Bay Area

A flurry of changes on immigration promises a dramatic crackdown. California pushed back in court last time, but may be in a tougher position now, experts say.

The report laid out dozens of potential violations by Evan Low involving a non-profit tech foundation for which he raised a half-million dollars. The regulators' findings are the result of a five-year state probe — launched immediately after CalMatters published an investigation into the relationship between Low, the foundation and its donors.

About a quarter — 25.3% — of all new cars registered in California in 2024 were electric cars, compared with 25% in 2023. The flat sales follow several years of rapid growth, and sales are still far below the state's 35% target.

The unusual move is alarming activists who worry they could be in the ordinance’s crosshairs.

California has for years tiptoed around the housing crisis. Berkeley's reforms may be the way to resolve it.

Bird flu has been spreading among dairy workers in California's Central Valley, jumping from cows to people. A new suspected case in the Bay Area came from an unknown source.

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.

The governor’s recent deal with Nvidia will boost AI education at community colleges and open the door to similar deals for public four-year universities in California. Meanwhile, computer science programs are adding AI concentrations and majors to prepare students for a range of "blue collar" and technical AI jobs.

California has one of the lowest homeownership rates in the nation. Similar to other economic indices, it also includes a strong racial component that affects state's generational wealth gap.

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.