California enacts laws restricting chatbots and banning teens from ‘addictive’ social media
CalMattersby Colin Lecher28d ago
In summary Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a set of bills intended to protect children by regulating their internet use.
CalMatters
calmatters.orgadded August 2026
top 77%Newsom suspended the death penalty. Will he go even further?
CalMattersby Lynn La28d ago
You could be forgiven for thinking capital punishment is all but dead in California. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom halted executions and removed the gas chamber chair from San Quentin.
Opinion | California law that helped students sleep more before school is getting high marks
CalMattersby Dan Walters28d ago
One might think — or at least hope — that scientific research would be an important factor as politicians contemplate changes in public policy.
She put money into CalPERS for decades. It demanded she repay $1 million over a part-time job
CalMattersby Adam Ashton28d ago
In summary Government retirees who go back to work must follow strict pension laws or risk serious consequences with CalPERS. Several faced enormous bills.
California sues over Trump's changes to Endangered Species Act, arguing they threaten habitat
CalMattersby Rachel Becker28d ago
In summary The Trump administration reinterpreted the Endangered Species Act to counter what it called “federal overreach.” California is suing to block its changes, arguing they threaten vital...
Steve Hilton: Abolish the DMV
CalMattersby Lynn La29d ago
Saying “enough is enough,” Steve Hilton said he wants to get rid of the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
California sanctions insurer after it cut assisted living coverage to thousands
CalMattersby Kristen Hwang29d ago
IN SUMMARY - More than 3,000 low-income seniors rely on Health Net to afford assisted living and caretaker services.
What California's insurance commissioner does — and how it affects your wallet
CalMattersby Levi Sumagaysay29d ago
In November, California voters will choose who oversees one of the biggest insurance markets in the world.
Opinion | Will Gavin Newsom raise public safety pensions? It may hinge on his presidential hopes
CalMattersby Dan Walters29d ago
The California Legislature has a bad habit of enacting high-profile measures in the moment, responding to trendy issues or demands from powerful interests, without considering potentially adverse...
Time to lock in, California voters
CalMattersby Lynn La8 Sept 2026
With less than two months until Nov. 3, it’s time to get serious about the upcoming election. In addition to choosing the next governor, insurance commissioner and other state leaders, voters will...
He spent 9 months fighting Medi-Cal so his sister could avoid a nursing home
CalMattersby By Jessica Blough, UC Berkeley8 Sept 2026
In summary A pilot program providing more assisted living coverage in rural California has emerged from one man’s fight to change his sister’s options Last summer, siblings Roselie and John Aiello...
Opinion | Democrats have lost Silicon Valley. Here's what it will take to win it back
CalMattersby Dave Vorland8 Sept 2026
Democrats have long been the party of innovation. John F. Kennedy promised the moon. Bill Clinton and Al Gore embraced the internet revolution.
California could be first in the nation to create smoke-damage standards
CalMattersby Levi Sumagaysay5 Sept 2026
In summary When a home is left standing after a wildfire, survivors and insurers battle over testing and cleanup. California lawmakers passed two bills that aim to change that.
Even blue California wants lower taxes and smaller government
CalMattersby Lynn La4 Sept 2026
Scheduling note: WhatMatters will rest Labor Day weekend and return to your inboxes Tuesday. We live in a blue state that elects Democrats year after year.
California's plan to bring down health costs: punish overspending hospitals
CalMattersby Ana B. Ibarra4 Sept 2026
IN SUMMARY - New penalties can fine hospitals and insurers up to 125% of their overspending, with enforcement starting as early as 2028.
CalMatters journalism recognized as ‘deeply human’ and ‘innovative’ in Online Journalism Awards for video series and explanatory storytelling
CalMattersby Sonya Quick4 Sept 2026
In summary The contest recognizes innovative digital storytelling amongst major media outlets, international and independent news websites, and individuals telling stories online.
Why community colleges no longer back this effort to help them offer more bachelor’s degrees
CalMattersby Mikhail Zinshteyn4 Sept 2026
In summary Two bills sent to Newsom set new rules for determining when colleges can create bachelor’s degrees and how many they can offer.
Opinion | How California can do data centers differently and win back community trust
CalMattersby Allison Agsten4 Sept 2026
Americans finally found something to agree on: concern about the rapid proliferation of data centers.
Opinion | California's political hopefuls remain silent on state's job losses, unemployment
CalMattersby Dan Walters4 Sept 2026
In two months California voters will elect a governor, fill several other statewide offices and choose a new class of state legislators and members of Congress.
Fact check: Is Sam Altman right that almonds use more water than ChatGPT queries?
CalMattersby Rachel Becker4 Sept 2026
IN SUMMARY - Altman claims 38,000 ChatGPT queries equal one almond’s water use. - Experts say public data center water data is too sparse to verify his math. As Gov.