Politics | Territorial Dispatch serving Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, and Nevada Counties.

Politics

Last Updated: Sep 01, 2026 10:16AM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

Rep. Mike Thompson, left, and challenger Eric Jones address attendees during a candidate forum

Thompson, Jones Spar in Marysville

Sep 01, 2026 10:16AM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

Rep. Mike Thompson and challenger Eric Jones laid out competing approaches to agriculture, water, trade, health care and federal representation during a 45-minute candidate forum hosted by the Yuba Sutter Farm Bureau at the Yuba County Government Center.

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Vice Mayor Bruce Buttacavoli

Unopposed Councilmembers Appointed to New Terms

Aug 25, 2026 09:57AM ● By Shaunna Boyd

The Marysville City Council held a special meeting on Aug. 20 to consider canceling the Nov. 3 election for two council seats because only two candidates filed to run.

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Rep. James Gallagher

Gallagher Challenges California Harbor Regulations

Aug 25, 2026 09:49AM ● By MPG Staff

Rep. James Gallagher has introduced a congressional resolution seeking to overturn federal approval of California emissions requirements for commercial vessels, arguing the regulations will increase costs for businesses, fishing guides and consumers.

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Sutter County Rejects Part of Grand Jury Recommendation

Aug 18, 2026 01:18PM ● By Susan Meeker

Sutter County will not adopt a Grand Jury proposal seeking more documentation of how the Agricultural Commissioner determines pesticide fines.

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Gay Bar Data Harvesting Cameras Mark Turning Sentiment

Aug 17, 2026 06:17PM ● By Josh Cook

The last few weeks have seen some amazing instances of a growing policy problem that you face, whether you want to face it or not, just because you have a face.

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You'll Keep Paying for Wildfires on Your Electric Bill Until California Fixes Its Forests

Aug 11, 2026 10:12AM ● By Josh Cook

If you live in California, you've probably seen the ads: "Home insurance rates skyrocket." "The FAIR Plan is broken." They urge you to call your legislator and demand a fix. What they don't mention is who paid for them.

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Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau

Candidate Forum Set for Aug. 25

Aug 11, 2026 09:27AM ● By MPG Staff

Candidates seeking state and federal office will meet with voters Aug. 25 during a public forum hosted by the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau.

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james gallagher

Gallagher Introduces Water Reliability Bill

Aug 05, 2026 08:44AM ● By MPG Staff

Rep. James Gallagher has introduced legislation in Congress that would expand federal support for water storage projects, habitat restoration and infrastructure improvements throughout the Sacramento River Basin.

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Sutter County Voters to Weigh Sales Tax

Aug 05, 2026 08:11AM ● By Susan Meeker

Sutter County voters will decide in November whether to approve a 1% countywide sales tax to help maintain public safety, repair roads, protect water infrastructure and support other local government services.

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Marysville Seeks Grant for Domestic Violence Unit

Aug 04, 2026 03:41PM ● By Shaunna Boyd

The Marysville City Council approved several projects and initiatives during its July 21 meeting, including a major sewer relocation contract, a new vegetation management ordinance and a federal grant application to strengthen domestic violence investigations.

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The Ukraine Effect: Cheap High-Tech Weapons and California

Jul 31, 2026 08:12AM ● By Josh Cook

The California congressional delegation should treat advances in high-tech warfare as both economic development and a national security opportunity.

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Water Project Moves Ahead with Local Funding

Jul 28, 2026 11:20AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Yuba City Council approved shifting $650,000 in local water capital funds to complete a major groundwater storage project after delays prevented the final phase from being fully reimbursed under a state grant.

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sewer improvements

Robbins Sewer Upgrade Moves Forward

Jul 28, 2026 10:52AM ● By Lloyd Green Jr.

A federal water infrastructure bill moving through Congress includes millions of dollars for sewer improvements in Robbins and support for culvert upgrades across South Sutter County.

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Congressional candidate Eric Jones

Jones Challenges Thompson to Debates

Jul 28, 2026 10:41AM ● By MPG Staff

Congressional candidate Eric Jones has challenged U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson to participate in nine debates across California's 4th Congressional District, including one in each of the district's nine counties and at least one televised debate.

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HR Director Approved After Budget Standoff

Jul 28, 2026 10:33AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Marysville City Council has unanimously approved funding for a full-time human resources director, resolving the final issue left unsettled June 30 when it adopted the proposed 2026-27 budget.

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GIS Agreement Expands City Mapping Access

Jul 28, 2026 10:18AM ● By Susan Meeker

Yuba City approved an agreement last week to share Sutter County's Geographic Information System, giving city employees access to current property ownership records, parcel maps and other geographic data without the expense of developing and maintaining a separate mapping system.

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Thompson to Hold Yuba City Town Hall, July 30

Jul 22, 2026 01:27PM ● By Lloyd Green

Congressman Mike Thompson will host a free public "Ask Me Anything" town hall at 6 p.m. July 30 in Yuba City. Residents are invited to discuss issues affecting the community and ask questions.

