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

An aerial view of a lot with several one-story white buildings surrounded by grass and a couple of tress.

Commentary

California wants LA County to close its juvenile hall. Why it can’t is a failure decades in the making

The roots of juvenile probation failures in the nation’s largest county run deep — far deeper than the elimination of California agencies or juvenile justice realignment.

By Robert Greene • February 27, 2025

A row of tents and makeshift shelters, covered with tarps and surrounded by personal belongings, lines a grassy area near a railway under an overcast sky. A person wearing a dark coat and hat moves near a white tent. In the background, a train approaches on an elevated track, and scattered items, bicycles, and blue recycling bins are visible throughout the encampment.

Commentary

Newsom wants to blame others for California’s housing and homelessness failures

Gov. Gavin Newsom fell short of his vow to reduce homelessness and to build 3.5 million new homes. A new state website reports counties' progress on those goals.

By Dan Walters • February 27, 2025

Rain collects on a windowpane in Oakland on Feb. 27, 2023. Photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez, AP Photo

Commentary

California lacks the capacity to store water that atmospheric rivers dump on the state

There’s much to criticize in how California, once a global leader in large-scale water management, has faltered.

By Dan Walters • February 26, 2025

A sidewalk and accessibility ramp lead toward a modern building with large windows, while in the background, a red and white building with a sign reading 'Taboo Gentlemen’s Club' is visible. The scene is framed by green shrubs and a metal railing, with a setting sun casting warm light on the structures.

Commentary

When I lived in a California homeless shelter, my hope turned into despair

An unhoused man who lives in Orange explains why he and many other Californians who lack a permanent home are so reluctant to stay in shelters.

By Patrick Hogan • February 25, 2025

Two individuals engage in a heated conversation outdoors. One, wearing a dark button-up shirt, gestures emphatically with a pointed finger, appearing animated. The other, wearing a blazer and a black cap with gold lettering, listens intently with a serious expression. A blurred, neutral-toned landscape serves as the background.

Commentary

Trump, Newsom play high-stakes game over billions in federal wildfire aid

While Gov. Gavin Newsom often refers to California as a "nation-state" with global influence, his efforts to lobby for disaster aid are a reminder that the state is still dependent on Washington.

By Dan Walters • February 25, 2025

An aerial view of a neighborhood showing the the debris and remaining structures of houses that burned during a wildfire.

Commentary

Oil and gas companies should be held financially responsible for California climate disasters

Fossil fuel companies got California into this crisis, and now it's time lawmakers hold them accountable by passing crucial legislation this year.

By Nico Gardner • February 24, 2025

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

Commentary

Should fossil fuel companies be forced to pay for Los Angeles wildfire losses?

A proposal by state Sen. Scott Wiener creates a new wrinkle in four interrelated issues: climate change, the future of California’s petroleum industry, the scourge of wildfires and the reluctance of many insurers to write new policies.

By Dan Walters • February 21, 2025

A person wearing a red Team USA jacket holds up a large Olympic flag with five interlocking rings, bordered with multicolored fringe. They are smiling while standing in front of an airplane exit. Two individuals in Olympic-themed apparel stand nearby, smiling. One wears a blue cap and jacket, while the other wears a white t-shirt and black cap. The background features part of an airplane with an open door and a visible emergency exit sign.

Commentary

How will Los Angeles balance fire recovery, Olympics prep and homelessness?

Los Angeles has committed to radically reducing its homeless population, while at the same time rebuilding Pacific Palisades and preparing to host the Olympics. And it's expected to accomplish all of that with an unreliable partner in the White House.

By Jim Newton • February 20, 2025

A tattered American flag stands amid the ruins of a burned-down structure, surrounded by charred debris and remnants of walls. The ground is covered in ash and broken materials. In the background, leafless trees and a partially collapsed fence add to the scene of destruction. The golden light of the setting or rising sun filters through the trees, casting a somber glow over the aftermath.

Commentary

Los Angeles wildfires intensify political jousting over home insurance premiums

If nothing else, the Los Angeles fires underscored the absolutely vital role of a healthy insurance market — not only in protecting the investments that Californians have in their homes and businesses, but as a key component for buying and selling real estate.

By Dan Walters • February 20, 2025

Two elderly individuals hold hands, their wrinkled fingers intertwined. One person wears a pastel blue sweater and light pink pants, while the other wears a plaid long-sleeve shirt. Sunlight casts a warm glow on their hands, highlighting the gold rings on their fingers.

Commentary

Elders and caregivers in California deserve better than funding hurdles and shuttered programs

Programs helping Californians care for dementia or Alzheimer’s patients already struggle. Recent proposals to cut Medicaid money makes this bad situation worse.

By Courtney E. Martin • February 19, 2025

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California