WEATHER ALERT
California governor calls special session to protect liberal policies from Trump presidency
Read full article: California governor calls special session to protect liberal policies from Trump presidencyCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for state lawmakers to convene a special session in December to help safeguard the state's progressive policies on climate change, reproductive rights and immigration ahead of another Trump presidency.
Strong winds push wildfire through Southern California community, burning dozens of homes
Read full article: Strong winds push wildfire through Southern California community, burning dozens of homesAn out-of-control wildfire fueled by heavy winds is tearing through a community northwest of Los Angeles for a second day after destroying dozens of homes and forcing thousands of residents to flee.
Thousands ordered to evacuate as powerful wind-fed wildfire burns homes in Southern California
Read full article: Thousands ordered to evacuate as powerful wind-fed wildfire burns homes in Southern CaliforniaCalifornia is being lashed by powerful winds that fed a fast-moving wildfire that destroyed homes and forced hundreds of residents to flee in Ventura County.
Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts
Read full article: Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firstsFor the first time ever, two Black women have been elected to serve simultaneously in the U.S. Senate.
California announces sustainable fuels partnership to curb emissions from planes
Read full article: California announces sustainable fuels partnership to curb emissions from planesCalifornia is partnering with a major airline trade group to increase the availability of sustainable aviation fuels in the state.
Resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez in 1989 killings of their parents set for Dec. 11
Read full article: Resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez in 1989 killings of their parents set for Dec. 11Erik and Lyle Menendez’s resentencing hearing has been set for Dec. 11, when a judge will decide whether they will have a shot at freedom after spending 34 years behind bars for the shotgun killings of their parents in 1989.
Erik and Lyle Menendez are a step closer to leaving prison, but freedom won't come quickly
Read full article: Erik and Lyle Menendez are a step closer to leaving prison, but freedom won't come quicklyErik and Lyle Menendez still have a long way to go before they can walk out of prison, even though the Los Angeles County district attorney has recommended their life-without-parole sentence be thrown out and the brothers be resentenced and immediately eligible for parole.
AI-generated child sexual abuse images are spreading. Law enforcement is racing to stop them
Read full article: AI-generated child sexual abuse images are spreading. Law enforcement is racing to stop themLaw enforcement agencies across the U.S. are cracking down on the troubling spread of child sexual abuse imagery created through artificial intelligence technology.
Californians' crime concerns put pressure on criminal justice reform and progressive DAs
Read full article: Californians' crime concerns put pressure on criminal justice reform and progressive DAsTen years ago, 3.7 million Californians voted for a landmark measure that made many nonviolent crimes misdemeanors instead of felonies.
California governor vetoes bill to create first-in-nation AI safety measures
Read full article: California governor vetoes bill to create first-in-nation AI safety measuresCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a landmark bill aimed at establishing first-in-the-nation safety measures for large artificial intelligence models.
Conservative Christians were skeptical of mail-in ballots. Now they are gathering them in churches
Read full article: Conservative Christians were skeptical of mail-in ballots. Now they are gathering them in churchesConservative Christian churches in California and prominent figures around the United States like activist Charlie Kirk are urging congregations to get involved in ballot gathering or ballot harvesting.
A tiny tribe is getting pushback for betting big on a $600M casino in California's wine country
Read full article: A tiny tribe is getting pushback for betting big on a $600M casino in California's wine countryA Northern California tribe's chances of owning a Las Vegas-style casino seemed like a dream as unlikely as hitting the jackpot.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill to help Black families reclaim taken land
Read full article: California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill to help Black families reclaim taken landCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have helped Black families reclaim or be compensated for land that was taken unjustly by the government through eminent domain.
California governor signs law banning all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores
Read full article: California governor signs law banning all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores“Paper or plastic” will no longer be a choice at grocery store checkout lines in California under a new law signed Sunday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
California governor signs laws to crack down on election deepfakes created by AI
Read full article: California governor signs laws to crack down on election deepfakes created by AICalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed three landmark bills Tuesday to crack down on political deepfakes ahead of the 2024 election.
California governor signs laws to protect actors against unauthorized use of AI
Read full article: California governor signs laws to protect actors against unauthorized use of AICalifornia's governor has signed legislation to protect Hollywood actors and performers against unauthorized use of artificial intelligence, such as creating their digital clones without their consent.
