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

It’s Election Time: How Have The Candidates For California Governor Fared With The Facts?
June 4, 2018
Candidates in the crowded field for California governor have, on a number of occasions, stretched the truth ahead of the June 5 primary.
Did Travis Allen Oppose Driver Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants?
May 29, 2018
Did Allen, who has positioned himself as a staunch opponent of benefits for undocumented Californians, really miss this key vote?
Did A GOP Candidate For California Governor Really Donate To Jerry Brown And Gavin Newsom?
May 25, 2018
Did Travis Allen, arguably the most conservative candidate for California governor, donate campaign money to three of the state’s leading liberal Democrats?
Students Missing Class Is A Red Alert — But Researchers Say They Have A New Tool To Address The School-Absence Problem
May 22, 2018
Researchers took advantage of a new state reporting requirement to produce a detailed study and interactive map showing which schools struggle the most with chronic absenteeism.
Has Obama Endorsed In The California Governor’s Race? No.
May 21, 2018
A recent campaign mailer and TV ad feature former President Barack Obama warmly embracing California candidate for governor Antonio Villaraigosa, conveying the possible impression that Obama has endorsed the former mayor of Los Angeles.
California, Sacramento Unemployment Rates Hit Record Lows
May 18, 2018
The latest jobless numbers are out, showing unemployment in California and the Sacramento region at the lowest rates in decades.
Measure To Eliminate California’s ‘Moving Penalty’ Qualifies For November Ballot
May 17, 2018
Supporters say the initiative would give homeowners 55 and up a property tax discount when they buy a pricier home. That, in turn, could ease the state’s housing crunch by freeing up inventory for younger buyers.
TV Ad’s False Claim About Antonio Villaraigosa And LA’s Rape Kit Backlog
May 16, 2018
A new TV ad in the campaign for California governor attacks former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for what it calls his "reckless" role in Los Angeles’ massive rape kit backlog. But is it accurate?
Gavin Newsom's Half True Claim On Reducing San Francisco’s Homeless ‘Street Population’
May 10, 2018
Gavin Newsom recently claimed San Francisco dramatically shrunk its homeless street population, implying the change took place under his leadership. Given the importance of the issue, we wanted to know whether Newsom got his facts right.
Video: PolitiFact California's Early Fact-Checking On Claims In California Governor's Debate
May 8, 2018
PolitiFact California's early impressions on statements made at Tuesday's gubernatorial candidates debate in San Jose.

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