Larry Lee and The Sacramento Observer

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: We’re joined today by Larry Lee, Publisher of The Sacramento Observer, and head of the rapidly expanding OBSERVER Media Group, which now includes the Sacramento News and Review, the Chico News and Review, and the Stockton Observer. The Sacramento Observer was founded in 1962 by Lee’s father, Dr. William H. Lee, radio personality Geno Gladden, and businessman John W. Cole. The Observer has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and has been named the “Best Black Newspaper in America” eight times. And, speaking of excellence, The Observer is hosting the 2026 ONYX Awards, honoring Sacramento’s most influential and respected Black leaders. Lee Gives us the history of the paper, shares his vision for OBSERVER Media, and talks about the honorees of this year’s ONYX Awards, including Hall of Famer Willie Brown.

1:35 Card room story

1:50 Megan Yee

2:10 Remembering Byron Sher

4:00 Larry Lee

5:19 “The Nation’s Best Black Newspaper”

7:40 Black press began in 1847

9:18 Food reviews from Greg Lucas

11:43 Dr. Lee and Ronald Reagan

14:40 Relationships!

16:01 Stockton Observer

22:50 The ONYX Awards

25:26 Political players on the ONYX list

26:22 Hall of Fame: Willie Brown