November 2023

Water rushes out of the Oroville Spillway at Lake Oroville in Butte County, on March 26, 2023. California ended its 2022-23 water year on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. After years of severe drought, the reservoirs in the state water project ended the year at 128% of their historical average. That includes Lake Oroville. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

CalMatters en Español

Pese a que los embalses están en buen estado ahora que llegan las tormentas; es incierto si habrá un invierno húmedo en California

Read this story in English. Mientras los pronósticos azotan a California con tormentas de lluvia esta semana, los embalses del estado ya están llenos de agua. Es una gran diferencia con respecto a hace un año: los principales embalses del estado, que almacenan agua recolectada principalmente de los ríos en la parte norte del estado, […]

By

Rachel Becker

• November 17, 2023

Water

As storms arrive in California, reservoirs are in good shape. But the water forecast is murky

Unlike a year ago, water storage is above average. Whether the year is wet or dry, though, remains uncertain despite El Niño conditions.

By

Rachel Becker

• November 17, 2023

Home items in Carolyn Young's yard on Oct. 26, 2023. Planada residents had to throw out many of their possessions after their homes flooded earlier in the year during torrential rain storms. Oct. 26 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

Flooded California towns secured millions in aid. Who gets the money?

Residents of Planada and Pajaro want state aid to help alleviate debt incurred from rebuilding after winter floods. Local officials want some money to go elsewhere.

By

Nicole Foy

• November 17, 2023

Education

Grief, fear, and hopes for peace: California college students describe campus climates during Israel-Palestine conflict

Students at university campuses throughout the state are coming together - many times at odds - in their demands for peace and justice between Israel and Palestine. Here is a look at how the divisions are impacting California college students.

By

Haydee Barahona

,

Christopher Buchanan

,

Briana Mendez-Padilla

,

Jacqueline Munis

,

Hugo Rios

and

Amelia Wu

• November 17, 2023

Solar electric panels on the roof of the Hanover Olympic building, the first building to offer individual solar-powered net-zero apartments in Los Angeles, on June 6, 2017. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Environment

California reduces payments for rooftop solar power — for second time in a year

The utilities commission reduced payments to apartments, schools and businesses selling solar power to the grid despite a barrage of criticism. Commissioners say it reverses unfair subsidies.

By

Ben Christopher

and

Julie Cart

• November 16, 2023

Voting booths in front of an altar for Dias de los Muertos during the Latino Mock Voting event organized by The League of United Latin American Citizens in Tulare on Nov. 1, 2023. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters

CalMatters en Español

Muchos latinos de California no están votando en las elecciones. ¿Podrán esta vez los candidatos al Senado estadounidense motivarlos?

Read this story in English. Durante seis generaciones desde que emigró de México a Estados Unidos, la familia de Clarissa Rentería nunca ha votado. Si llegaban sobres de campaña durante la temporada electoral, los padres de Rentería, quienes trabajaban como empleados de un almacén en Woodlake, un pueblo agrícola de 7,600 habitantes en la región […]

By

Yue Stella Yu

• November 16, 2023

Migrants arrive to St. Anthony's Croatian Catholic Church in Los Angeles on two buses traveling from Texas on Sept. 19, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Commentary

Brownsville, Texas, to Los Angeles: The migrants forced to travel through American politics

Since June, nearly 1,000 migrants have been bused from Texas to Los Angeles as a political stunt. A patchwork system has emerged to provide care, services and a humane entry to U.S. life once they reach California.

By

Jim Newton

• November 16, 2023

Politics

Many Latino Californians aren’t voting. Can U.S. Senate candidates motivate them?

Latino voters are up for grabs in the 2024 California election, and could help decide who wins the U.S. Senate seat. But will the campaigns do enough outreach to convince them?

By

Yue Stella Yu

• November 16, 2023

Sara Keeler, center, a scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, participates in the first-ever California State Scientists’ Union employee strike in front of the CalEPA Headquarters in Sacramento on Nov. 15, 2023

Environment

California state scientists strike, demand equal pay

More than 4,000 state scientists have worked under an expired contract for three years. Average wages in 2020 were $83,586, 27% less than state engineers' pay. The state filed an unfair labor practice charge to stop the strike.

By

Rachel Becker

• November 15, 2023

Hillel, a campus religious group, hosts a rally calling for the release of kidnapped Israelis at UCLA's Wilson Plaza in Los Angeles on Nov. 7, 2023. A Shabbat table with place settings represents the seats of those who have been kidnapped by Hamas. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Higher Education

UC regents tackle free speech, safety concerns amid Israel-Palestine conflict

UC regents announced they will commit $7 million to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia on campuses. The money will go to training faculty and staff, and to mental health services for staff and students.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• November 15, 2023