California Local Member Profile: Jonathan Vankin

What Does it Mean When a Wildfire is ‘Contained?’ A Brief Guide to Firefighting and Fire Prevention Jargon (Published August 7, 2024 • Updated August 7, 2024)
What does it mean when firefighters call a fire "contained?" Here's a brief guide to commonly used fire prevention terminology.

UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here (Published May 13, 2024 • Updated May 13, 2024)
How the California mental health crisis emerged out of the state’s history of deinstitutionalization and laws designed to protect the mentally ill, as well as the communities around them.

Updated: The California Exodus: How the Housing Crisis Weakens the State Politically (Published May 1, 2024 • Updated May 1, 2024)
The California housing crisis is not only weakening the state politically at the national level, it could shift the political balance in Washington, D.C., as Republican-led states add population while California’s exodus continues.

Heat Pumps Provide Both Warmth and Cooling, and They're Essential to California's Climate Future (Published April 14, 2024)
Heat pumps, an energy-efficient way to both heat and cool homes, are a necessary element of California's climate goal of net zero carbon emissions. Here's what they are, how they work, and how to get one.

The Williamson Act: How the Law That Protects California’s Farmland Works (Published February 20, 2024)
The Williamson Act, passed in 1965, now keeps more than 16 million acres of farmland out of the hands of developers. Here's how the law puts the brakes on the development of California agricultural properties.

CEQA: The Surprising Story of the State’s Keystone Environmental Law (Published February 14, 2024)
The California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, is both the state’s signature environmental legislation, and is also often named as the villain in the state’s housing shortage. But the story may not be that simple.

Thanks to Taylor Swift, San Francisco-Hating Trump Fans Are Rooting for the ’49ers in the Super Bowl (Published February 8, 2024)
Taylor Swift is so hated by fans of Donald Trump, they’ve set aside their hatred of San Francisco to root for the ’49ers in the Super Bowl, because Swift’s boyfriend plays for their opponents, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Why Are Tech Billionaires Apologizing? Lawmakers Now Calling for Regulation of Social Media (Published February 8, 2024)
Lawmakers in California and other states are now making attempts to prevent the reported harms to children caused by social media platforms. The U.S. Senate got into the act as well, at a dramatic Jan. 31 hearing.

If Drivers Won’t Slow Down, Proposed New Law Requires Cars Do It for Them (Published January 31, 2024)
“Intelligent” speed-limiting technology will be required in all new California cars starting in 2027, if a new law authored by San Francisco Senator Scott Wiener passes.

Should Homelessness be a Crime? New San Mateo County Law Allows Charges, but SCOTUS May Get the Last Word (Published January 29, 2024)
In San Mateo County, a new law allows police to charge homeless people with criminal offenses if they don’t accept shelter. SCOTUS will soon weigh in with a potential landmark decision in an Oregon case.

High Stakes For GOP’s Steve Garvey in Monday Senate Debate, But He May be Helping Adam Schiff (Published January 22, 2024)
Former Major League Baseball star Steve Garvey, a political rookie, faces off against veteran U.S. House members Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee in the first 2024 California Senate race debate Monday evening in Los Angeles.

California’s 10 State Conservancies: How They Protect the State’s Natural Beauty (Published January 20, 2024)
How California’s 10 state conservancies buy up open land and shield it from developers to preserve the natural environment for public use.

California Forever: New, Planned City in Solano County Aims for Nov. Ballot (Published January 17, 2024)
California Forever, the company behind a proposed new city in Solano County, will submit a ballot measure seeking an exemption from local laws to allow development on the massive project to proceed.

Can Traffic Deaths in Los Angeles be Reduced? Ballot Measure Aims for ‘Healthy Streets’ (Published January 16, 2024)
With traffic deaths now regularly topping 300 per year, Measure HLA on the March 5 ballot gives Los Angeles voters the opportunity to force their reluctant city to implement new traffic safety measures.

Death on the Roads: California Traffic Fatality Crisis Far From Over (Published January 14, 2024)
As the COVID pandemic eased, so did the epidemic of death on the road. Somewhat. But the ongoing crisis of traffic fatalities remains at high levels with early numbers form 2023 appearing to top 4,000 in California.

Steve Garvey: Ex-MLB Star Inches Toward Becoming First Republican California Senator Since 1988 (Published January 12, 2024)
Retired Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Steve Garvey is running for Senate as a "moderate" Republican and could be the first GOP U.S. Senator from California in 35 years, if a new poll is any indication.

Free Mickey! After 95 Years, the Mouse Is in the Public Domain. What It Means for Disney, and California (Published January 5, 2024)
Disney icon Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain, meaning anyone can create their own Mickey Mouse cartoons. Here’s what that means, and how it could affect the California economy.

Long Duration Storage is Essential to a Clean Energy Future: How California is Leading the Way (Published December 21, 2023)
Long-duration energy storage is essential if renewables are to become the basis for a future, carbon-neutral power grid. Here's how California is leading the race to store energy from solar, wind, and other clean sources for use whenever it's needed.

Kevin McCarthy: Looking Back on the Career of California’s Once Powerful Congressional Republican (Published December 17, 2023)
Many conservatives believe success is achieved through hard work. So how did California’s most prominent conservative politician reach the top? Kevin McCarthy won the lottery.

California’s Homelessness Crisis Updated: Here’s Where It Stands Now (Published December 11, 2023)
California's homelessness numbers continue to rise despite new spending on housing, services. Here's where the fight to end the crisis stands. This story has been updated for 2022 and 2023.

California’s Experiment in Reducing Poverty Worked. So Why Did It Stop? (Published December 10, 2023)
Poverty in California was reduced by record levels during the COVID pandemic, but now those economic support programs have come to an end and poverty is on the rise again.

Trump, Crime, In-Laws, and ‘Human Feces’: Newsom & DeSantis Finally Square Off in Wild Fox News Debate (Published December 1, 2023)
Governors Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) faced each other on a debate stage and traded blows, barbs, and zingers over the relative merits of their states in a Fox News debate that was nothing if not entertaining.

Newsom vs. DeSantis—It’s On! ‘Red vs. Blue’ Fox News Debate Set for Nov. 30 (Published November 24, 2023)
Governors Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) are set to face off in a debate Nov. 30 with unexpectedly high stakes, as polls now show both underwater in voter approval ratings.

Hunger and Food Insecurity in California: What Must We Do to Make Sure Everybody Eats? (Published November 17, 2023)
Hunger and food insecurity have become persistent problems in California. With the world’s fifth-largest economy, what steps can we take to make sure that everyone has enough to eat?

People Power! What Is Democracy, and How Does It Work in California? (Published November 12, 2023)
Democracy is a 2,500-year-old system of government still looked on today as the best system, because under a democratic system, the people govern themselves. But is that all there is to it? What is democracy? And how does it work in California?

California Sues Meta For Damaging Kids’ Mental Health (Published November 5, 2023)
California and 32 other states are suing Instagram’s parent company, Meta, saying that their apps are damaging to children. Is there evidence for those claims? Here’s why social media is under attack.

Daylight Saving Time, Explained: California Voted for Year-Round DST. Why Do We Still Set Back the Clock? (Published November 4, 2023)
After a 2018 vote authorizing the state legislature to make daylight saving time year-round, Californians are still changing their clocks twice per year. How did we get here?

SB 770: California Takes One Small Step Toward Single-Payer Health Care as Newsom Signs Bill (Published October 31, 2023)
California took the first step toward a single-payer health care system when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 770 this month, but the move is not enough for many backers of universal health coverage.

California Gun Control Laws: Mass Shootings Have Sparked New Legislation for Three Decades (Published October 26, 2023)
California has more gun laws than any other state. Here's how it took a series of mass shootings to make the state the toughest in the country on guns.

Logistics in California: the Most Important Part of the State Economy You’ve Never Heard Of (Published October 23, 2023)
Logistics is one of the largest industries in California and keeps the state economy running. But it also comes with a heavy cost to the environment. Here are the facts on the most important industry you don't know much about, but should.

New U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler Bows Out of 2024 Race: ‘Not the Greatest Use of My Voice’ (Published October 19, 2023)
Newly appointed U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler will not seek election to a full term in the Senate after being appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the seat left empty by the death of 30-year Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Guardians of the Coast: How the California Coastal Commission Was Born and Carries Out Its Mission (Published October 17, 2023)
What is the California Coastal Commission? How one of the state’s most powerful agency protects public access to the state’s scenic coast from Mexico to Oregon.

Dianne Feinstein Dies at 90. ‘Charted Her Own Path’ in a Career Born in the Political Violence of the ’70s (Published September 29, 2023)
Dianne Feinstein, California’s longtime senior U.S. senator, has died at age 90, after a legendary career in public life that began in 1961 and took off amidst the turbulent, violent era of San Francisco in the 1970s.

