The Gun Owners of California call themselves the "toughest fighting pro-gun organization in the state of California." This morning they, along with Second Amendment supporters from all over the state, are organizing at the California State Capitol to make sure their voices are heard on pending gun control legislation. We will be updating you live on this event as it unfolds. Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Andrew Taggart of the Landsquids Sacramento Moped Army chapter sits smoking a cigarette with a tall can of PBR, warding off the early heat of a July morning. He wears a homemade shirt that reads “Bi-curious juggalo looking for same,” and is surrounded by his sleeping bag, coolers, and camping gear in preparation for the three-day Moped Army West Coast Chapter Bi-Annual Cali Rally which begins now. Founded in 1997 in Kalmazoo, Michigan, the Moped Army organization now consists of over 22 gangs nationwide all united by their semi-ironic devotion to 50cc or less. The bi-annual Cali Rally is one of many events that occur year round across the states but is mostly intended as a regional meet u

A crowd of women activists and their supporters flooded the Capitol lawn Saturday dressed in lingerie, mini skirts and dresses for the inaugural Sacramento Slutwalk. A “slutwalk” is a rally and protest march against blaming sexual violence on its victims or trying to excuse or explain it with references to the victim’s clothing. Attendees often refer to themselves as “sluts,” and many come scantily clad to to help drive their point home. Rico Ozaki, human trafficking specialist at My Sister’s House Sacramento, said the main purpose at the walk, which drew about 150 people,  was to educate and offer support to victims or people who know someone in crisis. “We’re hoping people take the me

When Lily Colby turned 18, she had nowhere else to go. Her foster parents gave her fair warning that she will be on her own. If she did not find a way to survive, she would be homeless. The same fate would have faced her brother, David Colby at 18, but his saving grace was new state legislation AB12, California’s Fostering connections to Success Act, a promise to extend support services to foster youth until the age of 19 in 2012, then to age 20 in 2013. But, a last minute amendment to the original proposal changed the logistics. In an effort to save money when AB12 was passed, legislators phased in the extension of care. With realignment shifting the power from state to counties, 2,16

'Occupy' protesters in Sacramento marched on Capital Mall Friday afternoon with a stop at the Bureau of Indian Affairs at 650 Capital Mall with some definite opinions of Columbus and the recent celebration of Columbus Day. After their brief stop and rally at John E. Moss Building, they continued east on Capital Mall where they rallied again on the north steps of the Capital Building See video from demonstration>> View some other 'Occupy' articles on SacPress>>      

Students and advisers from five Sacramento area high schools joined in a virtual rally Wednesday – with kids from Los Angeles, Fresno and Oakland schools – as part of the National Week of Action to raise awareness about the overuse of extreme school discipline. The rally connected more than 100 students, parents and community activists via live video feed to discuss recent trends in suspensions, expulsions and other harsh punishments in California schools. According to data from the California Department of Education, there were 235,033 students enrolled in public schools in Sacramento county in the 2010-11 school year. There were 47,678 suspensions and expulsions issued that same year

This Saturday – when the sun goes down, and the streets darken – women, men, children, survivors, activists and fighters of domestic violence will come together in Midtown to take a stand, speak out and reclaim the safety of the night. Each year 1.3 million women become victims of domestic violence, and one in every four women in the United States will experience domestic violence, according to statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said Diana Rosas, the press and media contact for Sacramento Women Take Back the Night. The 32nd annual Women Take Back the Night March and Rally will be held from 6-9 p.m. The event will start with a resource fair at 5:30 p.m. at t

With the Sacramento Kings on the verge of possibly ending their almost 30-year tenure in the Capitol, fans aren’t going down without a fight. “The chances that the Kings are staying are really slim,” said Eddie Montes, part of the Here We Stay campaign to keep the Kings in Sacramento. “It’ll be better to go out swinging, throw a couple punches and maybe land something, and have a miracle.” Here We Stay is organizing a small demonstration at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday before the scheduled City Council meeting. Montes said he estimates anywhere from 15 to 35 people will show up. “We honestly don’t know how many people will come,” he said. “We just want to make sure the council member

Rainy weather wasn’t going to stop the thousands of students who marched to the Capitol to fight for higher education Monday morning. California’s budget crisis has students from the UC, CSU, and Community Colleges concerned about their future. Governor Brown’s proposed budget increases community college tuition by 38.5% and cuts $400 million from the California Community College (CCC) system. This proposed budget is one of the reasons the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), an organization run completely by elected student members, puts this annual ‘March in March’ event on. “It’s a fundamental right that every Californian should have access to an affordable and

