April 2022

Students attend Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley on March 1, 2022. Statewide, California public school enrollment is sliding. Photo by Salgu Wissmath for CalMatters

WhatMatters

The curious case of California’s disappearing kids

For the first time since the start of the century, fewer than 6 million kids are attending California public schools.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 12, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court, in Washington, D.C., on March 28, 2022. Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA

Economy

A California labor law that lets workers sue on the state’s behalf faces its toughest test

A pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling could hollow out a California law that lets employees collectively sue their employers over workplace law violations. Thousands of workers have used the law to address workplace issues, sometimes winning large settlements and changing company policies. But critics say the law mostly benefits the private attorneys doing the suing.

By

Grace Gedye

• April 11, 2022

Students in an AP English Literature + Composition class at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley on March 1, 2022. Statewide, California public school enrollment is declining. Photo by Salgu Wissmath for CalMatters

K-12 Education

California public school enrollment drops below 6 million mark

According to new data from the California Department of Education, enrollment continues to drop at faster rates than before the pandemic.

By

Joe Hong

• April 11, 2022

A duplex in East Sacramento. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Housing

Duplex housing law met with fierce resistance by California cities

Cities around the state are trying to circumvent California's new law allowing duplexes to be built on properties previously zoned as single family. Their methods include everything from removing parking and forbidding vehicle ownership to requiring arbitrary amounts of mature vegetation.

By

Manuela Tobias

• April 11, 2022

California State University Chancellor President Joseph I. Castro has been accused of mishandling sexual harassment allegations while serving as President of Fresno State University. Photo by Cary Edmondson, Courtesy of California State University, Fresno

College Beat

Cal State sexual harassment scandal: Your questions answered

In the wake of Cal State Chancellor Joseph Castro's resignation, here's what you need to know about Title IX and what's next for the university.

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• April 11, 2022

Commentary

Vaccine mandates are essential to state’s recovery

Requiring students and workers to vaccinate against COVID 19 will help California return to pre-pandemic normalcy, save lives and avoid long-COVID injury.

By

Guest Commentary

• April 11, 2022

Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert and Sheriff Scott Jones announced the arrest of a suspect in the Golden State Killer case in Sacramento on April 25, 2018. REUTERS/Fred Greaves

WhatMatters

After Sacramento shooting, a state prison release proposal is even more contentious

CalMatters is dedicated to explaining how state government impacts our lives. Your support helps us produce journalism that makes a difference. Donate now. Good morning, California. It’s Monday, April 11. This is political reporter Ben Christopher filling in for Emily Hoeven, who will be back with you Tuesday. Timing is everything. Since the early months of the […]

By

Ben Christopher

• April 11, 2022

People walk on a beach path as evening winds kick up sand in Long Beach on April 18, 2021. California's population has declined for the first time in its history and is now just under 39.5 million. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Commentary

California’s shrinking population has big impacts

Expansive projections of California's population growth have been proven wrong and if anything, the state is now losing population with serious social and economic impacts.

By

Dan Walters

• April 10, 2022

Several efforts are underway to cut insulin costs in California. Photo by George Frey, REUTERS

Health

Plans to curb California insulin costs abound. Will anything get done this year?

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pushing a first-in-the-nation plan for California to partner with a drugmaker to produce cheaper insulin. It’s one of many proposed state and federal remedies to soaring insulin costs.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• April 8, 2022

Commentary

Evolving pandemic science has outpaced need for vaccine mandates

A slate of five bills in the California Legislature requiring vaccination for COVID is discriminatory and unnecessary as the pandemic wanes.

By

Guest Commentary

• April 8, 2022