California Forever: Tech Investors Now Have a Website, but ‘They Don’t Have a Plan’ For New City (Published September 6, 2023)
California Forever, the company backed by billionaire Silicon Valley investors that wants to build a new city in Solano County, has posted a new website in an attempt to start a "conversation" about the massive project.

Cities of Tomorrow, Today: With a New City Targeted for Solano County, Here’s How Planned Cities Have Worked (or Not) Before (Published September 3, 2023)
Silicon Valley billionaires want to create a new city in Solano County. How have planned cities fared in California? From Lakewood to Irvine to Disney’s new Cotino, there have been many.

Silicon Valley Tech Titans Emerge as Mystery Investors Planning ‘Megacity’ in Solano County (Published August 29, 2023)
The mysterious buyers of $1 billion worth of Solano County land have been revealed as a consortium of Silicon Valley billionaires who want to build a new city from scratch.

Climate Change Is Behind This Year of Extreme Weather Events. Are We Ready for What Comes Next? (Published August 25, 2023)
This year, a series of extreme events in California and around the country have wreaked havoc, driven by climate change. How prepared are we for things to get worse?

Draining the Swamp: How Land Reclamation Hurts California’s Environment for People and Other Life Forms (Published August 21, 2023)
Since the Gold Rush era, land reclamation projects have helped to build California, but they are also damaging the state’s environment for people, plants and animals by eliminating essential wetlands.

Climate Change Brings Tropical Storm to California for First Time in 84 Years—Are We Ready? (Published August 18, 2023)
Climate change has warmed Pacific Ocean waters, causing storms to rapidly intensify, leading to the first tropical storm watch in Southern California ever as Hurricane Hilary prepares to make landfall.

Reclamation Districts: The State’s Oldest Special Districts Turned Swamps Into Fertile Farmland (Published August 17, 2023)
California has used reclamation districts to turn millions of acres of unusable swamps into fertile agricultural land, starting in the earliest days of the Gold Rush. Here’s how it happened.

Newsom Vs. DeSantis: Why the Debate Is On and What the Dueling Govs Might Argue About (Published August 9, 2023 • Updated August 8, 2023)
Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis finally agreed to debate California Gov. Gavin Newsom after a feud hat has lasted for more than a year and included DeSantis dumping planeloads of immigrants in Sacramento.

Why Did a Mysterious Company Buy Land Surrounding Travis Air Force Base? The Feds Want to Find Out (Published August 9, 2023)
Travis Air Force Base in Solano County is now surrounded on three sides by a Delaware company with millions of dollars and no public record of who is behind it. And the federal government hasn’t been able to solve the mystery.

Why Are California Policymakers Taking Steps to Make the Homeless Problem Worse? (Published August 3, 2023)
Renter protections and eviction bans put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic have expired. By keeping them in place, California could slow the spread of homelessness. But that's not happening.

It Started With ‘Star Wars’: Climate Change Denial, Where it Came From and What it Costs the Planet (Published July 25, 2023)
To understand climate change denial, we must go back to the Ronald Reagan presidency and his proposal for the “Star Wars” space-based missile defense system.

Barbie and California’s Toy Empire: How Mattel Made Kids’ Toys an Economic Force in the State (Published July 19, 2023)
Here's how the iconic Barbie doll and its manufacturer, toy giant Mattel, built an industry in Southern California that pours billions into the state’s economy.

Climate Change Caused 172 Percent More Land to be Burned by Wildfire, Study Finds (Published July 18, 2023)
Climate change caused by human use of fossil fuels is the major reason California wildfires have burned 172 percent more land than they would have over the last five decades, according to new research.

Housing First Works—in Houston. Why Hasn’t the Policy Reduced Homelessness in California? (Published July 12, 2023)
Housing First policy works to reduce homelessness, evidence shows. But in California the policy has proven ineffective. What is the state doing wrong?

What Next For Student Loans? SCOTUS Ends Biden Forgiveness Program, Hitting Millions of Californians (Published July 6, 2023)
The Supreme Court has terminated Pres. Biden's student debt relief program. Here's the reasoning the justices used to do it, how their decision affects Californians, and what's next for borrowers who must start paying again in October.

Supreme Court Bans Affirmative Action: California’s Private Universities Must Stop Using Race in Admissions (Published July 1, 2023)
The Supreme Court has now overturned decades of precedent in a new ruling that bans affirmative action, the consideration of race in college admissions as a way to create campus diversity.

State Supreme Court Hears Case that Could Set Voting Rights ‘Back 20 Years,’ According to Alex Padilla (Published June 28, 2023)
In a landmark case, California's Supreme Court will decide if cities must switch their at-large elections to a voting-by-district system after hearing oral arguments the Pico Neighborhood Association v. Santa Monica voting rights case June 27.

$15.5 Billion ‘Climate Resiliency Bond’ Getting Ready for Voters on 2024 Ballot (Published June 27, 2023)
The California legislature is readying a $15.5 billion bond issue to address climate resiliency for voters to approve on the 2024 state ballot, after the budget shortfall forced billions in cuts to climate spending.

The Heat is On! What California is Doing to Protect Workers From Rising Temperatures (Published June 26, 2023)
As climate change continues to drive temperatures to new extremes, employees in many jobs face increasing risk of injury and death. Here’s what California is doing to take the heat off workers.

Should Zoning Be Abolished? How the Land Use Laws We Take For Granted Are Hurting Us (Published June 21, 2023)
Zoning laws that restrict new housing development cause environmental damage, racial and class segregation, and force people into cars creating traffic. Now, a new movement wants to abolish zoning in the United States.

Zoning Out: Why We Have Zoning Laws, and How They Shape California and Society (Not Always For the Best) (Published June 15, 2023)
Zoning laws determine what can be built and where. These laws have shaped California, but are they really just tools for social engineering? The history of zoning is closely tied to racial segregation, as well as the state's shortage of housing.

Newsom’s Gun Regulation Hail Mary: Could His Constitutional Amendment Actually Happen? (Published June 8, 2023)
Gov. Gavin Newsom took to his Twitter account to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would regulate gun sales and use nationwide, in a way that courts cannot change.

Affirmative Action: SCOTUS May End Race-Based College Admissions and What That Means for California (Published June 7, 2023)
California bans affirmative action in college admissions, but two pending Supreme Court decisions may go further than the current state law, which was passed as Prop 209 in 1996. Here’s what that could mean for the state.

California Inches Toward Renewable Energy Goal, But Still 13th Nationwide (Published May 31, 2023)
Renewable energy sources provided 37 percent of California electricity in 2021, a new record for the state as it moves toward its 2045 goal of 100 percent clean energy. Battery storage will play a huge role in reaching that goal.

When the State Kills the Innocent: the Death Penalty Can Be a Mistake That Can’t be Fixed (Published May 26, 2023)
More than 4 percent of death penalty convicts have been wrongfully convicted, data shows. But courts including the U.S. Supreme Court have failed to provide protections for the innocent facing death at the hands of the state.

California Has Killed Convicted Felons for Nearly 250 Years. Is the Era of the Death Penalty Done? (Published May 24, 2023)
The death penalty remains legal in California, but Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a moratorium on executions in 2019. Will capital punishment end in the state? Here’s what’s happening.

California Will Cut Colorado River Water Use Under New Federal Deal (Published May 22, 2023)
California will cut use of water from the Colorado River drastically under a new agreement announced by the Biden Administration on May 22. Nevada and Arizona have also agreed to the cuts.

The Supreme Court of California: How it Started, and How it Blazes Legal Trails Today (Published May 15, 2023)
The California Supreme Court has kept the state at the forefront of legal issues surrounding abortion, the death penalty and same-sex marriage, starting in its earliest days in the Gold Rush era.

How California Agriculture has Shaped the State and the Country (Published May 8, 2023)
California stands as America’s agricultural powerhouse, growing half of its fruits and vegetables. Here’s how California farming has shaped the state, from the early missions to today’s “factories in the field.”

Dirty Water: California Is Facing a Water Contamination Crisis. Is the State Moving Fast Enough to Fix it? (Published April 27, 2023)
Almost one million California residents are forced to drink from contaminated water supplies, or pay for bottled water. Economic inequality makes the crisis worse. What is the state doing to fix it?

Is Crime Out of Control? Or Are Perceptions About Crime Out of Whack With Reality? (Published April 21, 2023)
Fears that violent crime is out of control on the streets of California cities rose after the murder of a well-known tech exec. But what are the facts and do they back up the rising moral panic about crime?

Want to Live a Long Life? Move to California (or Another ‘Blue’ State) (Published April 17, 2023)
Life expectancy in California exceeds all but three other states, but how long you live depends on which county you live in. They're not all equal. Why? The answer may lie in political policies.

Texas Taxes Lower Than California’s? Not So Fast! Here’s How States Compare (Published April 4, 2023)
Texas often claims to have lower taxes than California. But a new study by WalletHub shows that California's overall tax burden is significantly less, and that California does better for lower and middle income taxpayers.

