U.S. Supreme Court

WhatMatters

How a Democratic effort to ensure abortion rights backfired, and a sharp rise in illegal pot seizures

Abortion rights law backfires. Seizures of illegal marijuana grows spike. Surgeon general finds common thread among mass shooters.

By Dan Morain and Elizabeth Castillo • November 5, 2019

Newsletters

Why Boise matters, Kamala Harris’ poll numbers, endangered species, and rehabilitation through college

California joins Boise in Supreme Court homeless case. Kamala Harris' home state numbers sink. College professors bring courses to prisons.

By Dan Morain • September 26, 2019

Politics

State may push cities and counties to draw “fairer” districts

The Supreme Court has given lawmakers the greenlight to gerrymander, but two California bills could drive the state even further in the other direction.

By Ben Christopher • July 9, 2019

Justice

Any spike in repeat crimes after California sped prisoner release? New research says no

When the U.S. Supreme Court ordered California to disgorge tens of thousands of inmates from its overcrowded prison system in 2011, Justice Antonin Scalia warned in his dissent of "the terrible things sure to happen as a consequence" including the "inevitable murders, robberies, and rapes to be committed by the released inmates." But researchers who've looked at how how often those released from the state's prisons and jails in the ruling's aftermath say such fears have not come to pass.

By Ben Christopher • June 24, 2019

Newsletters

Wildfire liability, a budget deal, electric trucks and dead cows

Legislature feels heat on wildfire plan. CPUC, utilities prepare to square off at U.S. Supreme Court. Democrats leery of tax hikes.

By Dan Morain • June 10, 2019

Newsletters

Trade, taxes, health care, lending, and it’s getting hot

Stocks slide on trade wars. What a SCOTUS ruling on CA taxes has to do with abortion. Newsom takes health on the road. High-priced lending and heat laws.

By Dan Morain • May 14, 2019

Elections

Can they do that? California Dems again try to force Trump to show his taxes

California Democrats are advancing a bill that would require any presidential candidate (see: Donald Trump) to disclose his tax returns if they want to make it onto the state primary ballot next year. Good blue state politics—but is it legal?

By Ben Christopher • May 6, 2019

Economy

For ‘hard-to-count’ California, 2020 census poses huge challenges and carries big stakes

Will the Trump administration be allowed to add a question about citizenship to the 2020 U.S. Census? If so, experts say, California could lose big.

By Martha Groves • April 26, 2019

Newsletters

Newsom launches ‘Governor Dad’ era, and a ‘lite guv’ scores some big names

Newsom baits Trump, Governor Dad is in the building, Pelosi, Huerta and other bigs turn out for Kounalakis and California school kids get a superintendent that can relate.

By Dan Morain • January 8, 2019

Newsletters

Beach access, Brown’s court and an endorsement goes away

California's Coastal Act, a Silicon Valley billionaire, Jerry Brown's next Supreme Court justice, the gas tax costs Katie Porter a union endorsement, and #MeToo complaints persist for Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia .

By Dan Morain • October 2, 2018