Wildfires

Newsletters

Boos, catcalls and hard choices on homelessness

Where to shelter California's homeless, Trump's rotting trees, 2018 fire statistics, syphilis, Tuck and Thurmond, the Benicia-Martinez Bridge and a quiz.

By Dan Morain • October 19, 2018

Elections

As complaints mount about fire clean-up, disaster contractor gives big money to California Dems

A Florida-based company accused of botching the clean-up after last year’s devastating fires in Santa Rosa has jumped into California politics, writing big checks to Gavin Newsom’s gubernatorial campaign and the California Democratic Party.

By Laurel Rosenhall • October 9, 2018

Newsletters

California money, Trump’s emissions and water wars

California income taxes, gas taxes, campaign spending, climate change, automobile emissions, Mary Nichols, Xavier Becerra, Grump's EPA, Fresno, Paul Ryan, renewable energy

By Dan Morain • September 25, 2018

Newsletters

Fire costs, Brown’s oil issue, surfer equity, alcohol matters

California fire costs burn up the budget, environmentalists criticize Jerry Brown on oil, female surfers got pay equity at Mavericks, plus beer and the quiz.

By Dan Morain • September 7, 2018

Newsletters

Climate change, the net and a burger boycott

The Cadiz water project, Steve Ballmer's Inglewood arena, ZEVs, clean water and cannabis are on tap for California lawmakers. Also: climate change sticker shock, net neutrality, #metoo, In-N-Out, Labor Day and more.

By Dan Morain • August 31, 2018

Economy

Climate change is going to cost California, and the bill will be staggering

As California lawmakers addressed epic wildfires this week, there was an inescapable subtext: Climate change will be staggeringly expensive, and we'll all pay for it.

By Laurel Rosenhall • August 30, 2018

Newsletters

Work undone, deals unraveled

Calfornia shelved a big police reform bill, the bail bonds industry announced plans to launch a referendum, SB 100 went to the goverrnor, and a lead paint deal failed.

By Dan Morain • August 30, 2018

Capitol

Thinning California’s fire-prone forests: 5 things to know as lawmakers approve a plan

Lawmakers hope to manage California's forests better, partly by thinning the trees. Here's why that's not a simple task.

By Julie Cart • August 29, 2018

Newsletters

California breaks ground on bail and energy

The Assembly approved the nation's toughest clean energy legislation, committing California to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045, and Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark bail reform into law.

By Dan Morain • August 29, 2018

Newsletters

Will fire victims get relief? The Dude abides

Soaring claims for fire damage are driving up premiums in the Sierra foothills and other fire-prone areas. Legislators seem likely to adjourn for the year without real relief for homeowners who are unable to buy fire insurance.

By Dan Morain • August 20, 2018