California coronavirus updates: The latest on the pandemic

Regulars get in a last game of pool at Parkway Lounge in Oakland before the bar closes at midnight for at least three weeks. At 12:01 on March 17 six Bay Area counties will enact a shelter in place to limit to spread of the novel coronavirus. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Economy

State regulators propose emergency powers to shut down bars and restaurants that defy public health orders banning dine-in services during the coronavirus pandemic.

By

Elizabeth Castillo

• May 12, 2020

An Assembly oversight committee hears testimony about California's aborted Blue Flame mask deal and weighs ideas on how to better vet coronavirus medical supply contractors. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Coronavirus

Lawmakers told half-billion dollar Blue Flame mask deal thwarted by suspicious bankers

An Assembly oversight committee hears testimony about the aborted Blue Flame mask deal and weighs ideas on how to better vet coronavirus medical supply contractors.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• May 11, 2020

CalMatters is tracking lawsuits against California's shelter-in-place order and other pandemic responses. Photography by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters; elements via iStock

Coronavirus

Outraged parishoners, irked gun stores, an angry bride: Courts flooded with anti-Newsom shutdown suits

Though the state is taking flak from an array of aggrieved Californians — gondoliers, conservative politicians, barbers and manicurists are among the plaintiffs — there is a common denominator for most of these lawsuits: Her name is Harmeet Dhillon.

By

Ben Christopher

• May 11, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

Lawmakers want to know: What’s up with that half-billion-dollar mask deal?

Some California lawmakers seek probe into coronavirus equipment supplier contracts, including the massive payment — and reversal — to Blue Flame Medical.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• May 7, 2020

A student walks back to her car after picking up eggs, milk, produce and dried goods from the weekly drive-thru food pantry at Santa Monica College. Photo by Mikhail Zinshteyn for CalMatters

Higher Education

How California community college foundations are trying to help students

Community college foundations are giving extra aid now to undocumented and low-income students, whose needs are unmet by federal pandemic relief programs.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• May 7, 2020

City CERT member Steve Bicker directs traffic into the drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility at Cal Expo in Sacramento. The by-appointment-only facility has been testing upwards of 300 patients per day. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Events

Watch: How the pandemic is busting California cities’ budgets

Local governments across California have seen their budgets gutted by the pandemic-induced recession, but they aren’t likely to have much luck turning to voters for a handout. A new Public Policy Institute of California poll found that voters are not in a giving mood when it comes to new bond and tax measures. That follows […]

By

CalMatters Staff

• May 7, 2020

Coronavirus

Newsom welcomes ‘new partners’ in coronavirus supply deals: federal investigators

As feds probe, Newsom labeled big coronavirus supply deals gone awry "cautionary tales" and said they were averted in time to avoid costing taxpayers.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• May 6, 2020

Medical staff walk into work as first responders show gratitude by clapping and cheering them on at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose on April 15, 2020. Photo by Randy Vazquez / Bay Area News Group

Coronavirus

Wanted: Health care workers. Wait! Never mind…

California health care workers face layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts in the coronavirus pandemic as hospitals and medical practices say they're financially bleeding.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• May 6, 2020

An AC Transit bus driver wears a protective mask on March 25, 2020 in Berkeley. Essential workers were the beneficiary of a workers' compensation executive order signed by Gavin Newsom today. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

California’s essential workers to get benefit of the doubt if they contract COVID

Lee este artículo en español. California’s essential workers will get new workers’ compensation protections under an executive order signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom — a move that could cost the state billions of dollars in claims from COVID-19-infected workers. The order presumes that workers — including nurses, janitors, first responders, farmworkers and grocery workers who […]

By

Barbara Feder Ostrov

• May 6, 2020

Ground crew at the Los Angeles International airport unload pallets of medical personal protective equipment from a China Southern Cargo plane upon its arrival on April 10, 2020. California has scrambled to cut deals for millions of masks and other gear. AP Photo by Richard Vogel

Coronavirus

Exclusive: California wires mask dealer half a billion dollars, then claws it back

The state's massive deal with novice medical supplier Blue Flame mysteriously falls apart, with Maryland now calling for an investigation into the company's conduct.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• May 5, 2020