ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY
Tech Spotlight
Why California backed off again from ambitious AI regulation
For the third year, the state delayed AI regulations for disclosing and appealing many automated decisions.
INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
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JUSTICE
Investigation
They were convicted of killing with their cars. No one told the DMV
A CalMatters investigation found that courts didn’t report hundreds of vehicular manslaughter convictions, prompting officials to belatedly take many drivers’ licenses.
POLITICS
Project Spotlight
Digital Democracy
Check out CalMatters’ custom-built AI tool that tracks every word spoken in public hearings, every dollar donated to politicians, every vote cast and more.
HEALTH
Series Spotlight
No Deliveries
Explore why hospitals are shutting down maternity wards, what this means for parents-to-be with limited options, and whether anything can be done to protect access.
EDUCATION
About College Beat
College Beat is produced by the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. Read more.
ENVIRONMENT
Series Spotlight
Lake Tahoe: A tarnished jewel
Lake Tahoe is an innocent victim — but there isn’t just a single villain. This series reveals the problems plaguing this alpine treasure.
CALIFORNIA VOICES
Guest Commentary
Our house burned down but our mortgage didn’t. California fire survivors need time
Palisades and Eaton fire survivors had 12 months’ relief before resuming mortgage payments. Lawmakers are voting on a bill that would give them three years’ forbearance.
Peaches, pears and PFAS: California lawmakers may limit ‘forever’ pesticides in foods
PFAS chemicals were found in nearly 40% of samples of nonorganic fruits and vegetables California regulators tested in 2023. A bill would ban their use.
California treats homelessness spending as action. That’s not a measure of success
California understands the pathway into homelessness. What the state still lacks is a coordinated system designed to interrupt it before families lose housing.
We want to hear from you!
Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. For questions, please email commentary@calmatters.org
DAN WALTERS
18 years after California voters approved the bullet train, progress and finances are still stalled
The bullet train project launched in 2008 with promises of completion by 2020. Now it’s mostly concrete supports. No tracks or train.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
Inequality Insights
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.