California Update

Why does it cost so much to build a home in California? It’s more than just land, labor and materials. The development process itself, complete with delays, strict environmental reviews, and expensive fees, can add thousands to the price of each home.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read the full story.

(Photo: Construction crews work on The Press building, a 277-unit apartment complex in Sacramento, Calif. - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Projectile weapons have injured protesters -- sometimes permanently -- across CA this year, often during racial justice protests, and even at championship celebrations for pro sports teams. Now, calls for reform are echoing throughout state government.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Foucha Coner stands at the intersection of 10th and L Street in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The intersection is where Coner was shot in the face just above the eye with a projectile during the protest over the death of George Floyd - Sara Nevis for CapRadio)

Projectile weapons have injured protesters -- sometimes permanently -- across CA this year, often during racial justice protests, and even at championship celebrations for pro sports teams. Now, calls for reform are echoing throughout state government.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Foucha Coner stands at the intersection of 10th and L Street in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. The intersection is where Coner was shot in the face just above the eye with a projectile during the protest over the death of George Floyd - Sara Nevis for CapRadio)

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio / FileCities and counties in California have filed suit over a new state rule allowing cannabis to be delivered just about anywhere.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Credit: Ricardo Cano / CALmatters / via CapRadioA California Assembly committee has approved a bill package that targets charter schools, including one that would impose a statewide cap.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Credit: fir0002 [GFDL 1.2]The annual Grape Crush Report is in, and California's 2018 wine grape crop totaled 4.5 million tons... That's up 6 percent from the previous year.

Story by Julia Mitric.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to make sure farm and food workers affected by the coronavirus get two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Workers at a Sacramento, Calif. Restaurant - Lesley McClurg / CapRadio)

State officials are promising a one-stop website allowing self-employed Californians and independent contractors to finally apply for federal relief benefits. But it won’t launch until April 28.

Story by Chris Nichols.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife now has the power to delay trout season to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

Some communities are eager to reopen parts of their economies, but Governor Gavin Newsom is trying to temper expectations.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: A reminder for people to wash their hands is displayed on a sign outside Theodore Judah Elementary School in Sacramento, Wednesday, April 1, 2020 - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo)

Another 533,000 Californians filed unemployment claims last week, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Thursday, bringing the state's total since mid-March to more than 3 million.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Bored at home? Here’s an idea for this weekend. Join a global science project documenting wildlife on your physically distant walks around your neighborhood.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

As the coronavirus spreads, state and federal health experts are deciding whether to recommend face masks for everyday use. Los Angeles County made that recommendation on Wednesday.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Even without symptoms, you might have the virus and be able to spread it when out in public, say researchers who now are reconsidering the use of surgical masks - Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg via Getty Images / CapRadio)

Much of California shut down days or weeks before other parts of the country. Now, the state’s projections show those steps seem to be paying off.

Story by Nicole Nixon

The pandemic is not treating everyone equally. That includes farmers. Some are dealing with labor issues and others have lost business. But one set of farmers is seeing record sales.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

As unemployment claims surge nationally, Governor Gavin Newsom announced relief efforts for small businesses and their employees.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Californians who support a single-payer health care system say it’s time for Gov. Gavin Newsom to keep his campaign promises and take steps toward making the model a reality.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Members of the California Nurses Association and supporters rally at the State Capitol calling for a single-payer health plan on June 28, 2017, in Sacramento - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo).

At a bill signing event to provide tax breaks to small businesses, Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly acknowledged the recall for the first time since election officials confirmed it can move forward.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Avocados. Credit: Flickr . via CapRadioWould Americans ‘run out of avocados in three weeks’ if President Trump closes the U.S.-Mexico border? PolitiFact California fact-checked this widely reported claim.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read full versions of all fact checks at PolitiFact.com/California

Credit: melfoody / Flickr / via CapRadioThe DMV service center is located inside the Legislative Office Building across the street from the Capitol in Sacramento. You have to know where to go to find it... and it's behind a locked door.

Story by Randol White.

Friday, April 5, 2019

If the Democratic presidential ticket wins in November, Governor Gavin Newsom would be responsible for appointing someone to fill Senator Kamala Harris’ seat. 

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., takes the stage at a campaign stop at Keene State College in Keene, N.H., in April 2019 - Brian Snyder / Reuters / via CapRadio)

COVID-19 forces major changes to prison education programs.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service.

California Sen. Kamala Harris has moved into the top tier of presidential candidates. Wednesday night at the Democratic debate, she faced attacks from Joe Biden over her health care plan. Cap Radio’s PolitiFact California fact-checked their exchange.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: AP Photo/Paul Sancya/via PolitiFact California)

Activated charcoal is used in medical settings to absorb toxins, but it has minimal benefits for the everyday consumer, according to experts.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Activated charcoal powder - mommyandlove/Pixabay/via Cap Radio)

California Governor Gavin Newsom is touting some of the state’s new firefighting equipment — by showing it off to former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses emergency preparedness during a visit to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection CalFire Colfax Station Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in Colfax, Calif. - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via Cap Radio)

Friday, August 2, 2019 

A pandemic, rolling blackouts, and dozens of wildfires. The emergencies have piled on in California this week. A look at at how Governor Gavin Newsom is leading the state through a perilous moment.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: A CalFire plane drops fire retardant on the Jones Fire near Nevada City, Tuesday, August 18, 2020 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

California Sen. Kamala Harris claimed ‘as many as 300,000 auto workers’ could lose their jobs this year due to Trump’s trade policy. PolitiFact California found that figure is way off, and rated her claim False.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read full version of all fact checks at Politifact.com/California.

