Emma R. Murphy

Curious & coffee-fueled @NorthBayNews reporter covering Sonoma County government and politics. Also find me on Instagram and Bluesky

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Really excited to share that @pressreno and I won a second place #NationalHeadlinerAward for "Trouble on the Tarmac," our coverage of safety problems at the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport #localjournalism
https://t.co/IGqUXklpT2

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

This morning the #SonomaCounty Board of Supervisors is kicking off budget workshops. The county is facing deep federal cuts, declining local revenue and uncertain state support. https://t.co/MXO9bBoU5b

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Sonoma County supervisors adopted a limited sanctuary ordinance. It was met with outcry from immigration rights activists https://t.co/HQ8AWI2Ld5

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Sonoma County Supervisor Chris Coursey, in a public statement this week, said county law enforcement should end all communication with federal #immigration authorities. It’s a political shift that puts his at odds with his fellow board members.

https://t.co/kViYbZi6lF

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

This is a must-read.

[CalMatters @CalMatters]

For three years, the fate of poor people accused of crimes in San Benito County lay in the hands of attorneys who barely spoke with their clients and seldom filed legal motions on their behalf. Meet the Ciummo law firm.

📸 Larry Valenzuela

1/7

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Santa Rosa Council member Natalie Rogers drops out of state Senate race, leaving Assemblymember Damon Connolly, a San Rafael Democrat, with an unopposed path, for now, in the June primary. https://t.co/UISdMk25x4

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

ICYMI: The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors passed new commercial cannabis regulations yesterday, marking the most significant changes to local rules since 2018. https://t.co/lYy74pqbL7

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

The board voted 4-1 to approve the changes, including a last minute tweak to setback requirements. Story on the way. #cannabis

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

This morning: The #SonomaCounty Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a set of revised commercial #cannabis regulations, marking the most significant changes to the county ordinance since 2018. https://t.co/Yph5OymjPa

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Sonoma County’s planning and permitting director posted signs outside the board chambers demonstrating the proposed distance for cannabis cultivation setbacks. This shows how big an issue setbacks have become.

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

This morning: The #SonomaCounty Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a set of revised commercial #cannabis regulations, marking the most significant changes to the county ordinance since 2018. https://t.co/Yph5OymjPa

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

The board is nearing a vote. Setbacks and exclusion zones are becoming the biggest issue - residents critical of the regulations want exclusion zones, but that provision doesn’t have board majority support. It’s getting tense.

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

One year ago #SonomaCounty Park Ranger Kat Pringle was murdered in her beloved mountaintop home, leaving her loved ones - like many who lose someone to domestic violence - grappling with overwhelming grief and more questions than answers #domesticviolence
https://t.co/w0aIJwcizV

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

California's campaign finance watchdog agency is investigating a complaint filed against #SonomaCounty Supervisor David Rabbitt alleging conflict of interest violations tied to the county's recently abandoned $56.1 million real estate deal.
https://t.co/9OqS7FZfQ7

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

‘People have had enough’: Santa Rosa lawyer mounts long-shot congressional bid. @ausmurph88 has the story on the latest candidate to enter the race for the redrawn 1st District #californiapolitics https://t.co/swKoLGJGtN

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Exclusive: state Sen. Mike McGuire is running for Congress. He spoke about his run yesterday with me and @ausmurph88. Get the latest here #californiapolitics https://t.co/yWTf65nDmQ

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

After ‘blue wave’ election, here's what elected leaders had to say about how Prop. 50 reshapes the North Bay and California politics. https://t.co/G3JvES5xWJ

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Early returns show strong support for Prop. 50 among voters in Sonoma, Napa counties, fueling landslide win #California #prop50 https://t.co/G3JvES5xWJ

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Will Mike McGuire run for Congress if Pop. 50 passes? Recent spending by his insurance commissioner campaign, a set of social media ads and his silence on the question make up a small, but compelling collection of breadcrumbs. My latest with @ausmurph88 https://t.co/QW33vDspd8

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Sonoma County departments, nonprofits are bracing for #federalcuts that will likely force county leaders to choose what programs to prioritize. My latest for @NorthBayNews https://t.co/j9hgiDnDnz

[Anne Silver 🇵🇸 @AnneSilver]

Please call flotilla reporter Emily Wilder's (@vv1lder) California senators and reps--Adam Schiff, Alex Padilla, & Jimmy Gomez-- and tell them to advocate for her safety and release from Israeli detention:

[Emma R. Murphy @MurphReports]

Sonoma County supervisors on Tuesday approved a language 'clean up' of the county's lodging tax policy but steered clear of addressing exactly how the funds are allocated — the subject of heated debate for years. https://t.co/SofTrVfb6O