WhatMatters

Thanks to legislation, the soda industry averted new local taxes, but it could face an initiative that would impose a new statewide tax.

California officials played an integral role in Japanese internment during World War II, as told in a new online exhibit. The gas tax initiative fight revs up.

California legislators averted costly initiative wars on privacy, lead paint and soda taxes. But voters will decide daylight savings time and gas tax repeal in November. San Francisco Mayor-elect London Breed urged legislators to expand car for mentally ill homeless people.

California labor worries about the impact of Janus v. AFSCME, but vows to battle on. Privacy initiative funder Alastair Mactaggart agrees to drop his initiative in exchange for broad privacy legislation. Business opposes the bill but sees it as the lesser of two evils.

California Senate Democrats watered down legislation to expand treatment for mentally ill homeless people. U.S. Supreme Court struck down a California abortion rights bill in NIFLA v Becerra. The ruling will undermine legislation to regulate conversion therapy.

Humboldt martens are nearing extinction, in part because of impact of illegal cannabis farms in the redwood forests of the North Coast. Why vets can't discuss animal cannabis use with pet owners.

California Senate Democrats blocked legislation intended to help low-income people avoid losing their cars because of high-interest pink slip loans. Legislators push a bill to declare conversion therapy fraudulent. Critics say it raises constitutional free speech questions.