Long before gay marriage was popular, Kamala Harris was at the forefront of the equal rights battle
Read full article: Long before gay marriage was popular, Kamala Harris was at the forefront of the equal rights battleTwo decades ago, a Democratic nominee for president might not have dreamed of endorsing gay marriage.
A scenic California mountain town walloped by a blizzard is now threatened by wildfire
Read full article: A scenic California mountain town walloped by a blizzard is now threatened by wildfireFirefighters battling three major wildfires in the mountains east of Los Angeles are taking advantage of cooler weather.
California governor signs a bill bringing back harsh penalties for smash-and-grab robberies
Read full article: California governor signs a bill bringing back harsh penalties for smash-and-grab robberiesCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday bringing back tough criminal penalties targeting large-scale stealing schemes and smash-and-grab robberies.
Georgia school shooting highlights fears about classroom cellphone bans
Read full article: Georgia school shooting highlights fears about classroom cellphone bansThe shooting at a Georgia high school has highlighted concerns raised about a growing effort to ban or restrict cellphones in the classroom.
How do you know when AI is powerful enough to be dangerous? Regulators try to do the math
Read full article: How do you know when AI is powerful enough to be dangerous? Regulators try to do the mathHow do you know if an artificial intelligence system is so powerful that it poses a security danger and shouldn’t be unleashed without careful oversight.
California lawmakers pass landmark bills to atone for racism, but hold off on fund to take action
Read full article: California lawmakers pass landmark bills to atone for racism, but hold off on fund to take actionCalifornia lawmakers have approved a set of first-in-the-nation bills aimed at atoning for the state's legacy of discriminatory policies that have harmed Black Californians.
Harris' big moment, Dems' rising stars, Gaza protesters shut out. Takeaways from DNC's last night
Read full article: Harris' big moment, Dems' rising stars, Gaza protesters shut out. Takeaways from DNC's last nightVice President Kamala Harris urged Americans to seize a “precious, fleeting opportunity” to move beyond political divisions and the threat of Republican Donald Trump on Thursday as she closed out the Democratic National Convention.
California announces new deal with tech to fund journalism, AI research
Read full article: California announces new deal with tech to fund journalism, AI researchCalifornia will be the first U.S. state to direct millions of dollars from taxpayer money and tech companies to help pay for journalism and AI research under a new deal announced Wednesday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom nudges school districts to restrict student cellphone use
Read full article: California Gov. Gavin Newsom nudges school districts to restrict student cellphone useCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending letters to school districts, urging them to restrict smartphone use on campuses.
Everyone agrees there's a homeless crisis in the US. Plans to address it vary among mayor candidates
Read full article: Everyone agrees there's a homeless crisis in the US. Plans to address it vary among mayor candidatesHomelessness is at the top of the agenda for candidates in mayoral races across the U.S. West.
California partners with Nvidia to bring artificial intelligence resources to colleges
Read full article: California partners with Nvidia to bring artificial intelligence resources to collegesThe state of California is partnering with tech giant Nvidia to help train California students, college faculty, developers and data scientists in artificial intelligence.
Trump's tale of a harrowing helicopter ride and emergency landing? Didn't happen, Willie Brown says
Read full article: Trump's tale of a harrowing helicopter ride and emergency landing? Didn't happen, Willie Brown saysDonald Trump has shared a harrowing story about almost crashing in a helicopter he was riding in with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
California governor vows to take away funding from cities and counties for not clearing encampments
Read full article: California governor vows to take away funding from cities and counties for not clearing encampmentsCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has a message to local governments: clear homeless encampments now or lose out on state funding next year.
San Francisco police and street cleaners take aggressive approach to clearing homeless encampments
Read full article: San Francisco police and street cleaners take aggressive approach to clearing homeless encampmentsPolice in San Francisco will start clearing out homeless residents who have refused to move from public areas under new policies.
Firefighters make progress against massive blaze in California ahead of warming weather
Read full article: Firefighters make progress against massive blaze in California ahead of warming weatherFire crews are working to hold on to the progress made against the largest blaze in California this year ahead of warming temperatures forecast for later this week.
