Lodi Eye
LodiEye provides additional information on trending stories / topics published by local media and shared on local social media accounts.
Gas Station Opioids: Kratom, 7-OH, and San Joaquin County's Missing Data
Products containing kratom and its lab-made derivative 7-OH have been illegal to sell for human consumption in California since October 24, 2025. On July 1, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration moved to place 7-OH and three related substances temporarily into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act — the same schedule as heroin.
These products have been sold openly in Lodi. San Joaquin County has passed no ordinance, issued no retailer notice, published no consumer advisory, and released no data on kratom-related deaths, emergency visits, or store seizures.
This report does not claim San Joaquin County has a kratom crisis. It shows the county has built no way to find out. Counties that tested for the compound found it in their morgues. Ventura County linked 46 overdose deaths to kratom's main alkaloid since 2018. Los Angeles County confirmed six 7-OH deaths in adults aged 18 to 40 between April 2025 and January 2026. Yolo County counted seven since 2017. Mitragynine does not appear on a standard toxicology screen. A medical examiner has to order the test.
TrumpRx: Comprehensive Overview
On February 5, 2026, the Trump administration launched TrumpRx.gov, offering discounted cash prices on 43 brand-name medications from five pharmaceutical companies, with 11 more companies expected soon. The platform operates under a Most-Favored-Nation (MFN)pricing model—ensuring U.S. consumers pay no more than the lowest prices charged in other wealthy nations. TrumpRx does not sell drugs directly; instead, it provides coupons or links to manufacturers' direct-to-consumer sites.
Trump / Republican Healthcare Plan (2025)
As of late November 2025, President Trump is proposing a healthcare framework that represents a significant shift from earlier Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The plan is still being finalized and is facing internal Republican debate and delays.
Plague Detected at Lake Tahoe
A South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for plague, marking the first confirmed human case in El Dorado County since 2020. The individual is believed to have contracted the disease through a flea bite while camping in the South Lake Tahoe area and is currently recovering at home under medical supervision.
Valley Fever Cases Surge in California
California is in the midst of a record-breaking spike in Valley Fever cases, with state health officials sounding alarms as infections continue to rise—particularly in areas like San Joaquin County and Lodi. Through July of this year, California has already logged 6,761 cases, putting 2025 on track to surpass last year’s record of 12,500 cases.
Medi-Cal, Medicaid changes — A Medical Emergency for Lodi?
As Steve Mann writes in his recent “About Town” article, “Medical Emergency - Cuts could devastate Lodi Memorial Hospital,” changes to Medi-Cal and Medicaid funding could have a significant impact on Lodi Memorial and other San Joaquin County hospitals. This report analyzes the current CA budget proposals and the Federal “Big Beautiful Bill” to explore how Lodi and San Joaquin County might be impacted.
SJC BeWell Center
The SJC Be Well Center and the Lodi Access Center are distinct but complementary facilities within San Joaquin County, each serving different-though sometimes overlapping-community needs.