CalMatters
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CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization. We write stories about California, for Californians.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened many times to withhold state homelessness funds from cities and counties that aren’t doing enough to get people off the streets.
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/4sIHVIx
📸 Jungho Kim
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/4sIHVIx
📸 Jungho Kim
January 19, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened many times to withhold state homelessness funds from cities and counties that aren’t doing enough to get people off the streets.
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/4sIHVIx
📸 Jungho Kim
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/4sIHVIx
📸 Jungho Kim
The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses. bit.ly/4a6nNaP
January 18, 2026 at 10:00 PM
The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses. bit.ly/4a6nNaP
California has tried to shift its model of incarceration to focus on re-entering society. But the success rate for prisoners to be found suitable for parole has gradually declined.
bit.ly/49G7WiT
🎨 Gabriel Hongsdusit
bit.ly/49G7WiT
🎨 Gabriel Hongsdusit
January 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
California has tried to shift its model of incarceration to focus on re-entering society. But the success rate for prisoners to be found suitable for parole has gradually declined.
bit.ly/49G7WiT
🎨 Gabriel Hongsdusit
bit.ly/49G7WiT
🎨 Gabriel Hongsdusit
Opinion | California families face life-or-death health care cuts. Billionaires can afford to pitch in
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
Opinion | California families face life-or-death health care cuts. Billionaires can afford to pitch in
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
bit.ly
January 18, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Opinion | California families face life-or-death health care cuts. Billionaires can afford to pitch in
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
Opinion | California politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
Opinion | California politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Opinion | California politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
Opinion | California families face life-or-death health care cuts. Billionaires can afford to pitch in
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
Opinion | California families face life-or-death health care cuts. Billionaires can afford to pitch in
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Opinion | California families face life-or-death health care cuts. Billionaires can afford to pitch in
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
Medi-Cal faces a $30 million gutting, so unions and advocates want to put a wealth tax targeting billionaires on the ballot.
California counties must jump through new hoops to get homelessness funds
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pressuring local leaders to pass ordinances regulating homeless encampments, among other requirements.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pressuring local leaders to pass ordinances regulating homeless encampments, among other requirements.
California counties must jump through new hoops to get homelessness funds
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pressuring local leaders to pass ordinances regulating homeless encampments, among other requirements.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 2:00 AM
California counties must jump through new hoops to get homelessness funds
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pressuring local leaders to pass ordinances regulating homeless encampments, among other requirements.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pressuring local leaders to pass ordinances regulating homeless encampments, among other requirements.
Opinion | Don’t blame California’s teachers for grade inflation; look at school officials
UC-San Diego reports declines in freshman math skills despite rising grades in K-12 schools. Teachers say they're pressured to inflate grades.
UC-San Diego reports declines in freshman math skills despite rising grades in K-12 schools. Teachers say they're pressured to inflate grades.
Opinion | Don’t blame California’s teachers for grade inflation; look at school officials
UC-San Diego reports declines in freshman math skills despite rising grades in K-12 schools. Teachers say they're pressured to inflate grades.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Opinion | Don’t blame California’s teachers for grade inflation; look at school officials
UC-San Diego reports declines in freshman math skills despite rising grades in K-12 schools. Teachers say they're pressured to inflate grades.
UC-San Diego reports declines in freshman math skills despite rising grades in K-12 schools. Teachers say they're pressured to inflate grades.
Health advocates to Newsom: Find new money or let millions lose Medi-Cal coverage
A coalition of progressives is demanding that California raise taxes to save Medi-Cal coverage for low-income residents after Trump cuts.
A coalition of progressives is demanding that California raise taxes to save Medi-Cal coverage for low-income residents after Trump cuts.
Health advocates to Newsom: Find new money or let millions lose Medi-Cal coverage
A coalition of progressives is demanding that California raise taxes to save Medi-Cal coverage for low-income residents after Trump cuts.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Health advocates to Newsom: Find new money or let millions lose Medi-Cal coverage
A coalition of progressives is demanding that California raise taxes to save Medi-Cal coverage for low-income residents after Trump cuts.
A coalition of progressives is demanding that California raise taxes to save Medi-Cal coverage for low-income residents after Trump cuts.
Opinion | Candidate comment: Private insurers are holding California homeowners hostage
As the insurance industry threatens to leave the state unless they get less regulation and higher rates, politicians make consumers pay.
