San Francisco

Commentary

Political change is coming to San Francisco Bay Area, a Democratic stronghold

Two mayors, San Francisco’s Daniel Lurie and San Jose’s Matt Mahan, personify the rising influence of centrists among Bay Area Democratic leaders.

By

Dan Walters

• September 11, 2025

A black and white patrol vehicle pulls into the California Highway Patrol office on its right.

Politics

Newsom deploys ‘crime suppression’ teams statewide while mocking Trump’s threats

As President Donald Trump ramps up threats of military action to “clean up” Democratic-led cities, Newsom said local communities can best tackle crime in their communities.

By

Alexei Koseff

• August 28, 2025

A huge crowd of people gather around a small group of lawmakers standing near a pole with a sign that reads "California" during a national convention event inside a stadium venue. People in the crowd hold up their phones to take photos or hold blue and red signs that read "freedom."

Commentary

California’s politics drifts rightward while New York’s leans left

In contrast to New York voters favoring a "democratic socialist," Californians chose moderate politicians like Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.

By

Dan Walters

• July 4, 2025

A stylized digital collage shows two people talking on phones, facing each other across the image. On the left, a person with short hair, glasses, and a patterned shirt speaks with a concerned expression. On the right, a person with curly hair pulled back looks thoughtful while holding a phone to their ear. Scribbled white lines near each head symbolize confusion or emotional distress. The background features rough textures and warm-toned graphic shapes in orange and pink.

Mental Health

Mental health support centers are reeling from California budget cuts, with layoffs expected

Operators of mental health support lines are laying off staff and ceasing or curtailing services due to California budget cuts and a 2024 ballot measure.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• July 3, 2025

A side view of a man on a bike next to homeless tents lined up along a sidewalk underneath a highway in Sacramento.

Homelessness

In major cities and more rural areas, arrests and citations rose in the months following last summer’s Supreme Court decision. In some places, officials insist the events are unrelated.

By

Marisa Kendall

• June 27, 2025

A white and blue train zooms by a street next two a multi-story apartment building in beige and cream tones.

Housing

How gentrification is killing the bus: California’s rising rents are pushing out commuters

Across Los Angeles, rent hikes have led to fewer bus and train riders in an example of how California’s housing crisis is also making its transit crisis harder to solve.

By

Ben Christopher

• May 29, 2025

Two people on a pier hold up a large striped bass they’ve caught, inspecting it together as fishing rods lean against the railing. One person wears a backward cap and dark jacket, while the other wears a light bucket hat and gloves. The water and blue sky are visible in the background.

Water

San Francisco Bay fish are contaminated with levels of ‘forever chemicals’ that could harm anglers

California has no health standards for these chemicals in fish, so activists are urging action. Found in people and animals worldwide, they are linked to cancer and other health effects.

By

Rachel Becker

• May 20, 2025

A person wearing a red sweatshirt and glasses sits on a sidewalk, leaning against a building with their reflection visible in the window beside them. Trees and traffic are blurred in the background.

Homelessness

They found their homeless loved ones after years apart. But that was just the beginning

After reading a CalMatters article, two people were able to reconnect with their homeless relatives. Here’s what happened next.

By

Marisa Kendall

• May 1, 2025

A person in a suit and glasses speaks into a microphone at a podium in a dark room while looking at a teleprompter. In the background is a black curtain hanging on poles to block out the rest of the stage area.

Commentary

California’s cities and schools face big budget gaps, few options

California's major cities and school districts are facing sizable budget gaps. Much like the state, they have few financial options.

By

Dan Walters

• March 13, 2025

Two uniformed officers stand on a sidewalk next to a makeshift shelter covered with a brown tarp. One officer gestures towards the tarp while the other observes. A person wearing a tan beanie and brown jacket stands behind the tarp, facing away. The background features a brick wall with patches of gray paint. Various personal belongings, including cardboard and tangled wires, are scattered on the ground.

Homelessness

‘Look, there’s nowhere else to go’: Inside California’s crackdown on homeless camps

It’s been eight months since the U.S. Supreme Court fundamentally changed how cities in California and beyond can respond to homeless encampments, allowing them to clear camps and arrest people for sleeping outside — even when there’s nowhere else to sleep. The July ruling in the case Grants Pass v. Johnson upended six years of […]

By

Marisa Kendall

and

Katie Anastas

• February 27, 2025