State Government‘No light at the other end’: Impending loss of pandemic CalFresh boosts could trigger hunger spikeFebruary 11, 2023For nearly three years, an increase in federal aid has allowed California to issue higher-than-usual amounts in food stamps. That ends in April.
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.
Health CareReimbursement lagging to clinics that provided mpox vaccinesFebruary 1, 2023Cash-strapped clinics provided thousands of mpox vaccines, but their reimbursements have been mired in red tape.
Race and EquityMore than a million undocumented immigrants gained driver’s licenses in CaliforniaJanuary 31, 2023Seven years after the Safe and Responsible Drivers Act gave undocumented residents a license to drive, the state is ready to expand its impact, but the law still has detractors. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
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.
State GovernmentState Justice Department hasn’t probed — or even logged — all police shootings of possibly unarmed peopleJanuary 27, 2023The department told CalMatters it can’t say how many cases it chose not to investigate during the past 18 months under a new state law, which aimed to ensure state oversight of police shootings. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Race and EquitySchool funding proposal aims to achieve equity, but does it go far enough?January 25, 2023Last year, a bill would have directed more funding to the student group with the lowest standardized test scores, which would have been Black students. Instead, the governor is proposing extra money for high-poverty schools.
EnvironmentGrowers brace to give up some Colorado River waterJanuary 22, 2023The Colorado River’s water transformed the Imperial Valley desert into one of California’s most productive farm regions. But now growers will have to sacrifice 10% of their supply because of shortages in the river’s supply.
UC housing problem persists for graduate studentsJanuary 21, 2023The recent agreement between striking graduate student workers in the UC system did little to solve their housing woes.
Health CareAfter Madera’s hospital closure, could others follow?January 20, 2023Under financial strain, the lone hospital in this Central Valley county closed its doors this month. Legislators and industry officials say other hospitals across the state may suffer the same fate.
