October 5, 2026
5 tax measures are on the California ballot. Here’s how to make sense of them all
California voters haven’t had to make so many decisions about tax policy at the ballot since 1994. Our analysis shows voters to reject new taxes.
October 5, 2026
Will Democrats’ midterm wave reach California’s Central Valley? Bernie Sanders rallies the vote
Bernie Sanders rallied hundreds in sweltering Bakersfield heat for Randy Villegas, a progressive long shot in one of the nation's most contested House races.
October 5, 2026
Democrats want to change the rules for recall elections. Voters get their say with Prop. 5
Democrats say the recall process has gotten out of hand and they want to drop the 'second question' to replace a politician.
October 5, 2026
California families are running out of time to use $120 per kid benefit on groceries
Tens of millions of dollars in food benefits for California families are about to expire. Here’s how to use the money.
October 3, 2026
CalMatters wins another Online Journalism Award for “truly an online first investigation”
The contest recognizes innovative digital storytelling amongst major media outlets, international and independent news websites, and individuals telling stories online.
October 3, 2026
CalMatters wins another Online Journalism Award for “truly an online first investigation”
The contest recognizes innovative digital storytelling amongst major media outlets, international and independent news websites, and individuals telling stories online.
October 2, 2026
Doctors, insurers sue Newsom over health insurance premium increases
California lawmakers passed a healthcare tax in June that could increase premiums by $100 annually, but groups representing doctors and insurers say it violates the law.
October 2, 2026
Fact check: Did Newsom’s mental health court hit his goal for helping Californians?
Gov. Gavin Newsom this week claimed a major victory for CARE Court, his program to provide mental health treatment to Californians with serious conditions. Did it really help 10,000 people?"
October 2, 2026
Newsom vetoes bill to stop DMV from keeping money after sales of towed cars
The bill was inspired by a CalMatters investigation showing how the agency made millions without notifying car owners.
October 2, 2026
No single failure caused LA fires, report finds. Who fixes the system?
A 723-page review says the Palisades and Eaton fires overwhelmed a system never built for wind-driven conflagrations. So who is responsible for fixing it?
October 2, 2026
Fact check: Could California lawmakers expand the billionaire tax to everyone?
Opponents say Prop. 40 opens the door to broader taxes. Experts explain what the measure allows and what would take another vote.
October 2, 2026
California colleges don't have enough housing for students. Will these 4 new laws help?
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills to reduce barriers and incentivize building affordable student housing in California.
October 2, 2026
Would-be Pelosi successors debate who’s more progressive in San Francisco congressional race
In the race to succeed Nancy Pelosi, the candidates clashed over who will be most aggressive in regulating AI and who is closest to organized labor
October 2, 2026
New California reparations law requires companies to disclose past profits from slavery
Gov. Newsom signed a law originating from California's reparations task force that will require companies to disclose past ties to chattel slavery.
October 1, 2026
Newsom vetoes high-speed rail oversight bill weeks after scathing audit of rail agency
Auditors who oversee the high-speed rail authority say they don’t have enough staff to do timely investigations
October 1, 2026
CalMatters College Journalism Network program welcomes 2026-27 fellows
The program gives college journalists an opportunity to show the impact of state policy on their communities.
October 1, 2026
Lyft to pay $272 million in record-breaking settlement over drivers' compensation
Thousands of Lyft drivers will be eligible to get paid for lost wages and benefits from 2016 to 2020, when they would have been considered employees under California labor law.
October 1, 2026
Student math scores are abysmal. A new California law requires early testing for skill
California will require schools to test all K-2 students for basic math skills. The goal is to identify struggling students early.
October 1, 2026
Billionaire tax explained: What you need to know about Prop. 40
Prop. 40 would create a first-of-its-kind billionaire tax in California. Experts explain the questions it raises — and the challenges
October 1, 2026
New California law restricts undercover police operations targeting youth
Gov. Newsom signed a law limiting the use of so-called Perkins operations against young people. The undercover stings are under scrutiny at the California Supreme Court.
October 1, 2026
Hilton blames Democrats. Becerra blames Trump. Little was learned in governor's race debate
"All you say is Trump, Trump, Trump," Hilton said on a question. "Trump, Trump, Trump," Becerra responded. So it went for an hour.
October 1, 2026
In Becerra and Hilton’s only scheduled debate, Trump was the main character
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton clashed over taxes, immigration and housing — and how Trump has addressed them
October 1, 2026
California restricts parole for sex offenders after near-release 2 convicted of molestation
People convicted of serious sex offenses must serve at least 25 years in prison and cannot receive parole until age 65 under a law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed.
October 1, 2026
Newsom signs first-in-the-nation law to bolster struggling local news organizations
Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a novel tax plan to keep California’s shrinking newsrooms afloat. It provides incentives for companies to hire journalists.
