EnvironmentCalifornia’s worsening wildfires explainedJanuary 8, 2025The year 2025 was barely out of the gate before the Palisades Fire — driven by ferocious Santa Ana winds — began tearing through Los Angeles County. As climate change warms the planet, California's wildfires have become unpredictable and extreme.
State GovernmentCalifornia’s 2025 legislative session kicks off this weekJanuary 6, 2025 | Megan Myscofski | Laura FitzgeraldSome major themes that have already emerged include affordability, elections and how to prepare for the next Trump Administration.
State GovernmentNew California laws that might affect your 2025January 1, 2025 | Laura Fitzgerald | Tony Rodriguez | Megan Myscofski | Manola Secaira | Srishti Prabha | Keyshawn Davis | Gerardo Zavala | Kate WolffeWe took a look at a few laws going into effect on Jan. 1 that could impact your year, from new rules for active shooter drills in schools to how prosecutors charge theft-related crimes and changes to how you’re charged junk and overdraft fees.
State GovernmentCalifornia stiffened penalties for theft — and more changes are comingDecember 31, 2024Voters this November overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, which both modifies and adds key changes to California law.
State GovernmentCalifornia will soon require insurers to increase home coverage in wildfire-prone areasDecember 30, 2024California will start requiring property insurers to increase coverage in wildfire-prone areas after homeowners across the state increasingly struggle to find policies.
State GovernmentHow American presidents have planned their own funeralsDecember 30, 2024Jimmy Carter’s funeral will feature an interstate choreography of grief, ceremony and logistics that is characteristic of state funerals.
State GovernmentTrump allies warn California leaders they could go to prison over sanctuary city lawsDecember 30, 2024A conservative organization led by Trump adviser Stephen Miller sent letters to California leaders warning of ‘serious consequences’ over sanctuary policies that protect undocumented residents.
Housing and Homelessness100-plus cities in the U.S. banned homeless camping this year. But will it work?December 26, 2024The burst of new laws follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling and reflects public frustration with record-high homelessness. But advocates say fines and jail time will only make the problem worse.
State GovernmentNumber of registered lobbyists jumps to a record high in CaliforniaDecember 26, 2024The increase in lobbyists means there’s now at least one lobbyist for every legislative staff member.
State GovernmentState senator tries to roll back California’s calls for a constitutional conventionDecember 23, 2024 | Megan MyscofskiSan Francisco Democrat Scott Wiener says California could leave the door open to the incoming Republican-led Congress making major changes to the constitution if it doesn’t act.