Should Artificial Intelligence Developers Take a 6-Month Break? (Published March 31, 2023)
Artificial intelligence development is moving fast. Elon Musk and others are now calling for AI researchers to pause for six months to ensure safety and ethical measures are put in place.

Mass Shootings Are Less Likely in California, but 2023 Has Been Bad So Far (Published March 29, 2023)
Three mass shootings with at least six fatalities have already taken place in California in 2023, resulting in 25 deaths. Statistically however, California has been below average for the United States in rate of mass shooting deaths.

The Plan to Break Up California Has Been Around As Long As the State Itself (Published March 24, 2023)
State of Jefferson may be the best-known secessionist movement, but starting before California became a state, there have been at lest 220 efforts to divide the state into two pieces, or even more.

State of the State of Jefferson: How this Secessionist Movement Started and Where it Stands Today (Published March 24, 2023)
State of Jefferson is a movement by northern counties to secede from California and form a new state. Here's everything you need to know about this secessionist movement, which started in 1941 and remains strong today.

Did Peter Thiel Cause the Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank? (Published March 17, 2023)
Peter Thiel, the Donald Trump supporting Silicon Valley billionaire and venture capitalist, may have played a big role inthe bank run that ended in the failure of Silicon Valley Bank. But why?

In SVB Collapse, Silicon Valley Demands Government Protect it From Itself (Published March 15, 2023)
SVB lobbied hard for bank deregulation, which may have led to its own failure. And depositors blew past limits on federal insurance, knowing they would lose their cash if the bank went under unless the government saved them. Here’s how the debacle went down.

What Is Drought? You May Think You Know But You Probably Don’t (Published March 10, 2023)
2023’s torrential rainstorms have eased California's drought conditions. But there’s a lot more to drought than the amount of rain, and this drought isn't over yet.

Climate Change-Driven Storms Could Make Newsom’s Climate Spending Problems Worse (Published March 3, 2023)
Climate change driven storms are creating new problems for Gavin Newsom and California's budget process, which is already reeling from a projected $25 billion deficit that emerged after a $97 billion surplus disappeared.

Mall Culture and the American Dream: the Idealistic Past and High-End Future of Suburban Shopping Malls (Published March 1, 2023)
Shopping malls revolutionized how Americans shopped, socialized, and lived. Now, malls face an uncertain future. How did the dream of a new town square go so wrong?

How the Suburbs Shaped America, and California Shaped the Suburbs (Published February 28, 2023)
America has become a mostly suburban country, and California is known for its sprawling ’burbs. But what is a suburb? It turns out California may not be as suburban as people believe.

SCOTUS Takes on Online Free Speech Law in Case Critical to California Tech Industry’s Future (Published February 22, 2023)
The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday heard arguments in a potential landmark case that could roll back Section 230, the 27-year-old law that protects free speech on social media and other online platforms. Which way were the justices leaning?

Silicon Valley Boom and Bust: Where California’s Tech Mecca Came From, And Why it Always Survives (Published February 17, 2023)
Silicon Valley has been hit with repeated boom and bust cycles throughout its history, and layoffs are sweeping the tech industry in 2023. Here's why the Valley will survive the latest downturn, as it has all the others.

DOJ Lawsuit Seeks To Break Up Google, Forcing Sale of $200 Billion Ad Service (Published January 30, 2023)
Google may be forced to sell off its $200 billion online advertising service if a new lawsuit by the federal Department of Justice claiming that Google acts as a monopoly succeeds.

Kevin McCarthy AWOL on Central Valley Water Crisis, CNN Report Says (Published January 23, 2023)
Kevin McCarthy has reached the top position in the U.S. House, but has still fallen short in addressing the ongoing water crisis in his owndistrict, a new CNN.com report says.

As Historic Storm Batters California, Newsom Calls for Cuts in Climate Spending (Published January 11, 2023)
With a projected $25 billion deficit, Newsom proposes slashing $6 billion from climate change programs even as a historic storm likely driven by climate change batters the state.

Explaining California in 2022: 5 More of Our Best Explanatory Journalism Pieces of the Year (Published December 30, 2022)
2022 was a year that needed a lot of explaining. And California Local was there. Here are 5 "honorable mentions" in the list of our most important explanatory journalism stories from the year gone by, from animal welfare to the history of Hollywood.

Explaining California in 2022: Our 10 Most Important Explanatory Journalism Pieces of the Year (Published December 30, 2022)
2022 was a year that needed a lot of explaining. And California Local was there. Here are our 10 most important explanatory journalism stories from the year gone by, from immigration to cryptocurrency to wealth inequality and more.

Hooray For Hollywood: California’s Most Glamorous Industry, Where It Comes From, How it Shapes the World (Published December 19, 2022)
From its early days of hard-charging, Jewish immigrant moguls to today's domination by megacorporations, here's how Hollywood continues to hold its place as one of California's most important industries.

California Is the Most American State: How the Country Wouldn’t be the Same Without It (Published December 11, 2022)
California is the most American of all states, both setting the direction for the rest of the country, and acting as a mirror of what the U.S. is today. Here’s why, and how it got that way.

Amoxicillin Shortage: Why is the Most Popular Antibiotic Suddenly in Short Supply? (Published December 9, 2022)
Amoxicillin, the most widely prescribed antibiotic, is suddenly in short supply just as a wave of respiratory illnesses is sweeping California. What is causing the sudden shortage?

Prop 13 and Inequality: How the 1978 Tax Reform Law Drives Economic and Racial Disparities (Published November 29, 2022)
Proposition 13, the popular tax reform law passed in 1978, has driven increases in economic inequality and racial wealth disparities in California. Here’s how.

California’s Governmental Structure: From Chaos to Confusion to Compromise—Why the State is Set Up the Way it Is (Published November 22, 2022)
California's government was born out of utter chaos. Here's how the state developed some sort of order to the way it operates, and how it makes and enforces laws.

What Makes a California City? Local Self-Government Is the Goal, But it Doesn’t Come Easy (Published November 10, 2022)
California is full of places and communities, but most are not cities. Here's what it takes for a community to become a city, the benefits of being one—and why the state has a 'de facto moratorium' on new cities.

Freeing Information From the Billionaires: The Super-Rich Do Not Have To Control the Media (Published November 8, 2022)
Billionaires now own Twitter, Facebook and numerous other online and offline media outlets. But there are other information sources not run by the super-rich. We've found a few and listed them here.

What Elon Musk Really Wants From Twitter. To Champion ‘Free Speech,’ or Something Else? (Published November 4, 2022)
Elon Musk says he plans to make Twitter a haven for 'free speech,' but a look at his list of investors suggests that the world's richest person may have other reasons for purchasing the highly influential social media platform.

Is California’s Housing Crisis Making Economic Inequality Worse? (Published October 28, 2022)
California has some of the worst economic inequality in the United States. Is the housing crisis a cause?

Future of Sports Betting in California Looks Dim. Here’s Why Voters May Nix 2 Ballot Measures (Published October 20, 2022)
California will likely reject legal sports betting, despite being the state with the most pro sports franchises and the biggest potential gambling market.

California and Coal: State Uses Little of Dirtiest Fossil Fuel. Can the Country Kick the Habit? (Published October 18, 2022)
Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel, yet it is the source of 40 percent of the world's energy. California remains an exception to coal industry dominance, using and producing less coal that almost any other state.

How Oil Dominates the World’s Energy Economy, and What We Can Do to Break its Grip (Published October 17, 2022)
Oil aka petroleum holds a tighter grip on California than any other energy source. Here's how Big Oil came to dominate the state and world economy, and some hints at how oil's grip may finally loosen.

UPDATED: Why Railroads Go On Strike: What Happens When Trains Shut Down, And How it Happened Before (Published October 10, 2022)
As California and the nation narrowly averted the first railroad strike in 30 years, here's a look at how damaging rail strikes have happened before, from the 19th century to today.

SB 6 and AB 2011: 2 New Bills Try to Turn the Tide on Housing Crisis (Published October 10, 2022)
In an attempt to slow California's housing crisis, Gov. Gavin Newsom signs pair of bills, SB 6 and AB 2011, that will allow development where now-closed businesses once stood, without rezoning those areas for residential projects.

Natural Gas and California’s Future: How this Fossil Fuel Fits In To State’s Energy Goals (Published October 4, 2022)
Natural gas is sometimes called a 'clean' fossil fuel, but it comes with considerable risks to the environment in both its use and how it is extracted. Here's how natural gas is a major cause of climate change.

Fossil Fuels and Climate Change: A Brief Introduction (Published October 4, 2022)
How does extracting and burning fossil fuels cause the planet to heat up, leading to catastrophic climate change? Here's a brief explanation.

