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Lynn La

Newsletter Writer

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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

People sit in rows of red theater chairs during an event in Sacramento. One person in the center holds both hands up in frustration while speaking.
WhatMatters
‘People are still mad’: Will California pass reparations bills?
After two reparations bills stalled in the final day of session last year, reparation advocates are campaigning today at the state Capitol to drum up support for the same measures. In partnership with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, the advocates are calling the rally “the first reparations advocacy day” in state history. […]
By • January 7, 2025
Assemblymembers sitting at their desks look at their phones and other devices during a floor session.
WhatMatters
CA lawmakers go to work on affordability, battling Trump
After a restful holiday break I’m returning to your inboxes — and state lawmakers are also returning to Sacramento today to begin the new legislative session in earnest. CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff dives into some of the most prominent issues on their to-do list, such as: State budget: Gov. Gavin Newsom has until the end of […]
By • January 6, 2025
A person with long, wavy hair sits on the floor surrounded by papers, holding and organizing a stack of documents. They are wearing a patterned blouse, glasses on their face, and sunglasses resting on their head. A large folder and various papers, some with writing and printed text, are spread across the area, creating a cluttered workspace. The person is focused on reviewing the paperwork.
WhatMatters
CA nurses demand changes to addiction recovery program
Scheduling note: WhatMatters is taking a well-deserved holiday break and will return to your inboxes on Monday, Jan. 6. For California nurses seeking help with alcohol or drug abuse, the road to recovery through a program managed by their licensing board can be fraught, writes CalMatters health reporter Kristen Hwang. Research shows that at least […]
By • December 20, 2024
A person wearing a long blue apron and red hat, stands in the middle of cow milking machines at a dairy farm.
WhatMatters
Newsom declares bird flu emergency in California
For nearly three years, bird flu has devastated poultry farms across the U.S. and California. The virus has since spread among cattle and there have been 34 confirmed human cases in the state — mostly among poultry and dairy workers — since the spring.  While there have been no known cases of human-to-human transmission so […]
By • December 19, 2024
A person in a dark blue suit and a red tie sits in a chair on stage and gestures while they speak. At left, the person's shadow, and that of a moderator are visible on a backdrop with the words "CALMATTERS" emblazoned on it. The setting is a forum or panel.
WhatMatters
California’s attorney general leads a ‘know your rights’ workshop for immigrants
From CalMatters’ Wendy Fry:  As California’s “Trump-proofing” efforts continue, Attorney General Rob Bonta was in Los Angeles Tuesday, issuing new “Know Your Rights” guidance for immigrant communities and warning people about notario fraud.  Bonta reminded immigrants of their rights to an attorney; to access their police report; to apply for secure housing without sharing their […]
By • December 18, 2024
A person arranges posters of people who have died while in-custody in San Diego jails on a table during an event. One poster, containing photos of 19 individuals, reads "stop the deaths!" at the bottom.
WhatMatters
Prop. 36 could lead to more deaths in CA jails
Public frustrations about organized retail theft and drug crimes galvanized California voters to overwhelmingly pass Proposition 36 in November. But the measure may invite another consequence, writes CalMatters criminal justice reporter Nigel Duara: More deaths in California jails. Championed by law enforcement groups, Republican legislators and some Democrats, Prop. 36 increases penalties for certain crimes […]
By • December 17, 2024
Four white voting booths with American flags and the word "VOTE" emblazoned on the side are visible. A person wearing a baseball cap casts a ballot in one of the booths. They're located in a room, reminiscent of a community center.
WhatMatters
After five weeks, California knows its election results. Dive in
The holidays may be coming up fast (have you finished all your gift shopping yet?) but one thing that took its time was California’s final election results. On Friday, 38 days after Election Day, Secretary of State Shirley Weber certified the results of the November election. Some key takeaways: More than 16.1 million Californians voted, […]
By • December 16, 2024
A side view of elderly person wearing a blue knitted sweater sitting in a yellow chair on stage next to another person during an event.
WhatMatters
Jerry Brown speaks on the American Dream, Trump and more
Jerry Brown, California’s longest-serving governor (1975-83, 2011-2019), had a lot to say Thursday. In an hour-long conversation hosted by the Public Policy Institute of California, Brown was typically blunt on a wide range of topics: The American Dream: In response to a PPIC poll that found most Californians do not believe that hard work will […]
By • December 13, 2024

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Lynn La - CalMatters
Lynn La is the newsletter writer for CalMatters, focusing on California’s top political, policy and Capitol stories every weekday.
CalMatters
California, explained
Lynn La
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. 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)