EducationLegislative Analyst sees merit in Gov. Newsom’s plan for realigning California’s school bureaucracyMarch 23, 2026The LAO concludes: Moving the education department to the governor’s control would reduce confusion. The state superintendent should become an independent evaluator of state programs.
State GovernmentCalifornia sheriff running for governor seizes more than a half million ballots from 2025 electionMarch 23, 2026A California sheriff running for governor has seized more than half a million ballots cast in a November special election from county election officials, saying he’s investigating a ballot count discrepancy.
Education11 California county education offices underpaid or overpaid millions due to state clerical errorMarch 20, 2026Nearly a dozen California county education offices were either overpaid or underpaid millions of dollars in school funding due to a state clerical error, according to the State Controller’s Office.
State GovernmentParole board delays decision on releasing serial child predator after public outcryMarch 19, 2026 | Ruth FinchRepublican lawmakers held a rally protesting the release of Gregory Vogelsang through the elder parole program. A hearing was called after Governor Gavin Newsom referred his case back to the parole board for review.
Health CareCalifornia is spending hundreds of millions on heat. Will it ever be a public health priority?March 19, 2026As heat becomes a year-round reality, California is often still responding like it’s an emergency.
EnvironmentA contentious project to raise California’s Shasta Dam just got a funding boost from TrumpMarch 18, 2026The Trump administration Tuesday announced $40 million for “planning and preconstruction activities associated with raising Shasta Dam."
State GovernmentCalifornia’s powerful labor forces are divided on who should be the state’s next governorMarch 18, 2026 | Laura FitzgeraldIn one example, the California Federation of Labor Unions endorsed four candidates for governor, making the move ‘worthless,’ according to one political analyst.
State GovernmentCésar Chávez accused of sexually abusing labor rights leader Dolores HuertaMarch 18, 2026Labor rights leader Dolores Huerta says she was sexually abused by César Chavez amid reported allegations of abuse by others during his tenure as president of The United Farm Workers union.
State GovernmentState workers push for 100% telework as Newsom’s return-to-office order loomsMarch 17, 2026 | Vicki Gonzalez | Sarit LaschinskyGovernor Gavin Newsom says workers returning to the office will boost business in downtown Sacramento, but labor unions are pushing back amid ongoing contract negotiations. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentCalifornia bullet train could run out of money before finishing its first Central Valley segmentMarch 13, 2026 | Gerardo ZavalaBudget analysts say the high-speed rail project faces billions of dollars in funding gaps and no clear path to reach Los Angeles or San Francisco. The fate of its first Central Valley segment is also in jeopardy.
