California Update

Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a curfew on 41 counties who are in the state's most restrictive coronavirus tier comes as cases, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations surge. Assemblyman James Gallagher is skeptical of the approach.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Courtesy James Gallgher/via Twitter)

The certification of election results is getting a lot more attention this year. CapRadio's Nick Miller explains California is scheduled to certify its vote over the next two weeks.

Story by Nick Miller.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

A letter released last week by the agency that governs utilities said PG&E will be held accountable to fulfill its wildfire safety plans.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

The day before Thanksgiving a major announcement was made about the California department that permits oil exploration. The Department of Finance audited the California Geologic Energy Management Division — or CalGEM.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

For those who are grieving, estranged from their families or already living with a mental health issue, November and December can be a difficult time of year. The pandemic could be making it worse.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and state Sen. Kevin de Leon will face off in a debate Oct. 17 in San Francisco. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / Ann Heisenfelt, File / APAccording to recent polls, Senator Dianne Feinstein, the 26-year Democratic incumbent, has a strong lead over her opponent, California Senator Kevin De León. The race is a choice between a negotiator and a fighter.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Candidates for California governor, Republican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom, campaign in Sacramento ahead of the Nov. 6 election. Credit: Ben Adler / Capital Public RadioRepublican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom have been barnstorming the state for much of the last week — often joining candidates in California’s competitive congressional races that could decide control of the House of Representatives.

Story by Ben Adler.

Monday, November 5, 2018

People with no or limited vision may have trouble telling when they are six feet from others. Advocates say sighted people have a responsibility to help.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Portrait of Darrell Horst - Courtesy of Society for the Blind)

San Francisco and San Jose saw the biggest drop in rent nationwide over the last year. Meanwhile, Sacramento and San Bernadino/Riverside topped the list for annual rent increases, with a jump of roughly four percent.

Story by Scott Rodd.

California education experts are warning that kids who’ve missed school because of COVID-19 may have learning challenges.

Story by Pauline Bartolone.

Mayor Michael Tubbs claimed Stockton “has seen the second-highest rent increases in the nation.” PolitiFact California examined what’s driving these soaring rents and the challenge researchers have in finding complete, up-to-date and reliable data.

Story by Chris Nichols

Read full versions of all fact checks.

(Photo: Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs responds to a question during his appearance before the Sacramento Press Club, Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. - Rich Pedroncelli / AP file photo)

 California is expanding its gun violence restraining order program. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two new “red flag” laws Friday as part of a package of gun control bills.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Gavin Newsom - Nancy Wong [CC BY-SA 3.0])

Monday, October 14, 2019

The Supreme Court will decide the fate of the Affordable Care Act in November. California advocates say if it’s overturned, many people will become uninsured and the price of coverage will climb.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Protesters opposed to the confirmation of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, rally on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 - AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Distance learning is still a struggle for many California families. But a pair of new polls suggest most parents don’t want to send their kids back to school yet.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

For Californians who haven’t registered to vote online but want to receive a ballot in the mail on time, your deadline is 11:59 pm on Monday, Oct. 19. After that date, you can still “conditionally register” in-person and vote a “provisional ballot.”

Story by Chris Nichols.

The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to grill PG&E executives at an emergency hearing Friday over last week’s widespread and intentional power outage.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) CEO Bill Johnson speaks during a California Public Utilities Commission meeting in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 - Jeff Chiu / AP Photo / via Cap Radio)

Native American students are suspended from California schools at more than twice the rate of other students. That's according to a new report from the Sacramento Native American Higher Education Collaborative.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Emma Snuggs' three sons Alex Tamasoa'alii, Elijah Tamasoa'alii and Michael Hunsaker III. She and two of her sons are Cherokee nation citizens - Courtesy Emma Snuggs)

California officials launch a quake warning system on the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta quake.
Story by Drew Sandsor.

(Photo: In this Jan. 3, 2019 file photo a mobile phone customer looks at an earthquake warning application on their phone in Los Angeles - Richard Vogel / AP Photo / via Cap Radio)

Monday, October 21, 2019

Prosecutors announced Friday one of California’s most notorious killers, Scott Peterson, will again face the death penalty after the CA Supreme Court overturned the verdict in the penalty phase of his trial.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

(Photo: Scott Peterson – Courtesy of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)

California's chief justice wants the judicial branch to help alleviate the state's homelessness crisis. Tani Cantil-Sakauye today announced the launch of a new Work Group on Homelessness.

