From CalMatters...
California Democrats Backed Into a Corner Over Teen Sex Solicitation
05/02/2025California Republicans are increasingly pushing Democrats on child sex crimes bills. The supermajority is growing more divided about it.
From CalMatters...
The ‘Science of Reading’ Won’t Be Required in California Schools, at Least for Now
04/30/2025The original proposal would have mandated phonics instruction in K-12 classrooms. The latest version makes that optional.
From CalMatters...
Unprecedented Vote Shows Dems Fractured Over Housing Policy
04/30/2025Two consecutive committee chairs getting overruled by their committee members signifies a growing rift among California Democrats about how to address the housing crisis.
From Manteca Bulletin...
How the Measure K Sales Tax is Impacting San Joaquin County
04/29/2025A look at the impact of the Measure K sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and again in 2006 has had on the San Joaquin County economy and transportation corridors.
From CalMatters...
Newsom Takes on Trump Over Tariffs He Says Are Hurting California
04/16/2025Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit Wednesday, saying the tariffs hurt “states, consumers and businesses.”
From CalMatters...
California Lawmakers Quietly Sideline Bills in Secretive Suspense Process
04/13/2025More than 100 California bills moved to the “suspense file” last week, the start of a process where consequential decisions are made out of public view.
From Tracy Press...
Hundreds Join Hands Off Protest in Tracy
04/11/2025Nearly 200 people participated in a Hands Off! protest on April 5 at the corner of 11th Street and Corral Hollow Road in Tracy.
From CalMatters...
Trump Canceled Millions in California School Grants. The State Is Suing to Reclaim the Money
04/10/2025Schools had until March 2026 to spend remaining COVID relief money. The U.S. Department of Education cut those funds, amounting to about $200 million for California K-12 schools.
From CalMatters...
Uber, Lyft Drivers Could Unionize Under New Proposal
04/09/2025California Democrats are backing a legislative proposal that would allow gig workers to form unions. Expect big pushback from companies like Uber, Lyft and Doordash.
From CalMatters...
He Spent Decades Researching Dementia. Trump’s DEI Purge Killed His Grant, and Dozens More
04/09/2025This researcher’s project joins at least 30 others across the University of California system that have been terminated by the National Institutes of Health. Those multi-year awards were worth more than $173 million.
From CalMatters...
Rural California, Reliant on the Trump Administration for Jobs, Braces for Cuts
04/02/2025Rural counties are some of the most reliant on federal funding and federal workers. But some still welcome Trump’s upcoming cuts to forestry and other departments
From CalMatters...
‘Broke Their Own Promise’: Republican Reparations Bill Is a Bad Sign for California’s Black Caucus
04/01/2025At a time when the political climate calls for strong and steady leadership, many Black Californians are losing faith in the lawmakers they sent to Sacramento to deliver on a justice agenda anchored by reparations.
From CalMatters...
Some CA Lawmakers Want Voting Materials to Reflect Language Diversity
03/26/2025Voter guides in various languages at a polling site at Modoc Hall in Sacramento State in Sacramento on March 5, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters
From CalMatters...
California, Other States Sue to Halt Massive Layoffs at U.S. Department of Education
03/13/2025Under Trump’s directive the Department of Education laid off half its staff. The lawsuit argues Trump has no authority to make such drastic changes.
From Manteca Bulletin...
Measure ‘A’ Bond Funded Projects Underway
03/10/2025Voters passed Measure A to fund new classrooms and upgrade schools. Read on to learn about three projects currently underway.
From CalMatters...
CA Bill Addressing Armed Vigilantism Draws Swift GOP Backlash
03/06/2025Los Angeles Assemblymember Rick Zbur says he wants to narrow the standards for justifiable homicide. Critics say he wants to make self-defense illegal.
From CalMatters...
California Is Spending Billions on Mental Health Housing. Will It Reach Those Most in Need?
03/05/2025Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to see tangible results from the $6.4 billion mental health bond voters approved last year. Moving fast carries a risk of neglecting under-resourced communities.
From EdSource...
‘A Step Backwards’: How Federal Threats to DEI Are Impacting California Schools
02/18/2025California schools are grappling with the U.S. Department of Education's letter requiring them to scrap their DEI programs.
From CalMatters...
02/14/2025The audit by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission followed CalMatters’ revelations that a law requiring trip organizers to annually disclose their major donors had been used only twice in seven years — even as interest groups continued paying millions for lawmakers’ travel.
From CalMatters...
Did Confusing Language Doom California’s Anti-Slavery Amendment? Lawmakers Want to Try Again
02/12/2025Californians rejected the anti-slavery ballot measure Proposition 6, which would have forbid forced prison labor. Reparations advocates want to try again in 2026.
From LodiNews...
San Joaquin County Supervisors Advocate for Sweeping Election Changes
02/12/2025What are San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors advocating for changes to state election laws to require voter identification for all elections and eliminate same-day voter registration? Read on to learn more.
From CalMatters...
A Former Firefighter in the Legislature Has Ideas. Will Democrats Listen?
02/11/2025Sen. Kelly Seyarto is the only former career firefighter currently serving in the Legislature. But as a Republican in a Democratic supermajority, he says it can be challenging to make progress on wildfire policy.
From CalMatters...
Resistance State: Tracking California’s Lawsuits Against the New Trump Administration
01/21/2025California’s Democratic leaders set aside tens of millions of dollars to challenge President Donald Trump’s executive orders and policies.
From CalMatters...
01/21/2025Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.
From CalMatters...
Trump’s New Executive Orders Target Policies Dear to CA
01/20/2025With assurances that “sunlight is pouring over the entire world,” President Donald Trump was sworn into office Monday for his second term. He wasted no time taking potshots at California.
From Manteca Bulletin...
State Senator Representing San Joaquin County Appointed to Delta Protection Board
01/17/2025California State Senator Jerry McNerney, representing San Joaquin County and parts of Alameda County, has been appointed to the state Delta Protection Commission. Read on to learn more about the commission.
From Manteca Bulletin...
Former Member Appointed to Lathrop City Council
01/14/2025Former member Stephen Dresser was appointed to a vacant seat on the Lathrop City Council to serve a two-year provisional term. Read on to learn more.
From Tracy Press...
Tracy City Council Fills Vacant Seat
01/10/2025In their January 7 meeting, the Tracy City Council appointed Mateo Bedolla to fill the seat vacated by vacated by Dan Arriola. Read on to learn more about the process for filling vacant seats and the appointee is selected.
From Manteca Bulletin...
Lathrop Fills City Council Vacancy
01/09/2025In a special meeting, the Lathrop City Council unanimously appointed Stephen Dresser to fill a vacant seat. Read on to learn more about the other potential appointees and the vacancy appointment process.
From Stocktonia...
New Stockton City Council Meets
01/07/2025The new Stockton City Council held its first meeting on January 7. Read on to learn more about the work ahead for the new term.
From Local News Matters...
California Study Finds Climate of Fear Driving Local Officials to Quit Amid Harassment, Abuse
01/04/2025THREATS AND HARASSMENT are pushing some politicians out of office, scaring off some would-be candidates and even compelling some elected officials to change their vote.