Sacramento

A canal flowing through orchards west of Fresno on June 3, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Environment

State imposes sweeping ban on pumping river water in San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area

As drought intensifies, the order affects many cities and growers from Fresno to the Oregon border, including 212 public water systems.

By

Rachel Becker

• June 7, 2022

Muhammad, who declined to provide his last name, warms his hand at a fire near his tent in Sacramento. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

WhatMatters

Lawmakers double down on mental health reform

Elected officials are zeroing in on mental health reform, as well as gun control, as voters show increasing concern on crime and homelessness.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 5, 2022

Several new California laws will kick in for 2022. The state Capitol. Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Economy

Eleven new California laws for 2022, explained in one minute

The new year brings a raft of new laws for Californians. They’re likely to affect what your neighborhood looks like, how safe you feel, what recourse you have against discrimination — even how you take out your trash. In 2021 the Legislature’s super-majority of Democrats sent Gov. Gavin Newsom hundreds of bills that he signed […]

By

Byrhonda Lyons

and

CalMatters Staff

• December 28, 2021

Josh Lowe made a makeshift raft out of longboards and wood to get across the San Mateo Creek to where he has been staying in San Clemente on Nov. 6, 2021. Lowe moved to the woods with his dog Anna since an encampment on CalTrans property was cleared on Aug. 27. Photo by Ariana Drehsler for CalMatters

Housing

Is ‘right to housing’ a solution to California homelessness?

In the new episode of "Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast." CalMatters' Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times' Liam Dillon interview Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg on his "right to housing" proposal to reduce homelessness.

By

Manuela Tobias

• December 3, 2021

Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today Los Angeles will form a reparations committee as part of a national coalition with other big city mayors. Photo by Gary Coronado, Los Angeles Times via AP/Pool

California Divide

Los Angeles, Sacramento announce reparations coalition on Juneteenth

Mayors, including Los Angeles and Sacramento, form reparations and equity coalition on new federal holiday to push for national reparations. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti also announces the formation of an advisory committee, paving the way for a local reparations pilot project.

By

Nigel Duara

• June 18, 2021

WhatMatters

Counties face choice about forcing more mentally ill Californians into treatment

Time is running out for California counties to decide whether they want to develop programs that would give families a legal tool to get severely mentally ill relatives into treatment. After years of resistance, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to implement Laura’s Law, becoming the 21st county to do so. The […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• May 20, 2021

Patients and hospital staff wear masks outside of Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center on Feb. 12, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Coronavirus

Hospitals in much of California begin reopening to visitors

With counties moving to less-restrictive tiers and the state loosening visitation restrictions, hospitals are gradually allowing more visitors for non-COVID-19 patients. Some are moving immediately on new state recommendations, while others are weighing the risks.

By

Rachel Becker

• March 24, 2021