Bob Brownne of the Tracy Press reported on a recently issued San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury Report that exposed issues within the Tracy City Council, including violation of the Brown Act, California’s open meetings law; creating a toxic work environment “within City Hall by spreading accusations of corruption and alleged illegal activities by upper management […]

Hannah Workman ofThe Stockton Record reported on a recently issued San Joaquin County grand jury report that detailed Stockton city employees being harassed by the social media site 209 Times. The civil grand jury’s comprehensive report began as a review of potential Brown act violations. Read the full article here: San Joaquin Grand Jury warns […]

David M. Greenwald, Executive Editor of the Davis. Vanguard reported on 6/22/24 that the Yolo County Civil Grand Jury found the status of homelessness it “to be a multifaceted problem that is being dealt with, and funded by, a myriad of federal, state, county, city, and private organizations.” Yet, many needs are left unmet. Read […]

Ezra David Romero wrote in KQED on June 21, 2024 that “the latest San Francisco Civil Grand Jury report, [found] that a fractured approach to city infrastructure and a lack of fiscal transparency leave critical public safety assets vulnerable to climate change…The jury discovered a need for more transparency in how San Francisco agencies, primarily […]

Briana Mathaw wrote in Kion 46 News Channel on June 21, 2024 that “According to the report, many found themselves under-insured to the degree that they simply could not bear the cost to rebuild. Others were unable to rekindle their dreams because they found themselves unable to navigate a lengthy and often bewildering permitting process.” […]

Richard Halstead wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on June 13, 2024 that “A new Marin County Civil Grand Jury report calls for increased oversight of tax revenues being used to help purchase agricultural easements….The grand jury estimates the county provided MALT with an additional $15.7 million for agricultural easements dating back to 1988, with […]

Carolyn Stein wrote in The San Francisco Chronicle on June 21, 2024 that San Francisco has a lot of commissions — so many that the city doesn’t even have a comprehensive list of all of them, a new report by the city’s Civil Grand Jury found. The report  said that …’that San Francisco has approximately […]

Bay City News staff wrote in Patch on June 20, 2024 that “Last week, a Santa Cruz County civil grand jury released a report exploring mental health care in county jails. It alleges that corrections staff abuses the use of solitary confinement intended for people having a mental health crisis and that the private medical […]

Yahoo!finance included an article on June 20, 2024 that “San Francisco’s Department of Public Works is not publicly transparent in how it builds and maintains city assets worth nearly $19 billion and does not know the true costs of restoring degraded assets to working condition, a new Civil Grand Jury report has found. Read the […]

Jessica A. York wrote in The Santa Cruz Sentinel on June 18, 2024 that “In the shadow of a recent Civil Grand Jury report critical of jail mental health services, Santa Cruz County officials voted this month to move its private corrections health services contract to a new provider.” Read the article here: https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2024/06/18/santa-cruz-county-jails-switch-medical-mental-health-provider-with-11m-contract/

Daniel Macht wrote in KCRA 3 on June 17, 2024 that “The Sacramento City Unified School District has failed students with learning, physical and behavioral disabilities by ignoring repeated warnings and recommendations for years on how to better serve them, according to a Sacramento County civil grand jury.” Read the article here: https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-city-unified-school-district-students-with-disabilities-grand-jury-report-2024/61145071

Jack Lee wrote in The San Francisco Chronicle on June 11,2024 that “a new report by the San Francisco civil grand jury says the city isn’t ready to manage the extreme rains and floods expected to come in the near future due to climate change. The new report highlights a lack of transparency in the […]

Dave Manoucheri wrote in KCRA3 on June 13, 2024 that “Sacramento County continues to fail in its efforts to find safe and permanent housing for foster teenagers who are being housed at temporary facilities because the county has not prioritized this group in its foster system, according to a damning report by the county’s civil […]

Alesandro Manzella wrote in The Pajaronian on June 14, 2024 that “Many people who are arrested and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail not only lose their freedom, but also access to health care and mental health services. That’s according to a report released June 11 by the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury.” Read the […]

Rosalio Ahumada wrote in The Sacramento Bee on June 14, 2024 that “A scathing grand jury report released Thursday criticized the care for foster teens who go without a safe place to sleep because their safety is not considered a ‘high priority’ for Sacramento County officials. A seventh-month investigation by the 2023-24 Sacramento County grand […]

Krissy White wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on June 14, 2024 that “The Town Council reviewed the draft budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year in a public hearing on June 5….Mayor Alice Fredericks said she would like to see the budget account for the Marin County Civil Grand Jury’s recent report recommending a new […]

The Editorial Board of The Santa Cruz Sentinel wrote on June 16, 2024 that the Santa Cruz County Civil grand jury reported “the county has $401 million in outstanding roadway deferred maintenance …The more that is done sooner to maintain our roads, the less we will have to pay later.” Read the article here: https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2024/06/16/editorial-following-the-money-train-on-roads-highway-and-rail-trail/

A neighborhood brief was printed in The Lookout Santa Cruz on June 12, 2024 noting that “The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury criticized the state of mental health care in county jails, a claim that Sheriff Jim Hart vehemently disputes, labeling the report as highly inaccurate and denying any violation of state law regarding […]

Staff of SCUSD published a press release June 17, 2024 that “As uncomfortably difficult as it is to read, the report issued by the Sacramento County Grand Jury identified accurate shortcomings with regard to SCUSD’s past practices in special education. The notion that we are failing to provide appropriate educational services to our most vulnerable […]

Jeanette Bent wrote in Kion 46 News Channel on June 11, 2024 that “a Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury report released on Tuesday found that the Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Department failed to meet certain standards due to limited resources as well as inadequate reporting in some South Santa Cruz County areas.” The […]

