* [Politics](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)
* [Education](https://calmatters.org/category/education/)
* [Housing](https://calmatters.org/category/housing/)
* [Economy](https://calmatters.org/category/economy/)
* [Environment](https://calmatters.org/category/environment/)
* [Inequality](https://calmatters.org/category/california-divide/)
* [California Voices](https://calmatters.org/category/commentary/)
* [Events](https://calmatters.org/events/)
[](https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/03/state-farm-can-hike-insurance-premiums-with-conditions/)
[State Farm can hike rates on California homeowners — if it pauses cancellations and proves need](https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/03/state-farm-can-hike-insurance-premiums-with-conditions/)
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by [Levi Sumagaysay](https://calmatters.org/author/levi-sumagaysay/)
[NEWSLETTERS](https://newsletters.calmatters.org/daily-wildfire-updates)
Stay informed
Get fact-based, quality reporting for free from CalMatters’ reporters on issues that matter to you.
[Sign up →](https://calmatters.org/subscribe-to-calmatters/)
[](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medi-cal-budget-shortfall/)
[It’s costing California more than expected to provide immigrant health care. Is coverage at risk?](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medi-cal-budget-shortfall/)
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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/) and [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)
[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-school-shooting-threats/)
[Politics](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)
[A loophole in California law makes it hard to prosecute threats against schools. Will lawmakers close it?](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-school-shooting-threats/)
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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)
[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/chiquita-canyon-landfill-california/)
[Politics](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)
[A burning California landfill has made neighbors miserable for 3 years. Can lawmakers help?](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/chiquita-canyon-landfill-california/)
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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)
[](https://calmatters.org/education/2025/03/education-department/)
[Education](https://calmatters.org/category/education/)
[California, other states sue to halt massive layoffs at U.S. Department of Education](https://calmatters.org/education/2025/03/education-department/)
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by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/) and [Mikhail Zinshteyn](https://calmatters.org/author/mikhailzinshteyn/)
##### Project Spotlight
#### [College athletes can now make millions off sponsorship deals](https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/03/nil-deals-california-college-athletes-sponsorships/)
CalMatters offers the first look at the numbers from California colleges.
##### California Voices
#### [When I lived in a homeless shelter, my hope became despair](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/02/homeless-shelter-california-hope-despair/)
An unhoused man who lives in Orange explains why he and many other Californians are so reluctant to stay in shelters.
CalMatters **Explains**
* [Wildfires](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-wildfires-explained/)
* [Reparations](https://calmatters.org/explainers/reparations-california/)
* [Housing Costs](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-housing-costs-explainer/)
* [Homelessness](https://calmatters.org/explainers/californias-homelessness-crisis-explained/)
* [Minimum Wage](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-minimum-wage-explainer/)
* [Abortion Access](https://calmatters.org/explainers/abortion-in-california-laws/)
[See more explainers](https://calmatters.org/category/explainers/)
###### [CalMatters en Español](https://calmatters.org/category/calmatters-en-espanol/)
Las políticas públicas y las leyes de California, explicadas.
[Aprende Más](https://calmatters.org/category/calmatters-en-espanol/)
### [ENVIRONMENT](https://calmatters.org/category/environment/)
[](https://calmatters.org/environment/water/2025/03/california-delta-tunnel-residents-fear/)
[‘This will make our town uninhabitable’: The long-awaited Delta tunnel strikes fear in locals](https://calmatters.org/environment/water/2025/03/california-delta-tunnel-residents-fear/)
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by [Alastair Bland](https://calmatters.org/author/alastair-bland/)
[The Salton Sea is California’s most imperiled lake. Can a new conservancy turn back the tide?](https://calmatters.org/environment/2025/03/salton-sea-imperiled-lake/)
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by [Deborah Brennan](https://calmatters.org/author/deborah-brennan/)
[An audit found California was unprepared to help vulnerable people in a fire. Five years later, lawmakers finally talk about it](https://calmatters.org/digital-democracy/2025/03/california-wildfires-disabilities/)
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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)
[Who should pay billions for climate disasters? California and others target Big Oil — will that work?](https://calmatters.org/environment/climate-change/2025/03/climate-change-california-oil-industry-legal-strategy/)
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by [Alejandro Lazo](https://calmatters.org/author/alejandro-lazo/)
[Californians approved $1.5 billion for wildfire prevention. How will the state spend it?](https://calmatters.org/digital-democracy/2025/02/california-wildfire-prevention-climate-bond/)
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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)
[Why bills to help prevent California fires fail](https://calmatters.org/digital-democracy/2025/02/california-wildfire-prevention/)
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by [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)
wildfires
---------
[](https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/03/la-wildfires-cause-edison/)
### [As LA County sues Edison over deadly fire, is the state’s wildfire fund in jeopardy?](https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/03/la-wildfires-cause-edison/)
##### Series Spotlight
#### [Race to Zero: California’s bumpy road to electrify cars and trucks](https://calmatters.org/series/california-electric-vehicles/)
Examine the impacts of California’s zero emission mandate on all segments of society and the economy.
