August 7, 2025

Law enforcement officers in tactical gear detain a person on the ground during a raid, pinning them on a sunlit sidewalk beside a vehicle. Several officers surround the individual, while scattered red and black pellets or debris are visible on the pavement. The officers wear patches and insignia indicating federal or border enforcement agencies.

Justice

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to lift temporary ban on roving immigration stops in L.A.

The federal government on Thursday filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to lift a temporary ban on “roving” immigration sweeps.

By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos • August 7, 2025

Two elderly people, sitting in front of a desk, complete a worksheet assignment inside a classroom at a school campus. Other students can be seen in the background.

CalMatters en Español

Por qué una nueva orden de Trump podría expulsar a miles de estudiantes adultos de las clases

El Departamento de Educación de EE. UU. informa que los estudiantes adultos sin estatus legal ahora tienen prohibido el acceso a ciertos cursos.

By Adam Echelman • August 7, 2025

Solar panels mounted on the roof of a house surrounded by trees, with soft sunlight filtering through the branches. The house has a shingle roof, brick exterior, and white window shutters, partially visible through the foliage.

Economy

California Supreme Court hands victory to rooftop solar panel owners

Justices told a lower court to revisit their decision to uphold cuts of 75 percent to payments for solar panel owners.

By Malena Carollo • August 7, 2025

Illustration of a woman wearing an prison uniform on a laptop labeled "C.D.C.R."; she's surrounded by a pile of textbooks, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation seal, a search input, a browser window with a lock on it, a crossed-out Wifi symbol and a silhouette of a person in a graduation uniform holding up a diploma

Higher Education

California inmates can take college classes, but often with no internet and limited tech

Even in California, where prison access to technology and research resources is better than average, students regularly face dead ends.

By Tara García Mathewson • August 7, 2025

Illustration of side-by-side posters contrasting 1960s California culture; on the left is a red-toned collage of campaign stickers for Ronald Reagan's 1966 gubernatorial run; on the right is a blue-toned psychedelic concert poster for The Grateful Dead at the Avalon Ballroom

Commentary

Jerry Garcia wasn’t political. But the Grateful Dead symbolized defiance in a deeply political moment

In 1966, the Dead were not political, at least not in the sense in which we are accustomed to considering politics. But these were inherently political days in California. Culture and politics swirled together.

By Jim Newton • August 7, 2025

Close-up of fingers interacting with a smartphone screen in a dark setting, illuminated by vivid blue and purple light from the device. The scene emphasizes digital engagement and the glow of technology.

Commentary

Deepfakes pose an obvious peril in politics, but California’s bans amount to censorship

Unfettered use of AI-driven deepfakes in political campaigns present an obvious peril, but so does any effort to prohibit free speech — no matter how distasteful.

By Dan Walters • August 7, 2025