Animal Welfare in California: State Lags in Pet-Friendliness, New Laws Aim To Make it Better (Published September 29, 2022)
New laws banning toxicity testing on dogs and cats, and making rental housing more pet friendly are among a slate of new animal welfare legislation signed by Gov. Newsom in September.

No Parking! A New Law Cuts Back on Free Parking Spaces and Why That’s Great News (Published September 26, 2022)
There's too much parking! Why a new law, AB 2097, cutting back on parking space requirements in new housing and business developments could be a game changer for the climate, and the housing crisis.

Solar Power and California’s Clean Energy Goals (Published September 21, 2022)
Solar power, and a network of giant battery storage facilities, are playing an essential role in moving California toward its goal of exclusive reliance on renewable energy sources.

Zero Traffic Fatalities: A Goal That Seems Increasingly Distant (Published September 16, 2022)
California’s goal of zero traffic fatalities remains distant. Here are some common causes of deaths on the road that can be fixed, but haven’t been.

Is Vision Zero Failing? Cities Grapple With How to Reach Goal of Ending Traffic Fatalities (Published September 14, 2022)
The Vision Zero program sets a goal for California cities to eliminate traffic fatalities, but almost a decade into the effort, the goal remains distant, and horrific tragedies on the road continue to stack up.

Public Meeting Disruptions and Threats: Law Aims to Bring Order Back to Local Government (Published September 8, 2022)
A wave of public government meeting disruptions by right-wing groups often inspired by Donald Trump has inspired a new law designed to help officials restore order to the process of running local government.

Murder Rates in Republican Counties: Is There a Link Between Homicide and Conservative Politics? (Published September 6, 2022)
Homicide rates remain high in some of California's most Republican, Trump-voting counties. Are law-and-order policies against crime a bust? Here’s why political voting patterns are a strong indicator of violent crime in states and counties.

Criticisms of Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness: What Are the Haters Saying? Do They Make Sense? (Published August 30, 2022)
Critics of Joe Biden's student debt relief plan say that it causes inflation and is unfair to blue-collar workers. Do they have a point? Here's what the facts say about it.

California Bans Sales of Gasoline Cars by 2035: Here’s What New EV Regs Mean for Drivers (Published August 27, 2022)
California will ban sales of gasoline vehicles starting in 2035, phasing in electric cars each year until 100 percent of new car sales will be EVs under the new requirements. Here's what it means for you.

Biden’s Student Debt Relief Plan: How Does it Work, and Who’s Eligible for Debt Forgiveness? (Published August 26, 2022)
President Joe Biden announced a plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student debt for each borrower. Here are the details on who is eligible and how the plan works.

Inflation Reduction Act: How Biden’s Latest Signature Bill Will Save Californians Money (Published August 22, 2022)
The new Inflation Reduction Act offers substantial cash savings to California homeowners who convert to clean energy by using heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicles.

Hydroelectric Seems Like Clean Energy. Here’s Why It’s More Complicated Than That (Published August 19, 2022)
Hydroelectric is widely thought of as renewable energy that can help California achieve its climate goals. But the state doesn't even count large hydro plants toward its goal of 100 percent renewable electricity sources.

Newsom’s New Drought Strategy: Create More Water (Published August 15, 2022)
Gov. Newsom's calls to reduce water consumption to combat the ongoing drought have fallen short. His new approach? Add more water to the California's supply. A new state report details how to achieve that.

California Megastorm: What is the Real Risk That a ‘Biblical’ Flood Will Swamp the State? (Published August 15, 2022)
The chances of a 'biblical' megastorm devastating California have doubled over the past century, thanks to climate change, a new study warns. And as the globe continues to warm, the possibility of disaster only gets worse.

The McKinney Fire and Logging: Did Demise of the Industry Fuel Worst Blaze of 2022? (Published August 12, 2022)
Was the deadly McKinney Fire made worse by the decline of commercial logging, or were factors such as poor forest management and climate change more important in causing the fire to explode in Siskiyou County?

Offshore Wind Energy: Key to State’s 100 Percent Clean Energy Goal by 2045 (Published August 11, 2022)
Wind power is essential to meeting California's goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2045. Moving wind farms offshore is the next step. Sites off of Morro Bay and Eureka will soon be leased by the federal government.

California CCAs Take Over Power Service on State’s Coastline (Published August 8, 2022)
Marin County created the state's first Community Choice Aggregator to deliver energy in 2010. Now, CCA's cover almost the entire California coast, with more than 200 communities choosing to take part in this new way of powering homes and businesses.

Bill Russell and Vin Scully: Remembering Two California Sports Icons (Published August 6, 2022)
Basketball legend Bill Russell and iconic baseball play-by-play broadcaster Vin Scully will be remembered as two of the most monumental figures in California sports history.

Consumer Choice Aggregation: Pushing California Toward Its Clean Energy Goals (Published August 3, 2022)
How a recent policy with bureaucratic-sounding name ‘Consumer Choice Aggregation’ delivers clean energy from renewable sources more efficiently to California consumers, potentially helping to roll back climate change.

How Facebook Helped Turn a Santa Cruz County Veteran Into a Cop Killer (Published July 29, 2022)
Steven Carrillo, an active-duty Air Force servicemember, fell down a rabbit hole of Facebook extremism and became convinced he could start a new civil war. Then he turned his online obsession into real-life murder.

The Oak Fire: How Climate Change Fuels the Most Explosive California Fire of 2022 (Published July 27, 2022)
Extreme climate conditions that can be traced directly back to global warming are fueling the Oak Fire, the biggest California fire of 2022. Here’s how climate change is causing the disaster.

Will California Embrace Progressive Sheriffs? State Starts Leaning Toward Reform (Published July 14, 2022)
County sheriffs have tended to be predominantly white, male and politically conservative. But in California, those trends may be moving in the other direction, as recent elections and legislation appear to show.

The COVID BA.5 Variant Hits California: What Does the Latest Pandemic Surge Mean For the State? (Published July 8, 2022)
California is headed for a new COVID surge as BA.5, the most contagious variant of the virus yet discovered, arrives in the state, apparently causing an uptick in hospitalizations and deaths.

California’s 3-Decade Assault Weapons Ban May End Due To New SCOTUS Gun Ruling (Published July 6, 2022)
California's assault weapons ban, in place since 1989, may not stand up to a new Supreme Court decision that makes it much harder for states to impose gun control. A federal court brief filed June 30 aims to strike down the law.

California Drought Worsens: State Fell a Year’s Worth of Rain Short Over 3-Year Span (Published July 6, 2022)
California’s drought shows no signs of easing as the state lost a full year of rainfall between 2019 and 2022, while residents actually increased their water use, ignoring Gov. Newsom’s pleas to cut back.

Clarence Thomas Wants to Trash ‘New York Times v. Sullivan’: What That Means for a Free Press (Published July 2, 2022)
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is turning his sights on one of the most important press freedom cases, 'New York Times v. Sullivan.' Thomas says he wants to make it easier to sue media companies.

Clarence Thomas Wants SCOTUS to Take Back More Rights: What That Means For California (Published June 29, 2022)
If Clarence Thomas gets his way, the Supreme Court won't stop at revoking the right to abortion. Same sex marriage, contraception and gay sex are likely to be next on the SCOTUS hit list.

Why Clarence Thomas Wants SCOTUS to Throw Out Contraception, Same-Sex Marriage Rights (Published June 28, 2022)
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that after overturning Roe v. Wade SCOTUS must now overturn decisions allowing same-sex marriage and contraception. Here's why.

California’s Fire Insurance Crisis: How the State Helps Homeowners Get and Keep Coverage (Published June 25, 2022)
As California insurance companies have revoked the fire policies of thousands of homeowners, the state has taken steps to get them covered again.

California Wildfire Season 2022: What to Expect, and What Can Be Done About It (Published June 22, 2022)
The 2022 California wildfire season looks like another dangerous one, with the state's historic drought showing no signs of letting up. Here's what to expect, and some measures the state is taking to slow down the flames.

SCOTUS Scales Back California Law Allowing Employee Lawsuits. What Now For Workers? (Published June 20, 2022)
The U.S. Supreme Court scaled back California's Private Attorney Generals Act, a 19-year-old law allowing workers to sue employers over labor code violations. But a new ballot initiate aims to repeal PAGA completely.

Homelessness and Crime: California’s Hot-Button Political Issues Are Even More Complex Than You Think (Published June 17, 2022)
The links between homelessness and crime are complex, and the idea that unhoused individuals present a danger to their community seems to be exaggerated.

California Voters Sent a ‘Message’ on Crime to National Democrats? Not So Fast! (Published June 16, 2022 • Updated June 13, 2022)
Do California's election results in Los Angeles and San Francisco mean this blue state is flirting with turning red? That's what the national media is trying to say. But there's a lot more to the story.

