CalMatters
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CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization. We write stories about California, for Californians.
Even after legalization, illicit cannabis grows continue to pollute California’s public lands. And the contamination, new research shows, lingers. bit.ly/3ZXd1yC
📷 Fred Greaves
📷 Fred Greaves
February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Even after legalization, illicit cannabis grows continue to pollute California’s public lands. And the contamination, new research shows, lingers. bit.ly/3ZXd1yC
📷 Fred Greaves
📷 Fred Greaves
The U.S. and Mexico are speeding up plans to clean the Tijuana River and considering interim steps to protect public health, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator said at a San Diego meeting with local leaders and Congress members Thursday. bit.ly/4r0UMUY
📸 Adriana Heldiz
📸 Adriana Heldiz
February 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The U.S. and Mexico are speeding up plans to clean the Tijuana River and considering interim steps to protect public health, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator said at a San Diego meeting with local leaders and Congress members Thursday. bit.ly/4r0UMUY
📸 Adriana Heldiz
📸 Adriana Heldiz
One of California’s larger public employee unions is pushing legislation to make remote work a permanent option for state workers as the clock ticks down on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s July 1 mandate for most employees to be in the office four days a week. bit.ly/4030jhP
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
February 9, 2026 at 3:00 AM
One of California’s larger public employee unions is pushing legislation to make remote work a permanent option for state workers as the clock ticks down on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s July 1 mandate for most employees to be in the office four days a week. bit.ly/4030jhP
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
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. bit.ly/4qI8iw1
📸 Zaydee Sanchez
📸 Zaydee Sanchez
February 8, 2026 at 10:00 PM
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. bit.ly/4qI8iw1
📸 Zaydee Sanchez
📸 Zaydee Sanchez
Republican Steve Hilton is pulling in more campaign cash than nearly all other candidates in a tepid fundraising cycle for California governor in a wide-open race with no clear frontrunners, campaign finance reports filed Monday show. bit.ly/45QYdVR
📸 Fred Greaves
📸 Fred Greaves
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Republican Steve Hilton is pulling in more campaign cash than nearly all other candidates in a tepid fundraising cycle for California governor in a wide-open race with no clear frontrunners, campaign finance reports filed Monday show. bit.ly/45QYdVR
📸 Fred Greaves
📸 Fred Greaves
California sues websites that publish blueprints for 3D printer ghost guns
California law enforcement agencies seize about 11,000 ghost guns every year. The state now is suing websites that help people manufacture untraceable firearms.
California law enforcement agencies seize about 11,000 ghost guns every year. The state now is suing websites that help people manufacture untraceable firearms.
California sues websites that publish blueprints for 3D printer ghost guns
California law enforcement agencies seize about 11,000 ghost guns every year. The state now is suing websites that help people manufacture untraceable firearms.
bit.ly
February 8, 2026 at 3:00 AM
California sues websites that publish blueprints for 3D printer ghost guns
California law enforcement agencies seize about 11,000 ghost guns every year. The state now is suing websites that help people manufacture untraceable firearms.
California law enforcement agencies seize about 11,000 ghost guns every year. The state now is suing websites that help people manufacture untraceable firearms.
Opinion | California can't shed a history of persistent government corruption
Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.
Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.
Opinion | California can't shed a history of persistent government corruption
Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Opinion | California can't shed a history of persistent government corruption
Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.
Prosecutions, referenda, recalls and regulatory agencies have, over the years, curbed some of California's government corruption, but not all of it.
Two websites that distribute instructions for how to manufacture ghost guns are facing a new lawsuit from the state of California alleging that they provide access to illegal and untraceable firearms. bit.ly/4aerT0l
📸 Eric Gay, AP
📸 Eric Gay, AP
February 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Two websites that distribute instructions for how to manufacture ghost guns are facing a new lawsuit from the state of California alleging that they provide access to illegal and untraceable firearms. bit.ly/4aerT0l
📸 Eric Gay, AP
📸 Eric Gay, AP
One of California’s larger public employee unions is pushing legislation to make remote work a permanent option for state workers as the clock ticks down on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s July 1 mandate for most employees to be in the office four days a week. bit.ly/4qrXO3F
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
February 7, 2026 at 2:00 AM
One of California’s larger public employee unions is pushing legislation to make remote work a permanent option for state workers as the clock ticks down on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s July 1 mandate for most employees to be in the office four days a week. bit.ly/4qrXO3F
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
Opinion | California's once soaring population has hit a plateau. So will its national political clout
Stagnant foreign migration, fewer births and people moving to other states mean California loses congressional seats and electoral votes.
Stagnant foreign migration, fewer births and people moving to other states mean California loses congressional seats and electoral votes.
Opinion | California's once soaring population has hit a plateau. So will its national political clout
Stagnant foreign migration, fewer births and people moving to other states mean California loses congressional seats and electoral votes.
