Guest Commentary

Commentary

Menstrual health isn’t part of California sex education. Why that needs to change

Many young Californians aren't properly taught about periods and feel isolated without a trusted source of information. A bill that would update a 2016 law to include age-appropriate facts about menstruation in sex education has garnered wide support, especially from teens.

By Sriya Srinivasan • May 9, 2024

Commentary

California schools can’t keep pace with utility bills. Solar energy offers a needed lifeline

New regulations made new solar installations financially unviable for school districts where utility bills remain a top budget expense. A legislative fix, Senate Bill 1374, could help restore the incentives.

By Sam Davis and Hugh Awtrey • May 7, 2024

Commentary

California restricts how police respond to protests. Why were bean bag shotguns used at UCLA?

A 2021 California law restricts when police can use rubber bullets, bean bag rounds and tear gas on protesters. A retired LAPD officer questions why less lethal munitions appeared to be indiscriminately fired into the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA last week.

By Jeff Wenninger • May 6, 2024

Reader Reactions

Sustainable farms need to come together, not cast blame over California methane program

Many California farmers have embraced sustainability and strive to curb their climate impact. Instead of casting blame over controversial programs, a Merced farmer says industry peers should be working together.

By Simon Vander Woude • May 3, 2024

Commentary

USC decision to deploy police on Gaza war protesters distorts public perception against students

A University of Southern California student says the actions and statements by administrators in recent weeks, including the decision to send police to arrest 93 pro-Palestinian protesters, has wrongly skewed public sentiments against their own students.

By Antonio Wu • May 1, 2024

Commentary

California needs constitutional change if it wants to get serious about homelessness

A California woman who was previously homeless says a proposed constitutional amendment is a critical step to ensure the state has enough housing for every person.

By Kim Reeder • April 30, 2024

Commentary

Fossil fuel shares no longer make financial sense. Why are California pensions still invested?

Research suggests California's pension funds have missed out on billions by maintaining investments in fossil fuel companies. As the state Assembly considers a bill that would start the clock on divestment, a CalPERS beneficiary says exiting fossil fuels is a responsible move for current and future members.

By Ruth Holton-Hodson • April 29, 2024

Commentary

How I explained AI and deepfakes to Oakland elders using only basic Vietnamese

Despite a year of headlines about AI, immigrant communities, particularly seniors, have been outside the conversation, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous uses.

By Lam Thuy Vo • April 26, 2024

Commentary

California wants to reform ticket sales for live events. Billion-dollar sports teams are fighting back

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices for live events in California have skyrocketed. A bill seeking to restore competition and finally give fans more choice on the market faces fierce opposition from California's billion-dollar sports franchises.

By Robert Herrell • April 24, 2024

Commentary

The U.S. Supreme Court just gave California a major opportunity to lower housing costs

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on housing impact fees has given California lawmakers an opening to address a key barrier to construction: cost.

By Louis Mirante • April 23, 2024