Justice

The Pine Grove fire camp is the last juvenile fire camp in California. Image courtesy of Fireboys documentary

Reader Reactions

Re “Is California’s last youth fire camp worth saving?”; June 8, 2020 From what I read in this article, it’s really a no brainer. The words of those who experienced the fire camps and we’re so much better for it, say it all. I would rather see my tax dollars doing double duty. 1. Turning […]

By Reader Reactions • June 23, 2020

Activist Najee Ali, center, kneels with weekend demonstrators in front of the Palmdale Sheriff's station as protesters demand an investigation into the death of 24-year-old Robert Fuller, who was found hanging from a tree early Wednesday. On Monday, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra agreed to get the state involved. Photo by Josie Huang/KPCC/LAist via AP

Justice

State AG to probe one of two high desert hangings of black men

Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the inquiry as skeptics distrust local law enforcement, suspecting the deaths are lynchings, not suicides.

By Ben Christopher • June 15, 2020

Justice

Is California’s last youth fire camp worth saving?

California's last juvenile fire camp could close due to state budget cuts. Though critics question putting young inmates in danger for as little as $1 an hour, supporters say it's one of the few proven models for rehabilitation.

By Elizabeth Castillo • June 8, 2020

A group of progressive California lawmakers and district attorneys announce they will reject donations from police unions. Image via iStock

Elections

California progressive politicians turn away campaign cash from cop unions

Two state senators and a group of District Attorneys say thanks, but no thanks to campaign contributions from unions representing law enforcement officers.

By Ben Christopher • June 6, 2020

Los Angeles police officers strike demonstrators as they try to push them back during a protest over the death of George Floyd, May 30, 2020, in Los Angeles. Photo by Mark J. Terrill, AP Photo

California Divide

Newsom seeks statewide reform of police use of force

Lee este artículo en español. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that he has directed California’s police training agency to stop teaching the carotid hold as part of an effort to create statewide standards to guide police use of force. The move comes after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd by pressing on his neck with […]

By Nigel Duara • June 5, 2020

Lilly Ayers places a stick of sage in a bag while serving a customer at her store Queen Hippie Gypsy in downtown Oakland. All of the small businesses on Ayers’ block were damaged during California protests over the killing of George Floyd Minneapolis police.. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Economy

Collateral damage: Can small businesses survive this “double whammy”?

The timing couldn't be worse for small businesses in California just starting to reopen from the pandemic, then damaged amid anti-racism uprisings.

By Ben Christopher and Rebecca Sohn • June 5, 2020

Eddie Wutangsy uses a bullhorn while chanting to the crowd of several thousand protesters as they march past Fresno Police headquarters during a protest over the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, May 31, 2020. Photo by John Walker, The Fresno Bee

Justice

Voices of California protesters: same message, different motives

Nathaniel Johnson walked past a CVS pharmacy in Hollywood with his phone camera trained on men running out of the looted store with armfuls of stolen goods. After a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, Johnson had protested police brutality for two days while dressed in civilian clothes. But that afternoon, he decided to change […]

By Nigel Duara, Kate Cimini, Jackie Botts and Manuela Tobias • June 5, 2020