State GovernmentNewsom names Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein’s Senate vacancyOctober 1, 2023 | Nicole NixonButler is president of EMILYs List, a fundraising organization that works to elect Democratic women. She is a former University of California regent and has strong labor ties.
State GovernmentGavin Newsom signs law boosting minimum wage for fast-food workers. Is $20 enough?September 29, 2023More than half a million fast food workers, mostly minorities and women, will earn higher minimum wage because Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a fast food bill Thursday. But some say that’s not a living wage.
State GovernmentWith the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who will Newsom appoint?September 29, 2023The death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein means that Gov. Newsom has to decide who will fill her seat. He has said he would appoint a caretaker, not one of the three Democrats who are already running.
State GovernmentCalifornia's Dianne Feinstein, longest serving woman in the Senate, has died at 90September 29, 2023Feinstein suddenly became the mayor of San Francisco in 1978 when Harvey Milk was assassinated. Later she was elected to the U.S. Senate after male senators grilled Anita Hill in public hearings.
State GovernmentCalifornia education chief Tony Thurmond says he is running for governor in 2026September 26, 2023California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is running for governor in 2026. If elected, he would be the first Black person to hold the job.
State GovernmentNewsom vetoes bill that would require human drivers ride in autonomous trucksSeptember 26, 2023The bill would have banned self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds — ranging from UPS delivery vans to massive big rigs — from operating on public roads unless a human driver is on board.
EnvironmentCan this plan fix California’s insurance crisis? What you need to knowSeptember 22, 2023Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara unveils a plan to shore up the California insurance market for homeowners. Insurers would return to wildfire zones, but would have an easier path to rate increases.
State GovernmentConstruction of California state Capitol annex can beginSeptember 21, 2023 | Nicole NixonIn its final environmental report, the Department of General Services wrote there will be “no changes to the proposed project” based on public feedback.
Health CareCalifornia sues crisis pregnancy centers over ‘abortion pill reversal’ claimsSeptember 21, 2023Several anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers are advertising ‘abortion pill reversal’. California Attorney General Rob Bonta calls the claims false advertising that mislead vulnerable patients.
State GovernmentAutonomous truck bill puts Newsom between two priorities: labor and innovationSeptember 19, 2023Labor groups are urging the governor to sign a bill to require “human safety operators” in large self-driving trucks. But the Newsom administration argues it would stifle innovation.