As the insurance industry threatens to leave the state unless they get less regulation and higher rates, politicians make consumers pay.
Opinion | Candidate comment: Private insurers are holding California homeowners hostage
As the insurance industry threatens to leave the state unless they get less regulation and higher rates, politicians make consumers pay.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Opinion | Candidate comment: Private insurers are holding California homeowners hostage
As the insurance industry threatens to leave the state unless they get less regulation and higher rates, politicians make consumers pay.
As the insurance industry threatens to leave the state unless they get less regulation and higher rates, politicians make consumers pay.
Opinion | California politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
Opinion | California politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Opinion | California politicians wrongly fixate on education spending instead of results
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
Gavin Newsom’s recent boast about per-pupil spending exemplifies the Capitol’s focus on money in its education debates, rather than results.
State regulators at the Department of Housing and Community Development have spent the last five years forcing local governments to plan for more new housing in a lengthy, technical process that has left virtually every group involved fuming. bit.ly/4sFDhLn
📸 Camille Cohen
📸 Camille Cohen
January 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM
State regulators at the Department of Housing and Community Development have spent the last five years forcing local governments to plan for more new housing in a lengthy, technical process that has left virtually every group involved fuming. bit.ly/4sFDhLn
📸 Camille Cohen
📸 Camille Cohen
Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened many times to withhold state homelessness funds from cities and counties that aren’t doing enough to get people off the streets.
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/3Ljqu0l
📸 Jungho Kim
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/3Ljqu0l
📸 Jungho Kim
January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened many times to withhold state homelessness funds from cities and counties that aren’t doing enough to get people off the streets.
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/3Ljqu0l
📸 Jungho Kim
This year, those threats seem more real than ever. bit.ly/3Ljqu0l
📸 Jungho Kim
Opinion | Homelessness crisis remains one of Newsom's biggest political liabilities
Despite some progress, there are plenty of encampments critics could feature in attack ads should Newsom run for president in two years.
Despite some progress, there are plenty of encampments critics could feature in attack ads should Newsom run for president in two years.
Opinion | Homelessness crisis remains one of Newsom's biggest political liabilities
Despite some progress, there are plenty of encampments critics could feature in attack ads should Newsom run for president in two years.
bit.ly
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Opinion | Homelessness crisis remains one of Newsom's biggest political liabilities
Despite some progress, there are plenty of encampments critics could feature in attack ads should Newsom run for president in two years.
Despite some progress, there are plenty of encampments critics could feature in attack ads should Newsom run for president in two years.
A panel of three federal court judges shot down the latest “Hail Mary” attempt by California Republicans and President Donald Trump’s administration to halt the use of the new congressional maps voters approved under Proposition 50. bit.ly/3LOogpJ
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
January 16, 2026 at 12:30 AM
A panel of three federal court judges shot down the latest “Hail Mary” attempt by California Republicans and President Donald Trump’s administration to halt the use of the new congressional maps voters approved under Proposition 50. bit.ly/3LOogpJ
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
Opinion | Californian mourns childhood friend lost in a changing community
The Inglewood that raised Mike and Joshua has been gentrified. But a cemetery preserves Mike's grave and the memories of their childhood together.
The Inglewood that raised Mike and Joshua has been gentrified. But a cemetery preserves Mike's grave and the memories of their childhood together.
Opinion | Californian mourns childhood friend lost in a changing community
The Inglewood that raised Mike and Joshua has been gentrified. But a cemetery preserves Mike's grave and the memories of their childhood together.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Opinion | Californian mourns childhood friend lost in a changing community
The Inglewood that raised Mike and Joshua has been gentrified. But a cemetery preserves Mike's grave and the memories of their childhood together.
The Inglewood that raised Mike and Joshua has been gentrified. But a cemetery preserves Mike's grave and the memories of their childhood together.
