The award for general excellence recognized contributions from across the newsroom, design and advertising teams, honoring The Press Democrat as best in class \u2014 for the fourth year in a row \u2014 among newspapers and online sites with 15,000 to 50,000 subscribers \u2014 a category that includes all but a handful of the largest metro papers and online outlets and the state\u2019s smaller dailies.<\/p>\n
Overall, the newspaper and its website, pressdemocrat.com<\/a>, won 85 awards for print and digital journalism from 2025 in the annual California Journalism Awards, organized by the state\u2019s largest media trade group.<\/p>\n The Press Democrat\u2019s sibling publications, the Sonoma Index-Tribune, Petaluma Argus-Courier and North Bay Business Journal, together won 18 awards, including 4 first places.<\/p>\n 1st place awards<\/p>\n The 23 awards included:<\/p>\n General excellence, for two consecutive issues of The Press Democrat<\/a> (Sept. 20-21) that showcased reporting on local law enforcement oversight, the fiscal crisis within Santa Rosa City Schools, the aid shortfall for 2017 fire survivors and the clash over backyard beekeeping and commercial cannabis farms. The package included a range of essential local business, features and sports coverage, as well as reporting from around the nation and world, the Sunday Forum pages with opinion content and commentary, plus the annual Communidad section featuring special coverage of the North Bay\u2019s diverse Latino community. The category grades news organizations not only on their journalism, but also overall design, presentation and advertising content.<\/p>\n Public Service, for reporting by Adriana Gutierrez and Kerry Benefield<\/a>, whose in-depth coverage illuminated the greatest financial collapse in the history of Santa Rosa\u2019s 150-year-old public school system<\/a>. Their dozens of stories included a drumbeat of daily coverage and deeper enterprise reporting on the origin, extent and fallout of the crisis<\/a> \u2014 the closure of six campuses through June<\/a>, about 150 teacher and staff layoffs and the elimination of numerous special programs, including counseling services for students.<\/p>\n Writing, for Emma Murphy\u2019s story \u201cAlone on the Mountain,\u201d delving into the adventurous life and domestic-violence murder of Sonoma County park ranger Kat Pringle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Agriculture Coverage, for the series of stories by John Beck, with photography by Kent Porter and additional reporting by Raquel Issenberg, on the end of most private ranching<\/a> in Point Reyes National Seashore, brought about through a secretly-brokered buyout by The Nature Conservancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat file<\/p>\n Kevin Lunny with granddaughter Isabella Mata, 6, pushes beef cattle toward an open pasture Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 at the Lunny Ranch in Point Reyes National Seashore. In the background is Drake\u2019s Estero, where Drakes Bay Oyster Co., owned by Lunny, closed in 2014. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat file)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Arts and Entertainment Coverage, for Dan Taylor\u2019s story on musician, composer and groundbreaking Healdsburg Jazz artistic director Marcus Shelby<\/a>, with photography by John Burgess.<\/p>\n Columns, for Kerry Benefield\u2019s delightful pieces on an abandoned kitten\u2019s cross-country bike trip,<\/a> with photos by Christopher Chung, and a local veteran\u2019s reunion with his long-lost dog<\/a>.<\/p>\n Artistic Photo, for Kent Porter\u2019s luminous shot of a supermoon rising behind a mountain ridge.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Business and Economy Coverage, for reporting on the widening economic headwinds hitting the region\u2019s wine industry, with slumping consumer sales and slower tasting room traffic spilling over into pullbacks for growers, by reporters Sarah Doyle, Jeff Quackenbush and Phil Barber and The Press Democrat\u2019s staff photojournalists.<\/p>\n Local Government Coverage, for Marisa Endicott\u2019s examination of skyrocketing insurance costs for California counties<\/a>, an accelerating trend that is draining dollars for public services.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Youth and Education Coverage, for Tarini Mehta\u2019s coverage of the crisis<\/a> that pushed Napa County\u2019s smallest school district \u2014 Pope Valley Union Elementary<\/a> \u2014 to the brink of implosion<\/a>.<\/p>\n Editorial Comment, for former Editorial Director Jim Sweeney\u2019s assessment of the opportunities and risks<\/a> presented by a regional plan for the Eel River, where PG&E wants to decommission and remove its two dams, raising questions about future water security for farms, cities and rural residents in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties.<\/p>\n Environmental Reporting, for Anna Armstrong\u2019s coverage of the debate ignited in western Sonoma County by a family\u2019s plan for an asphalt plant at their longstanding Forestville quarry<\/a>, with photos by Kent Porter.