Story by Steve Milne.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, Sacramento-area residents are losing faith in government at all levels, but especially in the federal government, according to a survey conducted by CapRadio and Valley Vision.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Governor Newsom announced the state's Project Homekey has gotten an infusion of funding while slamming a Silicon Valley city for opposing a homeless housing project.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

California changed the way it reimburses pharmacies for buying drugs for Medi-Cal patients, and mom-and-pop shops say it’s threatening their survival.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Clint Hopkins, owner of Pucci’s Pharmacy in Midtown Sacramento - Sammy Caiola / CapRadio)

Less than a year after California voters rejected Proposition 10, backers of that measure say they are close to qualifying a similar rent control initiative for the November 2020 ballot.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: This photo shows a "For Rent" sign outside an apartment building in Sacramento, Calif. - AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Monday, October 27, 2019 

President Trump last week urged his supporters to “go into the polls and watch very carefully.” What’s allowed and what’s not at and near voting sites in California?

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Chris Gresen of Carmichael votes at the California Museum in Sacramento Feb. 26, 2020 - Andrew Nixon/CapRadio)

California auditor finds some California schools aren't doing enough on suicide prevention. The auditor found a lack of mental health counselors at schools, and suggested that’s contributing to rising rates of suicide among California teens.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a handful of bills dealing with police reform -- among them, a measure allowing local governments to increase their oversight of police and sheriff's departments.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

California’s nurse practitioners will be able to provide patient care with less supervision from medical doctors under a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week.

Story by Pauline Bartolone.

With more than three million acres burned so far this year in California, wildfires are at top of mind. The term “wildfire suppression” is often cited as a main reason for blazes getting so big, but the term has a long history.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 - AP Photo/Noah Berger)

There’s a patchwork of state and federal policies to protect workers during the pandemic. But that has left gaps for employees at large companies.

Story by Scott Rodd.

USPS Postcard Causes Confusion About Mail-In Voting In California. The postcard was sent out nationwide urging Americans to request their mail-in ballot 15 days before Election Day. But in California, registered voters will automatically be sent mail-in ballots.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Gov. Newsom offered a confusing response this week on his plans to hire a homelessness czar. Two newspapers reported he’s dropped those plans. Then his spokesman told CapRadio that’s not necessarily the case.

Story by Chris Nichols.

PolitiFact California is tracking the governor’s campaign promises through their Newsom Meter project. For updates, visit PolitiFact.com/California.

(Photo: Verna Vasbinder prepares her new bunk in downtown San Diego's Temporary Bridge Shelter for the homeless in December 2017 as her dog, Lucy Lui, looks on - AP Photo/Gregory Bull/via Politifact.com)

For the first time scientists are discovering plastic the size of grains of rice on Lake Tahoe's beaches. Finding plastic in the ocean is a huge issue, but it's becoming increasingly more of a problem in places like Tahoe, according to UC Davis.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Check out Capital Public Radio’s TahoeLand podcast all about how climate change is altering Tahoe. Subscribe at capradio.org/tahoeland

(Photo: Ezra David Romero/Capital Public Radio)

The California Legislature’s two fiscal committees churned through more than 650 bills Friday, clearing most for final debates but killing hundreds of others without on-the-record votes.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon/CapRadio)

Monday, September 2, 2019

A new study by the California Voter Foundation shows young voters’ ballots are rejected at three times the overall rate in Sacramento, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties. Most of the rejected ballots arrived too late.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Vote-by-mail ballots wait to be opened at the county registrar's office March 3, 2020 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

The median price for a home in California reached a record high last month, topping $700,000 Low mortgage rates and a limited inventory contributed to soaring home values.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Governor Newsom signed a bill to give tax breaks to undocumented workers. His signature extends tax breaks to an estimated 600,000 taxpayers without social security numbers.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Governor Newsom also awarded the first round of funding through Project Homekey; an effort to convert motels and empty apartment buildings into housing for the homeless. Mayors Steinberg and Liccardo weigh in.

Story by Scott Rodd.

The number of women in construction in California has grown at a slightly faster rate than men over the past five years. But the industry is still male dominated despite a severe worker shortage. What is the industry doing to recruit more women?

