Economy

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

Economy

Why Gavin Newsom vetoed California’s bold bid to regulate AI

The legislation would have required tech companies to test AI for harm to society. It attracted opposition from numerous members of Congress and major AI companies including Google, Meta, and OpenAI.

By

Khari Johnson

• September 29, 2024

Adrian De La Cruz fills his work truck with diesel gas at a filling station in west Fresno on May 7, 2024. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Economy

Economists like Newsom’s plan to help control gas prices. Refiners don’t.

The governor wants new gas reserves to dampen seasonal price spikes. Refiners say the move would raise prices and require new storage tanks.

By

Malena Carollo

• September 27, 2024

A group of cars driving northbound on a highway with overcast in the sky.

Capitol

Critics say lawmakers watered down California’s lemon car law after secret lobbyist negotiations

A bill awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature may make it harder for consumers to get refunds for defective cars under the state's lemon law. The Legislature hastily passed the complicated bill, which auto manufacturers and attorneys drafted in secret. Did lawmakers even have time to read it?

By

Ryan Sabalow

• September 23, 2024

Students in yellow and orange safety vests and white safety helmets stand outside and watch two instructors as part of an iron workers training program.

Economy

Nonprofits seek to get more women into construction trades

Jessica Alvarez Castañeda was sick of low-paying jobs. For years, the 39-year-old mother of four had been “breaking her back for almost nothing” as a cashier, nursing assistant, babysitter, house cleaner and cook. She was familiar with the skilled trades, which include careers such as carpentry, roofing and painting, because her three brothers worked as […]

By

Fiona Kelliher

• September 23, 2024

A row of students wearing safety goggles working on machines in a mechanical classroom.

Economy

Career education is redundant and convoluted. Gavin Newsom says he’ll fix it

California taxpayers fund career education at high schools, adult schools, community colleges, regional occupational programs and for-profit trade schools. Critics say it reflects “an incredible lack of coordination.” The governor says he’s producing a “master plan” to remedy that.

By

Adam Echelman

• September 20, 2024

Economy

Why Ricardo Lara says his plan to fix California’s insurance crisis will work

At a CalMatters event, California’s insurance commissioner says the changes he’s making will help homeowners and business owners. One idea: A state grant for those who spend money to protect their property from wildfires.

By

Sameea Kamal

• September 19, 2024

Technology

California drivers can get mobile licenses on their iPhones — but they need physical ones too

California is the seventh U.S. state to adopt mobile driver’s licenses for iPhones, part of a growing push by businesses and governments to make digital IDs commonplace.

By

Khari Johnson

• September 19, 2024

California Divide

More secure EBT cards are coming to California. Here’s when they’ll go out

The state is working on electronic benefit cards with security chips, but is behind schedule. Families are expected to be able to use them in January.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• September 16, 2024

Photo collage of Donald Trump looking down and signing a document; the background shows a pixelated ultrasound placed in front of a duotone image of the CDC building

Politics

Project 2025 to California: Report abortion data or lose billions in Medicaid

If the next Republican president implements Project 2025, California will face an ultimatum: report sensitive abortion data to the CDC or jeopardize Medicaid funding.

By

Monique O. Madan

• September 11, 2024

Two individuals look at a screen with an AI generated face on it, as the the words "DIGITAL HUMANS WITH UNITY" appear on the wall above the screen. To their left, another face looks out towards the space.

Technology

What California lawmakers did to regulate artificial intelligence

The California Legislature passed more than a dozen bills to regulate artificial intelligence in recent days, though some ambitions fell short.

By

Khari Johnson

• September 6, 2024