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A tilted view of former U.S. President Donald Trump standing in front of a podium as he speaks from a stage decorated in blue, white and red colors.

WhatMatters

Federal funding freeze prompts chaos, confusion, lawsuits

President Donald Trump has called for a temporary freeze on certain federal aid — sowing confusion and concern among California’s state officials and advocacy groups. As CalMatters’ reporters explain, a memo from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget directed federal agencies to pause financial grants and loans that could be “implicated” by any of […]

By

Lynn La

• January 29, 2025

The burned remains of a pink and white house. Only the front entrance and side wall of the home remains standing. Debris and charred can be seen surrounding the structure.

WhatMatters

Can Southern CA rebuild areas burned by wildfire faster?

The wildfires still burning in Southern California have destroyed thousands of homes. A freshman state lawmaker, whose district includes one of the epicenters of the blazes, aims to rebuild those communities faster. How? Through a task force and coordinator to work with local, state and federal authorities. It’s an idea that looks to Texas as […]

By

Lynn La

• January 28, 2025

Two people stand next to a table covered with donated items, including clothing, toys, and board games, outside a building at sunset. One person holds a toy sword, while the other inspects a canister. Piles of clothing and other goods surround them, indicating a community aid or donation event.

WhatMatters

CA’s fire relief aid: What will GOP do?

The wildfires still burning in Southern California continue to thrust the state onto the national stage: Although President Donald Trump promised Friday to give Los Angeles the help it needs, he also has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal aid unless California aligns with his policies on water, or forestry management, or immigration or voter ID. […]

By

Lynn La

• January 27, 2025

A person, wearing a black jacket and navy blue shirt, stands behind a lectern holding two pieces of paper on either hand. A group of lawmakers and public officials stand behind.

WhatMatters

CA earmarks $2.5 billion for LA fire aid

With President Donald Trump bound for Los Angeles today and once again threatening to withhold wildfire aid to California unless the state abides by his water policies, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills Thursday to provide $2.5 billion in state funding for wildfire response and preparedness, writes CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal. State and local agencies can […]

By

Lynn La

• January 24, 2025

A wide view of a brown iron fence slithering in between a hill that separates the U.S. and Mexico in San Diego.

WhatMatters

Pentagon: 1,500 troops will deploy to U.S.-Mexico border

From CalMatters’ Wendy Fry: In a significant escalation of immigration enforcement, the Pentagon said today that 1,500 active-duty troops will be deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border. This follows President Donald Trump’s “Day One” executive orders ostensibly aimed at bolstering border security. The troops’ responsibilities will include operating helicopters, assisting border patrol agents, providing airlift support […]

By

Lynn La

• January 23, 2025

A person stands at a podium with a microphone, wearing a navy blue suit and tie, with the seal of the Attorney General's Office visible on the podium. To the right, a blue sign reads, "IMMIGRANTS ARE THE BACKBONE OF CALIFORNIA," with an image of a bear and the California Republic flag in the background. Bookshelves are visible in the softly lit background.

WhatMatters

CA sues Trump administration over ‘birthright’ order

From CalMatters criminal justice reporter Nigel Duara: Resistance state Round 2 officially began Tuesday when California filed its first lawsuit against the new Donald Trump administration. Eighteen states, including California, filed a lawsuit in federal court, challenging an executive order by Trump that would revoke the right of guaranteed citizenship to anyone born in the […]

By

Lynn La

• January 22, 2025

An individual stands with one hand raised, appearing to take an oath, while another person holds a stack of books. They are surrounded by a group of onlookers in a formal setting with ornate architectural details in the background.

WhatMatters

Trump’s new executive orders target policies dear to CA

With assurances that “sunlight is pouring over the entire world,” President Donald Trump was sworn into office Monday for his second term. He wasted no time taking potshots at California. During his 30-minute inauguration speech, Trump said the Los Angeles County wildfires, which broke out two weeks ago, burned without “a token of defense.” (This […]

By

Lynn La

• January 21, 2025

Foreground shows an individual wearing a respirator mask looking downward. In the background, another person in a mask examines the scene using a mobile phone. A burned-out car sits amidst the charred remnants of a structure, with trees and other fire-damaged areas visible in the distance under a hazy sky.

WhatMatters

LA fires bring scrutiny to worker safety, private firefighting

Scheduling note: WhatMatters is taking Monday off to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and will be back in your inboxes Tuesday. Describing the active wildfires in Southern California as a “catastrophe at an unprecedented scale,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas of Salinas gathered with dozens of Assemblymembers on Thursday in Los Angeles to introduce new bills […]

By

Lynn La

• January 17, 2025

Flames and smoke can be seen coming out of a building as businesses in the Altadena area burn due to the Eaton Fire. Nearby, a person rides their bike as burnt debris float in the sky as smoke fills the atmosphere.

WhatMatters

Ongoing LA blazes raise wildfire recovery questions

Fires in Southern California continue to burn as people in parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties remain under red flag warnings. Dry conditions are expected to last through today, according to Cal Fire, but this weekend is expected to bring “calmer and more humid weather.” To date, the death toll has climbed to at […]

By

Lynn La

• January 16, 2025

A gray and white commercial truck drives down a street. Another green and white commercial truck can be seen up a hill in the distance alongside several cargo containers labeled "Matson" on the side.

WhatMatters

CA abandons clean-air rules on diesel trucks

In a striking setback to reduce California’s air pollution but a win for trucking companies, state regulators have walked away from their ambitious plan to phase out diesel trucks less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. As CalMatters’ Alejandro Lazo explains, in 2023 the California Air Resources Board voted […]

By

Lynn La

• January 15, 2025