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.

Haven’t gotten your flu shot yet? There’s still time, and on Monday, Anthem Blue Cross is sponsoring a free flu shot clinic at the State Capitol from 1 to 4 p.m. in rooms 126 and 127. This year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that flu activity is “elevated” nationally. Hospitalizations and deaths from influenza-like-illnesses have risen steeply recent weeks. Earlier this month, the California Department of Public Health said that California is officially experiencing “widespread” flu activity, joining 47 other states with that designation. Many people mistakenly believe that only vulnerable populations like the elderly should receive vaccinations. That’s not true. The CDC rec

Get a glimpse into California’s history!  A special “Election Day Living History” event recreates an important event in California’s past – the 1906 Election. This Sunday, October 14, beginning at 10:30 a.m., the California State Capitol will be turned back to 1906 with costumed docents dressed as the four gubernatorial candidates – Theodore Bell (Democrat), James Gillett (Republican), William Langdon (Independence League), and Austin Lewis (Socialist). This Living History event provides visitors the opportunity to learn about real historical figures who are dealing with real issues from 1906 as they run for the office of Governor of California.   Visitors will hear speeches from each of

The Fem Dems of Sacramento promote feminist values within the Democratic Party as well as the local community, approaching feminism within politics by encouraging others to get involved through volunteering and outreach. Fem Dems President Kelly Rivas, General Counsel Officer Amber Maltbie and fellow member Hatzune Aguilar founded the organization in 2009 after working together for a local political law firm.  Each had been involved in similar clubs in college, and after graduating and moving to Sacramento, they wanted to continue their efforts.  Their drive to form a local Sacramento club led to the Fem Dems, for those who are active in politics or looking to be gain experience in politi

Welcome to another edition of the our a daily blog,  a rundown of items that we're working on, found interesting, or otherwise thought you might want to know about today. As is always the case here at Sac Press, suggestions are welcome. WHAT WE’RE READING FIELD OF DREAMS: With all the talk this week about the potential of building a Major League Baseball stadium at the railyards, a look at another example bears mentioning. According to The Atlantic Cities, the city of Buffalo, N.Y., banked on building an MLB stadium without a team, hoping that an MLB franchise would see the appeal of a new stadium and pull up stakes for a move to Buffalo. That, however, never materialized, and while the

In an effort to educate the public on how to make our world greener, various exhibits set up booths on the west steps at the State Capitol for the California Green Fair on Wednesday, May 16. The various demonstrations included green ideas for the workplace and at home such as installing low-flow shower heads, washing vegetables in a container instead of under running water and turning off water when soaping hands. Information was also given as to why more people should abstain from eating animal products, namely meat. As quoted in the "Eating Sustainably" brochure available at this event, " A 2007 journal published by the American Dietetic Association states that researchers found 'meat

Arthritis sucks, because today: · Three people will die from arthritis-related complications · 50 million men, women and children are in pain from arthritis · 3,750 joints will be replaced Arthritis and its forms, like RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), are often referred to as the “invisible disease.” The symptoms are invisible when looking at an affected person’s appearance – so much that people with the disease often hear, “but you don’t look sick.” There’s also a misconception that only old people are suffering. However, JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) can be diagnosed as early as 6 months old. The effects of arthritis and all of its forms, however, are far from invisible to those who

Californians deserve a day to celebrate their great state and on Friday, September 9 at 11:30 a.m. (on the north steps of the State Capitol), the public is invited to a special -- and free -- event in honor of California’s 161st year of statehood!  Visitors will enjoy patriotic live music, birthday cake and ice cream provided by California State Parks, the State Capitol Museum and with support from the California State Capitol Museum Volunteer Association.   Come one, come all and be sure to stop by the California State Capitol Museum located inside the Capitol that offers free admission all year long. For more information about the special Admission Day Celebration or other events and a

Editor's Note: More than 4,800 athletes from 93 countries, ranging in age from 35 to 101, are competing in the 19th World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships at Sacramento State's A.G. Spanos Sports Complex through July 17. This marks the first time in 16 years that the biennial event has been held in the United States. Click here for a complete list of each day's results from the WMA Championships in Sacramento. For more info on the World Master's Athletics Championships, click here.

Editor's Note: More than 4,800 athletes from 93 countries, ranging in age from 35 to 101, are competing in the 19th World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships at Sacramento State's A.G. Spanos Sports Complex through July 17. This marks the first time in 16 years that the biennial event has been held in the United States. Click here for a complete list of each day's results from the WMA Championships in Sacramento. For more info on the World Master's Athletics Championships, click here.

