Past Events
Missed a CalMatters event? Watch recorded sessions and learn from influential speakers discussing California's most pressing issues.
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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!
In Person, CalMatters Live
"Operation: Return to Sender" Film screening and discussion in San Francisco
May 01, 2025 • 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The Midway, 1580 Michigan Street, San Francisco, CA 94124
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.
Hybrid, CalMatters Live
How do we solve California’s housing and homelessness crisis?
April 24, 2025 • 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Ballroom B, 1400 J Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Join us for a conversation with city and county officials, hosted by CalMatters reporter Marisa Kendall, about how the rise in homelessness and lack of affordable housing supply are impacting their communities. These leaders will offer valuable insights into what is working, lessons learned along the way, and what is required if we are to ever solve this crisis.
In Person, CalMatters Live
How are the kids? A dive into what’s stressing young Californians and the state’s plan to help
April 16, 2025 • 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Nixon Peabody Office, One California Plaza, 300 S Grand Avenue #4100 Los Angeles, California 90071
The word “crisis” has been used a lot when describing youth’s mental health. And that’s because children and teens are suffering. They’re experiencing anxiety and depression at record rates. It’s left parents and caregivers scrambling to find help. In response, California is spending billions in remodeling its mental health system to better serve children and young adults. Are those investments yet yielding results? Join us for a conversation about what’s driving this issue and what solutions are on the table.
Hybrid, SoCal Series
16 to 24 Year Olds: Getting California’s young people back on track
February 25, 2025 • 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Japanese American National Museum, 100 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, California 90012
The ages of 16 to 24 are critical years for long-term financial independence and success. In this panel, we’ll look at California, which spends more on education and job training than the budget of many countries. What is the state doing to help unemployed young people?