Commentary

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

Chinook Salmon swimming along the Scott River on Oct. 30, 2023. The removal of the Klamath River dams over flows form the river is expected to affect salmon in rivers nearby. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

Salmon fishing shutdown marks a grim milestone. Why California shouldn’t give up hope

The cancelation of the commercial salmon fishing season for the third consecutive year in California is a grim milestone, but there are glimmers of hope, a top wildlife official argues.

By Charlton H. Bonham • April 18, 2025

Cars and shuttle vehicles drive through the drop-off section of the Los Angeles International Airport. Two people can be seen grabbing their luggage as they exit a white shuttle nearby.

Commentary

Los Angeles travelers will finally get to ride Metro rail to LAX. Soon. Probably.

For Angelenos, the most terrifying words in the English language are "Hey, can you give me a ride to LAX?" After decades, the airport will soon connect to L.A. Metro. Probably.

By Jim Newton • April 17, 2025

Commentary

Why is it so expensive to build affordable homes in California? It takes too long

One reason for the seemingly endless upward trajectory of rents is how expensive it is to build affordable apartments in California. A researcher explains how California differs from states like Texas and Colorado.

By Jason Ward • April 15, 2025

A weathered vintage-style sign reads “Welcome Salton Sea Beach” with a painted desert and ocean landscape. The sign features a red anchor-shaped arrow and a palm tree illustration. It stands along a quiet roadside with desert brush in the foreground and distant mountains and water in the background.

Commentary

California’s lithium future must include better recognition of overlooked Salton Sea communities

An effort to formally recognize the Salton Sea as an economic region was vetoed last year, but that has not stopped underinvested and underrepresented communities there from fighting for key infrastructure as lithium mining expands.

By Silvia Paz • April 14, 2025

A teacher sits at a table with a small group of students in a classroom, leading a discussion. A whiteboard behind them displays vocabulary words like “enough” and “jewelry.” The walls are covered with educational posters and a word wall. Empty desks and bins of supplies are visible in the foreground.

Commentary

Wide school disparities persist 54 years after California’s landmark funding decision

Several decades of fighting over how to "equalize" education funding have landed California back where it started, with an inequitable, taxpayer-funded public education system that can't close achievement gaps.

By Dan Walters • April 11, 2025

People, mostly wearing green and gold Oakland Athletics gear wait in line at a concession stand called "Coliseum Classics" inside the Oakland Coliseum.

Commentary

How California can reduce high concession prices in its taxpayer-funded stadiums

While sports team valuations climb higher and billionaire franchise owners get richer, attending games has become increasingly unaffordable for California families. "Street pricing" policies offer a solution, argues a former college baseball player.

By Alex Jacquez • April 10, 2025

New housing construction in a neighborhood on the outskirts of west Fresno on June 15, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

Other states do housing better than California; a new study shows how they do it

Terrible trio of a too small housing supply, too high living costs and too many homeless people plague California. A study says metro areas elsewhere are more pro-housing.

By Dan Walters • April 10, 2025

Construction of the High-Speed Rail going over the San Joaquin River along Highway 99 in north Fresno on March 3, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

New plan to accelerate California high-speed rail construction deserves attention, support

The new chief executive for California's high-speed rail project has a plan to accelerate construction and attract private investment. It'll require a stronger commitment from the state Capitol.

By Ray LaHood • April 9, 2025

A semi-truck with a blue container makes a wide turn next to a giant stack of pink and maroon colored shipping containers at a port.

Commentary

The pressure on California’s already shaky budget keeps on growing

The current state budget is already billions of dollars in the hole. When Gov. Gavin Newsom reveals his revised proposal in a month, it's not likely to be a pretty picture.

By Dan Walters • April 9, 2025

A side view of an afternoon sun shining on a street lined with tents for those experiencing homelessness with some cars and bikes nearby.

Commentary

LA feud is a prime example of the constant clashes between California cities and counties

What happened last week in California’s most populous county and its largest city exemplifies the intergovernmental tensions that spill out into public view during debates over the state's top issues.

By Dan Walters • April 8, 2025

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California