California Divide

The state auditor confirms that severe understaffing, poor training and other problems at the Labor Commissioner’s office are causing long delays in wage theft investigations.

California's minimum wage is among the highest in the nation but the state's high cost-of-living strains even full-time workers.

California lawmakers moved several reparations bills, including an apology for slavery. But several other bills died. 

Too few trees at California’s schools mean there’s little protecting students from a warming planet. Here’s how advocates say the state can pay for more shade.

After a tragedy 25 years ago, state lawmakers and the California Highway Patrol acted to make farmworkers’ commutes safer. But workers still die in crashes — in vans the law doesn’t cover.

A new study says California's “disconnected youth” are being left behind.

Some programs helping foster kids and families in crisis could lose all funding as lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom address budget shortfall.

Billions in tax dollars are pouring into efforts to reduce the U.S.-Mexico border wait times, yet excessive delays continue. Local leaders say small businesses are struggling in border communities.

Though California’s Legislative Black Caucus filed a slate of 14 bills linked to reparations, a few lawmakers are floating their own proposals.

The US Labor Department investigated a company it says employed underaged workers as deboners then shipped its product. The company’s lawyer denies it.