The staff of The Redheaded Blackbelt wrote on 12 June 2024 that “The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has released the fourth report of their 2023-2024 term, entitled ‘Eureka City Schools – Board of Trustees: Deal or No Deal.’” The report focuses on the Board of Trustees’ compliance with the Brown Act.  Read the article […]

Dick Spotswood wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on June 8, 2024 that “Marin’s well-respected civil grand jury has just issued its report …that addresses the fact that ‘the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects a 12-inch increase in sea level for the San Francisco Bay Area between now and 2050.’” Read the article here: […]

PK Hattis wrote in The Santa Cruz Sentinel on June 7, 2024 that “Santa Cruz County leaders are getting ready to distribute millions in grant funding to eligible community-serving organizations….County officials stood by the process,…supported by a report released last year by the Santa Cruz County civil grand jury that found the process had been […]

Krissy Waite wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on June 6, 2024 at 4:23 p.m. that “Marin County needs to create an agency to enforce sea level rise adaptation efforts in every city and town, according to a report released by the Marin County Civil Grand Jury.” Read the article here:  https://www.marinij.com/2024/06/06/marin-grand-jury-states-need-for-countywide-coordination-on-sea-level-rise-plans/

Briana Mathaw wrote on KION 46 News Channel on June 5, 2024 that “The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury Report released a report on Wednesday morning saying a majority of the roads in unincorporated Santa Cruz County are in poor condition. According to the report, at least 63 percent of the roads are in […]

On 6/6/24 Ben Hensley of The Business Journal reported that the Fresno County Civil Grand Jury released a report stating that in 2020, the City of Fresno sent $613,737 to a false bank account. Had the city followed its policies properly, the theft would not have taken place. Read the full story at: https://thebusinessjournal.com/report-600k-city-of-fresno-phishing-scam-could-have-been-avoided/

In a May 30, 2024 story by Lily Dallow for KEYT Newschannel3-12, the 2023-2024San Luis Obispo County Civil Grand Jury has released its report on local lawenforcement and detention facilities, including the County Jail, Juvenile Hall, andthe California Men’s Colony State Prison (CMC). The Report notes that significantsafety and security improvements have been achieved in […]

Richard Halstead wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on June 5, 2024 that “Officials need to tighten the oversight of county-issued credit cards used by nearly 300 employees, according to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury. A new report … recommends a number of changes in the system, most notably transferring full responsibility for administering […]

Ryan Burns wrote in The Lost Coast Outpost on June 5, 2024 that “Humboldt County First District Supervisor Rex Bohn may have been half kidding when referred to yesterday’s special meeting of the Board of Supervisors as “doomsday,” but County Administrative Officer Elishia Hayes wasn’t amused. Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone addressed the subject of […]

Sage Alexander reported in The Times Standard on May 31, 2024 that “The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury toured county facilities and released a report late Thursday evening. Many of the findings mirror what the jury said in previous years at places … there’s not enough staff.” Read the article here: https://www.times-standard.com/2024/05/31/grand-jury-report-humboldt-county-facilities-understaffed-repairs-needed/

Cameron MacDonald wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on June 1, 2024 that “San Rafael resident Amelia Stafford … testified before the state Senate Transportation Committee in Sacramento on Tuesday during its review of an Assembly bill that addresses e-bike safety…. In April, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury recommended that local governments prohibit youths […]

Megan Rose Dickey wrote in Axios San Francisco on May 30, 2024 that “SanFrancisco’s civil grand jury this week determined that issues with illegal fireworksresult from ‘little to no coordination’ among city departments and recommendedincreasing citywide data collection and analysis….Private fireworks, which areillegal in the city, can start fires, cause injuries, and traumatize children and […]

Loco staff wrote in The Lost Coast Outpost on May 29, 2024 from a press release that Humboldt County “pays close to $500,000 every month, nearly $6 million per year, to lease office space for employees throughout the County. Would the money be better spent in the long run on owning these facilities instead?” Read […]

The Marin Independent Journal Editorial Board wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on May 2, 2024 “When members of the 2023-24 Marin County Civil Grand Jury read a story… about some parents feeling the pinch of the cost of buying school supplies for their kids, something didn’t sound right….As the grand jury’s report states, the […]

The Lost Coast Outpost published a report by its staff on April 30, 2024 citing a press release: The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has released the first report of their 2023-2024 term, entitled: “Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: Is a Lack of Oversight Due to a Lack of Foresight?” Read the article here: https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/apr/30/first-report-year-grand-jury-recommends-civilian-o/

Cameron MacDonald wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on April 30, 2024 that “The Marin County Civil Grand Jury is calling on local governments to closely regulate the use of electric bikes by youths. In a new report, the investigative panel recommends that minors under age 16 should be prohibited from operating class 2 e-bikes […]

The Lost Coast Outpost published a report by its staff on April 30, 2024 citing a press release: The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has released the first report of their 2023-2024 term, entitled: “Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: Is a Lack of Oversight Due to a Lack of Foresight?” Read the article here: https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/apr/30/first-report-year-grand-jury-recommends-civilian-o/

Dick Spotswood wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on April 27, 2024 wrote Marin County’s 2023-24 Civil Grand Jury has issued a compliance report. “Of multiple reviews from last year’s jury findings, the report titled “The Coming Wave of Older Adults — Is Marin Prepared?” has the potential to impact Marin’s largest subgroup: seniors.” Read […]

