Leah Gold 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, news director Steve Mencher talked with Healdsburg Tribune reporter Katherine Minkiewicz.

(Image: Healdsburg Mayor Leah Gold, courtesy of The City of Healdsburg)

Read Katherine Minkiewicz's story, "Under pressure from critics, Mayor Gold resigns from the council."

Read Mayor Leah Gold's letter to Healdsburg residents on Facebook.

Racism in America

Learning Media: Racism in America

CONFRONTING ANTI-BLACK RACISM Use these materials with middle and high school students to help them understand the long history of anti-Black racism in the United States, and think about ways to address it in their own families and communities. Resources include news coverage of recent protests,…

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 is also available below. Subscribe to The North Bay…
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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 stage set up on the square, local residents spoke…
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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 Black Lives Matter movement. Guests appear in the…
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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 police. Now, as racial tensions continue to flare…
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Racism in America

Jun 19, 2020

Sonoma County Celebrates Juneteenth

The Sonoma County Juneteenth Committee will host its celebration over zoom this year. Nancy Rogers has served as the chair of the festival for the…
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Science & Health News

August 24, 2023

Science for Kids and Families

Coyotes are wild animals that are fun to watch, but good to give plenty of space. Critter Cam host Tracey Simmons explains. Other videos explore river otters, black tailed deer, butterflies, and mountain lions. WATCH VIDEOS
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February 14, 2023

Connect the Bay: Mental Health – San Mateo County

In light of recent occurrences of gun violence in California, Ziomara Ochoa-Rodriguez, Deputy Director of San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, has important advice for those in need of assistance.
February 03, 2023

Connect the Bay: Mental Health – Prof. Shortell

In light of recent occurrences of gun violence in California, Professor Emeritus Stephen Shortell of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health has important advice for those in need of assistance. His message: There are resources available, and many people who want to help.
November 21, 2022

Housing & Homelessness

From Homeless to Housed: Labath Landing The City of Rohnert Park’s unsheltered population has increased fivefold in 7 years to over 250 people in 2022. From Homeless to Housed focuses on the people and institutions addressing homelessness in our communities. We hear from those designing and…
October 11, 2021

Brightline Defense Air Quality

Executive Director Eddie Ahn of Brightline Defense is a passionate advocate for the underserved of San Francisco. We climb up to the roof with he and his team as they install an air quality sensor near a busy City freeway interchange so that it can start monitoring pollution there. Data collected…
Sep 30, 2021

Silicon Valley Water Purification Plant

Valley Water Board Chair Tony Estremera proclaims: "In Silicon Valley, we believe in science!" Based on this, authorities have made a bold plan for…
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thumbnail FirstNews logoA weekday early morning podcast that offers a first look at the top local news stories and weather forecast you need to start your day.

Sonoma County news stories featuring the latest in breaking news, county government, elections, environment, cultural happenings, and updates on your communities, from Petaluma to Cloverdale, and from Sonoma to Bodega Bay, and everyplace in between.

Subscribe to the Sonoma County First News podcast through our website, the NorCal Mobile App, NPR Podcasts, NPR One, iTunes/Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

 
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Coronavirus Resources

May 14, 2021

Help Us Investigate PG&E’s Power Lines

California’s public radio stations are investigating the safety of Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s power lines ahead of wildfire season. We want your help. Email pictures of the lines in your area to fires@kqed.org Pacific Gas and Electric Company has sparked some of the state’s deadliest…
April 22, 2021

Residents react to the Chauvin verdict

Photo of a Black Lives Matter Protest in 2020. (Photo by Adia White)Santa Rosa Jr. College student and activist Caitie Ferro cried when she first heard the news that Derek Chauvin was guilty of murder, and thought the dozens of marches she went to over the past year might have led to change. "All…
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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…
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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…
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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…
Groceries
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…
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Apr 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…
032720OutbreakCoronavirus
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…
032720OutbreakCoronavirus
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…
Medical

Racism in America

Learning Media: Racism in America

CONFRONTING ANTI-BLACK RACISM Use these materials with middle and high school students to help them understand the long history of anti-Black racism in the United States, and think about ways to address it in their own families and communities. Resources include news coverage of recent protests,…

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 is also available below. Subscribe to The North Bay…
sheriff badge

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 stage set up on the square, local residents spoke…
lady shirt

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 Black Lives Matter movement. Guests appear in the…
IMG 2806

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 police. Now, as racial tensions continue to flare…
Screen Shot 2020 06 26 at 10.39.41 AM

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