Our most-read stories are often the ones that court the most controversy, and Steve Martarano’s feature on the Capital Region stadium boom is a great example. A rigorous reporter, he made sure to focus on the nitty-gritty of each project, from Sacramento Republic FC’s 20,000-seat Railyards stadium to Sacramento’s somewhat pie-in-the-sky proposal for landing an MLB expansion team: what’s being built, how much is being spent, where the money is coming from.
The stringent lack of editorializing didn’t stop online commenters from sharing their own opinions on the developments and where else they would have liked to see the money go. “Still can’t take the light rail to the airport,” wrote @reasonablebloke. Others were more enthusiastic. “I’m excited for the FC stadium. The railyards area is getting a major and much needed makeover and I’m all for it!” wrote @nthnduongster.
Our water reporting also got a lot of attention in September – which makes sense, since it’s the last month of the water year, when farmers, infrastructure engineers and everyone else concerned with the stuff that keeps our state alive starts looking forward to the rainy season ahead. By the way, the new water year started on Thursday — happy new year to those who celebrate.
Our October issue is hot off the presses, and we featured a few
followers on our On the Web page. Here’s who got into print this
month:
Leave a comment on one of our posts and you might see your username in print next month!
–Jennifer Fergesen, digital editor
Last Month’s Most-Read Stories
Top Story: Sacramento Has Big Stadium Plans. Can the Region Fund Them All?
Attracting a spirited debate on Instagram, this print feature answers a key question for several stadium projects in the works in the Capital Region: How will they be funded?
Can a $597 Million Water Project Refill the Aquifer Beneath Sacramento County’s Farms?
Have you heard about Harvest Water, the massive project the Sacramento Area Sewer District undertook to provide recycled water to the region’s farms? Probably not, and that’s a problem. It’s the biggest recycled water project in the state and has received very little coverage locally. I’m glad contributor Jason Collins pitched the story and that it’s the second most-read story of the month.
Dilemma of the Month: How Do I Handle an Anonymous Complaint?
Suzanne Lucas’ Evil HR Lady column was as popular as usual in September, likely helped along by the eye-catching illustration by Pulitzer Prize winner Jack Ohman. Do you agree with how she answered this pertinent question?
California Needs a Better Way to Pay for Water Infrastructure | Opinion
Another water story brought in lots of readers in September. This one is an opinion piece by the new executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition, Michelle Paul.
Where to Find Farmers Markets in the Sacramento Region
Originally a sidebar to our print feature on technology and innovation at local small farms, this expanded web roundup of farmers markets in the 916 did well with online readers. On Instagram, some followers shared their own local favorites.
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