Keri Brenner wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on April 28, 2024 that “Marin parents should not be asked to help provide school supplies, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury said in a new report….The report, “A Free Public Education Includes School Supplies,” said that a number of Marin schools are distributing supply lists to […]

On April 24, 2024, John Donegan (Bakersfield Californian) reported that the County Board of Supervisors responded to a 2023-24 grand jury report on the impacts of illegal fireworks. The county has an online reporting system and task force that tracks illegal fireworks and will bolster outreach ahead of the holiday. Read the full article at: […]

Dick Spotswood wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on April 20, 2024 that “Marin County’s well-respected Civil Grand Jury has just issued the first in a series of its 2024 reports:” entitled “What Have They Done? An Update on the Responses to the 2022-2023 Marin County Civil Grand Jury Reports”. Read the article here: https://www.marinij.com/2024/04/20/dick-spotswood-keeping-score-on-marin-civil-grand-jury-recommendations/

Torstein Rehn wrote in KSBW Monterey-Salinas in msn.com on April 18, 2024 that “A new report from the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury is shining a light on noise complaints. The 13-page report, which was published on Tuesday, found that current measures are inadequately serving the community.” Read the article here:: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/noisy-neighbors-monterey-county-noise-complaint-enforcement-lacking-new-report-finds/ar-AA1bkIQ0?ocid=weather-verthp-feeds&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

Adrian Rodriguez wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on April 19, 2024 that “A critical sales tax needed to keep Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit alive could have a fresh path toward renewal under a new state bill. “ The Marin County Civil Grand Jury wrote in a report that “local taxpayers have made a significant […]

Giana Magnoli, in Noozhawk, April 17, 2024, reports that this week the civil grand jury found that the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office’s review of in-custody deaths constitutes a conflict of interest. Another county agency should provide an independent or parallel investigation. Read the full article here: https://www.noozhawk.com/santa-barbara-county-civil-grand-jury-calls-for-independent-investigators-for-jail-deaths/

The Lost Coast Outpost published a report by its staff on April 30, 2024 citing a press release: The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has released the first report of their 2023-2024 term, entitled: “Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: Is a Lack of Oversight Due to a Lack of Foresight?” Read the article here: https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/apr/30/first-report-year-grand-jury-recommends-civilian-o/

Cameron MacDonald wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on April 30, 2024 that “The Marin County Civil Grand Jury is calling on local governments to closely regulate the use of electric bikes by youths. In a new report, the investigative panel recommends that minors under age 16 should be prohibited from operating class 2 e-bikes […]

Tom Molanphy wrote in 48 Hills on APRIL 1, 2024 that “the plan to clean-up and reuse the Hunters Point Shipyard has been contentious from the moment the 900-acre base closed in 1974…Contentions were on display at the HPS Citizens Advisory Committee Monday. March 25….The 2022 Civil Grand Jury Report warned that contaminants all over […]

Richard Halstead wrote in the Marin Independent Journal on April 1, 2024 that Residents at the Marin Valley Mobile Country Club in Novato might form a limited-equity housing cooperative to purchase the city-owned lots their homes sit on. The city intended the neighborhood to be financially self-sufficient with revenues coming entirely from tenants’ pad rental […]

Dennis L. Taylor wrote in The Monterey Herald on March 27, 2024 that “Some recommendations from a 2023 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury report aimed at improving county government have been implemented. Others just aren’t going to happen….The jury focused on four county departments.” Read the article here: https://www.montereyherald.com/2024/03/27/many-civil-grand-jury-recommendations-accomplished-some-wont-be/

Tim Redmond wrote in 48hills.org on March 24, 2004 that “The San Francisco Civil Grand Jury pointed out in 2022 a major time-bomb of an issue at the Hunters Point Shipyard, which developers still want to turn into housing….The US Navy now agrees it’s a problem.” Read the article here: https://48hills.org/2024/03/can-sf-get-an-independent-study-of-toxic-risk-at-hunters-point/

On 3/19/2024, Brittany Maldonado, CaliforniaCityNews, reported that contract negotiations with a new city manager had failed. A grand jury report released this month referred to the city’s dysfunction, citing the constant turnover in management. Read the full article here: https://www.californiacitynews.org/2024/03/california-city-hires-another-manager-after-latest-contract-negotiations-break-down.html

On 3/2//9/24, Patti Orr, Mojave Desert News, reported that a March 7th Kern County Grand Jury report indicated the need to establish and approach consistent cannabis code compliance and enforcement before July 1st of this year including the collection of approximately $500,000 worth of back taxes that is due to the city. Read the full […]

Reporter Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 3/19/24, writes that “a withering grand jury report found that pilots fly in terror of the very tall pine trees that stand uncomfortably close to the runways” at the county’s Georgetown airport. Read the full story at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article286646365.html

Ariane Lange wrote in the Sacramento Bee on March 19, 2024 that “At a small Northern California airport managed by a county department’s division of “airports and cemeteries,” a withering [El Dorado County civil] grand jury report found that pilots fly in terror of the very tall pine trees that stand uncomfortably close to the […]

Christopher Damien writing for the Palm Springs Desert Sun, 3/18/24, reported that at the County Board of Supervisors meeting, Undersheriff Don Sharp and Count Supervisor Chuck Washington exchanged views about the high number of deaths in the county jail which had been the subject of a civil grand jury report. Read the full story here. […]

Chirstopher Damien writing for the Palm Springs Desert Sun, 3/18/24, reported that at the County Board of Supervisors meeting, Undersheriff Don Sharp and Count Supervisor Chuck Washington exchanged views about the high number of deaths in the county jail which had been the subject of a civil grand jury report. Read the full story here: […]

