Xavier Becerra - CalMatters

Edward Strickland receives a COVID-19 rapid test at Greater St. Paul Church in downtown Oakland on January 4, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Amid new COVID surge, confusing mix of rules

by Emily Hoeven July 19, 2022July 18, 2022

Another month, another COVID surge. As the highly contagious omicron subvariant BA.5 spreads across California and the country — pushing the Golden State’s seven-day test positivity rate to 16.7% as of Thursday — all levels of government seem to be sending mixed messages about how we should respond. Case in point: U.S. Health and Human […]

california hospital strikes

For California workers, ‘Striketober’ turns into ‘Strikesgiving’

by Emily Hoeven November 16, 2021November 16, 2021

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Koch brothers win legal duel with California

by Dan Walters July 5, 2021July 2, 2021

The River Fire destroyed nearly 3,000 acres and threatened 1,500 structures in Salinas, Calif., on Aug. 16, 2020 after an early morning lightning storm. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

Fire risk amid a housing crisis — California’s challenging new reality

by Emily Hoeven June 22, 2021June 22, 2021

For the past year and a half, Newsom has dominated the pandemic headlines, whether receiving adulation or harsh criticism. But what has his life been like behind the scenes? Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Newsom spills on his pandemic life

by Emily Hoeven June 18, 2021June 18, 2021

California's April unemployment rate indicates the paradox the state is confronting. Image via iStock

California’s unemployment paradox: openings and joblessness

by Emily Hoeven May 24, 2021May 24, 2021

Apedestrian passes a mural reading: "When out of your home, Wear a mask over your mouth and nose," in San Francisco on Nov. 21, 2020. Photo by Jeff Chiu, AP Photo

To mask or not to mask? California’s conundrum

by Emily Hoeven May 14, 2021May 14, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference after getting vaccinated for COVID-19 at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles on April 1, 2021. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Newsom wants to send stimulus checks to two-thirds of Californians

by Emily Hoeven May 10, 2021May 10, 2021

An unprecedented day for California

by Emily Hoeven April 27, 2021April 27, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic led to an unprecedented drop in public school enrollment in California. Image via iStock

Public school enrollment hits 20-year low: Biggest dip in youngest grades

by Emily Hoeven April 23, 2021April 23, 2021