(Photo: via Politifact.com)

California's 2017 law on surprise billing is protecting patients from high bills but doctors are having a hard time negotiating payment, according to a new report from the Rand corporation.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Alex Proimos [CC BY 2.0])

California State Senator Richard Pan shoved near capitol by opponent of vaccine exemption bill.

Story by Nick Miller.

(Photo: State Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, center, discusses his proposed measure to have public health officials grant medical exemptions for vaccination instead of leaving the power to physicians, during a news conference, Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via Cap Radio)

Friday, August 23, 2019 

Credit: kev-shine / FlickrEveryone’s got their own ideas about how to solve the opioid crisis. Here’s a quick take on California bills that could change the game.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

A table with 11 different ballot initiatives awaiting signatures. Credit: Ben Bradford / Capital Public RadioThe California Legislature has passed what would be a major change to the state’s initiative process. A measure on its way to Governor Jerry Brown would ban paying initiative signature-gatherers for each voter signature they collect.

Story by Ben Bradford

Friday, August 24, 2018

Health officials say moms can breastfeed even if they're COVID-19 positive or were potentially exposed, but lactation advocates worry confusion during the pandemic is making Black and brown women less likely to try it.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Courtesy of CDC)

Zoning rules in California’s suburbs, especially those in wealthy areas close to job centers, are severely limiting the growth of multi-family housing projects. That’s according to a Brookings Institution report.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: A housing project near Broadway in Sacramento - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

More than half of California’s registered voters will cast their ballots under a new election system next year that features more voting by mail and less in person.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo by Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

Friday, August 30, 2019

California Assembly chamber. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioCalifornia has made a major move toward implementing its own version of net neutrality, in defiance of the Trump administration.

Story by Ben Bradford.

California DMV Director Jane Shiomoto. Credit: CBS-San FranciscoJean Shiomoto, the DMV’s director who opposed an audit of her agency, says the DMV is making improvements. While standing inside Sacramento’s DMV field office, Shiomoto says her agency shouldn’t be faulted for long wait times.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Friday, August 31, 2018

Every election cycle, ballot propositions offer a unique set of political battles in California. But even though the election is still months away, another type of fight over initiatives is playing out this week in the courts.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

California physicians are already laying the groundwork for how to counsel patients who are hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: A pedestrian wearing a mask walks past a sign advising that COVID-19 vaccines are not available yet at a Walgreen's pharmacy store during the coronavirus outbreak in San Francisco, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 - Jeff Chiu / AP Photo)

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioCalifornia would get an increase in funding for agriculture research under the Farm Bill passed by Congress this week. But overall, the legislation mostly preserves the status quo.

Story by Julia Mitric.

In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ken Pimlott works at his desk in his office in Sacramento, Calif. Pimlott told The Associated Press he prepares to retire on Friday, Dec. 14. Credit: Haven Daley / AP Photo / via capradioOutgoing Cal Fire director remains hopeful about the future.

Story by Randol White.

CPR file photo/Andrew NixonAs Governor-elect Gavin Newsom puts the final touches on his first state budget proposal due out early next month, California continues to rake in the dough.

Story by Ben Adler.

Friday, December 14, 2018

The first wave of pandemic stay-at-home orders created around 120,000 job losses for the Lake Tahoe region. A new report shows how the pandemic has altered the region’s economy.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: The view from Grouse Ridge in Tahoe National Forest - Ezra David Romero / CapRadio)

California’s Capitol is seeing a jump in COVID-19 cases... less than two weeks into its session.

Story by Scott Rodd.

During the holiday season, many people make charitable contributions – but there's another way to help the community recover from COVID-19 without spending a dime.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service

(Photo: A Payroll Protection Program loan from Self-Help Federal Credit Union saved the Brighter Beginnings clinic in Richmond from devastating layoffs - Brandi Rollins)

Slain officer Ronil Singh of Newman Police Department. Photo provided by the Newman Police Department/via Associated PressManhunt for deadly police shooting suspect spurs border security comment From President Trump.

Story by Randol White.

Credit: Bridget Coila / Flickr / via Capradio

New mothers producing breastmilk when they return to work sometimes struggle to find safe, clean places to pump. A California law taking effect in January aims to make it easier.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Here are more new California laws taking effect in the new year. 

A Mexican cactus fruit, also known as the prickly pear. Credit: Ken Bosma/Flickr/via CapradioThe majority of California produce meets national pesticide standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a report released Thursday by the state Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Story by Julia Mitric.

