Economy

A close-up view an unidentifiable teenager holding cell phones in their hand as they hold a Starbucks drink and a shopping with the other hand. Another unidentifiable teenager also holding a cell phone is seen in the background.

Technology

California jury finds Meta, Google liable for teen’s mental distress in landmark social media trial

The jury awarded a family $3 million in the closely-watched case over Facebook and YouTube addiction.

By Colin Lecher • March 25, 2026

The back of a plane taking off from an airport is seen between runway landing lights, with an out-of-focus fence with barbed wire in the foreground.

Economy

Feds ramp up scrutiny in yearslong dispute over California airport money

The FAA wants California to prove it’s allocating jet fuel tax revenue to aviation. Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake.

By Levi Sumagaysay • March 25, 2026

A group of women that are inmates at a prison walk in their blue uniforms down an exterior path. One person is wearing a red shirt. To the left, stands a red brick building with bars on the window and razor wire over the top.

Justice

Digital tablets mellowed California prisons. Now a tech migration is riling users

Every incarcerated person in a California prison has a digital tablet enabling communication with the outside world. A new vendor is bringing more streaming entertainment, but with a cost.

By Joe Garcia • March 24, 2026

An aerial view shows a snow-covered mountain town at dusk, with rooftops dusted in white and warm lights glowing along a main street. A large hotel complex and nearby buildings cluster at the center, while forested slopes and ski runs rise behind them under a fading blue sky.

Economy

Nevada utility to Lake Tahoe: Find electricity elsewhere

Lake Tahoe’s longtime power supplier, NV Energy, will cut off the region next year. It has said data centers are driving “unprecedented” demand.

By Malena Carollo • March 20, 2026

Solar panels sit on the roof of a residential building overlooking San Francisco. The city skyline, including tall downtown buildings, stretches across the background under a hazy sky.

Economy

Solar panel reimbursements to remain low under California appeals court ruling

A California appeals court upheld a 2022 regulatory decision to reduce rooftop solar payments. Environmental groups may appeal to the state Supreme Court.

By Malena Carollo • March 10, 2026

A black charred staircase remains standing one of amongst rubble of what used to be home overlooking the ocean.

Economy

Some State Farm customers could see refunds while homeowner rate hikes stay put

State Farm reaches settlement over emergency insurance rate hikes after last year’s Los Angeles County fires.

By Levi Sumagaysay • March 9, 2026

A close view shows a person using a laptop displaying a news website with a headline and photo on the screen. Another laptop sits nearby on the desk, and the scene is set in a modern office environment with glass walls and overhead lighting.

Technology

It was John Wayne’s political club. Now it’s spending millions on online influence

The Lincoln Media Foundation has spent big to push ‘local’ conservative messaging

By Colin Lecher • March 9, 2026

An illustration in green, red, blue and yellow tones that shows a desktop computer screen with an open window tab that resembles a Pokemon battle scene. At one end of the screen is a pixelated student and at the other is a wolf that represents a chatbot. The illustration includes a bubble text that reads "where can students get free food on campus?" alongside other bubbles of text with red exclamation points.

College Beat

California colleges spend millions on faulty AI systems: ‘The chatbot is outdated’

Community colleges are spending millions on AI-powered chatbots that students say often give inaccurate answers. Many might see upgrades this year.

By Martin Romero • March 6, 2026

Rows of while shipping containers sit idle while overlooking stacks of pink and red shipping containers nearby.

Economy

California, 23 other states sue Trump over new tariffs

The states argue that President Trump is incorrectly using a never-before-invoked law to put these tariffs in place.

By Levi Sumagaysay • March 5, 2026

Front view of a light-colored house with a peaked roof, wooden double doors, and a landscaped garden. Trees and shrubs frame the foreground, and sunlight illuminates the facade under a partly cloudy sky.

Economy

California’s next insurance commissioner will have ‘brutal’ balancing act

Ricardo Lara’s successor will have a full plate. Insurance premiums are rising; fire survivors are struggling; the FAIR Plan is still growing.

By Levi Sumagaysay • March 5, 2026