting of more than nine hours, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors covered a number of controversial topics yesterday. Among them, an agreement to put significant reforms of IOLERO, the police oversight office, on the ballot in…
Local High Schoolers Are Finalists in NPR Podcast Contest

Back for its second year, the NPR Student Podcast Challenge wrapped up in June. Among two thousand entries in grades 5 thru twelve, the story of Popo the Clown, a local entertainer, rose to be one of only 25 finalists, although it didn't win one of…
Sonoma County School Districts Move Carefully To Reopening

Our friends at Sonoma West Publishers are a unique local resource. For years, they produced newspapers that reflected life in the towns of Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Windsor and West Sonoma County. Now only the Healdsburg paper continues in print,…
Sonoma County Report Finds Santa Rosa Police Violated Protesters' Rights

At the beginning of July, The Sonoma County Human Rights Commission published a 40-page report titled, “Human Rights Violations in Santa Rosa California - Policing the Black Lives Matter Protests.” The report alleges numerous violations by law…
Sebastopol Celebrates Black Lives Matter in Art - Photos

Photos and Text by Diane Askew On Friday evening, July 24, several hundred people came out to create Sebastopol’s Black Lives Matter mural. The mural was painted across the sidewalk in the town plaza. It consists of the words “Black Lives Matter,”…
Could Looser Cannabis Permit Requirements Help Boost Tax Revenue?

When Sonoma County shut down this spring, cannabis businesses, deemed essential, were allowed to stay open. Now that the county is wrestling with a plunge in tax revenues, marijuana growers and sellers see an opportunity. Loosen permitting and other…
Local Organization Works To Get Everyone Counted On The 2020 Census

By Adia White, Nor Cal Public Media Posted July 28, 2020 The State of California is suing the Trump administration over an order that aims to block undocumented immigrants from being counted in the census. The effort is likely to fail. But some fear…
Board of Supervisors To Vote On Ordinance To Strengthen Sheriff's Office Oversight

Next Tuesday, The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on an ordinance intended to strengthen the county’s law enforcement watchdog agency. The ordinance is named after the late activist Evelyn Cheatham. Its proponents say that The…
KBBF Informe: Licencia Por Enfermedad Remunerada, Paid Sick Leave

Por Edgar Avila, KBBF Radio This episode was produced by Edgar Avila, KBBF Radio This article is a summary of a KBBF informe special loosely translated by NorCal Public Media. Listen to the original version in Spanish below. Puedes escuchar este…
Lawyer in Voting Rights Cases Faces Death Threats

News director Steve Mencher spoke with Malibu lawyer Kevin Shenkman this spring about his work convincing localities in California to move to district-based rather than at-large elections. He cites the California Voting Rights Act as the basis for…
Cómo postularse para ocupar un cargo para el consejo municipal en su ciudad o pueblo

Este video explica cómo postularse para ocupar un cargo de ayuntamiento. Según la ciudad de Santa Rosa, "El período de nominación de candidatos para las elecciones del Consejo de la Ciudad de Santa Rosa del 3 de noviembre de 2020 para los distritos…
BLM @ SRJC - July 11, 2020 - Photo Essay by Diane Askew

Text and photos by Diane Askew On Saturday afternoon, July 11, several hundred people showed up for a rally on the campus of Santa Rosa Junior College. The event was sponsored by the school’s Black Student Union and Uplifting Black Leaders, a newly…
Santa Rosa Activist Describes What Defunding The Police Could Look Like

The national movement for racial justice following George Floyd’s killing has found a stage in Sonoma County. Libby is a local activist working with the grassroots group Love and Light. Libby, who is biracial, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming,…
Filing Period For Running For Santa Rosa City Council Now Open

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Friday, July 17. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the go.…
Board of Supervisors To Consider Ordinance Strengthening Law Enforcement Oversight

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Thursday, July 16. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the…
San Francisco Mime Troupe Pivots to Radio This COVID Summer

For more than 50 years, one of the pleasures of summer life in the Bay Area has been the outdoor performances of the San Francisco Mime Troupe. This summer, of course, the season is cancelled. And so the Mime Troupe brings its progressive politics…
Sonoma County Reports 14 Covid Related Deaths With Five Tied To Skilled Nursing Facilities

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Friday, July 10. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the go.…
Independence Day? How About Interdependence? Photo Story

Photos by Diane Askew Saturday's July 4 holiday came in the midst of unprecedented upheaval in our community and in the world. Members of our community are continuing to come together and imagine what our society might look like if everyone had an…
Lawsuit Against County Sheriff's Office Points to Numerous Brutality Cases

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. The following is a two-part interview that aired Thursday, July, 2nd and Wednesday, July 8. The full-length interview…
Santa Rosa City Council to Vote on Emergency Sick Leave

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Tuesday, July 7. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the go.…
Hope, Strength, Protest. Another Story in Photos

Photos and Text by Diane Askew On Thursday, July 2, a daylong rally was held at Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square to protest systemic racism. The protest was organized by president Rubin Scott of the Sonoma County chapter of the NAACP. From a small…
Cycle for Life Celebrates Black Lives Matter and Pride

Photographer Diane Askew has long worked locally as a wedding photographer. That work is on hold due to the pandemic. Instead Askew has been documenting the stories of our community as we work through grief and anger. In her recent essay Askew…
Applications for CalFresh Double During the Coronavirus Pandemic

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday - Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Wednesday, July 1. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the…
DACA Recipient Reflects On Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Protections for Dreamers

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Wednesday, June 24. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the…
Informe en Español: KBBF Hosts Special On Black Lives Matter Movement

This article is a translated, partial summary of KBBF’s 30-minute special. Listen to the complete version in Spanish below. In this thirty-minute special, KBBF’s Edgar Avila speaks with Sonoma County residents about racism in our community and the…
Could Racially Motivated 911 Calls Become Hate Crimes?

By Elizabeth Castillo, CalMatters Barbecuing at Lake Merritt in Oakland. Selling water without a permit. Both instances in which a Black person was doing something deemed criminal by a white person. Both instances in which a white person called the…
Community Action Partnership Hosts Conversations On Race Series

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Thursday, June 25. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the…
North Bay Report: Santa Rosa City Schools Board Considers Making Ethnic Studies A Requirement

We provide local news updates on The North Bay Report Tuesday-Friday at 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. on KRCB radio 91 and 90.9. Here's our North Bay Report episode for Wednesday, June 24. Subscribe to The North Bay Report podcast to listen on the…
BLM Protests Continue in Santa Rosa - Candlelight Photos

Photos and text by Diane Askew On Saturday, June 20, about 200 people assembled at Doyle Park in Santa Rosa, for the start of a 24-hour protest against police brutality and in support of Black Lives Matter. After an open mic and several…
Supreme Court DACA Decision Gives Hope in Tough Time

For the second time in a week, the Supreme Court rejected arguments from the Trump administration to remove rights and protections from a class of people who face discrimination and roadblocks in our society. Monday it was LGBTQ+ rights. Today it's…
Supreme Court Bars Trump From Ending DACA — What It Means For California ‘Dreamers’

By Mikhail Zinshteyn The nation’s top court thwarted President Donald Trump’s plans to place more than 600,000 young Americans — including nearly 200,000 Californians — in legal calamity today, ruling that his administration cannot for now dismantle…
Healdsburg Mayor Resigns Over Failure To Address Police Reform

Mayor Leah Gold announced she will step down from the position. Her resignation will be effective at the end of June. This was a result of a controversy over what some in the community see as racial insensitivity. To unpack what happened this week,…
Protesters Remember Silent Parade of 1917

Protesters in Sonoma County have marched nearly every day over the past three weeks against police brutality and systemic racism. Equity and inclusion for marginalized communities have taken the forefront in the marches. KRCB’s Adia White reports.…
‘Things have gotten ugly’ — pandemic pushback drives health directors to quit

By Barbara Feder Ostrov, Kaiser Health News Leigh Dundas angrily wagged her finger at Orange County supervisors at their board meeting last month as she ticked off what she thought were damning details about the professional background of county…
County Coronavirus Health Disparities Continue To Grow

Latino residents in Sonoma County are now nine times more likely to become infected with coronavirus than white residents. On Thursday, the Latino leadership organization Los Cien hosted a virtual Town Hall to discuss this disparity. In this excerpt…
Supreme Court LGBTQ Decision To Have Profound Impact

Today, the Supreme Court ruled by a 6-3 margin that employment protections guaranteed in the 1964 Civil Rights Act protect the rights of LGBTQ workers. The decision hinged on the word "sex." If that word applied both to traditional notions of male…
Radio Update: Why Latinx Community Bears COVID Burden

