School layoffs, heat wave, free diapers. Sacramento’s top stories for May 8

The Sacramento Bee’s top stories on Friday spanned from coverage of a looming financial crisis at the region’s largest school district, a Mother’s Day weekend heat wave and a record-breaking day of philanthropy.

Here’s a quick rundown of what readers were following:

• Sacramento City Unified School District plans to cut 136 central office positions and lay off 606 classified employees to save $23.7 million. It’s the latest development in the drama that could lead to a state takeover of the school system because of its precarious financial position.
• Triple-digit temperatures are forecast across Northern California and the Central Valley over Mother’s Day weekend, with heat advisories in effect from 11 a.m. Monday through 8 p.m. Tuesday. Sacramento Valley cities could hit 100 degrees, while parts of the San Joaquin Valley may reach 102.
• Sacramento-area nonprofits raised a record $15.4 million during this year’s Big Day of Giving, exceeding last year’s total by $1.6 million. The annual event has now raised more than $132 million cumulatively since its 2013 launch.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the Golden State Start program, which will provide 400 free diapers to newborn parents at 65 California hospitals serving low-income patients beginning this summer. The $7.4 million initiative responds to diaper prices that have risen 48% since the pandemic, costing families about $1,000 a year.