Newsom has already vowed to tank a proposed ballot initiative that would impose a 5% wealth tax on the state’s billionaires to bolster Medi-Cal. Progressive lawmakers seem hopeful that Newsom could support a different long-shot funding idea. bit.ly/3ZeO8OF
📸 Roberta Alvarado
📸 Roberta Alvarado
January 15, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Newsom has already vowed to tank a proposed ballot initiative that would impose a 5% wealth tax on the state’s billionaires to bolster Medi-Cal. Progressive lawmakers seem hopeful that Newsom could support a different long-shot funding idea. bit.ly/3ZeO8OF
📸 Roberta Alvarado
📸 Roberta Alvarado
Jimmy Orlandini, owner of Altadena Hardware, thinks it might take five years to reopen his business at its original location after almost the whole building burned down. bit.ly/45dRc17
📸 Jules Hotz
📸 Jules Hotz
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Jimmy Orlandini, owner of Altadena Hardware, thinks it might take five years to reopen his business at its original location after almost the whole building burned down. bit.ly/45dRc17
📸 Jules Hotz
📸 Jules Hotz
Gov. Gavin Newsom included no new funding for local journalism in his budget proposal last week, walking back an August 2024 deal with Google to commit $175 million over five years to help the diminishing industry. bit.ly/4qNmdBg
📸 Rahul Lal
📸 Rahul Lal
January 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Gov. Gavin Newsom included no new funding for local journalism in his budget proposal last week, walking back an August 2024 deal with Google to commit $175 million over five years to help the diminishing industry. bit.ly/4qNmdBg
📸 Rahul Lal
📸 Rahul Lal
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued the Trump administration more than 50 times. CalMatters spoke with Bonta this week about those cases and how he views the Trump administration’s current focus on Minneapolis. bit.ly/45LulKl
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
January 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued the Trump administration more than 50 times. CalMatters spoke with Bonta this week about those cases and how he views the Trump administration’s current focus on Minneapolis. bit.ly/45LulKl
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
Opinion | California shouldn't let oil companies rewrite refinery safety rules
Regulators will hold a hearing Jan. 15 at the OSHA Standards Board in Sacramento on changes that will weaken safety standards for refineries.
Regulators will hold a hearing Jan. 15 at the OSHA Standards Board in Sacramento on changes that will weaken safety standards for refineries.
Opinion | California shouldn't let oil companies rewrite refinery safety rules
Regulators will hold a hearing Jan. 15 at the OSHA Standards Board in Sacramento on changes that will weaken safety standards for refineries.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Opinion | California shouldn't let oil companies rewrite refinery safety rules
Regulators will hold a hearing Jan. 15 at the OSHA Standards Board in Sacramento on changes that will weaken safety standards for refineries.
Regulators will hold a hearing Jan. 15 at the OSHA Standards Board in Sacramento on changes that will weaken safety standards for refineries.
A Carlsbad homeowner is fighting a multi-million dollar fine over beach access and a pickleball court
The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses.
The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses.
A Carlsbad homeowner is fighting a multi-million dollar fine over beach access and a pickleball court
The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 12:30 AM
A Carlsbad homeowner is fighting a multi-million dollar fine over beach access and a pickleball court
The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses.
The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced an investigation into how and whether Elon Musk’s X and xAI broke the law in the past few weeks by enabling the spread of naked or sexual imagery without consent. bit.ly/4pYuyRX
📸 Noah Berger, AP
📸 Noah Berger, AP
January 14, 2026 at 11:00 PM
California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced an investigation into how and whether Elon Musk’s X and xAI broke the law in the past few weeks by enabling the spread of naked or sexual imagery without consent. bit.ly/4pYuyRX
📸 Noah Berger, AP
📸 Noah Berger, AP
Opinion | How Newsom's presidential ambitions complicate his last budget as governor
As both governor and a likely presidential candidate, Gavin Newsom's final state budget faces a political trap of his own making.
As both governor and a likely presidential candidate, Gavin Newsom's final state budget faces a political trap of his own making.
Opinion | How Newsom's presidential ambitions complicate his last budget as governor
As both governor and a likely presidential candidate, Gavin Newsom's final state budget faces a political trap of his own making.
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Opinion | How Newsom's presidential ambitions complicate his last budget as governor
As both governor and a likely presidential candidate, Gavin Newsom's final state budget faces a political trap of his own making.
As both governor and a likely presidential candidate, Gavin Newsom's final state budget faces a political trap of his own making.
California regulators on Tuesday took a first step toward reshaping cap-and-invest, a key climate program and one of the state’s biggest sources of funding for projects ranging from zero-emission vehicles to high-speed rail and wildfire prevention. bit.ly/4pDoFZW
📸 Loren Elliott
📸 Loren Elliott
January 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
California regulators on Tuesday took a first step toward reshaping cap-and-invest, a key climate program and one of the state’s biggest sources of funding for projects ranging from zero-emission vehicles to high-speed rail and wildfire prevention. bit.ly/4pDoFZW
📸 Loren Elliott
📸 Loren Elliott