April 21, 2025

A child wearing a blue shirt and light blue jeans sits on a twin bed next to their mom, who wears a blue-striped blouse and blue jeans.

K-12 Education

Trump is dismantling the education department. How that might harm special education

Special education is shifting to a different federal agency. Advocates fear the loss of expertise will harm students.

By Carolyn Jones • April 21, 2025

A box of Narcan nasal spray at UC Berkeley student organization End Overdose’s table at Sproul Plaza on Jan. 23, 2024. The organization passes out free fentanyl test strips to students, and gives other organizations training on Narcan usage. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters

Health

Steeply discounted overdose-reversal medicine now available to any Californian

California is making progress in curbing fentanyl-related deaths, but opioid overdoses continue to kill thousands of people every year.

By Kristen Hwang • April 21, 2025

Two giant doors with oval glass windows illuminate the silhouettes of people standing around and talking to each other at the state Capitol in Sacramento.

Data & Trackers

Special interests poured more than half a billion into California lobbying last year

Google, oil companies and utilities helped push California lobbying to a record $540 million in 2024, up 10% from the year before.

By Jeremia Kimelman • April 21, 2025

The backs of two people as they hold each other while looking at the burnt rubble that used to be their home.

Commentary

California lawmakers can do a lot to aid LA fire recovery. Steeper looting penalties aren’t part of that

There were relatively few arrests inside evacuation zones during this year's LA firestorm, yet California legislators have put looting center stage. The bills would mostly enhance already-stiff penalties, raising questions about why Democrats are making such a fuss.

By Robert Greene • April 21, 2025