<\/p>\n Fine Arts Writing, for John Beck\u2019s piece on \u2018The Poetry House,\u2019<\/a> the Sonoma Coast retreat dreamed up by late sculptor Bruce Johnson and local poet Elizabeth Herron, illustrated with Beth Schlanker\u2019s photos.<\/p>\n Food Writing and Reporting, for a compilation of Heather Irwin\u2019s restaurant reviews<\/a> and food writing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Immigration Reporting, for stories by Phil Barber and Marisa Endicott about the local ripples\u00a0of the Trump administration\u2019s historic crackdown on immigration enforcement, focused on the experience of North Bay residents navigating the U.S. detention system<\/a>.<\/p>\n In-Depth Reporting, for Emma Murphy\u2019s probing coverage of a landmark Sonoma County government real estate deal and a resulting state investigation into a member of the Board of Supervisors.<\/p>\n Front Page Layout, for Denise Szott\u2019s arresting cover featuring Colin Atagi\u2019s story about the local cases<\/a> behind California\u2019s deeply flawed system that allows motorists convicted in fatal crashes to continue driving, as shown in a CalMatters investigation<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Profile, for Kerry Benefield\u2019s story \u201cJesika\u2019s Journey,\u201d<\/a> about a local health care hero who turned her own past experience with addiction into a vital community role helping Sonoma County\u2019s most vulnerable residents.<\/p>\n Sports Feature Story, for the chronicle by reporter Gus Morris and Kent Porter of the final days of the 2025 Sonoma State University women\u2019s and men\u2019s basketball seasons<\/a>, in the wake of the campus president\u2019s decision to end all 11 intercollegiate sports programs at the school to help address a nearly $24 million deficit.<\/p>\n Print Inside Page Layout, for the Feast & Wine pages by designer Lisa Ostroski and features editor Sofia Englund.<\/p>\n Feast & Wine cover Nov. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Nov. 12, 2025 Feast and Wine section pages<\/p>\n Feast and Wine cover Dec. 10, 2025. (The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Feast and Wine pages, Dec. 10, 2025. (The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Feast and Wine cover Dec. 31, 2025. (The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Feast and Wine pages, Dec. 31, 2025. (The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Show Caption<\/p>\n 1 of 6<\/p>\n Feast & Wine cover Nov. 12, 2025. (The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Expand<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Tourism\/Travel Writing, for Sarah Doyle\u2019s story about local winemaker Daryl Groom\u2019s trek<\/a>, with his son, along the famed Camino de Santiago, helping raise funds for heart charities.<\/p>\n Wildfire News Coverage, for team coverage of the 2025 Pickett Fire that menaced communities in eastern Napa County.<\/p>\n Wildfire Photo, for Kent Porter\u2019s otherworldly shot of the nighttime fight to save Aetna Springs from the Pickett Fire.<\/p>\n Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat<\/p>\n Reflected in a homeowners pool, a California Conservation Corps firefighting hand crew heads toward the Pickett Fire line, Saturday, August 24, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat) The 20 awards included:<\/p>\n Agriculture Coverage, for stories by Heather Irwin<\/a>, Sarah Doyle<\/a> and Jennifer Graue<\/a>, with photography by John Burgess and Christopher Chung, spotlighting resilience and ingenuity among Sonoma County farmers.<\/p>\n Arts & Entertainment Coverage, for Dan Taylor\u2019s story on Santa Rosa-born actor Morgan Spector<\/a>, who got his start in local theater at age 7 and now stars on the HBO series \u201cThe Gilded Age.\u201d<\/p>\n Breaking News, for a story by Madison Smalstig, with additional reporting by Phil Barber, on an Aug. 10, 2025 murder-suicide<\/a> that involved an off-duty Sonoma County sheriff\u2019s deputy shooting to death his former partner \u2014 also a sheriff\u2019s employee \u2014 before killing himself.<\/p>\n Columns, for Kerry Benefield\u2019s series on sickened Navy submariner<\/a> Paul Critchett\u2019s fight for his veteran\u2019s benefits<\/a>, with photography by John Burgess.<\/p>\n Editorial Comment, for Jim Sweeney\u2019s defense of hard-won coastal protections shielding California from more offshore oil drilling<\/a>.<\/p>\n Enterprise News Story, for Marisa Endicott\u2019s examination of the debt load burdening Sonoma State University\u2019s troubled budget<\/a>, with data graphics by George Buce.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Feature Photography, by Christopher Chung, Kent Porter and Beth Schlanker.