William Melhado
@wfam.bsky.social
State Worker reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He/him/🏳️🌈
📷 by Eli Hartman
📷 by Eli Hartman
Reposted by William Melhado
NEW: President Trump has repeatedly threatened to bring federal agents, or even soldiers, to San Francisco to battle crime. His administration has actually done the opposite, quietly taking federal law enforcement away from the city to do immigration work instead.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
December 2, 2025 at 12:26 PM
NEW: President Trump has repeatedly threatened to bring federal agents, or even soldiers, to San Francisco to battle crime. His administration has actually done the opposite, quietly taking federal law enforcement away from the city to do immigration work instead.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reposted by William Melhado
Scoop: Park Service staff at 24 parks and offices are petitioning to unionize. Federal employees at a dozen including Grand Canyon filed for an election today, following staff at a dozen others including Joshua Tree who recently did same www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Parks Service Union Movement Spreads to Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree
Employees in dozens of park units are organizing to fight attempts by the Trump administration to downsize the agency.
www.bloomberg.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Scoop: Park Service staff at 24 parks and offices are petitioning to unionize. Federal employees at a dozen including Grand Canyon filed for an election today, following staff at a dozen others including Joshua Tree who recently did same www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by William Melhado
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by William Melhado
Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff arrested by FBI public corruption probe
Scoop from Lia Russell, Sharon Bernstein
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Scoop from Lia Russell, Sharon Bernstein
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff arrested by FBI public corruption probe
Dana Williamson served as Gavin Newsom’s top aide until December 2024.
www.sacbee.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Gavin Newsom’s former chief of staff arrested by FBI public corruption probe
Scoop from Lia Russell, Sharon Bernstein
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Scoop from Lia Russell, Sharon Bernstein
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Reposted by William Melhado
New: The family of a man who died after he was found unresponsive in the jail has filed a lawsuit.
He died in August of a drug-related cause. The Sheriff's Office did not announce it to the public.
With @emmahall.bsky.social
www.sacbee.com/news/local/a...
He died in August of a drug-related cause. The Sheriff's Office did not announce it to the public.
With @emmahall.bsky.social
www.sacbee.com/news/local/a...
Family of man who died after being found in Sacramento jail cell files lawsuit
Jarred Barabino, 32, died in August after he was found unresponsive in the Sacramento Main Jail.
www.sacbee.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:22 PM
New: The family of a man who died after he was found unresponsive in the jail has filed a lawsuit.
He died in August of a drug-related cause. The Sheriff's Office did not announce it to the public.
With @emmahall.bsky.social
www.sacbee.com/news/local/a...
He died in August of a drug-related cause. The Sheriff's Office did not announce it to the public.
With @emmahall.bsky.social
www.sacbee.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by William Melhado
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill, @katewolffe.bsky.social reports
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill
“This was a very disappointing but quite obvious capitulation to highly paid big tech lobbyists,” said one former supporter.
www.sacbee.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
‘Worse than doing nothing’: Online safety advocates slam changes to AI chatbot bill, @katewolffe.bsky.social reports
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Reposted by William Melhado
My story about the ride-hailing drivers unionization bill that CA lawmakers have sent to the governor for his signature: calmatters.org/economy/2025...
September 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
My story about the ride-hailing drivers unionization bill that CA lawmakers have sent to the governor for his signature: calmatters.org/economy/2025...
Reposted by William Melhado
Looks like Charles Munger Jr. is in for another $10 million, bringing his total contributions to California's Prop 50 opposition $30 million. So it's basically him and $5 million from a Republican SuperPAC
cal-access.sos.ca.gov/PDFGen/pdfge...
cal-access.sos.ca.gov/PDFGen/pdfge...
September 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Looks like Charles Munger Jr. is in for another $10 million, bringing his total contributions to California's Prop 50 opposition $30 million. So it's basically him and $5 million from a Republican SuperPAC
cal-access.sos.ca.gov/PDFGen/pdfge...
cal-access.sos.ca.gov/PDFGen/pdfge...
Reposted by William Melhado
We're doing the secession thing again
August 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
We're doing the secession thing again
Reposted by William Melhado
The incident Thursday morning in the store’s parking lot was the first high-profile enforcement raid in Sacramento County.
Several people taken away by masked federal agents at Sacramento Home Depot
The incident Thursday morning in the store’s parking lot was the first high-profile enforcement raid in Sacramento County.
bit.ly
July 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The incident Thursday morning in the store’s parking lot was the first high-profile enforcement raid in Sacramento County.
