California Update

We're debuting a new feature today. It’s a weekly conversation with CapRadio's Politi-Fact California reporter Chris Nichols about his latest fact checks and reporting on misinformation. It’s called, “Can You Handle The Truth?”

Story by Steve Milne.

Find full versions of all fact checks.

Proposition 14 would allocate $5.5 billion dollars to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a statewide stem cell research and therapy funding institute. Proponents say this funding will advance research on cancer, Alzheimer's, HIV and other disease. Opponents say the institution lacks oversight, and that during a statewide deficit this money should be spent instead on health care, housing and other pressing needs.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Public domain)

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Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioA poll released Wednesday morning was conducted by Reuters, Ipsos, and the University of Virginia. It shows the economy is more important in California than in some otherstates, and is a popular topic regardless of political party.

Story by Randol White.

Credit: Capital Public RadioCalifornia election officials will start fighting disinformation about the voting process in the coming weeks, ahead of the November midterms.

Story by Ben Adler.

Credit: Alex E. Proimos / FlickrCalifornia will soon become the first state to require doctors placed on probation by state regulators for serious misconduct to notify their patients.

Story by Ben Adler.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols has been busy this week working on fact checks dealing with the Postal Service, wildfires and President Trump’s visit to California.

In this week’s “Can You Handle the Truth?” he speaks with Cap Radio’s Steve Milne.

(Photo: President Trump lands at McClellan Park Monday, Sept 14, 2020 -Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California suggests the fate of Proposition 6, which would repeal the state’s gas tax increase, could rest on what voters think they’re being asked to decide on.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

UBER headquarters in San Francisco. Credit: Eric Risberg / AP file photoUber agrees to big fine to settle 2016 data breach case in which it paid off hackers for silence.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

The clock is now ticking for California cities, housing agencies, and tribal authorities to apply for Homekey, a 600-million dollar plan promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom to buy hotels, motels, and apartment buildings around the state.

Story by Mike Hagerty.

(Photo: Rich Pedroncelli - Pool / AP Photo)

More than 10 million California households have responded to the 2020 census - more than any other state. But California’s enumerators are making a big push this month to get more people counted.

Story by Pauline Bartolone.

A new campaign encourages disaster preparedness in the LGBTQ+ Community. The Listos California program will be handing out empty "go bags" this month to partner organizations for distribution to the public.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service

Assembly Bill 5 is headed to a vote at the California State Senate next week and is expected to pass. Many drivers for Uber and Lyft welcome the move, but others fear the bill will hurt the state's gig economy. As part of our California Dream Collaboration, Capital Public Radio’s Randol White explains the industry disruption that may lie ahead.

Read the full story.

(Photo: Uber Driver Jeff Perry waits in the Sacramento International Airport cell phone lot for a passenger request. Perry is currently an independent contractor, but a bill in the California state legislature may force rideshare companies to extend workers’ benefits to employees like Perry - Randol White, Capital Public Radio)

  Thursday, September 5, 2019

Governor Gavin Newsom says the current record-breaking wildfire year underscores the need not only for innovation in wildlands management but for an increased commitment in the battle against climate change.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

(Photo: The Creek Fire burning in the Sierra National Forest Sept. 5, 2020 – Courtesy of Sierra National Forest)

The California Highway Patrol says it is reviewing its event permitting policies after a crowd of roughly 3,000 attended a religious event at the building on Sunday, without masks or social distancing.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

An investigative report in the Washington Spectator alleges the Trump campaign encouraged conservative Christian activists and like-minded doctors to launch a campaign that promoted misinformation about COVID-19, in order to push for reopening the economy before the election.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service

Governor Gavin Newsom announced more than 40 million dollars to support foster children and families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Story by Nicole Nixon

(Photo: Courtesy CalOES/via CapRadio)

California is joining Oregon and Washington to create a framework or reopening the West Coast economy.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Experts say financial struggles and worries about public misconceptions when it comes to wearing face coverings could be leading to a greater spread of COVID-19 among communities of color.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

One person has died, and 34 others have tested positive for coronavirus at a nursing home in Woodland.

Story by CapRadio News

A homeless woman sits with a bag containing her belongings in March 2016 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot/via Politifact)After 100 days in office, Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to appoint a State Homelessness Secretary as he promised on the campaign trail. PolitiFact California asked advocates for the homeless what they think about this lack of action.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Find more Newsom-Meter updates at politifact.com/California.

Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom. (Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)Here’s California Governor Gavin Newsom’s response to President Trump’s call to send migrants seeking asylum to sanctuary cities: It’s already happening. But Newsom isn’t ready to agree there’s a state of emergency at the border.