### [INSIDE THE NEWSROOM](https://calmatters.org/category/inside-the-newsroom)
What goes into our reporting on California’s biggest issues – how investigative stories come together, what challenges journalists face, CalMatters’ latest plans and more.
[](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2025/01/secret-homeless-shelter-complaints/)
[CalMatters lawsuit forces LA officials to turn over secret homeless shelter complaints](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2025/01/secret-homeless-shelter-complaints/)
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[](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2024/10/calmatters-2024-spjnorcal-awards/)
[CalMatters honored with 9 awards celebrating our ‘unsung hero’ and journalism from commentary to investigative](https://calmatters.org/inside-the-newsroom/2024/10/calmatters-2024-spjnorcal-awards/)
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Nonpartisan, independent California news for all
------------------------------------------------
We’re CalMatters, your nonprofit and nonpartisan news guide.
Our journalists are here to empower you and our mission continues to be essential.
* **We are independent and nonpartisan.** Our trustworthy journalism is free from partisan politics, free from corporate influence and actually free for all Californians.
* **We are focused on California issues.** From the environment to homelessness, economy and more, we publish the unfettered truth to keep you informed.
* **We hold people in power accountable.** We probe and reveal the actions and inactions of powerful people and institutions, and the consequences that follow.
But we can’t keep doing this without support from readers like you. Plus, right now in our year-end drive donations are tripled to triple-your-impact.
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### [ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY](https://calmatters.org/category/economy/)
[](https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/03/ai-regulation-after-trump-election/)
[California has 30 new proposals to rein in AI. Trump could complicate them](https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/03/ai-regulation-after-trump-election/)
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by [Khari Johnson](https://calmatters.org/author/khari-johnson/)
[AI can rip you off. Here’s how California lawmakers want to stop price discrimination](https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/03/artificial-intelligence-price-discrimination/)
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by [Khari Johnson](https://calmatters.org/author/khari-johnson/)
[California lawmakers propose fixes for ‘insurance industry in shambles’](https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/03/proposed-fixes-for-california-insurance-market/)
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by [Levi Sumagaysay](https://calmatters.org/author/levi-sumagaysay/)
[The DMV makes millions from auctioned cars, and doesn’t tell the owners](https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2025/03/dmv-towed-car/)
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by [Byrhonda Lyons](https://calmatters.org/author/byrhonda/)
[Return to office: Newsom orders California state workers back four days a week](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-employees-remote-work/)
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by [Alexei Koseff](https://calmatters.org/author/alexei-koseff/)
[California’s fast food council after one year: A few meetings, three staff members hired](https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2025/03/california-fast-food-council-one-year/)
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by [Jeanne Kuang](https://calmatters.org/author/jeanne-kuang/)
series spotlight
----------------
[](https://calmatters.org/economy/2023/11/california-unemployment-covid/)
### [Internal documents reveal the story behind California’s unemployment crash](https://calmatters.org/economy/2023/11/california-unemployment-covid/)
##### Series Spotlight
#### [California’s Unemployment Crash](https://calmatters.org/series/california-unemployment-crash/)
A year-long CalMatters investigation finds that the state was primed for disaster by years of missed red flags and failed reforms.
