Donald Trump

Students on campus at the University of California, Davis in Davis on Feb. 2, 2022. Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Higher Education

Trump administration restores dementia research it gutted as part of its DEI purge

The National Institutes of Health restored a leading University of California researcher’s $36 million grant studying dementia on Friday after terminating it three weeks ago as part of the Trump administration’s DEI purge. The UC says others were restored, too.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • April 14, 2025

Painted letters and numbers on the asphalt of a school as the feet and shadows of young children can be seen in the background.

K-12 Education

Trump canceled millions in California school grants. The state is suing to reclaim the money

Schools had until March 2026 to spend remaining COVID relief money. The U.S. Department of Education cut those funds, amounting to about $200 million for California K-12 schools.

By Carolyn Jones • April 10, 2025

Justice

Border Patrol to retrain hundreds of California agents on how to comply with the Constitution

After controversial sweeps in Kern County and a CalMatters investigation, the federal government will train agents on when they can stop and arrest people.

By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos • April 10, 2025

Higher Education

He spent decades researching dementia. Trump’s DEI purge killed his grant, and dozens more

This researcher’s project joins at least 30 others across the University of California system that have been terminated by the National Institutes of Health. Those multi-year awards were worth more than $173 million.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • April 10, 2025

The Chevron refinery in Richmond is located behind a neighborhood on Feb. 21, 2024. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Climate Change

Trump targets California climate laws in new executive order

Trump ordered his attorney general to move against state climate programs that clash with his energy agenda. Legal experts say his claims about the laws being unconstitutional are an overreach.

By Alejandro Lazo • April 9, 2025

People visit the Griffith Observatory with the Hollywood sign in the background in Los Angeles on July 13, 2023. Photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack via AP

Economy

Canadians pull back on travel to California because of Trump: ‘I will miss the desert’

Canada has been the No. 2 source of international travel to California, but there are already signs that point to a change.

By Levi Sumagaysay • April 7, 2025

A colorful mural featuring flowers, birds, and a mountain scene decorates a low wall in front of trees and houses, with snow-dusted Mount Shasta rising in the background under a blue sky. A person with a backpack walks near the mural.

Politics

Rural California, reliant on the Trump administration for jobs, braces for cuts

Rural counties are some of the most reliant on federal funding and federal workers. But some still welcome Trump’s upcoming cuts to forestry and other departments

By Jeanne Kuang • April 3, 2025

A row of blue pop-up tents with pallets of boxes and a group of workers wearing yellow safety vests walking around. The side of the tent has white text that says, “WWW.SACRAMENTOFOODBANK.COM.”

Politics

California food banks brace for funding cuts, and not only from the Trump administration

Food aid is one of numerous competing priorities California lawmakers will have to juggle in the face of steep potential federal cuts.

By Jeanne Kuang • March 27, 2025

Students walk across a sunny campus courtyard in front of a modern white building with large glass windows and curved architectural elements. Trees and orange banners displaying “Summer” and “Online” line the walkway, and a few students are gathered near a ladder at the building’s entrance.

Education

The US Education Department investigates Cal State San Bernardino as Trump dismantles the agency

Cal State San Bernardino is among several dozen universities under federal scrutiny for programs that have targeted disadvantaged groups of students.

By Deborah Brennan • March 26, 2025

Students walk through the UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2022. Photo by Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters

Commentary

Protect California’s international students so they don’t ‘walk on eggshells’ in fear of ICE

California ranks No. 1 in international students, who are afraid of escalating ICE activity on campus. Colleges pledged safeguards but their protections are limited.

By Nuo Chen • March 24, 2025