Parkinson’s is on the rise. Here's what experts say can help

FEATURED STORY: California’s vast Central Valley has the dubious nickname “Parkinson’s Alley.” Since the 1990s, a growing a network of support organizations helps Parkinson’s patients maintain their quality of life.

Besides their heightened incidence of Parkinson’s, what else do the valley towns from Sacramento to Bakersfield have in common? This roughly 300-mile-long stretch is a cornucopia for the nation, growing nearly half of all U.S. crops.

That’s why researchers chose the Central Valley counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern for a 2011 study on Parkinson’s and pesticide exposure. The study found a three-fold increase in risk of Parkinson’s among people who worked near the pesticides paraquat, maneb and ziram between 1974 and 1999, contributing to mounting evidence that the disease may be linked to environmental contaminants. Still, determining a precise correlation is difficult: Past exposure is a slippery thing to measure, and there is also evidence of a genetic component.

That said, the growing prevalence of Parkinson’s we’re seeing locally and nationwide is more likely tied to an aging population and earlier diagnoses. And that means those afflicted are finding new ways to live well with the disease. Joan Didion, the famed Sacramento-born writer, lived with Parkinson’s for decades until her death at age 87. In that time, she wrote many of her greatest works, rarely mentioning her illness. Her legacy has been cited as part of a growing sentiment that Parkinson’s is a comma, not a period, in the story of a life.

– Dakota Morlan, managing editor

Nevada City Is More Than a Christmas Town

This Sierra Nevada foothills community is often the subject of glowing profiles in the national media and labeled a “Gold Rush-era town.” So what exactly does Nevada City tell us about that unusual and relatively brief time in history?

Photos: Explore Sacramento Through Its Independent Barbershops

“Barbershops are one of the last standing places where community can come together, share ideas, tell some jokes, get to know a stranger, or even run into a friend,” says barber Anthony Giannotti.

Folsom Powerhouse State Park Celebrates 130 Years

The former utility is a celebration of an earlier time’s creative engineering and is now a verdant state park and learning center just above Lake Natoma.

Recommendations From Our Staff

Judy: During the Christmas holiday, I try to find unique gifts for my family rather than easily buy them something from Amazon. I attended several craft fairs, such as the popular one in Old Folsom and a holiday boutique at Shangri-La restaurant in Fair Oaks. Owner Sommer Peterson sadly made the announcement earlier this month that she may have to close her restaurant due to economic troubles. It has a very large outdoor patio with fire pits and games that guests enjoy. As I sipped on a delicious Mexican hot chocolate and shopped the quality items made by local artisans, I made a Christmas wish that the economy would improve to keep local businesses running.

Jennifer: Yesterday would have been Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, and fans around the world are celebrating her books and the works that derive from them. One of my favorite podcasts, Throughline, did an episode exploring why Austen’s work remains relevant today, and the New York Times did a satisfyingly visual piece on the “industrial complex” of gifts, adaptations and other paraphernalia birthed from Austen-mania.

Odds and Ends

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December is all about innovation, and the Capital Region is leading the way. From advancements in EVs and AI to the future of agriculture, these are some industries to watch in 2026. Access the Innovation Issue on your computer, phone or tablet.

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Parkinson’s is on the rise. Here’s what experts say can help