Good morning, Santa Rosa.

Teams began the annual homeless census across the North Bay this week, with early figures showing a 15 percent increase in unhoused residents and nearly double the encampments along the river (service providers now face funding challenges as pandemic-era housing funds have dried up).

Santa Rosa City Schools must cut $26 million in spending.

It faces a $3 million shortfall by June and requires $23 million in additional savings next school year to avoid a state takeover that would remove local leadership.

At a Wednesday night meeting, state fiscal oversight official Michael Fine warned the Santa Rosa City Schools board to fix a severe cash crisis or face state takeover — the board is now weighing a rescue plan that cuts over 100 jobs, with a final vote on Feb.

11.

Sonoma State’s new president Michael Spagna will use $90 million in state funds to revive programs like Physics and Geology and add Nursing and Engineering; the university, facing low enrollment (and pending athletics decisions), aims to restore its reputation amid a fiscal crisis.

Authorities were on high alert after a mountain lion was spotted on Sunday morning in Sebastopol on Jewel Avenue and Walnut Lane; officials believe the animal moved west and urge residents to report any additional sightings.