<\/p>\n Christine Palmer-Persen blow dries Sebastian as he shakes off water from a bath in Windsor on Friday, February 7, 2025. Sebastian, a 5-year-old grand champion Great Pyrenees, will be competing in the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. (Christopher Chung\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n At Salmon Creek Beach north, the Milky Way and ocean bioluminescence make for a visual feast for a visitor, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Sea Surface Temperatures are running above normal giving glowing dinoflagellate plankton a canvas in which to glow. The phenomenon is most common during fall months in the Bay Area ocean waters. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Annabelle Rincon, 2, feigns pain as she receives a new \u2018do, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, during the Redwood Gospel Missions\u2019 Great Thanksgiving Banquet at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Sonoma Stompers\u2019 Anthony Scheppler races young fans from the outfield to home plate between innings against the San Francisco Seagulls in Sonoma on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Christopher Chung\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Children react to a wall of water heading their way at the new Spray Ground at Finley Aquatic Center in Santa Rosa Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Beth Schlanker \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Show Caption<\/p>\n 1 of 5<\/p>\n Christine Palmer-Persen blow dries Sebastian as he shakes off water from a bath in Windsor on Friday, February 7, 2025. Sebastian, a 5-year-old grand champion Great Pyrenees, will be competing in the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. (Christopher Chung\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Expand<\/a><\/p>\n Fine Arts Writing, for Elsa Cavazos\u2019 story<\/a> \u201cA mic, a moment \u2014 and a movement: How poetry found its voice in Napa County.\u201d<\/p>\n Food Reporting, for Jennifer Graue\u2019s feature stories on Sonoma County pop-ups<\/a>, the fattest pancake around<\/a>, how to spice up your salad game with citrus<\/a> and the ties between rainbow chard and politics<\/a>.<\/p>\n Housing and Land-use Reporting, for Marisa Endicott\u2019s story on how an escalating fight over the future of a Petaluma mobile home park<\/a> heralds a wider California policy battle over a last bastion of affordable housing, with photography by Beth Schlanker.<\/p>\n News Photo and Wildfire Photo, for Kent Porter\u2019s astounding image of the deadly Esparto fireworks warehouse blast that killed seven people. Read up on the backstory of why he was on scene in Yolo County that day<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat file<\/p>\n Fireworks explode at a fireworks warehouse near Esparto, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat file)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Photojournalism, for selected work by the Press Democrat\u2019s staff photographers representing breaking news, feature, arts and entertainment, community and sports coverage.<\/p>\n Dropkick takes one to the body from El Negro Modelo as they perform during Noche de Lucha Libre at Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Friends Chloe Matej, 13, and Holly Bower, 13, comfort each other after saying goodbye to their lambs at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. (Beth Schlanker \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n The sculpture \u201cPreying Phantasy,\u201d in Jeju Way, where Russian River Brewing Co. owner Natalie Cilurzo stopped to check out the piece before heading to the pub next door. The modern sculpture is part of the two-year Santa Rosa Public Art Walk exhibit in downtown Santa Rosa to Railroad Square. (John Burgess \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat<\/p>\n Robert, a neighbor, moves out of the way as fire engines arrive at the scene of a structure fire on Sebastopol Road between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Charlotte Halstead, left, and Ray Carpenter talk at WigOut! Sonoma at Jacuzzi Family Vineyard in Sonoma on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (Christopher Chung\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Petaluma head coach Rick Krist is doused with ice water after the Trojans beat their crosstown rivals, the Casa Grande Gauchos, in the Egg Bowl, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Beth Schlanker \/ The Press Democrat<\/p>\n Festivalgoers cheer as Benson Boone performs during day 2 of Bottlerock at the Napa Valley Expo in Napa Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Beth Schlanker \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat<\/p>\n Erica Behler celebrates her victory over Ella Tang win the World Pillow Fighting Championships in Santa Rosa, Friday, July 4, 2025, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n From left, Aviana Carp, 7, Kiley Quinn, 4, and Kinsley Quinn, 7, walk across a glowing bridge at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts\u2019 Northern Lights Winter Lights Art Walk Tues., Dec.23, 2025 in Santa Rosa.