Economy

A crowd of protesters hold Prop. 22 signs with their mouths open and fists in the air. One prominent sign reads, "Unconstitutional Prop 22, Bad for Workers, Bad for the Economy, Bad for California."

Economy

California companies wrote their own gig worker law. Now no one is enforcing it

Prop. 22 promised improved pay and benefits for California gig workers. But when companies fail to deliver, the state isn’t doing much to help push back.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• September 4, 2024

A person in grey slacks, black boots and a black shirt stands in the corridor between two buildings. Dramatic light causes and interesting contrast of light and shadows.

Technology

Semiconductor industry seeks apprentices to meet the rising need for workers

Through conferences, grants, and other mechanisms, the SEMI Foundation has been trying to fill the increasing number of semiconductor jobs in California.

By

Alisha Green

• September 4, 2024

A large warehouse sits in front of snow capped mountains in a residential neighborhood. A low perspective shows a line of cars parked a long the street.

Economy

Job killer or neighborhood protector? Newsom signs warehouse rules that divided Inland Empire

Gov. Newsom signed last-minute legislation to limit where distribution centers can go. Supporters say it would shield neighborhoods from traffic and deliver cleaner air. But business groups warn the bill could threaten jobs in a booming industry.

By

Deborah Brennan

• September 4, 2024

An extreme close-up of phone display with the text "notification center" and "emergency alerts."

Environment

California emergency alerts warn you about fires and extreme weather. How to sign up in your county

Early warning systems save lives during disasters, but a recent FEMA survey found that only a third of people are signed up. Use this resource to find your county’s emergency alert sign-up page.

By

Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett

and

Meisi Li

• August 30, 2024

A person wearing glasses, sits behind a dais in a grey suit. A name tag next to to them read "Scott D. Wiener." In the left corner, a person is out of focus while wearing a face mask.

Technology

California’s big AI regulation bill is headed to Gavin Newsom

A California bill requiring makers of large AI systems to test them for potential harm cleared the Legislature today. It could still face a veto by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By

Khari Johnson

• August 28, 2024

People dressed in blue shirts help assemble an electric vehicle inside a production plant.

Capitol

Why Riverside County? California lawmakers want to make the Inland Empire an EV manufacturing hub

Supporters say that a bill to create an electric vehicle opportunity zone would be a big job boost. A big beneficiary, at least initially, could be luxury EV maker Karma Automotive in Moreno Valley.

By

Deborah Brennan

• August 22, 2024

Capitol

California tried to make Google pay news outlets. The company cut a deal that includes funding AI

State lawmakers give up on bills to force tech companies to pay media outlets for using news. Instead, they agree with Google on a program to help local newsrooms and to explore artificial intelligence.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• August 21, 2024

A person dressed in black and white pants, a beige shirt and wearing a backwards baseball cap, site behind the wheel of a semi-trailer.

Economy

How California channeled money to for-profit schools — while they were under investigation

California uses federal dollars intended to help students train for better jobs, but the money often goes to for-profit schools — even some under investigation.

By

Adam Echelman

• August 21, 2024

Someone wearing blue latex gloves injects a syringe into a small glass bottle over a counter with multiple unused syringes and a box of latex gloves.

Education

Taxpayers cover tuition at California’s for-profit schools. The results? Low-wage, high-turnover jobs

California officials have warned students for years that for-profit schools may make misleading career claims — leaving them with "a mountain of debt" but no job. Still, many for-profit schools remain on the state’s list of recommended job training programs.

By

Adam Echelman

• August 21, 2024

A photo collage illustration with various pink colors and textures of a cellphone cut up in pieces in between a cut-up pink locker with two gray lockers on each side.

Technology

More California schools are banning smartphones, but kids keep bringing them

Schools that banned phones a few years ago have advice for other districts as the governor calls for a crackdown.

By

Carolyn Jones

and

Khari Johnson

• August 20, 2024