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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

A person wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, and a Raiders hoodie stands in a room, unpacking a partially assembled bicycle wrapped in protective packaging. A large cardboard box labeled "BIKES" sits nearby, with a detached bicycle wheel leaning against it. Several other bicycles and a repair stand are visible in the background.
Gunsmith Don Gregory shows off two new single action firearms recently released by Juggernaut Tactical in Orange on Sept. 21, 2023. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters
A basketball player wearing a green Cal Poly uniform holds an orange Wilson basketball while standing on a gymnasium court. The player appears focused, with a determined expression. The background features wooden bleachers with green padding, and part of the image is framed by an out-of-focus foreground element. The player is wearing white sneakers and a black undershirt beneath their jersey.
Paper signs are placed at the foot of a giant letter block sculpture outside a hospital during a recent evening. One sign reads "Protect Trans Kids" and the other reads "CHLA: Don't bow down to Trump."
A parking lot filled with various vehicles is seen in front of a gray building with a sign reading "Bruffy's Tow" along with its address and phone number. The building has small windows and a row of green bushes lining one side.
Fast food workers chant at a press conference where Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation boosting wages to $20 an hour at SEIU Local 721 in Los Angeles on Sept. 28, 2023. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters
Workers install lighting on an "X" sign atop the company headquarters, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, on July 28, 2023. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo
Several workers wearing orange shirts load a stroller filled with blankets and personal belongings into the back of a garbage truck. Another worker stands nearby, gesturing with gloved hands. A blue tarp, a bicycle, and other scattered items lie on the ground. A metal fence and a beige building with closed doors are visible in the background.
Inmates take laps in the courtyard at San Quentin State Prison on July 26, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters
An individual stands outdoors, illuminated by soft, golden sunlight from behind. They wear a plaid button-up shirt and have shoulder-length wavy hair. The background features a blurred structure and open space, adding a sense of depth to the scene.

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