California Update

PolitiFact California’s ‘Newsom-Meter’ will track 12 of Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom’s top campaign promises over the next four years.During his run for governor, Gavin Newsom made bold promises on everything from housing to healthcare. Today, PolitiFact California is introducing the ‘Newsom-Meter’, a new project to track 12 of Newsom’s top promises over the next four years.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read more about the Gavin-Meter.

Credit: calbear22 / Via Wikimedia CommonsFormer Gov. Gray Davis weighs in on outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown’s legacy and looks ahead to Governor-elect Gavin Newsom’s time in office.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Monday, January 7, 2019

With passionate claims on civil rights and immigration, California Sen. Kamala Harris captured the attention of many Thursday during the second night of the Democratic presidential debates in Miami. Did she get her claims right?

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read full versions of all fact checks.

(Photo: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during the Democratic primary debate, Thursday, June 27, 2019, in Miami – AP, via Politifact.com)

Starting Monday, law enforcement in California will have to release officer body camera footage within 45 days of a serious incident. Assemblymember Phil Ting says it will prevent agencies from withholding footage indefinitely.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: From August, 2018, demonstrators engage with police officers at a protest in downtown Sacramento over the death of Stephon Clark - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

California wants to better understand the impact of atmospheric rivers so much so that $9.25 million dollars of the state budget is going to study them.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio)

Despite taking precautions, someone at the building that houses the NV legislature has tested positive for the coronavirus

Story by Bert Johnson.

(Photo: State Sens. James Ohrenschall, left, and Ira Hansen, right, look over papers on the first day of the 31st Special Session of the Nevada Legislature in Carson City, Nev., on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 - David Calvert / The Nevada Independent via AP, Pool)

Sixteen cities and states, including California, along with the Environmental Defense Fund are asking a judge to require the Environmental Protection Agency to issue rules on methane emissions from existing oil and gas wells.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service

California and four other states plus the District of Columbia have teamed up to sue U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education, to stop the diversion of CARES Act funds to private schools.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service

Thousands of people were notified during the first hours of the Camp Fire of the danger, but thousands weren't. Will you be warned if a disaster is heading your way?

Story by Bob Moffitt.

This is a Capital Public Radio investigation.

(Photo: Flames consume a car dealership as the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Tens of thousands of people fled the fast-moving wildfire in Northern California - Noah Berger / AP Photo / Via Capital Public Radio)

Monday, July 15, 2019

Complaints against Kaiser Permanente over coronavirus safety have piled up during the pandemic. The health system received more complaints than any other workplace in California--by far.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Courtesy of Kaiser Permanente)

Schools in most California counties are unlikely to open by the start of the school year under a new plan announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

California County COVID-19 Watchlist

California sets daily record for COVID-19 deaths again.

Story by Steve Milne.

(Photo: via CapRadio)

Groups press Senate to pass public-lands bill in defense package.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service

California fire season is in full swing, but the priority fire prevention projects that Gov. Gavin Newsom called for earlier this year are nearly all works in progress.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Fire crews working in the Tahoe National Forest are clearing hazard trees within a prescribed burn area. That's where fires are intentionally lit for forest health projects - Ezra Romero / Capital Public Radio)

Californians are going to experience hotter and hotter temperatures in coming decades. The Union of Concerned Scientists say extreme heat is inevitable even in the best-case scenario where greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: The Hagan Park Community Pool in Rancho Cordova provides a cool refuge from the hot weather - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

Monday, July 29, 2019

File photo via Capital Public RadioThe federal government has banned the use of fetal tissue, procured during elective abortions, for internal research. Many biotech companies and academic institutions in California rely on fetal tissue for their work.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Supporters of proposals to expand California's government-funded health care benefits to undocumented immigrants gathered at the Capitol for the Immigrants Day of Action, Monday, May 20, 2019, in Sacramento. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / CapRadioThe state budget agreement reached by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders over the weekend is starting to take shape.

Story by Ben Alder.

California has released new data on COVID-19 outbreaks at mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Tom Varco / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Prop 209, approved by Californians over 20 years ago, prohibits preferential treatment based on race, ethnicity and gender for state jobs and admissions at public universities. A measure in the Legislature would once again put the issue to voters.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Cal Fire is gearing up for wildfire season during a pandemic. But, observing coronavirus restrictions won’t impede response efforts.

Story by Steve Milne.

Lake Tahoe got a lot murkier in 2019 compared with 2018. But scientists say year-to-year fluctuations are common.

Story by Steve Milne.

Governor Gavin Newsom claimed this week that his administration raised the rainbow flag at the Capitol “for the first time in our state’s history.” PolitiFact California checks out the Governor’s claim.

