A new audit challenges Governor Gavin Newsom’s order for state employees to work in the office four days a week, arguing expanded remote work could save California up to $225 million a year and cut emissions. Lawmakers say the Governor’s Office has not provided enough evidence to justify the policy, while his team disputes the savings estimate, pointing to high lease costs. Critics believe the mandate may be tied to union negotiations over flexible work arrangements.
Public power generation will take center stage at tonight’s Middletown Area Town Hall meeting. Sonoma Clean Power will outline options for public power, alongside updates from South Lake County Fire and county economic development leaders. The agenda also includes reports on cannabis policy talks, the Guenoc Valley project, and other recent county meetings. The 7 p.m. meeting at the Middletown Community Meeting Room is open to the public and will air on PEG TV.
Fort Bragg police responded to 848 calls for service in July, taking 65 reports and making 41 arrests. Officers conducted 125 traffic stops, investigated 19 thefts, and recorded six assaults, along with nine DUI arrests last month. The department notes these figures are mostly lower than June’s totals, when calls for service reached 915.
Ukiah’s annual Star Party will light up the night sky tomorrow at Observatory Park with family-friendly activities and some stargazing. The evening begins with “Bounce to the Stars!” from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring bounce houses and an inflatable planetarium hosted by NASA Ambassador Elizabeth Garcia. Visitors can also tour the historic Ukiah Latitude Observatory, built in 1897 to study Earth’s axis. The free event runs until 10:30 p.m. tomorrow night.
Lake County’s Planning Commission will meet Monday afternoon to correct mistakes in key documents tied to a large-scale luxury resort planned near Middletown. The special session, scheduled for 2pm in Lakeport, will revisit the general plan amendment and zoning rules for the 16,000-acre Guenoc Valley project. At full buildout, the resort could feature hundreds of hotel rooms, residences, estates, and workforce housing. Officials say most corrections are minor, but some require a formal vote from the commission on the corrected documents.
Frontline care workers picketed outside Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport yesterday, calling for safer staffing levels and better communication from leadership. Members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West say cuts to staff and services are putting patients at risk, especially with recent federal Medicaid reductions. Hospital officials defended their record, citing top ratings for safety and quality, and said staffing is continually adjusted to meet patient needs. The Lakeport event was part of a rolling series of pickets at Sutter facilities across Northern California this month.
A new audit says expanding remote work for state employees could save California up to $225 million a year and cut emissions. Lawmakers say Governor Newsom’s four-day office mandate lacks proof it’s needed, while his team questions the savings estimate, citing high lease costs. Critics suspect the policy is linked to ongoing union talks over flexible work.
Governor Gavin Newsom is set to launch a California redistricting campaign today, aiming to counter Republican-led map changes in Texas and other states. Newsom criticized President Trump for allowing Texas to move forward with its redistricting plan, which he says is designed to help the GOP hold power after the 2026 elections. Lawmakers are expected to approve the measure with a two-thirds vote next week, sending it to voters in the November 4 special election.
Senator Mike McGuire says the Great Redwood Trail reaching one-third completion marks a “major milestone”. During an Aug. 12 online town hall, officials highlighted new trail segments for the 320-mile project stretching from the Bay Area to Humboldt Bay. The GRT has a projected $100 million in annual economic benefits, and includes plans for campgrounds every eight miles. Executive Director Elaine Hogan said funding is secured for several years, with Prop. 4 bond money supporting development and maintenance. Future segments in Willits and Ukiah are slated for 2026, with full buildout expected over the next two decades.
