California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state

Families carry boxes full of fresh produce during a food bank event at El Verano elementary on Nov. 1, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state

How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.

Rya Jetha

Jeanne Kuang

and

Jeremia Kimelman

Packages move down a conveyor system at an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Sacramento on Feb. 9, 2018. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

California Divide

California hits Amazon with fines under warehouse worker law

A 2021 law has resulted in a $6 million penalty against Amazon for allegedly not notifying employees at two Inland Empire facilities of production targets.

Jeanne Kuang

• June 18, 2024

Capitol

California business and labor make a deal on workplace violation lawsuits

Business and labor groups announce an agreement to limit a California law on class-action workplace lawsuits and avoid a battle at the ballot box in November.

Jeanne Kuang

• June 18, 2024

Assemblymember Akilah Weber speaks during the State of Black California Tour at Crawford High School in San Diego on June 15, 2024. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters

California Divide

California’s Black legislators make case for reparations bills while launching statewide tour

California’s Black Legislative Caucus is touring the state to promote reparations bills that address forced prison labor and efforts to improve health, longevity and financial equity. The six-city tour is meant to urge the public to get involved in lobbying lawmakers.

Deborah Brennan

• June 17, 2024

California Divide

Homeless California council member fights for others like her: Five key questions

Just before she was elected to Ventura City Council Liz Campos was evicted. Now she lives in a van and she has ideas about how to help others who have no home.

Wendy Fry

• June 14, 2024

Flanked by lawmakers and gun safety advocates, Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference where he signed new gun legislation into law at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on Sept. 26, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Capitol

A workplace safety board bucked Gavin Newsom. Now he’s shaking it up

The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is about to pass long-awaited rules to protect workers from indoor heat. The governor’s office demoted the board’s chairperson and removed another member who criticized the administration.

Jeanne Kuang

• June 11, 2024

Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash drivers strike during what they call "A National Day of Action" to protest fair pay and treatment by their rideshare companies in Los Angeles on Feb. 14, 2024. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Economy

California gig worker law withstands challenge from Uber at federal appeals court

A 2020 California law compels businesses to offer employment benefits to more workers rather than treating them like independent contractors. Uber lost an effort to overturn the law.

Levi Sumagaysay

• June 10, 2024

Migrants form a line to enter the U.S. and seek asylum through El Chaparral port of entry in San Diego at the Mexico border on Dec. 22, 2022. Photo by Carlos A. Moreno for CalMatters

California Divide

What Biden’s border order means for California

President Biden’s executive action could allow border agents to immediately return migrants to Mexico without considering their asylum claims. While the White House says the new measures will bring order, advocates for migrants say it could cause more chaos and danger.

Wendy Fry

• June 4, 2024

California Divide

Watch: Humanitarian aid workers provide basic needs to asylum seekers

Needs at the U.S.-Mexico border in California are larger than ever.

CalMatters Staff

• June 3, 2024

A CalVans van parked in a field in a vineyard outside of Dinuba on May 2, 2024. CalVans is a nonprofit trying that provides safe vans for farm worker transportation. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

Will electric vehicle mandate be a roadblock to safe commutes for California farmworkers?

The CalVans program in the Central Valley transports thousands of laborers to the fields. It is now trying to meet a mandate to electrify its fleet — a key test of how to make the state’s climate policies work in rural and disadvantaged areas.

Jeanne Kuang

• May 30, 2024

Pizza Hut employees strike in protest of allegations of wage theft and abusive scheduling practices in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2024. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

California Divide

Why are California workers waiting so long on wage theft claims? A new audit has answers

The state auditor confirms that severe understaffing, poor training and other problems at the Labor Commissioner’s office are causing long delays in wage theft investigations.

Jeanne Kuang

• May 30, 2024