Newssite of Contra Costa County student Journalism

CC Spin

CC Spin

CC Spin
News
The historic Port Costa School hosted “Scaremonies” wedding ceremonies after a 12-year absence.
Halloween ‘Scaremonies’ shine spotlight on Port Costa’s historic school
Chioma Onyema, Contra Costa Youth Journalism • October 30, 2025

For the first time since they began in 2013, Halloween wedding ceremonies — promoted as “Scaremonies” — were performed  by the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s Office at the Port Costa School. The...

In his talk at the Lesher Foundation’s Newsmakers: Speaker Series, Frank Abagnale warned that “Technology breeds crime. It always has and always will.” The fraud-detection expert said people need to understand how scams work so they don’t fall for them.
‘Education is the most powerful tool to fighting crime’: Frank Abagnale shares his cybersecurity expertise
October 7, 2025
Frank Abagnale returns to the Lesher Newsmaker Series in Walnut Creek on Sept. 30. Photo courtesy of Abagnale.com
Catch him again: Frank Abagnale returns to Lesher Speaker Series
September 15, 2025
More than 70 people signed up to hear a panel discussion on the impact proposed federal funding cuts will have on Contra Costa County services. The event was held at the Walnut Creek Library on Sept. 3. Photo courtesy of Walnut Creek TV
A warning about looming federal budget cuts in Contra Costa County
September 9, 2025
Contra Costa Youth Journalism reporters Nakalya Conner, left, of Pittsburg High School, and Ishita Khanna of Heritage High School, receive photojournalism training from Ray Saint German, a CCYJ mentor and Bay City News photo editor.
Two Bay Area journalism groups receive global recognition award
September 4, 2025
The Trinity Center Mural in Walnut Crrek was a 2023 collaboration between many entities and artist Trent Thompson. The nonprofit, which serves the homeless, receives up to 25% of its funding from the government. Photo courtesy of the Trinity Center.
County, city leaders assess ‘Big Beautiful Bill’s’ impact on local services, nonprofits
August 27, 2025
Viewpoints
Apply for CCYJ's 2025-2026 Program
Apply for CCYJ’s 2025-2026 Program
August 15, 2025

Contra Costa Youth Journalism (CCYJ) offers a news reporting training program tailored for public high school students in Contra Costa County. During the 2025–26 school year (September–June), participants...

Richmond, California, with the Chevron Refinery and Mount Tamalpais in the background. Photo credit: Cary-Bass-Deschenes via Wikicommons.
Richmond is in a health crisis
May 27, 2025
It seems like these days the elderly have gathered as candidates for the position of president of the United States. Politicians have been getting older. Illustration by Viktoria Lutsenko, California High School
Aging, politics and the U.S. presidency
November 2, 2024
Pittsburg High’s Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week flyer, which was held in May on campus. Some students say events are announced at the last minute, which contributes to low student participation. Photo credit: Associated Student Body Board on Instagram.
Pittsburg High students seek to rekindle school spirit, event participation
July 9, 2024
Students have mixed viewpoints on how effective English Language Development (ELD) programs are in helping them to learn English. Photo courtesy The Yuri Arcurs Collection via Freepik
Contra Costa County students look at ups, downs of ELD programs
June 23, 2024
Meet the Staff
Jayden McKenzie an 11th grader at Deer Valley High School in Antioch and a CCYJ reporter.
Jayden Mckenzie
Reporter
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Features
Signs like this one promoting the Bay Area band The Happys are seen attached to street signs and lampposts across the Bay Area. Some signs have even been spotted on the East Coast and as far as Australia. (Photo courtesy of Nick Petty)
The happy little story behind a Bay Area band’s throwback advertising campaign
Julian Reynoso, Contra Costa Youth Journalism • November 6, 2025

Most of the people driving on Walnut Boulevard in Brentwood likely never even noticed the strange sign that easily blended into its surroundings, but it left an impression on those who did see it.  It...

An aisle in a local drug store is filled with makeup, some of which may have to be altered as a result of the new state law that bans 26 chemicals in cosmetics and fragrances.
Law bans cosmetic chemicals starting in 2027
May 31, 2025
Boilermakers Local 549 union’s training center offers on-the-job training in industrial welding, specialty welding, rigging, heavy-duty equipment operations, routine maintenance, and steelwork. A young visitor, left, at the training center in Pittsburg tries out some of the equipment during an apprenticeship class. Photo courtesy Cameron Zamora/Pittsburg Unified School District
Boilermakers union hopes to keep trade thriving by introducing it to students
May 21, 2025
Bella Alaniz, 6, pulls names during a raffle drawing at The Hallmark House in December. Bella and her family were recipients of the 2024 Tunnels of Joy fundraiser. Photo credit: Facebook
Brentwood community spreads holiday cheer with ‘Tunnels of Joy’
January 28, 2025
Members of Deer Valley High School's folklórico club practice their dance moves in Antioch.
Hispanic groups share their culture through dance and music
January 3, 2025
Arts & Entertainment
Actress Christine Baranski speaks during the Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
‘Delight in the present moment’: Christine Baranski shares perspectives on life, Hollywood through the ages
Keerthi Eraniyan, Contra Costa Youth Journalism • November 7, 2025

In an era characterized by constant distraction and digital advancements, Emmy award-winning actress Christine Baranski believes the greatest performance anyone can give is simply being present. “In the theater of life, in...

Award-winning actress Christine Baranski to wrap up Lesher Speaker Series
October 22, 2025
Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry leaves them laughing
May 22, 2025
‘Class Clown’ Dave Barry to take the stage in Lesher speaker series
May 9, 2025
‘If you will it, it is not a dream’: Henry Winkler, Marlee Matlin stress importance of resilience when pursuing a dream
April 3, 2025