Politics

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 the person on the right wears a navy suit blazer with a white shirt. Banners with images of rural life can be seen behind them.

Politics

Two Republicans are fighting for California governor. Why a tie is their best strategy

Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco need to split the vote nearly evenly to lock Democrats out of the race. Their strategy? Attack each other relentlessly.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• April 2, 2026

People wait in line on the sidewalk of a light brown building during election day. Some people hold their ballot envelops in their hands.

Politics

California media outlets demand access to secret warrants in sheriff’s ballot seizure case

A judge sealed the warrants allowing a sheriff to seize 600,000 ballots. News organizations say the public has a right to see what's in them.

By

Ryan Sabalow

and

Jeanne Kuang

• April 1, 2026

California Gov. Gavin Newsom pauses at the podium with a hand to his chin during the State of the State address in the Capitol chamber, with an American flag and ornate lamps visible behind him.

Politics

Newsom orders government to consider AI harm in contract rules

In an executive order, California's governor pushed back on Trump administration moves against a California AI startup. At the same time, the governor moved to add further guardrails for the technology.

By

Khari Johnson

• April 1, 2026

Politics

California governor’s race: See the candidates’ incomes and tax payments

Here’s a snapshot of the top candidates for governor’s incomes and taxes. Billionaire Tom Steyer dwarfs them all.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• March 28, 2026

A conference hall with attendees and colorful signage related to artificial intelligence.

Politics

Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much

Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence lawmakers and policy. It's the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election.

By

Jeremia Kimelman

• March 27, 2026

Tesla workers examine a Tesla workers examine a Model S used for training and tool calibration at the company's factory in Fremont on June 22, 2012. Photo by Noah Berger, REUTERSModel S used for training and tool calibration at the company's factory in Fremont on June 22, 2012. REUTERS/Noah Berger

Environment

California blew a hole in environmental planning law. Now, lawmakers are trying to fix it

Just south of downtown Los Angeles, the Exide battery recycling facility spent decades leaking lead and arsenic into the soil — sickening children, causing cancer, and creating a nearly billion-dollar liability for the state of California. A flurry of last-minute reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act at the end of last year’s legislative session […]

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• March 27, 2026

A close-up view of a person's hand inserting a stack of ballots into a counting machine.

Politics

Judge rejects Green Party candidate’s bid to appear on California governor ballots

A Sacramento judge on Thursday rejected a Green Party candidate’s lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office seeking to get on the June primary ballot for governor, concluding that he did not file the correct tax returns in time to qualify. Rudolph “Butch” Ware, an associate professor of history at UC Santa Barbara […]

By

Yue Stella Yu

• March 26, 2026

The light of a television camera illuminates a person, as they speak into a reporter's microphone and look directly at the camera. The person wears a white shirt with a gold sheriff's badge on it while surrounded by people holding political signs behind them.

Politics

California sheriff says his seizure of more than 600,000 ballots is ‘normal law enforcement’

Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco says it's coincidence he got a California ballot seizure warrant from a judge who praised him and whom he endorsed in 2022.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• March 26, 2026

A person holds up a large image of an elderly Latino person during an outdoor concert. Other signs and flags can be seen nearby.

Politics

César Chávez Day is no more. California lawmakers officially scrap the holiday name

California became the first state to create César Chávez Day 26 years ago. Now it's leading the effort to erase his name from the state holiday.

By

Nadia Lathan

• March 26, 2026

The dome of the California State Capitol rises against a deep blue sky, framed by dark, out-of-focus shapes in the foreground that create a narrow, tunnel-like view. Sunlight highlights the white columns and architectural details, while construction elements are faintly visible at the base.

Politics

Want government records? This California lawmaker wants you to pay more for them

Californians have a constitutional right to government records, but a lawmaker’s plan would allow higher fees to get them. She says it aims to discourage filers who abuse the system.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• March 26, 2026