Commentary
As oil and gas companies pivot to plastic, California neighborhoods become sacrifice zones again
As oil and gas companies pivot to plastic, certain California neighborhoods become unhealthy sacrifice zones again.
No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot
A poll shows three Democrats and two Republicans have voter support percentages in the teens. The top two vote-getters in June will face off in November.
She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system
Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.
A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass
Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.
California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.
Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
Commentary
Newsom relaxed his pro-housing stance for certain Democratic locales
Gov. Gavin Newsom is tougher on Republican-leaning communities that resist building housing than on similar regions run by affluent Democrats.
Commentary
Biomass is a money pit that won’t solve California’s energy or wildfire problems
Utilities customers help pay for biomass because electric utilities buy its products to produce electricity, paying four times more. Is it worth it?
Commentary
California’s freeways are fueling its housing crisis
Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.
Commentary
University of California’s $28 million system for pension payouts produced chaos and complaints
Like other California state officials, UC's managers failed to adopt its new information tech program, resulting in a lawsuit against the vendors.
Commentary
New federal law harms families who rely on CalFresh to put food on the table
Guest Commentary written by Hannah Mudgett Hannah Mudgett is a student at University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a master’s in public health Every day more than 5 million Californians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known here as CalFresh, to keep food on the table. It is our state’s largest anti-hunger program. Yet […]
Commentary
How an accessory dwelling could turn into a 20-story tower in Berkeley
Berkeley’s experience shows change is possible when local and state reforms align, and when communities let go of their fears about growth.
Commentary
Some Newsom detractors make up stuff, though there’s fodder for legitimate criticism
As California's governor prepares for an expected run for the presidency, a chorus of right-wing criticism is growing. Some of it isn't true.
Commentary
Crime is down and kids are back, but drugs still plague Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park
After a year of effort — and despite ICE’s military theatrics — L.A.’s iconic MacArthur Park is just beginning to regain some of its mojo. It still struggles with drugs and homelessness, though.
Commentary
When deportation was called repatriation: The US once expelled 1.8 million people to Mexico
Like today, Americans in the 1930s were reeling from economic hard times. Leaders made Latinos scapegoats and deported immigrants and some US citizens.