U.S. Supreme Court

Commentary

How California immigrants and 19th century racism shaped U.S. views on birthright citizenship

The 14th Amendment and some Congressmen's racist views on immigrants shaped prior Supreme Court reasoning that people born here are citizens.

By Brian J. Johnson • March 30, 2026

A person speaks into a bullhorn while standing in the middle of a crowd that chants and holds up signs.

K-12 Education

‘Shocking’: What Supreme Court ruling on transgender policy means for California students

The court blocked California’s policy barring school districts from requiring teachers to “out” transgender students to their parents, unless the students gave permission.

By

Carolyn Jones

• March 4, 2026

A group of people participate in a demonstration outdoors, holding signs in support of transgender rights. One sign reads "Protect Trans Kids," while another states "Trans People Have Always Been Here!" A person with red hair, wearing a denim jacket and a face mask, raises an arm while holding a sign that says "Let All Kids Play." Others in the crowd wear pink bandanas and buttons, standing among trees with autumn-colored leaves. The late afternoon sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene.

Education

Trans youth still have a safe haven in California — but that could change

Lawsuits and Trump administration policy changes are targeting trans athletes, bans on outing by school staff and health care. Some California policies are in jeopardy.

By

Carolyn Jones

• January 23, 2026

Justice

‘They’re escalating’: A Q&A with Rob Bonta on Trump’s immigration crackdown

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued the Trump administration more than 50 times. One recent victory ended a National Guard deployment in Los Angeles.

By

Nigel Duara

• January 15, 2026

Law enforcement officials— dressed in camouflage riot gear and holding clear shields with the "California National Guard" on them — stand guard in front of a building as protesters stand nearby holding signs and flags.

Justice

Judge orders Trump to end National Guard deployment, calls LA mission ‘profoundly un-American’

The new ruling against the Trump administration’s use of the National Guard in Los Angeles comes as courts are considering other challenges to his deployment of troops to liberal cities, such as Portland and Chicago.

By

Nigel Duara

• December 10, 2025

A person wearing a white, black and orange flannel jacket leans over a voting booth as they vote at a polling place.

Commentary

With voting rights under attack, racial gerrymandering reappears

The U.S. Supreme Court decided it will address whether a key section of the Voting Rights Act is discriminatory and therefore illegal.

By Bernadette Reyes and Sonni Waknin • November 4, 2025

A person in glasses holds a dark blue sign that reads "KILL THE CUTS SAVE LIVES" in white and yellow letters during a protest. Other protesters holding similar signs and a blurred banner are visible in the background.

Higher Education

UCLA reclaims hundreds of research grants that Trump cut off over alleged antisemitism

A federal judge sided with UCLA in ordering the Trump administration to restore hundreds of health and science research grants. Even more funding is at stake going forward for UC campuses.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• September 30, 2025

Commentary

Supreme Court ruling subjects California to what border communities have endured for generations

The controversial tactics agents use to round up undocumented immigrants in Southern California are merely an expansion of the discriminatory stops and interrogations San Diego's border communities have experienced for generations.

By

Pedro Rios

• September 23, 2025

Law enforcement officers, wearing riot gear and holding black and green weapons, look at each other while standing in front of a crown on a street during an immigration raid.

Commentary

Court rulings cast doubt on California mask ban for federal officers

A U.S. Supreme Court case from the late 1800's and a federal drug agent's fatal shot in 1972 will likely curtail enforcement of a proposed mask ban for federal officers.

By

Dan Walters

• September 23, 2025

Protesters, wearing traditional Palestinian scarves, hold signs that read "immigrants we build America" and "Fight ignorance not immigrants" during a protest.

Commentary

Mask bans in California create constitutional questions that are hard to answer

Efforts to ban masks on protesters and to unmask law enforcement officers often balance competing societal priorities.

By Stephen Routh • September 12, 2025