November 21, 2024

A person in a suit speaks at a podium labeled "GOOD-PAYING JOBS," gesturing with one hand. Behind them, two individuals stand near informational boards with text and graphics. The setting appears to be an indoor event space with industrial lighting.

Economy

Gavin Newsom vows to ‘leave no region behind’ on California jobs

Gov. Newsom touts the first of 13 regional plans to boost economic development across the state, which will go into a statewide blueprint to be released in January.

By Levi Sumagaysay • November 21, 2024

Four children stand outside a classroom against a wall with a row of hooks holding colorful backpacks. Two children on the left are facing each other, appearing to talk, while the two on the right focus on their bags. The scene captures a typical school day with bags of various colors and patterns hanging along the wall.

K-12 Education

Attendance is a bright spot in the latest California School Dashboard

Chronic absenteeism dropped to 20% last school year, but that is still higher than the pre-pandemic rate of 12%.

By Carolyn Jones • November 21, 2024

Illustration of Judge Howard Shore, a White man sporting glasses and a mustache, looking downward; there are two panels to the left and right of him showing police body cam footage of Tommy Bonds III, a young Black man, being pulled over; one panel also shows a closeup of Shore banging a gavel

Justice

California lets defendants challenge racism in court. Few have succeeded

A Garrison Project and CalMatters analysis of the Racial Justice Act found about a dozen successful cases in which judges took action on racial bias in the legal process.

By Sean Kevin Campbell • November 21, 2024

A person stands in the middle of a library aisle, surrounded by shelves filled with books. They are wearing a black V-neck shirt and blue jeans, with one hand on their hip and the other relaxed by their side. The background shows books neatly organized on both sides, leading to a window at the far end.

Education

Conservative professors and students are suing California’s community colleges, and winning

In numerous lawsuits, conservative professors and students allege that California’s community colleges are hindering their right to free speech under the First Amendment.

By Adam Echelman • November 21, 2024

A surveillance tower monitor, with a background landscape of a brown fence, river and mountains.

Technology

California’s ‘Trump-proofing’ likely won’t include AI — at least not yet

President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind an executive order that imposed AI safeguards, and could use tech to enable mass deportations. How far will California go in the other direction?

By Alex Shultz • November 21, 2024

A person wearing a navy blue suit and sitting on a chair behind a desk as they hold a stack of papers that read "The 2021-22 Budget" and "California's Fiscal Outlook".

Commentary

$165 billion revenue error continues to haunt California’s budget

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst warns government spending could expand California's small budget deficit over the next few years.

By Dan Walters • November 21, 2024