Guest Commentary

Commentary

Gov. Newsom and Pres. Trump tell the same inadequate tale about Native America

Political leaders talk about “heritage” but not “sovereignty” and see Native tribes as part of the past, not as governments operating now.

By Kerri Malloy • November 24, 2025

Commentary

Sacred work: Museums and universities must reunite ancestors’ remains with tribes.

Federal and state laws challenge the taking of Native American bones and cultural items. Yet too little has been returned, a curator says.

By Jeannine Pedersen-Guzmán • November 24, 2025

Commentary

Here’s why L.A. fire survivors want Ricardo Lara’s resignation

Los Angeles area fire victims say Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has let insurers drop coverage, raise rates and delay or deny claims.

By Joy Chen and Jill Spivack • November 21, 2025

Commentary

California’s rural youth struggle alone with mental health. Their peers could learn to help them 

Suicide is 50% higher among rural young people than among others in urban or suburban environments. Many also live too far to get counseling.

By Alonzia Quinn • November 19, 2025

Commentary

California’s early intervention for youngsters with special needs is a lifeline — hanging by a thread

Federal cuts to Medicaid will mean fewer slots, longer waits and fewer therapists at Early Start, a program for children and babies with special needs.

By Kelly Keck • November 17, 2025

Commentary

California colleges must target financial aid to students who need it most, despite federal cuts

Federal cuts will produce new challenges for higher ed, but financial aid priority should go to those with little or no wealth and low incomes.

By Emmanuel Rodriguez and Laura Hamilton • November 14, 2025

Commentary

California study is asking crime survivors what we need

Polly Klaas' sister regrets that politicians used Polly's death to justify "tough on crime" laws such as California's Three Strikes law. A study will collect survivors' thoughts.

By Jess Nichol • November 12, 2025

Commentary

Flipping fairness: California’s ‘colorblind’ laws fail Black students

A scholarship meant to repair racial terror now must include descendants of those who were never targets of it. Critics now say such programs are discriminatory.

By Marcus Anthony Hunter • November 10, 2025

Commentary

Hospitals want to be free to raise prices. California is right to limit them

A hospital group's lawsuit challenges the state's caps on price increases, as state leaders also try to help consumers cope with federal health care cuts.

By Amanda McAllister-Wallner and Kiran Savage-Sangwan • November 10, 2025

Commentary

Pollution-plagued port communities near LA and Long Beach say regulator excludes them

Communities near the ports say regulators didn't consider their input when weighing a cooperative agreement about pollution from the ports.

By Theral Golden and Paola Vargas • November 7, 2025