Homeless people say they will likely return to sites if California clears them under Newsom's order
Read full article: Homeless people say they will likely return to sites if California clears them under Newsom's orderA day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order directing state agencies to start clearing homeless encampments on state land, including lots under freeways, the homeless people living in these encampments are wondering where else they could go.
Vice President Kamala Harris leads list of contenders for spots on the Democratic ticket
Read full article: Vice President Kamala Harris leads list of contenders for spots on the Democratic ticketPresident Joe Biden's decision to step down as the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee for president has opened the door for other possible candidates.
Takeaways from a day that fundamentally changed the presidential race
Read full article: Takeaways from a day that fundamentally changed the presidential racePresident Joe Biden’s abrupt decision to bow out of the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic candidate against former President Donald Trump has caused a political earthquake.
Harris could become the first female president after years of breaking racial and gender barriers
Read full article: Harris could become the first female president after years of breaking racial and gender barriersShe’s already broken barriers, and now Kamala Harris could soon become the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to head a major party's presidential ticket after President Joe Biden’s ended his reelection bid.
What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
Read full article: What happens next: Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might workWith President Joe Biden ending his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
Why would Kamala Harris be choice to replace Joe Biden if he drops out of race? Follow the money
Read full article: Why would Kamala Harris be choice to replace Joe Biden if he drops out of race? Follow the moneyIt’s simply reality that based on campaign funds, Harris appears to be the only viable option for Democrats as an alternative to Biden.
Biden says he won't step aside. But if he does, here's why Harris is the favorite to replace him
Read full article: Biden says he won't step aside. But if he does, here's why Harris is the favorite to replace himPresident Joe Biden insists that only “the Lord Almighty” can convince him to quit the presidential race.
Gavin Newsom works to bolster Biden in a swing-state tour that could boost both their ambitions
Read full article: Gavin Newsom works to bolster Biden in a swing-state tour that could boost both their ambitionsGavin Newsom has emerged as President Joe Biden’s most prominent battleground-state soldier.
Forced labor, same-sex marriage and shoplifting are all on the ballot in California this November
Read full article: Forced labor, same-sex marriage and shoplifting are all on the ballot in California this NovemberForced labor, same-sex marriage and shoplifting are among the 10 statewide ballot measures California voters will consider.
Fight over retail theft is testing California Democrats' drive to avoid mass incarceration policies
Read full article: Fight over retail theft is testing California Democrats' drive to avoid mass incarceration policiesCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom and state leaders have dropped a plan to put a crime-focused measure on the ballot a day after announcing it.
California city cancels July Fourth fireworks as firefighters battle flames amid hot weather
Read full article: California city cancels July Fourth fireworks as firefighters battle flames amid hot weatherOfficials in a Northern California community have canceled an annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration as thousands of residents remain displaced while crews battle a growing wildfire amid extreme heat.
Pressure is building on Biden to step aside. But many Democrats feel powerless to replace him
Read full article: Pressure is building on Biden to step aside. But many Democrats feel powerless to replace himSen. Bernie Sanders says he’s not confident President Joe Biden can win the election this fall in the wake of last week's debate.
California advances unique safety regulations for AI companies despite tech firm opposition
Read full article: California advances unique safety regulations for AI companies despite tech firm oppositionCalifornia lawmakers have advanced a bill that would regulate powerful artificial intelligence systems.
Some cities facing homelessness crisis applaud Supreme Court decision, while others push back
Read full article: Some cities facing homelessness crisis applaud Supreme Court decision, while others push backSan Francisco’s mayor says the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces will allow the city to begin clearing homeless encampments that have plagued the city.
California lawmakers approve changes to law allowing workers to sue employers over labor violations
Read full article: California lawmakers approve changes to law allowing workers to sue employers over labor violationsThe California Legislature has approved bills that would amend a 20-year-old law allowing workers to sue their bosses over labor violations.
Law limiting new oil wells in California set to take effect after industry withdraws referendum
Read full article: Law limiting new oil wells in California set to take effect after industry withdraws referendumA California law that bans drilling new oil wells near places like homes and schools will likely take effect in the coming days.
