Wildfires

Elections

WATCH: Governor candidates on how they would tackle California wildfires

Rivals for the governor's office Gavin Newsom and John Cox agree that wildfires pose an alarming threat to California—but what would they do to prevent and combat them? Here's what they told us.

By Byrhonda Lyons • July 12, 2018

Capitol

A political firestorm is about to hit the Capitol: Who will pay for wildfire damages?

In Sacramento, the biggest fights are over wildfire liability—who pays for billions of dollars of damages that result from the loss of so many homes, businesses and lives?—and how much utilities like PG&E can pass liability costs onto their customers.

By Laurel Rosenhall • July 12, 2018

Newsletters

A sorry piece of history; Framing gas tax initiative

California officials played an integral role in Japanese internment during World War II, as told in a new online exhibit. The gas tax initiative fight revs up.

By Dan Morain • July 2, 2018

Newsletters

Truce in privacy war. Will it hold?

By Dan Morain • June 22, 2018

Commentary

Wildfires and lead paint reignite Capitol’s ‘tort wars’

The "tort wars" that raged in the Capitol for decades over who and can sue whom are being reignited by conflicts over legal responsibility for wildfires and the sale of lead-based house paint.

By Dan Walters • June 4, 2018

Politics

Lawmakers back off, allowing Elon Musk—and his California customers—to play with fire

California lawmakers added fuel to Elon Musk’s entrepreneurial fire last week when they cleared the way for sales of the investor’s newest—and probably hottest—product: personal flamethrowers. In the coming weeks, some 20,000 people could be walking around with the devices.

By Robbie Short • May 30, 2018

Newsletters

Jerry Brown has a promise to keep

By Dan Morain • May 25, 2018

Newsletters

Chilly reception awaits Cristina Garcia

By Dan Morain • May 18, 2018

Newsletters

California Republicans struggle in age of Trump

Good Monday morning, California. “He then slowly inhaled the Pineapple Thai. It was the first time he’d had cannabis, he said, since 1979. ‘Somebody said I’m overdue,’ he laughed.” — Leafly, quoting Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer at his West Hollywood fundraiser last week. The Los Angeles Democrat chairs the Assembly Public Safety Committee, which hears bills […]

By Dan Morain • May 7, 2018

Newsletters

The bill comes due for wildfires

Good morning, California. Local governments have set sights on taxing soda. Enter Californians for Accountability and Transparency in Government Spending, a campaign committee set up to promote a November initiative to ban local taxes and fees without approval of two-thirds of the voters. Top funder: Soda companies at $5 million-plus. Who should pay for wildfires? Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, center, […]

By Dan Morain • April 27, 2018