Consumer News | American River Messenger

Consumer News

Last Updated: Sep 08, 2026 10:04AM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

Fiscal Year 2026-27 Revised Recommended Budget Available

Sep 08, 2026 10:04AM ● By Sacramento County News Release

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will begin Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Revised Recommended Budget hearings on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 9:30 a.m. in Board Chambers in the Sacramento County Administration building, located at 700 H Street, Sacramento, 95814. If necessary, hearings will continue on Sept. 9,10 and 11 at the same time and location.

Read More »

hazardous materials

EMD Offers Free Training for Local Businesses

Aug 24, 2026 12:57PM ● By Sacramento County News Release

Businesses that handle hazardous materials can strengthen their compliance knowledge through a series of free, in-person training courses offered by the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD).

Read More »

Affordability Issues Keep New Home Sales at Pre-Pandemic Levels

Aug 17, 2026 03:07PM ● By North State Building Industry Association News Release

New home sales in July continued to reflect a return to post-pandemic levels, the North State Building Industry Association reported.

Read More »

Making Affordability Work: How Builder Incentives Help Buyers Get into New Homes

Jul 20, 2026 01:42PM ● By President of the North State Building Industry Association, Tim Murphy

Ask prospective homebuyers about the biggest challenge they face today, and you’ll probably hear the same answer: affordability.

Read More »

Court Injunction Pauses New Gaming Regulations

Jul 20, 2026 01:08PM ● By Thomas J. Sullivan

California cardrooms including Stones Casino in Citrus Heights can continue to legally offer blackjack-style games after a San Francisco Superior Court judge on Thursday, May 21, blocked the enforcement of new state regulations which would have effectively banned them.

Read More »

Sacramento International Airport

SMF Seeks Public Input to Shape Next 20 Years of Growth

Jul 20, 2026 12:47PM ● By Sacramento County News Release

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has launched a public survey as part of its Airport Master Plan update, inviting travelers, residents and community members to share their priorities for the airport's future.

Read More »

Lora Anguay Named Next SMUD CEO and General Manager

Jun 30, 2026 09:42AM ● By SMUD News Release

Lora Anguay, a 22-year SMUD veteran and deeply rooted community leader, has been named to succeed Paul Lau as the utility’s chief executive officer and general manager.

Read More »

Valley Broadcast Legends Scholarship Opportunity

Jun 22, 2026 01:48PM ● By Valley Broadcast Legends News Release

The Valley Broadcast Legends (VBL), an organization comprised primarily of retired broadcasters, photographers and engineers, is pleased to offer two $500 scholarships to individuals pursuing careers in digital media.

Read More »

Sacramento County Expands Residential Fee Deferral Program to Support Housing Development

Jun 22, 2026 01:23PM ● By Sacramento County News Release

At its June 16 meeting, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution expanding the County's Residential Development Impact Fee Deferral Program to all residential projects, including eligible mixed-use developments that incorporate housing.

Read More »

May New Home Sales Remain Steady

Jun 15, 2026 02:08PM ● By North State Building Industry Association News Release

New home sales in the greater Sacramento region remained steady during May despite continued affordability challenges and slightly higher mortgage rates, as members of the North State Building Industry Association reported 474 sales during the month.

Read More »

RydeFreeRT Cards

RydeFreeRT Cards for 2026-27 School Year Now Available

Jun 15, 2026 01:02PM ● By Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) News Release

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) announced June 9 that new RydeFreeRT cards, valid June 1, through June 30, 2027, are now available for students and youth across the Sacramento region.

Read More »

Apply Now for SMUD’s Shine Program

Jun 08, 2026 03:31PM ● By SMUD News Release

The application period for SMUD’s Shine Awards is open June 1 through July 31 to nonprofit organizations. The Shine program is designed to improve and revitalize communities in the Sacramento region.

Read More »

Sacramento Regional Transit

ZipPass Mobile Fare App Ending June 15

Jun 08, 2026 11:26AM ● By Sacramento Regional Transit News Release

SacRT Urges Riders to Transition to Transit Connect

Read More »

taxes. calculator

Local Taxpayer Protection Act Eligible for November 2026 Ballot

May 12, 2026 09:31AM ● By California Business Roundtable News Release

Voters to Decide on Critical Measure to Restore Their Rights on Taxes

Read More »

Sweet Haven Bakery

Sweet Haven Bakery Relocates

May 04, 2026 01:05PM ● By Thomas J. Sullivan, photos by Thomas J. Sullivan

Life’s too short for bad cake. That’s the motto of Sweet Haven Bakery, best known for the past two years for its unique creations of cookies, cupcakes and specialty wedding cakes in Citrus Heights, and now relocated to Fair Oaks, marking a new chapter for the family-run business.

Read More »

construction house

New Housing Generates Billions Annually in Sacramento Region, Reports Find

Apr 20, 2026 01:05PM ● By North State BIA News Release

Analysis shows homebuilding boosts local economies, supports jobs and delivers long-term revenue streams to governments

Read More »

recepit calculator

NFIB Details Benefits of 20% Small Business Tax Deduction Becoming Permanent in California

Apr 20, 2026 12:42PM ● By National Federation of Independent Business News Release

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, released a new report outlining the economic benefits and massive tax savings the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction will bring to the 4.3 million small businesses in California now that it has been made permanent.