Chris Coulombe wrote in The California Globe on March 13, 2024 that “On Feb. 6, Pacific Gas and Electric…announced it will request the decommissioning and destruction of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam, removing a major water source for … 600,000 residents… In June 2022, the Marin County civil grand jury called into question Marin […]

Elena Kadvany wrote in The San Francisco Chronicle on March 12, 2024 that “Last April… Brittany Dunn Holden finally found a permanent home for Saltwater Bakeshop. But eleven months later, the bakery is still an empty shell. A 2023 civil grand jury report called Prop H’s timeline “confusing.” There is no “reliable mechanism” to comprehensively […]

On March 05, 2024, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted a gold resolution proclaiming March as Civil Grand Jury Appreciation Month and endorsed the ongoing drive to recruit new civil grand jurors. Read the full article here: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-highlights-critical-work-of-civil-grand-juries-encourages-people-to-volunteer-for-service

Momen Zellmi wrote in BNN on March 4, 2024 that “amid ongoing payroll discrepancies and operational challenges, San Francisco United School District announces a significant shift in its administrative infrastructure… A civil grand jury report criticized the system for its role in exacerbating the district’s recruitment and retention challenges, spotlighting the need for a robust […]

Carole Hester wrote in The Ukiah Daily Journal on March 3, 2024 that “Annually in California 58 county grand juries investigate and report on the operations of local governments within the county – a process called the “watchdog” function.” The Board of Supervisors of Mendocino County recognized the jury’s work by proclaiming February 2024 “Grand […]

Noah Baustin wrote in The San Francisco Standard on February 27, 2024 that “unions representing San Francisco’s city workers rallied Tuesday to cry foul over the billions of dollars the city spends on outside contractors each year…. A June 2023 civil grand jury report found that the number of vacancies in the city more than […]

David Mamaril Horowitz wrote in The Frisc on February 26, 2024 that “the Homelessness Oversight Commission monitors the Homelessness and Supportive Housing Department and its nonprofit contractors…. ‘The [commission] is expected to bring a new level of supervision and transparency to HSH’s critical work,’ a civil grand jury report stated last year. The same report […]

Barry Eberling wrote in The Napa Valley Register on February 21, 2024 that “…No smoking gun pointing to wrongdoing is immediately apparent among the known documents that Napa County has provided to the federal government in response to three subpoenas….More specifically, it asks for information related to a 2021 grand jury report that criticized county […]

Adam Gaska wrote in the Anderson Valley Advertiser on February 16, 2024 that “the Marin County Civil Grand Jury just came out with a report in June 2023 calling into question Marin Water’s ability to meet the goals in their Water Resources Plan 2040.” The author identifies issues for counties in the area.  Read the […]

Adam Gaska wrote in the Mendofever on February 18, 2024 that “Marin County Civil Grand Jury just came out with a report in June 2023 calling into question Marin Water’s ability to meet the goals in their Water Resources Plan 2040. The grand jury goes on to advise Marin Water to increase water resiliency….” Read […]

The Tehachapi News, Feb 17, 2024, reports that resident complaints about the wastewater plant, covered by a civil grand jury report of January 16, is on the agenda for the Feb. 20, meeting of the Board of Directors of Stallion Springs Community Services District. Read the full article at: https://www.tehachapinews.com/news/stallion-springs-csd-board-plans-to-discuss-grand-jury-response-at-feb-20-meeting/article_b9507638-cdde-11ee-95d8-835aa2a0b3c5.html

On 2/2/24 Jeff Horseman of The Press-Enterprise reported that a civil grand jury probe of the 2020 election found no evidence of fraud in Riverside County. Today, election officials and media representatives observed a team of workers put the county’s voting system through its paces. Read the full article at: https://www.pressenterprise.com/2024/02/02/riverside-county-tested-its-voting-system-heres-how-it-did/

Ben Kaplan published an article in The San Francisco Examiner on January 28, 2024 that “According to the mayor’s office … San Francisco’s average time required to hire a new worker has decreased to about 150 days — a reduction from the shocking 255 days cited in a 2023 civil grand jury report.” Read the full article […]

Giana Magnoli, Noozhawk Executive Editor January 25, 2024, reported that a recent civil grand jury investigation found that hundreds of people in the Santa Barbara County jails have significant mental health issues and need treatment the jail doesn’t provide. Read the full story here. https://www.noozhawk.com/county-report-reveals-60-of-people-in-jail-custody-have-mental-health-conditions/

Adrian Rodriguez reported in The Marin Independent Journal on January 23, 2024 that SMART “recorded its highest ridership numbers last year….In response to a Marin County Civil Grand Jury report … that challenged the agency to detail how it would remain financially viable once the tax expires, SMART staff said ideally it would gain voter […]

Heather Shelton wrote in The Times-Standard on January 18, 2024 that “One hundred years ago this week, the Humboldt County Grand Jury released a partial report strongly recommending ‘the acquirement of auto parks by the county and also the retention of many of the old roads which have been superseded by the modern highways.’” Read […]

Annie Song-Hill wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on January 6, 2024 that “Things run so smoothly in Marin County government that you rarely hear about it…According to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury report published two years after the pandemic started, Marin’s rate of 120 infections per 1,000 residents was far lower than other […]

PK Hattis wrote an article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on December 14, 2023 at 2:39 p.m. noting that Dignity Health Dominican Hospital … has pledged $750,000 to support the county’s response to youth in crisis. “A report this summer from the Santa Cruz County civil grand jury painted a challenging picture when it comes […]

Brooks Jarosz wrote an article published December 5, 2023 by KTVU FOX 2 that “despite a staffing crisis that has left Oaklands 911 system in disarray, the city failed to review hundreds of applications from people looking to fill empty positions….Councilmember Janani Ramachandran requested the information in October in response to this year’s scathing Alameda […]

