Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Jan. 23, 2012, San Francisco Chronicle. From the University of California’s ultra-select medical school to the state’s scores of commuter colleges, hard financial times are forcing new approaches. The responses are challenging, disruptive...

By Katie Kieffer I believe states have the constitutional right to legalize drugs. For, the Constitution is silent on the federal government’s ability to regulate or ban substances that adults choose to digest at their own peril—or medical relief. The Constitution is so silent on this matter of individual...

To the citizens of El Dorado County, The year 2011 is wrapped up, and so is my first year as your sheriff. This year end report is to provide you, the community we serve, with information outlining some of the achievements by the men and women who make up your sheriff’s office. I believe it is my obligation...

By Tom McClintock Long ago, Jefferson warned, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.” The exceptions to that rule have been few and far between recently, and ought to be celebrated when they occur. One did this past week with the announcement that...

By Linda Asato On Jan. 6, 2012, Gov. Brown released his 2012-13 budget proposing severe changes and devastating budget cuts to the systems that support low-income children and families. These proposed cuts destroy the pathway to success for children and families and dismantles decades of investment in...

By Trista Cunningham The foothills and Sierra regions are prone to winter storms, and the Capital Region Chapter of the American Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safer when severe weather threatens. “By preparing together for winter storms, we can make our families safer and...

By Steve Jennings Financial news for school districts has taken a turn for the worse over the past month. School funding shortfalls at the state level have caused a mid-year drop in revenue for busing that will impact Tahoe Truckee Unified School District by about $500,000 this year and $1 million a...

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Jan. 20, 2012, Reno Gazette-Journal. President Barack Obama got off to a bad start with Nevadans when, early in his administration, he told federal government agencies to avoid Las Vegas when scheduling meetings. The president undoubtedly meant no slur...

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Jan. 20, 2012, Los Angeles Times. Wikipedia went dark for a day. Google hid its logo under a black shroud. And hundreds of other websites darkened their pages temporarily in a massive, coordinated protest against a pair of bills that would step up enforcement...

Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Jan. 12, 2012, Orange County Register. The last thing California needs now is more state bonds, with the interest and principal paid from the general fund. The state already can’t pay its current bills, including debt service on past bonds. There...