Mar 28, 2026
Given the mayhem and dysfunction in Washington, congressional midterm elections take on extra significance.
In Sacramento County, the California 7th Congressional District finds incumbent Doris Matsui challenged by City Council Member Mai Vang. It’s the first time in 21 years Matsui meets a serious opponent.
I worked with both candidates during my time on City Council. The contrast between Matsui and Vang is stark. Voters get to choose between a dynastic, legendary figure in city politics or a relative newcomer from the Meadowview suburbs.
Feb 28, 2026
Maybe I was too harsh when I ridiculed the city for building a bicycle bridge across Interstate 5 with lousy concrete and misaligned rebar.
The bridge was a big screwup. But the city did right by residents when it told bridge contractors to jackhammer the new bridge and replace it with materials that meet spec and can stand for 75 years, as opposed to a decade or two.
The rebuilt bridge opened in December. This means the city managed to erect two bike bridges over I-5 and Riverside Boulevard in three years.
Feb 28, 2026
My friend has a habit that makes me proud to know him and fear for his safety. On the sidewalks of Midtown and Downtown, he stands his ground when a bicycle barrels toward him.
His courage should inspire all pedestrians. He earns dirty looks and obscenities from sidewalk cyclists, but so far no broken bones or concussions. He’s never been hit.
My friend doesn’t yell at sidewalk cyclists. He says, “Hey, this is a sidewalk.”
Feb 28, 2026
I’ve been tracking down the greatest single athletic performance in Sacramento history. The honor goes to Charlie Loeb. Nobody else comes close.
Loeb achieved a local sporting record that can’t be beat. He did it at Fourth and K streets in front of children, drunks, community leaders, pickpockets and cops.
Like any great athlete, Loeb had fans who loved him and detractors who hated him.
One group of detractors were church women. They were disgusted by Charlie. Another local group, the Capital Klan No. 126, Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, denounced Charlie.
Jan 28, 2026
I got an email from someone who thinks I’m too critical of the Kings. A reader named Debbie Sharp writes, “You must thrive on negativity! Some of us are hardcore Kings fans! Apparently not you.”
I’ve heard these complaints since 1984 when I went to Kansas City to investigate Kings fans who were about to lose their basketball team.
I found a Missouri Kings fan club and talked to eight or nine people upset about the franchise moving to Sacramento.
Jan 28, 2026
Kevin McCarty had a good first year as mayor. I say this with confidence because McCarty didn’t spend the last 12 months telling everyone how great he’s doing.
By not broadcasting his every step and promoting alleged accomplishments, McCarty shattered a City Hall tradition.
The last two mayors, Kevin Johnson and Darrell Steinberg, spent much of their time at City Hall inundating residents with mayoral visions, goals and presumptive victories.
They held countless press conferences and updates about programs and policies to heighten the city’s (and their own) status.
