Commentary

Two people in suits sit on a studio set, one speaking with hands raised mid-gesture while the other turns toward them, listening.

Spencer Pratt wants to be LA’s next mayor. His tell-all book won’t help him

In his memoir, Pratt describes himself as selfish, undisciplined and unprincipled. He deflects blame, squanders fortunes and complains a lot.

By Jim Newton

A side view of a row of voters sitting in front of voting machines separated by blue dividers. The photo focus on a voter who rest their right hand on their chin as they contemplate their voting selections.

How the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling could affect California’s gerrymandered districts

The High Court's decision guts the Voting Rights Act’s impetus to draw districts so non-white ethnic groups get congressional representation.

By Dan Walters

A visitor center sits at the base of steep granite cliffs, surrounded by tall trees. People walk up and down the steps, gather near the entrance, and rest on benches outside. A sign reading “Welcome Center” is mounted on the building, while an American flag stands nearby. The dramatic rock face rises behind the scene under a clear blue sky.

We can’t ‘restore’ American history by flagging Native American books

Pres. Donald Trump is pressuring Redwood National and State Parks to tag tribally-centered books and material critical of American history.

By Kerri Malloy

A person wearing a white polo shirt and a headset microphone holds up a folded U.S. dollar bill while speaking on a stage, with a large pink-lit screen blurred in the background.

Billionaires aren’t going to flee California. Others will without a budget fix

The idea that billionaires will flee California over a proposed wealth tax is bunk. Still, the ballot initiative is only a Band-Aid, and impedes a more serious conversation about the state's deeper fiscal problems.

By Yousef Baig

Sunlight illuminates a portion of a street as a person, holding multiple bags, walks with two pitbull dogs standing behind them. A brick wall filled with graffiti and a brown truck can be seen nearby.

Commentary

California’s sky-high living costs afford it the nation’s highest poverty label — again

California ties Louisiana for the highest share of poor people. Lawmakers say they just passed bills that will lower housing, electricity and gasoline costs.

By Dan Walters • September 16, 2025

An individual wearing a red hoodie and cap uses a broom to clean a concrete walkway near a house surrounded by trees. A burned-out car is visible on the left side of the image, and debris from a fire is scattered around the property under a clear blue sky.

Commentary

After LA fires, a ‘toxic soup’ lingers in the homes that remain, endangering families

After the Eaton and Palisades fires, some still standing homes are embedded with toxic residue, including cyanide, asbestos and heavy metals. Insurers don’t want to cover this.

By Nicole Kolinsky • September 15, 2025

Protesters, wearing traditional Palestinian scarves, hold signs that read "immigrants we build America" and "Fight ignorance not immigrants" during a protest.

Commentary

Mask bans in California create constitutional questions that are hard to answer

Efforts to ban masks on protesters and to unmask law enforcement officers often balance competing societal priorities.

By Stephen Routh • September 12, 2025

A fast food employee stands and talks to customers behind the restaurant counter with the menu displayed behind them. In the foreground is the over-the-shoulder view of two customers as they talk to the employee.

Commentary

Two years later, Californians still don’t know full impact of the $20 fast food wage

Fast food prices barely went up but jobs held steady after the wage increase, researchers in a union-friendly economic center wrote. But an industry-backed study said 19,000 jobs were lost.

By Dan Walters • September 12, 2025

A row of colorful Victorian houses, known as the Painted Ladies, with the San Francisco skyline in the background under a pastel pink and purple sunset sky.

Commentary

Political change is coming to San Francisco Bay Area, a Democratic stronghold

Two mayors, San Francisco’s Daniel Lurie and San Jose’s Matt Mahan, personify the rising influence of centrists among Bay Area Democratic leaders.

By Dan Walters • September 11, 2025

High-rise buildings under construction overlooking a transit stop as a train approaches the station.

Commentary

The longer California squabbles over ‘local control,’ the more people it pushes to other states

California’s housing crisis produces untold human misery and environmental degradation. It also proves that control can no longer be local when the consequences are universal.

By Stan Oklobdzija • September 10, 2025

A person wearing a navy blue suit, white dress shirt, and dark tie speaks passionately at a press conference, gesturing forward with one hand. The background features surfboard-shaped artwork in muted colors and part of a white wall with decorative molding.

Commentary

Gavin Newsom’s snark attacks on Trump boost his national standing — at least for now

Polling and other political tests show Newsom as the unofficial Democratic frontrunner, three years before voters will elect the next president.

By Dan Walters • September 10, 2025

A man drinks water during a heat wave in Los Angeles on July 13, 2023. Photo by Damian Dovarganes via AP

Commentary

Extreme heat in homes sickens and kills. California lawmakers can fight it

As climate change makes for more 100-degree days, California legislators are considering a bill to set a maximum indoor temperature standard for homes.

By Pedro Zacarias • September 9, 2025

Construction workers wearing green neon vest work on a concrete pavement of a housing project during a sunny day.

Commentary

Political friction percolates over California housing policy and workers comp payouts

In the final week of the legislative session, state and local officials are arguing over a housing density bill and how much local governments can share in workers' on-the-job injury money.

By Dan Walters • September 9, 2025

A life-sized mannequin laying on a hospital bed as two nursing students sit on a table nearby while they use syringes to practice injection procedures.

Commentary

California faces a nursing shortage. Community colleges can help

Assembly Bill 1400 would enable some of California’s community colleges to offer bachelor of nursing programs. Students could pursue their education in their communities, at a cost they could afford.

By Betty Limon • September 8, 2025

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California