Commentary
California’s pro-housing laws have failed to raise new home numbers
New housing starts were around 100,000 a year when Newsom took office in 2019; they still hover around that number today.
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
Sen. Padilla elects not to run for governor, leaving a cloudy field of candidates
Sen. Alex Padilla joins other prominent people who elected to not seek California's highest office. Now there's no clear frontrunner — so far.
Commentary
Prop. 50 passage sets off a chain of political and legal maneuvers
Potential challenges in the courts and in Washington may affect whether Prop 50 influences the 2026 political races.
Commentary
They took her passport and treated her ‘like property.’ Will a new California law help workers like her?
California's newly signed law regulates recruiters of foreign workers to cut down on human trafficking, a form of modern slavery.
Commentary
With voting rights under attack, racial gerrymandering reappears
The U.S. Supreme Court decided it will address whether a key section of the Voting Rights Act is discriminatory and therefore illegal.
Commentary
Prop 50 is likely a stepping stone for Newsom’s nascent presidential campaign
Gov. Gavin Newsom told an NBC reporter he's not ready to talk about a presidential run, even though a Prop. 50 win could burnish his national image.
Reader Reactions
California families should feel safer thanks to law confronting antisemitism in schools
AB 715 creates the nation’s first statewide antisemitism prevention coordinator, a position dedicated to helping schools respond to incidents, train educators, track data and recommend future reforms. It also requires swift responses when bias occurs and promotes inclusive learning environments so that all students can learn without fear.
Commentary
Even California’s iconic industries are cutting back in this sluggish economy
Technology companies and Hollywood corporations are laying off thousands. The only job growth is in government and healthcare.
Commentary
In Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park, a fence won’t cure homelessness or addiction. But it’s a start
L.A. will spend $2 million fencing MacArthur Park. Critics say it will just hide homelessness and addiction issues in the neighborhood. Supporters say it'll make the area safer.
Commentary
Erie Canal creation contrasts with the glacial pace of public works in California
The historic canal was hand-dug and open in eight years. Today, some of California's public works projects are taking decades just to start.