California Divide

A side view of a man on a bike next to homeless tents lined up along a sidewalk underneath a highway in Sacramento.

Elections

It’s hard to vote in California when you’re homeless. Why it matters when their voices are silenced

Homeless Californians face many barriers to casting a ballot, even in elections that affect their lives. Some counties and nonprofits are trying to boost turnout.

By

Marisa Kendall

and

Yue Stella Yu

• October 31, 2024

Justice

Watch: New law helps California tribes keep kids out of foster care

California child welfare agencies must investigate claims of Native American ancestry before separating a family, the California Supreme Court stressed in a new ruling that affects several contested cases.

By

CalMatters Staff

• October 30, 2024

Climate Change

Watch: Dangers of extreme heat in Inland California

Inland communities with big population booms will experience the most extreme heat days under climate change projections. The combination puts more people at risk — and many cities are unprepared.

By

CalMatters Staff

• October 30, 2024

A person stands confidently in front of a red brick building, hands resting in their pockets. They are wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, with a determined expression as they look into the distance, sunlight highlighting their face. The building's arched windows and textured facade form an urban backdrop

Housing

She fights for affordable housing in the Inland Empire. Now she’s fighting to keep a roof over her head

For years Laurel LaMont has fought for better options for what she calls the “missing middle,” often referred to as workforce housing. Now she is being evicted.

By

Deborah Brennan

• October 30, 2024

Protestors hold up a banner saying "Vote yes for rent control November 5!" as they lead a march down a sidewalk near a building.

Housing

These cities could see big changes in rent control if Prop. 33 passes

As voters weigh whether to allow local governments to expand rent control, elected officials in San Francisco and Los Angeles have already shown interest in doing so. In other cities, local laws could automatically cap annual rent increases on some single-family homes and newer apartment buildings if Prop. 33 passes.

By

Felicia Mello

• October 29, 2024

A group of protesters advocating for rent control is gathered outside a building. They hold signs reading "STOP BEING GREEDY" and "THE RENT IS STILL TOO DAMN HIGH!" in bold letters. One person in the foreground wears sunglasses and holds a large sign high above their head, while others around them carry similar signs, showing unity in their demand for affordable housing.

Elections

This California proposition is drawing the most campaign spending

Proposition 33 on local rent control and the related Proposition 34 are attracting the most campaign cash by far of the 10 ballot measures. But the amount pales to what was spent on dueling sports betting measures in 2022.

By

Jeremia Kimelman

• October 29, 2024

A group of people stand at an outdoor event, with one person in the foreground raising a small American flag on a stick. The person next to them holds a phone, recording or taking a photo. The attendees appear focused, observing something out of frame, possibly a performance or speech.

Elections

In the heart of Black Los Angeles, the future of Latino political power emerges

An Assembly election in South L.A. captures the shifting dynamics of ethnic political power in California. One candidate is biracial and pledges to build bridges between Black and Latino voters.

By

Alexei Koseff

• October 25, 2024

An older individual stands in a grocery store near a display of pre-packaged fruit containers on ice, selecting a pack of watermelon and other mixed fruits. The person is wearing a floral shirt under a dark vest. Behind them are avocados on sale, with a price sign for $2.49 per avocado. A shopping cart with a pineapple inside is visible nearby, along with other fresh produce such as cucumbers.

Elections

How inflation concerns could doom California’s proposition to increase minimum wage

Opponents of Proposition 32 to increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour are running ads focused on the cost of living. Proponents are not reaching out to voters very much. And polls show declining support.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• October 24, 2024

A collage style illustration in orange, light blue, yellow, purple and black tones with various cut out images including: screenshots of advertisement against and in support of Proposition 33, hands holding signs with a check and x marks, different housing buildings, an envelope and an "I Voted" sticker.

Housing

We fact-checked the ads about Proposition 33, California’s rent control ballot measure.

The Yes and No on 33 campaigns have collectively spent more than $140 million. CalMatters fact checked some of the more pervasive claims made by both sides.

By

Felicia Mello

• October 18, 2024

Luke Johnson and husband Osbey Jackson stand in the kitchen of their home. Jackson rests his hand on a kitchen stove, and Johnson leans back on a chair next to a kitchen table. The home is decorated with photos and pots and pans hang over the stove.

Housing

California pledged $500 million to help tenants preserve affordable housing. They didn’t get a dime.

California allotted half a billion dollars to help community land trusts across the state. But budget cuts and bureaucracy have land trust advocates back where they were in 2020: seeking state aid to preserve affordable housing.

By

Felicia Mello

• October 10, 2024

California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state