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Opinion | California's once soaring population has hit a plateau. So will its national political clout
Stagnant foreign migration, fewer births and people moving to other states mean California loses congressional seats and electoral votes.
Stagnant foreign migration, fewer births and people moving to other states mean California loses congressional seats and electoral votes.
California union pushes work-from-home bill as Newsom calls state employees back to the office
The public employee union known as PECG is backing legislation that calls for the state to provide telework options as Gov. Gavin Newsom calls employees back to the office.
The public employee union known as PECG is backing legislation that calls for the state to provide telework options as Gov. Gavin Newsom calls employees back to the office.
California union pushes work-from-home bill as Newsom calls state employees back to the office
The public employee union known as PECG is backing legislation that calls for the state to provide telework options as Gov. Gavin Newsom calls employees back to the office.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 11:00 PM
California union pushes work-from-home bill as Newsom calls state employees back to the office
The public employee union known as PECG is backing legislation that calls for the state to provide telework options as Gov. Gavin Newsom calls employees back to the office.
The public employee union known as PECG is backing legislation that calls for the state to provide telework options as Gov. Gavin Newsom calls employees back to the office.
Marked up concert tickets priced at more than 10 times their original value are the bane of many fans’ experience. But they could be a thing of the past in California if a proposal from a San Francisco legislator becomes law. bit.ly/4ajasMa
📸 Chris Tuite, Reuters
📸 Chris Tuite, Reuters
February 6, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Marked up concert tickets priced at more than 10 times their original value are the bane of many fans’ experience. But they could be a thing of the past in California if a proposal from a San Francisco legislator becomes law. bit.ly/4ajasMa
📸 Chris Tuite, Reuters
📸 Chris Tuite, Reuters
Opinion | If CSU wants to uphold the values it promotes publicly, including equity and access to opportunity, it must start by honoring commitments it made to its workers. bit.ly/4ayXhrH
📝 Ernesto Torres
📸 Lauren Justice
📝 Ernesto Torres
📸 Lauren Justice
February 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Opinion | If CSU wants to uphold the values it promotes publicly, including equity and access to opportunity, it must start by honoring commitments it made to its workers. bit.ly/4ayXhrH
📝 Ernesto Torres
📸 Lauren Justice
📝 Ernesto Torres
📸 Lauren Justice
Opinion | Even though political figures wind up behind bars when their schemes are revealed, it doesn’t seem to deter others from lining their pockets, so one must wonder how much corruption goes undiscovered. bit.ly/4thDQvb
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
February 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Opinion | Even though political figures wind up behind bars when their schemes are revealed, it doesn’t seem to deter others from lining their pockets, so one must wonder how much corruption goes undiscovered. bit.ly/4thDQvb
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
California is again updating the system it uses to decide which polluted communities get cleanup funding. The tool, CalEnviroScreen, has already steered billions of dollars to the state’s most burdened neighborhoods, but critics say it still overlooks some of them. bit.ly/4ayQKgO
📸 Elisa Ferrari
📸 Elisa Ferrari
February 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
California is again updating the system it uses to decide which polluted communities get cleanup funding. The tool, CalEnviroScreen, has already steered billions of dollars to the state’s most burdened neighborhoods, but critics say it still overlooks some of them. bit.ly/4ayQKgO
📸 Elisa Ferrari
📸 Elisa Ferrari
California wants colleges to count work experience for credit. How’s it going?
California community colleges can give credit for relevant work experience, but some students don’t know it’s an option.
California community colleges can give credit for relevant work experience, but some students don’t know it’s an option.
California wants colleges to count work experience for credit. How’s it going?
California community colleges can give credit for relevant work experience, but some students don’t know it’s an option.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 AM
California wants colleges to count work experience for credit. How’s it going?
California community colleges can give credit for relevant work experience, but some students don’t know it’s an option.
California community colleges can give credit for relevant work experience, but some students don’t know it’s an option.
Gavin Newsom hesitated on AI. Labor says he must regulate it if he wants the presidency
The governor will need workers and unions in 2028. They are trying to push him to the left on AI — even as business interest push the other way.
The governor will need workers and unions in 2028. They are trying to push him to the left on AI — even as business interest push the other way.
Gavin Newsom hesitated on AI. Labor says he must regulate it if he wants the presidency
The governor will need workers and unions in 2028. They are trying to push him to the left on AI — even as business interest push the other way.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Gavin Newsom hesitated on AI. Labor says he must regulate it if he wants the presidency
The governor will need workers and unions in 2028. They are trying to push him to the left on AI — even as business interest push the other way.
The governor will need workers and unions in 2028. They are trying to push him to the left on AI — even as business interest push the other way.