Yesterday, the Latino leadership organization Los Cien presented a virtual town hall on the disproportionate burden that COVID-19 is placing on the Latinx community in Sonoma County. Guests were Sonoma County's Department of Health Services Director…
Santa Rosa's Draft Budget Shows An Increase In Funding For The Police Department

Amid protests against police brutality and violence, nine police departments in Sonoma County have agreed to evaluate their use of force policies. But protesters are also demanding that local cities divert funding for police departments to housing,…
Radio Update: School Board Statement, Supervisors Commit

We provide daily breaking news updates on KRCB radio 91. Tune in at 9 a.m. and 6:44 p.m. for the latest local news. Here's our update for Wednesday, June 11. Today, the Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education and Superintendent released a…
Radio Update: Podcast Discusses Disproportionate Impacts of COVID-19 on Latinx Community

We provide daily coronavirus updates on KRCB radio 91. Tune in at 9 a.m. and 6:44 p.m. for the latest local news. Here's our update for Wednesday, June 10. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore has been doing an…
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Bans Use Of Carotid Holds

In the wake of nationwide protests over police violence, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office banned the use of carotid holds effective Monday, June 8. That's according to the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach (IOLERO). The…
Minority Leader Schumer Tackles Pandemic Housing Issues

In a call Monday with the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told several thousand people what he was fighting for as Congress considers further housing relief. He's especially concerned about renters and the…
Even In A Pandemic, WHO Believes That Public Protests Are Important

By Pien Huang and Allison Aubrey, NPR News In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization took time at its daily press conference to address another pressing issue: the wave of protests against police violence and racial…
Police Monitor Applauds Cooperation, Seeks Truth on Arrests

Karlene Navarro, director of Sonoma County's Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach spoke with KRCB last week after she released a letter describing her concerns about COVID-19 procedures during the arrest of protestors in Santa…
Author Ibram X. Kendi Speaks About His Book "How To Be An Antiracist"

As protests against police brutality continue across the nation, many are searching for ways to uproot racism in their own communities and homes. Antiracism books are now topping The New York Times bestseller list. One of these best-selling authors…
Diane Askew's Images Capture Anger, Grief in Sonoma

Photographer Diane Askew has long worked locally as a wedding photographer, part of the industry that brings events to local wineries, parks and other venues. Obviously, that work is on hold. But Askew's heart has always been in capturing images…
Community College Chief Wants Police Training Changes

By Mikhail Zinshteyn In Summary California’s extensive community college system is responsible for helping train a huge number of the state’s police officers. Eloy Ortiz Oakley, the system’s chancellor, wants to change the curriculum to help fight…
NorCal Outreach to Latinx Community Recognized Nationally

In an article from the public media journal Current, Northern California Public Media was recognized this week for its efforts to ramp up communication with our Spanish speaking neighbors. Of particular interest to writer Grace Vitaglione was the…
Your Coronavirus Questions, Answered: Recent Protests, Access to Testing And More

We put the call out for your questions related to the coronavirus pandemic, and you’ve asked about where you can find ongoing information, how the recent protests will affect COVID-19 case counts, access to testing and more. Here’s what we learned…
Is Now the Time to Bring Back Affirmative Action in California?

By Ben Christopher, CalMatters Depending on your viewpoint, now is either exactly the right time or precisely the wrong time to take up a proposed change to the state constitution that seems certain to reignite a heated debate about race and justice…
In Information Age, Many Californians Struggle to Stay Informed

By Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado, The Fresno Bee/California Divide On a recent hot Saturday, residents in a small tract of homes west of Fresno huddled under the shade to wait for a distribution of hygiene products and food. Many of those who waited…
Santa Rosa Issues Citywide Curfew, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Each Night Through Thursday

Santa Rosa has declared a local emergency and instituted a citywide curfew through Thursday morning in response to incidents of violence, looting and vandalism that occurred over the weekend following peaceful protests spurred by the death of George…
Hundreds Demonstrate Against Police Brutality; City of Santa Rosa Establishes Curfew

Protesters gathered in Santa Rosa over the weekend after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis on Memorial Day by a White police officer. The officer held his knee to Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes as he pleaded for air and has since been…
'InformaGente' - Health Dispatches to Latinx Communities

A new organization called Listos California, in partnership with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA), today launched "InformaGente," a new online conversation series which…
Two Members of H.S. Class of 2020 Animate Call for Unity

Kyle Trefny and Julian Jordan are graduating from the public arts high school Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts. To mark their graduation into this uncertain world, they created an animated short. They describe the project in their own…
You Asked, We Answered: Your Questions About Reopening Hair Salons, Youth Sports And How Often To Get Tested

We put the call out for your questions related to the coronavirus pandemic, and you’ve asked about the reopening of additional business, youth sports, testing and more. Here are a few answers to some of those recent question submissions. We answer…
Kaiser Disputes Health Professionals' Concerns on PPE

In a press conference on May 19, and again on Northern California Public Media's May 26 Town Hall, members of the group H-PEACE (Health Professionals for Equality and Community Empowerment) stated that not all health workers in Sonoma County are…
Big Cuts Could Hit Little Californians: $1 Billion in Preschool and Child Care Dollars at Risk

By Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters Even the littlest Californians have not been spared in the governor’s big proposal to cut a budget decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious plans to expand free preschool for low-income…
County Hiring Contact Tracers; Extra Pay for Being Bilingual

Sonoma County health officer Dr. Sundari Mase has long said that testing, tracing and isolation are at the core of the county's reopening strategy. Now, the county is seeking to hire contact tracers to keep up with the expected demand. The county's…
We Need a Culturally Responsive Approach to COVID-19

Commentary by Ana Lugo, founder, Equity First Consulting Cultural responsiveness is the ability to learn from, relate respectfully to, effectively adapt to, and serve all peoples and cultures.[1] Let us be clear. The systems and institutions…
You Asked, We Answered: Your Questions About COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Senior Outings, and Visiting The Dentist

We put the call out for your questions related to the coronavirus pandemic, and you’ve had plenty. We've received questions about how many people are currently hospitalized, what moving into Stage Two of reopening means for seniors, going to the…
Pandemic Food Stamps Offer Up to $365 Per Child

By Jacqueline García, La Opinión Families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at their schools — regardless of immigration status — may notice something in the mail to help them buy groceries. California is issuing one-time…
Es Así Como un Déficit de 54.3 Mil Millones de Dólares Le Afectaría a Los Californianos

Por Judy Lin, CalMatters Hello! We’re publishing more of our work in Spanish to better serve our diverse state. Make sure to click here to read the article in English. Los encargados de las finanzas de California acaban de revelar un déficit de 54.3…
Rep. Jared Huffman: $3 Trillion Bill is 'Opening Bid'

Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) returned to Northern California after voting Friday on the House of Representatives' $3 trillion Coronavirus package that has aid to local governments, help for the November election, and a lifeline to the…
Housing, Homelessness Funds Mostly Spared in Proposed Budget cuts

By Matt Levin, CalMatters With a forecasted deficit of near-record proportions and an economy in freefall, homelessness and low-income housing advocates were braced for painful cuts in the revised budget proposal Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled Thursday.…
Financial Help for California’s Undocumented Immigrants Starts Monday

By Jacqueline García, La Opinión California’s undocumented immigrants can begin applying Monday for disaster relief payments of up to $1,000 per household under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus emergency assistance plan. In April, Newsom announced a…
Sonoma County Voters Can Now Track Their Mail-In Ballot With New Program

Sonoma County voters can now sign up for a program to track their vote-by-mail ballot from the time it’s mailed to when it’s counted. The “Where’s My Ballot?” program from the Secretary of State’s Office allows the voter to receive updates on the…
Watching for Signs of Child Sexual Abuse During Pandemic

In an interview for the podcast Public Health on Call, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dr. Elizabeth Letourneau, director of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse spoke with host Dr. Josh Sharfstein…
Virus Will Not Extinguish Wildfire Protection, Newsom Says

By Julie Cart, CalMatters California’s preparations to battle wildfires this year will not be slowed by the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newson vowed Wednesday, saying the state will purchase specially equipped helicopters and fire engines and…
Latinx Leaders Consider Coronavirus Toll in Sonoma County

For our Virtual Coronavirus Town Hall May 12, 2020 we will present a cast of leaders in the Latinx community to help us understand how the pandemic may be affecting different populations in our county and region differently. We will be posting the…
You Asked, We Answered: How Do I Apply for Unemployment If Under Asylum Status?