California’s History of Immigration: How Immigrants Built the State, and How They Were Treated in Return (Published June 9, 2022)
From long before it became a state, to the present day, immigration has shaped California—but they have often been treated poorly. Here’s how immigrants helped build California, through the state’s mixed history with immigration.

How a Recent SCOTUS Decision Protects California’s Social Media Giants—For Now (Published June 6, 2022)
A Texas law that would have placed cumbersome restrictions on social media companies has been blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court, in an unusual alliance between liberal and conservative justices.

Five California Wildlife Crossings Where Animals Can Avoid Being Struck By Cars (Published June 2, 2022)
California is creating wildlife crossings that can help animals get across dangerous highways without risk of death from vehicle strikes. Here are five of them.

Crypto Crash 2022, Explained: What is Cryptocurrency and Why Has it Lost Most of its Value So Quickly? (Published May 25, 2022)
Crypto investors have seen more than half of their cryptocurrency value wiped out in six months. What is crypto, and what caused the great crash of 2022?

How Cash Went Digital: A Brief History of Online Banking (Published May 25, 2022)
Before crypto, banking began moving into the digital world as far back as 1953. Here's a brief history of how computers and the internet changed finance.

Nuclear Power in California: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Published May 20, 2022)
California may soon shut down its last nuclear power plant, but Gov. Gavin Newsom who once championed the closure has had a change of heart. Federal funds may now keep the plant running.

'Washington Post' Details Sacramento Homeless Crisis (Published May 9, 2022)
The 'Washington Post' descends on the "capital of Blue State America" to expose the ongoing homeless crisis in Sacramento.

Billionaires Buy the Media: Elon Musk is Only the Latest to Purchase Control of Information (Published May 5, 2022)
Elon Musk may be the latest, but billionaires have been buying media outlets for decades. What does that mean for the control of news and information at a time when a free press is more important than ever?

Abortion in California After SCOTUS Opinion: Newsom Vows State Will ‘Enshrine’ Right in Constitution (Published May 5, 2022)
Abortion rights will remain protected, even expanded in California after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, Gov. Gavin Newsom vows after a leaked SCOTUS opinion reveals the court plans to abolish the right to choose.

Code Violations and ‘Excessive Fines’: Californians Battle Cities Over Minor Infractions (Published April 25, 2022)
Code violations, even after they're fixed, can cost struggling homeowners their homes. Some have seen fees and fines into the six figures even after repairs. Here are some of the horror stories. But what can be done about it?

California Can Increase Water Savings By 30 Percent or More, New Pacific Institute Report Shows (Published April 20, 2022)
California can increase water savings in urban and suburban areas by 30 to 48 percent using nothing but existing technology, a new report from the Pacific Institute says.

California’s New ‘Endemic’ COVID Plan: How Gov. Newsom Proposes Learning to Live With the Disease (Published April 14, 2022)
California has a new plan for dealing with COVID as the disease becomes endemic. But does that mean the pandemic is over? Here’s what Gov. Newsom is proposing.

California Gun Control: How Ronald Reagan and the Black Panthers Started a Movement (Published April 13, 2022)
The modern gun control movement started in California. Surprisingly, it was the work of Ronald Regan and the Black Panther Party. Here’s what happened.

California’s Reparations Task Force: What Is It and Where Does it Stand? (Published April 5, 2022)
Should California pay reparations to descendants of enslaved African-American people? A state task force studying the topic is ready to issue its first report in June.

Mental Health and the Homeless: Newsom Calls CARE Court Plan ‘New Paradigm’ for Help (Published March 31, 2022)
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new CARE Court plan aims to get homeless Californians experiencing mental health problems into treatment and off the street. But can it actually work?

California Defense Contracting: How the Military-Industrial Complex Shaped the State (Published March 23, 2022)
The defense industry built modern California. Though military dollars have declined, the military-industrial complex still plays a major role in shaping the state. Here’s how.

Sacramento County Schools: History of Education in the County and Where it Stands Today (Published March 22, 2022)
Sacramento County Schools have overcome a history of racial segregation to build the modern system that exists today.

Will High Speed Rail Ever Happen in California? How HSR Started and How It’s Going (Published March 14, 2022)
The effort to bring high speed rail to California has been an epic tale of ambition and failure—a story of endless delays and bloated cost overruns. Where does it stand now, and will the state ever see its own bullet trains?

Gas Prices Are Going Up. That’s a Good Thing. Here’s Why (Published March 8, 2022)
Gas prices are going up. But America has long paid too little for gasoline, along with a low gas tax rate. Is it time for all of that to change?

California’s History of Transportation: From the Stagecoach to Rail to a Regional Planning Infrastructure (Published March 4, 2022)
The history of transportation in California has shaped the state, from the railroads to today’s highways, making the need for planning increasingly urgent. Here’s how it all happened, and where we stand today.

5 New California Laws That Change How Business Does Business (Published March 3, 2022)
California put hundreds of new laws into effect for 2022. Here are 5 that will change how business operates in the state.

Are California Water Laws Prepared to Deal With Climate Change? (Published March 2, 2022)
California’s outdated water rights laws have failed to account for the effects of climate change, says a new expert report, which makes some strong recommendations.

Monterey County School System, Explained: Demographic Change, COVID Among Challenges County Faces (Published February 17, 2022)
The first California school was in Monterey County. Today, the county school system faces demographic change, COVID issues and other challenges.

How California Became the ‘Holy Grail’ for the Sports Betting Industry (Published February 17, 2022)
How a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling created a national, legal sports gambling industry which now sees California as its own 'Holy Grail.'

How a Right-Wing Militia Seized Power in Shasta County, and Is Targeting Other Counties Next (Published February 17, 2022)
Members of a far-right militia group backed a recall election against a conservative Republican to take control of the Board of Supervisors in Shasta County. Here’s how it happened.

Supervisors Green-Light Vacation Rental Enforcement ‘Pilot’ Program (Published February 16, 2022)
Monterey County supervisors have voted to approve a plan that would step up enforcement of rules on short-term vacation rental properties.

California’s Sports Betting Frenzy: Four Separate Initiatives Could Make 2022 Ballot (Published February 16, 2022)
In 2022, California voters may see as many as four ballot initiatives to make betting on sporting events legal. Here’s how they would change sports gambling, and who's behind each separate measure.

The ‘Rail Trail’ Movement, Explained—and What it Means For Rail in Santa Cruz County (Published February 10, 2022)
Thousands of miles of railroad track, including some in Santa Cruz County, now sit idle. The fate of those largely abandoned tracks has become a burning controversy.

Single-Payer Healthcare, Explained: Will California Finally Achieve Universal Coverage? (Published February 1, 2022 • Updated February 1, 2022)
Single-payer healthcare may be the most-discussed but least-understood form of medical coverage. Here’s what you need to know as California considers a new bill for publicly funded universal insurance.

The Trouble With Sheriffs Part 2: The Rise of Right-Wing Extremism Among County Sheriffs (Published January 27, 2022)
Sheriffs in some California counties and across the USA are engaging a dangerous movement toward right-wing extremism. What does this mean for local law enforcement?

Leondra Kruger of California Supreme Court May Be in Line for Biden SCOTUS Pick (Published January 27, 2022)
California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger, 45, reported to be high on Pres. Joe Biden’s list for a U.S. Supreme Court nomination, is known for her cautious, moderate legal opinions.

San Benito County Schools, Explained: With Smallest Districts in the State, County Faces Unique Challenges (Published January 23, 2022)
San Benito County contains some of the smallest school districts in California, which has led to special challenges for the county school system, especially in adapting to the pandemic.

The Nevada County School System, Explained: From 38 Districts Down to Just Nine (Published January 23, 2022)
Nevada County started out with 38 school districts for just 2,000 students. Today there are more than 11,000 enrollees, but the number of districts is just nine.

New Site Aims to Boost Sacramento’s Black-Owned Businesses (Published January 16, 2022)
A Sacramento Observer report focuses on a new website, SacBlackBiz.biz, that aims to promote the city’s Black-owned businesses.

Historic Pat Hathaway Photo Collection Will Stay in Monterey County (published January 10, 2022)
A collection of 80,000 photos documenting more than a century of life on the Central Coast will stay local after the death of collector Pat Hathaway, 'Monterey County Weekly' reports.

PG&E to Hold Meeting on CZU Fire Wood Removal Program (published January 9, 2022)
The San Lorenzo Valley Post published details on a Jan. 12 meeting for homeowners affected by wood debris left behind by PG&E after the 2020 CZU Fire.

Placer County Schools, Explained: The County is Home to 19 Districts With Roots as Early as 1853 (Published January 5, 2022)
Placer County’s school system dates back well over 100 years and is today governed by an elected superintendent and board of directors. Here are some facts and figures about schools in the county.

The San Benito County Public Defender and District Attorney’s Offices, Explained (Published January 5, 2022)
The San Benito County district attorney’s and public defender’s offices square off in court every day. Here’s how the system works.

