Chris Nichols
PolitiFact California Reporter
Since 2015, Chris Nichols has worked as CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter where he fact-checks politicians in the Golden State both on-air and online. His work includes debunking social media misinformation and explaining complex statewide topics from California’s affordable housing and homelessness crises to election issues.
Previously, Chris spent a dozen years writing about government and politics at newspapers across California, including covering the Capitol for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Before that, he worked as a news reporter at the North County Times in Escondido; the Lodi News-Sentinel and the Sonora Union-Democrat.
After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, Chris left California to earn his master’s degree from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in 2004.
He is cautiously optimistic that his hometown San Diego Padres will someday be World Champions, but he’s not holding his breath.
Sacramento opens new temporary shelter for unhoused residents on Auburn Boulevard
September 29, 2022
Outreach teams will refer people experiencing homelessness to the center to connect them with housing services. Guests will stay for only three or four days, not weeks or months, city officials said.
Sacramento Council member Ashby calls for 500-foot ban on homeless camps near schools
September 27, 2022
The proposal follows allegations that people experiencing homelessness have harassed children on their way to Sutter Middle School in East Sacramento.
Sacramento faces an alarming shortage of senior affordable housing. Some new units are on the way
September 23, 2022
The Wong Center Senior Apartments will offer 150 units of affordable senior housing. It will be the first fully-affordable housing project in the Railyards development north of downtown Sacramento.
Yolo County’s homeless population increased 14% since 2019, report finds
September 20, 2022
While the county’s overall homeless population increased, the number of unsheltered homeless people dropped nearly 5%. That category refers to anyone living on the street, in a tent, vehicle or abandoned building.
Newsom signs CARE Court bill, paving way for court-ordered treatment plans
September 14, 2022
Supporters say the plan could help fix California’s broken mental health system, while opponents say compelling treatment violates civil rights and will put too much of a burden on counties.
A record 199 unhoused Sacramento County residents died in 2021, report finds
September 12, 2022
The leading cause of death was substance use disorder followed by injuries, from blunt force trauma to stabbings to gunshots. Advocates said the findings should be a call to action for greater housing and health care options.
‘I’m not certain my home still exists’: Mosquito Fire evacuees flee California Gold Rush towns
September 9, 2022
The dangerous wildfire has forced thousands of residents to evacuate and has exploded in size in less than two days.
With Sacramento cooling centers near-empty, volunteers step in to help unhoused amid record-setting heatwave
September 7, 2022
Sacramento County contracts with a nonprofit to distribute water to local encampments, but doesn’t always reach every camp. Volunteer groups help fill the gap.
Sacramento County to receive $25 million to address homelessness along American River Parkway
September 6, 2022
Assemblymember Kevin McCarty of Sacramento said the money will be used to build shelters for people camped along the corridor but not for encampment sweeps.
Here are the major bills passed by California lawmakers in 2022
September 1, 2022
From climate to housing to labor rights and more, hundreds of bills were passed by the California Legislature in 2022. Here are some of the major ones awaiting a signature or veto from Governor Gavin Newsom in September.