English – Page 4 – CalMatters

A group of students sits around a table arranging orange and pink word cards into sentences during a classroom activity. Only their hands and partial arms are visible as they interact with the cards.

Trump wanted to cut the Department of Education into irrelevancy. A new report shows how he did it

by Adam Echelman June 29, 2026June 26, 2026

The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education tried to assess the extent and impact of the Trump Administration’s initial layoffs and cuts in early 2025. The report shows which offices were hit hardest but leaves some questions unanswered.

A firefighter walks through a smoke-filled industrial street as fire engines spray water onto a burning warehouse. Fire hoses snake across the wet pavement, where puddles reflect the firefighter and the hazy morning light.

Environment

An explosion scare, then a warehouse fire: Californians want answers about hazardous chemicals

by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde June 27, 2026June 26, 2026

The Boyle Heights and Garden Grove emergencies are raising questions about emergency planning, inspections and accountability

A person, with blonde hair and wearing a pink blazer, speaks in front of a podium while surrounded by other people. The California seal and the American flag can be seen in the distant background.

Commentary

What the federal probe of Newsom and the first partner means for his presidential ambitions

by Dan Walters June 26, 2026June 25, 2026

Gavin Newsom has rocketed to the top of the shadow campaign for president. A federal investigation into the Newsoms could either boost or torpedo his ambitions.

A person wearing a beige jacket and cap walks down a city street, pulling a large, crumpled blue tarp. The scene is framed by tall buildings, parked cars, and a modern glass structure in the background. The muted urban setting is illuminated by soft, natural light, highlighting the quiet and solitary moment.

California Divide

They asked 6,000 Californians about inequality and learned how we live with it

by Wendy Fry June 26, 2026June 25, 2026

A conversation with G. Cristina Mora and Tianna S. Paschel, authors of “Normalizing Inequality: How Californians Make Sense of the Growing Divide”

A group of individuals in blue shirts are seen through a wire-mesh window, sitting at desks and working on papers in a classroom setting. In the foreground, a person with glasses studies paperwork, while books, including a Spanish dictionary, are stacked on the table. Computers line the back of the room, and photos are displayed on the walls.

Justice

California prisons clamp down on overtime, limit access to classes for incarcerated people

by Cayla Mihalovich June 26, 2026June 25, 2026

California prisons are limiting access to programs for incarcerated people as the system manages it overtime budget. The state spends about $18 billion a year on corrections.

A firefighter walks past a heavily damaged warehouse at a street intersection as smoke and steam billow from the structure in the early morning light. Fire hoses, barricades and caution tape line the wet roadway while a ladder truck extends toward the building through the haze.

Commentary

Big box tinderboxes: Warehouses are exposing more Californians to costly, toxic disasters

June 26, 2026June 25, 2026 by Susan Phillips

The blaze at a massive cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights is simply the latest in a string of massive industrial facility fires in California.

A large stage backdrop reads "Billionaire Tax Now" and "Vote Yes 11/3/26" as attendees gather in silhouette before an event, with musical equipment set up onstage.

Health

California unions, hospitals strike deal — but billionaire tax heads to ballot

by Kristen Hwang June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

Hospitals and a healthcare union have agreed to pull rival initiatives from the ballot, but a proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires remains headed to November voters.

A group of people standing around a table under a pop-up canopy tent, talking and reviewing election information, while one person holds a political sign in their arms.

Politics

Billionaire tax, affordable housing: See the measures on California’s November ballot

by Yue Stella Yu and Kristen Hwang June 25, 2026June 30, 2026

California voters will decide on 14 statewide policy proposals come November, including the high-stakes billionaire tax, an $11 billion affordable housing bond and voter ID requirements.