<\/p>\n Eloise and Calvin Rogers celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary in the dining room at Cogir of Sonoma Senior Living in Sonoma Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Beth Schlanker \/ The Press-Democrat)<\/p>\n Guadalupanos\u2019 carry a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe north along Mendocino Ave., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2025, during the annual 8.7 mile pilgrimage from Santa Rosa\u2019s Old Courthouse Square to Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church in Windsor. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat<\/p>\n Reflected in a homeowners pool, a California Conservation Corps firefighting hand crew heads toward the Pickett Fire line, Saturday, August 24, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Jesika Quintal, right, prays with Kelly Hernandez at Lighthouse Christian Church in Sonoma on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (Christopher Chung\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Shelly Cole of Santa Rosa joins the Taco Tuesday bicycle group during the SOFA Santa Rosa Arts District WinterBlast, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Show Caption<\/p>\n 1 of 14<\/p>\n Dropkick takes one to the body from El Negro Modelo as they perform during Noche de Lucha Libre at Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n Expand<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Print Front Page Design, for Denise Szott\u2019s layout<\/a> of Amie Windsor\u2019s story on the tug-of-war over PG&E\u2019s plans for its Eel River dams and the consequences for Mendocino County\u2019s Potter Valley farm region<\/a>.<\/p>\n Print Inside Page Layout, for Ryan McCrossin\u2019s evocative designs on the weekly Dining Out pages.<\/p>\n Cover for the Dining Out page on Jan. 6, 2025.<\/p>\n Cover for the March 23, 2025 front of Dining Out.<\/p>\n Cover for the May 4, 2025 Dining Out page.<\/p>\n Show Caption<\/p>\n 1 of 3<\/p>\n Cover for the Dining Out page on Jan. 6, 2025.<\/p>\n Expand<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Religion and Faith Writing, for Dan Taylor\u2019s story on the new leader of Santa Rosa\u2019s Congregation Shomrei Torah, Rabbi Jeremy Morrison, and his bid to foster dialog in a polarized time,<\/a> with photography by Abraham Fuentes.<\/p>\n Sports Feature Story, for Gus Morris\u2019 portrait of Santa Rosa running star Hanne Thomsen<\/a> enroute to her first year competing for Stanford University, with photos from Christopher Chung.<\/p>\n Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat<\/p>\n Standout distance runner Hanne Thomsen cruises on a recovery run along Channel Drive in Santa Rosa on Monday, July 28, 2025. Thomsen will be continuing her running career at Stanford University this fall. (Christopher Chung \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Wildfire Feature, for Austin Murphy\u2019s story on the common ties between wildfire survivors in Santa Rosa\u2019s Coffey Park and Los Angeles<\/a> after the devastating Southern California fires in January 2025.<\/p>\n Wildfire News Coverage, for Edward Booth\u2019s recounting of the night that Aetna Springs was nearly lost to the Pickett Fire<\/a> and the efforts by fire crews to save the the Napa County community, with photos from Kent Porter.<\/p>\n Writing, for Melanie Nguyen\u2019s reflection on her family\u2019s refugee stories 50 years after the Fall of Saigon<\/a>.<\/p>\n 3rd place awards<\/p>\n The 16 awards included:<\/p>\n Arts and Entertainment, for Charles Swanson\u2019s story on local Army veteran Aundray Rogers<\/a> and the post-service work that led to his recognition by musician John Mayer.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Breaking News, for team coverage led by Marisa Endicott, Austin Murphy and Gus Morris, with additional reporting by Martin Espinoza and Anna Armstrong, of the unprecedented January 2025 cuts<\/a> in Sonoma State academics and intercollegiate sports that roiled the university for months<\/a>.<\/p>\n Enterprise Story, for an inside look by Marisa Endicott and Phil Barber at a Sonoma County family\u2019s fight to keep their home<\/a> after a yearslong battle over permits and court-appointed cleanup.<\/p>\n Feature Story, for Austin Murphy and Kent Porter\u2019s piece on the Santa Rosa architect\u00a0building a replica<\/a> of a beloved landmark destroyed in the Tubbs Fire.<\/p>\n Fine Arts Writing, for John Beck\u2019s story on the Sonoma stage performance that draws on Depression-era photographer Dorothea Lange<\/a> to make ties to today\u2019s America, with photos from Phoenix Alexandrea.<\/p>\n Food Writing, for a collection of Sarah Doyle\u2019s reporting<\/a> on the people<\/a>, places<\/a> and trends<\/a> that make up Wine Country in Sonoma and Napa counties and beyond.<\/p>\n Health Reporting, for Martin Espinoza\u2019s investigation<\/a> showing the ties between an overdose death at a Santa Rosa detox facility and a pattern of county delays affecting substance addiction clients.