Samantha Young is a veteran journalist who has covered local, state and national politics from Arkansas to Washington, D.C., and California. As a former reporter for The Associated Press, Samantha developed expertise in California’s groundbreaking environmental regulations and challenging water landscape. On Twitter @youngsamantha.
By this person
The Veteran Perspective
Sacramento County is home to roughly 90,000 veterans, but they have a small voice in local government. That’s something the Sacramento Board of Supervisors wants to change.
Life After Service
Expanded resources for veterans help pave the way toward business ownership
California has the highest number of veteran-owned businesses in the country. By contrast, there is a growing population of homeless veterans in Sacramento, and a declining percentage of the overall share of veterans who own businesses. But resources are on the rise.
Driving Force
Entrepreneur behind Kitchen428 Restaurant and Mojo’s Lounge has been key to re-energizing downtown Woodland
When Christy Hayes arrived in Woodland in 2004, the former U.S. Air Force heavy diesel mechanic was fresh out of active duty. She found a job as a hostess at an iconic downtown eatery, Morrison’s Upstairs. She worked her way up to bartender and then bar manager. But Hayes never expected she would one day see the building house her own restaurant.
The Comeback Kid
Poor Red’s BBQ joint in El Dorado does the abnormal — reopens with success
When Poor Red’s shuttered its doors six years ago, it was the end of an era in the sleepy foothills town of El Dorado — or so many people thought.
Where the Water Grows
Folsom's strategy for growth, like that of many cities, reroutes conserved water — but residents say that plan caught them off guard
Effective water conservation throughout the City of Folsom made way for the largest expansion of the city in decades. While not all residents agree with Folsom’s strategy, it is being implemented in growing cities around the state as an effective tool to meet housing demand.
Built in 3D
Virtual technology finds real-world applicability in the construction and architecture fields
Virtual reality used to be financially out-of-reach for many firms. Now, builders and architects alike are finding that implementing technology upfront prevents mistakes, and saves money, down the road.
The Woodland Way
With a progressive pro-business climate, Woodland lures agribusiness and global trade to this once-sleepy town
This once rural town now houses more than two dozen international companies and has become a hub of agribusiness, thanks to its progressive pro-business climate and ideal location.
From Vine to Glass
Sitting on the deck of his family’s tasting room, Warren Bogle looks out over the vineyard his grandfather planted in 1968 in the low-lying land of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. That first planting of 20 acres of vines in Clarksburg transformed the Bogle family from row crop farmers to one of the region’s most successful winemakers.
Align Capital Region to Launch in Sacramento
Program aims to improve college and career readiness among the region’s residents
The challenges facing the Sacramento region are not new. Educators and business leaders have spearheaded programs and tapped into grant funding over the years to prepare students for college or a career. But the efforts, they say, have often been disjointed, sometimes overlapped and failed to make a significant impact.