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.

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Stories by Chris Nichols

No Evidence To Back Denham’s Claim China 'Tampered' With U.S. Elections 'Quite A Bit'
August 14, 2018
Congressman Jeff Denham recently claimed China has "tampered with our elections quite a bit." We decided to fact-check that very specific and serious charge.
Many Homes Destroyed In Wildfires Aren’t Rebuilt Due To Insufficient Insurance. A New Bill Could Change That.
August 10, 2018
The bill, now on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk, was inspired by residents who lost homes in Wine Country fires and were underinsured due to outdated replacement-cost estimates.
Unearthing The Facts On Yosemite’s Visitors, Bears And Wildfires
August 9, 2018
In the spirit of Capital Public Radio's new podcast, YosemiteLand, PolitiFact California dug up some eye-opening facts about Yosemite National Park, its history, its wilfires, visitors and the animals that call it home.
California Wildfires Made Worse By Hot, Dry Conditions, Not Water Policy, As Trump Tweeted
August 6, 2018
In his first tweet about this summer’s California wildfires, President Trump blamed environmental laws for making the blazes worse by preventing firefighters from using a "massive amount of readily available water."
Burning Money: The Facts On California's Soaring Cost To Fight Wildfires
August 3, 2018
California's cost to fight wildfires has spiked dramatically in recent years, jumping from about $200 million five years ago to more than $770 million last year. PolitiFact California examined these cost increases.
Separating Fact From Fiction On California's Sanctuary State Law
August 1, 2018
Does California really have a "policy of releasing dangerous criminal illegal aliens back into our communities," as Rep. Tom McClintock claimed? PolitiFact California examined this statement by the Republican congressman.
Dangerous Wildfires Like The Carr Fire In Redding Driven By Sprawl, Climate Change, Experts Say
July 27, 2018
California can’t prevent these fires entirely, officials say. But it can lessen their severity, by thinning its forests, strengthening building codes and making roadway and utility corridors safer.
Democratic Challenger Misleads In Claim On Rep. Tom McClintock’s Record
July 24, 2018
Jessica Morse, the Democratic challenger in California’s 4th Congressional district race, claimed that Republican Rep. Tom McClintock has authored just three laws. Was she right?
TRUE: 'Nearly 2,600 Children' Remained Separated From Parents As Of Mid-July
July 19, 2018
PolitiFact wanted to know, weeks after the Trump administration ended its policy of separating families at the border, did California Sen. Kamala Harris get her numbers right on how many children remain separated?
Pot 101 Update: Are There Limits On Smoking Pot At Home Near Kids? Where Else Is It Legal To Smoke?
July 17, 2018
Are there limits on smoking pot at home around kids? Where else can you legally light up? PolitiFact California tackles these reader questions in an update on our Pot 101 report about what’s legal and what’s not under the state’s marijuana law.

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