California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

A powerful waterfall cascades down a steep granite cliff in Yosemite National Park, with Half Dome visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Yosemite land giveaway shows no place is safe from Trump’s assault on public lands

The Trump administration is finding ways to sell, lease or give away millions of acres of protected public lands and national parkland to developers.

By Mark Butler

A group of demonstrators holds signs outside a building, including one that reads “Block the Merger” and another opposing the Paramount merger.

Deal allowing Paramount-Warner Bros. merger may not cure Hollywood’s troubles

Rising tax breaks haven't stopped the decline of film and TV jobs in Southern California over the years. Two industry giants merging will likely add to it.

By Dan Walters

The CalPERS headquarters building in Sacramento is seen from the side with a row of tables set underneath a patio area near grass.

Why California’s AI transparency law for state government use was destined to fail

California's attempt to make state government use of AI more transparent was an interesting experiment, but ended in failure, as many experts and watchdogs warned.

By Victoria Copeland and Stevie Glaberson

Smoke clouds cover an orange sky as a firefighter stands at the end of a ladder using a fire hose to put out flames on the roof of a house as while stepping on a ladder.

Did Altadena’s unincorporated status play a role in safety lapses during the Eaton fire?

Unincorporated Altadena relied on county agencies during the 2025 fire. Most residents polled said they weren’t warned and never saw a firefighter.

By Aimery Thomas

A person speaks into a megaphone while standing beside a large protest sign that reads “Corporate Pay & Profits Bad-Mart,” listing profits and executive pay figures. Behind them, several people hold signs reading “Unrig California” and “Stop the corporate freeloaders,” while others watch and record on their phones.

Commentary

Would closing California’s corporate tax loopholes actually generate new revenue?

Public service workers unions celebrated Newsom signing a bill aimed at closing corporate tax loopholes, but some of the most obvious targets are relatively small.

By Dan Walters • September 29, 2026

A "for sale" sign is posted in front of a home in Sacramento on March 3, 2022. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Commentary

How immigrants get locked out of buying a California home — even when they can afford it

The U.S. systems of home sales and financing often ignore immigrants’ pre-U.S. financial resources and credit histories, even for people buying with cash.

By Anastasiia Chystiukhina • September 29, 2026

Sheriff's Deputies escorts inmates down a secured hallway at downtown Central Jail in San Diego in 2015. Photo by Nelvin C. Cepeda, The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP Photo

Commentary

Undercover jailhouse stings have value. California shouldn’t abandon them

Perkins operations have helped resolve some of California's toughest cases. Despite recent scrutiny, they remain valuable and effective when done correctly.

By Vern Pierson • September 28, 2026

The back of a group of people as they row a boat across a body of water and towards a plot of land in the distance.

Commentary

Protecting California’s coastal waters helps heal the ocean — and its tribal caretakers

The Chumash community has asked California to protect more of the Pacific around the Channel Islands and to formalize a co-management framework.

By Eva Pagaling • September 25, 2026

A person deposits a ballot into an official ballot drop box on a city sidewalk. Another person stands nearby, holding a phone and election pamphlet, observing the process. The ballot drop box has an American flag design with "OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP BOX" clearly visible in bold text. The backdrop shows a large, historic building with cars parked on the street.

Commentary

Tilting California voters toward raising local taxes often involves tricks, manipulation

Municipalities and school districts can't legally spend tax dollars pushing ballot measures. But many do anyway, calling its outreach "information".

By Dan Walters • September 25, 2026

Two unidentifiable people holds signs in protest against Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. One sign reads," AG Bonta: No Deal. Block the merger!" The other sign reads, "More media giants + fewer stories and higher prices! Block the merger."

Commentary

Bonta’s cave on Paramount-Warner deal fits California’s history of corporate surrender

Attorney General Rob Bonta isn't the first state official to give in to corporations after tough talk about standing up to them. Governors Newsom and Brown did it, too.

By Dan Walters • September 24, 2026

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

Commentary

Jail deaths have surged under California’s elected sheriffs. This reform offers accountability

Counties pay out millions for lawsuits after jail deaths, but sheriffs run the jails. A bill awaits Newsom's signature that could alter that balance of power.

By Paul R. Parker • September 24, 2026

Commentary

California could save millions by paying homeowners to switch to electric appliances

Gov. Gavin Newsom considers paying homes to switch from gas appliances to heat pumps and induction stoves — instead of funding gas line repairs.

By Matt Vespa • September 22, 2026

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