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Merced County, CA · County edition

Merced County local news

Each morning we send a short email about what happened in Merced County the day before. Most editions take a few minutes to read. It's free.

Latest edition

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Local Politics · Turlock, CA

Congressional Campaign Spending Lopsided in CA-13 Race Between Gray and Lincoln

Republican-aligned groups have spent over $4.34 million in California's 13th Congressional District race this year as of Oct. 11, compared to less than $400,000 from Democratic-aligned groups, according to campaign finance records. Incumbent Democrat Rep. Adam Gray, who won the seat by 187 votes in 2024, faces Republican former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln in a contest spanning communities from Stockton to Merced along State Route 99. GOP Speaker Mike Johnson held a rally for Lincoln in Chowchilla, while House Democrats sent their campaign committee chair to Modesto and dozens of volunteers launched canvassing at a Modesto union hall Saturday. The race centers on issues including the $100 million Campus Parkway road project in Merced County connecting Highways 99 and 140 to UC Merced, water access, and agricultural policy. The Cook Political Report moved the race from 'toss-up' to 'lean Dem' in January following California's Proposition 50 redistricting.

Source: The Turlock Journal Read the full story ↗

Public Safety · Dos Palos, CA

Sand Fire Near Dos Palos Fully Contained Oct. 17 After Burning 78 Acres

The Sand Fire was discovered at 11:24 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Sand Slough Road and Turner Island Road near Dos Palos in Merced County, California. Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit crews achieved 100% containment by Saturday afternoon, with the fire having consumed 78 acres. No cause for the fire had been determined as of the 2:28 p.m. update. Full containment means a control line surrounds the entire perimeter, though the fire may continue to burn within that boundary.

Source: Sacramento Bee Read the full story ↗
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About Your Local News in Merced County

Every night we go through the news sites and public notices that cover Merced County, CA. When several outlets report the same council vote, you read about it once.

The email goes out before 6am. Where the original article is free to read, we link to it.

Towns in Merced County and nearby