State GovernmentFaced With Dying Californians And Withering Businesses, Gov. Newsom Steers A Middle Path. Can It Last?August 7, 2020As coronavirus infections and deaths rise dramatically, the Democratic governor navigates pressure to both tighten restrictions and ease up on businesses.
State GovernmentCalifornia Grapples With COVID-19 Data Error, Resulting In Undercounts, But Official Says Cases Still On DeclineAugust 7, 2020 | Emily Zentner | Nicole NixonA technical issue that the state says goes back to July 25 has caused an underreporting of COVID-19 cases in the state, causing a backlog of 250,000 - 300,000 test results.
State GovernmentWith Contentious Measures On California’s Ballot, Lawsuits Over Language Pile UpAugust 6, 2020 | Nicole NixonBallot propositions offer a unique set of political battles in California every election cycle. Even though the election is still months away, another type of fight over initiatives has been playing out this week in the courts.
State GovernmentMandate Diversity? California Bill Would Ban All-White Corporate BoardsAugust 5, 2020A bill in the state legislature aims to require people of color in the boardroom. Some say it’s unconstitutional, others say it is necessary to ensure diversity.
State GovernmentCalifornia Has Lost A Greater Share Of Revenue Than Most States Due To COVID-19August 3, 2020 | Nicole NixonAn NPR nationwide analysis of states' revenue and budgets during the pandemic found tax revenue was down in California by 42% from March to May, in comparison to the same time last year.
EnvironmentExclusive: California’s Clean Air Programs Take A Hit In New Funding SqueezeAugust 3, 2020Projects that tackle vehicles, pollution in low-income communities, prescribed burns and even cows have lost 14% of their original budgets because of cap and trade shortfall.
State GovernmentIs The Summer Surge Fading? California’s Test-Positivity Rate Finally Declines.August 3, 2020 | Nicole NixonAfter stubbornly sitting above 7% for weeks, California’s 7-day average test-positivity rate fell to 6.1% Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom said it’s a good sign but warned he still anticipates another wave of the virus in autumn.
State GovernmentEDD In The Hot Seat As 1 Million Californians Remain Stuck In Unemployment Insurance PurgatoryJuly 30, 2020 | Scott RoddA bipartisan group of lawmakers channeled frustrations from unemployed constituents, while EDD director Sharon Hilliard defended her department’s efforts to keep on top of historic benefits claims.
State GovernmentNew Funding Coming To Curb Spread Of Coronavirus In Central Valley, California Gov. Gavin Newsom AnnouncesJuly 27, 2020Speaking from Stockton during his regular COVID-19 update, Newsom acknowledged that farmworkers and other essential employees in the Central Valley have been hit disproportionately hard by transmission of the virus. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentWatch: How To Prepare To Vote-By-Mail In California This ElectionJuly 24, 2020 | Chris NicholsBy early October all California counties will send vote-by-mail ballots to the state’s 20 million active registered voters. Elections expert Kim Alexander offers advice on how voting by mail works and how to be ready well ahead of Election Day.