criminal justice

WhatMatters

Final votes, climate fight, food stamps, felons’ rights, and Kamala Harris

Legislative sprint begins in Sacramento. Trump and California battle over tailpipe emissions. Counties pressured to closed the food stamp gap.

By

Dan Morain

• September 3, 2019

WhatMatters

Billionaire hits a hard patch, the economy is on a roll, and help is wanted in health care

California's economy keeps rolling. State faces a doctor shortage. Groups switch gears on initiative to rewrite Proposition 13.

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• August 19, 2019

WhatMatters

Trying to help mentally ill jail inmates, trying to quit cars, and the $3 billion cash crop

Legislator wants money for mentally ill inmates. California looks for new ways to get people out of cars. State leads the way in super commutes.

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• August 16, 2019

Sen. Kamala Harris speaks at the 2019 Iowa Democratic Wing Ding at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Aug. 9, 2019. Today, democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announced Sen. Harris as his pick for Vice President. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Elections

What California knows about Kamala Harris

What most Americans are just beginning to learn about California’s junior senator, we’ve already seen here for decades. Here are eight ways that California shaped Kamala Harris and that Harris has shaped California.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 12, 2019

WhatMatters

Domestic violence, sexual harassment, HIV prevention, pardons, and a winemaker’s $3.7 million fine

Senator's domestic violence bill is personal. California justice says colleague sexually harassed her. New HIV-prevention drug sparks debate.

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• August 8, 2019

An elephant sitting in a hammock on the beach and look at sea.

WhatMatters

Gas taxes, crisis beds, a gun tax, a Reagan remembrance, a GOP loss, and CCPOA’s $2 million headache

California leads the way in gas taxes. Cut in Sonoma County crisis beds alarms law enforcement. Regan son-in-law urges perspective on racist comment.

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• August 5, 2019

Photo of former California Gov. Jerry Brown

WhatMatters

Equifax’s data breach, criminal justice, UC admissions, and CCPOA’s pay

Jerry Brown, chief justice team on criminal justice reform. Equifax to pay $700 million to settle data breach. Correctional officers to get pay hike.

By

Dan Morain

and

Barbara Harvey

• July 23, 2019

Newsletters

Newsom’s fire plan, lack of mental health leadership, a transgender barrier to fall

Newsom eyes package to address wildfires crisis. Mental health services vary widely by county. Legislation focuses on school records for transgender alumi.

By

Dan Morain

• June 24, 2019

Justice

Any spike in repeat crimes after California sped prisoner release? New research says no

When the U.S. Supreme Court ordered California to disgorge tens of thousands of inmates from its overcrowded prison system in 2011, Justice Antonin Scalia warned in his dissent of "the terrible things sure to happen as a consequence" including the "inevitable murders, robberies, and rapes to be committed by the released inmates." But researchers who've looked at how how often those released from the state's prisons and jails in the ruling's aftermath say such fears have not come to pass.

By

Ben Christopher

• June 24, 2019

Newsletters

A big budget, slices of pork, and a win for correctional officers

Lawmakers pass $215 billion budget, but more work remains. Budget includes Placerville pork. Progressives suffer some setbacks.

By

Dan Morain

• June 14, 2019

Criminal Justice