September 18, 2025

Two non-profits filed arguments with the Fourth District Court of Appeal last week, asking the court to reconsider a claim they filed in 2024 that the environmental impact report for the Hell’s Kitchen lithium mine near the Salton Sea neglects potential problems with air quality, water use, hazardous materials and tribal cultural resources.

California Democrats’ redistricting plan would split the state’s traditional Republican stronghold into a sprawling coastal district with Bay Area liberals. North State conservatives say it would silence rural voices.

Sen. Alex Padilla says "there's too much at stake" for Democrats to remain idle in a political arms race between red and blue states. Meanwhile, he plans to introduce legislation that would establish independent redistricting commissions in every state.

The ethnic studies class was meant to focus on the cultures and histories of African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and Latinos. The state’s curriculum also encourages schools to add additional lessons based on their student populations, such as Hmong or Armenian.

A year ago, Newsom was denouncing gasoline refiners for gouging consumers and pocketing huge profits. During the just-concluded legislative session, however, he and legislators acted to increase oil production in California. What happened?