September 15, 2025

The backs of two students are seen walking through a pathway lined with trees and palm trees at the San Diego State campus.

Higher Education

More California high school seniors applied for college financial aid this year than last

About 340,000 California students completed a financial aid application, up about 11% over last year.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 15, 2025

A wide view of smoke clouds from two active wildfires filling the air of an area of a mountain range with houses.

Economy

California’s insurer of last resort would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk

The FAIR Plan faces accusations of denying smoke-damage claims and more. Can California lawmakers keep the insurer of last resort accountable?

By Levi Sumagaysay and Nadia Lathan • September 15, 2025

An individual wearing a red hoodie and cap uses a broom to clean a concrete walkway near a house surrounded by trees. A burned-out car is visible on the left side of the image, and debris from a fire is scattered around the property under a clear blue sky.

Commentary

After LA fires, a ‘toxic soup’ lingers in the homes that remain, endangering families

After the Eaton and Palisades fires, some still standing homes are embedded with toxic residue, including cyanide, asbestos and heavy metals. Insurers don’t want to cover this.

By Nicole Kolinsky • September 15, 2025

A close-up view of a child receiving a vaccine shot in their arm with their sleeve rolled up. Both the nurse and the child are wearing face masks and sitting near a table inside a make-shift clinic.

Health

As RFK pushes MAHA, federal cuts shut down California health and nutrition programs

Whether federal cuts are legal is still undecided. But local health departments have closed clinics, stopped programs, cut immunization appointments, and laid off workers anyway.

By Kristen Hwang • September 15, 2025