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Special education advocates and educators in California are raising red flags over President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and how it would affect some of California’s most vulnerable students. As CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones explains, nearly 800,000 K-12 California students, or 14%, are enrolled in special education. Last year the state spent […]

By the end of last summer, CalMatters data reporter Jeremia Kimelman recognized that 2024 was on its way to break lobbying spending records in California. With the year concluded and recent data filed with the secretary state, lobbying groups indeed spent an unrivaled amount of money in 2024 to influence state government: $540 million, or […]

It was supposed to be a trial that would be closely watched by California homelessness advocates, public defenders and legal experts. But instead, the case was thrown out by the judge — leaving some stakeholders wondering whether it makes sense to arrest homeless people at all. As CalMatters’ Marisa Kendall explains, following a U.S. Supreme […]

Join CalMatters on April 24 for a conversation on how to solve California’s housing and homeless crisis. Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, California Secretary of Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Tomiquia Moss and Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson will join the discussion. Register today to attend online or in person at the […]

Shortly after deadly wildfires ignited in Los Angeles County in January, California lawmakers introduced bills to stiffen penalties for arson and other related crimes. One contentious measure — which had the backing of nearly every environmental organization in California — also sought to hold oil companies accountable for wildfires and climate disasters. The bill failed […]

Before adjourning for Spring Recess last week, the state Senate and Assembly appropriations committees moved a total of 115 bills onto their “suspense files.” What follows is a rather opaque process that could end with roughly a third of those bills killed — away from public view and with little to no debate. As CalMatters’ […]

Ervin Wyatt’s history behind the wheel spreads across two pages of a recent court filing: Fleeing police. Fleeing police again. Running a red light. Causing a traffic collision. Driving without a license, four times. A dozen speeding tickets. Yet the California Department of Motor Vehicles issued him a license in 2019. Wyatt promptly got three […]

For Dr. Charles DeCarli of UC Davis — one of the country’s top dementia researchers — the abrupt cancellation of federal funding for his multi-year study was demoralizing.  “This particular grant was the pinnacle of my research,” he told CalMatters’ Mikhail Zinshteyn. As President Donald Trump’s administration looks to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts […]

For some people, the high-pitched drilling, bright fluorescent lights and uncomfortable poking and prodding can make visiting the dentist’s office daunting. But for people with special needs who are often hypersensitive to sounds, lights and touch, it can be especially tough. As CalMatters’ Kristen Hwang explains, dental offices that can accommodate patients with autism spectrum […]

On Jan. 7, one day after Congress certified President Donald Trump’s election victory, Gregory Bovino sent 65 of his Border Patrol agents into Kern County. Bovino is the head of the El Centro sector in the Imperial Valley, but the raid agents conducted that day occurred a six-hour drive north of the border. Bovino said […]