Commentary

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

Commentary

California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.

Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.

By David Myers • February 11, 2026

A sign that reads “Uber” on the glass window on the side of an office building.

Commentary

Two ads during Super Bowl hint at a high-dollar ballot battle in California next fall

Uber's ballot measure would limit the ability of injured passengers to sue. Three lawyer-back measures would hold rideshare companies responsible.

By Dan Walters • February 11, 2026

A medical employee in blue scrubs works at a computer in a white corridor in a hospital, with a room open on both sides of the hallway.

Commentary

Hospitals’ opaque pricing is crushing California’s small businesses

Hospitals often charge California’s small businesses more than Medicare for the same treatments and tack on hidden “facilities fees.”

By Bianca Blomquist • February 10, 2026

A person stands at a podium, smiling, wearing glasses and a navy blazer over a teal top. The podium features a sign that reads "TREATMENT NOT TENTS" with a small bear icon, suggesting a California-related context. A microphone is attached to the podium, and the background appears softly blurred.

Commentary

Troubled LA Mayor Karen Bass faces a re-election challenge from the city’s left wing

City Councilwoman Nithya Raman declared her candidacy with a few hours to spare. A left leaning progressive, she'd previously endorsed Bass.

By Dan Walters • February 10, 2026

A yellow dirt bike leans against a pile of rocks near a formation of rocks along a ridge overlooking a valley, with a mountain range in the background.

Commentary

California dirt bikers battled against desert preservation, spawning anti-environmental wars

Today’s anti-environmentalists follow tracks laid by the ‘Phantom Duck’ and the Barstow-to-Vegas Race, where thousands of bikers sped across open desert.

By Julia Sizek • February 9, 2026

Commentary

Tax dollars should fund children’s education, not attorneys’ fees in child sex abuse cases

California school districts could be on the hook for about $3 billion in liability for child sexual abuse lawsuits. Up to 40% may go to trial attorneys.

By Edgar Zazueta • February 9, 2026

Backpacks hang in wooden cubbies inside an elementary school classroom, with several children in red shirts and khaki pants sitting on the carpeted floor in the background.

Commentary

Will California lawmakers break their promise to child sexual abuse survivors?

In 2019, the Legislature and Gov. Newsom closed a loophole that allowed schools to avoid liability for child sexual abuse. Now the law is under threat.

By John Manly • February 9, 2026

A person in a crowd holds drumsticks and strikes a white bucket while others stand around them, some wearing red shirts and baseball caps, during a gathering outdoors.

Commentary

Cal State reneged on pay increases for skilled trade workers but gave its executives raises

CSU agreed to a contract with “step” increases for workers, who helped it get state funding. Instead CSU will give them a one-time bonus.

By Ernesto Torres • February 6, 2026

A person wearing sunglasses and a light shawl walks beside another person in a suit outside a courthouse, surrounded by reporters and TV crews holding microphones and cameras.

Commentary

California can’t shed a history of persistent government corruption

Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.

By Dan Walters • February 6, 2026

Commentary

Los Angeles voters are moving ever leftward, shifting election politics in America’s second-largest city

Among the signs: LA’s Democratic Socialists are flexing new muscle, police limits and mansion taxes are popular, and ICE raids are galvanizing voters.

By Jim Newton • February 5, 2026

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California