News

How California public transit is pleading for state aid

May 22, 2023

Time is running short, but California public transit agencies are seeking billions, with a new accountability plan.

Race and Equity

UC signals support for hiring of undocumented students; vote will follow six-month study

May 21, 2023

With legal challenge expected, board of regents wants time to consider legal strategies.

State Government

This law should reveal who’s paying for California legislators’ travel. It’s only been used twice

May 21, 2023

A 2015 law to bring more transparency to paid trips for California legislators has led to only two disclosure forms being filed by the sponsoring groups. The law’s author says it is being wrongly ignored.

Health Care

An AI chatbot may be your next therapist. Will it actually help your mental health?

May 20, 2023

Given a dire shortage of human behavioral health providers in the U.S., it may prove tempting for insurers to offer up apps and chatbots to meet the federal mental health parity requirement.

State Government

Gavin Newsom wants to make it easier to build roads, dams and more. What’s in his plan?

May 20, 2023

The governor’s building plan would adjust an environmental law known for stalling housing, dams and other projects. One environmental group said, “we have never been more disappointed in a California governor than we are with Gov. Newsom.”

California prisoners depended on community colleges. What happens when their prisons close?

May 20, 2023

Newsom is closing and downsizing prisons across the state, putting the future of over a thousand incarcerated students at risk. College administrators say they have few resources to help.

Health Care

The CDC is worried about a mpox rebound and urges people to get vaccinated

May 20, 2023

A cluster of mpox cases in the Chicago area has sparked fears of a summer wave. Health officials are pointing to new research showing the vaccine is effective and hoping people take notice.

Why the ‘science of reading’ may be the next dyslexia battleground

May 19, 2023

Not enough teachers are trained in the “science of reading,” which many experts believe is the key to helping students with dyslexia.

‘God only knows how many workers have suffered and died’: Employees urge Cal/OSHA to set indoor heat rules

May 19, 2023

Workers from a variety of industries urged Cal/OSHA's board to quickly pass new rules for hot, indoor workplaces.

Environment

Here’s how to give feedback on Sacramento 2040 plans for climate, city growth

May 19, 2023 | Kristin Lam

The public can view an online workshop until the end of August to help shape an update to the plans before the City Council approves them.

Health Care

As Sacramento summer heat approaches, unhoused people, housing advocates call for support

May 18, 2023 | Janelle Salanga

With city, county bans on homeless camping and shelters cramped, potential sweeps leave unhoused people in a bind. Self-governed community Camp Resolution also seeks infrastructure to run fans and A/C.

State Government

Legislative Survivor: Which big California bills were shelved in ‘suspense file?’

May 18, 2023

In their twice-a-year exercise, legislators killed dozens of California bills in the process known as the suspense file.

Health Care

California has tried to cut the cost of insulin for years. Why it might finally succeed

May 18, 2023

To fight the skyrocketing cost of insulin, California is using multiple tactics, including making its own generic versions.

When will Sacramento start Measure L children’s fund spending? City shares timeline

May 17, 2023 | Kristin Lam

The city shared a timeline for creating a Measure L oversight commission and a five-year investment plan for youth services.

Health Care

FDA relaxes blood donation eligibility for gay, bisexual men. Experts say they’re ‘delighted’

May 17, 2023 | Vicki Gonzalez

Last week the FDA eased restrictions for gay and bisexual men who want to donate blood. CapRadio’s Vicki Gonzalez spoke with blood donation non-profit Vitalant, which contributed research that helped the department come to this decision.

'From $260 to $23': Californians navigate the end of pandemic food benefit boosts

May 17, 2023 | Kate Wolffe

During the pandemic, many people received the maximum in food aid through CalFresh. Now that the COVID emergency benefits have ended, they’re adjusting to a world with record inflation and some are relying on food banks to meet their needs.

State Government

‘I’m a hostage’: Why California’s COVID unemployment mess isn’t over yet

May 16, 2023

Workers denied pandemic-era jobless benefits are still struggling with debt and stress — collateral damage as they fight a state employment agency on edge about fraud and an appeals system facing a ‘historic’ backlog.

State Government

Understanding how a California bill dies without public debate

May 16, 2023 | Nicole Nixon

The twice-yearly procedure releases hundreds of bills to the Senate and Assembly floors, allowing for debate before the entire chamber. But for other bills, the suspense hearing provides a quiet, anticlimactic end.

Environment

Protecting Molok Luyuk, a haven of biological diversity in Northern California

May 16, 2023 | Manola Secaira

In 2015, Berryessa Snow Mountain became a national monument. But Molok Luyuk, nestled along the eastern side of the monument’s center, was excluded.