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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

Kaiser Permanente in Oakland on Aug. 2, 2022. Photo Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters
A raging wildfire consumes a structure, with massive flames engulfing the scene. Bright orange and yellow fire contrasts against the dark sky, creating an intense and dramatic visual.
A person wearing a headscarf sits on a couch in a softly lit living room, gazing out a window. The room is decorated with patterned curtains, textured pillows, and a glass coffee table with snacks and empty plates. The mood is quiet and introspective.
A group of young children sit in a canoe and paddle down a stream on a river in the middle of a sunny day. Down the river in the background is a group of more children paddling in their canoes.
A person wearing a black t-shirt is shown sitting at a picnic table smoking in the shade of a gazebo along a lakeside on a very bright and sunny day.
A line of armored law enforcement officers in tactical gear and gas masks face a crowd at night, illuminated by vehicle headlights and flashlights. One officer stands in the foreground gripping a weapon with orange markings. A protester’s silhouette and a partially visible flag appear in the foreground, with tension palpable in the scene.
A judge's bench inside a California courtroom is framed by the state seal, the American flag, and the California state flag. A black chair sits empty behind a wooden desk, which is equipped with stacks of legal documents and a nameplate reading "Patience - Courtesy." Clear protective barriers are installed around the bench. The wood-paneled walls and subdued lighting create a formal and orderly atmosphere.
A person — with gray air and wearing a navy blue suit with a white shirt — stands in front of a stand with several microphones on it as they speak to a group of reporters in front of a glass building with white curtain blinds.
A medical doctor, wearing a yellow disposable isolation gown, grabs a patient's hand while surrounded by medical students who observe the doctor inside a hospital room.
A small group of golden mussels sits inside a jar lid, resting on a dark, reflective surface in direct sunlight. The mussels are wet and glossy, and their yellow-brown shells glisten in the light. The scene suggests specimen collection or inspection.

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