California Democrats agree to delay health care worker minimum wage increase to help balance budget
Read full article: California Democrats agree to delay health care worker minimum wage increase to help balance budgetDemocrats in California have agreed to delay a minimum wage increase for about 426,000 health care workers to help balance the budget.
California workplace safety board approves heat protections for indoor workers, excluding prisons
Read full article: California workplace safety board approves heat protections for indoor workers, excluding prisonsCalifornia’s workplace regulators passed rules that would protect indoor workers from extreme heat.
California voters lose a shot at checking state and local tax hikes at the polls
Read full article: California voters lose a shot at checking state and local tax hikes at the pollsThe California Supreme Court has removed a measure from the state’s November ballot that would have made it harder to raise taxes.
California's Democratic leaders clash with businesses over curbing retail theft. Here's what to know
Read full article: California's Democratic leaders clash with businesses over curbing retail theft. Here's what to knowThe efforts to tamp down organized retail theft in California this year have largely boiled down to two paths.
California Legislature rejects many of Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget cuts as negotiations continue
Read full article: California Legislature rejects many of Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget cuts as negotiations continueThe California Legislature has passed its own version of a state spending plan that rejects many of Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget cuts.
With 1 out of 3 Californians on Medicaid, doctors push ballot measure to force state to pay more
Read full article: With 1 out of 3 Californians on Medicaid, doctors push ballot measure to force state to pay moreCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to back out of a deal he made last year to pay doctors more money to treat Medicaid patients.
California governor criticized for proposal to eliminate health benefit for some disabled immigrants
Read full article: California governor criticized for proposal to eliminate health benefit for some disabled immigrantsCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing criticism for his proposal to eliminate an optional Medicaid benefit for some disabled immigrants.
California advances measures targeting AI discrimination and deepfakes
Read full article: California advances measures targeting AI discrimination and deepfakesCalifornia lawmakers have advanced a host of artificial intelligence proposals that would protect jobs, build public trust, fight algorithmic discrimination, and outlaw deepfakes involving elections or pornography.
Arizona doctors can come to California to perform abortions under new law signed by Gov. Newsom
Read full article: Arizona doctors can come to California to perform abortions under new law signed by Gov. NewsomArizona doctors can temporarily come to California to perform abortions for their patients under a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
California to make $3.3 billion available for mental health, substance use treatment centers
Read full article: California to make $3.3 billion available for mental health, substance use treatment centersCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday the state will make $3.3 billion available by July for counties and private developers to start building more behavior health treatment centers.
Major agricultural firm sues California over farmworker unionization law
Read full article: Major agricultural firm sues California over farmworker unionization lawOne of California's most influential agricultural companies has filed a lawsuit against the state to stop a contentious law that was meant to make it easier for farmworkers to unionize.
California has a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. Here's what you need to know
Read full article: California has a multibillion-dollar budget deficit. Here's what you need to knowCalifornia has a multibillion-dollar budget deficit that could force Democratic leaders to end a number of safety net programs and permanently cut 10,000 vacant state jobs.
Union push pits the United Farm Workers against a major California agricultural business
Read full article: Union push pits the United Farm Workers against a major California agricultural businessA battle is underway in California between a unit of the Wonderful Co. and United Farm Workers over how a group of workers organized under a recently-enacted labor law.
The Latest | Arrests top 2,000 as protests against Israel-Hamas war roil college campuses
Read full article: The Latest | Arrests top 2,000 as protests against Israel-Hamas war roil college campusesThe number of people arrested in connection with protests on college campuses against the Israel-Hamas war has now topped 2,000.
More than 2,100 people have been arrested during pro-Palestinian protests on US college campuses
Read full article: More than 2,100 people have been arrested during pro-Palestinian protests on US college campusesPolice have arrested more than 2,100 people during pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses across the United States in recent weeks.
California is joining with a New Jersey company to make a generic opioid overdose reversal drug
Read full article: California is joining with a New Jersey company to make a generic opioid overdose reversal drugCalifornia is partnering with a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company to purchase a generic version of Narcan.
US abortion battle rages on with moves to repeal Arizona ban and a Supreme Court case
Read full article: US abortion battle rages on with moves to repeal Arizona ban and a Supreme Court caseThe U.S. Supreme Court is considering another abortion-related case while a repeal of Arizona's abortion ban has picked up steam.
