California’s K-12 schools are grappling with the latest U.S. Supreme Court ruling, a nationwide artificial intelligence contest and personal data violations. Let’s get into it.
- LGBTQ forced outing law blocked: The high court has temporarily blocked a California law that prohibits school districts from enacting policies requiring teachers to notify parents if their kid is transgender. Parents rights proponents celebrated the ruling, with attorneys for the Thomas More Society — the law firm that filed suit against the state — calling the decision a “watershed moment.” Meanwhile, advocates for transgender youth pledge to push forward, and a spokesperson for the California Attorney General said the state is “committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming school environment for all students.” Read more from CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones.
- AI contest: In August President Donald Trump issued a nationwide challenge to students to develop an AI project that addresses an issue in their community. Winners will receive $10,000 and the call was part of the administration’s push to boost AI education. But with some California school districts moving quickly to encourage participation, and others having never heard of the challenge, the uneven rollout of Trump’s directive underscores the deepening inequities of AI education. Read more from Z. Waite for CalMatters.
- Collecting data on students: The California Privacy Protection Agency is fining a ticket service company for $1.1 million over its failure to give students and families a way to opt out of their data collection. PlayOn has contracted with roughly 1,400 California schools to coordinate ticket sales for school sports games and plays. But to use it, users had to agree to the company’s privacy policy, which allowed the sale of personal data, according to the agency. The agency says this is the first time it has gone after a company over privacy violations of students and schools. Read more from CalMatters’ Adam Echelman.
Focus on Inland Empire: Each Wednesday, CalMatters Inland Empire reporter Aidan McGloin surveys the big stories from that part of California. Read his newsletter and sign up here to receive it.
Other Stories You Should Know
Colleges look to stem declining enrollment
In higher education news, California State University campuses struggle with budget gaps and declining enrollment. But one university is attempting to ease its financial woes by pushing programs that help increase enrollment, writes CalMatters’ Mikhail Zinshteyn.
California campuses get their funding based partially on enrollment. At Cal State University Dominguez Hill in Los Angeles County, enrollment has fallen 20% in fall of 2025 compared to fall 2020, and the university projects it will lose an additional $8 million this year.
To generate more funds, the school aims to attract and retain students through its First Year Experience program, in which freshmen can enroll in free college courses during the summer. By expanding efforts in its Once a Toro, Always a Toro program, the university also hopes to re-enroll students who’ve dropped out in the last 15 years or so.
Gubernatorial candidates campaign on single payer
In some state politics news:
- Universal health care: This election season, Democratic candidates for governor are pushing a familiar policy issue: Single-payer health care. Though it’s a popular proposal among progressives, it faces big hurdles. Besides the multibillion-dollar costs, setting up a single-payer program in California would require federal approval, which the Trump administration would very likely reject. It would also likely require a huge increase in state taxes, though proponents argue California would end up saving money in the long run. Read more from CalMatters’ Jeanne Kuang.
- Lobbyist letters: A Democratic and Republican assemblymember have each introduced a bill that would make “position letters” more accessible to Californians. Position letters are from lobbyists and advocacy groups and sent to the Legislature in support or opposition of a bill. Though they’re technically public records, the process to request and access them is laborious. For the past year, CalMatters has tried to obtain the letters as they are filed through the Legislature’s online portal in an attempt to add it to our own public Digital Democracy database. The Legislature has denied our request. Read more from CalMatters’ Ryan Sabalow.
And lastly: Republican infighting
San Diego Assemblymember Carl DeMaio has upset his GOP colleagues again by thwarting a party endorsement. Read more from CalMatters’ Nadia Lathan.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: The perpetual clash between business interests and left-leaning groups is being played out this year, with disputes over emissions reports and taxation.
After successfully pushing legislation to stop sheriffs from medically examining deaths in their own jails, I plan to introduce more bills that would improve jail systems management and accountability, writes Assemblymember Gregg Hart, a Santa Barbara Democrat.
The next governor must treat energy as a top priority, while considering the fact that voters want a cleaner energy future only if it doesn’t wreck jobs, increase bills or drive out the middle class, writes Tracy Hernandez, cofounder and CEO of the New California Coalition.
Other things worth your time:
White House faces thousands of lawsuits as it tries to slow-walk tariff refunds // Politico
Vulnerable Republicans in CA’s redrawn congressional districts back war in Iran // Los Angeles Times
Rep. Kevin Kiley has chosen where to run. It’s a race filled with Democrats // The Sacramento Bee
Struggling Democrats need to drop out of CA’s crowded governor race or risk a GOP win, party leader warns // Los Angeles Times
Northern CA’s first condor egg in 100 years reported in redwood tree // San Francisco Chronicle
Mayor Lurie tells SF departments to plan for 500 job cuts as labor battles intensify // San Francisco Chronicle
How Merced College handled multiple complaints against one of its longest-serving deans // KVPR
FBI scrutiny of Carvalho, LAUSD began with tip from NY prosecutors examining fraud at AI firm // Los Angeles Times