Commentary
California governor’s race gets weirder with debate cancellation, new poll
USC cancelled its debate amid allegations of bias because all the invited candidates are white while candidates of color were not invited.
No clear frontrunner for governor, but new poll names five with the best shot
A poll shows three Democrats and two Republicans have voter support percentages in the teens. The top two vote-getters in June will face off in November.
She spent six of her last years in arbitration with her HMO. Her husband’s still fighting the system
Arbitrators in medical disputes are supposed to be unbiased, but this couple suspected there is an incentive to favor HMO’s in arbitration.
A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass
Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.
California promised accountability for inmate deaths in jails. A year later, no results.
Lawmakers passed a law creating a state department to review inmate deaths, but it hasn’t completed a single death review in its first year.
Yousef Baig
California Voices Editor
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Dan Walters
Columnist
Jim Newton
Contributor
Pedro Rios
Contributor
Robert Greene
Contributor
Commentary
AI reminded me to lead in my classroom, not follow someone else’s dictates
This change isn’t just about technology. It’s about whether teachers reclaim their role as designers of learning or wait to be told what to do next.
Commentary
Government money made Silicon Valley’s tech titans rich. A billionaire tax won’t hurt them
The public helped create tech fortunes via government grants, defense contracts and corporate-friendly regulation. Some payback is in order.
Commentary
Medi-Cal faces funding emergency from state miscalculations, federal budget cuts
Gov. Gavin Newsom is retracting Medi-Cal for immigrants, years after he wrongly figured a state surplus. And President Trump is cutting health funds to states.
Commentary
Don’t clear the field in governor’s race by clearing out diversity
Most candidates urged to stay are white and backed by big money, but those urged to bow out are leaders of color with decades of public service. It's an issue in this state of diverse voters.
Commentary
Kids with no safe place to rest at night are becoming chronically homeless adults
Only 3% of the state’s homeless beds are reserved for youth, which feeds a pipeline to chronic homelessness. Most vulnerable: foster kids.
Commentary
California’s AI employment laws look tough, but they leave workers exposed
If an algorithm denies someone a job, demotes or fires them, the harm is immediate. It’ll take months, or years, to determine if bias was involved.
Commentary
If California forces state workers to commute, it passes up $225 million in savings. Can we afford that?
State workers must go to offices four days a week starting July 1. But if lawmakers let them telework, they’d save on gas and reduce carbon emissions.
Commentary
It’s supposed to be a race for governor, but candidates and voters seem disengaged
Two Republican candidates are leading the pack of 10 main candidates for governor, while lukewarm Democratic support is split eight ways.
Dan Walters
California’s $20 fast food wage yields higher prices, fewer jobs, more automation
UC - Santa Cruz found fewer jobs and worker hours, but more order kiosks, mobile apps and AI drive-through ordering systems at CA eateries.