California Divide

Large red flags with a black eagle emblem ripple in the wind above a crowd gathered outdoors, many wearing red shirts and holding protest signs. Trees and a multi-story building rise in the background under a clear blue sky, situating the demonstration in a civic or campus setting.

Justice

Trump administration acknowledges it needs immigrant farmworkers as it moves to cut their pay

The Trump administration handed down a rule that would cut the minimum wage for immigrants with H-2A visas, including farm workers. The United Farm Workers sued, arguing the change would depress pay to all agricultural employees.

By

Sergio Olmos

and

Wendy Fry

• March 19, 2026

A statue is fully covered in black fabric and plastic sheeting, tied at the base, standing on a paved campus walkway. Behind it, a modern building with large windows and a few people walking by suggests an active public space.

Justice

California is renaming César Chávez’s holiday. Now, cities are slowly erasing his name from streets

California lawmakers say they'll change the name of César Chávez Holiday. Taking his name off of streets and buildings likely will take much longer.

By

Nadia Lathan

and

Nigel Duara

• March 19, 2026

Two people wearing hospital scrubs sit and look at a computer screen inside a hospital room. Other medical equipment can be seen nearby.

Health

A California county’s only hospital cleared a federal hurdle, but it still needs millions to reopen

Congress restores critical access status for Glenn Medical Center, but the shuttered California hospital still needs $40-50 million to reopen.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• February 14, 2026

Two semi trucks in a parking lot face each other. A man walks in front of one semi truck giving hand signals to the driver.

Education

These California trucking schools broke state laws. Regulators couldn’t do anything about it

A loophole in state law allows trucking schools to operate with little state oversight, raising concerns about the quality of training for California’s truck drivers.

By

Adam Echelman

and

Erica Yee

• February 3, 2026

A truck driver wearing work gloves stands beside a large blue semi-truck in a yard, with tools and equipment in the foreground and other trucks parked nearby under a clear sky.

Economy

California canceled thousands of trucking licenses. One community bore the brunt of the hit

A third of California truck drivers are believed to be Sikh, members of a religious group that hails from India. They're hurting after a mass cancellation of commercial driver’s licenses.

By

Gagandeep Singh

• January 31, 2026

Politics

Newsom touts gains against EBT theft as Trump presses blue states on benefits fraud

Low-income Californians once lost millions of dollars a month to fraudsters who raided their accounts for food assistance and other public benefits. Gov. Gavin Newsom is highlighting security improvements as the Trump administration accuses Democratic states of tolerating welfare fraud.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• January 21, 2026

A fast food employee stands and talks to customers behind the restaurant counter with the menu displayed behind them. In the foreground is the over-the-shoulder view of two customers as they talk to the employee.

Economy

California’s minimum wage is increasing in 2026 as Los Angeles debates $30 an hour

California's minimum wage is adjusted every year for inflation. Some cities have a higher wage floor and unions are advocating increases for specific industries.

By

Cayla Mihalovich

• December 19, 2025

United Farm Workers march in Delano in a caravan heading to the state Capitol on Aug. 3, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Economy

California court tosses Wonderful Company lawsuit over farmworker unionization law

The Wonderful Company sued to overturn a farmworker unionization law, but a California appeals court found the lawsuit was premature. The company contends the law is unconstitutional.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• November 26, 2025

Volunteers sort through boxes of golden potatoes from a nearby conveyor belt.

Economy

‘I don’t know what we’re going to do.’ Californians fear loss of food aid as shutdown drags on

More than five million low-income Californians are expected to lose their CalFresh food assistance benefits starting Saturday. States are suing the Trump administration to reinstate aid.

By

,

,

and

• October 31, 2025

Politics

Will California ban companies from charging vets to secure benefits? Some say it should

A burgeoning for-profit industry caters to veterans who want help preparing disability claims. California may ban the practice, which is known for high fees that some view as exploitative.

By

Adam Ashton

• September 4, 2025

California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state