One of the most vexing disputes over district elections focuses on the level of risk facing Santa Rosa for being sued under the California Voting Rights Act for having ‘racially polarized voting.’

Santa Rosa voters will decide Nov. 6 whether or not to enact the most sweeping change to the city’s political landscape in generations.

Rohnert Park is slashing funding for nonprofits it has helped support for years. The move presages the withdrawal of its support entirely, officials say.

Santa Rosa last week approved the sale of nearly $30 million in bonds to help fund three affordable housing projects, including the sale and renovation of the city’s tallest building, the 14-story Bethlehem Tower.

Plans for a Target store at Coddingtown mall cleared a key hurdle Thursday when the Santa Rosa Planning Commission granted a permit for the big-box retailer.

The Petaluma City Council unanimously appointed a former council candidate Monday to the Planning Commission.

After three unofficial votes to fill its vacant seventh seat, the Petaluma City Council Monday night deadlocked again and opted to delay the decision for another month. “It would be counterproductive to go further with this, because it will serve to tear apart the body of six that is up here right now,” Mayor David Glass said.

UPDATE 8:45 AM: Twenty Petaluma residents — including former mayor and longtime Councilwoman Pam Torliatt — submitted formal applications Thursday to fill the potentially game-changing vacant seat on an ideologically split city council. See who else has tossed their name into the hat.

The list of contenders for the seventh Petaluma City Council seat, which likely will be filled early next year, may look a whole lot like the November ballot — only maybe longer. Five of six serious candidates who unsuccessfully ran for City Council on Nov. 2 have confirmed they will seek to be appointed to the remaining two years of incoming Mayor David Glass’ council term. And outgoing Mayor Pam Torliatt says she may also apply. See who’s tossing their hat in the ring.

UPDATE 7 AM: Petaluma may be headed to a deadlocked City Council as voters selected a mayoral candidate backed by environmental advocates and two pro-business candidates. Councilman David Glass, a member of the current slow-growth council majority, defeated Jeff Mayne. Incumbents Mike Harris and Teresa Barrett and retired fire chief Chris Albertson led the race for three council seats with all precincts reporting.