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

A person, wearing black sunglasses, a black sweater and blue pants, scans their credit card on an electric vehicle charging port while a pump is connected to their white car.

Commentary

Given its failures, can California manage a transition to a carbon-free future?

The mileposts on the road to a carbon-free California are beginning to appear, but the state is already falling behind. The just announced closure of another refinery isn't reassuring.

By Dan Walters • April 23, 2025

Solar installers from Baker Electric place solar panels on the roof of a residential home in Scripps Ranch, San Diego on Oct. 14, 2016. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Commentary

Keeping California’s lights on will require a major electricity market, partnerships across the West

Senate Bill 540 will help California reach its challenging but achievable goals of clean, reliable and affordable electricity by moving toward an expanded energy market across the West.

By Michael Wara • April 22, 2025

A row of stacked white shipping containers with the word 'Matson' printed on them dominates the background. In the foreground, parts of a semi-truck and a red shipping container are visible. The scene is set along a hillside with sparse greenery under a clear blue sky.

Commentary

California’s economy was already sluggish before Trump’s global tariffs

California's high unemployment rate and job losses in private industries predated President Trump's global trade crusade.

By Dan Walters • April 22, 2025

The backs of two people as they hold each other while looking at the burnt rubble that used to be their home.

Commentary

California lawmakers can do a lot to aid LA fire recovery. Steeper looting penalties aren’t part of that

There were relatively few arrests inside evacuation zones during this year's LA firestorm, yet California legislators have put looting center stage. The bills would mostly enhance already-stiff penalties, raising questions about why Democrats are making such a fuss.

By Robert Greene • April 21, 2025

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

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California