Technology

California Gov. Gavin Newsom pauses at the podium with a hand to his chin during the State of the State address in the Capitol chamber, with an American flag and ornate lamps visible behind him.

Politics

Newsom orders government to consider AI harm in contract rules

In an executive order, California's governor pushed back on Trump administration moves against a California AI startup. At the same time, the governor moved to add further guardrails for the technology.

By

Khari Johnson

• April 1, 2026

A person wearing a black blazer looks forward as they sit at a wooden desk, surrounded by other people.

Technology

After immigration arrests, California lawmakers wonder: Are police telling the feds too much?

Legislators approved an audit of three of the state’s federally-funded fusion centers, citing concerns about civil liberties and privacy.

By

Khari Johnson

• March 27, 2026

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

Politics

Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much

Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence lawmakers and policy. It's the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election.

By

Jeremia Kimelman

• March 27, 2026

A close-up view an unidentifiable teenager holding cell phones in their hand as they hold a Starbucks drink and a shopping with the other hand. Another unidentifiable teenager also holding a cell phone is seen in the background.

Technology

California jury finds Meta, Google liable for teen’s mental distress in landmark social media trial

The jury awarded a family $3 million in the closely-watched case over Facebook and YouTube addiction.

By

Colin Lecher

• March 25, 2026

A group of women that are inmates at a prison walk in their blue uniforms down an exterior path. One person is wearing a red shirt. To the left, stands a red brick building with bars on the window and razor wire over the top.

Justice

Digital tablets mellowed California prisons. Now a tech migration is riling users

Every incarcerated person in a California prison has a digital tablet enabling communication with the outside world. A new vendor is bringing more streaming entertainment, but with a cost.

By

Joe Garcia

• March 24, 2026

An aerial view shows a snow-covered mountain town at dusk, with rooftops dusted in white and warm lights glowing along a main street. A large hotel complex and nearby buildings cluster at the center, while forested slopes and ski runs rise behind them under a fading blue sky.

Economy

Nevada utility to Lake Tahoe: Find electricity elsewhere

Lake Tahoe’s longtime power supplier, NV Energy, will cut off the region next year. It has said data centers are driving “unprecedented” demand.

By

Malena Carollo

• March 20, 2026

A close view shows a person using a laptop displaying a news website with a headline and photo on the screen. Another laptop sits nearby on the desk, and the scene is set in a modern office environment with glass walls and overhead lighting.

Technology

It was John Wayne’s political club. Now it’s spending millions on online influence

The Lincoln Media Foundation has spent big to push ‘local’ conservative messaging

By

Colin Lecher

• March 9, 2026

An illustration in green, red, blue and yellow tones that shows a desktop computer screen with an open window tab that resembles a Pokemon battle scene. At one end of the screen is a pixelated student and at the other is a wolf that represents a chatbot. The illustration includes a bubble text that reads "where can students get free food on campus?" alongside other bubbles of text with red exclamation points.

College Beat

California colleges spend millions on faulty AI systems: ‘The chatbot is outdated’

Community colleges are spending millions on AI-powered chatbots that students say often give inaccurate answers. Many might see upgrades this year.

By

Martin Romero

• March 6, 2026

A poster with information for students on using ChatGPT, an AI platform, in English teacher Jen Roberts' class at Point Loma High School in San Diego on May 3, 2024. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters

Education

A handful of California schools embraced Trump’s AI challenge. Many haven’t heard of it

California schools that are already running artificial intelligence programs have a head start in the Trump administration's AI challenge, but many campuses just aren't participating.

By

Z. Waite

• March 4, 2026

A football player in a red jersey leaps with arms fully extended to catch a pass while a defender in a white uniform runs toward them on a field, with sideline figures blurred in the background.

Technology

To attend prom or a football game, California students first had to surrender their data

The state’s privacy protection agency is fining PlayOn $1.1 million for violating state law. The company, which operates the ticketing service GoFan, required students and parents to share their data to access tickets for high school events.

By

Adam Echelman

• March 3, 2026