Sacramento County Fire Districts, Explained: A History of Protection Dating to the 1940s, and Earlier (Published January 3, 2022)
Sacramento County fire protection is spread among 11 districts, two city fire departments and the state fire agency, Cal Fire. Here’s how it works, and how it came to be that way.

Parking Fines May Rise in Donner Summit, Moonshine Ink Reports (Published December 31, 2021)
The number of parking scofflaws has skyrocketed, reports Moonshine Ink, leading officials to consider stiffer penalties.

The New Year’s Holiday, Explained: From Mesopotamia to Temecula, How We Celebrate the New Year (Published December 30, 2021)
New Year's celebrations have been around as long as civilization itself. Here's how they started and how California marks the New Year today.

Art Inspired by Fire on Exhibit at Truckee Donner Rec Center (published December 30, 2021)
The work of 19 artists dealing with the effects of fire on the ecology of California is on display at the Truckee Donner Community Recreation Center.

Many Elected Sheriffs Lack Accountability. Here’s Why (Published December 29, 2021)
Though they are elected officials, county sheriffs have less accountability than any other law enforcement officials. Here's why, and what California is doing about it.

Santa Cruz County Cities Develop Cannabis Equity Programs (published December 28, 2021)
'Good Times Santa Cruz' reports that Watsonville and Santa Cruz are trying to ease barriers for entry into the cannabis industry for women and minorities.

The San Benito County Grand Jury System, Explained (Published December 27, 2021)
Made up of 19 volunteers, the civil grand jury is supposed to operate free from influence or interference by local officials.

SB 35 Explained: What Does the State’s Affordable Housing Law Require, and Is It Working? (Published December 23, 2021)
SB 35 is one of California’s most important affordable housing laws. Here’s what it does, and a look at how well it’s working.

What Drove Homicide Rates Up? (Published December 22, 2021)
California homicide spiked by 31 percent in 2020. The shocking increase has continued into 2021. Here are several theories that attempt to explain the state’s suddenly rising murder rate.

California’s New Leaf Blower Ban, Explained: Relief From Noise and Air Pollution On the Way, Sometime (Published December 17, 2021)
California has a new law to ban leaf blowers, which both annoy neighbors and pollute the air. Here’s why the law might not do enough, explained.

California Remains Among U.S. Leaders in Defending Voters’ Rights (Published December 16, 2021)
California keeps on taking legislative steps that will keep it ranked in the top 10 of voter-friendly states.

El Dorado County’s School System, Explained (Published December 14, 2021)
Some 31,000 students attend schools in 15 districts—including the fifth smallest in the state.

Omicron Explained: Will California Take Steps to Slow the Most Contagious New COVID Variant Yet? (Published December 9, 2021 • Updated December 13, 2021)
Omicron is a new variant of the COVID-causing coronavirus that has now arrived in California and is causing fears of a new pandemic wave. What is it? Why are people so worried? And what, if anything, is California doing to stop it?

LAFCO’s Block of Monterey Peninsula Public Buyout Called ‘Failure of Democracy’ (published December 9, 2021)
Monterey County Weekly Editor Sara Rubin slams board’s rejection of Measure J, passed by voters in 2018.

The Santa Cruz County County School System, Explained: From No Schoolhouses to 10 Districts (Published December 8, 2021)
Santa Cruz County has more than 40,000 students enrolled in its 10 school districts, about 6 percent of all students in the state. Here’s how the school system works, and how it’s grown since its earliest days.

Abortion Rights in California, Explained: State Has Led the Way in Establishing Woman’s Right to Choose (Published December 7, 2021 • Updated December 10, 2021)
California has historically been ahead of the rest of the country in expanding the legal right to abortion services. Here’s what state laws say today, and how we got here.

Monterey County Fire Districts, Explained: A History of Consolidation, Annexation and Funding Problems (Published December 5, 2021)
Monterey County’s 11 fire districts help protect a county with a long history of wildfires that dates back to the 1870s.

Community Services Districts, Explained: When County Government Isn’t Enough (Published December 1, 2021)
Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

Inflation Explained: California and the U.S. Battle Rising Prices. When and How Will It End? (Published November 26, 2021)
Inflation is on the rise, with prices in some parts of California their highest in 13 years. Here’s what caused this round of inflation, and how can it be stopped.

How San Benito County Gets Its Water: Four Separate Water Districts and How They Interact (Published November 24, 2021)
Here's how San Benito County and its quartet of water districts delivers water to its residents and businesses.

So You Want To Be a Sacramento County Grand Juror? Here’s What It Takes (Published November 23, 2021)
The Sacramento Civil Grand Jury is charged with keeping a watchful eye over all aspects of local and county government. Here’s how it works, and how to become a grand juror.

San Benito County’s Fire Districts, or Lack Thereof, Explained: Efforts to Create Single District Have Been Slow (Published November 23, 2021)
Much of San Benito County’s fire protection is the responsibility of the City of Hollister. Here’s how the county is trying to change that, and start a single special fire district.

Public Water, or Private Water: Monterey County Water Districts, Explained (Published November 22, 2021)
Should water be owned by the public, or can private interests do a better job of delivering precious water? That conflict is at the heart of Monterey County’s water system.

History Lesson: The Santa Clara County School System, Explained (Published November 19, 2021)
Santa Clara County’s school system is complicated, with its 31 separate districts. But that number was once much higher. Here’s how they all fit together.

Placer County Fire Districts: Complex, Cash-Strapped System Protects Fire-Plagued County (Published November 19, 2021)
Placer County’s multiple fire districts are in a constant battle for adequate resources. Here’s what they’re doing about it, and how the county’s system works.

El Dorado County’s Water System, From the Gold Rush to the 21st Century (Published November 16, 2021)
Since Gold Rush Days, water has been the driving force in El Dorado County life. Here’s how the water system works, and how it has developed over the years.

AB43, California’s New Speed Limit Law, Explained: ‘Vision Zero’ Policy Aims to Eliminate Traffic Deaths (Published November 11, 2021)
A new California law to lower speed limits, AB 43, is part of an overall effort, called ‘Vision Zero,’ to eliminate traffic deaths completely. Here’s what the law does, and why it can make a difference.

Government Takes a Bite Out of the Mosquito Population: Mosquito Abatement Districts, Explained (Published November 10, 2021)
The pesky mosquito can be deadly as well as annoying. Here’s how local governments in California have been waging war on mosquitoes for more than a century.

Sacramento County’s District Attorney and Public Defender Offices, Explained (Published November 9, 2021)
The district attorney and public defender are the key players in Sacramento County’s criminal justice system. Here’s what you need to know about them.

Power to the People: A Look at California’s History of Civic Engagement (Published November 1, 2021)
California’s history of people getting directly involved in the affairs of government dates back more than a century, but it has sometimes been coopted by business and other interests.

Top 5 Takeaways From Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s 7th Annual Conference (Published November 1, 2021)
The 7th annual Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s “State of the Region” conference covered a wide range of topics from child care, to the COVID pandemic, to folding houses.

Nevada County Water, Explained: From Rough and Ready Ditch to Seven Hydroelectric Plants (Published October 30, 2021)
Nevada County’s complex system of water districts started with a single canal dug in the Gold Rush days.

El Dorado County’s Fire Protection Districts: To Consolidate or Not to Consolidate (Published October 28, 2021)
El Dorado County’s 193,000 residents rely on 10 different districts to protect them from fire, and some of those districts are dangerously short on cash.

Explainers, Explained: Explanatory Journalism, and Why California Local Does So Much of It (Published October 22, 2021)
In an era of information overload, here’s how a rising form of journalism helps explain it all for you, and why California Local publishes ‘explanatory’ reporting.

All About the El Dorado County District Attorney and Public Defender (Published October 21, 2021)
At the center of El Dorado County’s criminal justice system, the district attorney and public defender are the two lawyers who make it all work.

Placer County Water Explained: From Early Corporate Control to Multiple Public Districts (Published October 19, 2021)
Placer County’s water management and delivery system: where it came from and what it looks like today.

California Regulations, or Lack Thereof, for AirBnB and Other Short-Term Rental Apps, Explained (Published October 16, 2021)
The short-term or ‘vacation’ rental industry spawns hundreds of horror stories and damages the housing market, but governments struggle with how to bring it under control.

Sacramento County’s Legal System: The Superior Courts, Explained (Published October 16, 2021)
From overcrowded courthouses to trials of famous murderers, the Sacramento County Superior Court has seen it all. Here’s what you need to know about the system.

Why Oil Spills Still Strike California’s Coast, Half-Century After a Landmark Disaster Changed Environmental Laws (Published October 15, 2021)
Why is California still experiencing offshore oil spills half-a-century after the catastrophic Santa Barbara disaster? The answer is found in the state’s longtime, close relationship with the oil business.

