Apr 15 Bureau of Prisons to close California women’s prison where inmates have been subjected to sex abuse By Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press The federal Bureau of Prisons says it is planning to close a women's prison in California known as the "rape club" despite attempts to reform the troubled facility after an Associated Press investigation exposed rampant staff-on-inmate sexual abuse. Continue reading
Apr 13 Heat protections for indoor California workers in limbo after Newsom abandons rules By Angela Hart, Samantha Young, KFF Health News California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has abandoned proposed protections for millions of California workers toiling in sweltering warehouses, steamy kitchens, and other dangerously hot workplaces — upending a regulatory process that had been years in the making. Continue reading
Apr 09 Court upholds California’s authority to set nation-leading vehicle emission rules By Sophie Austin, Associated Press/Report for America Tuesday's ruling comes after President Joe Biden's administration restored the state's ability to set vehicle emission rules that are stricter than standards from the federal government. Continue reading
Apr 09 How effective are California’s homelessness programs? Audit finds state hasn’t kept track well By Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press The report released Tuesday attempts to assess how effective the state and municipalities have been spending billions of dollars to address the ongoing homelessness crisis in California. Continue reading
Apr 04 California Democrats agree on plan to reduce budget deficit by $17.3 billion By Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press The agreement announced Thursday includes a $3.6 billion cut in primarily one-time funding, delaying and deferring about $5.2 billion in spending on various programs. Continue reading
Mar 24 New England and Sierra Nevada hit by wintry weather, with storm forecast in central U.S. By Steve LeBlanc, Associated Press It may officially be spring, but wintry weather blanketed the U.S. on Saturday with New England and California seeing a mix of rain, heavy snow and gusty winds. Continue reading
Mar 23 California’s Prop 1 homelessness measure passed by a hair. Here’s what both sides are saying By Hannah Grabenstein Advocates say Proposition 1 will inject much-needed funds into a struggling mental health care system, but opponents worry about who will get left behind. Continue reading
Mar 22 California work safety board approves indoor heat rules, but another state agency raises objections By Associated Press The Los Angeles Times reports the rules were approved Thursday by the board of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health despite a late objection from the Department of Finance because of cost effects on the state. Continue reading
Mar 21 Watch 6:06 Californians approve plan to address homelessness, critics say it’s not enough By William Brangham California voters narrowly passed a ballot measure that will fund billions of dollars to help the state tackle its homelessness crisis. Gov. Newsom celebrated the victory, but opponents say it doesn’t do enough to keep people from becoming homeless in… Continue watching
Mar 20 California voters pass proposition requiring counties to spend on programs to tackle homelessness By Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press Proposition 1 authorizes the state to borrow $6.4 billion to build housing and treatment beds. It also restricts how counties use money from a 2004 tax on millionaires meant to fund mental health services. Continue reading