Commentary

A group of five people, dressed in professional attire, sit on chairs on a stage in front of a crowd, with a banner behind them reading “Governor Candidate Forum.” Four of the five people sitting on stage have their hands up to answer the question while a crowd of people watches in the dark.

No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot

A poll shows three Democrats and two Republicans have voter support percentages in the teens. The top two vote-getters in June will face off in November.

By Dan Walters

A person in medical protective clothing, wearing a face mask and a hair net, pushes a hospital gurney through a hallway inside a hospital, viewed from an open door.

She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system

Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.

By Stephen Martinez

Two people face each other as they speak: the person on the left has a happy expression and her arm to her chest, while the person on the right wears a grey suit jacket and glasses. Both people are standing in a park area on a sunny day. In the background is a fence to a baseball field.

A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass

Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.

By Jim Newton

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.

Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.

By David Myers

Painted letters and numbers on the asphalt of a school as the feet and shadows of young children can be seen in the background.

Commentary

California’s early intervention for youngsters with special needs is a lifeline — hanging by a thread

Federal cuts to Medicaid will mean fewer slots, longer waits and fewer therapists at Early Start, a program for children and babies with special needs.

By Kelly Keck • November 17, 2025

Commentary

California colleges must target financial aid to students who need it most, despite federal cuts

Federal cuts will produce new challenges for higher ed, but financial aid priority should go to those with little or no wealth and low incomes.

By Emmanuel Rodriguez and Laura Hamilton • November 14, 2025

A close-up of an ARCO gas station price sign on a bright day, with digital prices for unleaded, unleaded plus, and unleaded premium gasoline. An American flag waves on a pole in the background against a clear blue sky.

Commentary

Newsom’s gas price crusade morphs into bid to keep refiners open

A study Gov. Gavin Newsom commissioned describes higher margins oil refiners receive for their products, which become gasoline.

By Dan Walters • November 14, 2025

A person wearing glasses and a black jacket stands in front of a wooden podium, speaking into a microphone, during a press conference at the site of a wildfire, as tractors work behind them, moving debris. Other people surround them, all wearing construction helmets and safety vests.

Commentary

In L.A. mayor’s race, Karen Bass is vulnerable but she’ll be tough to topple

As L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' runs for re-election, will Austin Beutner, former L.A. schools chief, developer Rick Caruso or President Trump be factors?

By Jim Newton • November 13, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers a pre-recorded State of the State address via YouTube on June 25, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

California is a high-tax state. Are more taxes a balm for its budget deficits?

California ranks near the top in tax rates but still has structural deficits in its budget. Legislators would rather tax more than cut costs.

By Dan Walters • November 13, 2025

A person in a red vest bends down to place flowers at a memorial site in a wooded area. The memorial includes bouquets, a wreath on a wooden post, and a small wooden sign with the name “Polly Klaas” and another sign reading “For a brief moment an angel rested here.”

Commentary

California study is asking crime survivors what we need

Polly Klaas' sister regrets that politicians used Polly's death to justify "tough on crime" laws such as California's Three Strikes law. A study will collect survivors' thoughts.

By Jess Nichol • November 12, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom stands on a stage, speaking into a microphone at a podium that reads “Take It Back,” with his arm extended in front of a giant American flag.

Commentary

Newsom plays climate warrior, compromiser and coy candidate

Gov. Gavin Newsom attracted national news coverage thanks to Proposition 50 before jetting to Brazil for a climate conference President Donald Trump avoided.

By Dan Walters • November 11, 2025

A person in a graduation cap and gown holds there hands together, near their chest, as they smile and face up towards a crowd during an outdoor graduation ceremony at a university stadium.

Commentary

Flipping fairness: California’s ‘colorblind’ laws fail Black students

A scholarship meant to repair racial terror now must include descendants of those who were never targets of it. Critics now say such programs are discriminatory.

By Marcus Anthony Hunter • November 10, 2025

Registered nurse Kristie Scheidt walks past some of the rooms in the intensive care unit inside El Camino Health Mountain View Hospital in Mountain View on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. Photo by Randy Vazquez, Bay Area News Group

Commentary

Hospitals want to be free to raise prices. California is right to limit them

A hospital group's lawsuit challenges the state's caps on price increases, as state leaders also try to help consumers cope with federal health care cuts.

By Amanda McAllister-Wallner and Kiran Savage-Sangwan • November 10, 2025

A stack of multicolored shipping containers, including brands like COSCO, Wan Hai, and tex, sits at the Port of Los Angeles. Above, a semi-truck carrying a blue container drives across a bridge, silhouetted against a light sky. The composition emphasizes the scale and flow of international freight transport.

Commentary

Pollution-plagued port communities near LA and Long Beach say regulator excludes them

Communities near the ports say regulators didn't consider their input when weighing a cooperative agreement about pollution from the ports.

By Theral Golden and Paola Vargas • November 7, 2025

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California