Why Heavy Traffic at California Ports May Have Caused Massive Oil Spill, Explained (Published October 11, 2021 • Updated October 20, 2021)
Here’s why cargo ship traffic has been dangerously heavy at California’s ports in 2021, and how the backup may have caused a disaster.

Santa Cruz County Supes Reject Recommendations in Grand Jury CZU Fire Report (Published October 9, 2021)
The Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors has flatly rejected the grand jury's recommendations for further action after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

How the End of the COVID Relief Safety Net Could Drag Down California’s Recovery (Published October 8, 2021)
Extended unemployment benefits, the state's eviction moratorium and other COVID relief measures have ended. But people are still out of work and hurting in California as the recovery remains slow.

California’s New, Sweeping Police Reform Legislation: What It Means and Why It Happened (Published October 6, 2021)
Gov. Gavin Newsom and California’s Democratic legislators have enacted a sweeping new package of police reform legislation. Here’s what the new laws will accomplish, and why.

Nevada County Fire Protection Districts, Their Services and Controversies Explained (Published October 1, 2021)
From the Gold Rush era to today, here’s how fire protection service has evolved in Nevada County.

PG&E’s Lengthy Record of Starting Wildfires, and What the Company Is Doing to Change It (Published September 30, 2021)
The state’s largest power utility faced new criminal charges Sept. 24, but PG&E has a long and disturbing history of causing wildfires. Why? And how can the company change?

State to Move on Creating New Campsites in Fire-Hit El Dorado, Placer Counties (Published September 28, 2021)
Despite a history of wildfires in the area, the state wants to build nearly 150 new campsites in Auburn State Recreation Area in El Dorado and Placer counties.

Why People in the State’s Breadbasket Are Being Deprived of The ‘Human Right’ to Water (Published September 27, 2021)
Residential wells are drying up in the state’s main agricultural region at the same time that agricultural businesses consume almost 90 percent of the water there.

California’s Fire Insurance Crisis: Why it Happened and What Can Be Done To Fix It (Published September 23, 2021)
Even as California’s wildfires grow more intense seemingly every year, insurers are cancelling policies for homeowners in the path of the fires.

CNPA, State’s Top News Industry Trade Group, Now Admits Freelancers as Members (Published September 21, 2021)
Three years after changing its name to reflect the contemporary news business environment, CNPA makes another change with the times, admitting freelance writers and content creators as members.

Sacramento County Water, Explained: A Complex System of 27 Districts in Five Different Categories (Published September 16, 2021)
Sacramento County residents get their water from 27 different districts that fall into five separate categories. Here’s how it all works.

Historic Landslide in Recall Bodes Well for Newsom, But Elder Says it’s Good News For Him Too (Published September 16, 2021)
Gavin Newsom's star is on the rise after a dominant victory over a recall attempt, but leading Republican candidate Larry Elder says he's only getting started.

After Recall Candidates Reveal Tax Returns, Judge Rules They Didn’t Have To After All (Published September 14, 2021)
Even though 41 candidates to replace Gavin Newsom in the Sept. 14 recall election have revealed their tax returns, a judge now says that wasn’t necessary.

Former Squaw Valley Resort, Site of 1960 Olympics, Has Changed its ‘Derogatory, Offensive’ Name (Published September 14, 2021)
The name change of one of California’s most historic ski resorts is part of a statewide and national trend to reexamine offensive place names.

911 and 988: New Mental Health Crisis Line and the Original Emergency Number, Explained (Published September 14, 2021)
California will soon add a new emergency hotline service with the number 988. Here’s the story behind that new service, and the original 911 number.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, and the County’s Many Other Water Agencies, Explained (Published September 13, 2021)
How does the water you drink and use for washing and every other function get to you in Santa Clara County? Here's how the counties various water districts work.

Santa Cruz Begins Transition to District Elections for City Council (Published September 10, 2021)
The switch from at-large to district-based city council elections has yet to get the entire council on board, according to a 'Santa Cruz Local' report.

Billionaires Battle it Out Over California’s Recall Election: Wealthy Donors Dominate Race on Both Sides (Published September 9, 2021)
When California adopted the recall law 110 years ago, it was to keep big money out of politics. Now billionaire donors are dominating this year's gubernatorial recall campaign on both sides.

The El Dorado County Grand Jury: How the Citizen Watchdog Body Gets Its Job Done (Published September 9, 2021)
El Dorado County government agencies and elected officials all come under the watchful eye of the county’s grand jury. Heres how the grand jury fulfills its watchdog role.

The Crisis in California’s Legal Cannabis Industry, Explained (Published September 6, 2021)
Cumbersome state bureaucracy and competition from their illegal counterparts has made life perilous for California’s nascent legal cannabis businesses.

Moonshine Ink Newspaper’s ‘On Fire’ Covers Wildfires Through ‘Spectrum of Lenses’ (Published September 3, 2021)
Moonshine Ink newspaper in Truckee provides updates on the latest fires in the region, as well as wildfire preparation, firefighting methods and other angles on the fire crisis.

Tahoe Weekly Offers Detailed Guide to Evacuations as Caldor Fire’s Threat Remains (Published September 2, 2021)
With the Caldor Fire bearing down on the Tahoe region, the Tahoe Weekly has published a detailed guide to evacuating safely and quickly.

The State’s Power to Protect Public Health. How Far Does it Go, and What Do Courts Say? (Published September 2, 2021)
Since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, states have possessed broad authority to protect public health, even to suspend laws and commandeer private property. Here’s why, and how it works.

The Art of Noise: Efforts to Manage Noise and Create a Quieter Environment, Explained (Published August 31, 2021)
Noise is a form of pollution that threatens public health like any other type of environmental pollution. Here's what federal, state and local governments are doing to quiet things down.

California’s Recall Election: An Example of Direct Democracy, or the Opposite of Democracy? (Published August 30, 2021)
The next governor of California could win election with far fewer votes that the incumbent governor in the state's recall vote Sept. 14. How did the recall process become so undemocratic?

Hangtown No More: El Dorado County’s Court System, Explained (Published August 27, 2021)
Here’s how the El Dorado County court system works, including why the county seat is still nicknamed “Hangtown.”

LAFCOs Are No Joke: The Independent Boards That Set Government Boundaries, Explained (Published August 26, 2021)
What’s a LAFCO? That’s the odd-sounding acronym for the independent boards that get a grip on suburban sprawl and government inefficiency.

Climate Change Behind ‘Explosive’ Growth of Caldor Fire in El Dorado County (Published August 18, 2021)
A combination of factors all related to climate change are fueling the ‘unprecedented’ growth of the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County.

PG&E Must Hand Over Info on All Fires it Started This Year, U.S. Judge Orders (Published August 9, 2021)
PG&E has a long history of starting wildfires, including the Dixie Fire, with equipment failures. Now, a federal judge wants the company to hand over information on the fires it has started this year.

Feds Pledge New Focus on Forest Management as River Fire Burns in Placer County (Published August 6, 2021)
As a new wildfire burned through Nevada and Placer counties, federal officials said they would now be more aggressive fighting fires.

Nevada County’s Public Defender and District Attorney, Explained (Published August 6, 2021)
Criminal defendants in Nevada County will become quickly familiar with the district attorney and probably, the public defender. Here's how those adversarial offices work.

Noise Pollution, Salmon Shortage Lead Fed Govt to Expand Orca Protection in Monterey Bay (Published August 4, 2021)
Noise pollution and a drought-driven shortage of salmon have led the federal government to expand the Monterey Bay protected habitat zone for killer whales.

Rural Counties Give Thumbs-Up To Newsom’s Signing of Broadband Access Bill (Published August 3, 2021)
After criticizing an earlier state proposal for bringing broadband to rural counties, the Rural County Representatives of California now applauds a new bill with $6 billion in funding.

Joint Powers Authorities Explained: Potential ‘Sinkholes for Cost Overruns and Cronyism’ (Published August 2, 2021)
Under California law, local governments may work together in a "Joint Powers Authority." But these little-known agencies can wield broad powers—even to levy taxes—with little public accountability.

California’s New Vaccine Requirements and Mandates, Explained (Published July 29, 2021)
The state of California, as well as some local governments, will soon require all public employees to be vaccinated against COVID. Here’s why they’re taking that step.

The Placer County Grand Jury’s Public Watchdog Role, Explained (Published July 28, 2021)
The Placer County grand jury acts as the county's leading government watchdog body. Here's how the grand jury works, and how to become a grand juror.

New Study Shows Bay Area Homes Getting More Affordable, But Not For Everybody (Published July 27, 2021)
A new study shows how Bay Area incomes have outrun home prices in most Bay Area counties. But not everyone is reaping the benefits.