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Sutter Secures Final Reentry Funding

Jul 21, 2026 09:39AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Sutter County Board of Supervisors accepted the final $600,000 installment of state PATH funding last week to expand a nationally recognized reentry program that has significantly cut jail recidivism while helping former inmates successfully return to their communities.

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Council Rejects Bids for City Hall Projects

Jul 21, 2026 09:33AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Marysville City Council rejected bids last week for two City Hall improvement projects after determining the lowest proposals contained deficiencies that would have forced the city to spend significantly more money to award the contracts.

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Yuba City Supports Rail Merger

Jul 21, 2026 09:22AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Yuba City Council joined other public agencies earlier this month in urging federal regulators to approve the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, citing benefits to agriculture, businesses and the regional economy.

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County Upgrades Emergency Communications

Jul 21, 2026 09:10AM ● By MPG Staff

Sutter County will receive $1.5 million in federal funding to upgrade public safety communications, allowing first responders across the county to improve coordination during emergencies and large-scale incidents.

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Yuba City Approves Code Enforcement Liens

Jul 14, 2026 10:33AM ● By Susan Meeker

Yuba City officials approved placing more than $64,000 in unpaid code enforcement citation fines on the county property tax roll July 7, allowing the city to recover costs through special assessments and property liens while granting a second chance to five property owners who appeared at a public hearing.

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Sutter County Grand Jury Finds HHS Too Complex to Review

Jul 14, 2026 10:28AM ● By Susan Meeker

The 2025‑26 Sutter County Grand Jury found Sutter County Health and Human Services effectively managed one of the county’s largest and most complex departments despite aging facilities, funding uncertainty and rising demand for services.

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Statewide Measures Carry Local Impacts for Rural Communities

Jul 14, 2026 10:21AM ● By Susan Meeker

Fourteen statewide propositions will appear on California’s Nov. 3 ballot, and several could bring direct changes to small communities in the North State.

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Remote Access Rules Reach Select Agencies

Jul 14, 2026 10:11AM ● By Susan Meeker

Yuba City Meeting Interrupted by Online Troll

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Council Extends Contracts for Critical City Services

Jul 13, 2026 04:28PM ● By Shaunna Boyd

At its July 7 meeting, the Marysville City Council approved one-year extensions for the city's information technology and planning services contracts while also accepting the completion of a pavement rehabilitation project and adopting a regional transportation safety plan.

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Final Week for Free Summer Meals

Jul 10, 2026 09:00AM ● By MPG Staff

Marysville Joint Unified School District will wrap up its free Summer Meals Program on July 14 and 15, giving families one final chance to pick up seven days of breakfasts and lunches for children ages 18 and younger.

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Yuba County Library Project Moves Forward

Jul 07, 2026 11:54AM ● By Susan Meeker

The Yuba County Board of Supervisors approved a $250,000 budget adjustment for the ongoing Yuba County Library renovation that reclassifies project costs without increasing the overall cost of the project.

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Sutter Grand Jury Finds Gaps in Ag Department Procedures

Jul 07, 2026 11:31AM ● By Susan Meeker

The 2025-26 Sutter County Grand Jury concluded the Sutter County Agricultural Department effectively supports local farming and protects consumers but recommended changes to improve transparency in pesticide enforcement and strengthen internal communication.

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Local Agencies Align on Tort Reform Plan

Jun 30, 2026 08:52AM ● By Susan Meeker

Cities and counties across the region, including Butte County, Biggs, Live Oak and Sutter County, are joining a statewide push for tort reform as public‑entity liability costs continue to climb and strain local budgets.

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New Civil Grand Jury Begins Service

Jun 29, 2026 04:28PM ● By MPG Staff

Nineteen members of the 2026-27 Yuba County Civil Grand Jury took the oath of office Thursday, beginning a new term of service as independent citizen watchdogs over local government.

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Yuba City Narrows Budget Deficit as Costs Climb

Jun 23, 2026 03:00PM ● By Susan Meeker

The Yuba City Council adopted a $126 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year last week, reducing a projected $7.8 million structural deficit to about $2.2 million through spending reductions, staffing cuts and the use of one-time funding sources.

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Council Approves Softball Field Agreement, Updates City Ordinances

Jun 23, 2026 02:26PM ● By Shaunna Boyd

The Marysville City Council on June 16 approved a facility use agreement with Boom Time Sports LLC to manage the softball fields at Beckwourth Riverfront Park.

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Yuba City Adopts Five-Year Utility Rate Plan

Jun 23, 2026 10:34AM ● By Susan Meeker

Yuba City approved a new five-year schedule of water and wastewater rates as part of its June 16 consent agenda, establishing rates through fiscal year 2030-31 to support ongoing operations, maintenance, and infrastructure needs for the city’s utility systems.

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Healthcare Access in Rural Counties Is Already at Risk — H.R. 1 Makes It Worse

Jun 18, 2026 06:31PM ● By Kent Boes, California State Association of Counties

Colusa County Supervisor Kent Boes warns proposed federal healthcare changes could jeopardize Medi-Cal coverage, strain Colusa Medical Center, and threaten access to rural healthcare.

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