Sacramento, CA – Equality Action Now, in partnership with the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, Sacramento State Pride Center, Gender Health Center and other local organizations and mental health specialists have organized a candlelight vigil in the parking lot of McMartin Realty, 20th and K Street, Midtown Sacramento between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, Friday, October 8, 2010. The vigil will be held in conjunction with a nation-wide effort to, “Stand Up to Youth Suicide”. Representatives of Equality Action Now and other LGBT organizations and mental health experts will be on hand to help with questions and concerns and to provide the community with resources to fight bullying in Sacramento area

Tuesday, Sept. 14 4-6 p.m. The Surviving Parents Coalition will be hosting a Child Safety and Awareness Rally on the West Steps of the Capitol. About 100 people are expected to attend.  

Wednesday, Sept. 8 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Training Toward Self-Reliance will be hosting “Celebration of International Literacy Day” at the new rose garden, where volunteers will distribute information from various educational groups and feature on-site book reading. About 40 people are expected to attend. Thursday, Sept. 9 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Arc of California will host a Fetal Alcohol Syndrome rally on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 150 people are expected to attend. 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The State Capitol Museum will host Admission Day Celebration on the North Steps of the Capitol where birthday cake and ice cream will be served to celebrate California’s 160th year of Statehood.

For the first six innings of Tuesday night’s ballgame, the Sacramento River Cats managed just one hit. As it turned out, all they needed to get their offense going was to face a different pitcher. A crowd of nearly 10,600 watched as Las Vegas 51s starting pitcher Scott Richmond had a strong outing, striking out seven River Cats batters. His only blemish was a base hit by Travis Buck in the third inning. Hits were difficult to come by all night, and both teams left 10 runners on base. The River Cats did get on the scoreboard, but their four-game winning streak was halted by a 4-2 loss to the 51s in the second game of the four game series. River Cats starter Bobby Cramer did well in his f

Wednesday, Aug. 25 12-4 p.m. The California Legislative Black Caucus will have health fair with medical screenings on the North Steps. Around 100 people are expected to attend. Thursday, Aug. 26 3-6 p.m. The California Nurses Association will have a march and rally on the West Steps of the Capitol in honor of the 90th anniversary of women’s suffrage and also in protest of gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. Before the march and rally, there will be a photo shoot on the North Steps at 9 a.m. 10-11:30 a.m. The California Women’s State Appointment Project will have a press conference on the South Steps of the Capitol. Around 50 people are expected to attend.

Tuesday, Aug. 17 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary will have a fundraising bake-sale on the North Steps of the Capitol. Early in the day, a member of the nonprofit will be passing out fliers for the bake sale on the South Steps. 5 - 7 p.m. SEIU will have a rally on the West Steps of the Capitol. About 600 people are expected to attend.

Monday, Aug. 2 6 - 7 p.m. God’s Next Level Ministry will lead a prayer for state leaders and the government on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 30 people are expected to attend. Tuesday, Aug. 3 Noon - 3 p.m. The California School Employees Association will have an education rally and picnic on and around the North Steps of the Capitol. Around 3,000 people are expected to attend. 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. SEIU will have an informational rally in the DMV Plaza. Around 150 participants are expected.

 Wednesday, July 14 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The Iranian American Community will hold a rally in protest of the current Iranian regime on the North Steps. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Parent Voices will hold a march and rally for child care on the North Steps of the Capitol. About 100 people are expected to attend. For more information, visit here. Thursday, July 15 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Office of State Treasurer Bill Lockyer will hold a staff appreciation luncheon on the lawn of the Capitol. About 100 people are expected to attend.

Saturday, July 3 12 - 2 p.m. Madeline Lowery will hold a rally and prayers for California Department of Corrections prisoners on the South Steps. About 30 people are expected to participate.

 Wednesday, June 29 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Service Employees International Union Local 1000 will have a rally with the theme of, "We Are California" on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 5,000 state workers and supporters are expected for the event. 12 - 1:15 p.m. The Service Employees International Union - United Service Workers West will have a press conference on the South Steps of the Capitol. Around 50 people are expected to attend.

 Monday, June 21 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association will be hosting the African New Year Jubilee on the West Steps of the Capitol. African New Year’s Day celebrates the year 6,250 based on the Great Pyramid Complex, an ancient African science of the Earth's rotation. Tuesday, June 22 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Strategic Counsel will have an electric vehicle info booth and a rally on the North Steps of the Capitol.