Reposted by William Melhado
Trump wants to cut off funding for California. Newsom and legislative leaders want to cut off the federal government from our donor state tax dollars. @levisu.bsky.social reports on what's going on and actually possible calmatters.org/economy/2025...
Could California really withhold tax money from the U.S. if Trump cuts federal funds?
As Trump administration weighs cutting federal funds to California, Newsom suggests withholding taxes from federal government.
calmatters.org
June 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Trump wants to cut off funding for California. Newsom and legislative leaders want to cut off the federal government from our donor state tax dollars. @levisu.bsky.social reports on what's going on and actually possible calmatters.org/economy/2025...
Reposted by William Melhado
@seiuca.bsky.social president David Huerta has been released from federal custody on a $50K bond. Members of SEIU are rallying nationwide, w/ SEIU CA set to rally later today outside the CA State Capitol to support him: apnews.com/article/immi...
California union leader David Huerta is released from custody on $50K bond
California union leader David Huerta has been released from federal custody on a $50,000 bond. Huerta was arrested Friday while protesting immigration raids in Los Angeles.
apnews.com
June 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
@seiuca.bsky.social president David Huerta has been released from federal custody on a $50K bond. Members of SEIU are rallying nationwide, w/ SEIU CA set to rally later today outside the CA State Capitol to support him: apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by William Melhado
Months after detaining 47 people accused of being Tren de Aragua in Austin, authorities offer no evidence of gang ties
Months after detaining 47 people accused of being Tren de Aragua in Austin, authorities offer no evidence of gang ties
People at the raided house say they rented it for a birthday party and deny any connection to the gang. One man says law enforcement accused him of being in Tren de Aragua because of his tattoo.
www.texastribune.org
June 4, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Months after detaining 47 people accused of being Tren de Aragua in Austin, authorities offer no evidence of gang ties
Reposted by William Melhado
Life after California's death row: What happens when condemned inmates get a second chance
Life after California's death row: What happens when condemned inmates get a second chance
Then-new Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on executions and ordered death row dismantled. Years later, inmates say they got a bittersweet new lease on life.
www.latimes.com
May 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Life after California's death row: What happens when condemned inmates get a second chance
Reposted by William Melhado
All colleges across Sacramento State must reduce course offerings to accommodate funding cuts and cost increases, according to the university.
www.sacbee.com/news/local/e...
www.sacbee.com/news/local/e...
Sacramento State cuts courses across all colleges amid budget shortfall
The university is grappling with a $31.2 million budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.
www.sacbee.com
April 24, 2025 at 11:57 PM
All colleges across Sacramento State must reduce course offerings to accommodate funding cuts and cost increases, according to the university.
www.sacbee.com/news/local/e...
www.sacbee.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by William Melhado
California e-bike voucher drawing returns. What are your chances this time?
California e-bike voucher drawing returns. What are your chances this time?
California residents can once again apply for up to $2,000 in a voucher for an e-bike on April 29.
www.latimes.com
April 23, 2025 at 10:43 PM
California e-bike voucher drawing returns. What are your chances this time?
Reposted by William Melhado
"Hundreds of drivers’ DMV records simply don’t list convictions for manslaughter or another crime related to a fatal crash...The apparent error means some drivers who should have their driving privileges suspended instead show up ... as having a valid license."
calmatters.org/investigatio...
calmatters.org/investigatio...
License to Kill
The California DMV routinely allows deadly drivers to operate on our roadways, a CalMatters investigation has found.
calmatters.org
April 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"Hundreds of drivers’ DMV records simply don’t list convictions for manslaughter or another crime related to a fatal crash...The apparent error means some drivers who should have their driving privileges suspended instead show up ... as having a valid license."
calmatters.org/investigatio...
calmatters.org/investigatio...
A scene from an alternative timeline...or 8 years ago.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez, speaks out against President Trump’s proposals to deport millions of illegal immigrants during a rally on Jan. 27, 2017 in Fresno, Calif.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez, speaks out against President Trump’s proposals to deport millions of illegal immigrants during a rally on Jan. 27, 2017 in Fresno, Calif.
April 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
A scene from an alternative timeline...or 8 years ago.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez, speaks out against President Trump’s proposals to deport millions of illegal immigrants during a rally on Jan. 27, 2017 in Fresno, Calif.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez, speaks out against President Trump’s proposals to deport millions of illegal immigrants during a rally on Jan. 27, 2017 in Fresno, Calif.
