Elk Grove News Podcast

I was planning on writing a podcast on my vegetable garden today, and a very plentiful vegetable garden it is too, but STUFF just keeps happening. By STUFF I mean the unbelievable flow of nonsense spewing from the unhinged guy currently occupying OUR White House and pretending to be president. “What now?” you ask. 

If there is one thing every elected official wants, it is a favorable legacy. As we have often seen, however, that legacy is not what they hoped for.

Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer—and the beginning of election season.Midterm elections often cost the president’s party seats in Congress. But this election has an extraordinary dimension that will test American Democracy.

Years ago, an Elk Grove elected official threw shade at Elk Grove News and stated Elk Grove News has a whopping audience of one dozen readers. Ever since, we haveworn that as a badge of honor. A media outlet being dissed by a politician is nothing unique after all. It was therefore with some amusement that an email for Representative Doris Matsui’s campaign landed in our email inbox.

This year, the most meaningful locally based elections in Elk Grove will be for the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees.In two Elk Grove geographic districts, two conservative candidates will challenge liberal incumbents.

Regardless of your thoughts about the Iran War, Americans agree service members deserve the best our country can provide.The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for more than 260 days, and reportedly there are food shortages, plumbing problems, and poor sanitary conditions. The Pentagon disputes these reports.

The names Stasi and SAVAK may not be familiar to many Americans, but they were the feared secret police agencies used by the communist East German government and the Shah of Iran, respectively, to crush political dissent and punish those who opposed the regime.

As we enter August, even though kids are returning to school, at least in California, we are in the dog days of August. This month is remarkable in that it is the only month with no official or unofficial holiday in the United States. We have a solution perfectly suited to resolve this matter.

Sweetheart land deals and crooked politicians match almost as perfectly as bacon and eggs.Longtime political observers will note real estate dealings have frequently ensnared elected officials.That brings us to one of Elk Grove's most controversial events in recent years, the Oak Rose supportive housing project.

Leading up to his Thursday night address, Donald Trump promised "bombshell revelations" about voting fraud.Instead, we got what CNN’s David Axelrod called "a big nothing-burger on a brioche bun." Calling it a nothing-burger is insulting to even the worst of fast food.It was more like a greasy Jack in the box taco wrapper found in a parking lot.

With so much attention focused on debates over free speech, guns, and other constitutional rights, there was a quieter victory this week for a different kind of freedom: the right to fix the things you already own.

Today, the United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday.Through our historic and ongoing American experiment in democracy, we have traveled through many peaks and valleys.We have been inspired by great men and women who display for all the world to see our decency and humanity.

How do Elk Grove's elected officials use social media?Are they communicating with constituents...or promoting themselves?In this satirical edition of the Elk Grove News Podcast, publisher Dan Gougherty ranks the social media habits of Congresswoman Doris Matsui, State Senator Angelique Ashby, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, Vice Mayor Darren Suen, and Elk Grove City Council members Rod Brewer, Sergio Robles and Kevin Spease.Using the Elk Grove News "Vanity Scale," we examine which politicians use Facebook to serve constituents—and which appear more interested in selfies, staged photo opportunities, and political celebrity.This humorous political commentary concludes with advice from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on how elected officials should engage with the public.For more local political news, visit ElkGroveNews.net.#ElkGrove#ElkGrovePolitics#ElkGroveCityCouncil#BobbieSinghAllen#DarrenSuen#SergioRobles#RodBrewer#KevinSpease#AngeliqueAshby#StephanieNguyen#DorisMatsui#SocialMedia#PoliticalCommentary#Facebook#PoliticalSatire#CaliforniaPolitics#ElkGroveNewsPodcast

This week, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city council committed hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to two lobby firms to advocate in Sacramentoand Washington DC.

One of the lasting effects of COVID-19 was a surge of public attention on school boards after pandemic-era school closures thrust education policy into the political spotlight.That attention has cut both ways—some of it constructive, some of it sharply divisive, depending on your perspective.

