Chris Nichols

PolitiFact 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

Do A Majority Of Americans Live In States With Legal Marijuana?
April 20, 2018
For the first time this week, Californians can celebrate "4/20" by purchasing legal recreational cannabis at dispensaries across the state. But just how many people in the U.S. can legally use marijuana, on that day or any other?
Jerry Brown Says There’s 'No Massive Wave Of Migrants Pouring Into California.' Is He Right?
April 13, 2018
With claims about border crossings boomeranging from Sacramento to D.C., PolitiFact decided to scrutinize the governor’s statement that "overall immigrant apprehensions on the border last year were as low as they’ve been in nearly 50 years."
Protesters For Hire? Sacramento Sheriff Provides No Evidence For Inflammatory Claim
April 10, 2018
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones claimed "paid protesters" fueled the conflict with law enforcement after a recent vigil and demonstration for Stephon Clark, a 22-year-old shot and killed by police.
Recording Artist, Puppeteer Among 27 Candidates for California Governor
April 2, 2018
Former big city mayors, a puppeteer and a even a ‘transhumanist lecturer’ are all officially running for California governor. Voters will be able to select from 27 people on the recently published certified list of candidates.
Checking The Facts On California’s Wealth And Poverty
April 2, 2018
PolitiFact California has fact-checked numerous claims on the Golden State's extreme wealth and poverty. This article is a compilation of those fact checks, with a focus on assertions by candidates in the 2018 California governor's race.
What Are The Facts On Police Shootings Following Death Of Stephon Clark?
March 29, 2018
Amid the protests, many have used Clark’s death to make claims about police shootings. We focused on a recent statement by nationally-known civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing the Clark family.
Has California’s Homeless Population ‘Skyrocketed’? And How Does It Rate Nationwide?
March 27, 2018
The state has wrestled with this topic for decades, but has homelessness really "skyrocketed"? And how does its per capita and overall homeless population compare with other states?
TRUE: California Ranks 49th In Per Capita Housing Supply
March 21, 2018
We know building homes in California can be a long, expensive process. But does the state really have the second lowest per capita housing supply in the nation?
Top California Official Says Russia’s Hack Of Energy Systems Shows Need For Cyber Preparedness
March 16, 2018
The federal government warned that Russian cyber actors gained access to networks within the nation’s energy sector by sending fraudulent emails, known as phishing operations, and using malware.
No, Mr. President, California Is Not ‘Begging’ For A Wall
March 13, 2018
Deep blue California is "begging" the federal government to build a wall? Really? The president’s statement seemed false on its face, but PolitiFact California dug in for a fact check just to make sure.

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