Opinion | Here’s why California’s teachers and schools can’t fix low test scores on their own
One reason: High-achieving kids often aren't in the testing pool. They attend private schools or their parents opt them out of state tests.
One reason: High-achieving kids often aren't in the testing pool. They attend private schools or their parents opt them out of state tests.
Opinion | Here’s why California’s teachers and schools can’t fix low test scores on their own
One reason: High-achieving kids often aren't in the testing pool. They attend private schools or their parents opt them out of state tests.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Opinion | Here’s why California’s teachers and schools can’t fix low test scores on their own
One reason: High-achieving kids often aren't in the testing pool. They attend private schools or their parents opt them out of state tests.
One reason: High-achieving kids often aren't in the testing pool. They attend private schools or their parents opt them out of state tests.
The state finally sued a California hospital over trans health care. Families are asking: Where are our civil rights?
AG Bonta's lawsuit against Rady Children's relies on a merger contract, not civil rights law—leaving trans families wondering what protections work
AG Bonta's lawsuit against Rady Children's relies on a merger contract, not civil rights law—leaving trans families wondering what protections work
The state finally sued a California hospital over trans health care. Families are asking: Where are our civil rights?
AG Bonta's lawsuit against Rady Children's relies on a merger contract, not civil rights law—leaving trans families wondering what protections work
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
The state finally sued a California hospital over trans health care. Families are asking: Where are our civil rights?
AG Bonta's lawsuit against Rady Children's relies on a merger contract, not civil rights law—leaving trans families wondering what protections work
AG Bonta's lawsuit against Rady Children's relies on a merger contract, not civil rights law—leaving trans families wondering what protections work
Commentary: Always a city of neighborhoods, Los Angeles in recent years has seen the rise of more liberal activism in many of those communities, some of it owing to vastly improved outreach and voter contact work by the region’s Democratic Socialists. bit.ly/3O8JO14
📝 Jim Newton
📸 J.W. Hendricks
📝 Jim Newton
📸 J.W. Hendricks
February 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Commentary: Always a city of neighborhoods, Los Angeles in recent years has seen the rise of more liberal activism in many of those communities, some of it owing to vastly improved outreach and voter contact work by the region’s Democratic Socialists. bit.ly/3O8JO14
📝 Jim Newton
📸 J.W. Hendricks
📝 Jim Newton
📸 J.W. Hendricks
Commentary: California is not alone in population stagnation or loss. New York and Illinois are two others and, overall, slow- or no-growth states tend to be politically blue. bit.ly/3M7MQlM
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Jeff Chiu, AP
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Jeff Chiu, AP
February 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Commentary: California is not alone in population stagnation or loss. New York and Illinois are two others and, overall, slow- or no-growth states tend to be politically blue. bit.ly/3M7MQlM
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Jeff Chiu, AP
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Jeff Chiu, AP
How do you help someone who doesn’t want help? Families of people with serious mental illness, behavioral health experts and policymakers have been asking this question for years. bit.ly/3OpFo63
📸 Florence Middleton
📸 Florence Middleton
February 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM
How do you help someone who doesn’t want help? Families of people with serious mental illness, behavioral health experts and policymakers have been asking this question for years. bit.ly/3OpFo63
📸 Florence Middleton
📸 Florence Middleton
California’s community colleges are now giving college credit for students’ previous work experiences. The state has a goal of rapidly expanding access to these credits, though tracking progress on that goal has been difficult so far. bit.ly/4kmEljm
📸 Ariana Drehsler
📸 Ariana Drehsler
February 5, 2026 at 5:16 PM
California’s community colleges are now giving college credit for students’ previous work experiences. The state has a goal of rapidly expanding access to these credits, though tracking progress on that goal has been difficult so far. bit.ly/4kmEljm
📸 Ariana Drehsler
📸 Ariana Drehsler
If Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to be president of the United States then he must address artificial intelligence’s impact on workers. That’s the message sent today in Sacramento by members of the AFL-CIO, a union with a combined 2.3 million members. bit.ly/4kspX9h
📸 Fred Greaves
📸 Fred Greaves
February 5, 2026 at 2:00 AM
If Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to be president of the United States then he must address artificial intelligence’s impact on workers. That’s the message sent today in Sacramento by members of the AFL-CIO, a union with a combined 2.3 million members. bit.ly/4kspX9h
📸 Fred Greaves
📸 Fred Greaves
Opinion | Will Gov. Gavin Newsom, who's expected to run for president, seek to satisfy Silicon Valley and risk angering organized labor? bit.ly/4aflTo2
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Anna Connors
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Anna Connors
February 5, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Opinion | Will Gov. Gavin Newsom, who's expected to run for president, seek to satisfy Silicon Valley and risk angering organized labor? bit.ly/4aflTo2
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Anna Connors
📝 Dan Walters
📸 Anna Connors