David Wagner, KPCC, Author at CalMatters

A customer buys Thai food at the East Hollywood Farmers Market, June 6, 2019. Photo by James Bernal for KPCC

California Divide

Immigrant entrepreneurs continue to shape California’s economy

by David Wagner, KPCC June 19, 2019May 24, 2023

Immigrants tend to be bigger risk-takers than people born in California when it comes to starting a business. Here’s why that’s good for the economy.

Heather Altman looks through old health insurance bills in her Long Beach home office. Photo by David Wagner, KPCC

What’s in Gov. Newsom’s budget for middle-class Californians?

by David Wagner, KPCC January 28, 2019May 24, 2023

Patricia Ortiz meets with Rosa at the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project offices in Los Angeles to discuss her asylum case. Photo by David Wagner, KPCC

California Divide

California housing costs push migrants away from areas providing the most help

by David Wagner, KPCC December 19, 2018June 23, 2020

Nereida locks up after finishing a Wednesday shift at the Los Angeles optometry shop where she works full time, Aug. 22, 2018.

Economy, Homelessness

Thousands of Californians are working while homeless, and many don’t want their bosses to know

by David Wagner, KPCC September 1, 2018June 23, 2020

Recruiter Matt Stone

Is California’s high cost of housing cost scaring off job seekers?

by David Wagner, KPCC May 24, 2018June 23, 2020

Joe Fernandez stands next to a giant Connect Four set in his company’s downtown Los Angeles warehouse. The Joymode co-founder says, among his customers, “Pretty much anything you can get giant versions of is really popular.” Feb. 5, 2018.

How California’s gold rush forged the path for today’s tech innovators

by David Wagner, KPCC March 12, 2018June 23, 2020