California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state

Home items in Carolyn Young's yard on Oct. 26, 2023. Planada residents had to throw out many of their possessions after their homes flooded earlier in the year during torrential rain storms. Oct. 26 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Flooded California towns secured millions in aid. Who gets the money?

Residents of Planada and Pajaro want state aid to help alleviate debt incurred from rebuilding after January floods. Local officials want some money to go elsewhere.

By Nicole Foy

People hold placards as they attend a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody, in Los Angeles, on. June 8, 2020. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

California is the first state to tackle reparations for Black residents. What that really means

California’s first-in-the-nation task force on reparations is handing lawmakers dozens of recommendations, including a proposal that the state apologize for slavery and racist policies, and make financial amends.

By Wendy Fry, Erica Yee and Rya Jetha

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

‘Back of the line again’: California’s broadband plan deprioritized underserved regions, advocates say

After years of planning a broadband system to bridge California’s digital divide, officials deprioritized some low-income areas due to unexpected costs. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s committed to funding the entire network, but advocates are skeptical.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

United Farm Workers member Veronica Mota leads marchers in chants through Delano on Aug. 3, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

UFW wins first farmworker union vote under new California law

The United Farm Workers, which represents nearly 7,000 workers, won a unionization vote in Stanislaus County. It’s the first such win in six years and first under a law that went into effect in May.

By Nicole Foy

Assemblymember Liz Ortega speaks during an event at El Mercado Plaza Shopping Center in Union City on Sept. 25, 2023. The event highlighted California achieving its goal of installing 10,000 direct current fast chargers for electric vehicles. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

California Divide

Q&A: Assembly’s Labor committee chair prioritizes women, senior workers

With nine months' experience in the Assembly, Liz Ortega will lead the Labor committee after a strike-filled summer and several wins for low-wage workers.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • December 5, 2023

Kevin Mendoza, a migrant from Ecuador, is currently staying at a shelter in San Diego while he awaits his asylum court hearing. Nov. 8, 2023. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters

California Divide

Border Patrol dropped 42,000 migrants on San Diego streets. Now county, groups are seeking help.

San Diego-area nonprofits and faith organizations struggle to provide for tens of thousands of migrants border agents have released on San Diego streets.

By Justo Robles, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde and Wendy Fry • December 4, 2023

California Divide

‘A Christmas without lights?’ Families struggle to pay bills as California regulators consider electric rate increases

Angelica Vásquez is one of millions of people across the state that struggle to pay electric bills as California regulators decide on proposed rate increases. PG&E wants a rate hike to bolster the safety and reliability of its services.

By Justo Robles • November 15, 2023

California Divide

Though critical to the economy, California’s young workers toil in low-wage work

Young people are stuck earning low wages, working long hours — often while going to school — and often without benefits or work protections. Their hardships may hamper the state’s economy for years to come, researchers said.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • November 9, 2023

California Divide

‘A cruel joke’: California father freed from prison can’t go home to family after ICE deports him

Ramon Ruelas grew up in California and served a decade in prison. Now free, he can’t live with his wife and daughter, who are U.S. citizens. Lawmakers want California to stop handing former inmates like him to ICE. Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed the bills.

By Justo Robles • November 9, 2023

Construction workers on site of a tiny homes village in Goshen on June 2, 2023. Poverty rose to 14% among construction workers this spring. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

More working Californians slipped into poverty as pandemic aid expired

California’s poverty rate climbed and its working poor grew this spring, says the Public Policy Institute of California. Safety net programs played a major role in poverty rate changes.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • October 26, 2023

Aura Silva Vergara at the home where she stays in Memphis, Tenn. on Oct. 2, 2023.

California Divide

From Texas’ border to California: A tale of two cities’ response to migrants arriving unexpectedly

While many of the 900-plus migrants who arrived in L.A. from Republican states quickly integrated into the community, the few dozen who went to Sacramento found an under-resourced support system.

By Justo Robles and Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • October 11, 2023

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California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state

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