Dan Walters

A person stands on the trailer of a truck with several small trees as it drives through a field with trees.

Commentary

How three Trump policy decrees could affect California’s agricultural industry

There are three policy areas President-elect Donald Trump wants to change that are particularly important to California farmers. If he does what he has promised, one might benefit the industry and two might hurt it.

By

Dan Walters

• November 19, 2024

The exterior of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles.

Commentary

Los Angeles County approves historic governance reform. San Francisco backs a study

Los Angeles County voters approved a ballot measure to overhaul the Board of Supervisors. San Francisco, on the other hand, picked a new mayor but voted down a more meaningful reform.

By

Dan Walters

• November 15, 2024

Four people stand on a stage behind individual podiums, each looking towards their right in front of an audience at a governor candidate forum. Blue, red and gray lights illuminate the stage curtains the background.

Commentary

Let the games begin: 2026 campaign for California governor now looms

The next political cycle begins with no clear frontrunners for California governor. There are at least a dozen potential candidates, plus one huge unknown factor: Vice President Kamala Harris’s career plans after losing her presidential bid.

By

Dan Walters

• November 14, 2024

A person wearing a red 'Trump' hat and jersey holds a large flag that reads 'Trump 2024' with an image of Donald Trump over a U.S. flag backdrop. They face a line of cars, some with passengers who have their arms raised, as they drive along a coastal road bordered by rugged cliffs and tall palm trees, illuminated by warm sunlight.

Commentary

Democrats still dominate California, but their voters have drifted to the right

Decades ago, Republicans and Democrats were evenly matched in California until the latter became the dominant party in the late 1990s. Last week's election moved the state's ideological needle a little to the right.

By

Dan Walters

• November 13, 2024

A tilted view of a person wearing a navy blue suit and looking to his right side while other lawmakers stand behind him at a Home Depot location.

Commentary

Newsom uses a stunt to position himself as a leader of the anti-Trump resistance

Gavin Newsom called a special session of the Legislature “to safeguard California values" from a Trump administration. The false declaration of urgency achieves what Newsom likely wants: national media coverage that probably wouldn’t happen otherwise.

By

Dan Walters

• November 8, 2024

Four white voting booths with American flags and the word "VOTE" emblazoned on the side are visible. A person wearing a baseball cap casts a ballot in one of the booths. They're located in a room, reminiscent of a community center.

Commentary

In deeply blue California, voters don’t always march to Democratic drums

California is one of the nation’s bluest states. However, the state’s voters engaged in some serious ticket-splitting this week, implying that they are not as wedded to the dominant party and its ideological causes as widely assumed.

By

Dan Walters

• November 7, 2024

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and other California lawmakers stand amongst burnt structures, rubble and debris at a mobile home park that was destroyed during a wildfire.

Commentary

California will likely feel the consequences of Donald Trump’s decisive victory

There's no reason to believe that Donald Trump will not continue using California as a punching bag during his second stint as president. But many may wonder what Kamala Harris's defeat now means for Gavin Newsom's ambitions.

By

Dan Walters

• November 6, 2024

A close-up view of a person's hands as they flip through a booklet with information on ballot propositions while they hold a pen with their right hand.

Commentary

Biggest potential impact in California’s election? Hundreds of bonds and tax measures

Three statewide ballot propositions and hundreds more local measures will test California voters' appetites for higher taxes and more debt for public works projects.

By

Dan Walters

• November 5, 2024

Commentary

A century later, salmon again spawning in Klamath River after dams removed

The Klamath River used to be the West Coast’s third most productive salmon fishery, until four hydroelectric dams built in the early 20th Century blocked salmon spawning.

By

Dan Walters

• November 1, 2024

A person wearing blue and grey tie dye pants and black shirt puts on a red sweatshirt in front of a graffiti wall where a homeless encanmpment used to be.

Commentary

Newsom provides welfare to the wealthy, skimps on anti-homelessness programs

This week Gov. Gavin Newsom promised $750 million to a few already wealthy entertainment producers and $827 million to cities and counties helping homeless people gain shelter.

By

Dan Walters

• October 31, 2024