In Person, CalMatters Live

What Will Power California’s AI Future?

November 18, 2025 • 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

CreaTV San Jose, 38 S Second Street San Jose, CA 95113

As California races to break its dependence on fossil fuels and expand clean energy, a new power player is emerging: data centers. Driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, these energy-hungry facilities are reshaping the state’s electricity landscape. Cities like San Jose are courting data centers that run around the clock, with demand from such projects potentially rivaling the power used by 20 million homes within 15 years. Other states have seen prices soar and fossil fuels rebound. Can California — the heart of tech innovation — harness AI without blowing its clean-energy goals?

In Person, CalMatters Live

Health Matters: A Conversation with California’s Next Governor Community Watch Party

November 07, 2025 • 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

CalMatters Studio, 1303 J Street Suite 200, Sacramento CA 5814

This first-of-its-kind forum will bring candidates for California’s next governor together to respond directly to community voices about what matters most for health — from clean air and safe housing to good jobs and strong families. Join us for an afternoon of connection and conversation.

In Person, CalMatters Live

"Operation: Return to Sender" Film screening and discussion in San Jose

October 17, 2025 • 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

CreaTV San Jose, 38 South Second Street San Jose, CA 95113

On January 7th, over 65 Border Patrol agents traveled roughly 320 miles from their headquarters to Bakersfield to conduct what they called a “highly targeted” raid on immigrants with criminal and deportation records. Join Alianza News and CalMatters for a screening of Operation: Return to Sender, a short documentary produced in collaboration with Evident and Bellingcat that exposes significant discrepancies between official accounts and the reality of the three-day immigration raid in Bakersfield. Following the screening, investigative reporter Sergio Olmos and others will take the stage for an in-depth conversation.

In Person, CalMatters Live

California Votes: Proposition 50

October 14, 2025 • 11:30 am - 1:20 pm

UC Student and Policy Center, 1115 11th St., Sacramento, CA 95814

Should Californians support mid-decade redistricting? A debate presented by CalMatters, Capitol Weekly and the UC Student and Policy Center. Proponents from each of the campaigns will offer their arguments in a debate moderated by Rich Ehisen of Capitol Weekly and Juliet Williams of CalMatters.

In Person, CalMatters Live

A Golden Celebration: 50 Years of Dan Walters & 10 Years of CalMatters

September 24, 2025 • 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

UC Student and Policy Center, 1115 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Join us as we recognize Dan Walters’ extraordinary 50-year career as one of California’s most influential political voices and celebrate CalMatters’ 10th anniversary. In this exclusive event, Dan Walters will be interviewed live, reflecting on five decades of reporting, commentary, and covering California's most powerful figures. Plus, hear from CalMatters CEO Neil Chase, Co-Founder David Lesher, and Editor-in-Chief Kristen Go on how CalMatters was founded, the impact it’s made, and where it’s going next.

Hybrid, CalMatters Live

Still the Beacon? California and the Future of Climate Policy

September 17, 2025 • 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Manny's, 3092 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

California has long set the pace on climate action—with bold electric vehicle mandates, trailblazing clean energy policies, and a commitment to carbon neutrality. But in 2025, that leadership is under threat. Federal support is wavering, political headwinds are mounting, and the state faces growing hurdles in affordability, infrastructure, and implementation. Join us for a high-level conversation on how the state can overcome these challenges. Featuring Sen. Scott Wiener, CARB Chair Liane Randolph, and former Biden advisor Kate Gordon—some of California’s leading policymakers and minds—we’ll dig into what it will really take to build the clean energy future we’ve promised.

In Person

End of Session Look-Ahead

August 20, 2025 • 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

UC Student and Policy Center, 1115 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Mark your calendars for a lunchtime program on August 20 for an in-depth conversation on the final days of the 2025 legislative session, with insights into key decisions ahead and what’s to come in 2026. Hear from Capitol community influencers Leah Barros, Keely Martin Bosler, Cesar Diaz, Ben Golombek and more, moderated by CalMatters’ Capitol Reporter, Alexei Koseff, as they discuss the major policies shaping California’s future.

Virtual, CalMatters Live

AI and the Future of Work in California: Impacts on Frontline Workers

July 30, 2025 • 10:30 am - 2:00 pm

One Bush Plaza, 1 Bush St #800, San Francisco, CA 94104

As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies such as neural data monitoring reshape the modern workplace, their impact on workers is rapidly growing. From warehouse robots and job-displacing automation to brain-monitoring tools that track focus and intention, these innovations raise critical questions about labor rights, ethics, and privacy. Join us for a two-part conversation examining how AI is transforming work, the ethical and legal challenges posed by neural technologies, and the urgent need for policy solutions to safeguard worker rights in an increasingly automated world.

In Person, CalMatters Live

"Operation: Return to Sender" Film screening and discussion in Los Angeles

May 22, 2025 • 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 100 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012

On January 7th, over 65 Border Patrol agents traveled roughly 320 miles from their headquarters to Bakersfield to conduct what they called a “highly targeted” raid on immigrants with criminal and deportation records. Join CalMatters and Evident for a screening of Operation: Return to Sender, a short documentary produced in collaboration with Bellingcat that exposes significant discrepancies between official accounts and the reality of the three-day immigration raid. Following the screening, investigative reporter Sergio Olmos, filmmaker Kevin Clancy, and others will take the stage for an in-depth conversation.

In Person, CalMatters Live

"Operation: Return to Sender" Film screening and discussion in Bakersfield

May 21, 2025 • 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

The Padre Hotel, 1702 18th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301

We're at full capacity for this event. Thank you for your interest!