October 1, 2026
On AI, Newsom gives labor only some of what it demanded
The governor signed AI regulations to limit how workers can be terminated, overridden, or surveilled by the technology.
September 30, 2026
What bills did Gavin Newsom sign into law — or veto — in his final year leading California?
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed hundreds of bills in his final year leading the state. They include new laws on voting, immigration, data centers and insurance.
September 30, 2026
California bans child marriage after 9-year fight to outlaw the practice
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law prohibiting marriage for people under 18. Liberal civil rights organizations fought previous efforts to ban the practice.
September 30, 2026
Newsom signs anti-monopoly bill after bruising legislative battle
California’s new antitrust law will let prosecutors sue businesses for anticompetitive conduct, but not individuals
September 30, 2026
Schools were confused about K-12 arts funding. A new law adds clarity
California schools got money for arts education, but some returned it because they were unsure of the spending rules. A new law adds clarity.
September 30, 2026
California high-speed rail fails to accomplish most of its legislative goals for 2026
California’s bullet train agency said timely construction of the rail line depended on these reforms. They mostly failed.
September 30, 2026
Abortion pills to be offered at California community college health centers under new law
Gov. Newsom has signed a law requiring most community colleges to offer abortion medication as of 2029. Public universities in California already do.
September 30, 2026
A new California law will prohibit sales of disposable vapes. Here's why
Gov. Newsom signed a law prohibiting the sale of disposable vapes, a measure meant to prevent lithium battery fires at landfills and recycling centers.
September 29, 2026
New California law frees up funds for sober homeless housing
The new law intends to free up state funds for housing that requires residents to stay sober. Newsom vetoed a similar law last year.
September 29, 2026
Data from 911 calls at ICE detention centers must be disclosed under new California law
Gov. Newsom signed a law compelling disclosure of emergency calls from ICE detention centers. It followed CalMatters' reporting about alleged rapes at one site.
September 29, 2026
Newsom signs new laws to rein in immigration agents as Trump's deportation campaign escalates
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of laws that aim to check immigration agents during the Trump administration’s deportation program.
September 29, 2026
Will Republicans help this underdog liberal unseat a longtime Democratic congressman?
As young progressive Democrats across the country successfully unseat older incumbents, one California Democratic challenger is courting Republicans instead
September 29, 2026
California’s San Joaquin Valley needs more doctors. New medical schools are years away
The San Joaquin Valley has fewer doctors than other parts of California and a long history of poor access to medical care. New medical schools could help.
September 29, 2026
New laws make incremental tweaks to California’s mental health court, while bigger changes nixed
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two laws designed to help CARE Court better connect Californians with mental health care.
September 29, 2026
Newsom vetoes insurance-claim bills: Is it ‘petty’ politics?
California governor rejects legislation sponsored by LA fire victims, who had spoken out against his wildfire-liability effort.
September 29, 2026
Newsom vetoes Delta levees bill as El Niño winter looms
With El Niño looming, the governor said money already in the budget was enough. State data says the need is far bigger.
September 29, 2026
They fought wildfires while serving time. A new law gives them a shot at Cal Fire jobs
Gov. Newsom signs a new law will give incarcerated firefighters a leg up when applying to entry-level jobs with Cal Fire.
September 28, 2026
New law tightens rules on explosive chemicals after Garden Grove scare
Following the near-disaster caused by a chemical facility in Garden Grove, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that aims to protect communities near potentially explosive chemicals.
September 28, 2026
Cal Fire firefighters stand to gain significant raise under law Newsom just signed
Cal Fire firefighters tend to earn less money than their counterparts in city fire departments. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law meant to narrow the gap.
September 28, 2026
Newsom signs two laws to address weaknesses in California’s public defense
The laws follow CalMatters investigations into failures in the state's public-defense system.
September 28, 2026
Other states are rolling out free childcare for all families. Why not California?
Other states and cities have universal childcare, but the efforts have stalled in California.
September 28, 2026
What will California's next governor do about healthcare? Here are Becerra and Hilton's plans
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton say they’re mindful of voters’ worries about healthcare costs, but their plans don’t have much detail.
September 28, 2026
Undercover jailhouse stings have value. California shouldn't abandon them
Perkins operations have helped resolve some of California's toughest cases. Despite recent scrutiny, they remain effective when done right.
September 27, 2026
Newsom signs new gun control laws, including one requiring owners to take a 4-hour class
Gov. Newsom signed 10 new gun control laws, including one requiring people to take a four-hour safety course. Some likely will face Second Amendment challenges.
September 27, 2026
Newsom signs law targeting expensive 'ghost tickets' to concerts and sporting events
A new California law prohibits people from selling concert and sports tickets that they don't own. The measure pitted Live Nation against Stubhub.
September 25, 2026
Newsom signs 4 new California DUI laws. Advocates want more next session
A CalMatters investigation has found the state has some of the weakest DUI laws in the nation.