Story by Ben Adler.

(Curran Kelleher / Flickr / via Capradio)Cigarettes and other single-use tobacco products like vape pens could become illegal to sell in California. That's if a new bill banning them becomes law.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

California’s state employees took a significant pay cut last year thanks to a state budget deficit. Now, the union representing those workers says their pay will likely be restored this summer.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Sacramento Capitol – CapRadio file photo)

A bill before Nevada lawmakers would ban so-called ghost guns, which are increasingly being used in crimes.

Story by Bert Johnson.

The California Public Utilities Commission will increase its oversight of PG&E heading into wildfire season. The utility failed to meet certain safety obligations.

Story by Scott Rodd.

On National Healthcare Decisions Day, famed civil-rights leader Dolores Huerta is speaking out as part of a campaign to encourage people to consider their end-of-life care plans.

Story by Suzanne Potter.

Governor Gavin Newsom says California has reached its goal of securing 15,000 hotel rooms for homeless people during the coronavirus outbreak. But the state’s original goal was much higher.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: California Gov. Gavin Newsom updates the state's response to the coronavirus, at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services in Rancho Cordova Calif., Tuesday, March 17, 2020 - Rich Pedroncelli, Pool / AP Photo)

Protesters marched on the state capitol to express distrust for the government and Governor Newsom's Stay at Home Order.

Story by Sarah Mizes-Tan.

Governor Gavin Newsom announces new tools to help disadvantaged students continue distance learning and gives an update on how the coronavirus is impacting Californians of color.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Credit: frankieleon / Flickr / via CapRadioWith the music festival Coachella ending this past weekend one California lawmaker wants to reduce plastic waste that accumulates at festivals.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioA push to enact a statewide soda tax appears done for the year in the California Legislature.

Story by Ben Adler.

Credit: Chris Yarzab / Flickr / via CapRadioThe golden state’s population is inching closer and closer to 40 million. All but 15 of the state’s 58 counties grew between 2017 and 2018.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

State officials confirmed the Republican-led effort to oust Governor Gavin Newsom gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: In this Oct 29, 2020, file photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Gov. Newsom is facing a possible recall election as the state struggles to emerge from the coronavirus crisis - Renée C. Byer/The Sacramento Bee via AP, Pool, File).

Sacramento County’s District Attorney is challenging California’s newly minted Attorney General Rob Bonta, who was sworn in last Friday.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Tenant advocates expect many more Californians won’t be able to pay rent on May 1 compared with April 1, due to lost income during the coronavirus crisis. What are housing and legal advocates advising renters to do?

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

California is processing a record number of unemployment claims…but a new wave of applications is expected in the coming days.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Newsom hinted that the state is weeks away from beginning to slowly modify the stay-at-home order, but that could be delayed if residents don't continue to practice social distancing.

Story by Steve Milne.

Muslims are celebrating Ramadan, the final month of the Islamic calendar, remotely through live-streamed prayers and drive-through food distribution.

Story by Sarah Mizes-Tan.

Credit: Airman First Class Kathleen D. Bryant/via calpirg.orgThere are more than 25,000 school buses in California and most run off diesel. But a bill that would help phase them out recently got tabled until 2020.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

The offshore oil drilling platform 'Gail,' operated by Venoco, Inc., is shown off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif. in 2009. A Trump administration plan to greatly expand offshore drilling is on hold after a setback in court. Credit: Chris Carlson / AP / via CapRadioThe Trump administration wants to allow drilling and oil production on more than 1 million acres of federal land in California, frustrating environmentalists.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Beto O'Rourke talks with agriculture students at Modesto Junior College. Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public RadioFormer Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke is hoping the Golden State will breathe a fresh spark into his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Story by Ben Adler.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Gov. Newsom signed an order placing a moratorium on evictions in California during the COVID crisis. But tenant rights groups say it won't stop evictions from taking place and could mislead tenants into believing they don't have to pay.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

The coronavirus crisis in California has major industries — from agriculture to construction — pushing to bend environmental regulations to make it easier to keep doing business. But the governor’s office says that won’t happen.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

California is loaning out 500 ventilators to other states being hit hard by the coronavirus. Governor Gavin Newsom called it a moral responsibility to help those most in need.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Credit: Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio / FileAfter months of negotiations and build-up... the debate over whether to toughen the law on when police officers can use deadly force is about to begin in the California Legislature.

Story by Ben Adler.

Gov. Gavin Newsom will be making his first official international foray as governor, traveling to El Salvador. Illustration by Sylvia Li for CALmatters.California Governor Gavin Newsom says he wants to show the people of El Salvador that President Trump's rhetoric about the country isn't reflective of how many Americans feel.

