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 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

A suited speaker stands at a podium in front of the California state seal, with U.S. and California flags on either side, speaking into microphones while another person listens behind them.

Dan Walters

Assembly Speaker Rivas promises to scrutinize how California’s new laws work

Speaker Robert Rivas says real legislative oversight of the effects of new laws will become regular practice starting next year.

By Dan Walters • December 5, 2025

A view of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant complex, showing two large concrete domes and several industrial buildings. The scene includes solar panels, parked vehicles, and surrounding infrastructure, with parts of the image framed by a dark interior, possibly from inside a vehicle. The sky is overcast and slightly foggy.

Commentary

Wind, water and solar energy aren’t enough. California needs nuclear options

If California ditches fossil fuels for greener energy, we can still expect weekly rolling blackouts. But nuclear power is unaffected by weather.

By Leonard Rodberg • December 4, 2025

A wide-view of a classroom as students sit in round tables and raise their hands in the air.

Commentary

California’s education leadership mishmash makes it hard to know who’s accountable

Experts say there are too many confusing layers in state and local education governance. The governor should hire the state's schools chief.

By Dan Walters • December 4, 2025

Two people in white protective suits, face shields, masks, and rubber boots stand on the grassy shoulder of a rural highway, looking toward the road. A third person, dressed in scrubs and a dark sweater with tall boots, stands with their back to the camera. A large road sign juts into the foreground on the right, and a truck is partially visible on the roadside. The sky is overcast, adding a tense, somber atmosphere.

Commentary

The risk of lab experiments on animals extends to people, too

Eight lab monkeys escaped and seven were killed, showing why animal experiments should give way to better, safer testing methods.

By Emily Talkington • December 3, 2025

People hold black, yellow and white picket signs that say "Amazon: Obey the law" while they march in front of a building.

Commentary

California’s new labor law could have unintended and unwanted consequences

A new law allows a state board to intercede in labor disputes involving private employers. But is the law legal, since it usurps a federal role?

By Dan Walters • December 3, 2025

A child stands at the front of a street march holding a large poster with a photo of an older person seated outdoors holding a large bouquet of lilies. Above the photo, handwritten text reads “Mi abuelita no es criminal.” People around the child carry additional handmade signs and posters, along with large butterfly wing props. The group appears to be participating in an immigration-related protest or demonstration.

Commentary

After ICE arrests come health scares for the detained

Families of detained immigrants describe what many studies have found: ICE centers are ill-equipped to care for people with chronic illness, causing more suffering and death

By George B. Sánchez-Tello • December 2, 2025