Capitol

Though Gov. Gavin Newsom has been criticized for "thwarting" the will of the California voter in freezing the death penalty, a new poll suggests he might have his finger on the pulse.

Former U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez loaned state Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva $430,000 to buy a house in Orange County—an arrangement that some legal experts labeled unusual, but that both politicians said was not improper and resulted from their friendship.

California legislation sparks a broader debate over how to advance equality for women in male-dominated sports.

Heather Hiles, president and CEO of California's new online college, advocated for granting a no-bid contract to executive recruiter Carolyn Carpeneti. Before becoming an executive recruiter, Carpeneti was a political fundraiser whose clients included then San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. Brown and Carpeneti became romantically involved and had a daughter in 2001.

California lawmakers pressure utilities to improve fire safety as Southern California Edison is blamed for the 2017 Thomas Fire and ensuing mudslides.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a longtime death penalty opponent, has announced a moratorium on executions in California. His move over-rides a decision the state’s voters made in 2016 to maintain capital punishment.

What better way to decompress from a stressful federal government job than by trekking 2,600 miles on foot from Mexico to Canada? That’s what Jared Blumenfeld, the new head of the California Environmental Protection Agency, did three years ago, setting out on the arduous and beloved Pacific Crest Trail that traces California’s searing deserts, rugged […]

In the Legislature, the policymaking—and political pandering—priorities of Sacramento are beginning to take shape. A by-the-numbers overview:

Most shelters for people experiencing homelessness still don’t accept pets. But a bill under consideration in the California Legislature aims to make the practice more common—creating $5 million in grants to reward shelters that welcome people and their pets.

California's landmark data privacy law won't take effect until 2020. In the meantime, lawmakers are fine-tuning it. Here's what to watch.