Politics

At the direction of a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, the state auditor will complete a detailed audit of spending on California homelessness programs. The number of unhoused has grown, even as spending has increased.

A bill to phase out all tobacco sales in California has been shelved, and anti-tobacco groups won't say why they didn't offer support. The bill was amended to focus on enforcing an existing ban on flavored tobacco.

Accelerated by the COVID pandemic, a shift by state officials toward emails and written statements is making it more difficult for journalists to be watchdogs for Californians.

Public transit agencies in California are struggling to avoid a "fiscal cliff" — and to persuade riders to return after the COVID pandemic. Advocates and legislators are seeking more state aid, but there are no simple solutions.

Gov. Newsom signs an oil profits penalty plan that is supposed to keep California gas prices under control. The oil industry says it will closely watch the regulations.

Many more gun owners are seeking California concealed carry permits, even in blue, coastal counties. Gov. Newsom and Democrats in the Legislature are trying again to limit where weapons are allowed.

Gov. Gavin Newsom starts defining his legacy on a four-day statewide tour that focuses on priorities interrupted by crisis and the COVID pandemic, including homelessness, criminal justice and health care.

The Newsom administration announces it will go through the state Energy Commission instead of the Legislature for a penalty on windfall profits of oil refiners.

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis postures for a possible presidential campaign, delegates to the California Republican Party convention this weekend remained unquestionably in support of former President Trump in 2024.

It’s not clear how the decision might affect those enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state’s health insurance program for low-income residents. Walgreens is a key provider of prescriptions for the program.