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.

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. Newsom signed a law meant to narrow the gap.

Newsom Signs 4 New DUI Laws: CalMatters

Newsom on Friday signed into law four bills aimed at curbing a startling rise in DUI fatalities in recent years.

New Poll Shows Becerra With Big Lead In CA Governor's Race And Voters Anxious Over Economy

Though contender Steve Hilton is trailing Becerra, he showed strong support among Republicans.

CA Proposition To Tax Billionaires Losing Steam Among Voters: Poll

The measure is supported by the California Democratic Party but Gov. Newsom and gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra are opposed.

5 Federal Changes Oct. 1 For California: SNAP, FAFSA, Medicare And More

The date marks the beginning of the federal government's 2027 fiscal year, triggering changes in several programs that affect Californians.

Newsom Talks Climate With World Leaders, Accuses Trump Of Abdicating That Responsibility

State and local governments are leading, gov. Gavin Newsom said, as “Trump is trying to recreate the 19th century.”

FBI Visits California MAGA Stronghold After Elections Chief Alleges Ballot Stuffing

An election official said ballots looked, smelled and felt funny after he lost in this MAGA stronghold. Then the FBI visited Shasta County.

Kamala Harris Launches Into 2026 Midterms As Her 2028 Decision Looms

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently said he would not seek the nomination if Harris does.

Newsom Cites Pension Crisis As He Vetoes Bill To Enhance Retirement For Police And Firefighters

Gov. Newsom rejected a bill to lower the retirement age and sweeten pension perks for police and firefighters despite overwhelming support.

California Community Colleges Can Offer Up To 12 New Bachelor’s Degrees Under Laws Newsom Signed

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two laws that determine when community colleges can create bachelor’s degrees and how many they can offer.

Neither Becerra Nor Hilton Will Commit To AI Safety Guidelines Newsom Laid Out Friday

Both Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton agree AI safety is important. What they will do to ensure it is less clear.

32-Hour Workweek Proposal: How Likely Is It For CA Employees?

A California congressman is renewing his push to change the 40-hour workweek as AI and automation transform American workplaces.

Gov. Newsom Signs Wildfire Recovery Package To Improve Testing Standards, Strengthen Insurance Coverage

Newsom signed the package on Tuesday while meeting with Eaton Fire survivors and community leaders in Altadena.

'$10K, A Pony And Free Ice Cream': What CA Lawmakers Are Saying About $5K ‘Trump Dividends’

"That is how desperate he is to hold onto power," California's governor said.

USDA Provides $4M To Combat Invasive Pest In CA

The glassy-winged sharpshooter can spread Pierce's disease, a bacterial disease that can kill grapevines and other plants.

California Enacts Laws Restricting Chatbots And Banning Teens From ‘Addictive' Social Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a set of bills intended to protect children by regulating their internet use.

Medi-Cal Won't Pay For Assisted Living In Most Of California. One Brother Fought Back

A pilot program providing more assisted living coverage in rural California has emerged from one man's fight to change his sister's options

California Has One-Quarter Of All The Nation's Death Sentences. Will Newsom Commute Them All?

There are 546 men and 18 women who could still face execution in the state, which officially halted executions by executive order in 2019.

Lawsuit Seeks To Block Deployment Of ICE, Federal Agents To Polling Sites

The lawsuit asks the federal district court in Washington, D.C., to declare unlawful any plans to have armed agents at polling places.

California Could Be First In The Nation To Create Smoke-Damage Standards

When a home is left standing after a wildfire, survivors and insurers battle. CA lawmakers passed 2 bills aiming to change that.

Community Colleges Suddenly Oppose Plan To Let Them Offer More Bachelor's Degrees

Two bills sent to Newsom set new rules for determining when colleges can create bachelor's degrees and how many they can offer.

Trump Admin Ratchets Up Its Fight To Get More Oil Flowing From California

The administration, citing a need for energy security and job creation, has already announced plans for new offshore oil leases in CA.

Newsom Could Get CHP Personal Security Detail After He Leaves Office: Reports

The security detail would be paid from the state's Motor Vehicle Account, which is funded by California drivers' vehicle registration fees.

California Politicians Promised White Gold In ‘Lithium Valley’. But Are Those Dreams Fading?

A California desert region was touted as the ‘Saudi Arabia of lithium.’ Years later, projects are behind schedule and workers are waiting.

Trump Cannot Deport CA Students For Criticizing Israel, Judge Rules

The ruling is a victory for the Stanford University paper, where some international students were afraid to speak out fearing deportation.

Supreme Court Ruling Puts CA's Mail Ballot Rules In Flux

The ruling covered several parts of Trump’s election order, but the piece most relevant to mail voting involved the Postal Service.

CA Passes Nation's First Law Allowing People To Sue ICE Officers And A Ban On Agent Face Coverings

The bills, which passed the state legislature this week, aim to hold immigration officers accountable if they violate people's rights.

Reducing Drug Penalties Likely Increased Homelessness In California, New Report Says

A 2014 law appears to have contributed to an increase in people living on the street, a rise in overdoses and a drop in people getting help.

Xavier Becerra Gets To Play It Safe In The Race For Governor, And He Isn't Making Promises

What would Xavier Becerra, a 35-year veteran of Democratic politics, do as California governor? He's still not saying.

California Law Aiming To Protect Immigration Support Services Faces Push Back At State Capitol

It came after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624, known officially as the Safe at Work Act.

Newsom Returns To A Defining California Fight: Who Pays For Wildfire Damage?

Gov. Gavin Newsom is trying to broker a deal aimed at further shielding utilities from financial trouble if their equipment sparks a fire.

Feds Announce CA Water Cuts As Colorado River Supplies Continue To Plunge

Under the Bureau of Reclamation's plan, California, Nevada and Arizona will collectively reduce water use by 1.25 million acre-feet.

CA Drivers To Foot The Bill For Controversial New Rule

California regulators passed a new rule that restricts the replacement tires sold in the Golden State.

California Nearly Achieved Universal Healthcare. Now, Millions Are Losing Coverage

Facing budget shortfalls and new federal restrictions, state leaders have begun rolling back the coverage system they built.

Forest Fires Follow Roads. The Trump Administration Wants To Build More

The change could open some of California’s most remote backcountry to new roads and development.

FAA Recruits 2,000 Gamers As Air Traffic Controllers

"To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Automatic Tariff Refunds Coming To These CA Residents

Shipping companies are now issuing automatic refunds for imported goods following the Supreme Court's decision to invalidate the tariffs.

Court Blocks CHP From Firing Officer Caught In LA Overtime Scandal

The CHP lost an effort to fire one of the officers it caught billing the state for overtime hours they didn’t work at a Los Angeles station.

Would You Trust Your Boss With Data About Your Brain? California Moves To Regulate Neurotech

Brain sensors are advancing, and California companies, lawmakers and unions are jockeying to shape how the resulting data can be used.