CALmatters.org
CalMatters
CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization bringing Californians stories that probe, explain and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding our leaders accountable. For more information about its mission, donors, staff and contact information, see CalMatters' About Us page.
All Stories
CHP officers get biggest raise in 20 years — It’s almost double what Gov. Newsom gave other unions
By law, California Highway Patrol officers receive raises based on what five other large law enforcement agencies pay police. Several California cities recently gave police substantial wage increases, leading to...
Understanding California’s college students’ protests over Israeli-Palestinian conflict
As student protests erupt over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, college campuses struggle to balance First Amendment rights and civility.
Recognizing fake news now a required subject in California schools
A new law requires K-12 schools to add media literacy to curriculum for English language arts, science, math and history-social studies. Among the lessons will be recognizing fake news.
Inside California’s billion-dollar bet to overhaul unemployment
The EDD is getting a rebuild from the likes of Salesforce and Amazon as pandemic payment disputes drag on and fraud hits other state benefit systems.
‘Prompt action’ on fire insurance has yet to help California homeowners
While state regulators craft new regulations and consult with the insurance industry, many Californians are paying extra-high premiums — or going without insurance entirely.
Internal documents reveal the story behind California’s unemployment crash
Scammers pulled off one of the biggest suspected frauds in U.S. history while laid-off workers scrambled to survive. An investigation finds that the EDD missed red flags and failed to...
How California college admissions are changing after the end of affirmative action
After the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions, some students are rethinking their school selections. Some colleges are also boosting their student outreach as they seek diversity.
A shortage of teachers for computer science classes puts California near the bottom of a national instruction ranking
Only 40% of California high schools offer computer science classes. A new law aims to make it easier to certify computer science teachers.
More working Californians slipped into poverty as pandemic aid expired
California’s poverty rate climbed and its working poor grew this spring, says the Public Policy Institute of California. Safety net programs played a major role in poverty rate changes.
Why tiny homes will remain part of California’s homelessness equation for years
Tiny homes are increasingly California cities’ shelter option of choice — but how far they go in solving homelessness is a contentious question.