September 2020

College Beat

Welcome to Zoom University. That’ll be $500.

Some University of California campuses are charging new students hundreds of dollars for orientation sessions even though they take place entirely online.

By Janelle Marie Salanga • September 25, 2020

CalMatters en Español

Bienvenidos a la Universidad Zoom: Son $500

Algunos campus del sistema de Universidades de California le cobran a los nuevos estudiantes cientos de dólares por las sesiones de orientación, a pesar de que se realizan totalmente en línea.

By Janelle Marie Salanga • September 25, 2020

Inside the Newsroom

College Journalism Network expands, announces new partnerships

The CalMatters College Journalism Network will double in size this fall, offering paid fellowships to a diverse cohort of 14 student journalists from campuses across California.  We launched the network earlier this year with a two-part mission: improve CalMatters’ higher education coverage by focusing on student voices, and provide training and career opportunities for student […]

By Felicia Mello • September 25, 2020

WhatMatters

Dangerous fire conditions ahead

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, September 25. Incoming: heat wave Another big heat wave is set to blanket California this weekend — bringing with it gusty winds, increased fire risk, unhealthy air quality and potential power shutoffs even as Californians reel from what is already the worst fire season in recorded history. Temperatures could spike […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 25, 2020

California Divide

California’s rent strike: Who pays and how it works

Once a fringe tactic, rent strikes are gaining political attention around the state as renters seek payment relief amid the coronavirus recession.

By Nigel Duara • September 25, 2020

Commentary

California setting a positive tone for criminal justice reform

Bills sent to the governor will lead to fewer senseless arrests and fewer people unnecessarily sitting in prison and jail, while saving the state money.

By Guest Commentary • September 25, 2020

Reader Reactions

Alternative proposal to Electoral College could make matters worse

If California awarded electoral votes on a proportional basis but other states did not, our impact on the national election would be diminished.

By Guest Commentary • September 25, 2020

Commentary

Is Newsom serious about banning gas-powered cars?

Is Gov. Gavin Newsom serious about banning sales of internal combustion-powered vehicles, or is this just another impractical goal?"

By Dan Walters • September 25, 2020

CalMatters en Español

Opinión: California podría perder dólares de impuestos federales durante 10 años debido al Censo inexacto

Cuando terminen las elecciones, podríamos estar manejando cifras de censo inexactas que tendrían un efecto negativo en el bienestar financiero de California durante los próximos 10 años.

By Guest Commentary • September 24, 2020

Education

California for all? Few public schools pursuing elementary waivers

Almost every waiver application for in-person instruction for grades K-6 has been approved by the state for schools in counties deemed a high risk. But private schools comprise an overwhelming majority of those schools, creating an equity problem.

By Ricardo Cano • September 24, 2020