### [HEALTH](https://calmatters.org/category/health/)
[](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medicaid-cuts-republican-districts/)
[They live in California’s Republican districts. They feel betrayed by looming health care cuts](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/medicaid-cuts-republican-districts/)
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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)
[California is spending billions on mental health housing. Will it reach those most in need?](https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2025/03/mental-health-housing-bond-spending/)
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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)
[‘Will I be safe’? Transgender California youth feel threatened by Trump’s executive orders](https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2025/03/trump-transgender-mental-health/)
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by [Jocelyn Wiener](https://calmatters.org/author/jocelyn-wiener/) and [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)
[California made a big bet on producing its own insulin. There’s no ‘date certain’ for delivery](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/03/california-insulin-production-delay/)
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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)
[California has a lot to lose if Trump slashes Medicaid. Seniors, kids and more could face coverage cuts](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/02/medicaid-medi-cal-trump-cuts/)
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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/)
[California has known that disabled people need help in fires. After LA, can it better prepare for the next one?](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/02/california-wildfires-emergency-preparedness/)
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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/)
Explainer
---------
[](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-health-care-coverage/)
### [Health care in California: How the state made almost everyone eligible for coverage](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-health-care-coverage/)
##### Series Spotlight
#### [No Deliveries](https://calmatters.org/series/no-deliveries-maternity-care/)
Explore why hospitals are shutting down maternity wards, what this means for parents-to-be with limited options, and whether anything can be done to protect access.
### [CALIFORNIA DIVIDE](https://calmatters.org/projects/california-divide/)
[](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/03/nonpayment-evictions-bill/)
[They tried to pay their overdue rent. Their landlord wouldn’t accept it](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/03/nonpayment-evictions-bill/)
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by [Felicia Mello](https://calmatters.org/author/feliciacalmatters-org/)
[Californians rejected an anti-slavery ballot measure. Lawmakers want to try again](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/anti-slavery-amendment-2/)
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by [Joe Garcia](https://calmatters.org/author/joe-garcia/)
[Mobile homes are some of California’s last affordable housing. Can they rebuild after LA fires?](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/mobile-homes-la-fires/)
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by [Felicia Mello](https://calmatters.org/author/feliciacalmatters-org/)
[‘It was just a regular morning’: Californians picked up in recent ICE raids include kids, volunteers](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/california-deportations-hit-people-with-deep-roots/)
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by [Wendy Fry](https://calmatters.org/author/wendy-fry/)
[Trump’s executive orders on immigration are creating fear. What you need to know about them](https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2025/02/trump-executive-orders-immigration/)
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by [Jeanne Kuang](https://calmatters.org/author/jeanne-kuang/)
[LA clinics lose funding for transgender health care as Trump executive orders take hold](https://calmatters.org/health/2025/02/trump-executive-order-transgender-health/)
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by [Kristen Hwang](https://calmatters.org/author/kristen-hwang/)
Explainer
---------
[](https://calmatters.org/explainers/reparations-california/)
### [California is the first state to tackle reparations for Black residents. What that really means](https://calmatters.org/explainers/reparations-california/)
by [Wendy Fry](https://calmatters.org/author/wendy-fry/), [Erica Yee](https://calmatters.org/author/ericayee/) and [Rya Jetha](https://calmatters.org/author/ryajetha/)
###### [Inequality Insights](https://calmatters.org/subscribe-to-calmatters/inequality-insights/)
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach. [Sign up for our weekly newsletter.](https://calmatters.org/subscribe-to-calmatters/inequality-insights/)
### [HOUSING](https://calmatters.org/category/housing/)
[](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/california-homeless-shelters-purgatory/)
[‘A volunteer jail’: Inside the scandals and abuse pushing California’s homeless out of shelters](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/california-homeless-shelters-purgatory/)
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by [Lauren Hepler](https://calmatters.org/author/laurenhepler/)
[How California homeless programs are helping people get fit and off the streets: ‘It’s the bike’](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/03/california-homeless-exercise/)
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by [Marisa Kendall](https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/)
[Bay Area city backs down after proposing ban on ‘aiding and abetting’ homeless encampments](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/03/fremont-camping-ordinance-clause-removal/)
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by [Richard Procter](https://calmatters.org/author/richardprocter/)
[First-of-its kind court order halts sweep of California homeless camp](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/03/vallejo-injunction/)
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by [Marisa Kendall](https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/)