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon/Capital Public Radio)

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation and an executive order that he says will help California fight climate change.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Downtowngal - Wikipedia [CC BY 3.0])

The state added nearly 35,000 jobs last month. That extends the labor market growth to a record 114 months — nine and a half years — since the bottom of Great Recession.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Charles Krupa / AP Photo, File / via Cap Radio)

Monday, September 23, 2019 

Opponents of Proposition 15 say the measure will lead to a “massive property tax increase” on solar in California. PolitiFact California found that tax and solar experts disagree, and rated the claim False.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Gen Nashimoto, of Luminalt, installs solar panels in Hayward, Calif., in April 2020- AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Dialysis proposition could require clinics to make staffing and reporting changes. Supporters say the new requirements will improve patient safety, opponents say it's a ploy from unions trying to get the upper hand.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

More than a million acres have burned this summer, including wild areas like Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The fires are devastating to people who’ve lost family members and property, but the burns could have long-term ecological benefits.

Story by: Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burning in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 - AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Scientists are trying to find out whether children’s lungs and immune systems are negatively affected by the chemicals in wildfire smoke.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

With demand for mental health services at a high due to COVID-19, California clinicians and nonprofit staff are finding remote ways to try to prevent suicides, especially among teens, veterans, and other high-risk groups.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

California is warming up, which is increasing wildfire threat and the pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon. That’s prompted questions around how to evacuate and house people

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: If a natural disaster hits during the COVID-19 pandemic, evacuation shelters like this one in California would be dangerous. Agencies are planning for alternatives - Hector Mata / AP / via CapRadio)

Fire officials in California are preparing for wildfire season while COVID-19 cases continue to grow. It could be a crisis within a crisis and that’s what CalFire and the Forest Service are preparing for.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Time to do pregnancy checks, vaccinate and tag cattle on ranches across the state. The UC Cooperative Extension says some things should be done differently to minimize the spread of the coronavirus

Story by Bob Moffitt.

There’s help in the federal relief bill for gig workers and independent contractors. But as their economic toll gets worse, the state’s employment agency says it’s still awaiting instructions on how to make the money available.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo:  Sacramento area rideshare driver John Anderson says he’s lost two-thirds of his weekly income during the coronavirus outbreak - Chris Nichols / CapRadio)

Silicon Valley-based Cepheid's rapid coronavirus test became one first authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. But there’s one problem: Many California labs and hospitals can’t get their hands on them.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: After an initial verbal screening, one driver at a time gets a COVID-19 nasal swab test from a garbed health worker at a drive-up station in Daly City, Calif. - Justin Sullivan / Getty Images / via CapRadio)

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioLegalization of marijuana, or cannabis, along with legislative action has now put the onus on prosecutors to identify old drug cases for the purpose of dismissing them or reducing them to misdemeanors.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

Families pack the first legislative hearing on a bill to give state public health officials instead of local doctors the power to decide which children can skip their shots before attending school. Credit: Sammy Caiola / Capital Public RadioA new bill could crack down on fraudulent medical exemptions, but vaccine opponents worry it will put their children at risk.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Did San Francisco have twice as many deaths from overdoses as from COVID-19? Data from the city’s public health department and medical examiner’s office support this claim. Health officials say the isolation caused by the pandemic led to an increase in fentanyl overdoses in San Francisco.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: kev-shine / Flickr)

California education experts have teamed up with child advocates, teachers and school administrators to create a framework for redesigning in-person learning over the coming months.

Story by Pauline Bartolone.

Credit: Jessica Paterson / Flickr / via CapRadioA coalition of California business groups says it will support a bill that would codify a state Supreme Court decision that placed strict limits on classifying workers as independent contractors — if the legislation includes additional exemptions.

Story by Ben Adler.

The Sacramento City Unified School District has been ordered to deliver a new budget that accounts for a $24 million deficit by October 8. Credit: Bob Moffitt / Capital Public RadioFrom West Virginia to Oakland, cities throughout the country are dealing with a wave of teacher activism. Now a citywide strike is brewing in Sacramento where public school teachers are gearing up for a one-day walkout next Thursday.

Story by Steve Milne.

A craft-brewed hazy IPA at Bistro 33 in Davis. Credit: Randol White / Capital Public RadioCalifornia now has nearly a thousand licensed craft breweries, up from just a few hundred in 2012. The California Craft Brewers Association says the industry contributed more than eight-billion dollars to the economy last year.

Story by Randol White.

