Donald Trump

Federal agents — dressed in dark green uniforms and wearing masks that cover part of their face — stand near a person being detained by one of the agents in front of a food stand.

Justice

Newsom signs new laws to rein in immigration agents as Trump’s deportation campaign escalates

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of laws that aim to check federal agents during the Trump administration’s deportation program and improve conditions in detention centers. Several likely will be challenged in court.

By Nigel Duara • September 29, 2026

A powerful waterfall cascades down a steep granite cliff in Yosemite National Park, with Half Dome visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Commentary

Yosemite land giveaway shows no place is safe from Trump’s assault on public lands

The Trump administration is finding ways to sell, lease or give away millions of acres of protected public lands and national parkland to developers.

By Mark Butler • September 23, 2026

A man in a suit stands in front of doors with a green lock and blue seal on them. A window in the doors shows a room full of cardboard boxes.

Politics

FBI visits California MAGA stronghold after elections chief alleges ballot stuffing

A California election official said ballots looked, smelled and felt funny after he lost in this MAGA stronghold. Then the FBI visited Shasta County.

By Ryan Sabalow • September 22, 2026

An aerial view of several large data center buildings and a construction site, surrounded by neighborhoods and dry, rolling hills.

Technology

Newsom clamps down on California data centers as voters turn against the industry

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed seven data center bills into law on Monday, signaling a tide change toward regulation of the industry.

By Katherine Ortiz • September 21, 2026

Students rallied with undocumented students, urging University of California leaders to remove hiring restrictions for undocumented students in front of Kerckhoff Hall at UCLA in Los Angeles on May 17, 2023. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Higher Education

Newsom again vetoes bill to allow undocumented college students to work on campus

Newsom’s veto means a four-year battle to allow students without legal status to work at California’s public colleges wages on. This is the second time he vetoed such a bill to allow public colleges and universities to hire undocumented students.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • September 20, 2026

A white broadband set with antennas sits on a table with a person using a laptop in the blurry background.

Technology

California is poised to get $1.4 billion for broadband. But there’s a huge catch

California’s bid for $1.4 billion in broadband funding has been five years in the making. Now the Trump administration says it must give up net neutrality and other state internet rules.

By Khari Johnson • September 18, 2026

A person in a dark suit and light blue tie stands outdoors among a crowd, facing the camera with a serious expression. Behind them, an American flag waves near a construction crane, with trees and a bright blue sky in the background.

Politics

U.S. Supreme Court rejects Trump’s mail-in voting limits as November election nears

Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court's decision shooting down President Trump's proposal to restrict mail-in voting just before the November midterm election.

By Lynn La • September 14, 2026

White and purple colored voting ballots stacked inside a crate labeled "United States Postal Service" sit on a table.

Politics

With mail-in rules uncertain, here’s how Californians can prepare to vote in November

The Supreme Court is weighing President Trump’s plan to limit universal mail-in voting with just seven weeks until the November election. California officials are urging people to vote early.

By Maya C. Miller • September 12, 2026

A California Condor with black and white feathers, glides through the air with its wings extended out.

Environment

California sues over Trump’s changes to Endangered Species Act, arguing they threaten habitat

The Trump administration reinterpreted the Endangered Species Act to counter what it called "federal overreach." California is suing to block its changes, arguing they threaten vital habitat.

By Rachel Becker • September 10, 2026

Trucks line up to enter a Port of Oakland shipping terminal in Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

Technology

As California debated sharing data on drivers, Homeland Security subpoenaed 17 million records

Privacy advocates raised alarms as California lawmakers voted to share driver license information with a national nonprofit database. Then, the Trump administration sought trucker records from the organization.

By Wendy Fry and Khari Johnson • September 3, 2026