All California Local Articles


Image caption: California traffic deaths remain high, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Why Zero Traffic Fatalities Remains a Distant Goal

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.

Image caption: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the United Nations.
International Day of Democracy

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres defends "the cornerstone of democratic societies—free, independent, and pluralistic media.”

Image caption: Vision Zero aims to implement steps that would make roads safer, and stop traffic death entirely.
Vision Zero: Cities Struggle With Goal of Ending Traffic Deaths

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.

Image caption: Action Heroes: EA promotes alternative transportation year round, not just during Bike Month.
Ecology Action’s Plan for a Greener Future

For half a century, this group has reduced waste, reimagined local transportation and redesigned buildings. It’s all part of Ecology Action’s quest for sustainability.

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Can California Really Make its Power Grid 100% Green?

New legislation accelerates California's self-mandate to convert to a carbon-free electrical grid by 2045. But can the state actually do it?

Image caption: Supporters of Donald Trump have been behind a series of disruptions and threats at local government meetings.
New California Law Aims to End Public Meeting Disruptions

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.

Image caption: The Sacramento County Registrar of Voters office in Sacramento on June 7, 2022.
CalMatters 2022 General Election Voter Guide

The nonpartisan CalMatters 2022 Voter Guide was crafted by reporters, editors, data journalists, visual journalists and product designers.

Image caption: Dig into daily tips provided by two master gardeners.
Welcome to Sacramento Digs Gardening

We’ve made our proprietary content management platform available for fellow publishers.

Image caption: A Fresno resident uses an umbrella to shield herself from the sun on Aug. 30, 2022, as a heat wave descended over California.
A Do-or-Die Day For California’s Power Grid

Today, California's power grid is poised to face its biggest test of the summer so far as a record-setting heat wave continues to boil the drought-parched, fire-stricken state. As residents crank up their air conditioners to deal with yet another …

Image caption: Donald Trump greets Kevin McCarthy (R-CA 23) whose district includes two of California’s highest murder-rate counties.
Why Are Murder Rates High in Some Republican Counties?

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.

Image caption: California has produced a stellar field of athletes in many different sports. The hard part is just naming 10.
Golden State All-Stars

Ten of the greatest athletes born or raised in California.

Image caption: The state will dramatically accelerate clean-energy adoption following the passage of SB 1020, authored by Santa Cruz’s Sen. John Laird.
California Legislature Approves 5 of 6 Big Climate Crisis Bills

Five of the six climate and energy bills that the governor pushed at the last minute were approved by the Legislature.

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Newsom Leans Into Legislative Agenda

In his first three years as governor, Newsom mostly acted through executive orders or the state budget. This year, he’s pushing more legislation as he builds his resume for reelection and, possibly, higher office. Key bills focus on climate change …

Image caption: Critics, including some Democrats, have lambasted Biden's plan to pay off some student loans.
Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness: What Are the Haters Saying?

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.

Image caption: Electric cars charging up will be a common sight in California by 2035.
California Bans Sales of Gasoline Cars by 2035: Here’s What it Means

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.

Image caption: Student debt is a potential source of financial stress for about one in seven Americans.
Biden’s Student Debt Relief Plan: Here’s How it Works

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.

Image caption: With CERT training, volunteers can learn firefighting skills.
Emergency Teamwork

Fires, floods, earthquakes—California’s got it all. And CERT volunteers are ready to step in.

Image caption: Rep. Michelle Steel chats with a registered Republican voter through his front gate while canvassing for voters ahead of Tuesday's primary in Buena Park.
Could California Save Dems’ US House Majority?

Democrats are targeting five Republican-held congressional seats in California this year, hoping that gains in the state could save their House majority.

Image caption: Pres. Joe Biden (r) signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes incentives for clean energy.
How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Save You Money

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.

Image caption: Mountain lion near I-15 in Riverside County
Wildlife Crossings Make Roads Safer for Animals and Humans

The Safe Roads and Wildlife Protection Act would require Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify wildlife barriers and prioritize crossings when building or improving roads and highways.