Thursday, April 4, 2019

For the first time since July oil and gas regulators have approved permits for fracking in California. That alarms some environmental and health advocates, but the oil industry says this is helping as the COVID-19 crisis continues.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Eric Kounce / Public domain)

Communities of color in California do not appear to be disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus, like in some other states.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

In his January budget proposal, Gov. Gavin Newsom included roughly $80 million to expand Medi-Cal to undocumented seniors. He’s now reconsidering that idea in light of COVID-19.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

California’s employment agency says independent contractors should not apply for jobless benefits yet. That’s because it still hasn’t built the program needed to funnel federal money to these workers nearly 2 weeks after the CARES Act was signed.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Bar exam leak gives law students advance look at test topics. The information was initially sent to a select group of law school deans by mistake. Fearing some students might gain an unfair advantage, the Bar sent the exam topics to all test takers.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

California's food-assistance program 'CalFresh' could lose participants under USDA Proposal.     

Some living expenses—like childcare—would no longer be used to determine whether an applicant makes too much to qualify for CalFresh.

Story by Randol White.

(Photo: Jack Amick / Flickr Creative Commons)

Governor Newsom says the state is on pace to meet nearly all of the wildfire prevention projects given high priority.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

(Photo: Cal Fire Division Chief Mark Higgins directs helicopters dropping water as the River Fire burns in Lakeport, Calif., Tuesday, July 31, 2018 - Noah Berger / AP Photo / via CapRadio)

Thursday, August 1, 2019

As California’s attorney general, Kamala Harris was considered cautious and rarely spoke out-of-line with law enforcement culture. Now, she’s positioned herself as a criminal justice reformer. What kept her so careful as AG? We ask legal experts.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Democratic presidential candidates former Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. shake hands, Sept. 12, 2019, after a Democratic presidential primary debate hosted by ABC at Texas Southern University in Houston - AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

As the legislature’s August 31 end-of-session deadline looms, Gov. Gavin Newsom floated a handful of economic recovery ideas during a Wednesday coronavirus press conference.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

For the first time ever Air B-n-B says it's taking action against a guest for throwing an illegal party.

Story by Nick Miller.

The leader of the California state Senate says negotiations over whether gig economy workers at companies like Lyft, Uber, and Postmates should be classified as employees will likely continue into next year.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins - Rich Pedroncelli / AP / via Capital Public Radio)

The Trump administration’s new Endangered Species Act regulations released this week could breathe new life into a twice-defeated effort to grandfather Obama-era environmental rules into California law.

Story by Ben Adler.

More of the interview can be found HERE.

(Photo: Rennett Stowe from USA [CC BY 2.0])

California spends more on health treatment than prevention. Advocates are pushing for more investment in housing, early childhood education and other environmental factors that could prevent chronic disease.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo credit: University of the Fraser Valley [CC BY 2.0])

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Only rubble remained of some buildings on July 28, 2018, after the Carr Fire passed through in a Redding neighborhood. Photo: Bert Johnson/Capital Public RadioShould cities and counties that approve urban sprawl help cover the cost of putting out California wildfires? It's a question raised by the man who leads the agency overseeing utility companies in California.

Story by Steve Milne.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

During her speech at the Democratic National Convention last night, Senator Kamala Harris talked a lot about her family and roots in California. But not much at all about her record in the state.

Story by Chris Nicols.

(Photo: Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during the third day of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19, 2020, at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del. - AP)

Wildfires are burning across California, but a cluster of 20 fires is impacting the coastal range West of Sacramento. The lightning-sparked fires have burned over 40-thousand acres, forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed or damaged 100 homes.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

One Califonria group plans to hold a high school voter registration week. Seventy percent of 18-to-24-year-old Californians in a recent YouGov survey say they are registered to vote.

Story by Lily Bohlke – California News Service

A record-setting fire year was accompanied by an increase in drops by insurance companies of homeowner's policies for homes in high or very-high risk counties.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

(Photo: Chris and Nancy Brown embrace while searching through the remains of their home, leveled by the Camp Fire, in Paradise, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018. As the fire approached, Nancy Brown escaped from the home with her 2-year-old and three dogs - Noah Berger / AP Photo / via Cap Radio)

California could become the first state with rules requiring the transition of heavy-duty trucks to electric vehicles. But some health and environmental groups say the proposal falls short.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Courtesy Daimler Trucks North America)

California lawmakers could take final votes in the next few weeks on whether to mandate a 75 percent reduction in single-use plastics by the year 2030.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Randy Wick / Flickr / via Capital Public Radio)

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Firefighters keep watch on an area of the Mendocino Complex Fire in Upper Lake, Calif. Credit: Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty ImagesAn effort in California to impose net neutrality through statelegislation has passed a key vote. An Assembly committee approved the measure two days after Santa Clara County Fire Department complained of Verizon throttling its data.

