The fight against legalized marijuana is far from over. With Measure A on this November’s ballot, we get an up close and personal look at what deceptive, dangerous and detrimental politics look like as the well-being of Fresno residents is discarded in favor of corporate profits. Measure A is a...
Face-Off for Lt. Gov: Ed Hernandez vs. Eleni Kounalakis
Need last-minute prep to decide between Ed Hernandez and Eleni Kounalakis for lieutenant governor on your California ballot? Then view this video of the candidates — both Democrats — answering questions from CALmatters on their qualifications and positions on the issues. The video begins with this: Why are you running...
Indian Couple Who Died in Yosemite Took Risks for Photos
SAN FRANCISCO — She was a self-described "adrenaline junkie," and he took "wow-worthy photos" of the couple posing at the edge of cliffs and jumping from planes that appeared on social media and a travel blog that attracted thousands of followers. In one post at the Grand Canyon this spring,...
Walters: Another Conflict Brewing Over Work Disability Costs
Gavin Newsom loves high-concept, almost edgy, approaches to governance – not unlike a younger Jerry Brown during his first governorship four decades ago. However, as Brown eventually learned and Newsom will discover if, as expected, he follows Brown into the Capitol’s corner office, much of governing is not pro-active and...
Walters: Labor Shortage Could Slow California's Economy
California’s latest employment report is nothing short of astounding. The state’s unemployment rate, which topped 12 percent during the Great Recession a decade ago, declined to a record low 4.1 percent in September as employment rolls continued to expand, up 339,600 workers over the previous year. The state had 17.2...
Dialysis Companies Spend $111 Million to Kill Prop. 8
SACRAMENTO — Dialysis companies have contributed an extraordinary $111 million and counting to defeat a California ballot initiative that would cap their profits, the most any one side has spent on a U.S. ballot issue since at least 2002. A $5 million donation this week from dialysis provider Fresenius Medical...
California and Texas Aren't Enemies. They're the USA's Future.
Think about the great rivalries involving California. San Francisco vs. Los Angeles. California vs. President Donald Trump. And, of course, California vs. Texas. If there wasn't a Golden State-Longhorn State rivalry before, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry created one — and got a rise out of Gov. Jerry Brown — by...
California Politics Are Hella NorCal. Will Voters Shake That Up This Year?
California is politically lopsided: Most of the people live in the south, but most of the political power is based in the north. For the last several years, the majority of politicians elected statewide have been northern Californians—including the governor, lieutenant governor, schools superintendent and both U.S. senators. That could...
Face-Off for State Schools Chief: Tony Thurmond vs. Marshall Tuck
CALmatters dives deep into the battle to elect the next state superintendent of public instruction with a video featuring Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck. The candidates talk about their credentials for the job, their passion for education, and where they stand on the issues. The video opens with the candidates talking...
2 Die After Falling From Overlook in Yosemite National Park
SAN FRANCISCO — Two visitors died in a fall from a popular overlook at Yosemite National Park, an official said. Park rangers were trying to recover the bodies of a man and a woman Thursday, spokesman Scott Gediman said. He didn't say when the couple fell from Taft Point, which...