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Insulin at Pucci's Pharmacy in Sacramento on July 8, 2022. One of the California bills killed would have capped co-pays.in the soaring prices of insulin has thus far been in elusive in Congress, although Democrats say they'll try again — as part of their economic package that focuses on health and climate. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Health

Gavin Newsom rejected plan to lower insulin copays, saying a better deal is the works

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a cap on insulin copayments, disappointing California diabetics who sought relief on prescription medication costs.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• October 12, 2023

Aura Silva Vergara at the home where she stays in Memphis, Tenn. on Oct. 2, 2023.

California Divide

From Texas’ border to California: A tale of two cities’ response to migrants arriving unexpectedly

While many of the 900-plus migrants who arrived in L.A. from Republican states quickly integrated into the community, the few dozen who went to Sacramento found an under-resourced support system.

By

Justo Robles

and

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• October 11, 2023

An employee stocks refrigerated items at a Grocery Outlet store in Pleasanton on Sept. 15, 2022. Photo by Terry Chea, AP Photo

California Divide

California grocery workers fear merger layoffs. Newsom vetoes bill that would have paid severance

The governor signed two other bills that strengthen protections for grocery workers during grocery store mergers and acquisitions.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• October 11, 2023

Health

Gavin Newsom signs law in ‘overhaul’ of mental health system. It changes decades of practice

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature mental health policies allow the involuntary treatment of more Californians with severe mental illnesses. Some fear the new laws will infringe on the civil liberties of people confined against their will.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• October 10, 2023

Maksim Batuyev is an environmental activist who runs climate cafes in Los Angeles. Sept. 27, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for Cal Matters

Mental Health

Climate change took them to ‘dark places.’ Now these Californians are doing something about it

The facts of climate change can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Some California activists are creating communities for people to talk about those feelings.

By

Shreya Agrawal

• October 10, 2023

Burger King employee Yolanda Santiago cheers “¡Si Se Pudo!” or “Yes, We Could!,” with fellow workers before Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation supporting the rights of fast food workers and boosting wages to $20 an hour during a press conference at SEIU Local 721 in Los Angeles on Sept. 28, 2023. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

California Divide

Gavin Newsom signs law boosting minimum wage for fast-food workers. Is $20 enough?

More than half a million fast food workers, mostly minorities and women, will earn higher minimum wage because Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a fast food bill Thursday. But some say that’s not a living wage.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• September 28, 2023

Elizabeth Clews at a library at the University of California, Santa Cruz campus in Santa Cruz, on Sept. 27, 2023. Photo by Laure Andrillon for CalMatters

Higher Education

She lost her financial aid while homeless. Newsom signs a bill that could help students like her

To qualify for financial aid, students must maintain a certain grade-point-average, but many don’t. A bill Gov. Newsom signed into law would make it easier for students to keep their aid and stay in college.

By

Adam Echelman

• September 28, 2023

Screen Actors Guild members and Writers Guild of America members picket at the Amazon Culver Studios in Culver City on June 17, 2023. A bill would pay strikers unemployment benefits. Photo by Julie A Hotz for CalMatters

California Divide

After hot labor summer, will Gavin Newsom sign bill giving unemployment benefits to striking workers?

A union-backed bill that would make strikers eligible for California's unemployment benefits awaits the governor’s signature. Businesses say it’ll cost too much.

By

Felicia Mello

• September 25, 2023

Pregnancy Care Center, an affiliate of Heartbeat International, in Fresno on Sept. 21, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Health

California sues crisis pregnancy centers over ‘abortion pill reversal’ claims

Several anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers are advertising ‘abortion pill reversal’. California Attorney General Rob Bonta calls the claims false advertising that mislead vulnerable patients.

By

Kristen Hwang

• September 21, 2023

People sit on the sidewalk of G Street in a small homeless encampment in the Chinatown neighborhood of Fresno on Feb. 10, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters

Mental Health

Gavin Newsom’s mental health plan is going to voters. Here’s what you need to know

California collects a special tax on high incomes to fund mental health services. Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to change how the money is spent so a share of it can be used to fund housing for homeless people with mental illnesses.

By

Kristen Hwang

• September 15, 2023

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