We put the call out for your questions related to the coronavirus pandemic, and you’ve submitted questions about financial help, case counts, reopenings and more. Listener Gigi Pravda wrote in, asking: How do I apply for unemployment benefits if…
Keeping The COVID Plague at Bay: How California Is Protecting Older Veterans

By Dan Morain May 11, 2020 Dr. Vito Imbasciani has been at war with viruses since he was 5. Growing up near the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York, he contracted polio in 1952 and couldn’t walk for two months. In medical school in…
COVID-Plagued California Nursing Homes Often Had Problems in Past

By Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News and Anna Almendrala May 4, 2020 When Jorge Newbery finally got through to his 95-year-old mother, Jennifer, on a video call April 18, she could barely talk or move and her eyes couldn’t focus. It was the first time…
Reopening in the COVID Era: How to Adapt to a New Normal

By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News May 8, 2020 As many states begin to reopen — most without meeting the thresholds recommended by the White House — a new level of COVID-19 risk analysis begins for Americans. Should I go to the beach? What about…
Lawmakers Want to Know: What’s Up With That Half-Billion-Dollar Mask Deal?

By Laurel Rosenhall, CalMatters California lawmakers plan to probe why state officials wired half a billion dollars for masks to a medical supply company that had existed for just three days, and want to know what’s changed in the state’s vetting…
California Just Revealed a $54.3 Billion Deficit — Signaling Deep Cuts Ahead

By Judy Lin, CalMatters California finance officials revealed a $54.3 billion deficit Thursday in the first economic assessment of the coronavirus pandemic’s devastating blow to the fifth-largest economy in the world. That figure is higher than the…
Radio Update: A California Union Victory, And Increased COVID-19 Testing

We provide daily coronavirus updates on KRCB radio 91. Tune in at 9 a.m. and 6:44 p.m. for the latest local news. Here's our update for Wednesday, March 6. In a victory for unions in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday signed an executive order…
Exclusive: California Wires Mask Dealer Half a Billion Dollars, Then Claws it Back

By Laurel Rosenhall, CalMatters On March 26, as the coronavirus pandemic was mounting and governors across America scrambled to secure medical supplies, the state of California wired almost a half-billion dollars to a company that had been in…
Supervisors Hopkins and Rabbitt Discuss Phased Reopening

On Monday, May 4, news director Steve Mencher spoke with Sonoma County Supervisors Lynda Hopkins and David Rabbitt about a number of issues that are top of mind as our elected officials and health officials begin to talk about reopening parts of our…
California Readies Army of Coronavirus Detectives

By Rachel Becker, CalMatters The Newsom administration has teamed with two universities to train more than 3,000 employees per week to become coronavirus detectives tracing the spread of the disease throughout California. Starting Wednesday, the…
Radio Update: Supervisor Gorin Answers Questions About Fire Season, COVID-19 Testing

We provide daily coronavirus updates on KRCB radio 91. Tune in at 9 a.m. and 6:44 p.m. for the latest local news. Here's our update for Monday, May 4. Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin will join us for Tuesday's virtual town hall at 7 p.m. In our…
Director of County Regional Parks Answers Questions About Revised Parks Closure Order

Updated May 1, 2020 Sonoma County announced a "soft opening" of County parks starting on Wednesday, April 29. The new order allows residents to walk or bike into county and city parks. Driving to parks is still prohibited and all coastal parks are…
Attorney for PG&E Fire Victims is Funded by Wall Street Firms He's Negotiating Against

In the last week, our partner station KQED has been reporting on a potential conflict of interest by a lawyer in the PG&E Bankruptcy case. With 16,000 Northern California fire victims as clients, an attorney named Mikal Watts represents more fire…
Sad Day for Many as Sonoma County Fair is Cancelled for 2020

We provide daily coronavirus updates on KRCB radio 91. Tune in at 9 a.m. and 6:44 p.m. for the latest local news. Here's our update for Wednesday, April 29. We spoke with the CEO of the Sonoma County Fair, Becky Bartling, Wednesday afternoon. She…
Cue the debunking: Two Bakersfield Doctors Go Viral With Dubious COVID Test Conclusions

By Barbara Feder Ostrov, CalMatters They dressed in scrubs. They sounded scientific. And last week’s message from two Bakersfield doctors was exactly what many stuck-at-home Americans wanted to hear: COVID-19 is no worse than influenza, its death…
Not If, But How: California Prepares for an All Vote-by-Mail Election in November

By Ben Christopher, CalMatters This coming November, every one of California’s more than 20 million registered voters may receive a ballot in the mail — whether they ask for one or not. In fact, many election administrators and advocates say it’s…
State Dashboard Tracks Daily COVID-19 Hospitalizations By County

On April 1, the California Department of Public Health released a data dashboard that tracks coronavirus hospitalizations by county. The dashboard shows the number of hospitalizations reported each day in connection with the virus. Patients are…
Health Care Provider Panel Highlights Hope, Progress

For our April 28 Coronavirus Virtual Town Hall, we convened a panel of health care providers including: Dr. Joshua Weil, Lead Physician, Emergency Preparedness, Kaiser, Santa Rosa; Tarek Salaway, Sr. Vice President, Kaiser Permanente, Marin and…
Radio Update: Coronavirus Latest, Plus A Conversation With Santa Rosa Symphony's Music Director

We provide daily coronavirus updates on KRCB radio 91. Tune in at 9 a.m. and 6:44 p.m. for the latest local news. Here's our update for Friday, April 24. It’s been another tough week of sheltering at home – with new information on how early…
As Millions Navigate Unemployment, Local Organizations Rise to Help

By Camille Escovedo The last time this many people filed for unemployment in the U.S. — over 26 million as of April 27 — was during the Great Depression, experts say. Over a million Californians have filed for unemployment in March, and the layoffs…
Coronavirus Could Force Private Practices To Close Or Sell — Raising Costs

By Kristen Hwang for CalMatters In a matter of weeks, Dr. William Goral, a private practice ear, nose and throat specialist in San Bernardino County, will be out of business. His small, solo clinic, which has served patients throughout the Inland…
Coronavirus Detectives: Here’s How Counties Try to Track Everyone Exposed

By Rachel Becker, CalMatters By the time public health officer Bela Matyas learned that the novel coronavirus was spreading in Solano County, the patient in her 40s was already on a ventilator. Back in February, the woman was the first in the nation…
CHP Says It Will Stop Issuing Permits for Protests on State Property

We provide daily coronavirus updates on KRCB radio 91. Tune in at 9 a.m. and 6:44 p.m. for the latest local news. Here's our update for Thursday, April 23. In the wake of demonstrations in Sacramento protesting the state’s stay-at-home order, the…
Sonoma County Activates “Warm Line” For Mental Health Calls

Wednesday, April 22 Update Sonoma County has just activated what they are calling a “Warm Line” for people to talk through any anxiety or emotional distress during the pandemic. People can call ( 707) - 565 - 2652 seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7…
Preguntas Comunes Acerca Del Coronavirus

By Jacqueline García, La Opinión 1. ¿Cuáles son los síntomas comunes del coronavirus COVID-19? Los síntomas más comunes de la enfermedad son fiebre, cansancio, tos seca y falta de respiración. La persona también puede experimentar molestias y…
San Francisco Supervisor Ronen On How Pandemic Is Affecting Bay Area's Undocumented

Last week Governor Gavin Newsom announced the State would give $500 in aid to undocumented individuals who will not be eligible for help from the Federal Government. But activists say this isn't enough. On April 20, activists and legislators called…
Predicting a Pandemic’s Path: What Models Can and Can’t Do

By Barbara Feder Ostrov, CalMatters Every day, while we’re all stuck at home, politicians and health officials and news anchors point to graphics showing the latest statistics on the coronavirus pandemic to indicate what might happen next, in your…
Tips for Spotting Fake News Stories — And Where to Find Sources You Can Trust

Anytime there’s a significant news event — like a global pandemic, for example — you can expect misinformation to spread across the Internet. “Fake news” means stories that contain fabricated information, or information that’s based on rumor, shoddy…
Newsom: Cities Blocking Hotels for Homeless Will Be ‘Judged’ by History

By Matt Levin, CalMatters As California scrambles to protect more than 150,000 homeless residents from contracting and spreading novel coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom had some harsh words Saturday for cities he accused of blocking the conversion of…
Los Cien Sonoma County Hosts Congressmen for Virtual Coronavirus Town Hall

Los Cien Sonoma County hosted a virtual Coronavirus Town Hall on Friday with Congressmen Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman, who outlined the economic and health challenges facing the region, and federal programs to address them. More than 300 people…
Cut Farmworker Pay During the Crisis? Don’t Do It, California Growers Say

By Kate Cimini, The Salinas Californian The Trump administration is considering cutting the pay of guest visa farmworkers during the coronavirus pandemic to help the farm industry. But California growers aren’t thrilled: They say it won’t help them…
Santa Rosa Police Begin Citing Businesses, Individuals for Violating Shelter-in-Place Order

