WhatMatters

Future of work, Hollywood, abortion, guns, money, and sexual orientation

Battle heats up on independent contractors bill. State aims to lure back film producers from anti-abortion states. Democrats take gun fight to the bank.

By Dan Morain and Judy Lin • August 27, 2019

Newsletters

Taxes, guns, endangered species, and sex

Newsom embraces a Trump tax cut. Secretive food banks serve immigrants. Trump's environmental rollbacks aid prospects for California bill.

By Dan Morain • August 26, 2019

WhatMatters

Senator slams Facebook, ethnic studies stalls, what’s in store for PG&E customers, and spreading California-style democracy

Senator slams Facebook over shoving video by anti-vaxxer. Ethnic studies bill is delayed. PG&E wants to charge ratepayers more.

By Dan Morain and Adria Watson • August 23, 2019

WhatMatters

PG&E play emerges, Newsom visits Paradise, race tracks jockey for position

Battle over PG&E's fate continues. Newsom recollects first pet. Legislators eye more gun control bills, as gun rights supporters turn to courts.

By Dan Morain • August 22, 2019

The deadly 2018 Camp Fire burns around PG&E transmission towers east of Pulga, near the source of the first report of the fire.

WhatMatters

PG&E makes its play, while President Trump goes after California

PG&E CEO to make pitch to legislators. UC Merced gives first-generation college students a path forward. UC labor battle may be headed to ballot.

By Dan Morain • August 21, 2019

WhatMatters

Newsom signs landmark police use of force bill, and a study suggests 2014 law averted mass shootings

Newsom signs police use-of-force law. Repbulican lawmaker denounces Trump's "public charge" rule. Red flag law may have prevented mass shootings.

By Dan Morain • August 20, 2019

WhatMatters

Billionaire hits a hard patch, the economy is on a roll, and help is wanted in health care

California's economy keeps rolling. State faces a doctor shortage. Groups switch gears on initiative to rewrite Proposition 13.

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • August 19, 2019

WhatMatters

Trying to help mentally ill jail inmates, trying to quit cars, and the $3 billion cash crop

Legislator wants money for mentally ill inmates. California looks for new ways to get people out of cars. State leads the way in super commutes.

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • August 16, 2019

where John Lam, the 33-year-old brother-in-law of Speaker Anthony Rendon, awaits his parole hearing for a murder he took part in as a teen.

WhatMatters

Ethnic studies pause, prison issues, Elizabeth Warren’s California foray, and the West Hollywood dream

Ethnic studies plan hits roadblock. Federal class-action suit against California prisons drags on. Family reaches settlement in prison suicide.

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • August 15, 2019

WhatMatters

Synagogue shooting suspect slipped through cracks, a push to lower voting age, and California sues Trump. Again

How alleged synagogue shooter slipped through a crack. Assemblyman wants to lower voting age. California sues Trump again.

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • August 14, 2019

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