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Chris Nichols
PolitiFact California Reporter
For the past dozen years, Chris Nichols has worked as a government and politics reporter at newspapers across California. Most recently, he covered the Capitol for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Previously, he worked at the North County Times in Escondido; the Lodi News-Sentinel and the Sonora Union-Democrat.
He is a native of sunny San Diego and long-suffering fan of the San Diego Padres and Chargers – but only if they stay in America’s Finest City. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, Chris left California to earn his master’s degree from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in 2004, but quickly returned home after realizing his heart was in the Golden State, not the Big Apple.
Homeless Californians Who Commit Minor Crimes Could Get Treatment Instead Of Jail Under Proposed Ballot Measure
October 18, 2019
A proposed statewide ballot measure would create a court system to channel people who are homeless toward mental health treatment instead of jail for some minor crimes. But many homeless advocates say it could lead to mass institutionalization.
Tom Steyer Claimed ‘90% Of Americans Have Not Had A Raise For 40 Years.’ Is He Right?
October 16, 2019
Most Americans have seen income go up, slowly.
For Most California Homes, Solar Panels Won’t Help During Power Outages. Here’s Why.
October 14, 2019
Most residential solar systems are designed only to work when the customer is connected to the grid. Solar battery storage changes that.
Is Stockton Really Home To ‘Second Highest Rent Increases’ In The Nation? There’s No Simple Answer.
October 10, 2019
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs claimed his city "has seen the second highest rent increases in the nation." PolitiFact California examined what’s driving these soaring rents and the challenge researchers have in finding reliable rental data.
Californians Say Homelessness Now Top Concern Along With The Economy, According To New Survey
October 4, 2019
Californians now rank homelessness as their biggest concern, along with jobs and the economy. It’s the first time in the two-decade history of the Public Policy Institute of California’s survey that homelessness has been ranked as the top problem.
PolitiFact California: Gavin Newsom Promised To Expand Homeless Services. What Has He Done?
October 4, 2019
During his campaign, now-Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to solve California's homelessness crisis. PolitiFact California rates that promise "in the works."
Is California Really ‘Winning’ In Court Against The Trump Administration?
September 25, 2019
As of late September, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra had filed or joined 60 lawsuits against the Trump administration. But is California really "winning" in court as Becerra and Gov. Gavin Newsom have confidently claimed?
Kamala Harris Claims She ‘Took On Big Oil’ As California AG. How Far Did She Go?
September 11, 2019
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris has claimed she took on Big Oil during her time as California’s attorney general. PolitiFact California examined her record and spoke with environmental experts about how far she went.
Kamala Harris Claimed She ‘Sued Exxon Mobil’ As California AG. She Didn’t.
September 6, 2019
Did Kamala Harris sue Exxon Mobil like she claimed during a climate town hall on CNN this week? PolitiFact rated the claim "false."
A Promise Stalled: Eight Months In, Gov. Gavin Newsom Has Yet To Hire A Homelessness Czar
September 4, 2019
Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to hire a cabinet-level homelessness secretary, something he vowed to do during his campaign. And it's not clear whether he'll ever follow through.