Civilian Sheriff’s Oversight Is Now Law in California. Will It Make a Difference? (Published July 25, 2021)
AB 1185, authorizing civilian sheriff's oversight bodies, was one of the few law enforcement reform bills to pass in the wake of the George Floyd protests. What does the law accomplish, and will it make a difference?

PG&E Now Says it Will Bury 10,000 Miles of Power Lines (Published July 22, 2021)
After admitting a power line may have started the Dixie Megafire in Butte County, PG&E now says it will place 10,000 miles of power lines underground.

How Climate Change is Causing the Worst Wildfire Season Ever (Published July 22, 2021)
Climate scientists say that global warming is making wildfire season much worse. Here's how climate change causes fires to be more destructive.

Why Are Masks Coming Back in California? It’s Not Just the Delta Variant. (Published July 21, 2021)
Mask requirements appear to be on the way back in California, including for fully vaccinated people. Here's why.

PG&E Reports Its Power Line May Have Set Off Massive Dixie Fire in Butte, Plumas Counties (Published July 20, 2021)
PG&E waited five days to report that one of its power lines may have sparked the Dixie Fire, which is burning across Plumas and Butte counties.

Wastewater Study Shows New COVID Spike May Soon Hit Sacramento County (Published July 19, 2021)
A Stanford University study of Sacramento's sewage shows that new spike in COVID cases may be on the way, as early as next week.

CA Unemployment Claims Still Well Above Pre-Pandemic Level as Small Business Struggles (Published July 17, 2021)
Even as the national economy quickly recovers, thousands of Californians continue to file for unemployment benefits, largely because small business is still struggling.

California to Become First State Providing Basic Income for Certain Residents (Published July 16, 2021)
California will become the first state in the nation to provide monthly basic income payments to millions of residents, after the legislature passed a $35 million bill.

New Paid Family Leave Bill Would Make Time Off Affordable for Low-Wage Workers (Published July 15, 2021)
A new bill now in the state Senate would make paid family leave accessible even to workers on the lowest end of the income spectrum.

Progressives Object to Senate Bill Designed to Allow More Affordable Housing (Published July 14, 2021)
A State Senate bill would allow quick rezoning for multi-family housing, as a new research study reveals the high cost of single-family zoning laws.

California Traffic Eased During the Pandemic, But Congestion Is Making a Comeback (Published July 14, 2021)
As the pandemic recedes, traffic is getting worse. But workers returning to offices appears not to be the main reason why.

COVID Cases Show Alarming Increase in CA (Published July 13, 2021)
The delta variant and often lagging vaccination rates are putting California in new danger from COVID-19.

Most Counties Scoff At Law Requiring Release of Workplace COVID Outbreak Data (Published July 13, 2021)
A new report reveals that only 20 counties have complied with a law requiring release of workplace COVID outbreak data.

Fire, Drought, Extreme Heat Lead to Calls for Cutbacks in Water, Power Use (Published July 13, 2021)
As fire, heat waves and drought threaten the state’s water and power supplies, the governor calls for consumers to cut back on use.

Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Begins, Reservoir Drained Despite Drought (Published July 9, 2021)
Work begins on what officials say is an essential seismic upgrade to Anderson Dam, draining the reservoir even though Santa Clara County is in the middle of a drought.

Homeowners Spend Big Bucks on Fireproofing, But Insurers Won’t Reinstate Fire Coverage (Published July 8, 2021)
Homeowners whose fire insurance policies were not renewed remain frustrated in their fight to get them back.

PG&E Wants New Rate Hike to Pay for Wildfire Prevention (Published July 8, 2021)
Pacific Gas & Electric is asking customers to pay more for protection from wildfires caused by PG&E.

More County Landowners May Soon Pay to Pump Groundwater (Published July 7, 2021)
Santa Cruz County water agencies will expand metering of groundwater pumped from private wells on agricultural land, may also charge new fees.

Santa Cruz County Didn’t Learn Lessons From Devastating CZU Fire, Grand Jury Reports (Published July 3, 2021)
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has failed to learn important lessons from the disastrous CZU Lightning Complex Fire last year, the Civil Grand Jury charges in a new report.

California’s Recall: How a Progressive Reform Was Immediately Politicized (Published July 2, 2021)
California's recall system for public officials was originally intended to root out corruption, but it quickly took on a different use.

Nevada County’s Government Watchdog — the Grand Jury System Explained (Published June 15, 2021)
The grand jury is Nevada County’s official citizen watchdog body. Here’s how it works.

Grand Jury Issued Dire Warnings Just Ahead of CZU Complex Fire (Published June 14, 2021)
A grand jury report blasted the Santa Cruz County fire system's 'dizzying' complexity just a few months before the CZU Lightning Complex Fire struck.

Nevada County’s Court System Explained, From the Gold Rush to Today (Published June 14, 2021)
If you have to go to court in Nevada County, here's an explanation of how the system works.

Santa Cruz County’s Complicated Water System, Explained (Published June 10, 2021)
Santa Cruz County's water system is run by a decentralized collection of entities.

California’s Education System: How the Bureaucracy Works (Published June 9, 2021)
How California's extensive public school system is organized and managed, explained.

Placer County’s D.A. and Public Defender’s Offices — Explained (Published June 9, 2021)
Anyone charged with a crime in Placer County should get to know the district attorney and public defender. Here's how their offices work.

How Cool Are Libraries? California's Library System Explained (Published June 8, 2021)
California has gone from one library to more than 1,100 in the last 171 years.

Demystifying Santa Clara County’s Grand Jury System (Published June 8, 2021)
Grand jurors investigate criminal felonies, but also the functions of government itself.

District vs. At-Large Races: The Final Frontier of Voting Rights (Published June 7, 2021)
Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.

The Santa Cruz County Superior Court System — Explained (Published June 5, 2021)
One of 58 superior court systems in the state, here's how the Santa Cruz County courts work.

The Monterey County Superior Court System — Explained (Published June 4, 2021)
Monterey County Superior Court has three courthouses. Here's what happens in each of them.

The Grand Jury—Explained (Published June 3, 2021)
Santa Cruz’s civil grand jury promotes accountability in local government.

The San Benito Superior Court System — Explained (Published June 2, 2021)
As the 17th-smallest county in California, San Benito has perhaps the smallest Superior Court system in the Bay Area region.

Santa Clara County’s Public Defender and District Attorney: Who They Are; What They Do (Published June 1, 2021)
Santa Clara County’s public defender and district attorney: who they are; what they do.

The Monterey County Public Defender and District Attorney's Offices—Explained (Published May 31, 2021)
How the Monterey County public defender's and district attorney's offices work.

House Poor in California (Published May 31, 2021)
A USC study shows the economy recovered fully from the 2008 recession—except for housing.

Placer County’s Court System: How it Started and How it Works Today (Published May 31, 2021)
The Placer County court system was founded in 1851. Here's how it works today.

The Santa Clara County Superior Court System — Explained (Published May 30, 2021)
The court system is our most direct contact with the government. Here's a brief explanation of Santa Clara County's Superior Court, how it works and what it does.

Did a Judge’s Ruling Limit Newsom’s Power To Impose Pandemic Health Orders? (Published May 25, 2021)
A Superior Court Judge has placed at least some limits on the governor's power to impose health-related restrictions. Here's what that means.

California’s School Reopening Plan: Rules for Getting Kids in Class Highlight Racial Disparities (Published April 25, 2021)
California’s plan to get schoolchildren back into classrooms after a year of distance learning is taking shape. Here’s the latest on the state’s school reopenings.

How the U.S. Constitution Trumps Donald Trump’s Census Order (Published July 28, 2020)
Action took aim at California's political clout.

Coronavirus on the Rise—Again (Published July 14, 2020)
In June, California was a success story. Less than a month later, the state was in crisis.

Health Experts Support Protests But Warn of Possible Surge (Published June 9, 2020)
Gatherings during pandemic entail some risk.

Context is king in news coverage of protests — here’s how California journalists provide it (Published June 4, 2020)
California reporters covering the George Floyd protests often provided crucial context for confusing events. Here are some notable examples.

Bay Area police officers shoot three people in two nights (Published June 4, 2020)
As protests continued in the Bay Area Monday and Tuesday, local police shot three people in separate incidents.

Santa Clara County Tries ‘Basic Income’ for Adults Leaving Foster Care (Published May 28, 2020)
San Jose Spotlight reports on a bill that gives $1,000 a month to adults leaving foster care.

The Bay Area Housing Crisis Is About To Become a Disaster—How We Got Here (Published May 12, 2020)
The coronavirus pandemic has added a new level of urgency as residents struggle to pay some of the highest median rents in the U.S.

Demonstrators Demand San Jose Cancel Rents after Council Passes Temporary Rent Freeze (Published May 5, 2020)
Just two days after the San Jose City Council placed a freeze on rent hikes for nearly 50,000 apartments and mobile homes in response to the coronavirus emergency, a caravan of demonstrators demanded that the city cancel rents altogether.

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