Max Chun wrote an article in the Lookout Santa Cruz [County] on December 5, 2023 that “five inmates are on a hunger strike in the Santa Cruz Main Jail, and their complaints mirror many of the issues cited in a civil grand jury report earlier this year. Read the full article here: https://lookout.co/sheriffs-office-confirms-hunger-strike-in-santa-cruz-jail-as-inmates-say-we-are-treated-abominably/

Jean Yamamura of the Santa Barbara Independent (12/5/23) reported that five deaths in the Santa Barbara County prompted a series of civil grand jury reports earlier this year to illuminate the provision of medical care in the jail. Read the full report at: https://www.independent.com/2023/12/05/supervisors-to-dialogue-on-grand-jury-report-on-mental-health-in-the-santa-barbara-county-jails/

On Dec. 5, 2023, the Editorial Board of The Highlander, UC Riverside, opined that voter fraud is a fictional problem that has been blown out of proportion on a national scale that Sheriff Chad Bianco is now facilitating. Read the full story here: https://www.highlandernews.org/88796/the-riverside-county-sheriffs-investigation-into-voter-fraud-is-a-transparent-voter-intimidation-tactic/

Adrian Rodriguez wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on November 23, 2023 that “SMART officials said the best way to win voter support for a sales tax renewal is to keep increasing its ridership….In response to a critical Marin County Civil Grand Jury report, SMART officials said the only viable option to sidestep financial collapse […]

On November 22, 2023, Jeff Horseman, of the The Press Democrat reported that a civil grand jury probe of the 2020 election found no evidence of fraud in Riverside County despite concerns expressed by some residents. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said investigating election malfeasance “helps assure residents their election should be safe and secure.” […]

The San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Board wrote on November 4, 2023 that “according to San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, getting applicants through his office’s background check process … takes between four to five months. Then … add San Francisco’s glacial civil service hiring process … takes an average of 255 days according to a June report from […]

July 27, Rebecca Caraway, of Noozhawk, reported that after investigating in-custody deaths, the grand jury found a lack of communication and mental health training in the two county jails. It recommended monthly reports on the number of people in custody with substance abuse and mental health issues, and that the county work with other agencies […]

The Lost Coast Outpost published a blog in the The EcoNews Report series October 23, 2023 in which Cal Poly Humboldt Assistant Professor Jennifer Marlow and Graduate Research Assistant Alec Brown join Jen Kalt of Humboldt Waterkeeper to talk about the future risk of climate and coastal hazards to Humboldt Bay. The Humboldt County Civil […]

Noah Abrams wrote an article in the Northern California Public Media Newsletter on October 20, 2023 that “SMART’s board of directors recently approved a trio of funding measures to get work started on the new stop….A recent report from Marin County’s civil grand jury concludes the agency as a whole faces insolvency without a new […]

On Oct. 17, 2023, Patti Orr, of the Mojave Desert News, reported that the Kern County Grand Jury investigated a citizen’s “compound complaint” regarding how the city has been managed by city managers, finance officers, public works directors and city council members. The complaint detailed 46 areas of concern including water and sewer issues. The […]

July 27, Rebecca Caraway, of Noozhawk, reported that after investigating in-custody deaths, the grand jury found a lack of communication and mental health training in the two county jails. It recommended monthly reports on the number of people in custody with substance abuse and mental health issues, and that the county work with other agencies […]

The Lost Coast Outpost published a blog in the The EcoNews Report series October 23, 2023 in which Cal Poly Humboldt Assistant Professor Jennifer Marlow and Graduate Research Assistant Alec Brown join Jen Kalt of Humboldt Waterkeeper to talk about the future risk of climate and coastal hazards to Humboldt Bay. The Humboldt County Civil […]

On Oct. 17, 2023, Patti Orr, of the Mojave Desert News, reported that the Kern County Grand Jury investigated a citizen’s “compound complaint” regarding how the city has been managed by city managers, finance officers, public works directors and city council members. The complaint detailed 46 areas of concern including water and sewer issues. The […]

A recent story that ran on Channel 7 San Diego, by reporter Kelvin Henry reported on a June 2023 San Diego Grand Jury Report. The years-long investigation reveals a lack of funding as a major reason for the “deplorable” road conditions referring to a report dating back as far as 2006. Read the full story […]

Richard Halstead wrote in The Marin Independent Journal on October 15, 2023 that “Marin County has reconfigured its Office of Emergency Services with the aim of enhancing its preparedness for the next crisis. A report by the Marin County Civil Grand Jury last year urged officials to consider reorganizing OES’s management structure.” Read the full […]

The San Joaquin County Grand Jury released a report on school safety during its 2022-2023 term. The report contained recommendations to raise the level of school safety at each of the county’s school districts. The district’s responses to those recommendations are described in the article linked below: https://www.recordnet.com/staff/6995462001/hannah-workman/

Natalie Hanson reported in The Courthouse News Service on October 3, 2023 that “City leaders in Oakland, California, say they may soon dedicate millions to support an overwhelmed 911 call center, amid a growing political crisis over public safety….The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve recommendations…from the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury, following a […]

Peter Tokofsky of the Pacifica Tribune reported on October 3, 3023 that the Jefferson Union High School District agreed with many of the recommendations made by the San Mateo Grand Jury in its report issued in June of 2023. The report, titled “Education is Everyone’s Business: School-Business Partnerships Make an Impact in County’s High Schools,” […]