Story by Ben Bradford.

Read the Santa Clara Fire Department's testimony.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Senate cancels floor session after lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: The California Capitol in Sacramento on March 31, 2020 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

Governor Gavin Newsom gave an update on the state's wildfires, but he refused to comment on Kimberly Guilfoyle's speech at the RNC.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

As California fights devastating wildfires, Democratic state lawmakers are looking to invest in more preventative measures through your electric bill.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

California health officials released guidance Tuesday allowing school districts to welcome back some children who are struggling with distance learning back to in-person school.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Primary caregivers (for children under 18) who are charged with a crime could be allowed to enter a rehabilitation program rather than being locked up under a state bill. The California District Attorneys Association opposes it.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo via Capital Public Radio)

Last month, Californians purchased nearly 24-thousand earthquake insurance policies following two large quakes in Southern California. That's the second-highest monthly increase in new policies in the last two decades.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Items are scattered around a kitchen Saturday, July 6, 2019 following an earthquake in Ridgecrest, Calif. The Friday evening quake with a magnitude of about 7.1 jolted much of California - Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo / via Cap Radio)

New research from Pew has found that whites are now a minority in 109 more counties in the U.S., including the California counties of Orange, Riverside, Ventura, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Sutter and Yolo.

Story from California County News.

Read the full analysis.

(Photo via California County News)

  Thursday, August 29, 2019

Credit: LM Otero / APHow much legal authority does ICE have to make arrests at local courthouses? Legal and immigration experts weigh in following last week’s ICE arrest of an undocumented man inside a local Sacramento courtroom.

Story by Chris Nichols.

One day after Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill to end cash bail in California, opponents announced they’re filing a referendum in hopes of voters overturning the law.

Story by Ben Adler.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Climate events that led to mass evacuations in the wake of the Oroville Dam spillway failure in 2017, could result in similar disasters in the future.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: The California Department of Water Resources says it has completed the demolition of the top 730 feet of the spillway that failed in February of 2017 - Ezra David Romero / CapRadio)

Premium rates for Covered California will only go up by .6% on average in 2021. The state's individual health insurance market released the proposed cost changes Tuesday.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Californians spend $50 billion a year on services regulated by the state’s powerful, obscure Public Utilities Commission: electricity, phones, even buses and trains. Now, a new law adds wildfire safety inspections of electric equipment to that list.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Photo: Audience members during public comment at the California Public Utilities Commission meeting Jan. 31 hold signs that say "No PG&E bailout." - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

A new state audit finds the Department of Health Care Services isn’t doing enough to ensure Medi-Cal enrollees in rural areas have access to care.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo credit: Bart Everson – Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.0])

Thursday, August 8, 2019 

Sacramento Region residents will join many other Californians under a new, more restrictive stay-at-home order.

Story by Nick Miller.

(Photo: Downtown Sacramento - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

Thirty-three million Californians are under a stay-at-home order. But some cities and counties are trying to forge their own path. That’s resulted in a patchwork of restrictions across the state.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioA new PPIC poll shows which of Gavin Newsom’s policy priorities have the most support.

Story by Ben Adler.

In this Jan. 10, 2011, file photo, Gavin Newsom, right, shakes hands with his father, William Newsom, a former Associated Justice of the California Court of Appeals. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / AP file / via capradioGavin Newsom’s father has died, just weeks after Californians elected his son governor and weeks before Inauguration Day.

Story by Ben Adler.

A home burns as the Camp Fire rages through Paradise, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Credit: Noah Berger / AP Photo / via capradioCalifornia Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones says insured losses from last month’s wildfires stand at nine-billion dollars and will likely go much higher.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Many GOP lawmakers in California oppose government shutdowns to fight COVID-19, saying they’re too strict and hurt the economy. But some also claim the shutdowns are not effective at reducing coronavirus cases. What does the evidence show? CapRadio's Politifact California Reporter Chris Nichols has a fact check.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

(Photo: Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioA new California law that takes effect January 1st aims to protect workers from being sued for defamation when they accuse someone of inappropriate behavior -- as long as they do so in good faith.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

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

California Gov. Jerry Brown presents his final California budget Jan. 10, 2018. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioGovernor Jerry Brown claimed in a recent NPR interview that California’s budget surplus is “closer to $30 billion.” PolitiFact California rated that Mostly True, noting that’s a projection for the next fiscal year, not a certainty.

Story by Chris Nichols.