California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

A group of five people, dressed in professional attire, sit on chairs on a stage in front of a crowd, with a banner behind them reading “Governor Candidate Forum.” Four of the five people sitting on stage have their hands up to answer the question while a crowd of people watches in the dark.

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.

By Dan Walters

A person in medical protective clothing, wearing a face mask and a hair net, pushes a hospital gurney through a hallway inside a hospital, viewed from an open door.

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.

By Stephen Martinez

Two people face each other as they speak: the person on the left has a happy expression and her arm to her chest, while the person on the right wears a grey suit jacket and glasses. Both people are standing in a park area on a sunny day. In the background is a fence to a baseball field.

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.

By Jim Newton

A close-up view of a person's hand holding a sign that reads "We wants answers! No more deaths!" and they stand at the front steps of a building surrounded by other people holding signs.

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.

By David Myers

A person wearing a blue suit stands in front of two American flags while as they look straight off into the distance during a press conference.

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.

By Dan Walters • December 12, 2025

A close-up view of a construction worker using a nail gun on a wooden-framed structure.

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.

By Rigel Robinson • December 12, 2025

A wide view of a park with palm trees, small soccer goals, and people scattered around the field, including someone pushing a shopping cart filled with bags along a curved walkway in the late afternoon light.

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.

By Jim Newton • December 11, 2025

A shirtless person holds up a sign that reads, “We are a nation of immigrants founded by immigrants,” while standing in the middle of a street filled with other protesters holding signs or flags from Latin American countries.

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.

By Sylvia Zamora • December 11, 2025

An aerial view of a river surrounded by farmland.

Commentary

Trump sides with agriculture again in California’s neverending water wars

Trump pushed changes at the Central Valley Project — a set of reservoirs and canals supplying water to Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys — pleasing farm groups.

By Dan Walters • December 11, 2025

An aerial view of a gray transportation ramp under construction. Building materials can be seen laying on the ground nearby.

Commentary

Cap and trade gets a new name and a new mission beyond cutting carbon pollution

Revenues from the state's carbon emissions auction will be used for high speed rail, wildfire suppression and legislators' discretionary spending.

By Dan Walters • December 10, 2025

A view of two silhouettes of students walking through a dark hallway of a school with light shining through a doorway at the end of the hallway. One silhouette holds a lunch box and a water bottle in one hand.

Commentary

California’s schools can’t afford to cut counselors. They keep kids alive in dangerous times

With suicide and violence stalking students, counselors are often the first to notice kids in trouble. They're also among the first to lose their jobs to budget cuts.

By Ayo Banjo • December 9, 2025

Firefighters use a hose to put out the flames of a burning house. Flames and fire sparks illuminate the night sky and atmosphere.

Commentary

Who’s seeking fire aid for Los Angeles, candidate Newsom or Gov. Newsom?

President Trump and Republicans in Congress last week ignored Gov. Gavin Newsom's requests for fire aid. Newsom has been critical of them recently.

By Dan Walters • December 9, 2025

Residents in a Planada drive through a flooded neighborhood on Jan. 11, 2023. The town was under evacuation orders after a series of storms flooded the area. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

California’s water partnerships are effective and in danger

Federal cuts imperil government and private water partnerships and hobble disaster planning. The state must maintain its water expertise.

By Letitia Grenier and Jeff Mount • December 8, 2025

A person jogs down a residential street lined with blooming jacaranda trees. Purple flowers cover the branches and the ground. The runner wears a dark tank top and patterned leggings, moving forward with a focused expression. Parked cars line both sides of the street under the bright, filtered sunlight.

Commentary

In a ‘sober active’ community, I can outrun my addiction

Addiction recovery starts when California creates spaces to replace isolation with belonging, where people can gain the confidence to change their lives..

By Raelynn Franklin • December 5, 2025