Inland Empire

Several warehouse building in blue and white tones behind a white concrete fence next to an empty field.

Commentary

Rejection of Inland Empire warehouse project signals a retreat from California’s decadeslong boom

Local and state leaders in California are breaking with decades of inertia and reining in warehouse development. A recent decision in Riverside cemented the shift and elated activists who spent years opposing a major project.

By

Jim Newton

• May 15, 2025

California Divide

Geologically rich but economically poor, Salton Sea communities want a say in their lithium future

The Salton Sea will soon become a major hub for California's renewable energy economy, prompting the legislature to take steps to ensure future investments benefit local communities that have long been left behind.

By

Deborah Brennan

• May 14, 2025

A person with long hair speaks into a microphone while seated at a desk during a public hearing. Others are seated in the background, slightly out of focus.

Mental Health

An overdose killed her son. Then, California lawmakers asked her to help save others

Ryan Matlock died of a fentanyl overdose after seeking addiction treatment. Today, his mother is urging lawmakers to get tougher on health insurance plans.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• May 6, 2025

A group of people participate in a demonstration outdoors, holding signs in support of transgender rights. One sign reads "Protect Trans Kids," while another states "Trans People Have Always Been Here!" A person with red hair, wearing a denim jacket and a face mask, raises an arm while holding a sign that says "Let All Kids Play." Others in the crowd wear pink bandanas and buttons, standing among trees with autumn-colored leaves. The late afternoon sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene.

California Divide

Another California school board takes aim at transgender athletes

Redlands Unified school board can't legally ban transgender athletes, but a majority of its board voted for a resolution opposing them anyway.

By

Deborah Brennan

• April 30, 2025

A person speaks into a microphone while holding papers in a formal legislative chamber. The individual wears a burgundy outfit and stands at a desk with ornate woodwork. In the background, others are seated or standing, engaging in various tasks, including using a laptop and conversing. Tall curtains and architectural details frame the setting.

Justice

Lawmaker seeks new way to outlaw threats against California schools and places of worship

Existing law makes it illegal to threaten people in many cases, but what happens when the threat is against a building, such as a school or a place of worship?

By

Denise Amos

• April 23, 2025

A California Highway Patrol officer stops a motorist who was suspected of speeding along Interstate 405 freeway in Westminster on April 23, 2020. Photo by Chris Carlson, AP Photo

Justice

California drivers with disabilities may use blue envelopes for police stops

During police stops, drivers with disabilities would use blue envelopes to signal the officer to slow down and be patient with them.

By

Deborah Brennan

• April 16, 2025

A weathered vintage-style sign reads “Welcome Salton Sea Beach” with a painted desert and ocean landscape. The sign features a red anchor-shaped arrow and a palm tree illustration. It stands along a quiet roadside with desert brush in the foreground and distant mountains and water in the background.

Commentary

California’s lithium future must include better recognition of overlooked Salton Sea communities

An effort to formally recognize the Salton Sea as an economic region was vetoed last year, but that has not stopped underinvested and underrepresented communities there from fighting for key infrastructure as lithium mining expands.

By Silvia Paz • April 14, 2025

An assembly member in a suit stands up with a microphone during a session and is surrounded by other assembly members in the chambers at the state Capitol.

Politics

Riverside County gets special election after lawmaker suddenly resigns

Bill Essayli abruptly left his Assembly seat April 1 when President Trump made him a U.S. Attorney. Here's what comes next for voters.

By

Deborah Brennan

• April 9, 2025

A person wearing a tie-dye shirt holding a water bottle, speaking to two officers in a brown uniform with the word “SHERIFF” on the back in yellow text. In the background is a group of people standing around near a building.

Justice

Amid jail deaths spike, groups call for splitting coroner from Riverside Sheriff’s Office

A coalition of civil rights groups says the offices of sheriff and coroner should be separate, so there is impartiality when investigating in-custody or jail deaths.

By

Deborah Brennan

• April 2, 2025

An Amazon warehouse is seen from a plot of land that is currently for sale in San Bernardino on Feb. 16, 2023. Warehouses in the Inland Empire have grown at an exponentially high pace. Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Economy

Tariffs cast shadow over Inland Empire’s economic outlook

Tariffs, mass immigrant deportations and a drop in tourism all could spell trouble for Inland Empire's economy.

By

Deborah Brennan

• March 19, 2025