WhatMatters

Lake Tahoe is sick, and getting worse. This alpine treasure, tucked in the Sierra Nevada, is facing an array of problems that humans inflict on it: Murky waters, pollutants, toxic algae, development, tourism, traffic. Buffeted by the constant tug between developing the region and preserving it, and attracting visitors while managing their impact, Lake Tahoe […]

Funds for a federal rental assistance program — intended to keep the most vulnerable people housed during the COVID-19 pandemic — are drying up faster than expected, potentially leading to thousands more Californians living on the streets as soon as next year.  As CalMatters’ Ben Christopher explains, the Emergency Housing Voucher program began in 2021, […]

State lawmakers have been busy considering new bills that address issues including dwindling bilingual education, jury duty and putrid landfills. Let’s dive in: CalMatters covers the Capitol: We have guides and stories to keep track of bills and your lawmakers; find out how well legislators are representing you; explore the Legislature’s record diversity; and make […]

To cover a budget gap in Medi-Cal — which provides health insurance for roughly 15 million disabled and low-income Californians — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is borrowing $3.4 billion from the state’s general fund.  As CalMatters’ Ana B. Ibarra and Kristen Hwang explain, the move comes during a time when the state is facing a limited […]

From CalMatters health reporter Ana B. Ibarra: California public health officials are closely monitoring two residents who recently tested positive for measles. Officials are on high alert given ongoing measles outbreaks in Texas, New Mexico and abroad.  The Los Angeles and Fresno public health departments each disclosed a case on Tuesday. In both cases, the […]

California’s version of the federal Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, insures more than a third of the state’s total population — roughly 14.9 million people. But in February all nine of California’s Republican legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives approved a federal budget proposal that would likely cut Medicaid benefits. As CalMatters’ Kristen Hwang explains, California […]

Last year renter advocates notched a win after California passed a law extending the length of time tenants can respond to an eviction notice from five days to 10. This session, another bill to help renters facing eviction is being considered by the Legislature, writes CalMatters’ Felicia Mello. Under state law, landlords can evict tenants […]

California has an estimated 180,000 unhoused residents — most of whom are less likely to have access to proper medical care. Homeless people also have higher rates of illness and chronic health problems such as hypertension, heart conditions and diabetes. But exercise programs for homeless residents can help participants boost their physical and mental health […]

Los Angeles Assemblymember Rick Zbur says he wants to narrow the standards for justifiable homicide. Critics say he wants to make self-defense illegal.  Assembly Bill 1333 has provoked a great deal of debate since its introduction in late February.  In response to several states’ “stand-your-ground laws,” which permit people in certain cases to use deadly […]

Millions of dollars for basketball and football players from private donors. Thousand-dollar deals with the Biden Campaign, the former crypto-currency company FTX and clothing brands like Crocs and Aeropostale.  In a first-ever look, CalMatters’ Adam Echelman and Erica Yee obtained and analyzed California universities’ records of college athletes’ brand deals. Some records mention popular athletes, […]