Story by Chris Nichols

(Photo: The rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQ pride, flies over the California state Capitol in Sacramento on June 18, 2019 / Capital Public Radio)

The California Legislature could take up Governor Gavin Newsom’s wildfire liability proposal in the coming weeks.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: In this Nov. 9, 2018 file photo, Pacific Gas & Electric crews work to restore power lines in Paradise, Calif. - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via Capital Public Radio)

Monday, June 24, 2019

The California Assembly approved a budget agreement Friday, sending it to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The bill passed the Senate Thursday night.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

As coronavirus cases continue to climb in California, Governor Gavin Newsom is ordering one of the hardest-hit counties to reinstate its stay-at-home order.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

The Communications Workers of America is calling on the California Public Utilities Commission to reject T-Mobile/Sprint's request to roll back the terms of its recent merger.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service

(Clockwise from left) Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, John Delaney and Julian Castro speak at the California Democratic Convention. Credit: Capital Public RadioCalifornia Democrats have wrapped up their state party convention in San Francisco, where they heard from 14 of the 23 declared presidential candidates. Some delegates seemed disappointed with their home-state candidate.

Story by Ben Adler.

A few of the presidential candidates speaking at the 2019 California Democratic Convention in San Francisco / Photo graphic by Capital Public RadioThe Democratic contenders for president made attacks on President Trump and claims about their own record at this weekend’s Democratic Party convention in San Francisco. PolitiFact California was there and fact-checked several of their claims.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Find more fact checks at https://www.politifact.com/california/ 

Rusty Hicks at the 2019 California Democratic Convention in San Francisco. Credit: Nick Miller / CapRadioThe California Democratic Party has elected labor leader Rusty Hicks as its chairperson after the previous chairman resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Monday, June 3, 2019

Gov. Newsom orders end to carotid hold training and calls for use of force restrictions for protests.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Demonstrators at the east steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento on June 3, 2020 protest the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

At least a dozen restaurants in Sacramento closed for three hours in support of Black Lives Matter. Staff at a downtown brewery spent more than an hour in a group discussion about the protests, which privilege and racial nuances in foodservice.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Fast tracking microgrids could be the answer to keeping lights on during power shutoffs.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Blood banks across California are trying to incentivize donors with the offer of a free coronavirus antibody test.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Credit: Beth Cortez-Neavel / FlickrArrest and criminal records for millions of Californians would be kept private under a bill proposed at the Capitol this week.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Credit: John Minchillo / APSeafood fraud?  One in five fishare mislabeled or sold as something different, according to research from one environmental group.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Credit: Beth Cortez-Neavel / FlickrArrest and criminal records for millions of Californians would be kept private under a bill proposed at the Capitol this week.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Credit: John Minchillo / APSeafood fraud?  One in five fish is mislabeled or sold as something different, according to research from one environmental group.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Monday, March 11, 2019

Governor Newsom announces sweeping measures to fight coronavirus, including orders for bars, wineries and nightclubs to close and asking seniors to stay home.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Follow the latest updates…

(Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo)

People experiencing homelessness often lack access to medical services and have pre-existing health conditions. What’s being done to help them?

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

Children light candles at a vigil for Stephon Clark in South Sacramento. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioToday is the one-year anniversary of the death of Stephon Clark. CapRadio's Nick Miller looks at how the family and community are remembering.

Story by Nick Miller.

California Supreme Court Building. Credit: Coolcaesar, Creative Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0]The California Supreme Court made a decision last year which redefines what it means to be an employee. It's caused a backlash from several industries like ride-sharing, hair salons, and... adult entertainment.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Oakland Coliseum field. Credit: BrokenSphere [CC BY-SA 3.0]It looks like the Raiders will play at least one more season at the Oakland Coliseum.

Story by Chris Hagan.

Monday, March 18, 2019

California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/APFamilies of those killed by inmates now on death row have harshly criticized Gov. Newsom’s halt to the death penalty. We spoke with the mother of a police officer about her sense of betrayal.

Story by Chris Nichols.

A firefighter runs while trying to save a home as a wildfire tears through Lakeport, Calif. on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. Credit: AP Photo / Noah Berger / via CapRadioGov. Newsom proclaimed a statewide emergency on wildfires Friday. The plan expedites forest-thinning projects and other ways to reduce threats. It comes after Cal Fire recommended this type of work at 35 locations with benefits for 200 communities.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Credit: Chris NicholsThe state added just under 15,000 jobs in February after adding around 6,000 in January. The average monthly gain last year reached nearly 25,000.

