Explainers

A lawmaker, wearing a navy blue suit, holds up a piece of paper with their signature while surrounded by other lawmakers who clap their hands.

Politics

Which of these 2025 bills did Gavin Newsom sign into law?

Gov. Gavin Newsom has hundreds of bills to sign or veto before the Oct. 13 deadline, on everything from oil drilling to immigration raids and antisemitism in schools.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 29, 2025

A firefighter can be seen running and using a hose to help contain a fire in front of him that is devouring nearby buildings and structures.

Explainers

California infernos in January? Here’s why wildfire season keeps getting longer and more devastating

As climate change warms the planet, wildfires have become so unpredictable and extreme that new words were invented: firenado, gigafire, fire siege — even fire pandemic. California has 78 more annual “fire days” — when conditions are ripe for fires to spark — than 50 years ago. When is California’s wildfire season? With recurring droughts, […]

By

Julie Cart

• January 8, 2025

Housing in a planned neighborhood off of 580 near Tracy

Explainers

Californians: Here’s why your housing costs are so high

Half the state's households struggle to afford the roof over their heads. Here’s what you need to know about one of California’s most vexing issues.

By

Ben Christopher

and

Manuela Tobias

• October 15, 2024

Two patients sit in front of a desk with a plexiglass where a receptionists writes something down on a piece of paper.

Health

Health care in California: How the state made almost everyone eligible for coverage

California has used the Affordable Care Act to make health insurance available to almost every resident. It now has a record high insured rate, although millions continue to go without health care.

By

Shaanth Nanguneri

and

Arfa Momin

• September 4, 2024

Flanked by state lawmakers, Gov. Gavin Newsom shakes another lawmakers hand in celebration while seated at a desk at a Home Depot in San Jose.

Capitol

Which of these 2024 California bills did Gavin Newsom sign into law?

For California laws, the buck does really stop at Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. While the Legislature approved hundreds of bills before ending its regular session on Aug. 31, Newsom decides whether they become law. He finished on Sept. 30 — and vetoed about 18% of nearly 1,000 bills passed in the final days (and nearly […]

By

CalMatters Staff

• August 27, 2024

Elections

2024 California ballot measures: What you need to know

California voters will decide 10 propositions in November. Here’s what you need to know about them, how they got on the ballot and how direct democracy works in the state.

By

CalMatters Staff

• July 3, 2024

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Economy

Your guide to California’s increasing minimum wage: Getting by in an expensive state

California's minimum wage is among the highest in the nation but the state's high cost-of-living strains even full-time workers.

By

Liliana Michelena

,

Adam Ashton

and

Erica Yee

• May 28, 2024

Higher Education

The mystifying costs of college in California, explained

The true cost of college in California depends on how much financial aid students qualify for and the cost of housing where they attend.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• April 3, 2024

Families carry boxes full of fresh produce during a food bank event at El Verano elementary on Nov. 1, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Explainers

How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state

How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.

By

Rya Jetha

,

Jeanne Kuang

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• August 8, 2023

People hold placards as they attend a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody, in Los Angeles, on. June 8, 2020. Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters

Explainers

What to know about California reparations: Is the state’s apology the beginning or the end?

California’s first-in-the-nation task force on reparations is handing lawmakers dozens of recommendations, including a proposal that the state apologize for slavery and racist policies, and make financial amends.

By

Wendy Fry

,

Erica Yee

and

Rya Jetha

• June 29, 2023