Sunny and hot this Thursday with highs near 94°F and gusty SSW winds. Call 2-1-1 or check 211 Sacramento for cooling centers.

SMUD has started construction on a $168M, 100,000‑sq‑ft administrative and operations center in Folsom. The multi‑phase build includes a 100‑ft communications tower and city permits are in place.

Galt issued roughly $391,000 in administrative fines after a drone‑aided crackdown on illegal Fourth of July fireworks, city officials say. Notices will be mailed to cited addresses.

Sacramento is redesigning a dangerous stretch of Fruitridge Road and wants input. The plan would slow drivers, add protected bike lanes and improve crossings.

An out-of-state visitor hit a $1.13M Face-Up Pai Gow jackpot at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln on July 15, the casino said.

A Sacramento search-warrant served in a probe of Ulta thefts turned up stolen beauty products and three unregistered firearms; investigators arrested a man in the sweep.

Nearly 50,000 turned out at Elk Grove Regional Park. Police logged hundreds of calls, drones flew dozens of missions and enforcement issued roughly $239,000 in citations.

A Times analysis using 2024 Census data finds Ridgecrest the state's most affordable city and Santa Monica the least, highlighting a stark coast‑to‑valley housing gap.

A Van's RV-4 went down at Sutter County Airport early Thursday, killing one person. Federal investigators are on the scene and the coroner will notify next of kin.

A fast-moving early-morning blaze in Folsom destroyed one home and damaged another; one firefighter was treated and released. Mutual‑aid crews helped contain the scene.

Sacramento climbs to about 101°F on Wednesday, July 15, with mountain thunderstorms and elevated fire‑weather concerns in higher terrain.

After a heated hearing, Sacramento supervisors voted 3-2 to restore funding for the sheriff’s POP team, tapping contingency reserves to keep the six‑person unit operating.

Triple‑digit heat brings free evening Family Nights at select Sacramento pools, plus splash‑pad options through Oct. 1.