“We will fight until we win,” declared Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. On Nov. 17, eight public entities within Sonoma County filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric for negligence resulting in the Kincade Fire.

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom and State Public Health Officer Erica Pan declared a ‘limited stay-at-home’ order in all purple tier counties. The order requires all non-essential gatherings to cease from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., and it will last until Dec. 21 at 5 a.m. Yet, many across the state are retaliating, especially with the upcoming holiday season.

Since August, when the colored tier system was implemented, Sonoma County has been stuck in the ‘purple tier,’ which is the most restrictive. As a whole, Sonoma County is the most restricted county in all of California, with 11.1 people infected in every 100,000 cases.

As of Nov. 7, at 2 a.m. EST, the presidential election has yet to be concluded. Biden still holds a modest lead over President Trump, with 264 electoral votes in his favor. Trump, in comparison, has only obtained 214.

Votes are yet to be fully counted, and the nation still remains anxious for the final results. Political analysts estimate that votes can be finalized as soon as Thursday or as late as next week. Biden still holds the lead in the electoral and popular vote, as of Nov. 5 at 3 a.m. EST.

The California State University system defied the national trend and saw an overall gain in enrollment at over half of the CSU universities. However, some universities are still struggling with declining enrollments, such as Humboldt and Sonoma State.

COVID-19 continues its tremendous impact upon the backbone of Sonoma County: agriculture. The one billion dollar industry is being pushed to its limits, as the county is still in the ‘purple’ tier--the most restrictive of COVID reopening. Because of COVID-19, according to Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, up to nearly $64 million will be lost this year.

“I’ve been trying to get my kid back and then the fires took everything. We really need help,” says Kristine Sullivan, a homeless woman in Santa Rosa, who lost her home in the fires. Sullivan is one of the many who need wildfire relief, yet thought she would not receive any from the recent polarizing decisions by the Trump Administration.

In the midst of a radical year, five Sonoma State faculty members decided to promote equality and change in their local communities. From school boards to city councils, the Sonoma State staff aim to create a greater impact on and off campus.

Over the past years, Sonoma and Napa Counties have dealt with great emotional pain and trauma from fire season. Many historic and treasured structures, wineries, and family homes have been incinerated by the fires.