Barry Eberling wrote an article in The Napa Valley Register on September 18, 2023 noting that “County officials, while not always agreeing with the jury, expressed appreciation for the effort….In recent weeks, the Board of Supervisors approved the county’s answers. Read the full article here: https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/napa-grand-jury-wells-water-wildfires-reentry-juvenile-hall/article_1ea11f7a-5408-11ee-8609-5f040d55bca8.html

Isabella Vanderheiden wrote an article in the Lost Coast Outpost on September 12, 2023 noting that the Board of Supervisors “reviewed three recent reports from the 2022-2023 Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury…. Public Information Specialist Cati Gallardo went over the recommendations listed in each report and explained staff’s recommendation to adopt some, but not all, […]

 Allyson Aleksey wrote in The San Francisco Examiner on September 17, 2023: “In response to a San Francisco civil grand jury report … criticizing the district for its inability to retain qualified teachers, the district stated that ‘the teacher shortage crisis does not belong to SFUSD alone.’ However, San Francisco is faring worse than even […]

Jesse Kathan wrote in The Santa Cruz Local on September 15, 2023 that Santa Cruz County leaders are exploring the idea of a new jail, on the heels of three recent civil grand jury reports on problems at the 42-year-old Santa Cruz Main Jail at 259 Water Street.  Read the full story here: https://santacruzlocal.org/2023/09/15/santa-cruz-county-leaders-explore-potential-new-jail/

NBC Bay Area published an article by Candice Nguyen, Jeremy Carroll and Sean Myers on September 11, 2023 stating State 911 costs skyrocketed as the California Office of Emergency Services failed to conduct mandated reviews of local 911 centers. A recent [Alameda County] civil grand jury report said Oakland suffers from severe staffing shortages and […]

Will Houston wrote an article published in The Marin Independent Journal on September 11, 2023 noting that “Marin County’s two largest water suppliers say they have dam safety strategies in place but intend to update their hazard mitigation plans….The utilities were responding to a Marin County Civil Grand Jury report urging the agencies to prepare […]

The City of Oakland published a press release on September 12, 2023 noting that it announced an additional investment of $2.5 million over the next two years to strengthen Oakland’s 911 response system. The announcement was made as the City continues to develop its timely response to the recent Alameda County Grand Jury report that […]

Jackson Guilfoil wrote an article in The Eureka Times-Standard published on September 12, 2023 noting that “the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted a staff report that both accepted and rejected several recommendations from the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury regarding improvements to county facilities, emergency preparedness and Child Abuse Services Team.” Read the […]

The July 12, 2023 issue of the Oakdale Leader reported on a recently released Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury report, the report of which stated that “…some Oakdale Police Department officers were found to be out of compliance for mandated Domestic Violence training requirements.” The Oakdale Police Chief Jerry Ramar did release a statement regarding […]

In a July 3 article by Erin Tracy in the Modesto Bee she wrote “The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury found that as many as half of the Oakdale Police Department’s officers were out of compliance with state-mandated training over a period of several years. The investigation was prompted by a complaint by an Oakdale […]

Susie Neilson wrote an article in The San Francisco Chronicle published on September 5, 2023, in which she explored the subject.  Also noted was “a 2016 San Francisco Civil Grand Jury report on the break-in problem which identified another possible reason: so few people were getting caught.”  Read the full story here: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/car-break-in-oakland-18283842.php?sid=61576084a61f11552d553cd7&ss=A&st_rid=875d2d6f-f362-42a5-a604-ca391b9c382c&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=headlines&utm_campaign=sfc_morningfix

Drew Penner wrote an article in The Press Banner published on September 1, 2023 that “Scotts Valley Council members recently got a look at the City’s response to the … Civil Grand Jury report that was highly critical of the municipality’s failure to build its fair share of housing over the years, contributing to California’s […]

Police1.com published an article by Shomik Mukherjee on September 1, 2023 that the “The Oakland Police Department has one year to speed up its notoriously slow emergency response times….The department’s slow 911 response has been the subject of public scrutiny for the past several years, including in two recent civil grand jury reports.” Read the […]

Kion 46 News Channel published an article by Austin Castro on August 29, 2023 noting that “the Monterey County Board of Supervisors responded to a Civil Grand Jury Report surrounding the community’s noise ordinance” by looking to close some loopholes and reduce the number of noise ordinance violations. Read the full story here: https://kion546.com/news/2023/08/29/monterey-county-looking-to-address-noise-ordinance-violations-after-grand-jury-report/

Allyson Aleksey wrote in the San Francisco Examiner on August 28, 2023 that the United Educators of San Francisco released a report responding to statements from SFUSD about the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury’s report released in June. The report alleges “that SFUSD has long mishandled money leaving schools hamstrung for cash as they enter […]

The Editorial Board of The Marin Independent Journal published an article on August 27, 2023 that the “2022-23 Marin County Civil Grand Jury and Marin District Attorney Lori Frugoli have publicly presented conflicting evaluations of the backlog of cases facing county prosecutors, defense lawyers and Marin’s courts.” The Editorial Board believes the consultant’s report should […]

Dick Spotwood wrote an article in the Marin Independent Journal, published August 19, 2023, noting that the controversy regarding the report continues with competing financial results from the mobile home park and the City of Novato.  The article pointed out that Novato is the only city in Marin County that has no audited financial statements. […]

KTVU published an article by staff on August 16, 2023 noting “Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price faces new criticism because she hired her boyfriend to work in the office… Alameda County has faced criticisms for nepotism and other ethical dilemmas dating back 10 years.” Several civil grand reports (2013 and 2018) found issues with […]

