EnvironmentFacing California deadlines, automakers race to produce electric carsMay 7, 2023A look inside the factory that assembles Ford’s F-150 electric pickup. As the industry invests $40 billion in new US electric car plants, the rapid transformation raises labor and supply chain issues. Automaker says “we’re all-in.”
Health CareCalifornia’s lowest paid health workers want a pay boost. Why industry leaders are pushing backApril 25, 2023As hospitals and other health care facilities struggle with staffing shortages, health workers could get a wage increase under a legislative proposal. But some smaller facilities already struggling financially say they can’t afford it.
EnvironmentAfter the deluge: Floods may taint more drinking water in CaliforniaApril 20, 2023Nitrate contamination of well water has been a decades-long problem in the San Joaquin and Salinas valleys — and now stormwater has flushed more fertilizer and manure into aquifers.
California approved $300 million in state-backed home loans. Who got the money?April 17, 2023California Democrats carved out the Dream for All money to help first-time buyers. The funds ran out after just 11 days with the average loan hitting $112,000.
Thousands of Californians are missing out on federal student aid. Here’s whyApril 15, 2023Many college students rely on federal student aid to cover expenses, but increasingly complicated laws and poor communication have made those dollars harder to come by for some adult students.
EnvironmentUS unveils options for cutting California’s Colorado River waterApril 13, 2023One of the options would override California’s water rights and split the cuts evenly between California, Nevada and Arizona — which would be a big blow to Imperial Valley farmers.
Health CareWhat can California do about abortion pill ruling? Not muchApril 10, 2023A ruling that suspends federal approval for medication abortion will not be easy for California abortion access advocates to overcome. Unless it’s reversed on appeal, the drug will likely be pulled from pharmacy shelves.
State GovernmentA failure to communicate: California government cuts back press accessApril 8, 2023Accelerated by the COVID pandemic, a shift by state officials toward emails and written statements is making it more difficult for journalists to be watchdogs for Californians.
Race and EquityCalifornia high schools are adding hundreds of ethnic studies classes. Are teachers prepared?April 2, 2023California high school students will be required to pass an ethnic studies class to graduate, starting with the class of 2030. That means the state needs lots of new ethnic studies teachers.
EnvironmentAs floods endanger the San Joaquin Valley, Newsom cuts funding for floodplainsMarch 29, 2023The governor eliminated $40 million for restoring floodplains, halting projects that help protect vulnerable, disadvantaged communities like Stockton. San Joaquin Valley legislators are pushing back.
