CARES Act - CalMatters

That student in your community college class could be a bot

by Charlotte West, Mikhail Zinshteyn, Matthew Reagan and Emma Hall September 2, 2021September 2, 2021

Bots are filling up community college classes in a likely attempt by scammers to fraudulently access COVID-19 relief grants and other financial aid. At least 10 districts or individual colleges told CalMatters they’ve been affected, and the community college system has announced new security measures to combat the scam.

Graciela Gomez looks out the window from her boyfriend's home in South Gate. "One Sunday I'm home and I get served," Gomez said. "One of the credit card companies had sued me." Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

California may move to regulate booming debt settlement industry

by Erika Paz July 6, 2021April 19, 2023

Gladys Garcia sits for a portrait inside of her apartment at the Mar Vista Gardens public housing complex in Culver City on April 14, 2021. "I'm afraid that when it's time to pay them the money, I'll have to leave," Garcia, who is the mother of four daughters, said. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

In COVID era, housing authority letters omit key tenant protection info

by Amy Martyn April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

Isabel Lopez, a third year student at Chico State studying agriculture science and education, has yet to receive her $800 student stimulus payment even though it appears on her financial aid documents. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Higher Education

Did you get federal relief money from December? Depends which college you go to

by Mikhail Zinshteyn April 5, 2021April 5, 2021

A sea of homes are photographed from Bayview Park in San Francisco, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Photo by David Rodrigues, The Salinas Californian

California Divide

Small landlords left struggling when renters stop paying

by Kate Cimini March 17, 2021April 19, 2023

independent contractors

Commentary, Economy

Labor protections needed for independent contractors

by Guest Commentary March 10, 2021March 10, 2021

California Divide

With raffles, food sales and fundraisers, Latinos do their best to avoid debt

by Araceli Martinez Ortega February 18, 2021April 19, 2023

Capitol, Commentary

There is no justification for unequal distribution of relief funds to small counties

by Guest Commentary February 15, 2021February 12, 2021

Two farmworkers sit at the end of strawberry field rows for their lunch break in Watsonville. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

California Divide

Farmworkers lose out on $1.5B COVID-19 safety funding after USDA springs surprise spending

by Kate Cimini January 13, 2021January 26, 2021

Maya Brady in her Sacramento apartment she shares with her partner on Dec. 3, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

California Divide

Finally, rent relief for a graduate starting out in the job market

by Jackie Botts January 8, 2021March 23, 2021