Politics

A blurry view of a person holding up a child so they can reach the window of a brick building.

Politics

Newsom expanded free preschool. Now private daycares can’t afford to stay open

The governor tripled early childhood funding and expanded TK to all 4-year-olds. But preschools are closing, making infant care harder to find.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• February 17, 2026

Kevin Kiley attends a press conference in Sacramento on Aug. 24, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Politics

California Republican Kevin Kiley bucks Trump on tariffs as he weighs reelection

Kiley has yet to declare which district he'll run in — or whether he'll run at all — after Prop. 50 turned his current seat solidly Democratic.

By

Maya C. Miller

• February 12, 2026

Politics

‘Valleycrat’ or Mamdani wannabe?: California Democrats are split on how to win swing votes

After 2024 losses, Democrats split on strategy: move to the middle or embrace economic populism. A Central Valley congressional race encapsulates the divide.

By

Maya C. Miller

• February 12, 2026

A person speaks at a podium with a sign reading “Delivering for Veterans,” raising one hand while another person stands behind them. Flags are displayed in the background.

Digital Democracy

Newsom takes aim at veterans ‘claim sharks’ as he signs law banning fees for help with VA

Many veterans turn to private companies for help filing disability claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs and then face bills that run well into the thousands of dollars.

By

Adam Ashton

• February 10, 2026

Two people walk along a paved path between tall trees and large stone sculptures outside a multi-story office building with glass windows.

Politics

California union pushes work-from-home bill as Newsom calls state employees back to the office

The legislative proposal by the California union known as PECG would require state agencies to offer telework options “to the fullest extent possible” and mandate they disclose how much money they save by allowing remote work.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• February 6, 2026

A speaker addresses microphones at a labor press conference on artificial intelligence, with advocates standing behind them and signs reading “Demand Guardrails on Big Tech.”

Technology

Union leaders have a message for Newsom: Regulate AI if you want to be president

Leaders from the AFL-CIO, representing 2.3 million nationwide members, say Gov. Gavin Newsom needs to focus on the technology’s harms to win support for his presidential run.

By

Khari Johnson

• February 4, 2026

A train is traveling along railroad tracks toward the frame, with a line of trees in the background and an array of apartment buildings and homes on a hill in the background.

Politics

New transit housing bill revives California’s Democratic divisions over local control

A bill to close a loophole in a landmark housing law to make it clear which cities are affected has Democratic lawmakers divided again about the state’s role in telling cities where to build.

By

Nadia Lathan

• February 4, 2026

Democratic Assemblymember Robert Rivas on the floor on May 31, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

A top Democrat wants to know if California laws are working. Lawmakers get to pick which ones

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas wants lawmakers to assess the effectiveness of state laws as his new approach to accountability. But legislators get to pick which laws get the scrutiny and details remain scant.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• February 4, 2026

Construction on the High-Speed Rail above Highway 99 in south Fresno on March 3, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Politics

Some California high-speed rail records could remain secret under proposed law

California created an inspector general to monitor its long-delayed high-speed rail project. Now, one lawmaker wants to allow that office to withhold some investigative records from the public.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• February 3, 2026

A person in a dark blazer speaks into a microphone with a clenched fist raised for emphasis, framed through blurred figures in the foreground that suggest a small crowd gathered around the speaker.

Politics

Newsom blasts Trump administration’s immigration crackdown; touts California’s drug enforcement efforts

At a San Diego press conference, Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted California’s drug enforcement efforts, while criticizing President Trump’s immigration crackdowns.

By

Deborah Brennan

• February 3, 2026