Politics

Four speakers sit onstage in armchairs for a moderated panel discussion, with an audience watching from the foreground. Behind them are purple backdrops reading “Health Matters” and “La Salud Importa,” lit by spotlights.

Politics

Republican Steve Hilton leads California governor fundraising as large pool of Democrats lag

It takes tens of millions of dollars to run a statewide campaign for governor. Strategists say the many Democratic candidates aren’t raising money quickly enough.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• February 3, 2026

Representative David Valadao speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2021. Photo by Graeme Sloan, Sipa USA via Reuters

Politics

California Rep. David Valadao voted for Medi-Cal cuts. Will voters hold it against him?

In the seven times he’s run for Congress, Valadao has lost his seat only once – in 2018, during Donald Trump’s first midterm election. Democrats hope to oust him again by leveraging his politically toxic vote for the GOP megabill that will cut funding to Medi-Cal, which provides health coverage for nearly two-thirds of his constituents.

By

Maya C. Miller

• February 2, 2026

Dave Lesher in the CalMatters newsroom on April 3, 2024. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters’ visionary co-founder, Dave Lesher, retires

Dave Lesher turned CalMatters into one of California’s most influential newsrooms — and launched new tools to make your government transparent

By

Ryan Sabalow

• February 2, 2026

Water

Trump’s office called 7 governors to D.C. for Colorado River talks. Here’s what California said

A top California water official offers an inside look as the Trump administration referees a Colorado River stalemate.

By

Rachel Becker

• January 31, 2026

A person kneels to retrieve an item from a miniature refrigerator in the corridor of a mobile clinic trailer. The corridor features a counter and a sink, with an assortment of medical equipment and posters on the wall providing medical information.

Health

Coalition seeks LA County sales tax vote to offset federal healthcare funding cuts

A newly formed coalition wants to bring a half-cent sales tax before Angeleno voters in June to mitigate Medi-Cal losses

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• January 30, 2026

A person with a short beard and wearing a blue suit talks into a microphone that is peaking into the bottom part of the frame, while another person in a blue suit stands behind them just out of focus.

Politics

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan enters governor’s race as Newsom critic

The San Jose mayor broke with fellow Democrats on crime and wants to arrest homeless people who refuse shelter. He joins a crowded Democratic field for governor.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• January 29, 2026

Politics

Tom Steyer vows to cut electricity bills by 25%, but experts say the details fall short

California has the second-highest electricity bills in the nation, and no candidate for governor has honed in as much as climate investor Tom Steyer. But is his promise to cut bills 25% realistic?

By

Jeanne Kuang

• January 29, 2026

A long line of coiled razor wire runs along a fence through a grassy field, stretching toward rolling brown hills and mountains beneath a clear blue sky.

Environment

San Diego sues federal agencies over razor wire fencing on city land

San Diego is suing the federal government for allegedly trespassing on city land near the Mexican border to build razor wire fencing that the city says illegally damaged protected habitat and endangered species areas without notice or approval.

By

Deborah Brennan

• January 28, 2026

Five immigration agents, dressed in camouflage riot gear and holding weapons, stand in the middle of a street while facing a crowd of bystanders and protesters.

Politics

California Democrats have new plans for confronting ICE: Taxes, lawsuits and location bans

The California Senate passed a bill that would make it easier to sue federal officers over civil rights violations. Recent shootings of civilians by immigration agents in Minnesota lent urgency to the measure, one of several targeting ICE.

By

Cayla Mihalovich

and

Maya C. Miller

• January 28, 2026

A dense crowd of protesters marches down a city street at dusk, with several people holding signs that read “Stop ICE Now,” some illustrated with a fire hydrant spraying flames, as traffic lights and tall buildings glow in the background and reflections appear along a glass wall at right.

Politics

California Democrats urge government shutdown after federal agents kill Minnesota nurse

More than half of California's Democratic legislative caucus called for a government shutdown and introduced bills to hold federal agents accountable

By

Maya C. Miller

• January 26, 2026