State GovernmentCalifornia lawmakers wrap up 2025 session, here’s what they passed in their final weekSeptember 13, 2025 | Laura Fitzgerald | Gerardo ZavalaBills to renew Cap and Trade, lower energy costs, boost housing and crackdown on antisemitism in schools dominated debate in the legislature’s final days. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
ImmigrationCalifornia passes ICE mask ban in closing days of legislative sessionSeptember 12, 2025The state legislature voted to ban local, out-of-state and federal law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings, as well as require officers to be readily identifiable.
EnvironmentNewsom strikes climate deal extending California cap and trade, boosting oil productionSeptember 11, 2025After weeks of tense and messy negotiations, California’s legislative leaders finally released several proposals that range from expanding domestic crude oil production to lowering electricity rates.
State GovernmentCalifornia Gov. Newsom says Trump has a 'relentless, unhinged' obsession with the stateSeptember 10, 2025California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling out President Donald Trump for a “relentless, unhinged California obsession” in his State of the State address. The governor sent the letter to the Legislature Tuesday in lieu of delivering it publicly.
Health CareCalifornia considers allowing doctors to prescribe abortion drugs anonymouslySeptember 10, 2025Under the measure, which the legislature is considering this week, doctors, pharmacists and others authorized to prescribe the drugs to end a pregnancy could leave their name off the prescription label.
Housing and HomelessnessBudget carveout appears to stymie apartment construction in powerful Democrat’s districtSeptember 10, 2025A bill released in the final days of the legislative session creates a carve-out from more permissive building rules and appears to target just one project: a proposed apartment building in Sen. Monique Limón’s district.
Health Care‘I will do it again’. Mom of California overdose victim pledges to keep fighting in CapitolSeptember 9, 2025After a CalMatters investigation, lawmakers asked Christine Matlock Dougherty to testify on behalf of bills to regulate mental health insurance. They didn’t pass this year.
State GovernmentRemembering California’s 'progressive warrior': The legacy of John BurtonSeptember 8, 2025 | Vicki Gonzalez | Jen Picard | Sarit LaschinskyThe longtime Democratic lawmaker and state party chair died Sunday at the age of 92. A former Sacramento Bee reporter who co-authored Burton’s memoir remembered his colorful language and desire to work across the aisle.
State GovernmentEx-staffer sues California Assembly speaker, alleging retaliation for reporting briberySeptember 4, 2025A former press secretary for California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas alleges in a lawsuit that she was retaliated against for reporting alleged bribery and other misconduct to the Legislature.
EnvironmentCalifornia holds off on penalizing oil companies for price gougingSeptember 2, 2025 | Manola SecairaGovernor Gavin Newsom supported the price gouging penalty when he signed it into law in 2023 as a way to stop unnecessary gas price spikes. Now the governor and the energy commission have decided to put it on hold.