Editor's Note: More than 4,800 athletes from 93 countries, ranging in age from 35 to 101, are competing in the 19th World Masters Athletics Outdoor Championships at Sacramento State's A.G. Spanos Sports Complex through July 17. This marks the first time in 16 years that the biennial event has been held in the United States. Click here for a complete list of each day's results from the WMA Championships in Sacramento. For more info on the World Master's Athletics Championships, click here.

The rain didn't stop an estimated 13,000 college students and faculty from marching on the State Capitol Monday to demand legislators work out their differences and put tax extensions on the ballot, which educators have said would make next year's cuts more bearable. Students were bused from all over the state to the Towe Auto Museum, where the march officially began. Called the “March in March,” Monday's protest was the fourth year in a row that the same group came out to the Capitol in such large numbers. As it stands now, Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 assesses a $1.4 billion cut to higher education, including $500 million to University of California schools a

The California International Marathon went off without a hitch on Sunday. Despite severe weather warnings, conditions were perfect and thousands of athletes took part in this popular, annual event.   A young cheerleader enjoyed her time at the finish line infront of her State Capital. The Highway Patrol's mounted division helped with security for all the athletes. Sac P.D. did a great job helping this event go off without a hitch. A female relay runner finishing up her leg and the race. Another relay runner in her closing stages. The most colorful athlete of the day completing his race in 3 hours, 20 minutes. Husband and wife on a Sunday morning jog..."wait, we've just compl

Sacramento’s holiday lights will shine a little less brightly this season when Westfield Downtown Plaza goes without a giant Christmas tree for the first time in 30 years. Without a tree, the annual day-after-Thanksgiving tree lighting ceremony at the mall's Seventh and K streets entrance also won't be held. However, the plaza is likely to be the only place in Sacramento with a little snow this winter after artificial snow-making machines are set up in a children's play area. Sacramentans can enjoy two other Christmas tree lightings. Old Sacramento will light up its huge tree at 6 p.m. Wednesday at K and Front streets, followed by a light show and more to set the historic district sparkl

"Strengthening Communities One Family at a Time" November is National Adoption Month. Counties and communities across California will promote adoption and permanency awareness through activities and events that bring attention to the needs of the children and youth in foster care throughout the state waiting for families to love and adopt them.  Of the 60,000 children and youth that are in California's foster care system, 25,000 of them are ready to be adopted, and yet the continue to linger in care.  Locally, there are about 1,200 children and youth in the Sacramento region who are waiting to be adopted. National Adoption Day on November 20, 2010 will cap the month-long effort to raise

Monday the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit placed their own stay in the Federal Prop 8 Case, which doesn’t allow the issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Once again disappointment, and for some, anger has invaded the lives of many same-sex couples who were set to take their vows on the West Steps of the California State Capitol Building today. In place of the planned Wedding Ceremonies, leaders of the LGBT Community are calling for a Protest Rally and March around the State Capitol. This will begin on the West Steps at 6:00pm, Wednesday August 18 (when hundreds of same-sex marriages would have taken place). Equality Action Now as well as organizations thro

California's Democratic and Republican chairmen addressed how their parties' candidates will overcome the budget crisis if elected in November at the Capital Plaza Halls Tuesday afternoon. The lunch was hosted by the Sacramento Press Club and was attended by members of the working press, state politics, and public. Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring and Democratic Party Chairman John Burton spoke mainly on the gubernatorial and senate elections, claiming that in the coming months it will become increasingly clear why either party has the better candidate. Among the issues addressed was that of campaign financing. With Meg Whitman's campaign likely to spend hundreds of millions of doll

Following a five-month hiatus, intriguing closing argument to the Federal lawsuit against California’s Proposition 8 were heard in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco on June 16, and a decision in the case is expected shortly. The leadership of Sacramento’s Equality Action Now, a local, grassroots civil rights organization and the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center are planning to respond to whatever ruling Judge Vaughn Walker decides in the case with a rally at the Sacramento G&L Center, 1927 L St. As of this writing there are no indications when the ruling will take place. Organizers are preparing for any day or time it could be announced. There were rumours flying yesterday that t

Over 300 students, parents, friends, and family members braved gusty winds on the West Steps of the Capitol on Saturday, June 12, to recognize over 140 local high school graduates from the Sacramento area who had been chosen as the 2010 Ronald McDonald House Scholars. Participants at the Recognition Ceremony took photographs and shook hands with local community leaders as part of an event to award the recipients with a certificate acknowledging their scholarship award. Several prominent business and community leaders attended the event including Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, Sacramento City Council Member Rob Fong, Solano County Supervisor John Vasquez, KCRA-TV anchor Adr