WhatMatters

A person with gray hair and a full beard stands outdoors in front of a stone wall, looking toward the camera with a calm, neutral expression. They wear a green sweatshirt with the words “The Original Hampton Tennis” printed on the front, while the background is softly blurred.

WhatMatters

CA created an agency to stop conservatorship abuses. It has 1 employee

Last month, CalMatters exposed how a fiduciary in Ventura County directed $2.7 million from her elderly clients to her husband’s health care company. A judge has already begun unwinding the conflicts. Now, investigative reporter Byrhonda Lyons is back with her second story in the series, this time digging deep into the state agency that’s supposed […]

By

Lynn La

• April 9, 2026

The back of an incarcerated individual with their hands placed behind them. The individual wears a jean sweater with the words "CDC Prisoner" on it.

WhatMatters

CA lawmakers consider making parole harder for some prisoners

In a rare showing of bipartisanship, Republicans in the Assembly’s public safety committee are backing a tough-on-crime bill authored by a Democrat. On Tuesday the committee advanced a measure by Elk Grove Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen that would raise the parole eligibility requirements for some elderly prisoners. Currently, incarcerated people ages 50 and up who have […]

By

Lynn La

• April 8, 2026

Two people sit on chairs set up on a small stage overlooking a crowd. The person on the left wears a gray suit blazer with a white shirt, and l;ooks towards the person on the right, who wears a navy suit blazer with a white shirt. Banners with images of rural life can be seen behind them.

WhatMatters

Could Trump’s Hilton endorsement sabotage GOP chances?

From CalMatters Capitol reporter Jeanne Kuang: President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Steve Hilton in the California governor’s race, a move that could consolidate the conservative vote and, ironically, tank the GOP’s best chances of winning the seat. With California’s top-two primary system, the eight Democratic candidates could split the vote such that the two […]

By

Lynn La

• April 7, 2026

A person, with short blonde hair, smiles and waves to a crowd of attendees while sitting on top of a car during a parade. The person wears a beige turtle neck with a blue jacket.

WhatMatters

Democratic infighting may spell trouble in quest to gain San Diego House seat

A former Republican stronghold in California has been redrawn to favor Democratic candidates — pitting Democrats against each other in a high-profile race to be the district’s next representative in Congress, report CalMatters’ Nadia Lathan and Deborah Brennan. After President Donald Trump pushed Texas Republicans to create five additional GOP seats in the U.S. House […]

By

Lynn La

• April 6, 2026

A child places an eye occluder on their right eye and looks forward as a doctor sits next to them during a vision exam.

WhatMatters

Report: CA school kids receive insufficient vision care

Though schools are required to check children’s vision starting in kindergarten, more California kids aren’t getting the continuing vision care they need compared to years past — raising concern among health experts. As CalMatters’ Kristen Hwang reports, nationwide data suggests that at least one in four kids need glasses. But only a fraction of children […]

By

Lynn La

• April 3, 2026

Two people wearing blue windbreaker jackets hold and look down at federal snow sampler as rhey stand in the middle of a grass field with a light blanket of snow on top of it. A brown cabin, pine trees and a foggy sky can be seen in the background.

WhatMatters

Lackluster CA snowpack could intensify wildfire season

A lack of snowfall this past winter has California fire officials bracing for a potentially intense fire season, reports CalMatters’ Rachel Becker. State engineers conducted the annual April 1 snowpack measurement Wednesday, at Phillips Station south of Lake Tahoe. They reported that California’s snowpack at the end of the season was just 18% of average […]

By

Lynn La

• April 2, 2026

A person places their right hand on their chin while they contemplate which nail color they should get based on a nail display in front of them. A nail technician can be seen in the background giving the same person a pedicure.

WhatMatters

Federal loan problems for CA small businesses

Scheduling note: WhatMatters is honoring Farmworkers Day and will be back in your inboxes Thursday. Of all the states, California is home to the most small businesses, and has the largest immigrant population. But a recent rule change from the Small Business Administration could mean that the number of would-be owners of California restaurants, child […]

By

Lynn La

• March 31, 2026

A large, illuminated sign spelling "DATA" is suspended from the ceiling, with holographic numbers, plus signs, and other symbols hanging around it. The reflective installation casts colorful light patterns. In the foreground, a blurred figure wearing a blue jacket is visible, partially obstructed by a glass surface. The scene takes place in a modern conference or exhibition space with a high ceiling and metal framework.

WhatMatters

Big Tech joins Big Oil as big CA politics spenders

Big Tech spent $39 million to influence state politics last year, making 2025 a blockbuster year of spending for Meta, Google and other technology companies that want to push their agenda to California officials. As CalMatters’ Jeremia Kimelman explains, the upcoming election, disputes over artificial intelligence regulation and the growth of the cryptocurrency industry have […]

By

Lynn La

• March 30, 2026

A lawmaker stands on the Assembly floor holding a stack of papers, speaking with colleagues during a legislative session. The chamber’s desks and computer monitors fill the background as other lawmakers sit and confer nearby.

WhatMatters

Should it be harder for the public to access records?

Last year, Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco successfully pushed two pieces of legislation limiting state transparency. Now the Downey Democrat has another bill that would make obtaining government records harder for the public. As CalMatters’ Yue Stella Yu explains, Pacheco’s latest proposal would allow public agencies to charge an unspecified, uncapped fee to fulfill a public records […]

By

Lynn La

• March 27, 2026

A young boy lounges on a bed with a blue and white patterned blanket, holding a camera, in a softly lit bedroom decorated with family photos and a framed sign that reads "It's always better when we're together."

WhatMatters

Meta, Google lose $3 million social media case

A California jury directed Google and Meta to cough up a total of $3 million Wednesday in a landmark verdict in favor of a young plaintiff whose family claimed that the companies knowingly made their social media platforms addictive to teens. As CalMatters’ Colin Lecher explains, the case is one of a spate of lawsuits that […]

By

Lynn La

• March 26, 2026