May 30, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   Special Feature Special Feature! AI Agents Are Invading Our Rural Counties

AI agents are showing up in rural California counties, and Agentic AI—AI that can act on its own within set boundaries—is finding its way into county operations. In this special feature to the Barbed Wire, Steve Monaghan, retired Director of Nevada County’s Information & General Services Agency, discusses how Agentic AI systems can work independently to achieve specific goals, make decisions, and handle tasks with minimal human input– and why it matters.

The views or opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of RCRC or its affiliate entities.

May 30, 2025

Barbed Wire RCRC Affiliate Updates - May 2025

A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities. RAI Leads “Beyond the Lettuce Curtain” Immersive Learning Experience in Monterey County In early May,...

May 30, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   Keeping Up Keeping Up - The Barbed Wire - May 30, 2025 Edition

Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.

May 30, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   Weekly News Clips Weekly News Clips - The Barbed Wire - May 30, 2025 Edition

RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. CEQA nearly killed childcare facility in our community. Enough...

May 23, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   Bill of the Week Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees Act on Nearly 1,100 Bills

In simultaneous hearings Friday, the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees took action on nearly 1,100 bills on their respective suspense files. Measures with cost impacts over the committee-designated Suspense File threshold faced one of three possible outcomes

May 23, 2025

Barbed Wire California Congressmembers Reintroduce Farm-to-Market Road Improvement Act to Improve Central Valley Roads

On May 21, California Congressmembers David Valadao (R-Hanford), Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), and Jim Costa (D-Fresno), along with Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), reintroduced the Farm to Market Road Improvement Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to

May 23, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues   |   water quality EPA Reinforces Alignment of Clean Water Act Section 401 with “Powering the Great American Comeback” Initiative

On May 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum clarifying the specific and limited role of States and Tribes in the federal licensing and permitting processes under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA reiterates its position that States and Tribes must utilize Section 401 only for its statutory purpose – to protect water quality

May 23, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. Senate Votes to Rescind Three California Clean Air Act Waivers, Governor Newsom Responds

On May 22, the U.S. Senate passed three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to revoke waivers that allow California to adopt tougher vehicle emission standards than the national standard

May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire Visit California Releases 2024 Economic Impact Report and 2025 Forecast

Each year, Visit California publishes an in-depth analysis of the tourism industry’s statewide and county-level economic contributions. The 2024 report reflects the sector’s continued resilience and growth – with travel spending reaching a record high

May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire DHCS Announces First Round of Prop 1 BHCIP Funding

On May 12th, the Department of Health Care Services announced $3.3 billion in grants from the first round of Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Bond funding. These grants were awarded to counties