The Santa Rosa Police Department has begun issuing citations to businesses and individuals who are violating the county public health order to shelter-in-place. In the last week, the department has issued 40 business written warnings, two individual…
What Comes Next for California Cities? Deficits, Bailouts and Long Recoveries

By Jackie Botts, Ben Christopher, Elizabeth Castillo, Ana B. Ibarra and Matt Levin, CalMatters Cities have been ground zero in California’s coronavirus response — with many initiating shelter-in-place orders, organizing emergency housing for…
Acts of Grace from Everyday Californians Are Getting Us Through

By Jocelyn Wiener, CalMatters From inside our homes, this might seem the loneliest moment in modern history. Slowing coronavirus has meant many of us are physically cut off from friends and family, schools and workplaces, senior centers, book clubs…
Recursos Alimentarios Durante COVID-19

La alimentacion es una gran prioridad para muchos durante esta pandemia de COVID-19- cómo mantener a su familia alimentada en medio de despidos del trabajo, preocupaciones sobre salidas para conseguir comestibles y la posibilidad de transmisión por…
COVID-19: Leaders Discuss Food Insecurity and Safety

During our Coronavirus Virtual Town Hall on April 14, we invited leaders from around Sonoma County to discuss how they are keeping our community fed. Some families are lacking the daily lunches and other meals provided by schools; many have lost…
Sonoma County Medical Facilities Must Screen Staff, Visitors for COVID-19 Symptoms and Require Masks

Sonoma County’s health officer has issued a new order requiring all congregate care facilities to screen all staff and visitors for signs of illness and adhere to a strict mask-wearing policy to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order, which went…
Reopen California? That’s The Toughest Phase Yet, Newsom Says

By Ben Christopher and Rachel Becker, CalMatters When will Californians emerge from house confinement? What will life look like? In a roadmap unveiled Tuesday with top public health officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will not lift his…
Undocumented Workers Face Obstacles Qualifying for Benefits During the Pandemic

By Jacqueline Garcia, La Opinión and Erica Hellerstein, Mercury News Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hector had a stable job as a cook at an Italian restaurant in Oakland. Suddenly, in mid-March, about a dozen workers were laid off, including him.…
COVID-19: Food Resources

Food is top of mind for many during the COVID-19 pandemic — how to keep your family fed amid layoffs, concerns about grocery outings and food transmission, all while trying to maintain social distance. If you’re struggling to put food on the table,…
Santa Rosa Fire Department Creates Pandemic Response Unit

The Santa Rosa Fire Department has created a new Pandemic Response Unit to respond to patients suspected of having COVID-19 or that are experiencing flu-like symptoms within the city. The department says the new squad, which had its first shift…
Kaiser Employees Receive Help With Child Care, Shelter and Extra Leave Under Union Agreement

A union agreement with Kaiser Permanente will ease the burdens of about 80,000 health care workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the agreement, members of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions will receive assistance with…
Sonoma County Human Services Department Answers Questions About Public Benefits During COVID-19

Despite its office being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sonoma County Human Services Department is continuing to help connect community members with public benefits. On Monday, the department shared answers to some frequently asked…
Santa Clara County Says Shelter-In-Place Appears to Be Working, Provides COVID-19 Updates

Santa Clara County says sheltering in place appears to be “flattening the curve” — or slowing the rate of coronavirus infection in the county. “However, the number of infections is still rising, and we have not yet reached the peak,” says Antoinnae…
Santa Rosa CityBus to Further Reduce Service in Response to Pandemic

The Santa Rosa CityBus will further reduce its service this week to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Starting Monday, April 13, the bus will operate on a Sunday schedule seven days a week for essential travel only. Sunday routes run from about…
California Offers Discounted Hotel Rooms to Health Workers Exposed to Coronavirus

By Laurel Rosenhall, CalMatters California health care workers may qualify for discounted hotel rooms under a new arrangement Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday as part of the state’s ongoing effort to limit the spread of coronavirus. More than…
Here’s How Putting California’s Homeless in Hotels Actually Works

By Matt Levin, CalMatters Richard Dobbs was coughing, feverish, and preparing to sleep on the sidewalk again. Dobbs, 60 and homeless in Sacramento for the past two years, had just been discharged March 28 from Sutter Medical Center’s emergency…
Sonoma County To Establish Surge Hospital At Sonoma State University

Sonoma County is establishing an alternative care site (ACS) at Sonoma State University where about 580 patients can be treated in the event of a COVID-19 surge. The site will be operated by the Petaluma Health Center, and patients will be placed in…
COVID-19: Recursos Para Indocumentados y Sin Beneficios

English version available here. A medida que la pandemia de coronavirus da vuelta la economía de la nación y deja a muchos sin trabajo, los inmigrantes indocumentados son particularmente vulnerables. En esta página encontrará recursos para ayudar a…
COVID-19: Educational Resources for Learning at Home

The Sonoma County Office of Education has recommended as of March 25 that all Sonoma County school districts continue distance learning through at least May 1. Previously, Sonoma County school districts had announced that they would suspend…
Covid-19 Business Roundtable: Sonoma County Is Hurting

For our Tuesday, April 7 Coronavirus Town Hall, we gathered a panel of county leaders to talk about business in the shadow of Coronavirus. Our guests are: Elizabeth Gore, co-founder of Hello Alice and of the Covid-19 Business Resource Center; Herman…
COVID-19: Resources for the Undocumented and Uninsured

As the coronavirus pandemic upends the nation’s economy and leaves many without work, undocumented immigrants are particularly vulnerable. On this page you’ll find resources to help undocumented community members and the uninsured. UndocuFund for…
California Eases Child Care Regulations for Critical Workers

By Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters Californians struggling to juggle going to work at hospitals, fire stations and grocery stores while worrying about child care are the intended beneficiaries of a new executive order Gov. Gavin Newsom signed over…
Wear a Mask! OK, But What Kind?

By Julie Cart, CalMatters The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday recommended every American wear a face mask while in public to protect against contracting coronavirus. The agency announced that non-medical fabric masks – even…
Without Shelter-In-Place Order, COVID-19 Patients Would Overwhelm Sonoma County Hospitals

New models of the spread of coronavirus in Sonoma County show that the local shelter-in-place order will help reduce the number of deaths and hospitalizations in the county. But when infections peak about two months from now, patients could still…
Asm. Wood Asks Public to Raise Awareness About Dangers of Domestic Violence Amid COVID-19

For people experiencing domestic violence, stay-at-home orders may be trapping them with their abusers. California Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) is asking the public to raise awareness about these dangers as directives to shelter-in-place…
COVID-19: Santa Clara County Resources

Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department is providing detailed information about COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospital capacity on several data dashboards available online. The county has also assembled a variety of COVID-19 resources, as listed…
A Coronavirus Property Tax Delay? Californians Shouldn’t Count On It

By Ben Christopher, CalMatters The global pandemic notwithstanding, most California owners are still on the hook to pay their property taxes next week — thus far, the state isn’t granting any reprieves. Though both federal and state lawmakers…
Sonoma County Will Consider Property Tax Penalty Waivers on Case-by-Case Basis

Sonoma County says it will consider waiving penalties for late property tax payments related to COVID-19 on a case-by-case basis. The second installment of the 2019-2020 Annual Secured property tax bill was due Feb. 1 and becomes late if not paid by…
COVID-19: How to Help

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take lives and strain resources, you might be wondering how you can help. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is help slow the spread of the virus by following public health guidance. But if you’re still…
‘Am I Going to Die?’ Alone and Scared, Confined Seniors Struggle with Anxiety

By Erica Hellerstein, Mercury News For the past few weeks, as coronavirus radically altered daily life, 79-year-old Diana Fernandes has been struggling quietly inside her San Francisco home, weathering a challenge from within. Fernandes lives alone…
Sonoma Joins Six Bay Area Counties And Extends Shelter-in-Place Order

Sonoma County joined six others in the Bay Area in announcing stricter shelter-in-place guidelines. As of Tuesday, March 31 millions of residents in Sonoma, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Francisco Counties are now…
California Starts Recruiting Retired and Student Doctors, Nurses to Handle Surge in Severely Sick People

By Julie Cart, Elizabeth Aguilera and Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters As the number of people hospitalized in California with the coronavirus doubled in just four days, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday sent out an urgent call seeking help from the state’s…
New Model Projects Coronavirus Deaths In California Will Peak In Late April

A new model from the University of Washington projects that coronavirus deaths in California will peak in late April, with a total of 5,086 deaths predicted in the state through Aug. 4. The study from the university’s Institute for Health Metrics…
Santa Rosa Police Department Mourns Loss of Detective

