March 24, 2025

Firefighters in bright yellow jackets sprays water onto smoldering debris at the site of a fire. Thick smoke rises into the air, partially obscuring the charred remains of a building’s framework in the background. The scene is surrounded by rubble and burned structures.

CalMatters en Español

Nuevos mapas de incendios sitúan a casi 4 millones de californianos viviendo en zonas de riesgo

CalFire publicó su cuarta y última ronda de mapas de peligros codificados por colores. Cada color implica reglas diferentes.

By Ben Christopher • March 24, 2025

Housing

New fire maps put nearly 4 million Californians in hazardous zones. What does that mean for the people who live there?

CalFire released its fourth and final round of color-coded hazard maps. Different colors come with different rules.

By Ben Christopher • March 24, 2025

A "No Stopping at Any Time" sign, partially covered in graffiti, stands in the foreground of a landscaped area with spiky green and yellow plants. Behind it, a blue and gray industrial-style building with a metal roof is enclosed by a black fence. A concrete walkway with a railing leads toward the entrance. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds, and a power transmission tower is visible in the distance.

Homelessness

California considers more homeless shelter oversight after CalMatters investigation

State lawmakers will debate a bill to require annual inspections, new complaint processes and harsher penalties for local governments that don’t file mandatory reports.

By Lauren Hepler • March 24, 2025

Students walk through the UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2022. Photo by Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters

Commentary

Protect California’s international students so they don’t ‘walk on eggshells’ in fear of ICE

California ranks No. 1 in international students, who are afraid of escalating ICE activity on campus. Colleges pledged safeguards but their protections are limited.

By Nuo Chen • March 24, 2025