Sacramento headlines this week: RTS new natural gas buses, a Tahoe climb and more

From transit decisions that reshape the region’s climate timeline to Republican voters crossing party lines, this week delivered stories with real consequences for the Sacramento area. Here’s a quick catch-up on what made news this week.

• Sacramento Regional Transit is buying 78 new compressed natural gas buses, delaying its transition to a zero-emission fleet as the agency navigates funding gaps, aging infrastructure and technology hurdles. California has set a 2040 deadline for transit agencies to move off fossil fuels, but RT says natural gas buses offer near-term savings and will require a state exemption to keep rolling.

• Some lifelong Republican voters in El Dorado County say they plan to vote for Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui in the November congressional election, breaking with their party in a Sacramento-area race.

• Adventure seekers now have a new local challenge: the Tahoe Via Ferrata at Palisades ski resort offers a guided rock climbing route with iron rungs, steel cables and a “Super Monkey Bridge” for climbers of varying ages and skill levels. Alpenglow Expeditions mountain guide Tim Mincey led reporter Camila Pedrosa and photographer Hector Amezcua up the cliff face for a firsthand look at what climbing the Palisades course is really like.