Updated March 31, 2020, 4:00 p.m. The Santa Rosa Police Department reported today that Detective Marylou Armer passed away from complications from COVID-19. Detective Armer served with the Santa Rosa Police Department for 20 years and was recently…
What is an Equitable Response to COVID-19: Interview With Ana Lugo

During emergencies, vulnerable community members are often left out of response plans. Assistant News Director, Adia White, asked the founder of Equity First Consulting, Ana Lugo, about how everyone in our community can be supported equitably during…
California Ramps Up Output of Ventilators As COVID-19 Cases Grow

By Nigel Duara and Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed confidence Saturday that California has the capacity to produce enough ventilators to meet its projected needs in response to the coronavirus pandemic. But during a tour of a…
COVID-19: Financial Resources for Sonoma County Residents

California and the nation have seen a surge in unemployment claims as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to close their doors, leaving workers with reduced hours or laid off their jobs entirely. Local, state and federal governments are…
Santa Rosa Outlines COVID-19 Support for Homeless

The city of Santa Rosa says it’s following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect people experiencing homelessness amid the coronavirus pandemic. Steps taken so far according to an update on the city website…
Los Angeles Will Mirror New York As Coronavirus Surges, Newsom and Garcetti Warn

By Judy Lin, Ben Christopher and Matt Levin, CalMatters Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued dire warnings Friday that the nation’s second-largest city is headed for the same surge in COVID-19 cases as New York City after a…
COVID-19: Sonoma County Resources for Seniors and Vulnerable Populations

On March 17, Sonoma County’s health officer issued an order for all residents to shelter in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The order directs all people to stay at home except for essential activities like getting groceries or going to…
Here’s What Happens to Science When California’s Researchers Shelter in Place

By Rachel Becker, CalMatters As California officials desperately try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Chris Miller is coaxing a sample of the virus to grow in a secure laboratory at UC Davis. Working in a laboratory nestled inside…
COVID-19: Sonoma County Mental Health Resources

Fears about the coronavirus pandemic and being socially isolated can significantly affect mental health. Whether you have a mental illness or are just feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, it’s important to do what you can to support yourself…
Sonoma County Office of Education Recommends Schools Extend On-Campus Closures

On March, 25, The Sonoma County Office of Education recommended that school districts across the county shut down in-person classes until at least May 1. This guidance was based on consultation with the Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Sundari…
Undocumented Workers Struggle as Economy Grinds to a Halt

By Jacqueline Garcia, La Opinión and Jackie Botts, CalMatters More than 2 million undocumented workers, who do not qualify for many state and federal benefits, are among the hardest hit Californians as the economy is battered by the coronavirus…
All Parks Closed in Sonoma County

Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Sundari Mase, ordered the closure of all parks in Sonoma County. The order went into effect on March 24 and did not list an end date. The order comes after too many people crowded Sonoma County beaches, parks and…
Sonoma County Sup. Susan Gorin Coronavirus Update 3-23-20

We spoke with Susan Gorin, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Monday morning to provide an update about the county's response to the Coronavius pandemic. Here's our unedited conversation.
SMART Makes Additional Schedule Changes Amid Statewide Shelter-in-Place Orders

In response to changes in ridership demand resulting from what is now a statewide Shelter in Place order, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District is making additional changes to its train service schedule. SMART is committed to serving…
How Overwhelmed is California’s Health Care System About to Be?

By Rachel Becker, Ana B. Ibarra and Judy Lin, CalMatters As the death toll from the coronavirus pandemic mounted Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom prepared Californians for an unprecedented ramp-up of the hospital system, saying the state is procuring…
Shelters Work to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus Among Residents

Sonoma County homeless shelters are adapting to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus. Catholic Charities runs three shelters in Sonoma County which can house more than 300 people in total. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with Jennielynn Holmes, the Chief…
Newsom: Coronavirus Likely To Close California Schools for Rest of the Year

By Ricardo Cano and Laurel Rosenhall, CalMatters In a stunning announcement that revealed disruption from the coronavirus is far from over, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that California schools will remain closed not just until sometime next month,…
Meals on Wheels Offers Free Food Delivery to Qualifying Seniors

While shelter in place orders do not apply to going to the grocery store, you may still be concerned about leaving your home. The Sonoma County Council on Aging offers a number of resources available to seniors during this time, including their…
Sonoma County Health Officer Issues Shelter in Place Orders

SANTA ROSA, CA – The Sonoma County Health Officer has issued a Health Order directing residents to shelter in place effective midnight on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. This recent Order comes after the County received two additional cases of local…
More Than 22 Million Californians Could Contract Coronavirus Without Mitigation, According To Gov. Newsom

Note: We've changed the headline of this story to reflect that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson said these figures are possible without mitigation efforts. We have also updated the figure to 22 million to correct a math error in the governor's…
California and Coronavirus Testing Right Now: 3/18/20

By Rachel Becker and Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters Coronavirus testing has been plagued by confusion, delays and chaos, with the number of available, usable tests far outstripped by the need. The situation, health care providers and experts say, has…
SMART Cancels Selected Weekday Service Because of Shelter-in-Place Orders

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and shelter in place orders for Sonoma and Marin counties, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District is temporarily canceling the following train trips: • Southbound 7:10 AM out of…
SCOE Announcement: All Sonoma County School Districts Have Announced Suspension of In-Person Classes

All Sonoma County School Districts Have Announced Suspension of In-Person Classes As part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the community, and based on recommendations released by the Sonoma County Department of Health…
County Moves From Advisory to Order on Event Cancellations

Sonoma County has issued the following press release Friday afternoon, March 13 SANTA ROSA, CA – The Sonoma County Health Officer, out of an abundance of caution, has issued an Order canceling mass gatherings of 250 individuals or more to prevent…
Mayor Joe Callinan's Statement on Coronavirus in Rohnert Park

**Versiòn en Español abajò** For Immediate Release: On Friday, March 15, 2020, Rohnert Park Mayor, Joe Callinan, issued the following statement: ”A Rohnert Park Health Center employee has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The…
Nine Active Coronavirus Cases Reported in Sonoma County

As of Thursday, March 19, there are nine known cases of Novel Coronavirus in Sonoma County. Two cases were announced on Wednesday, March 18 and one more was announced on Thursday, March 19. No additional information about these cases has been…
Video Discusses California Response to COVID-19

How California is responding to the coronavirus By Byrhonda Lyons and Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters As more Californians test positive for the novel coronavirus, state health officials and Gov. Gavin Newsom are trying to control the outbreak. The U. S.…
Demonstrators Demand More Protections For Undocumented Community

Santa Rosa immigrant rights activists rallied outside of the Sonoma County Courthouse late last month in a demonstration against recent arrests of undocumented immigrants. KRCB’s Adia White attended the demonstration and has this report.…
As Coronavirus Toll Rises Statewide, So Does Health Care Workers’ Alarm

By Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters When the novel coronavirus hit California, Jamille Cabacungan, a registered nurse at UCSF Medical Center, rushed to sign up as a volunteer to treat infected patients. She hesitated to answer, however, when asked recently…
Coronavirus Special & Resources

Coronavirus: What You Need to Know - March 11, 2020 Northern California Public Media hosted a Virtual Town Hall, in partnership with Sonoma County, to share information about Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). News Director Steve Mencher and Assistant…
Sonoma County Point-in-Time Count Aims to Tally The Homeless Population

One of the populations most at risk for the Novel Coronavirus is the homeless. Most of those living on the streets lack a way to wash their hands frequently; many also have underlying health issues. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban…
For Gig Workers and Hourly Earners Coronavirus Is a Test

The spread of Covid-19 in the Bay Area has caused businesses to ramp up their plans to protect employees and customers. Conferences have been cancelled; staff is being encouraged to work from home at companies like Facebook and Google. Reporter Pamela…
“Your Bills Don’t Get Sick”: Workers Say Coronavirus Prevention Isn’t Easy

By Erica Hellerstein, Mercury News For five years, Mostafa Maklad has driven for rideshare companies, clearing about $100 a day after expenses. At 36, he shares a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco with five other roommates and tries to drive up…
2nd Sonoma County Resident Diagnosed With Novel Coronavirus After Returning From Cruise

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services confirmed that a second local passenger on the Grand Princess Cruise Ship was diagnosed with COVID-19. The first Sonoma County resident diagnosed with the virus was reported on Monday, March 2. Both…
Coronavirus: U.S. Death Toll Now At 14; New Cases In Maryland, Colorado, Pennsylvania

Enlarge this image A medic drives an ambulance at the Life Care Center of Kirkland, Wash, which has been linked to most of
California Schools Brace for a Coronavirus Disruption

