University of California

Sen. Steven Bradford, now a member of the state's reparations committee, listens to testimony during a Senate hearing in 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

California launches reparations task force

California kicked off a two-year study into how the state might compensate African Americans for slavery and its lingering effects on Tuesday, when a newly formed reparations committee met for the first time. The first-in-the-nation committee is the result of Gov. Gavin Newsom last year signing a bill authored by then-Assemblymember Shirley Weber, whom he […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• June 2, 2021

Legislative budget leaders announced a deal on Tuesday. Image via iStock

Politics

Four things to know about the California budget deal

California Assembly and Senate budget leaders announce a budget deal that includes stimulus checks, more in-state students at UC campuses and more money for public health and undocumented immigrants.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• June 2, 2021

Reader Reactions

Network of research facilities for innovation have led to many startups

Support for innovation networks have led to startups successfully launched in health care, agricultural robotics and more.

By

Guest Commentary

• May 28, 2021

Several hands holding bags of cash move toward a recall ballot box.Though California voters may be divided by geography and class, its pro-and anti-recall campaign donors are not. Image via iStock

WhatMatters

Who’s spending to protect — and oust — Newsom?

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, May 26. Approval rating grows The scales appear to be tipping in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s favor. The governor’s approval rating is ticking back up after months of decline, with 54% of likely voters giving high marks for his job performance, according to a Public Policy Institute of California poll released […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• May 26, 2021

A man dumping a wheelbarrow full of bills. On suspense file day, California legislators killed dozens of bills.

Politics

Suspense file day: Which controversial bills did California legislators kill?

Lawmakers shelve dozens of significant bills, many opposed by special interests. They include proposals on police reform, housing, health care and more.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• May 20, 2021

Students play video game League of Legends during an esports bootcamp hosted by Cal State Dominguez Hils on February 29, 2020. Students from CSUDH and other colleges were able to ask game developers how they designed the game and strategize their gameplay based on the developers’ answers. Photo courtesy of

College Beat

College credit for playing video games? At some California campuses, it’s happening

At least six Cal State campuses and nearly all of the University of California campuses have created esports programs since 2015, in which students host and compete in live tournaments, sometimes funded by corporate sponsors.

By

Marisa Martinez

• May 20, 2021

Marie Manipud holding her COVID-19 vaccination card at Lindbergh Neighborhood Park on May 4, 2021. UC San Diego students are able to attend an in-person graduation this year with a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination. Photo by Arlene Banuelos for CalMatters.

College Beat

First-generation college students push for in-person commencements

Lea este artículo en español. Marie Manipud didn’t expect that her college graduation would be much of an event. The UC San Diego public health major had immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines at 14, becoming the first in her family to navigate the American education system. As a first generation college student, she saw […]

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• May 11, 2021

CalMatters en Español

Los estudiantes universitarios de primera generación presionan por las graduaciones en persona

Read this article in English. Marie Manipud no esperaba que su graduación universitaria fuera un gran evento. La estudiante de salud pública de UC San Diego había inmigrado a los Estados Unidos desde Filipinas a los 14 años, convirtiéndose en la primera de su familia en navegar por el sistema educativo estadounidense. Como estudiante universitaria de […]

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• May 11, 2021

Higher Education

International students heading to California colleges navigate vaccine, visa hurdles

More California colleges are planning to require students to get COVID-19 vaccinations. For international students, that often means only vaccines approved by the World Health Organization will be accepted, even though not all students have access to those.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

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Charlotte West

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Elena Shao

• May 6, 2021