State GovernmentCalifornia’s Covid misinformation law is entangled in lawsuits, conflicting rulingsMarch 19, 2023A state law says giving false information to patients about covid-19 constitutes unprofessional conduct for which regulators can discipline doctors. Vaccine skeptics, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., join civil liberties groups and others.
State GovernmentCalifornia colleges rush to get more students on food assistance before pandemic rule endsMarch 18, 2023Most college students don’t qualify for CalFresh, California’s food stamps program, despite high rates of food insecurity. A pandemic-era rule that made it easier to get aid ends soon.
State GovernmentGavin Newsom moves to ‘transform’ San Quentin as California prison population shrinksMarch 17, 2023San Quentin housed California’s death row for decades. Now Gov. Newsom wants the prison on San Francisco Bay to emphasize rehabilitation and helping inmates re-enter society.
Health CareCalifornia could be the first state in the country to ban some much debated food additivesMarch 17, 2023 | Kate WolffeTwo California legislators want to eliminate chemicals present in thousands of grocery items, like candies and drinks, that are linked to health problems and are already banned in the European Union.
State GovernmentNewsom administration to provide 1,200 tiny homes statewide, including 350 for the Sacramento regionMarch 16, 2023 | Chris Nichols | Nicole NixonGovernor Gavin Newsom kicked off a four-day “state of the state” tour across California in Sacramento on Thursday by announcing plans for the tiny homes.
State GovernmentExpansion of college financial aid in California may be at riskMarch 15, 2023Lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed last year to make major changes to Cal Grants, contingent on available revenue. But now the state faces a bleak budget forecast.
EnvironmentNo California salmon: Fishery to be shut down this yearMarch 15, 2023The salmon industry, worth about half a billion dollars, is devastated. The culprits: Drought and decades of water diversions and development.
State GovernmentNewsom issues executive order to divert more rain, snowmelt into groundwater basinsMarch 14, 2023 | Manola SecairaThe order allows agencies to more easily divert flood waters by temporarily lifting some restrictions around permits. Some protections remain in place, like those created to safeguard wildlife and others meant to prevent storing contaminated water. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentCourt upholds California Prop. 22 in big win for gig firms like Lyft and UberMarch 14, 2023An appeals court ruled Monday in favor of companies that want to classify some workers as independent contractors, saying that Proposition 22 is mostly constitutional.
State GovernmentIs your boss complying with California’s new pay transparency law? Here’s how to find outMarch 13, 2023Businesses and workers have questions about California’s new pay transparency law. CalMatters answers which companies need to post pay ranges in job openings, who can ask for their current pay scale, and more.