Story by Drew Sandsor.

Photo via CapRadioExperts say men tend to be less likely to seek help or tell loved ones about suicidal thoughts. That’s why doctors at UC Davis are designing videos to encourage male patients to bring the issue up.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

California lawmakers have until the end of August to finish the people’s business and pass legislation. Senate and Assembly leaders asked members to narrow down their legislative priorities to the most essential items.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: CarbonNYC / Flickr)

President Donald Trump opened the gate for a $400 weekly unemployment boost, but Governor Gavin Newsom says California wouldn't be able to afford the required 25% buy-in from states.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Dr. Sonia Angell's departure comes days after technical glitches caused a substantial undercount in statewide COVID-19 cases.

Story by Scott Rodd.

Public health experts say getting a flu shot this fall could prevent a surge of influenza cases on top of COVID-19 this winter.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Lawmakers grilled California State University leaders at a hearing Monday over a $1.5 billion surplus fund it failed to disclose to students and the state.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: CSULA sign on Campus – Justefrain, Own work [CC BY 3.0])

The Trump Administration announced Monday it's clarifying how the Endangered Species Act should be enforced. Some groups say the changes weaken the law that's saved animals like the grizzly bear from extinction.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: A bald eagle prepares to take off from a pine tree in Pembroke Pines, Fla. The eagle population rebounded after protections put in place under the Endangered Species Act - Wilfredo Lee / AP / via CapRadio)

Residential ‘impact fees’ are a big reason it’s so expensive to build a home in California. Those charges are not only expensive but unpredictable and lack transparency, according to a new state-commissioned study.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: via Capital Public Radio)

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Governor Gavin Newsom is ordering a full investigation into rolling power outages that impacted hundreds of thousands of Californians over the weekend.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Power lines in Sacramento County - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

California physicians say safety precautions to help prevent the spread of covid19 could also help keep down other respiratory illnesses.

Story by Pauline Bartolone.

The city of Sacramento is suing a group of homeless people, asking a court to ban them from a local neighborhood over their past history of drug use and other crimes. Attorneys and homeless advocates say this is an attack on civil rights.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: The Broadway SacRT light rail station - Capital Public Radio File)

Every year lawmakers gather in Tahoe with one message. The time is now to preserve one of the West's most iconic recreation spots.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Ezra David Romero / Capital Public Radio)

California agriculture spans more than 24 million acres. That soil has the potential to become a carbon-trapping sponge, offsetting some greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study by UC Davis researchers.

Story by Julia Mitric.

(Photo: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service [CC BY-SA 4.0])

  Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, left, and Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys celebrate after the bill they co-authored to end money bail was approved by the California Assembly, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli/AP PhotoA measure passed by lawmakers Monday would replace cash bail with a pre-trial detention system that has polarized both lawmakers and the same civil liberties groups that originally supported the overhaul.

Story by Ben Bradford.

Mike O'Neill leaves the water after surfing at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Credit: Jeff Chiu/AP PhotoGovernor Jerry Brown signed a measure today that lauds the state’s famous surf breaks, international surfing competitions and the invention in the Bay Area of the neoprene wetsuit.

Story by Ben Bradford.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Californians across ethnic and racial groups remain confident in mail-in voting despite GOP attacks on the process, according to a UC Berkeley poll released on Monday.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: A machine sorts ballots at the Sacramento county registrar's office March 3, 2020 - Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

As the SCU Complex and LNU Complex Fires in Northern California have now each burned roughly 350,000 acres, Governor News offers cautious words of optimism.

Story by Scott Rodd.

The California Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence given to Scott Peterson. He was convicted of killing his wife and unborn child in 2002.

Story by Rich Ibarra.

Truckers warn dynamex bill could cause disruptions in supply chain. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez authored the bill and says she is working with trucking industry leaders to find a compromise.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: D'oh Boy (Mark Holloway) [CC BY 2.0])

Monday, Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a new federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s plan to indefinitely detain migrant families and children.

Story by Nick Miller.

(Photo: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra delivers the Democrats' Spanish language State of the Union response from McClatchy High School in Sacramento on Feb. 5, 2019 - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

California hospitals are performing a careful balancing act of continuing business as usual while maintaining COVID-19 surge capacity. In most cases, that doesn’t involve canceling or postponing non-essential procedures.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: University of California, Davis Medical Center - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo)

How much did the racial justice protests contribute to recent spikes in COVID-19 in LA County? LA officials have acknowledged a connection. But health experts say there's no definitive evidence and many other ways the surge could have started.