[‘Too damn hard to build’: A key California Democrat’s push for speedier construction](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/03/california-construction-permitting-wicks/)
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by [Ben Christopher](https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/)
[‘Look, there’s nowhere else to go’: Inside California’s crackdown on homeless camps](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/02/california-homeless-encampment-sweeps/)
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by [Marisa Kendall](https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/) and [Katie Anastas](https://calmatters.org/author/katie-anastas/)
Housing shortage
----------------
[](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/hoa-adu-california-law/)
### [No new ADUs here: When California law and homeowner association rules collide](https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/02/hoa-adu-california-law/)
by [Ben Christopher](https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/)
Explainer
---------
### [Californians: Here’s why your housing costs are so high](https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-housing-costs-explainer/)
by [Ben Christopher](https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/) and [Manuela Tobias](https://calmatters.org/author/manuela-tobias/)
### [POLITICS](https://calmatters.org/category/politics/)
[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/bipartisan-legislation-california-politics/)
[Bipartisanship is rare in the California Legislature. Here are the bills breaking the divide](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/bipartisan-legislation-california-politics/)
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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)
[Gavin Newsom shocks LGBTQ allies with criticism of transgender athletes](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/newsom-transgender-athletes/)
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by [Alexei Koseff](https://calmatters.org/author/alexei-koseff/)
[California Democrats vowed to tackle affordability — but the agenda isn’t yet clear](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/02/california-affordability-housing-costs-legislation/)
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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/) and [Sameea Kamal](https://calmatters.org/author/sameea-kamal/)
[California Democrats grow quieter on ‘sanctuary’ for immigrants as Trump promises mass deportation](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/02/california-sanctuary-immigrants-democrats/)
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by [Yue Stella Yu](https://calmatters.org/author/yue-yu/)
[7 takeaways from our investigation into California homeless shelters](https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2025/02/california-homeless-shelters-takeaways/)
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by [Lauren Hepler](https://calmatters.org/author/laurenhepler/)
[California lawmakers scramble to fix ‘lemon’ vehicle law — again](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/02/california-car-warranty-claims-consumer-rights/)
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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)
[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-legislative-transparency-public-corruption/)
[Have federal agents served warrants at California’s Capitol? The Legislature doesn’t want you to know](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-legislative-transparency-public-corruption/)
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by [Ryan Sabalow](https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/)
##### Project Spotlight
#### [Digital Democracy](https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/)
Check out CalMatters’ custom-built AI tool that tracks every word spoken in public hearings, every dollar donated to politicians, every vote cast and more.
### [JUSTICE](https://calmatters.org/category/justice/)
[](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/03/chp-accident-9th-circuit/)
[A CHP officer thought a stroke victim was on drugs. Years later, his family gets permission to sue](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/03/chp-accident-9th-circuit/)
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by [Nigel Duara](https://calmatters.org/author/nigelduara/)
[A California union boss thought his $300K salary would count toward his pension. Here’s why it won’t](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/03/calpers-police-pension/)
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by [Adam Ashton](https://calmatters.org/author/adam-ashton/)
[A California sheriff is planning to break the state’s sanctuary law. Here’s how](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/sanctuary-state-amador-sheriff/)
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by [Nigel Duara](https://calmatters.org/author/nigelduara/)
[Immigration raids rattled Kern County. Now, the ACLU is suing over alleged abuses](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/border-patrol-sued-over-kern-county-raids/)
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by [Wendy Fry](https://calmatters.org/author/wendy-fry/) and [Sergio Olmos](https://calmatters.org/author/sergio-olmos/)
[California court rules against baker in revival of same-sex wedding cake disputes](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/california-civil-rights-cake/)
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by [Jeanne Kuang](https://calmatters.org/author/jeanne-kuang/)
[Is the US in a constitutional crisis? California’s attorney general says not yet](https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/02/constitutional-crisis-over-trump-lawsuits/)
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by [Ana B. Ibarra](https://calmatters.org/author/anaibarra/)
[](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/01/california-trump-lawsuits/)
[Resistance state: Tracking California’s lawsuits against the new Trump administration](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/01/california-trump-lawsuits/)
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by [CalMatters Staff](https://calmatters.org/author/calmattersstaff/)
##### Series Spotlight
#### [Locked Up and Dying](https://calmatters.org/series/california-jails-inmate-deaths/)
A CalMatters investigation explores the increase in deaths among California jail inmates and the state’s attempts to reverse the trend.
