Michael Spagna took over Sonoma State in January and now faces the task of stabilizing a campus hit by steep enrollment losses, faculty layoffs and the loss of athletics. One‑time state and CSU funds buy time, but restorations hinge on feasibility plans.

Mobile tortillerías — full tortilla factories on wheels — have started popping up across Sonoma County, selling hot corn tortillas by the pound and reviving neighborhood food traditions.

Santa Rosa police arrested a 42-year-old after a 911 call about gunfire; officers recovered a loaded 9mm "ghost gun" and reported no injuries.

Westerville-based Marzetti closed a $400M deal to buy Bachan’s, adding the Sebastopol-born Japanese barbecue sauce to its portfolio. The purchase brings a fast-growing, clean-label brand with about $87M in trailing sales.

Lawmakers and the attorney general want clearer rules to stop high‑powered 'e‑motos' being sold as e‑bikes after a Mineta study found many schoolyard devices exceed legal limits.

Supervisors approved extra well‑monitoring conditions tied to a confidential settlement over Arrow&Branch’s expansion while demanding the county review the full agreement first.

CAL FIRE’s Sonoma‑Lake‑Napa Unit says residential burn permits are required starting May 1 across six counties. Permits are free, but air districts still decide burn days.

A pedestrian suffered major injuries in a hit-and-run on Boyes Boulevard in Boyes Hot Springs; CHP is asking witnesses to call with tips about a gray Toyota Tacoma.

A California appeals court reversed two of three convictions against animal-rights activist Wayne Hsiung in a Petaluma farm-incursion case, remanding the matter to the trial court. The ruling focuses on excluded evidence tied to a necessity defense.

Sonoma supervisors voted 3-2 to zero out county cultivation and manufacturing taxes for qualifying cannabis operators and to create a $531 annual business license.

Judge Laura Passaglia gave a Santa Rosa man the maximum five-year state prison term after prosecutors said he attacked the same woman twice and violated a no‑contact order.

A juvenile was arrested after a fight in Rohnert Park left another teen with major facial injuries. Police say the encounter is believed to be gang-related and are asking for tips.

Rep. Jared Huffman has launched an inquiry after the USDA touted a Southern California water district as a potential buyer for PG&E’s Potter Valley dams. The move pits local restoration plans against a sudden federal push to preserve the infrastructure.