News

Forever Chemicals: California Unveils Health Goals For Contaminated Drinking Water

July 24, 2021

It’s California’s first big step toward regulating “forever chemicals,” which are ubiquitous in California and around the globe.

Environment

Without Enough Water To Go Around, Farmers In California Are Exhausting Aquifers

July 24, 2021

California's farmers are pumping vast amounts of water from underground aquifers this year to make up for water they can't get from rivers. It's unsustainable, and the state is moving to stop it.

Health Care

Worried About Breakthrough COVID Cases? Here's What To Know

July 24, 2021

Fully vaccinated Olympic athletes and members of Congress have tested positive for the virus. Should you be worried? How common are breakthrough infections, and are they rising?

PolitiFact California

California Recall Candidate Kevin Faulconer Wants To Tackle Homelessness. What Did He Do As San Diego’s Mayor?

July 24, 2021 | Chris Nichols

Faulconer says he did not allow tent encampments and achieved a “double digit” reduction in homelessness. Experts say his claims are overstated and incomplete.

PolitiFact California

No, California Does Not Have A Personal Belief Exemption For COVID-19 Vaccines For Kids

July 24, 2021

Instagram posts stated on June 21, 2021: “California has a personal belief exemption to any new vaccine added to the schedule after June 2015 for public and private daycare, preschool and K-12.”

State Government

Interview: Push To Decriminalize Some Psychedelics Working Its Way Through California Capitol

July 23, 2021 | Randol White

A bill authored by Democratic state Sen Scott Wiener would decriminalize the possession and personal use of certain psychedelic drugs like LSD, psilocybin and MDMA.

California State Of Mind | Episode 33

CA Housing Policy and The Great Divide: It’s Not Just a Partisan Issue

July 23, 2021

Democrats hold all the power in the California legislature, but they can’t seem to figure out how to solve the state’s housing shortage. We’ll learn more about where the divisions are and how they play out in the Golden State’s housing policies.

Environment

Northern California Wildfires: Where To Find Updates On Air Quality, Evacuations, And Official Information

July 23, 2021

Here’s the latest information on the wildfires burning throughout Northern California.

Retired Sacramento State Professor Uses Double Dutch To Address Representation In Children’s Books

July 22, 2021 | Kris Hooks

From national championship tournaments to former First Lady Michelle Obama jumping on the White House lawn, it’s clear Double Dutch has become a cultural phenomenon reaching far beyond the New York City block parties where it was made popular.

Business

Interview: How Inflation Is Affecting Northern California

July 22, 2021 | Megan Manata | Vicki Gonzalez

Common household items and other goods have seemed to become more expensive over the past few months. Why? Well, inflation is at the highest it’s been in 13 years. Five Star Bank President James Beckwith explains what this means for Californians.

State Government

Judge Puts Larry Elder On Recall Ballot, Throws Out Tax Return Requirement

July 21, 2021

Conservative talk show host Larry Elder wins his lawsuit to be a replacement candidate in the California recall. A judge rules that a tax return requirement doesn’t apply to recalls.

Environment

PG&E Says It Will Bury 10,000 Miles Of Power Lines

July 21, 2021

Pacific Gas and Electric made the announcement in Chico days after the utility company reported to California regulators that their equipment may have been involved in sparking the Dixie Fire that has forced evacuations in Butte and Plumas counties.

Photos: Dixie Fire Grows In Plumas County

July 21, 2021 | Andrew Nixon

The Dixie Fire burning above the Cresta Dam in the Feather River Canyon has forced evacuations in Butte and Plumas counties. Approximately 2,350 people have been evacuated as a number of major wildfires continue to burn in Northern California.

High Winds And Steep Terrain Make The Dixie Fire Hard To Contain

July 20, 2021

The Dixie Fire was nearly 60,000 acres and 15% contained as of 8 am Tuesday.

Unpaid Utility Bills? California Will Pay Off $2 Billion To Avoid Shutoffs

July 20, 2021

Lawmakers have agreed to pay off $2 billion of Californians’ utilities debt, but haven’t extended the shutoff moratoria past Sept. 30. One family’s experience of surviving a heat wave without water or power reveals what’s at stake.

State Government

California Will Launch The Nation's Largest Free Student Lunch Program

July 20, 2021

When classrooms reopen for the fall term, all of the state's 6.2 million public school students will have the option to eat school meals for free, regardless of their family's income.

For Decades, California Forcibly Sterilized Women Under Eugenics Law. Now, The State Will Pay Survivors

July 20, 2021 | Sarah Mizes-Tan

Advocates hope this money can be the first step in the state recognizing its past in eugenics and involuntary and forced sterilization of thousands of women.

State Government

‘Some Serious Problems’ With California Recall Laws, Secretary Of State Says

July 20, 2021 | Scott Rodd | Nicole Nixon

In an interview with CapRadio, Secretary of State Shirley Weber said California’s recall laws have “some serious problems” and that the entire process deserves a second look after the Sept. 14 election to determine whether Newsom will stay in office.

Environment

Dixie Fire May Be Linked To PG&E Equipment, Utility Says

July 19, 2021 | Chris Hagan

PG&E reported to the California Public Utilities Commission that their equipment may have been involved in sparking the Dixie Fire that has forced evacuations in Butte and Plumas counties.

State Government

Who’s Running In Newsom Recall? Politicians, Activists, Californians Of All Stripes

July 19, 2021

Forty-one candidates beat the deadline to run in California’s second recall election for governor. They include politicians, activists and others.