University officials said in 2025 that financing for the project was nearing completion. What is happening now?

Eligible Elk Grove homeowners have until June 30 to apply for an EGUSD Mello-Roos tax exemption. The savings can be especially valuable for seniors on fixed incomes.#ElkGrove #ElkGroveNews #EGUSD #MelloRoos #PropertyTaxes #CaliforniaTaxes #TaxSavings #SeniorCitizens #FixedIncome #ElkGroveCA #SacramentoCounty #Homeowners #CaliforniaHomeowners #TaxRelief #LocalNews

Well, we finally have a DEAL!Our current president, Mr. Art of the Deal, is crowing loudly this morning because he has a “tentative” deal with Iran to stop the war HE STARTED back on February 28, 2026. Here are just a few of the details of the soon-to-be agreement made by Mr. Art of the Deal.

Elk Grove News readers will note that we have had several reports on the Kalshi prediction markets as forecast tools for the primary elections in California's Congressional Districts 6, 7, and 22.So what are the preliminary results?

California’s 6th Congressional District was drawn under Proposition 50 to create a district more favorable to Democrats. However, early results suggest a very differentoutcome.

President Trump wants taxpayers to give $1.6 billion for January 6 thugs, creating America's first federal reimbursement program for convicted criminals. Why stop there?

This weekend Americans will celebrate Memorial Day. Even though it has become an excuse for retailers to promote sales, we would offer this advice to politicians who view it as an opportunity for self-promotion.

One of the best things to come out of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal was Social Security. The program, which is nearing its 100th birthday, had two primary purposes. These politicians need to honor one of Social Security's original purposes.

Sorry, Mom, no Mother’s Day champagne brunch this year. No roses. No fancy desserts. Sacrifices must be made for the greater good!

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen won't let the face-planting of her scheme stop her quest for glory!

This week, Donald Trump suffered a battle loss in ONE of his wars when Virginia voters approved a redistricting map favoring Democrats, and that's not all!

Acknowledged as one of cinema's greatest productions, Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now is filled with memorable dialogue, which helped the film earn its well-deserved reputation. This week's resignations of former congressmen Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzalez remind us of a specific passage in the movie, in which General Corman speaks about Colonel Kurtz.

This week, Elk Grove approved a contract extension of the Flock surveillance contract. They join many cities that are compling surveillance data that can be abused by other agencies.

Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has gone to the "private sector," but we'll always have this sweet memory!

New Alert! Sometimes politicians get it right. We saw an example this week on the Elk Grove City Council.

Is inflation about to be reignited across the American and global economies because of Trump's Iran War?

Dear President Trump,In a recent statement to the press, you stated: “Gavin Newscum had admitted he has learning disabilities. Honestly, I’m all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president.” Isn’t that interesting? You, our current presidentsaying he doesn’t want U.S. presidents to have disabilities!

March 14 is PI Day, and when Americans celebrate and enjoy a slice of apple or cherry pie, they might reflect on a different kind of "Pi": the geopolitical variety.

During her testimony before the U.S. Senate, Attorney General Pam Bondi demonstrated a master class in political dodgeball. When asked straightforward questions,Bondi pivoted with the agility of a seasoned cable-news pundit, enthusiastically touting how the Dow Jones had soared past 50,000 under President Trump.

Now, you may agree or disagree with issuing a proclamation. That’s fair. Reasonable people can differ. But leadership requires something basic: take a position.

This week, Elk Grove News published an open letter to Mayor Singh-Allen and her City Council. The letter highlights failure to follow up on formal requests seeking protections for our city's vulnerable immigrant population.

Today is the day people express their unrequited love and devotion for the significant people in their lives. To that end, there is a special message in today's edition of Elk Grove News Minute Podcast!

By Dan Schmitt | Have you ever seen a toddler's reaction when they see their name in a personalized book? It was of wonder and amazement that only a developing mind could appreciate.But what about someone who never matures from that child-like amazement and sense that the world revolves around them?