Will Houston wrote an article in The Marin Independent Journal on August 16, 2023 which noted that the SMART Board of Directors voted Wednesday to accept all the recommendations by the Marin County Civil Grand Jury, which called on the agency to prepare to successfully pass a future sales tax renewal. Read the full story […]

Will Houston reported in The Marin Independent Journal on August 6, 2023 that The Novato City Council is meeting this month to discuss a rebuttal to the Civil Grand Jury report. The report said the city knew about “its financial struggles…for more than a decade but “has not taken sufficient measures to resolve them.” Read […]

Sara Jackson in a special report to the Sierra Sun, commented on a recent Nevada County Grand Jury report that looked at the health of Donner Lake,  “the go-to spot for residents, vacationers, and tourists looking to sunbathe, swim, fish, and paddleboard amongst its beautiful alpine setting.” Read the full article here: https://www.sierrasun.com/news/pearl-in-peril-grand-jury-report-looks-at-health-of-donner-lake/

July 27, Rebecca Caraway, of Noozhawk, reported that after investigating in-custody deaths, the grand jury found a lack of communication and mental health training in the two county jails. It recommended monthly reports on the number of people in custody with substance abuse and mental health issues, and that the county work with other agencies […]

Debra Dingman reported recently in the Dixon Independent Voice that the City of Dixon failed to respond to two reports recently issued by the Solano County Civil Grand Jury. One of them was with respect to a report on “Solano County Wastewater Treatment Plants” and the other dealt with “Noncompliance with Required Responses” to the […]

Curtis Driscoll, Daily Journal staff, reports on a July 10 report issued by the San Mateo Grand Jury regarding the need for more planning and coordination could be done in the county in support of bike riding safety. The report “…calls for further education, coordinated planning and data keeping across cities, and more enforcement of […]

The Editorial Board, Lake County Record-Bee recently ran an editorial related to a 2022-2023 Lake County Grand Jury report on the now closed Elijah House – a homeless shelter. “The report on Elijah house reads like a horror story and like a well-researched cautionary tale of the perils of failing to properly vet a subcontractor […]

KION 46 News included an article by Dania Romero, June 22, 2024 –  “The City of Seaside isn’t doing enough to stop illegal fireworks, according to a recent Grand Jury Report.” The Grand Jury reported that Seaside is a hotspot for illegal fireworks around July 4th; Seaside’s attempts to reduce illegal fireworks had “minimal effect”. […]

The Daily Journal ran an article from PR Newswire on June 22, 2023: “The 2022‒2023 San Francisco Civil Grand Jury released its report on City programs to support small businesses. The Jury found that much remains to be done.” Read the full story here: https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/bay_area/grand-jury-investigates-san-francisco-contracting-for-homelessness-services/article_8eb56d6d-5994-5af5-bcb6-fca3b671666c.html

The Santa Cruz Sentinel released an article by Jessica A. York, June 23, 2023 – “According to a report issued this week by the Santa Cruz County civil grand jury, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, for one, could take several steps toward increased transparency in its surveillance methodology.”   Read the full story here: […]

The San Francisco Chronicle ran an article by Mallory Moench on June 22, 2023. In January, San Francisco Mayor London Breed touted reforms to the hiring process that would slash by 40% the 255 days to hire city workers.  The San Francisco Civil Grand Jury report revealed that none of the reforms were implemented. Read […]

The California Globe published an article by Evan Symon on June 17, 2023 that according to a new report from the City and County of San Francisco Grand Jury, one in four teachers in San Francisco are currently uncredentialed and not qualified to teach. Read the full story here: https://californiaglobe.com/articles/new-city-and-county-of-san-francisco-grand-jury-report-finds-that-1-in-4-teachers-in-city-are-uncredentialled/

The Times Standard ran an article by Sage Alexander on June 28, 2023 noting that the Civil Grand Jury said the response from the County registrar of voters agreed with report recommendations. The response said that current county election employees can no longer serve on the board of the group that validates election results. Read […]

KRCR ranan article by Miranda Angel, June 18, 2023 –  Humboldt County is not prepared to deal with a major natural and unnatural disaster, a Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury report says. The Grand Jury found no evidence that the master Emergency Operations Plan had been updated since its publication in 2015. Read the full […]

Yahoo!Finance ran an article prepared by PrNewswire on June 29, 2023. The 2022–2023 San Francisco Civil Grand Jury released findings that inadequate and inconsistent contracting practices between San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and Community Based Organizations have contributed to the failure to solve the homelessness crisis. Read the full story here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/grand-jury-investigates-san-francisco-140600931.html?.tsrc=fin-srch

For KQED July 18, 2023, Ana B. Ibarra reports that since 1998, some of California’s best-known early childhood services have been funded by taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Last month, the Kern County grand jury reported that its local First 5 would need to find additional revenue streams. The trend is accelerating following […]

The Independent ran an article by Larry Altman on July 12, 2023: The  “Grand Jury recommended the Board of Supervisors establish the completion of a Mental Health Program Service Unit (MHPSU) at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin as a top priority by all means to avoid further escalation of costs in monies and lives.” Read […]

Karen Rifkin wrote an article in The Ukiah Daily Journal on July 10, 2023 – “Over the past 25 years, Mendocino County has had a staggering total of 19 people leading the Human Resources Department with an average tenure of 1.2 years. Currently, there is no permanent HR Director as the position has been defunded”.  […]

The Marin Independent Journal published an article by Will Houston on July 11, 2023 noting that “Marin County’s dam safety plans are failing to account for more frequent, intense storms brought on by climate change….The agencies’ dam hazard plans do not incorporate the latest science on climate change effects on “atmospheric river” storms.” Read the […]