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to let Arizona doctors provide abortions in California
Read full article: Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to let Arizona doctors provide abortions in CaliforniaCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers have announced legislation aimed at helping Arizonans access abortions after the Arizona Supreme Court allowed a near total-ban to move forward.
California is rolling out free preschool. That hasn't solved challenges around child care
Read full article: California is rolling out free preschool. That hasn't solved challenges around child careInvestments in public preschool have helped many parents through a child care crisis, in which quality options for early learners are often scarce and unaffordable.
Can homeless people be fined for sleeping outside? A rural Oregon city asks the US Supreme Court
Read full article: Can homeless people be fined for sleeping outside? A rural Oregon city asks the US Supreme CourtThe rural city of Grants Pass in southern Oregon has become the unlikely face of the nation’s homelessness crisis as its case over anti-camping laws goes to the U.S. Supreme Court.
How effective are California's homelessness programs? Audit finds state hasn't been keeping track
Read full article: How effective are California's homelessness programs? Audit finds state hasn't been keeping trackA state audit has found that California spent $24 billion to tackle homelessness over the past five years but didn’t consistently track whether the spending actually helped alleviate the problem.
Lawsuit challenges $1 billion in federal funding to sustain California's last nuclear power plant
Read full article: Lawsuit challenges $1 billion in federal funding to sustain California's last nuclear power plantAn environmental group is challenging the U.S. Energy Department's decision to award over $1 billion to help keep California’s last nuclear power plant running beyond 2025.
California Democratic lawmakers seek ways to combat retail theft while keeping progressive policy
Read full article: California Democratic lawmakers seek ways to combat retail theft while keeping progressive policyCalifornia lawmakers are split on how to best address the retail theft cases that have proliferated in the state.
California voters pass proposition requiring counties to spend on programs to tackle homelessness
Read full article: California voters pass proposition requiring counties to spend on programs to tackle homelessnessCalifornia voters have approved a measure that Gov. Gavin Newson says he needs to tackle the state’s homelessness crisis.
Confidentiality pact deepens mystery of how bakery clause got into California minimum wage law
Read full article: Confidentiality pact deepens mystery of how bakery clause got into California minimum wage lawPrivate organizations involved in negotiations over California's minimum wage for fast food workers signed a confidentiality agreement.
Katie Porter's star dims in failed US Senate bid, leaving the Californian facing an uncertain future
Read full article: Katie Porter's star dims in failed US Senate bid, leaving the Californian facing an uncertain futureU.S. Rep. Katie Porter faces an uncertain future after being trounced in California's U.S. Senate race.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's campaign donor says his Panera Bread restaurants will follow minimum wage law
Read full article: Gov. Gavin Newsom's campaign donor says his Panera Bread restaurants will follow minimum wage lawA wealthy campaign donor of California Gov. Gavin Newsom said his Panera Bread restaurants will comply with a new minimum wage law.
Voters show strong support for San Francisco measures to compel drug treatment, expand police powers
Read full article: Voters show strong support for San Francisco measures to compel drug treatment, expand police powersTwo San Francisco ballot measures to expand police powers and compel drug treatment for adult welfare recipients have commanding leads in partial vote counts.
California governor pushes back against criticism of fast food minimum wage law
Read full article: California governor pushes back against criticism of fast food minimum wage lawCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom is denying a news report that he pushed for an exception to the state's fast food minimum wage law that benefits a donor.
California governor launches ads to fight abortion travel bans
Read full article: California governor launches ads to fight abortion travel bansCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced an ad campaign urging voters in several Republican-controlled states to speak up against laws designed to prohibit out-of-state travel for abortions.
California lawmakers say reparations bills, which exclude widespread payments, are a starting point
Read full article: California lawmakers say reparations bills, which exclude widespread payments, are a starting pointCalifornia's Legislative Black Caucus is pushing for lawmakers to pass a package of more than a dozen reparations proposals.
Some worry California proposition to tackle homelessness would worsen the problem
Read full article: Some worry California proposition to tackle homelessness would worsen the problemDemocratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging voters to approve a ballot initiative that he says is needed to tackle the state’s homelessness crisis.