A massive round of applause is in order for our 47th President for his latest social media "masterpiece" during Black History Month.

On February 11, 2026, under the direction of Mayor Bobbie "Big Tobacco" Singh-Allen, the Elk Grove City Council will decide which of the three sites under consideration will host the city's permanent homeless shelter.

Over the last dozen years, Americans, whether they like it or not, have become familiar with the term MAGA.For many MAGA followers, the term includes a get-tough approach on immigrants, legal or otherwise.

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Democratic Party of Sacramento County held a pre-endorsement candidate forum. The forum was held at the Valley Hi Library in Sacramento.Democratic candidates for California’s 3rd, 6th, and 7th Congressional Districts were invited to attend the meeting.On this edition of Elk Grove News Podcast, you will be able to hear 3rd District candidates incumbent Ami Bera, who currently represents the 6th District, Chris Benett, and Heidi Hall. Congressman Bera was in Washington, D.C. and was represented by staff members, including Phillip Norton.The format allowed each candidate an opening statement followed by four unique questions and one audience question.The candidates in all of the forums appeared in alphabetical order.1:15 Ami Bera/Phillip Norton10:10 Chris Bennett20:01 Heidi Hall

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Democratic Party of Sacramento County held a pre-endorsement candidate forum. The forum was held at the Valley Hi Library in Sacramento.Democratic candidates for California’s 3rd, 6th, and 7th Congressional Districts were invited to attend the meeting. On this edition of Elk Grove News Podcast, you will be able to hear 6th District candidates Martha Guerro, Thien Ho, Richard Pan, Lauren Babb Tonlinson, and Tyler Vandenberg. The format allowed each candidate an opening statement followed by four unique questions.

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Democratic Party of Sacramento County held a pre-endorsement candidate forum. The forum was held at the Valley Hi Library in Sacramento.Democratic candidates for California’s 3rd, 6th, and 7th Congressional Districts were invited to attend the meeting. On this edition of Elk Grove News Podcast, you will be able to hear 7th District Congresswoman Doris Matsui and her challenger, Sacramento City Councilwoman Mai Vang.The format allowed each candidate an opening statement followed by four unique questions.We will also produce the recordings of the 3rd and 6th District candidates. The candidates in all of the forums appeared in alphabetical order.

By Dan Schmitt | My kids started playing Tee Ball around the age of five. I still can remember the smiles on their faces the first time they were given a medal for playing baseball. The fact that every kid on the team got a participation medal didn’t bother my children in the least. They were so very proud of their medals which they displayed on the bookshelf at home, so every visitor was sure to see their accomplishments.     My kids continued playing baseball and other sports, and they continued receiving participation medals. Around the age of eight, they came to realize that those end-of-season awards didn’t really mean anything, given every kid on the teams got one just for showing up. When receiving their medals, smiles were replaced by eye rolls that screamed, “Where’s the nearest trash can!”

In a few days, the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored across the nation. It is worth remembering that during his lifetime, Dr. King was not universally revered. He was viewed with deep suspicion by those in power andsubjected to near-constant surveillance by J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI. Yet history has been both kind and accurate in its judgment of him.

As someone who has paid into Social Security for over 50 years and now enjoys benefits, you would think I would be happy about legislation to make these payments tax-free. There is a dark side, though.

By DanSchmitt | So, our dictator-wanna-be-president, a president I remind you, who incited an insurrection of our nation’s CapitalIn 2021, attempting to overturn the results of a free and fair election, we just had our military capture and arrest Nicholas Maduro, the unduly elected dictator of Venezuela, for drug trafficking.  Trump is the same dictator-wanna-be-president who recently pardoned his good buddy, Juan Orlando Hernandez, the ex-narco-dictator of Honduras, serving a 45-year sentence in aU.S. prison for drug trafficking!

It seems Conservative U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh has misgivings about giving ICE a "get out of the Fourth Amendment free" card.

Aside from being an elections year, 2026 is shaping up to be precedent setting for Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her four city councilmen.