Local issues can be challenging to research. Here are some tips:

• Before you commit to a topic, make sure it really IS a major issue in the community. See if you can find some local news articles about it. You'll need some kind of starting point. If you can't really find one, consider a different topic.
  
  
• Look for in-depth, investigative articles in places like the Sacramento News and Review and the Sacramento Bee.
  
  
• Use the local sources that you find to lead you to other sources. Does the article mention an organization or invididual who is doing important work on your issue? Google it! When it comes to local topics, Google is your friend.
  
  
• Try a site-specific Google search. Example: sacramento levees site:ca.gov
  
  
• Consider calling a few local agencies, organizations, or government offices and asking if they can point you towards some resources on your issue. The folks working for these kinds of places are likely to be the experts on where to find good information on the topic.
  
  
• Don't forget to research the broader issue, too. Having a good understanding of the issue as a whole will help you situate the local problem in the context of what is happening around the country.