State GovernmentSupreme Court ruling on voting won’t change California districts, but could hurt DemocratsApril 30, 2026The U.S. Supreme Court has narrowed the Voting Rights Act over the past decade. The law in California was primarily used to help Latinos gain political representation.
Environment‘This is where you live’: California adds three new state parksApril 29, 2026 | Jen Picard | Vicki GonzalezThe new public spaces in Yuba, Fresno, Madera and Kern counties are being touted as the largest expansion of the state parks system in decades. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentBillionaire blitz: Steyer’s $132 million campaign dwarfs rivals in California governor raceApril 27, 2026San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dominated fellow Democrats in fundraising, bringing in $13 million. Katie Porter raised $2.8 million, Xavier Becerra brought in $1 million, Antonio Villaraigosa raised $707,000 and Tony Thurmond raised just $62,000.
EnvironmentCalifornia's fight over pipeline tests state's right to push back against Washington during warApril 27, 2026California continues to fight the Trump administration after it defied state officials to restart oil drilling off the Santa Barbara coast in the name of national security. State officials call it trespassing.
State GovernmentWhy e-bike advocates say California’s crackdown may not solve the biggest safety risksApril 27, 2026 | Gerardo ZavalaLawmakers are considering new restrictions on e-bikes, but riders and researchers say illegal e-motos and unsafe streets may be the bigger danger. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentCalifornia's woes at the center of debate among leading candidates for governorApril 23, 2026Six leading candidates for California governor are jostling for advantage in a chaotic race with no clear leader. Four Democrats and two Republicans took the stage Wednesday for a televised debate.
State GovernmentNew bill would stop DMV from making millions off auctioned cars without telling the ownersApril 22, 2026The bill is inspired by a CalMatters story that revealed state law allows the DMV to collect money from towed cars in secret.
State GovernmentRiverside County sheriff looks to take California in a different direction if elected governorApril 20, 2026 | Vicki Gonzalez | Andrew GarciaSheriff Chad Bianco is one of two Republican candidates running for governor. He consistently polls as one of the race’s top three candidates. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentLagging in polls and fundraising, Betty Yee drops out of California governor’s raceApril 20, 2026Progressive former state controller Betty Yee said she is dropping out amid faltering polling and poor fundraising.
State GovernmentWildfire survivors who lost their homes could face another blow from taxes on settlement payoutsApril 20, 2026Thousands of survivors of the 2025 Eaton Fire are accepting settlements from the utility accused of causing it. They're choosing faster payments over litigation. However, they now face the possibility of these payouts being taxed as income.
