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Politics

Two job performance polls give Gavin Newsom bad news…and worse news

Two fresh polls indicate that California voters may be falling out of love with a governor who just three years ago was elected by a record-breaking margin, and who early in the pandemic ranked as one of the country’s most popular state leaders.  How worrisome is this for the governor facing a burgeoning recall effort? […]

By Ben Christopher • February 2, 2021

Commentary

Kids sit home as politicians squabble

While California's politicians wrangle, millions of school kids are stuck at home due to COVID-19 and their educations are suffering.

By Dan Walters • February 1, 2021

Commentary

How do we close the economic divide?

The pandemic is worsening California's income inequality, but how to assist those in poverty remains a puzzle.

By Dan Walters • January 31, 2021

Politics

Recalling a California governor, explained

Gov. Gavin Newsom is fighting for his political life. He’s working to fend off a recall that began as a far-fetched effort by Republican activists — but has turned into a credible campaign that could throw the Democrat out of office. It’s hard to fathom in this deep blue state where Newsom clobbered his 2018 […]

By Laurel Rosenhall • January 27, 2021

Commentary

An equitable recovery for California requires two key strategies

With these smart policy choices California can chart an equitable recovery by targeting those most in need and investing in long-term opportunity.

By Guest Commentary • January 25, 2021

Commentary

Water partnerships between cities and farms would help prepare for a changing climate

Valley farmers and Southern California cities could improve water security if they jointly developed and managed some water supplies.

By Guest Commentary • January 20, 2021

Elections

Trump’s rhetoric behind California’s big gains in Latino voter registration

Trump's harsh rhetoric, competitive elections, and efforts to get out the vote all led to significant gains in Latino voter registration in 2020.

By Lewis Griswold • January 12, 2021

WhatMatters

California’s population growth hits record lows

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, December 17. People leaving for other states California’s population is growing at the slowest rate in more than a century, showcasing the contradictions of a state known for its innovation, beauty and diversity but also for its high cost of living, destructive wildfires and homelessness. The Golden State’s population increased […]

By Emily Hoeven • December 17, 2020

WhatMatters

Unions, cities square off over raises, layoffs

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, December 16. Big budget deficits Even as California cities face yawning budget deficits, many are still on the hook for raises promised to public employee unions — leaving local governments with little choice but to lay off employees or slash services. With Congress gridlocked over a relief package, the cities […]

By Emily Hoeven • December 16, 2020

Justice

High-risk inmates aren’t prioritized in state’s early releases

More than 7,500 prisoners sent home in the program — which aims to slow the spread of COVID-19 — would have been released within months anyway. Thousands with health conditions remain in prison, and the virus keeps spreading.

By Byrhonda Lyons • December 11, 2020