Ariel Roblin

June is Pride Month. Activism and support are part of the fabric of California. The Golden State was the first to elect a gay mayor, the Pride flag was created in San Francisco, and for more than 40 years, Sac Pride has hosted a two-day festival on Capitol Mall.As Pride celebrations grow across the world, people have found new and truly inspiring ways to celebrate and come together.

This week's State of Hospitality broke some big news scoring two big victories. Starting in 2027, we have the return of the GoldenSky Country Music Festival, and the California International Marathon will double in size to 20,000 runners.This is a massive boost for our local economy. The music festival is a three-year commitment, drawing about 75,000 music fans from around the world each year.

If you had the chance to influence what taxes you pay, how your community is developed, and the rules protecting the air you breathe, would you want that power? Right now, you have it. In fact, your ballot may be sitting on your desk or kitchen table. But if this year follows recent trends, two thirds of California voters will toss their ballots in the trash. They are, quite literally, throwing away their power. Voting is often described as a civic duty - but here's another way to view it.