EnvironmentIs California’s drought over? Water providers still predict shortages next yearDecember 14, 2022Despite December storms, water supplies remain low in many areas. Some managers expect to impose severe restrictions on their customers.
State GovernmentBallot blockade: California industries rely on referenda to stop lawsDecember 13, 2022The fast food and oil industries are only the latest to seek a referendum to stop, or at least delay, a law passed by the state Legislature. The return on investment can be huge — so much money that some are calling for changing the referendum rules
More street medicine teams tackle the homeless health care crisisDecember 8, 2022Homeless people often have sporadic or no access to health care, resulting in costly, chronic conditions. A new statewide effort encourages Medi-Cal insurers to partner with street teams to improve care.
Health CareThe supply of COVID antivirals is increasing, but many patients aren’t using themDecember 7, 2022Health officials say a key difference between this upcoming winter and the last two is the wider availability of COVID antivirals like Paxlovid. But many infected people aren’t aware of their availability or have difficulty accessing them.
EnvironmentBy the numbers: California’s mild 2022 wildfire seasonDecember 1, 2022Moderate weather and well-timed rainstorms in much of California combined to curb the acreage and structures burned.
Mentally ill prisoners in California are three times likelier to get shuffled aroundNovember 22, 2022Newly acquired state data shows that the Corrections Department transferred patients with serious mental illnesses an average of five times over a six-year period.
State GovernmentAbout-face: Why Newsom relented, released $1 billion despite lackluster local homeless plansNovember 21, 2022The governor threw communities into disarray two weeks ago by withholding $1 billion in homelessness funding for plans he saw as unambitious. But local officials said the assignment itself discouraged ambition. Now Newsom is yielding.
EnvironmentAnother California desalination plant approved — the most contentious one yetNovember 20, 2022The California Coastal Commission voted 8-to-2 despite the ecological risks to the Monterey Bay coast, high costs of the water and a divide between affluent and lower-income communities.
State GovernmentHow California could count every vote fasterNovember 18, 2022California has expanded voting access and participation, but that can delay election results. Are there ways to count votes faster without undermining election security?
EnvironmentSlashing greenhouse gases: California revises climate change strategyNovember 16, 2022The new version of California’s climate plan sets a more stringent — some say unrealistic — target for cutting greenhouse gases.
