Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Merced public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
0 topics in taxes budget
No topics found
Try adjusting your filters or check back after more meetings are processed.
In the News
12 articlesRecent coverage of Merced from local and regional media.
Merced County Election Day live updates: Lines remain at some polls into the night
Reading Time: 6 minutesAs of 9 p.m. Tuesday, some polling places were still open around Merced County, with about 70 voters still in line and waiting to cast ballots at UC Merced. A handful of voters are stil...
Nov 4, 2026Merced’s 1% sales tax increase appears on its way to passing. What early numbers show
An election ballot is dropped off at a downtown Fresno voting drop box prior to the November 2022 general election. Early voting opens this week for the March 5, 2024 presidential primary, for which the ballot ...
Nov 4, 2026Bliss, Rojas-Flores have early leads in Merced City Council races
From left, John Bliss, Felipe Rojas-Flores and Shane Smith Two candidates have taken sizable leads in Merced’s contested City Council races.In early unofficial results reported at 8:05 p.m., John Bliss and Fel...
Nov 4, 2026Democrats Pacheco, Soria declare victory in Merced-area state Assembly and Senate seats
Reading Time: 5 minutesDemocrats Esmeralda Soria and Brian Pacheco declared victory Tuesday night in their respective races for Merced-area seats in the California state Legislature.  If current results ...
Nov 4, 2026Incumbents behind in Merced City Council races: Bliss outpacing Xiong in District 6. Thao trails Rojas-Flores in District 2
Reading Time: 4 minutesNov. 4 update In the District 2 race, Felipe Rojas-Flores led incumbent Yang Pao Thao with 55.75% of votes. Thao tallied 43.5% of votes as of 2 a.m. Wednesday. In District 6, John Bliss...
Nov 4, 2026Merced County election roundup: Council, superintendent, sales tax and legislative races
Voters went to the polls in Merced County on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Merced Sun-Star Merced County voters weighed in Tuesday on a slate of local and state contests, from City Council seats to a sales tax measur...
Nov 4, 2026How did voting go in Merced? Voters call for local, federal change
Reading Time: 3 minutesMerced County’s last ballot was cast at UC Merced around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Merced County Registrar of Voters Melvin Levey reported. Voters were still in line at the Merced County A...
Nov 4, 2026Voting in Merced County? Where to find polling places, ballot drop-off sites
It’s Election Day in California.Merced County voters have until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to cast their ballots in the 2026 general election.Local voters will decide races and statewide ballot measures, with t...
Nov 3, 2026Merced County election results 2026: Live local races and ballot measures
An election worker looks through a tray of ballots sealed in envelopes at the Merced County Elections Warehouse in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Merced Sun-Star file Merced County voters are decidi...
Nov 3, 2026What to know about ballot issues as you vote in California’s Nov 3. election
California voters face a crowded November ballot packed with questions on taxes, special elections and environmental rules.The ballot has 14 propositions, including the so-called billionaire tax. Other question...
Oct 31, 2026Free Election Day bus fares aim to make voting more accessible in Merced
A bus drives past a flooded section of roadway at the intersection of West 23rd and Canal streets in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. akuhn@mercedsun-star.com The Bus, Merced County’s regional trans...
Oct 30, 2026Head of California high-speed rail agency resigns amid travel expenses scandal
Summary Ian Choudri, who has led the train agency since 2024, leaves a troublesome legacy marked by budget woes, project delays and various scandals, including questionable taxpayer-funded trips by consultants. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The CEO of California’s high-speed rail authority resigned late Wednesday, saying he needs to focus on […]
Oct 29, 2026