### [CALIFORNIA VOICES](https://calmatters.org/category/commentary/)
[](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/disability-employment-barriers-technology/)
[How technology can lower barriers to employment for Californians with disabilities](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/disability-employment-barriers-technology/)
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Guest Commentary
----------------
### [Gavin Newsom made it clear to California’s LGBTQ community where he actually stands](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/gavin-newsom-podcast-trans-community/)
Instead of leading with a vision of California many people actually want, Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided to scapegoat trans people for an imagined Midwest voter in a future presidential run, says a queer Sacramento parent.
### [California doesn’t need DOGE, but there’s plenty of wasteful spending and bureaucracy to cut](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/doge-efficiency-california-government-waste/)
DOGE’s aim to save taxpayers money resonates in California, where taxes soar and deficits loom. The idea of a top-to-bottom audit of every department isn’t radical — it’s overdue.
### [Politicians that assail judges and lawful court rulings are not making California any safer](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/politicians-judges-court-rulings-safer/)
It may be common for an arresting law enforcement officer or local prosecutor to express their disappointment in a particular ruling or verdict, but it is irresponsible, dangerous and the last refuge of the perpetually aggrieved to publicly attack the legitimate rulings of a particular judge, much less disparage an entire body of them.
###### [We want to hear from you!](https://calmatters.org/submission-guidelines/)
Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our [submission guidelines here](https://calmatters.org/submission-guidelines/). For questions, please email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
[Learn more](https://calmatters.org/submission-guidelines/)
DAN WALTERS
-----------
### [Playing political Whac-A-Mole as issue of bond measure language pops up again](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/03/california-bond-measure-language/)
Lawmakers keep introducing bills to make it hard for voters to tell from ballot language how much a proposed bond issue or tax increase would cost them.
### [EDUCATION](https://calmatters.org/category/education/)
[](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/03/school-counselors-ai-chatbots/)
[AI chatbots can cushion the high school counselor shortage — but are they bad for students?](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/03/school-counselors-ai-chatbots/)
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by [Tara García Mathewson](https://calmatters.org/author/tara-garcia-mathewson/)
[College athletes can now make millions off sponsorship deals. Here’s the first look at California’s numbers](https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/03/nil-deals-california-college-athletes-sponsorships/)
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by [Adam Echelman](https://calmatters.org/author/adam-echelman/) and [Erica Yee](https://calmatters.org/author/ericayee/)
[California’s fund to build student housing runs dry — leaving community colleges in the lurch](https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/02/student-housing-4/)
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by [Adam Echelman](https://calmatters.org/author/adam-echelman/)
[Advice to California schools on Trump’s DEI crackdown: Do nothing — yet](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/diversity-programs/)
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by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/)
[‘Break this cycle’: UC Riverside hopes early exposure to college boosts Inland Empire grad rates](https://calmatters.org/education/2025/02/early-exposure-college-inland-empire/)
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by [Deborah Brennan](https://calmatters.org/author/deborah-brennan/)
[How Trump’s drastic K-12 plans will — and won’t — change California schools](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/trump-education/)
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by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/)
K-12
----
[](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/deportation/)
### [‘Afraid to go to school’: Immigrant families in the Salinas Valley are gripped by fear](https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/02/deportation/)
by [Carolyn Jones](https://calmatters.org/author/carolyn-jones/)
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