Friday, December 28, 2018

Michael Alongi works on homework, while his mother, Jeanne, prepares dinner. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioA growing number of transgender kids in California are seeking medical care to change their bodies. But doctors aren't always on the same page about what that should look like.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Governor Newsom issues a new stay-at-home order. The order applies to regions with limited ICU capacity. No regions are currently under the order, but the entire state is expected to be within weeks.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Registered Nurse Richard Moses looks at his computer while working in a COVID-19 unit at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020 - AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones has tested positive for COVID-19. Jones has been vocal about his refusal to enforce public health mandates, including mask requirements and breaking up social gatherings.

Story by Scott Rodd.

California not prepared to protect vulnerable residents from natural disasters.    

The new audit looked at 3 counties that have faced recent major wildfires: Butte, Sonoma, and Ventura.

Story by Randol White.

(Photo: Courtesy Sonoma Sheriff/via Twitter)

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara orders companies to stop dropping the policies of customers who live in areas affected by recent wildfires.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

(Photo: Chris and Nancy Brown embrace while searching through the remains of their home, leveled by the Camp Fire, in Paradise, Calif. - Noah Berger / AP Photo/ via Capradio)

Some of California's coastal mountain lions have been found to be at risk from a not so common source. Fog laced with mercury is harming the big cats.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Courtesy ofU.S. NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE)

A bill introduced in the state Senate would allow all public school kids to get free meals regardless of family income or circumstances.

Story by Ed Fletcher.

(Photo: via Cap Radio)

Governor Gavin Newsom says the South African coronavirus variant has been detected in two California counties.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

via ABC10California Governor Gavin Newsom talked to students, parents and first responders during a tour of the Camp Fire destruction area.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

Attorney General Xavier Becerra during a news conference. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via Capital Public RadioFreedom of speech groups have filed suit against CA Attorney General Xavier Becerra for blocking a new police transparency law.

Story by Nick Miller.

Three gas-fired power plants in Long Beach, Calif., are now set to close within a decade. Credit: Haymarket Rebel/Flickr/via CANSCalifornia just took a huge step toward the goal of running entirely on renewable energy, as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced on Tuesday that it's retiring three natural gas power plants.

Story by Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Friday, February 15, 2019

Cars drive on Highway 50 in Sacramento. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioThe Trump administration announced Thursday it will no longer work with California to make the nation's cars more fuel efficient.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Gavin Newsom takes the oath of office as First Partner Jen Siebel Newsom and their four children stand beside him. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioCalifornia’s governor campaigned on promises to build a single-payer health care system and 3.5 million new homes. But he has yet to appoint the cabinet secretaries or department heads who will lead those ambitious initiatives.

Story by Ben Adler.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers his first State of the State address. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioGov. Newsom called for a “Master Plan on Aging” in his State of the State Address. What would this plan look like and what do advocates for seniors think of it?

Story by Chris Nichols.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Last week’s atmospheric river that poured heavy rain across Northern California was a long-awaited opportunity for the people trying to manage the state’s water supply.

Story by Nina Sparling.

(Photo: Sean de Guzman, chief of snow surveys for the California Department of Water Resources, measures the depth of the snowpack during the second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station near Echo Summit, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. Randall Benton / AP Photo)

California state lawmakers Thursday proposed a package of bills intended to make dramatic improvements to the state's embattled Employment Development Department.

Story by Steve Milne.

Gov. Gavin Newsom presents his 2019-2020 California budget proposal. Credit: Ben Adler/Capital Public RadioThat $21 billion surplus Gov. Gavin Newsom projected in his budget proposal might not be quite so big after all. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says personal income tax revenues came in nearly $2.7 billion below expectations last month.

Story by Ben Adler.

Credit: Joe Mabel / WikimediaCalifornia's cement industry could be overhauled if Sierra Club California and a Bay Area assemblyman get their way.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioCalifornia lawmakers, community activists, and civil liberties groups have proposed a police use-of-force bill, one day after law enforcement groups put forth their own measure.

Story by Ben Adler.

Friday, February 8, 2019

Workers in California dental offices say they had to push the state to put them in the first phase of vaccine distribution, and some dentists still don’t think they’re getting fair treatment.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Public Domain)

California nurse midwives will be able to practice more independently in 2021. Advocates say the change could help ease the obstetrician shortage in rural areas, and reduce high rates of Black maternal and infant mortality.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Find more new laws taking effect in 2021.

A set of health care proposals from Gov. Gavin Newsom includes making California the sole drug purchaser for all health plans, and contracting with drugmakers to create more generic options.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: A pharmacy tech fills prescriptions at La Clinica in Oakland on September 26, 2019 - Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters/via CapRadio)

California health officials have put a lot of focus on making sure teens don’t get hooked on vaping. But now they’re trying to solve another problem: how to help young people who are already addicted.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: California lawmakers introduced a bill in January 2020 to end all store sales of flavored tobacco. Photo from 2014 - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)