Contra Costa County Reporter
Katie Lauer
Katie Lauer is a reporter for the Bay Area News Group covering local government and community news across Contra Costa County for the East Bay Times and The Mercury News. She joined the Bay Area News Group in 2022 after writing about the COVID-19 pandemic, housing, disability access, the LGBTQ community and everything in between across the South Bay. Prior to moving west, she was anchored at several community newspapers in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where she graduated with a BA degree from the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism.
All Stories

Daylight saving time ends Sunday — and Stanford study suggests it should go away for good
Researchers say the current protocol to both "fall back" and "spring forward" is the worst choice for our bodies.

Why hundreds of shareable e-scooters have vanished across the region
Hundreds of shareable electric scooters have vanished across the Bay Area in recent years — a pivot from industry promises to revolutionize micromobility in an eco-friendly, affordable way.

Newsom’s latest insurance move could help Californians avoid canceled policies — but they’ll have to pay
If approved, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “trailer bill” could take effect by July 1.

New, quieter Pickleball equipment takes a swing at the sport’s noise problem
New technology used in softer paddles, sound panels aim to cut Pickleball's acoustic signature in half.

BART paper tickets will no longer be accepted after Nov. 30, accelerating transit agency into digital era
BART first unveiled plans to phase out the paper tickets in 2019 and stopped selling the magstripe passes in 2020.

Veterans access one-stop shop for housing, healthcare and other resources at Santa Clara County ‘Stand Down’ event
The veterans Stand Down event continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.

Federal otter tour comes to East Bay to ‘smash myths’ and seek repopulation sites
Researchers said the Bay Area has plenty of physical infrastructure to support sea otter reintroduction, but also several negative human impacts.

Scooter, a bald Chinese Crested, is crowned World’s Ugliest Dog in Petaluma
Scooter, a hairless Chinese Crested, came in first place at the Sonoma-Marin Fair's annual contest on Friday.

FBI, EPA investigating hazardous chemical release from Martinez refinery
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice started assisting the Environmental Protection Agency's investigation this week

Chronic financial woes for cannabis dispensaries have led Berkeley to consider a tax holiday
Berkeley may retroactively pause all tax collection for legal cannabis retailers between January 2023 and July 2025.
