Newsom signed budget language tightening who qualifies for California’s SIBTF after analysts warned of $1,700/week awards and a 25,000‑claim backlog.

A woman has sued Southwest and a passenger after an alleged in‑flight sexual assault on a Seattle‑to‑Sacramento flight, accusing the carrier of negligence and overserving a visibly intoxicated passenger. The lawsuit follows a criminal plea in the case.

Yolo County will sell a West Sacramento house that once housed mental‑health clients after years of neighbor pushback; proceeds are earmarked for other behavioral‑health programs.

Auburn’s Crooked Lane Brewing is opening a Roseville taproom after a yearlong search and a new partner to lead the buildout.

An early-morning fire gutted a longtime Orangevale home and several outbuildings. The homeowner escaped and is receiving Red Cross assistance.

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.