Story by Ben Adler.

Monday, March 25, 2019

As Californians shelter in place due to the coronavirus, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday to place a statewide moratorium on evictions.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom listens to a reporter’s question during a news conference to update the state's response to the coronavirus at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services in Rancho Cordova, Calif., Monday, March 23, 2020 - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo)

Governor Gavin Newsom commuted the sentences of 21 inmates late Friday, giving them the opportunity to get out of prison early.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

It’s allergy season and having a runny nose or itchy eyes while the coronavirus crisis is happening can be unnerving. But how do symptoms from allergies differ from the flu or COVID-19?

Story by Ezra David Romero.

A U-S Navy hospital ship docked in Los Angeles Friday to help free up space in hospitals for coronavirus patients.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Stephon ClarkSacramento's District Attorney says audio from the body cameras of two officers who shot and killed an unarmed black man played a big role in her decision not to prosecute them.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

The family of Stephon Clark is upset the District Attorney released detailed information from Clark's cell phone.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Monday, March 4, 2019

While many people may be excited about return to in-person social interactions post-pandemic, therapists say others are experiencing fear, obsessive behavior, and uncertainty about going out again.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Kate Burkhalter arranges products at a store in Midtown Sacramento Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio).

California's Independent System Operator says blackouts less likely this summer. But to avoid them will require voluntary conservation of the state's households.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

California’s population dropped by more than 182,000 last year. It’s the first time the state saw a decline since it began tracking population estimates.

Story by Scott Rodd.

California is home to 3 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom are essential workers in food service and health care. Many feel overlooked and forgotten by federal aid programs, despite the fact that they pay taxes.

Story by Sarah Mizes-Tan.

(Photo: Pasadena day laborers and supporters hold a "COVID-19-safe car rally" to protest what they say is an exclusion of workers from financial protection in the wake of the current pandemic for essential immigrant workers outside the city hall in Pasadena - Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo)

While talking about the national unemployment rate of 14.7% Governor Gavin Newsom said CA's rate is north of 20%.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

California’s Legislative Analyst Office projects long term budget crisis in California.

Story by Nick Miller.

As California's budget surplus swells, Governor Gavin Newsom wants to dole out more stimulus checks to families and middle-income workers.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Oakland, Calif., on Monday where he announced a new round of $600 stimulus checks residents making up to $75,000 a year. Newsom also announced a projected $75.7 billion budget surplus compared to last year's projected $54.3 billion shortfall - Justin Sullivan / Getty Images).

A new bill would establish a State Office of Health Care Affordability, which would set targets to keep costs down and require accountability.

Story by Suzanne Potter.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has just signed a bill that bans seabed mining, which destroys marine habitat in that state's coastal waters. Now California advocates are pressing for a ban in Golden State waters as well.

Story by Suzanne Potter.

Nearly half of all California businesses are minority-owned, and many of them own businesses in the personal care industry which is now suffering.

Story by Sarah Mizes-Tan

(Photo: An employee at Exquisite U hair salon in Sacramento, Calif. braids the hair of a customer - Kathleen Ronayne / AP file Photo, 2019)

William Taylor, owner of Willie's Burgers, walks into his restaurant on 16th Street in Sacramento. Credit: Randol White / Capital Public RadioOwner says park in neighboring lots for one hour. If you get towed within that hour, the person who ordered it is civilly liable for twice the amount of tow/storage fees. Turns out, he's right.

Story by Randol White.

Body camera footage of officers arresting a boy and putting a ‘spit mask’ over his head was released by the Sacramento Police Department after a bystander video was shared by thousands on social media. Credit: Screengrab / Sacramento Police DepartmentSacramento Police are dealing with another accusation of police brutality. It comes after the release of video showing officers arresting a 12-year-old African American boy.

Story by Steve Milne.

Monday, May 27, 2019

Election misinformation continues to spread more than a week after Americans cast their ballots. This includes some false claims about California’s election. PolitiFact California's Can You Handle The Truth segment sets the record straight.

Story by Ed Fletcher.

(Photo: Ballot boxes wait to be opened by registrar employees on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

President Donald Trump talks with California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom during a visit to a neighborhood destroyed by the wildfires, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Paradise, Calif. At right is California Gov. Jerry Brown. Credit: Evan Vucci / AP PhotoEveryone was on their best behavior Saturday when President Trump, Governor Jerry Brown and Governor-elect Gavin Newsom viewed the damage from California’s two massive wildfires.

Story by Ben Adler.

California Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / APCalifornia Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris are co-sponsors of a bill to provide tax relief and other help to wildfire victims.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

Monday, November 19, 2018