Voices Spotlight
Trump endorsing Hilton may change governor race
If Steve Hilton pulls ahead, it cuts the chances for a Republican governor. Read more.
Series Spotlight
License to Kill
Read our investigative series on how California routinely allows dangerous drivers stay on the road.
INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
What goes into our reporting on California’s biggest issues – how investigative stories come together, what challenges journalists face, CalMatters’ latest plans and more.
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EDUCATION
About College Beat
College Beat is produced by the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. Read more.
POLITICS
Project Spotlight
Digital Democracy
Check out CalMatters’ custom-built AI tool that tracks every word spoken in public hearings, every dollar donated to politicians, every vote cast and more.
JUSTICE
Investigation
They were convicted of killing with their cars. No one told the DMV
A CalMatters investigation found that courts didn’t report hundreds of vehicular manslaughter convictions, prompting officials to belatedly take many drivers’ licenses.
HEALTH
Series Spotlight
No Deliveries
Explore why hospitals are shutting down maternity wards, what this means for parents-to-be with limited options, and whether anything can be done to protect access.
ENVIRONMENT
Series Spotlight
Lake Tahoe: A tarnished jewel
Lake Tahoe is an innocent victim — but there isn’t just a single villain. This series reveals the problems plaguing this alpine treasure.
ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY
Tech Spotlight
Why California backed off again from ambitious AI regulation
For the third year, the state delayed AI regulations for disclosing and appealing many automated decisions.
CALIFORNIA VOICES
Guest Commentary
California shouldn’t price the public out of public records. Democracy is at stake
A bill letting governments charge for public documents would let them base the cost on the time it takes to review and redact the information. It doesn’t limit them.
After a four-year wait to see a dentist, her son suffered. With Medi-Cal cuts, the wait will be even longer
People try for months, sometimes years, to find dentists who take Denti-Cal, Medi-Cal for teeth. The state may slash those dentist reimbursements.
Yuba River Disaster: It could be coming to a river near you
Climate change and age are stressing California’s water infrastructure, endangering struggling salmon populations and other wildlife.
We want to hear from you!
Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. For questions, please email commentary@calmatters.org
DAN WALTERS
Trump endorsing Hilton may help keep California governorship in Democratic hands
If ex-TV commentator Steve Hilton pulls far ahead of Sheriff Chad Bianco, it cuts the chances for a 1-2 GOP outcome — likely the only way California can get a Republican governor.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
Inequality Insights
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.
