This Week's Franchise
EducationManteca Unified School District Used Unapproved Reading Screener for K-2 Students
District confirms use of ELPAC, which is not on the state's approved list, to re-screen students for reading risk
Manteca Unified School District (MUSD) has confirmed that it used the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) to re-screen all kindergarten through second-grade students for reading risk, despite ELPAC not being on the state's approved list of reading screeners under California Education Code § 53008.
The district's use of ELPAC was revealed through a California Public Records Act (CPRA) request filed by Dismal Freedom Press, which obtained documentation from the district showing that ELPAC was used for the re-screening.
Regional Triage
Triage
City Council Approves Downtown Hotel Subsidy
The Stockton City Council voted 4-3 to authorize a $6.4 million gap financing agreement for a 120-room boutique hotel at the former PG&E site, despite objections from housing advocates who noted the city's affordable housing waitlist currently stands at 2,800 households.
City Refinances $68M in Pension Obligation Bonds
The Vallejo City Council voted 5-1 to approve a refinancing of $68 million in pension obligation bonds, extending the city's repayment horizon from 2035 to 2045 while reducing near-term annual debt service by approximately $2.3 million.
City Council Approves River Islands Phase 5 EIR
The Lathrop City Council voted 3-2 to certify the Environmental Impact Report for Phase 5 of the River Islands master-planned community, approving approximately 2,100 additional residential units on the Mossdale Island site.
Federal Monitor Finds Antioch PD Improved Body Camera Compliance
The court-appointed federal monitor overseeing Antioch Police Department's consent decree compliance released its second quarterly report, rating 14 of 23 reform benchmarks as compliant, including improved body-worn camera review compliance.
Point-In-Time Count Shows 14% Increase in Unsheltered Homelessness
San Joaquin County's 2026 Point-in-Time homeless count recorded 2,847 unsheltered individuals across the county, a 14% increase over the 2024 count of 2,498, with Stockton accounting for 61% of the total.
Public Records Tracker
CPRA Table
| Agency | Request | Filed | Status | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manteca Unified School District | Documentation of reading screener used for K-2 students | June 18, 2026 | Responded | Review response for compliance with California Education Code § 53008 |
| Stockton City Council | Records of downtown hotel subsidy agreement | June 30, 2026 | Pending | Follow up with city clerk for update on response |
| San Joaquin County | Point-In-Time count data and methodology | July 1, 2026 | Responded | Analyze data for trends and insights |