public health - Page 2 of 23 - CalMatters

An unhoused person holds pieces of fentanyl in their hand in Los Angeles on Aug. 18, 2022. Use of the powerful synthetic opioid that is cheap to produce and is often sold as is or laced in other drugs, has exploded. Because it's 50 times more potent than heroin, even a small dose can be fatal. It has quickly become the deadliest drug in the nation, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Showdown on California fentanyl bills

by Lynn La April 28, 2023April 28, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to the media at a press conference at Hansen Ranches outside of Corcoran on April 25, 2023. Newsom addressed the areas flooded farmlands during the winter storms in Kings County. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Will California’s Big Melt be a slow-moving disaster?

by Lynn La April 26, 2023April 26, 2023

Anthony Delio, 36, falls asleep standing up in an alley after smoking fentanyl in Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2022. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Lawmakers plan to focus on California fentanyl crisis

by Lynn La April 21, 2023April 21, 2023

Brandy Tseu uses an electronic cigarette at The Vapor Spot vapor bar in Los Angeles on March 4, 2014. Photo by Mario Anzuoni, Reuters

Capitol, Health

Tobacco sales phaseout withers in California without support from anti-tobacco advocates

by Alexei Koseff April 13, 2023April 13, 2023

Artesia Councilmember Ali Sajad Taj, president of Cal Cities, speaks during a press conference at the state Capitol in Sacramento on April 12, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

California cities to state: Pay up on homeless crisis

by Lynn La April 13, 2023April 13, 2023

Lawmakers on the Assembly Floor at the Capitol on March 27, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California Legislature tackles food chemicals, facial recognition, transgender kids and more

by Lynn La April 12, 2023April 12, 2023

Beth Kenny at Crab Cove in Alameda, Calif., on Friday on Apr. 8th, 2023. Photo by Felix Uribe for CalMatters

The California mask mandate is gone. Now some patients fear for their health.

by Kristen Hwang April 11, 2023April 11, 2023

Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi argues in favor of Gov. Newsom's oil profit penalty plan at the Capitol on March 27, 2023. If passed, the bill would impose a penalty on oil companies for high gas prices. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California lawmakers OK Newsom plan that could someday cap oil industry profits

by Lynn La March 28, 2023March 28, 2023

Meredith Reyes, a lab technician, labels COVID-19 test swabs before processing at the Sonoma County Department of Public Health in Santa Rosa. California counties are fighting for more state health funds. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

California reinvested in public health. Newsom put it back on the chopping block

by Guest Commentary March 1, 2023February 28, 2023

Eddie Daniels administers rapid COVID-19 tests at Greater St. Paul Church in downtown Oakland on Jan. 4, 2022. Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

COVID disparities grow as California ends state of emergency

by Kristen Hwang February 28, 2023February 27, 2023