UC Berkeley

Gov. Jerry Brown speaks at the climate conference he hosted in San Francisco. Photo by Julie Cart/CALmatters

Environment

Citing ‘a way to keep doors open,’ Jerry Brown enlists China in his war on climate change

As the Trump administration pulls back on environmental enforcement, former Gov. Jerry Brown and China’s top climate change official have formally launched a California-China Climate Institute. Brown calls it a way "to keep doors open" with a global power and a response to environmental "malfeasance" in Washington.

By

Dan Morain

• September 23, 2019

The rainbow flag or gay pride flag, is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride. It originated in California, but is now used worldwide.

Capitol

California schools haven’t fully embraced laws protecting LGBTQ kids, study shows

In the past decade, California has adopted more than a half-dozen laws intended to prevent bullying, strengthen suicide prevention and cultivate inclusive learning environments for LGBTQ students in the state’s public schools. But the state’ school districts are implementing these new laws inconsistently, according to a new sweeping report-card style analysis from the Equality California […]

By

Ricardo Cano

• May 13, 2019

Newsletters

Tough talk and naked mannequins

Newsom on death. Trump on oil. San Francisco on youth crime. Thurmond on charter schools. Athletes on gender equity. And good fences make good neighbors in Santa Rosa.

By

Dan Morain

• March 22, 2019

UC Berkeley, July 24, 2018. Photo by Robbie Short for CALmatters

Politics

California lawmakers debate how to prevent another college admissions scandal

As UC reacts to the college cheating scandal, some urge them to lock the side door, reconsider the SAT and ACT for admissions and scrutinize athletic recruiting.

By

Felicia Mello

• March 19, 2019

A man sits despondently on a kitchen floor, surrounded by moving boxes.

Economy

If California pursues a cap on rent increases, how many tenants will it actually help?

Legislators who have backed rent control expansions in the past say they’re working on proposals to help tenants stay in their homes. One possible compromise: A bill to ban “rent gouging,” similar to one poised to take effect in Oregon.

By

Matt Levin

• February 22, 2019

Newsletters

Mental illness, lobbying, and student housing

Mental health care in California, Capitol influence spending, Cal asks if elders with guest rooms can solve student housing and a justice opines.

By

Dan Morain

• February 4, 2019

Education

A new solution to the student housing crisis: retiree roommates?

UC Berkeley is matching graduate students looking for housing with retirees who have extra space in their homes. The program's organizers hope it will prove successful enough to export to other UC campuses.

By

Felicia Mello

• January 31, 2019

Ripening almonds in an orchard in the Central Valley of California get flooded by irrigation water.

Newsletters

Newsom gets climate advice, Atkins offers ‘Trump insurance’

Gavin Newsom gets expert environmental advice, the feds estimate California wildfires' carbon footprint, Toni Atkins introduces some 'Trump insurance, wrecking levees to avert floods, a possible Newsom advisor, and a California air filter trend.

By

Dan Morain

• December 5, 2018

People have become accustomed to wearing masks while walking in San Francisco's Financial District and much of Northern California in the wake of the Camp Fire. Photo by Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Health

As California areas record ‘worst air’ on earth, state needs to protect public after wildfires

Spots in California are registering, by one measurement, the most polluted air on earth. If this is the “new abnormal” of wildfires, health advocates say the state will need to step up efforts to educate and protect the public.

By

Elizabeth Aguilera

• November 15, 2018

Newsletters

Housing, Hollywood Forever and weed

California's housing crisis, drug industry donations against Proposition 10, cannabis equity, Hollywood Forever gets spirits and the governor's friends.

By

Dan Morain

• September 20, 2018