Daily Republic’s Staff reported recently on a Solano County Grand Jury Report. “The 2022-23 Solano County civil grand jury issued a critical report on how the Sheriff’s Office is managing costs and assets at the local jails…While it might be expected that a dramatic reduction in the number of detainees would result in a similar […]

ABC10 news ran a news segment on July 7, 2023 in which they summarized that “The grand jury reports say homelessness in Sacramento County has increased more than 250% since 2018 due in part to too many oversight boards.” See the full story here: https://www.abc10.com/video/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-county-grand-jury-criticizes-homeless-response/103-090ee11b-de43-4f4a-9cf6-c2787c76c1e8

The Times Standard ran an article by Sage Alexander on July 6, 2023 reporting that “A Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury report released Wednesday calls for more staffing and training for those who respond to instances of child abuse. The report examined the Humboldt County Child Abuse Services Team or CAST.” Read the full story […]

The Marin Independent Journal ran an article by Will Houston on July 6, 2023 which indicated that “SMART is running out of time to convince Marin and Sonoma voters to support renewing a critical sales tax to prevent the North Bay passenger rail service from financial collapse, according to a new grand jury report.” Read […]

Reporting for anewscafe.com on July 2, George Winship described the grand jury’s five investigations: City of Redding work crews discarding and storing debris in Enterprise Park; follow-up look at the Shasta County Coroner’s facilities, staff morale, and work practices; Clear Creek Community Services District accounting problems, and alleged lack of board oversight, improper management practices, […]

The Marin Independent Journal ran an article by Richard Halstead, in response to a recently released Marin County Grand Jury report. June 27, 2023 – “Marin County should make it easier for residents with urgent behavioral health needs to receive immediate help, according to a new civil grand jury report….The grand jury is recommending that […]

“Accessory dwelling units could help Marin County meet state mandates for creating new housing and officials should do more to promote their creation, a new civil grand jury report concludes. The grand jury notes that the state is requiring the county and its municipalities to allow 14,210 new dwellings by 2031,” states an article in […]

The Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury investigated the long-term outsourcing of planning and development services in Petaluma, the financial health of three municipal cemeteries in Sonoma, and the county’s new system of emergency ‘warming centers’ for those without either shelter or heat according to a June 29 report by Marc Albert in Northern California Public […]

June 27, 2023, Amelia Richardson, of the Petaluma Argus Courier, reports that the grand jury found the city of Petaluma has outsourced its planning department functions to a private firm (Metropolitan Group, also known as M-Group) for the past 14 years. The city failed to conduct formal performance reviews and did not determine the cost-effectiveness […]

June 25, 2023, Austin Murphy, of The Press Democrat reported that Sonoma County must do more to help its unhoused residents find warm places to stay during cold weather emergencies. The civil grand jury found that the county lacked a coherent policy for opening warming centers. Read the full account at: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/grand-jury-faults-sonoma-county-for-lack-of-warming-centers-for-homeless-pe/

The Davis Vanguard on June 15, 2023 reported on a recently released Yolo County Grand Jury report, resulting from a complaint the grand jury received. The issue addressed the administration and maintenance of street trees, education of homeowners with city trees on their property, issues within Chapters 15 and 37 of the Davis Municipal Code […]

A San Bernardino County Grand Jury report issued in December on the state of the county’s social services department is seeing some action.  In a May 25th story reported in the Los Angeles Times by staff writer by Salvador Hernandez a federal class-action lawsuit has been filed by A Better Childhood, a nonprofit group that uses civil litigation to push reform in […]

— City News Service reported that “More mental health clinicians and services are needed in San Diego County jails, according to a report released this week.” Read the full report on Patch San Diego here:  https://patch.com/california/san-diego/more-mental-health-staff-resources-needed-county-jails-grand-jury

Jeff Horseman of The Press-Enterprise reports on a recent Riverside County Grand Jury report indicating Ambulance delays in dropping off patients at Riverside County hospitals hurt health care.  To prevent delays, the grand jury recommended that county supervisors “review, approve, and support” delay-slashing programs. One example is a “safety net ambulance” effort in Corona in which an ambulance […]

Once a grand juror, always a grand juror! San Mateo grand jury alumnus takes action in this article from California Political Review by Stephen Frank.   https://www.capoliticalreview.com/capoliticalnewsandviews/redwood-city-voter-seeks-to-invalidate-local-bond-measures/

 As a tribute to Civil Grand Juries, Nevada County Board of Supervisors declared February as Grand Jury Awareness Month. Read the article at TheUnion.com  here  https://www.theunion.com/news/grand-jury-awareness-month/article_b76fa68c-a99e-11ed-b0d6-ab71760f1ed3.html

Jessica A. York of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, reported May 29th on a recently issued Santa Cruz Grand Jury report. That report, the result of a tour by the grand jury of the county’s four detention facilities, recommended the County address hiring and retention of the jail’s employees before building a much-needed jail. Read the full report here. 

The Marin Independent Journal ran the following editorial January 25th. https://www.marinij.com/2023/01/25/marin-voice-county-civil-grand-jury-sounds-a-call-to-serve/

The Union Democrat ran this article January 13th showing the positive impact a California Civil Grand Jury can have on local government. Follow the link here. https://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/article_374d9494-93b6-11ed-8246-6b1828240e27.html

A policy is being explored to suspend an elected official if the person faces charges from the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. https://sanjosespotlight.com/?s=silicon+valley+politicos+could+face+suspension+under+new+proposal

https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2023/03/08/mendocino-county-grand-jurors-honored/ By Carole Hester for The Ukiah Daily Journal, March 8, 2023