By Ricardo Cano, Felicia Melloand Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters Early reports indicate children infected by the coronavirus experience a milder response than older adults. But as it arrives in Northern California, school and college officials are…
County Health Officials Work to Track Down Contacts of Local Coronavirus Patient

Sonoma County officials are working to track down anyone who may have come into contact with a county resident who tested positive for the new coronavirus. The patient recently returned from a cruise to Mexico and had been in the county for ten days…
AB5 Sparks Controversy Among California's Independent Contractors

For employers and independent contractors in California, AB5 has sparked some confusion and controversy. The new gig worker law went into effect January 2020 and many independent contractors are still unsure how the law will affect their business.…
The Developer Bonus Tucked Into the School Bond on Your Ballot

By Matt Levin, CalMatters California voters are being asked to approve a controversial measure making it easier for developers to build apartment buildings within a half-mile of public transit. Most will think they’re only voting on whether the…
Annual Pliny the Younger Beer Release Boosts Tourism in Sonoma County

Beer enthusiasts lined up for hours at the Russian River Brewing Company in downtown Santa Rosa earlier this month. They also gathered at the company’s new pub in Windsor to experience the legendary beer – Pliny the Younger. (Image: Russian River…
California Pushes For More Coronavirus Testing After First Case Of Community Transmission

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials will update the public on how they are responding to new cases of coronavirus disease COVID-19, including the first possible case of community transmission in the U.S., which is being treated…
Proposition 13 Seeks $15 Billion for California's Schools

Proposition 13 is the only statewide initiative on the ballot March 3rd. The proposed bond would funnel 9 billion dollars into the state's k-12 schools, and a total of six billion for community colleges, the 23 campuses of the State University…
New Coronavirus Affects Tourism in San Francisco's Chinatown

Travel restrictions prompted by fear over the spread of the New Coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, have caused some tech companies in the Bay Area to cancel upcoming events. Tourism is down, too. The significant loss of visitors to the area will…
March 2020 Vote: Election Results

On March 3, California participated in the Super Tuesday presidential primaries for the first time since 2008. Democratic candidates competed for the rich delegate haul in California, Texas and a dozen other states, with 1,357 delegates at stake.…
David Cook Challenges Gorin For First District Seat

City of Sonoma Councilmember David Cook is challenging Susan Gorin for the first district seat on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. He spoke with KRCB’s Steve Mencher about his previous experience and how his priorities would differ from his…
Gorin Runs for a Third Term on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Susan Gorin, is running for a third term on the board. Her opponent for the district one seat is City of Sonoma Councilmember, David Cook. KRCB’s Steve Mencher spoke with Gorin about whether the…
Former Mayor Chris Coursey Challenges Zane for District 3 Seat

Former Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Coursey is challenging incumbent Shirlee Zane for her seat on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. KRCB’s Steve Mencher spoke with Coursey about his priorities and how his approach to homelessness would differ from…
Shirlee Zane Defends Her Seat on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

Shirlee Zane is squaring off with former Santa Rosa mayor Chris Coursey in the district 3 Sonoma County Board of Supervisors race. Zane is hoping to win a fourth term as supervisor. She spoke with KRCB’s Steve Mencher about her record and how the…
Lynda Hopkins Makes Her Case for a Second Term as Supervisor

Lynda Hopkins is defending her District 5 seat on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Hopkins holds a master's degree in land-use policy from Stanford and is running for her second term as supervisor. She joined KRCB’s Steve Mencher at the end…
Mike Hilber Challenges Lynda Hopkins for District 5 Seat

Mike Hilber is challenging incumbent Lynda Hopkins for the District 5 seat on the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Hilber has a master's in electrical engineering from Stanford and worked in the defense industry in Southern California. In the…
Interview: Reporter Will Houston Lays Out the Pros and Cons of Measure I

Marin and Sonoma County voters will soon decide whether to extend a sales tax supporting the SMART train until 2059. Campaigns on both sides of the issue have each received over a million dollars in support of their positions. Reporter Will Houston…
Local Activist Speaks Out on Missed Opportunity in Cancelled "American Dirt" Talk

Author Jeanine Cummins’ planned book talk at the Petaluma Copperfield’s Bookstore evaporated with the rest of her scheduled appearances last week when the publisher of her novel “American Dirt” canceled her book tour out of concern for her safety.…
California Lawmakers Have Refused to Restrict Flavored Vaping —Is That About to Change?

By Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters Milk and waters in kids’ meals. Smaller “Big Gulps.” No teens on tanning beds. Officials here pride themselves as national leaders in protecting the health of Californians —so much so that conservatives deride it as…
Lisa See, Author of "The Island of Sea Women," Speaks at Sonoma Valley Regional Library

Lise See launched her literary career with the non-fiction book “On Gold Mountain." The story chronicles her great-great grandfather’s journey from China to California and follows multiple generations. She's written ten novels since then. See spoke…
In California, Not Every Kid Has a Fair Chance at Success

By Erica Hellerstein, Mercury News San Jose area scores near the top for giving children the best chance of achieving economic success and good health. Bakersfield is at the bottom. Children who grow up in the San Jose area are better off than those…
California Students Missing School Due to Wildfires and Other Disasters

At the beginning of the school year, over 360 schools in California had to close for at least a week due to power outages, wildfires, or other crises. That’s according to Ricardo Cano, an education reporter at the state-wide news outlet CAL Matters.…
Sonoma County Plans to Clear Joe Rodota Trail By Friday

Sonoma County set a goal of clearing the Joe Rodota trail by Friday. County officials switched their policy to enforcement mid-week and began issuing warnings and citations to those still camping there. KRCB’s Adia White talked to people camping on…
Podcast: Activist homeless moms score an Oakland win

By Jakob Lazzaro and Matt Levin, CalMatters Last November, a group of homeless and housing insecure moms took over a vacant home in West Oakland. It was a protest against corporate ownership of housing, gentrification, displacement and the lack of…
Doctors Fail to Help Patients Stop Smoking, Says Report

The United States Surgeon General declared in a new report last week that health professionals do not provide cigarette smokers enough support for quitting their smoking addictions and may not even bring up smoking cessation to their patients.…
Rodota Trail Situation Delays Homeless Count for a Month

The annual Point-in-Time homeless count was set to happen this week, but because of the health emergency on the Joe Rodota Trail, where more than 200 people are sleeping, the count has been delayed by a month. KRCB's Adia White spoke with county…
Former Director of IOLERO Works to Pass Initiative to Strengthen the Office

The Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach, or IOLERO, was created to strengthen transparency and trust in the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. This was in 2015, two years after a Sheriff’s Deputy shot and killed 13-year-old Andy…
Sonoma County Prepares to Evict Campers Along the Joe Rodota Trail

The temporary homeless shelter at Los Guilicos opened on Sunday. The sanctioned encampment has room for about 60 of the 250 people currently camping along the Joe Rodota Trail. All residents have been told to leave the trail by Wednesday, January…
Sanctioned Homeless Camp at Los Guilicos Scheduled to Open Sunday

Sonoma County officials delayed efforts to relocate around 60 people living along the Joe Rodota Trail to a sanctioned camp at the Los Guilicos Juvenile Justice Center. Local non-profit, St. Vincent de Paul will manage services there. KRCB’s Adia…
Sonoma County Libraries Host Tamale Making Workshops

The library might not be the first place you’d expect to learn how to make tamales. But that’s exactly what happened last December in Santa Rosa. KRCB’s Camille Escovedo attended one of seventeen free bilingual cooking classes at Sonoma County…
Meet Leah Gold, Healdsburg's New Mayor for 2020

The start of the new year means a new mayor for the City of Healdsburg. Vice Mayor Leah Gold was selected to take the reins from David Hagele in a unanimous vote by the city council mid-December. She started her year-long term at the beginning of…
Around 1,000 People Attend Santa Rosa Women's March

Around 1,000 people joined the women’s march in downtown Santa Rosa on Saturday. Marchers focused on electing women to office in 2020, reducing fossil fuels, immigration reform and a host of other issues. This year’s march kicks off a momentous year…
Contractors Begin to Set Up Sanctioned Encampment Near Oakmont

Sonoma County is contracting with Washington based company Pallet, to set up temporary units to house the homeless on the Los Guilicos Juvenile Justice Campus. A demo unit of the same type was on public display in Roseland yesterday. KRCB’s Adia…
WATCH LIVE: Managers Read Impeachment Articles, Senators Sworn In Ahead Of Trial – Thursday at 7am

Congress is taking additional steps to prepare for the upcoming Senate impeachment trial. The newly appointed House impeachment managers, who will present the case for impeachment, are reading the articles in the Senate chamber. Senators are also…
Supervisors Pick Sonoma Valley for Temporary Homeless Shelter

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to relocate many of the campers along the Joe Rodota Trail to the Los Guilicos juvenile justice center campus in Sonoma Valley. Supervisor Susan Gorin was adamantly opposed to the relocation of the camp to her…
Next Stop for Free College: Cal State University?

