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How Safe Is Your Pension?
Defined-benefit plans represent a promise, but whether it will be kept depends on the type — and your employer
Pensions put the risk on employers, who are on the hook to pay retirees an agreed amount no matter what happens to the underlying investment.
![(Shutterstock)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1119_blog_opinionbia_shutterstock.jpg?1577874530)
A Community Service Project and the Issues of the Building Industry
It is difficult to build anything — especially homes and apartments — in California. Even simple projects like constructing a playground come with frustrating hurdles.
![A burned chair sits in front of a destroyed home as firefighters nearby battle the Valley Fire in Middletown, California on September 15, 2015. (Photo by Matthew Keys, Flickr Creative Commons)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/20807701643_7d47a92c69_k.jpg?1577874530)
How Data Science Could Help California Battle Future Wildfires
Wildfires are threatening homes across California. Those fires are offering critical data and insight that can be used by first-responders and government agencies to prevent them in the first place and better rebuild communities when they do occur.
![Students sit against the wall while they wait for the campus food pantry to open at UC Berkeley. (Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/calfresh_profiles_photo_9.jpg?1577874530)
Why College Students and Seniors Are Missing Out on Food Assistance
Roughly 1.6 million Californians are not getting help from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as CalFresh in California, even though they are eligible.
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Startup of the Month: TagCarts
A veteran-owned startup looks to improve medical carts for health care professionals
Medical carts are mobile storage units for health care equipment, supplies and medication, and may include workstations for access to electronic data.
![John Young of the KUIC Morning Show in Vacaville sits in front of an audio switchboard at the radio station in September.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1119_blog_media_lead.jpg?1577874530)
Media File: Resilient Radio
In the face of increasing competition, a small-town radio station is thriving
Despite competition from neighboring big-market stations, satellite radio and streaming, thousands are tuning in to Vacaville’s KUIC-FM each week. Those who work for the station say a local identity is key to their success.
![Jim Noble clears debris left from the Camp Fire at Noble Orchards in Paradise. Jim and Laurie Noble lost their home and other buildings, but most of the trees in the orchard survived last year’s fire.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1119_feat_development_hectoramezcua_lead.jpg?1577874530)
Back to Paradise
One year after the Camp Fire, some business owners have gambled on making a go of it again — but others see no reason to return
The biggest problem facing business owners is a lack of customers. No one knows what to do first: Build the customer base and create a demand for business, or rebuild the businesses and see if the customers follow?
![(Photo by Pok Rie via Pexels)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/clouds-electricity-energy-157827.jpg?1577874530)
Are Energy Microgrids the Solution to California’s Public Safety Power Blackouts?
Energy microgrids, which can power businesses, neighborhoods or even cities, are having a moment. They’re touted as alternative ways to keep the lights on when California’s big utility companies shut power to avert wildfires.
![A Pacific Gas & Electric Company utility truck parks off Highway 128 east of Winters as the Wragg Fire burns in the distance on July 23, 2015. (Photo by Matthew Keys via Flickr)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/19765127350_01a5666338_k.jpg?1577874530)
Comforting California, Newsom Vilifies PG&E Over Wildfires, Power Outages
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lambasting of PG&E as California reels from wildfires and mass blackouts reflects his roots in San Francisco — and a public perception that’s built up over the last half century.
![Cal football players line up against ASU on September 27, 2019. Confronted with a California law allowing student athletes to earn money from endorsements, the NCAA has shifted its policy on athlete pay. (Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/calmatters_ncaa_photo_1.jpg?1577874530)
New State Law Pushes NCAA Into Action Over College Athlete Pay
The move is a dramatic shift for the college sports economy
As California’s new student-athlete compensation law continues to spark a nationwide movement, the NCAA Tuesday agreed to allow college players to sign paid endorsement deals, but left itself room to define the terms of those agreements.