Digital Democracy

A narrow prison cell with yellow-painted walls contains a stainless steel sink and toilet unit, a small white bucket on the floor, and a black metal bed frame without a mattress. Above the sink, a wall-mounted shelf holds a few items, including toilet paper and a towel. Harsh wall-mounted lights cast strong illumination, highlighting the chipped paint and worn surfaces throughout the confined space.

Justice

California prisoners sleep with ‘one eye open’. Should they have their own cells?

Potentially volatile cellmates are a fact of life in California prisons. That may change as the state's incarcerated population declines, freeing up space for single-person quarters.

By

Joe Garcia

• November 3, 2025

A person wearing a blue suit stands in front of two American flags while as they look straight off into the distance during a press conference.

Politics

Gavin Newsom cited 3 main reasons in his vetoes this year. Trump was one

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed 123 bills this year, citing fiscal restraint — and Donald Trump.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• October 24, 2025

People stand in the rotunda section of a Capitol building along the railing of the second floor.

Politics

After CalMatters report, Newsom signs law forcing lawmakers to disclose their new jobs

After a CalMatters report, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring lawmakers to disclose when they’ve gotten a new job. Will it uncover corruption?

By

Ryan Sabalow

• October 16, 2025

A line up of electric vehicles at a Hyundai dealership in Fresno on Sept. 7, 2023.

Politics

Newsom vetoes car dealers’ bill to hike fees on buyers

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed one bill and signed another that could change how you purchase a vehicle in California.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• October 15, 2025

A close up of a gambling table with gambling chips, cash, and a card that says, "$50,000" on it.

Digital Democracy

Judge shuts down California tribes’ latest bid to crush their casino rivals

California card rooms emerged victorious in the latest battle over whether tribes should have exclusive rights to offer Las Vegas-style gambling.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• October 10, 2025

Politics

Gov. Gavin Newsom just banned loud ads on Netflix. Here’s why

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning ads that are substantially louder than the shows on streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• October 7, 2025

A close-up of a hand inserting a key into a voting console on a wooden desk, with red, blue, and yellow buttons labeled for different voting options.

Politics

California lawmakers keep dodging tough bills by not voting. Here are the worst offenders

In the California Capitol, lawmakers almost never vote “no.” These three Democrats have decided it’s OK to buck protocol and vote against their colleagues’ bills

By

Ryan Sabalow

• October 3, 2025

A lawmaker, wearing a navy blue suit, holds up a piece of paper with their signature while surrounded by other lawmakers who clap their hands.

Politics

Which of these 2025 bills did Gavin Newsom sign into law?

Gov. Gavin Newsom has hundreds of bills to sign or veto before the Oct. 13 deadline, on everything from oil drilling to immigration raids and antisemitism in schools.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 29, 2025

A for rent sign in Sacramento on June 28, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

Newsom to decide on renter protections tied to Social Security changes under Trump

Gov. Gavin Newsom will have to decide soon if renters can fight eviction if their Social Security checks are disrupted during President Trump’s second term

By

Ryan Sabalow

• September 29, 2025

Visitors play the slot machines at the Valley View Casino & Hotel in San Diego County on July 1, 2019. Photo by Nelvin C. Cepeda, San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS via REUTERS

Politics

California’s tribes once again get lawmakers to attack a gambling competitor

After winning a costly legislative fight last year against rival card rooms, California’s tribes got lawmakers to ban a type of online sweepstakes.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• September 22, 2025