A state-wide effort, aimed at changing hospital practices around giving birth, is about to launch.

Marin General Hospital successfully lowered its cesarian section rates by employing nurse midwives. But, duplicating those results around the state is going to require some creative thinking.

Learn more about the California HealthCare Foundation’s initiative on our website at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Marin General Hospital has found a formula for reducing C-sections.

In this first of a two part series, KRCB science reporter Danielle Venton examines what’s behind the long-term rise in Cesarean sections and what can be done to reduce them.

There's more about Melissa Rosenstein’s research, including pictures of Kalei, on our webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Find out what’s new—and what’s not—in the updated strategic Plan for the Sonoma County Libraries.

The Sonoma County Library has a new strategic plan to guide their next decade, but the bottom line remains constant—they still need more money to meet public demands.

There’s more, including a link to the entire plan document, on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Activism is a key to improving the health of Latinos in Sonoma County.

Improving community health requires political participation. That was the theme of this year’s Latino Health Conference, which used the Portrait of Sonoma County as its starting point.

Find more on this story at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Stalled salary negotiations are again prompting unrest among educators at Sonoma State and other CUS campuses.

The California State University system got a 10% boost in its budget this year—a $ 269 million increase—so the faculty statewide are pushing hard for a 5% salary increase. The administration has drawn a line at 2%, leaving the two sides at impasse, and a strike vote set for next week.

Howard Bunsis will present/presented his budget analysis directly to the Sonoma State faculty at a midday meeting today. Hear more about this story on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Santa Rosa has joined Healdsburg as the second “Fair Trade Town” in Sonoma County.

Santa Rosa becomes the 10th official “Fair Trade Town” in California, and plans to celebrate that designation.

The Official Santa Rosa Fair Trade Town Celebration will be held in Courthouse Square on Saturday afternoon. Find event details and more on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

A century and a half after they were first introduced to California, Chinese Gogi berries are getting a fresh start, with their anti-oxidant benefits front and center. They’re now being grown at a single location in Sonoma County.

Goji Farm USA will hope an open house where visitors can pick and taste the berries—and leave—on Friday afternoon. You can find event details on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

On today's North Bay Report, we hear the story of one man who sought meaning by riding a tandem bicycle around the world ... and invited strangers to hop on for a ride ...

You hear more stories from Bianchini when he speaks tonight at Aqus Cafe in Petaluma, between 7 and 8pm. For details go to our website at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Not all classical music is old; the Santa Rosa Symphony introduces a brand new work this weekend. We hear from both the composer and the conductor.

Some modern classical music will be heard for the first time at the Green Music Center this weekend, as the Santa Rosa Symphony’s program includes a world premiere.

The Santa Rosa Symphony recently received the ASCAP award for “Most Adventurous Programming in California.” Find details about this and the weekend’s performances on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

CalFresh debit cards can already be used at 519 farm market sites in the state, and that number should get a boost from some new federal grants.

There are 4.4 million food stamp recipients in California, and the participants in that program -- rebranded as Cal Fresh -- already use their benefits at many local farm markets. A new series of federal grants is out to expand those opportunities.

Find a statewide online directory to help locate nearby farmer markets on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.