California

Local

Back to campus under COVID: Students reflect on an unusual semester

Juhi Doshi, Emily Forschen. Itzel Luna, Bernard Mendez, Oden Taylor, Steven Vargas, Stephanie Zappelli / CalMatters

After months of studying virtually from childhood bedrooms and other remote locations, students could once again ask questions of professors face-to-face and socialize with their peers IRL. The transition didn’t always go smoothly.
Local

Will new bacon law begin? California grocers seek delay

Scott McFetridge / Associated Press

The move adds uncertainty about whether bacon and other fresh pork products will be much more expensive or in short supply in the state when the new rules take effect on New Year’s Day.
Local

Gov. Newsom wants Texas-like law to ban assault guns

Adam Beam, Associated Press

Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants to empower private citizens to enforce a ban on the manufacture and sale of assault weapons in the state. Newsom's proposal is similar to a Texas law that outlaws abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Politics

California solar industry braces for change

Erik Anderson

The California Public Utilities Commission is close to unveiling changes that could alter the financial windfall of installing rooftop solar.
Local

California's solar marketplace could see some major changes soon

Erik Anderson

The state's utility regulators are considering adjusting the rules that govern the California solar energy marketplace.
Local

Why is California’s redistricting commission under increasing scrutiny?

Sameea Kamal / CalMatters

The independent citizens panel isn’t just being criticized for the legislative and congressional districts it’s drawing. It’s already in court over alleged secret meetings and studies. Now, it’s facing questions over its spending and budget.
Local

Scott Peterson resentenced to life term in wife's 2002 death

Don Thompson / Associated Press

The California Supreme Court ruled a year ago that his jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty in a case that gripped the world then and since. Prosecutors opted to settle this time for life without parole.
Local

Thousands of farmworkers will get pay raises thanks to a lawsuit

Melissa Montalvo / CalMatters

Guest farmworkers will see pay increases in 2022 thanks to a lawsuit to stop a Trump-era wage freeze. President Trump proposed the freeze in an attempt to help farmers who lost profit and fallowed land during the pandemic shutdown in 2020. But farmworker advocates sued the Department of Agriculture to stop the freeze from taking effect.
Local

Gov. Newsom writes children’s book about dyslexia

Adam Bean / Associated Press

The book is presented as a bridge to help some children with dyslexia understand why it’s harder for them to read. But beyond that, it’s a semi-autobiographical account of Newsom’s childhood that offers a glimpse of what shaped his personality and his politics.
Local

GOP Rep. Nunes leaving Congress for Trump social media firm

The Associated Press

The former president says in a statement that Nunes “understands that we must stop the liberal media and Big Tech from destroying the freedoms that make America great.”