By Felicia Mello, CalMatters In yet another push to make higher education more accessible in California, a bill filed in the state Legislature last week would extend the state’s tuition-free college guarantee to four years —and beyond community…
Sonoma County Women’s March to Take Place Saturday

The fourth annual women’s march is happening this Saturday in downtown Santa Rosa's Courthouse Square. Organizers estimate that between three and five thousand people will attend the event. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with lead organizer, Leslie Graves…
Cities Should Act on Homelessness or Face Lawsuits, Newsom Task Force Says

By Matt Levin and Jackie Botts, CalMatters Declaring that moral persuasion and economic incentives aren’t working to bringSacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, left, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who are leading Newsom's task…
Do You Know What Should Go in Your Emergency Kit?

It’s hard not to think about disasters during fire-season, but during the winter months, emergency officials worry that we don’t think carefully enough about planning for other scenarios. The Sonoma County Library is working to change this by…
Sonoma County Library Hosts Disaster Preparedness Classes

Last year, Sonoma County was hit with a devastating wildfire, rolling blackouts, and historic flooding. Starting this month, The Sonoma County Library is hosting a series of classes to teach residents how to prepare for disasters. Twelve library…
Should California Restrict Building in High-Risk Fire Areas?

In her recent article, entitled “Fire Amnesia”, Felicity Barringer from the Bill Lane Center for the American West, argues that Californians are resistant to policies that would limit building in high-risk fire areas. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with…
Anniversary Gives Rialto Cinemas Founder Chance to Reflect

Ky Boyd opened his first Rialto movie theater 20 years ago in Sonoma County. Today, there are three Bay Area Rialtos, including one in Sebastopol. At those theaters, live and taped opera, ballet, and drama mix with Hollywood blockbusters and art…
Santa Rosa Junior College Receives $7 Million for Disaster Recovery Workforce Training

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced Monday morning that the department’s Economic Development Administration will award over 7 million dollars to better equip Sonoma County's workforce for disaster recovery. The funds will be used to build The…
Educators Release Plan for Expanding the Arts in Schools

Nearly 80 percent of Sonoma County high schools do not offer comprehensive, arts education. That’s according to an analysis by the Sonoma County Arts Alliance. The alliance is a partnership between the non-profit Creative Sonoma, the Sonoma County…
Sonoma West Publishers Plans Big Changes for 2020

2019 was a big year for Sonoma County, with historic flooding along the Russian River, rolling PG&E blackouts, and another catastrophic fire season. In the midst of reporting on these crises, Sonoma West Publishers, which runs four local newspapers,…
New Book Offers Background on Ukraine's People and Culture

“From Chernobyl With Love” is author Katya Cengel’s new book about the collapse of the Soviet Union and her experience reporting from Russia and Ukraine. In light of Ukraine’s growing significance in U.S. politics, it’s crucial to understand the…
Author Ibram X. Kendi Says "Not Racist" is Not Enough

Ibram X. Kendi, won the National Book Award in 2016 for Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. He spoke at the Sonoma County Library earlier this month about his latest book How to Be an Antiracist. It goes…
Schools Can Hire Teachers of Color, but Will They Stay?

The number of teachers of color in California isn’t keeping pace with the number of black and brown students in our classrooms. One problem is that too many of these teachers leave the profession. As part of our California Dream collaboration,…
Diversifying the Ranks of Teachers. Race and Gender Matter

Fewer than 10% of California’s teachers are men of color. And that’s a problem, because they could play a significant role in helping to close the achievement gap for black and brown boys. As part of the California Dream collaboration, KQED’s…
Sonoma County Releases Resident Health Report Card

How healthy is Sonoma County? The Department of Health Services released a report this November that measures health disparities, leading causes of death and premature mortality rates from 2015-2017. This is the second time the county has released…
Emerald Cup Cannabis Festival Attracts Visitors From Across the Country

Thousands traveled from around the country over the weekend to attend Santa Rosa's annual cannabis extravaganza at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. KRCB's Adia White tells us the highlights of this year's Emerald Cup. For a list of the 2019 Emerald…
Santa Rosa City Council Votes To Terminate Rental Price Gouging Ordinance

The Santa Rosa City Council voted Tuesday night to terminate the emergency ordinance on rental price gouging. KRCBs Adia White tells us what this means for the city’s tenants and landlords. Camille Escovedo contributed to this report. (Image Credit:…
Death of Petaluma Man Calls Use of Carotid Hold Into Question

The death of a Petaluma man while in the custody of the Sheriff’s Office is raising questions about law enforcement oversight. 52-year old David Ward died the day before Thanksgiving after being placed in a carotid hold by a Sonoma County Sheriff’s…
Santa Rosa Police Department Finishes Community Listening Sessions

The Santa Rosa Police Department recently completed five community listening sessions to find out how it can better serve the community. This is the first time the police department has completed a series of sessions with intent to incorporate the…
Sonoma County EDB Opens Disaster Loan Outreach Center for Kincade Fire Victims

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to California businesses and residents affected by the Kincade Fire that occurred October 23 – November 7, 2019. Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 20, representatives from the Small Business…
PG&E Announces $13.5 Billion Settlement With Victims Of Northern California Wildfires

Pacific Gas and Electric announced a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of the Camp Fire and 2017 Northern California wildfires Friday. The settlement is subject to approval by a bankruptcy court.
Can California Reduce Homelessness Through Better Prevention?

By David Wagner, KPCC A Chicago call center worker asks callers how they ended up on the verge of homelessness. Credit: DAVID WAGNER/KPCCDespite billions in new spending, the number of people experiencing homelessness keeps rising in cities across…
Organization Works to Improve First Responder Mental Health

Firefighters and first responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. North Bay Paramedic, Susan Farren, wants this to change. That’s why she founded a training program, called First Responder Resilience Incorporated. KRCB’s…
Local Non-Profits Running Out of Funding for Fire Aid

Many nonprofits are running out of aid for families who lost their homes or income during the Kincade Fire. KRCB’s Adia White visited one local non-profit, seated in the heart of the disaster area, to find out how much need is unmet. For an updated…
On Thanksgiving, Remembering an Anniversary

On November 20, 1969, American Indian activists traveled to Alcatraz to begin an occupation of the prison island. It lasted 19 months. They were focused on the sovereignty and lost rights of native peoples. That anniversary has been celebrated this…
California Burning Podcast: The Science of Fire Behavior

The Camp Fire was the most destructive fire in California’s history. 19,000 homes were destroyed and at least 85 people were killed. But with so many fuel-laden forests, the question becomes not why this happened, but why we haven’t seen more…
New Documentary Celebrates First LGBTQ+ Native Powwow

In the film,Two-Spirit Powwow, Rick Bacigalupi follows the development of the first LGBTQI Native American powwow in the United States. Thousands travel from across the region to attend this annual gathering in San Francisco. KRCB’s Adia White has a…
Impacts Expected on Russian River After Kincade Fire

The Russian River provides water to as many as 700,000 local residents; close to a million visitors use the river for recreation in the summer. Reporter Pamela Lorence visited Healdsburg last week to meet with Don McEnhill, the head of the nonprofit…
Healdsburg Residents Undeterred by Kincade Fire

After the Kincade fire, there’s some talk of folks pulling up stakes — tired of the alerts, the blackouts, the evacuations. But for two residents of Healdsburg, the latest fire has only deepened their love of home. Pamela Lorence has the story.…
A Year After the Camp Fire, Survivors Share Stories of Loss and Healing

A year ago today, 85 lives and over 13,000 homes were lost in the Camp Fire. With so much lost, resilience means something different to everyone. NSPR's Sarah Bohannon tells us how survivors are sharing their process of healing with others. (Image:…
Building Resilience After Tragedy

Friday marks one year since the devastating Camp Fire. The anniversary, in addition to the Kincade Fire, will trigger traumatic memories for many in our community. But hardship can be used to build strength. Joyce-Mikal Flynn is a professor of…
KBBF Radio Santa Rosa Updates Community During Kincade Fire

Our neighbor and partner KBBF FM Radio 89.1 has been recognized with two feature stories about their heroic efforts to make sure our community stayed informed during the recent Kincade Fire. For the station, jumping into action was second nature,…
2017 Lessons Saved Lives and Property During Kincade Fire

