Economy

A conference hall with attendees and colorful signage related to artificial intelligence.

Technology

Artificial intelligence and chip money: 2024 California technology year in review

California lawmakers created new restrictions on student cell phones and deepfakes and face a rapidly expanding AI sector.

By

Ryan Tate

• December 31, 2024

Students learning to weld in a classroom at the Madera South High School 20-acre farm on April 2, 2024. Welding is one of thousands of career-focused courses in California high schools. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Economy

California’s economy of ups, downs and uncertainty: 2024 year in review

Despite a budget deficit and continued high costs, there was good news and bad news for the California economy in 2024. The next year will depend in part on what the Trump administration does.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• December 27, 2024

A person with a denim jacket and a backpack uses their credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash. The ATM is outside the bank entrance on the sidewalk of a city street.

Economy

California limits junk fees: New law blocks fines for declined ATM withdrawals

A new California law will prohibit state-chartered banks from charging fees for withdrawals that are instantaneously declined.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• December 24, 2024

People in sweaters and warm clothing walk with picket signs on signs outside the fence of an Amazon Warehouse. The signs the people are holding say, “ TANNC Amazon ULP Strike.”

Economy

Why Amazon and Starbucks workers are striking now, and what it means for labor under Trump

Striking Amazon and Starbucks workers in California and elsewhere have long pushed for union contracts. The Trump administration is unlikely to be on their side.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

and

Jeanne Kuang

• December 23, 2024

Two workers in yellow and orange safety vests stand on an underground subway platform. One worker speaks to two people on a train, as the doors remain open. Another person walks by and observes the conversation. The train remains stopped at the station.

California Divide

This foundation tries to get young Californians into transportation jobs

The California Transportation Foundation hosts events designed to foster interest and inspire younger Californians to enter the industry.

By

Zayna Syed

• December 23, 2024

A truck drives over a bridge and down a wet road. The rear of the truck is visible and the brake lights are engaged. The setting is a small, rural, town. The weather is drizzly, foggy and grey.

Economy

How far Northern California counties are creating more jobs for young people

California’s northernmost seven counties have made a concerted effort to combat poverty and outmigration in their communities.

By

Fiona Kelliher

• December 20, 2024

A person wearing blue gloves working on the back tire of a bicycle that is being held up in the center of a workshop. The workshop has buckets on the ground and tables with different tools around the edges, and bike racks with bicycles in the background.

Economy

This nonprofit helps Californians get back on their feet with bikes

Community Cycles of California gives “justice involved” individuals employment training through a state grant.

By

Zayna Syed

• December 20, 2024

A person, wearing a green hijab and blouse with a long black skirt, uses a bucket and a ring device to release bubbles to a group of children playing nearby.

Economy

California workforce fund targets programs solving problems

The Workforce Accelerator Fund has awarded $52 million to different programs trying to help different areas and communities of employment.

By

Zayna Syed

• December 18, 2024

Three people sit around a table in an office meeting room with laptops in front of them. One person is looking at their computer while the other two look at a television screen with two people other people in a video meeting call.

Economy

A new California law bans your boss from ordering you to attend anti-union meetings

Gov. Newsom and legislative Democrats pushed through a law that bans employers from requiring workers to attend ‘captive audience meetings.’ It was the latest victory for the labor movement at the state Capitol.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• December 17, 2024

A student in welding mask and other safety gear welds a piece of metal in a work station in a college classroom.

Higher Education

Here’s how California plans to get millions of adults without college degrees into better jobs

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Master Plan for Career Education” seeks to help the more than 7 million adults in California who lack college degrees by giving them college credit for their work experience and by changing the requirements on some state jobs.

By

Adam Echelman

• December 16, 2024