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Lynn La

Newsletter Writer

Lynn La is the newsletter writer for CalMatters, focusing on California’s top political, policy and Capitol stories every weekday. She produces and curates WhatMatters, CalMatters’ flagship daily newsletter with more than 150,000 subscribers.    

In the newsletter, Lynn analyzes the state’s policy issues for a broader audience, through original reporting and by summarizing and compiling stories from CalMatters and other news sources. Recently, she has reported on bills to address California’s worsening fentanyl epidemic, tackle retail theft and legislate happiness. She also reveals more about lawmakers by interviewing them for an occasional series on first-term legislators in 2023 and new committee chairpersons in 2024. 

Through WhatMatters, Lynn also plays a crucial role in CalMatters election coverage, helping to keep track of daily developments in key campaigns, including legislative and congressional races and ballot measures.  

Prior to joining CalMatters in March 2023, she wrote for the education technology startup Guild and was a senior editor at CNET. She also covered public health at The Sacramento Bee as a Kaiser media fellow and was an intern reporter at Capitol Weekly. 

Lynn is based in the Bay Area. She graduated from UC Davis and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Other languages spoken: Vietnamese (basic)

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Latest Stories

Food items at the Basic Needs Program site at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg on May 4, 2023. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters
A photo of a stone memorial with the words "Victims of Drunk Drivers Memorial" on it next to the photos of various people.
California Governor Gavin Newsom stands and speaks at a podium with his arms spread out during a press conference. He is dressed in a suit and tie, standing in front of a blue curtain with a partially visible California state flag and an American flag in the background.
Cars drive down a two-way road pass a row of shops and businesses in a rural community overlooking mountains. A sign that reads "Lakeside" hangs above the busy street.
The UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2022. Photo by Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters
A crowd of protesters march near a row of federal agents that stand in a line in front of the entrance of a bridge.
A stack of blue and yellow campaign posters reading “Vote Yes on Prop 50, November 4th” rests on a white folding chair at an event. The posters are surrounded by other political signs, including one criticizing Rep. Valadao, in a crowded booth-like setting.
A line of police officers in riot gear stands across from a group of protesters holding handmade signs and flags during a street demonstration. The groups face each other on opposite sides of yellow police tape, with one protester speaking through a megaphone.

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