In an article last week, Laura Hagar, editor of the Sonoma West Times and News asked the question we're all asking: How was the loss of property and life from the Kincade Fire minimized, even as it grew to twice the size of 2017's Tubbs Fire? Read…
'Halloween Do-Over' Brings Joy to Healdsburg After Fire

by Matt Villano When it became clear that Healdsburg was downgrading its evacuation status on Halloween, two local women figured most people would miss out on the typical trick-or-treat experience. The women, Elena Halvorsen and Mandy Carpenter,…
Documentary "Men Caring" Honors Those Who Support Adults With Disabilities

In his film, "Men Caring", Bill Chayes breaks down stereotypes about adults living with disabilities and their caregivers. One of the stereotypes he addresses is that caregivers are all female. The film follows three men who work with adults with…
School Closure Announcements for the Week of Monday, November 4

Most Sonoma County schools have reopened, but the following school districts have reported their school schedules for next week. Geyserville Unified School District will be closed Monday, November 4 through Friday, November 8. Healdsburg Unified…
Local Assistance Center Will Open Today Through Wednesday in Healdsburg

All County of Sonoma offices will be open for business Monday, November 4, at 8 am. To better serve residents directly impacted by the Kincade Fire, the County will open a Local Assistance Center (LAC) Monday through Wednesday, November 6, at the…
The Current PG&E Power Shutoff – Emergency Information

The following information is provided by the Sonoma County Joint Information Center (JIC). WEATHER The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Red Flag Warning and a High Wind Warning for the North Bay mountains, valleys, and coastlines from 8 pm…
Power Shut Off Prompts Modified Hours, Closures for Some Santa Rosa Schools

Due to the latest information we have just received from PG&E about the anticipated Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event, the following schools will be affected starting Wednesday afternoon: Maria Carrillo High Rincon Valley Middle Santa Rosa…
PG&E Initiates Second Public Safety Power Shut Off in October - What You Need to Know

A Red Flag Warning, issued by the National Weather Service, is in effect through Thursday at 4pm. As a result, the Santa Rosa Fire Department will be one of several agencies across the County with extra staffing in place for the duration. PG&E has…
Code Blue Advisory Especially Concerning for Those Living Outside

Sonoma County issued a code blue advisory, meaning near-freezing temperatures are expected in the county over the next few days. The weather, in addition to hazardous air from smoke, means sleeping outside this week is especially perilous. KRCB’s…
For Many Survivors, Kincade Fire Brings Back Trauma

As the Kincade fire continues to burn in Sonoma County, many are reliving the nightmare of wildfires they’ve survived in the past. Reporter Adia White has the story. This story was produced in collaboration with North State Public Radio’s Sarah…
PG&E Expects Third Severe Wind Event 10-29 and 10-30

The next severe wind event may be coming to the North Bay and much of Northern California beginning Tuesday morning, October 29 and continuing through midday Wednesday. According to PG&E, "the event will impact approximately 32 counties across the…
How to Prepare for Fires, Power Outages and Other Emergencies

Have an Evacuation Plan Review Sonoma County's current incident page. This map will be updated to display the latest county emergency. It will not be active if there is no emergency. Review CAL FIRE'S evacuation guide and make a plan. Stay Up To…
California Burning Podcast: Using Fire to Protect Forests

We take a look at fire prevention techniques that have been used in California for thousands of years. Matt Fidler, the creator of the podcast and radio series “California Burning” reports, that native Californians used fire to maintain the land and…
Kincade Fire Update: Kincade Fire Fully Contained

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The Kincade Fire burned 77,758 acres and is fully contained. 374 structures were destroyed and four people were injured. All evacuations have been lifted at this time; however, the Sonoma County Public Health Order is still in…
Survivors of Camp Fire and Tubbs Fire Look Back and Ahead

Over the past two weeks, art lovers have been visiting studios throughout Sonoma County. Art Trails, which organizes the visits, was about to start two years ago, when the Tubbs Fire raced through Santa Rosa. Artist Bill Gittins was ready to display…
Santa Rosa Middle Schoolers Talk to an Astronaut Aboard the ISS

Ten Santa Rosa middle school students talked with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station last month. KRCB’s Adia White attended the event at the Sonoma County Library and tells us how talking to someone in space boosted students'…

Science & Health News

February 27, 2021

NorCal Visits the Monterey Bay Aquarium During COVID-19

What is it like to take a deep dive below the ocean’s surface? In this video we dive into the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Kelp Forest Exhibit to explore this essential marine ecosystem and then journey from the coral reefs of Palau back to San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences where scientists…
December 06, 2020

Coronavirus Is Surging: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak?

More than 14 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 350,000 have died of COVID-19. Tens of thousands of new cases are reported daily nationwide. In these graphics, explore the trends in your state. NPR regularly updates this page with new information…
November 05, 2020

California Protects Homeowners From Having Fire Insurance Dropped — Again

By James Bikales November 5, 2020 As this year’s historic wildfire season winds down, Californians living in fire-prone territory got temporary relief from another threat: they can’t lose their homeowners’ insurance policies for another year. Premiums and nonrenewal rates have skyrocketed in…
October 23, 2020

The ‘Speed of Trust’: California Wants Statewide Panel to Review Any COVID Vaccine

By Ana B. Ibarra October 19, 2020 Coronavirus vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in coming months will not be distributed in California until a statewide panel of health experts can ensure they meet safety requirements, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday. While there is no…
October 19, 2020

Register for Rebuilding and Resiliency: How We Need to Handle Wildfires From Now On

By Vanessa Richardson, CalMatters October 8, 2020 California has been hit hard in recent years by wildfires, but the deadliest and most destructive one in its history was the Camp Fire. On the morning of November 8, 2018, a spark turned into a firestorm that barrelled through the town of Paradise,…
October 05, 2020

Unsafe To Drink: Wildfires Threaten Rural Towns With Tainted Water

by Rachel Becker, Cal Matters October 5, 2020 "Homes destroyed by the LNU Lighting Complex Fire are interspersed with untouched homes above Lake Berryessa, a resort area and water supply reservoir, on Sept. 21, 2020. After the fire in August, residents were advised not to drink or boil the tap…
Sep 28, 2020

Glass Fire Photos Show Overnight Firefight and Evacuations

September 28, 2020 Photography by Erik Castro, Photojournalist Erik Castro is a Santa Rosa-based photojournalist who started his career covering…
Sep 18, 2020

Track County COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the nation, understanding the pandemic’s effect on your local area can be difficult. That’s why four public…
Sep 15, 2020

Trump and Newsom: Political Frenemies Make Nice Amid California’s Mounting Disasters

By Laurel Rosenhall, Cal Matters September 14, 2020 It was looking a little lonely on the tarmac when President Donald Trump arrived in California…
Sep 10, 2020

‘I Was Looking For Someone Like Me’ – Is Peer Counseling The Answer?

By Jocelyn Wiener, Cal Matters September 8, 2020 Keris Jän Myrick keeps a photo on her desk of the woman who helped transform her life. As a Black…
Aug 28, 2020

Monitor Sonoma County Evacuations and Fire Cameras

Use the interactive map below to monitor evacuations in Sonoma County. Click on the red arrows to see the view from Cal Fire cameras. If you have…
Aug 21, 2020

Sonoma Co. Fire Update: Walbridge Now 19% Contained

By NorCal Public Media News Staff Updated: August 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. For the latest evacuation information and a live map of the area visit…
Aug 17, 2020

New Evacuations Friday Morning; Sonoma County Officials Consider Local Emergency

By NorCal Public Media News Staff Updated: August 21, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Sonoma County Walbridge Fire Visit socoemergency.org for a live map of the…
Jul 29, 2020

Exclusive: California County With Highest COVID Death Rate Violated Court Rules For Evictions

BY MATT LEVIN, CALMATTERS JULY 29, 2020 Imperial County, the rural county in southeastern California beset with overrun hospitals and the highest…
Jul 24, 2020

Through The Looking-Glass: Family Members Fight Restricted Access To Loved Ones In Long-Term Care

BY BARBARA FEDER OSTROV AND JOCELYN WIENER, CALMATTERS JULY 23, 2020 Maitely Weismann moved her 77-year-old mother from New York into a Los Angeles…
Jul 21, 2020

Hundreds of Healthcare Workers at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Strike Over Safety Concerns and Benefits

Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Workers are on strike for the week to demand a safer workplace. They say Providence St. Joseph Health, which owns the…
Jul 20, 2020

Feds To Send COVID Tests To Nursing Homes, But Can California Really Use Them?

By Barbara Feder Ostrov, CalMatters July 17, 2020 Six months into the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government this week announced it would send…
Jul 17, 2020

Nearly All California Schools Ordered to Shut Down. Online Classes Mandatory

BY RICARDO CANO, CALMATTERS LEER EN ESPAÑOL Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that more than 5.5 million California students will not be allowed to…

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