FROM THE PUBLISHER: The old expression, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” has a quaintness to it but, in fact, if people hadn’t taken a closer look at their not-broke but not-exactly humming-along ways of doing business, they’d have never modernized their work flow, automated some time-swallowing paperwork practices and kept their competitive edge with rival businesses that weren’t afraid to do some regular “spring cleaning.”

When the team formerly known as the Oakland Athletics took on the Chicago Cubs March 31 at West Sacramento’s refurbished Sutter Health Park, it became official: Sacramento, at least temporarily, has hit the big leagues.

Since OR-7, nicknamed Journey, made his fateful crossing, the California wolf population has grown to more than 70 since 2011. However, they remain listed under both the state and federal Endangered Species Act. 

A small electrical contractor that had never had an HR department before hired me as their first HR manager. I’m trying to figure out how to approach this, and I have questions. 

It’s a wild ride that not everyone has the access, resources, means or the mentality to stomach. Most fall short. But since 2015, some startups in the Capital Region have defied the odds, reaching remarkable heights.

With a family of six, Bob Guimarin had three “power problems”: 1) too many cords, 2) too many outages and 3) not enough ports in the van during road trips. Being a serial entrepreneur, Guimarin came up with a way to simplify power management and reduce reliance on external sources.

Midway through our interview, we’re interrupted by the most incredible sound: the wolves, howling in harmony with each other. We stop talking and sit silently to take it in. It’s a beautiful, special moment.

The biggest challenge of his job? “It never turns off,” says Sheriff Cooper. “It’s always on. My phone rings at all hours of the day and night.” The good news is that he’s wired for this. “I enjoy what I do,” says the sheriff. “I’m not a type-A personality. I’m a type-AAA personality. I can go. I don’t have an off switch.” 

Since being hired in January of 2024, Heidt not only took the helm of an organization with an annual budget of $5.5 million, a 20-member board of directors and a fulltime staff of 10 plus “five contractors who have very specialized skills” — but also began what he calls “an apology tour.”

PODCAST EPISODE: Editor Judy Farah, Managing Editor Dakota Morlan and contributor Steve Martarano discuss April’s cover story on the A’s, the gray wolf’s California comeback and whether or not dire wolves are a good idea. 

The Railyards, an urban infill project, promises to transform downtown Sacramento, nearly doubling its existing size. The property consists of 240 acres north of the Amtrak station on H Street and east of Interstate 5.

New look, same great taste. Four well-loved Sacramento businesses have recently undergone ownership changes, ranging from arguably the oldest business in the area to one that is just over two years old.

As the bad guys get more sophisticated, all businesses, both large and small, are vulnerable. Cybercriminals view large business as a big pot of gold for them to steal and small or medium-sized business as an easy target. McKinsey & Company estimates that cyberattacks will reach $10.5 trillion by the end of this year, a whopping 300 percent increase from 2015. 

The former Roseville High School standout long-distance runner is preparing for his sixth participation in the event, beginning July 5. The race stretches across the sunflower-packed flatlands of France, ascends into the snow-covered Alps and Pyrenees and often crosses country borders as if visiting nearby neighborhoods.

Baseball had become part of my life — not like a boy growing up playing the game (because there were few female sports back then). But baseball became a constant thread for me in other ways.