<\/p>\n Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat<\/p>\n Christina McGinty displays a photograph of her son Robert Austin, Saturday, May 10, 2025, when he was football player at Cloverdale High School. He was addicted to opioids and was homeless in recent years. Robert, 43, died after he overdosed at Orenda Center in Santa Rosa on March 14. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In-Depth Reporting, for more than two dozen stories by Phil Barber last year<\/a> on the implosion of Ken Mattson\u2019s real estate empire centered in Sonoma and his indictment on charges tied to orchestrating an alleged \u201cclassic Ponzi scheme.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Investigative Reporting, for John Beck\u2019s series, with photos from Kent Porter, unpacking the secret deal to end most ranching in Point Reyes National Seashore<\/a>.<\/p>\n Print Front Page Design, for Denise Szott\u2019s layout of Paulina Pineda\u2019s news feature on the battle over backyard bee keeping in the city of Santa Rosa.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Social Justice and Civic Engagement Coverage, for Tarini Mehta\u2019s stories on the uproar over a pending Sonoma State University public lecture<\/a> by a Palestinian American scholar on the history of Palestine and Israel\u2019s war in Gaza and the receptive crowd that ultimately embraced the event.<\/a><\/p>\n Travel Writing, for Martin Espinoza\u2019s toe-curling account of the four hours he unknowingly spent kayak fishing with a rattlesnake inside his boat<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Transportation Reporting, for Anna Armstrong\u2019s story tracking the surge in airplane noise complaints after federal flight path changes at the Santa Rosa airport that escaped Sonoma County\u2019s notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wildfire Feature, for Martin Espinoza\u2019s story about the growth of Santa Rosa-based app Watch Duty<\/a>, founded five years ago and now an indispensable tool for many to track unfolding wildfires and floods.<\/p>\n![\"Kevin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/462217de-2af7-57e5-b49b-6f30009e6787.jpg\")
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The Cold Moon, the last supermoon of 2025, rises behind the Mayacamas Mountains and Nuns Fire burn scar, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Glen Ellen. The yellow orange tint is due to a layer of cirrus clouds and smoke particulates trapped under a persistent high pressure ridge. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n![\"Bazaar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TPD-L-jb1021_baso_001_246078432.jpg\")
Bazaar Sonoma restaurant owners Jenny Phan and Sean Quan are grateful for the community support Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 after a fire closed their Forestville restaurant. BASO now operates in a temporary location offered by friend Gerard Nebesky who used it as an extra kitchen for his Gerard\u2019s Paella Catering. (John Burgess \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n![\"Front](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TPD-L-CrashedKilled-071926-01.jpg\")
Front page for July 6, 2025<\/p>\n![\"Feast](\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TPD-L-FeaturesNov12-071926.jpg?w=620\")
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\n2nd place awards<\/p>\n![\"Christine](\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/TPD-L-POY-122225-CC001.jpg?w=620\")
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<\/p>\n![\"Charlotte](\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TPD-L-GATHER-102625-001.jpg?w=620\")
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<\/p>\n![\"Standout](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/45b45e5d-bdaf-5133-83c4-8cac9ba3ea0d.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2236195591.jpg\")
John Mayer (L) poses onstage with Santa Rosa’s Natalie Rogers and Aundray Rogers at a private concert benefiting The Heart and Armor Foundation for Veterans Health at Henson Studios on September 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Mayer presented Aundray Rogers with the foundation’s inaugural William H. Greason Service Award at the event, along with a signed guitar. (Photo by Emma McIntyre\/Getty Images for The Heart and Armor)<\/p>\n![\"Christina](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5b77d324-726e-5d98-894a-2da675f23a33.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Sept.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TPD-L-Sept20Front-071926-01.jpg\")
Sept. 21, 2026 front page of The Press Democrat<\/p>\n
![\"Firefighters](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TPD-L-kp0917_CazFire_01-copy.jpg\")
Firefighters turn away from rotor wash debris kicked up by Cal Fire\u2019s Boggs Forest Helitack as the craft is used to help extinguish a house fire which nearly gutted the structure, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Cazadero. The fire also spread in to vegetation, burning about 2.5 acres. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n