Technology

A person in a white dress shirt and tie speaks at a podium with two microphones, standing in front of a blue sign that reads “Creating an AI-Ready Workforce.” Several people stand behind the speaker, and a large steel bridge rises in the background under a clear sky.

Politics

Gavin Newsom walks a fine line on tech’s Trump ties: ‘It’s very situational’

Gov. Gavin Newsom is a longtime ally of the tech industry. Asked about its leaders’ rightward shift, he downplayed the moves while still offering some criticism.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• December 4, 2025

Yellow and red cables are plugged into large black shelfs of computer machinery as a person works in the background.

Environment

Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts

A new report estimates that California’s data centers are driving increases in electricity use, water demand and pollution even as lawmakers stall on oversight.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• November 14, 2025

A close-up view of a student's hands on a laptop keyboard. A teacher's hands can be seen nearby resting on the student's desk.

K-12 Education

His students suddenly started getting A’s. Did a Google AI tool go too far?

Some teachers say that AI tools, particularly Google Lens, have made it impossible to enforce academic integrity in the classroom — with potentially harmful long-term effects on students’ learning.

By

Carolyn Jones

• November 10, 2025

A close-up view of a person holding a white cell phone with both their hands. A ray of light softly illuminates the person's left hand.

Technology

Why a new California law could change the way all Americans browse the internet

Legislation recently enacted in California will make it easier for consumers nationwide to protect their data

By

Colin Lecher

• November 5, 2025

Technology

OpenAI just cut a deal with California. Critics say it’s full of holes

The company behind ChatGPT is converting to a for-profit company and settling an investigation by California’s attorney general. Experts and advocates say the company could still exploit its charitable roots.

By

Khari Johnson

and

Levi Sumagaysay

• October 30, 2025

A wide view of cars as they pass by three signs that indicate different exits on a busy freeway.

Technology

LA County moves to limit license plate tracking, citing CalMatters report

Citing a CalMatters report, LA County supervisors voted to push their sheriff to restrict sharing and retention of license plate data collected with high-tech surveillance cameras

By

Phoebe Huss

and

Khari Johnson

• October 23, 2025

Technology

New California law forces chatbots to protect kids’ mental health

Gov. Gavin Newsom approved mandatory monitoring and reminders when kids use chatbots. But a bill supported by child advocates was left unsigned.

By

Colin Lecher

• October 13, 2025

A person wearing a blue plaid suit jacket and white patterned shirt stands outdoors, looking at the camera with a calm expression, surrounded by greenery in soft, natural light.

Technology

After getting fired, California’s top cybersecurity official calls for change

California fired its top cybersecurity official. He says the people who oversaw him were unqualified.

By

Khari Johnson

• October 9, 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 surveillance camera mounted on a tall pole with a solar panel above it, set against a partly cloudy sky with the sun glowing behind the clouds.

Technology

Newsom just vetoed a bill to regulate license plate readers — even as fresh evidence of misuse emerges

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required regular purges of license plate databases and regularly audited how automated plate readers are used. He said the regulations would have impeded criminal investigations.

By

Khari Johnson

and

Mohamed Al Elew

• October 3, 2025