Story by Chris Nichols.

Read full versions of all fact checks here.

Two-thirds of California is in at least some degree of drought at the moment. With little rain in the forecast and a predicted dry winter climate, scientists say drought could get a lot worse. But is the beginning of another multi-year drought?

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: The National Drought Mitigation Center)

Over the weekend, Los Angeles County issued a new stay-at-home order. Now, Governor Gavin Newsom is warning other parts of California could be headed there, too. He also teased plans about distributing 327,000 doses of a coronavirus vaccine soon.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

Nearly nine months into the pandemic, many healthcare workers are not being regularly tested for exposure to COVID-19. But, a first-in-the-nation directive from California’s public health department will change that.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

COVID-19 Pandemic Can Exacerbate Stress, Depression During The Holidays, Especially For Those Who Are Isolated.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

Credit: USDA / FlickrThe EPA is likely to approve limited antibiotic use in citrus trees. An environmental advocacy group opposes this, saying it could make antibiotics less effective. A UC researcher says the drugs wouldn't circulate in the fruit.

Story by Julia Mitric.

In this Wednesday, July 25, 2018 photo provided by the California Highway Patrol, the Carr Fire burns near Highway 299 and Redding, Calif. The fire is one of several across California amid a heat wave that has seen days of triple-digit temperatures. Credit: California Highway Patrol via AP / CapradioCalifornia's deadliest, most destructive fire season in history ended on Monday for several California counties as rain and cooler temperatures have lowered the threat of wildfires.

Story by Nadine Sebai.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

California’s presidential electors cast all of the state’s electoral college votes for Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Monday afternoon.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and President-elect Joe Biden last week in Wilmington, Del. They were formally elected Monday by the Electoral College - Susan Walsh / AP).

A Sacramento Disability Rights advocate who uses a power wheelchair was caught in a frustrating cycle when they tried to get a COVID test and had to be transported via ambulance.

Story by Sarah Mizes-Tan.

Groups that fight for education reform are looking to a new Biden administration to reverse Trump-era policies they see as harmful.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service.

Congress has approved a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. Governor Gavin Newsom estimates a little more than $50 billion of it will directly help Californians.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

(Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom from March 2020 - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo)

Governor Gavin Newsom and the state's top doctor say the stay-at-home orders for Southern California and San Joaquin Valley regions won't be removed anytime soon.

Story by Ed Fletcher.

A new report from a non-partisan group says despite recent improvements California's legislature still needs to be more ethnically diverse

Story by Mike Haggerty.

Teachers' unions in California are voicing concerns about a proposal to require schools to return to in-person learning on March 1, 2020.

Story by Suzanne Potter – California News Service.

California started slashing Medi-Cal benefits such as eyeglasses, speech therapy and incontinence treatments as a cost-saver during the last recession. But new funding in the latest budget will bring those benefits back this January.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo / via Cap Radio)

There will be a ceiling on the interest rates of some new consumer loans in California, effective January 1st.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

(Photo: via Cap Radio)

California enacts some of the strongest tenant protections in the nation.

Story by Randol White.

(Photo: public domain [Public domain])

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

There is an emergent generation of small farmers in California who have horticulture skills, but little or no business background. They are turning to an increasing number of non-profit programs designed to boost new farmers’ success.

Story by Julia Mitric.

Find the full story here.

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Residents and staff members at nursing homes across California will be receiving immunizations against COVID-19 starting this week.

Story by Pauline Bartolone.

(Photo: Residents of a long-term care facility in Connecticut receive COVID-19 vaccinations on December 18^th – Courtesy of CVS Health)

The Department of Defense is sending two medical teams to San Joaquin County to help increase ICU capacity. San Joaquin County is one of two regions under the state's mandatory stay-at-home order.

Story by Richard Ibarra.

Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley may have to extend their stay-at-home order.

Story by Mike Haggerty.

With climate change and drought, fewer conifers are expected to grow in the Sierra Nevada. A new study suggests that could mean a future with fewer wild Christmas trees for people to cut down on their own in the years to come.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

As regions of the state enter a second wave of stay-at-home orders people may look for ways to get outdoors for exercise and fresh air. The new state order says people can still go outside, but they should stay in their immediate neighborhood.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: Caution tape surrounds the playground at Country Side Community Park in Elk Grove, Calif., Thursday, April 2, 2020 - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo)

California is rolling out a new app to notify users when they’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Story by Nicole Nixon.

PG&E customers will see their bills increase in the new year...after the California Public Utility Commission approved an 8 percent rate hike. The revenues will help upgrade the utility's equipment and infrastructure.

Story by Scott Rodd.