Reposted by William Melhado
In Gov. Newsom's first public comments on the return-to-office order, he said struggling downtown biz, a lack of mentorship and social media's influence played into his decision to call state workers back to offices.
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
Governor Newsom announces major skills-based hiring, education effort
YouTube video by California Governor Gavin Newsom
youtu.be
April 2, 2025 at 9:41 PM
In Gov. Newsom's first public comments on the return-to-office order, he said struggling downtown biz, a lack of mentorship and social media's influence played into his decision to call state workers back to offices.
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
In Gov. Newsom's first public comments on the return-to-office order, he said struggling downtown biz, a lack of mentorship and social media's influence played into his decision to call state workers back to offices.
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
Governor Newsom announces major skills-based hiring, education effort
YouTube video by California Governor Gavin Newsom
youtu.be
April 2, 2025 at 9:41 PM
In Gov. Newsom's first public comments on the return-to-office order, he said struggling downtown biz, a lack of mentorship and social media's influence played into his decision to call state workers back to offices.
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
Listen to his comments (timestamped) here:
youtu.be/LpMC6yHOV_4?...
Reposted by William Melhado
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has regularly taken side jobs running Bay Area nonprofits during his tenure as California’s elected schools chief, earning tens of thousands of dollars to supplement his income, financial disclosures show.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
California schools superintendent has a side gig
Tony Thurmond has regularly worked side jobs at nonprofits to supplement his $200,000 salary as elected superintendent of public instruction
calmatters.org
April 2, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has regularly taken side jobs running Bay Area nonprofits during his tenure as California’s elected schools chief, earning tens of thousands of dollars to supplement his income, financial disclosures show.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
Reposted by William Melhado
Josue Basto is one of the migrants sent to El Salvador.
His sister says Basto's record is clean and that he was targeted for his tattoos, which include a clock marking the time of his son's birth. The Trump administration says he's Tren de Aragua. www.npr.org/2025/03/31/n...
His sister says Basto's record is clean and that he was targeted for his tattoos, which include a clock marking the time of his son's birth. The Trump administration says he's Tren de Aragua. www.npr.org/2025/03/31/n...
Advocates say flawed 'checklist' targets Venezuelans for deportation under archaic wartime act
Flawed deportation 'checklist' targets Venezuelans using tattoos as one gang identifier. But experts say Tren de Aragua doesn't use tattoos for member identification.
www.npr.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Josue Basto is one of the migrants sent to El Salvador.
His sister says Basto's record is clean and that he was targeted for his tattoos, which include a clock marking the time of his son's birth. The Trump administration says he's Tren de Aragua. www.npr.org/2025/03/31/n...
His sister says Basto's record is clean and that he was targeted for his tattoos, which include a clock marking the time of his son's birth. The Trump administration says he's Tren de Aragua. www.npr.org/2025/03/31/n...
Reposted by William Melhado
1. There was no invasion.
2. The water that got "opened up" was in the San Joaquin Valley.
3. The water never made it to Los Angeles.
If you care about the truth, read today's latest story from @ianjames.bsky.social for @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
2. The water that got "opened up" was in the San Joaquin Valley.
3. The water never made it to Los Angeles.
If you care about the truth, read today's latest story from @ianjames.bsky.social for @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
March 13, 2025 at 6:23 PM
1. There was no invasion.
2. The water that got "opened up" was in the San Joaquin Valley.
3. The water never made it to Los Angeles.
If you care about the truth, read today's latest story from @ianjames.bsky.social for @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
2. The water that got "opened up" was in the San Joaquin Valley.
3. The water never made it to Los Angeles.
If you care about the truth, read today's latest story from @ianjames.bsky.social for @latimes.com: www.latimes.com/environment/...
Questions about Gov. Newsom's RTO order?
Tune in tonight at 6 pm as my colleague Stephen Hobbs and I share answers to state workers' questions about the return-to-office directive based on our reporting from the last week.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Tune in tonight at 6 pm as my colleague Stephen Hobbs and I share answers to state workers' questions about the return-to-office directive based on our reporting from the last week.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
www.sacbee.com
March 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Questions about Gov. Newsom's RTO order?
Tune in tonight at 6 pm as my colleague Stephen Hobbs and I share answers to state workers' questions about the return-to-office directive based on our reporting from the last week.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Tune in tonight at 6 pm as my colleague Stephen Hobbs and I share answers to state workers' questions about the return-to-office directive based on our reporting from the last week.
www.sacbee.com/news/politic...