UC Berkeley

Homelessness

Homelessness: I feel your pain, or do I?

As cities look for ways to tackle homelessness and the state pours half a billion dollars into finding solutions, we look at the science of empathy.

By

Amita Sharma, KPBS

• September 17, 2018

California fans rally at the Capitol against a proposed ban on tackle football for children, April 2018.

Newsletters

What’s next on climate, and more

California sets carbon-free goal, youth football tackle ban back in play, UC campuses among the best colleges and transportation remains an obstacle for low-income Californians.

By

Dan Morain

• September 11, 2018

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan speaks with property owner Francisco Acosta in front of a vacant lot in West Oakland on Aug. 20, 2018. Kaplan authored a proposed tax on vacant properties to help ease homelessness in the city. Photo by Farida Jhabvala Romero/KQED

Homelessness

Could this tax on vacant properties help end homelessness?

Oakland voters could approve the state’s first tax on privately owned vacant properties in November.

By

Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

• September 6, 2018

Photo of Assemblyman Rob Bonta and Sen. Bob Hertzberg, co-authors of SB 10

Newsletters

Final push for a water deal; Bail overhaul emerges

Resources Secretary John Laird is making a final attempt to negotiate a deal with major water users to reduce use before a separate state agency forces the issue by imposing regulations.

By

Dan Morain

• August 17, 2018

Brandon Miller waters the lawn in front of his Riverside home. Photo by Signe Larsen.

Housing

Where do people get money to buy California homes these days? Often, from mom and dad

Federal data shows first-time buyers in California increasingly rely on family for help.

By

David Wagner and Aaron Mendelson, KPCC

• July 31, 2018

Education

After years of tuition battles, UC and student leaders find common ground

The tuition decrease University of California regents are set to vote on amounts to only $60 per year—about the cost of a used textbook. More significant, perhaps, is that student leaders learned about it on a conference call with university budget staff, a sign of new collaboration between UC officials and student leadership.

By

Felicia Mello

• July 18, 2018

Education

Native American tribes clash with UC over bones of their ancestors

Some Native American tribes accuse the University of California of delaying the legally required return of Indigenous people's remains, and are pushing state legislation to force UC to speed its efforts.

By

Felicia Mello

• July 10, 2018

Marie Camacho’s rent at her one-bedroom Sacramento apartment is going up from $600 a month to more than $1,000 a month. She faces a possible eviction later this year. Photo by Andrew Nixon of Capital Public Radio.

Housing

Exploring the promise — and unintended consequences — of rent control

As California rents have increased, so have calls to strengthen rent control laws across the state. Voters this fall will have the chance to weigh in on a potential first step.

By

Chris Nichols, Capital Public Radio

• June 21, 2018

Students at this UC Davis lecture are forced to take tnotes on the floor because there aren't enough seats for all of them. Photo by Felicia Mello for CALmattters

Education

Crowded, crumbling classrooms—will one-time cash infusion be enough to fix the University of California?

As state funding has decreased and enrollment has soared, University of California campuses are struggling to deal with many instances of overcrowded lectures, deteriorating buildings and delayed construction. Now the governor's offering $100 million for upgrades. UC says it's not nearly enough.

By

Felicia Mello

• May 15, 2018

Education

At California’s top public universities, why a dearth of Latino professors matters

At most University of California campuses, Latinos comprise less than 10 percent of faculty—in a state where Latinos make up nearly a quarter of UC undergrads and more than half of graduates from public high schools.

By

Felicia Mello

• March 14, 2018