Read More »

Assemblyman Hoover’s Bill to Immediately Lower Energy Bills Approved by Utilities Committee

Apr 14, 2026 11:50AM ● By Assemblyman Josh Hoover News Release

On April 8, the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee approved Assembly Bill 2508 authored by Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom), which would immediately lower energy bills and make life more affordable for all Californians.

Read More »

February a Solid Month for New Home Sales

Mar 16, 2026 01:44PM ● By North State Building Industry Association News Release

The first quarter of the year generally sees the greatest number of new home sales in the greater Sacramento region, and 2026 is no exception, as 542 sales were reported by North State Building Industry Association members in February.

Read More »

carpenter working on roof

New Home Sales in Greater Sacramento Region Climb 79%

Feb 16, 2026 12:24PM ● By North State Building Industry Association News Release

New home sales in the greater Sacramento area got off to a fast start in January, soaring 79 percent higher than December’s totals, the North State Building Industry Association reported recently.

Read More »

health insurance

When Shopping This Holiday Season, Don’t Forget to Get Health Insurance for 2026

Dec 29, 2025 06:02PM ● By Covered California News Release

The holidays are upon us, and for many, that means rushing to shop for all the things that make this time of year special. While looking for deals, don’t forget to pick up health insurance for 2026.

Read More »

CalCCA Challenges CPUC Decision Raising Energy Bills

Dec 29, 2025 04:53PM ● By California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) News Release

California Community Choice Association (CalCCA) recently filed a Petition for Writ of Review with the California Court of Appeal, Third District, challenging a recent California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) decision that retroactively changes the methodology used to calculate the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment.

Read More »

construction worker building house

Sacramento-Area Fees to Build New Homes Average $109,000, Study Finds

Dec 16, 2025 09:52AM ● By North State Building Industry Association News Release

BIA Calls on Local Governments to Lower Fees, Improve Affordability

Read More »

Contesting Traffic Tickets Made Easier

Dec 16, 2025 09:11AM ● By Sacramento Superior Court News Release

The Sacramento Superior Court is launching a new innovation designed to make contesting eligible traffic tickets faster, easier and more convenient for the public.

Read More »

Rising Heat Leads to Minimal Losses for California Processing Tomatoes

Dec 09, 2025 09:24AM ● By Emily C. Dooley, UC Davis News Release

Researchers Analyzed Traffic, Temperatures and 1.4 million Tomato Truckloads

Read More »

Data Shows 90.2% of California Farms are Family-Owned

Dec 09, 2025 09:12AM ● By Farm Flavor News Release

A new study on behalf of Farm Flavor has identified the states with the most family-owned farms.

Read More »

California's Infrastructure Graded a 'C-'

Dec 08, 2025 06:32PM ● By American Society of Civil Engineers News Release

Aging Assets and Weather Challenges Continue to Strain Infrastructure Systems

Read More »

SAFE Credit Union

SAFE Credit Union to Combine with BECU

Dec 08, 2025 01:14PM ● By SAFE Credit Union News Release

Boeing Employees’ Credit Union (BECU) and SAFE Credit Union announced they have signed a definitive agreement to combine, uniting two purpose-driven credit unions with a shared commitment to the financial well-being of their members and the communities they serve.

Read More »

calculator house taxes keys

First Installment of County Secured Property Taxes Due

Dec 02, 2025 12:55PM ● By Sacramento County News Release

The deadline for paying the first installment of 2025-26 Sacramento County property taxes is coming up. Payments are due no later than Dec. 10, 2025. Late payments will incur a 10- percent penalty for each tax bill. Partial payments are not accepted.

Read More »

Watt/I-80 Transit Center Phase Change Begins Dec. 3

Nov 25, 2025 10:37AM ● By Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) News Release

Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is announcing the next major phase of the Watt/I-80 Transit Center Improvement Project, with important changes beginning in December 2025.

Read More »

chart, graph, bars, pie, numbers, data, stats

Home Sales Remain Above Average During October

Nov 24, 2025 02:39PM ● By MPG Staff

New home sales in the Sacramento region rose modestly in September and remained above the historical average for this time of year, the North State Building Industry Association announced on Nov. 11.

Read More »

ballet, dance, art, entertainment, recreation, music, craft

Sacramento Ballet Offers Bold Visions, Timeless Classics

Nov 10, 2025 04:29PM ● By Sacramento Ballet News Release

Sacramento Ballet’s highly anticipated 2025-26 season has started.

Read More »

How Can Veteran Business Owners Overcome Financial Challenges?

Nov 10, 2025 02:36PM ● By Brandpoint Content

For many Servicemembers transitioning out of the military, owning their own business is their second act.

Read More »

New Study: 38% of Americans Say Cash Feels More 'Real' Than Digital Money

Nov 05, 2025 11:57AM ● By BrandPoint Content

Close to 2 in 5 Americans (38 percent) say cash feels more "real" than digital money: It's a tangible reminder of value, and remains a permanent part of their financial toolkit (27 percent).

Read More »

SacSewer accepted the 2025 Utility of the Future Today award

SacSewer Named Utility of the Future Today Recipient

Nov 03, 2025 01:49PM ● By Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) News Release

The Sacramento region’s sewage collection, treatment and resource recovery utility has earned national recognition for its innovative partnerships that protect local waterways and strengthen community resilience.

Read More »