EnvironmentLaw banning drilling near California community areas put on hold, sent to votersFebruary 6, 2023 | Manola SecairaShortly after the law was passed, oil and gas industry leaders launched a referendum effort aimed at repealing it. It will appear on the November 2024 ballot. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
EnvironmentHow a new law is bringing more attention to natural carbon sequestrationFebruary 6, 2023 | Manola SecairaEnvironmental advocates have criticized California’s reliance on carbon-capturing technologies in its plans for carbon neutrality. This law aims to bring more focus to natural alternatives. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Health CareMillions of Californians are at risk of losing Medi-Cal coverageFebruary 5, 2023As the nation’s massive Medicaid unwinding begins, California is using government databases, billboards, and navigators to help people who get dropped from Medi-Cal reenroll or find other coverage.
Health CareWill the state’s big Medi-Cal plan really fix mental health care for low-income Californians?February 3, 2023A year into the rollout of CalAIM, payment details are murky and obstacles remain in finding help for Medi-Cal recipients with mental health needs.
State GovernmentBacked by Newsom, California Democrats revive changes to state concealed carry lawFebruary 1, 2023 | Nicole NixonA measure to bring California’s concealed carry laws in line with a U.S. Supreme Court Ruling — while banning guns in a swath of public places including parks and businesses — has support from the governor and attorney general.
State GovernmentCalifornia announces plan to convert 3 office buildings in downtown Sacramento into housingJanuary 31, 2023 | Chris Nichols | Claire MorganOrganizations working out of these offices will be relocated by 2025, and the buildings will be turned into “transit-oriented affordable housing,” state officials said.
State GovernmentQ&A: Speaker Anthony Rendon on a budget deficit, gun bills and handing over the gavelJanuary 31, 2023 | Nicole NixonAssembly Speaker Anthony Rendon discusses his tenure as leader of the chamber, his plans for a budget deficit and what’s next. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentThieves drain millions off CalFresh and CalWORKs recipients’ cards, families wait and taxpayers payJanuary 31, 2023The EBT cards the state uses to deliver financial assistance to low-income residents lack security features common to credit and debit cards. California officials plan to upgrade.
State GovernmentCalifornia reparations task force zeroes in on who’d be eligible for compensationJanuary 30, 2023California’s first-in-the-nation task force on reparations agreed residents should qualify for compensation. But should certain “vulnerable” former residents, such as foster kids or ex-prisoners, be eligible?
State GovernmentCalifornia reparations task force aims at more than dollars, seeks policies to prevent harmJanuary 27, 2023The task force members are discussing monetary and nonmonetary reparations ideas to compensate for slavery and racism. Some say they want policies to prevent future harms against Black Californians.