California

California State University student activists recently won a victory when the university agreed to purge about $162 million in fossil fuel assets from three major investment funds. (Shutterstock)

Inside Cal State’s movement to divest from fossil fuels

By Stephanie Zappello CalMatters Ethan Quaranta seeks out nature when he needs…

  • Oct 25, 2021

 

A collaborative workspace for a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) in Coordinape is pictured at a recent blockchain meet up at Atlas Cafe. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>

Business without bosses: San Francisco innovators battle bureaucracy with blockchain

‘The next generation will work for three DAOs at the same time’

 

People experiencing emotional distress after observing a dramatic accident can seek compensation under California law. (Shutterstock)

When a bystander can make a claim in an accident

Witness who was in ‘zone of danger’ can sue for emotional distress

 

Gov. Gavin Newsom visits students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1. (Jim Wilson/New York Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom visited students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1. (Jim Wilson/ New York Times)

California schools are running out of money

State is hiring a fiscal consultant to help SFUSD

  • Oct 20, 2021
Gov. Gavin Newsom visits students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1. (Jim Wilson/New York Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom visited students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1. (Jim Wilson/ New York Times)
FILE — In-N-Out Burger, the popular California fast-food chain, is resisting San Francisco's public health rules that require indoor diners to show proof of vaccination. (J. Emilio Flores/The New York Times)

When it comes to San Francisco vaccine rules, In-N-Out should heed Biblical advice

Burger chain’s vaccine fight distracts from its tasty burgers and French fries controversy

FILE — In-N-Out Burger, the popular California fast-food chain, is resisting San Francisco's public health rules that require indoor diners to show proof of vaccination. (J. Emilio Flores/The New York Times)
FILE — A mother and daughter attend a parent meeting at Arleta Senior High School in Los Angeles on Aug. 16, 2021. The state has done remarkably well limiting outbreaks, even before its student vaccine mandate has been put into place. (Allison Zaucha/The New York Times)

California accounts for 12% of U.S. students but only 1% of COVID school closures

More protection may be needed if cases begin to climb again

  • Oct 19, 2021
FILE — A mother and daughter attend a parent meeting at Arleta Senior High School in Los Angeles on Aug. 16, 2021. The state has done remarkably well limiting outbreaks, even before its student vaccine mandate has been put into place. (Allison Zaucha/The New York Times)
A student carries a protection shield as part of her school’s COVID safety measures; the California Department of Finance is predicting a decrease in statewide school enrollment, which may in part be accelerated by the pandemic. <ins>(Courtesy Allison Shelley/Eduimages)</ins>

Projected K-12 drops in enrollment pose immediate upheaval and decade-long challenge

State forecasts 11.4% fewer students by 2031 — LA and Bay Area to be hit hardest

  • Oct 18, 2021
A student carries a protection shield as part of her school’s COVID safety measures; the California Department of Finance is predicting a decrease in statewide school enrollment, which may in part be accelerated by the pandemic. <ins>(Courtesy Allison Shelley/Eduimages)</ins>
The fate of San Francisco nicotine giant Juul remains to be seen, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing whether to allow certain flavored vape products on the market. <ins>(Jeenah Moon/New York Times)</ins>

How the vape king of teen nicotine addiction rose and fell in San Francisco

‘Hey, Juul, don’t let the door hit you on the way out’

The fate of San Francisco nicotine giant Juul remains to be seen, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing whether to allow certain flavored vape products on the market. <ins>(Jeenah Moon/New York Times)</ins>
Hospital staffers and union organizers protest staffing shortages at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Roseville on Oct. 14.<ins> (Fred Greaves/CalMatters)</ins>

Hospitals brace for strikes as California workers protest staff shortages

Burnout, unending stress of pandemic cited as reasons for leaving

  • Oct 15, 2021
Hospital staffers and union organizers protest staffing shortages at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Roseville on Oct. 14.<ins> (Fred Greaves/CalMatters)</ins>
<strong>Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers are at odds over the best use of $4.2 billion remaining from Proposition 1A, a $9.95 billion bond issue for high-speed rail funding that California voters approved in 2008.<ins> (Image by NC3D via Flickr/CalMatters)</ins>

Newsom, lawmakers tussle over bullet train funds as costs keep rising

State legislators see shorter-term local projects as better use of 2008 bond money

  • Oct 14, 2021
<strong>Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers are at odds over the best use of $4.2 billion remaining from Proposition 1A, a $9.95 billion bond issue for high-speed rail funding that California voters approved in 2008.<ins> (Image by NC3D via Flickr/CalMatters)</ins>
In 2019, Uber and Lyft drivers demonstrated seeking better wages; their classification as independent contractors, rather than employees, remains while gig worker-companies challenge a judge’s ruling calling Proposition 22, which allowed for such classification, unconstitutional.<ins> (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)</ins>

Prop. 22 governing gig workers found unconstitutional, but in effect

Ride-hail drivers remain independent contractors pending appeal by Uber

In 2019, Uber and Lyft drivers demonstrated seeking better wages; their classification as independent contractors, rather than employees, remains while gig worker-companies challenge a judge’s ruling calling Proposition 22, which allowed for such classification, unconstitutional.<ins> (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)</ins>
Gov. Gavin Newsom talks about housing bills he was signing during a ceremony at an apartment complex in Oakland on Sept. 28; however, this year he vetoed 66 pieces of legislation. (Jim Wilson/New York Times)

Why did the governor block California bills?

In 2021, Newsom proved more about what he has in common with his predecessors than how he is unique

  • Oct 12, 2021
Gov. Gavin Newsom talks about housing bills he was signing during a ceremony at an apartment complex in Oakland on Sept. 28; however, this year he vetoed 66 pieces of legislation. (Jim Wilson/New York Times)
Frank Schubert, seen in a 2012 photo, is fundraising for his sister’s attorney general campaign. (Matt Roth/NYTimes).

Why is an anti-LGBT crusader working to elect a lesbian in California?

Prop. 8 architect and anti-trans campaigner supports lesbian attorney general candidate in California

Frank Schubert, seen in a 2012 photo, is fundraising for his sister’s attorney general campaign. (Matt Roth/NYTimes).
The mandate to require COVID-19 vaccines for students 12 and older attending school in person allows people to opt out for personal or religious reasons; some California officials are considering legislation that would eliminate the exemption. <ins>(Allison Zaucha/New York Times)</ins>

One loophole remains in student vaccination mandate

Personal belief exemptions are allowed

  • Oct 7, 2021
The mandate to require COVID-19 vaccines for students 12 and older attending school in person allows people to opt out for personal or religious reasons; some California officials are considering legislation that would eliminate the exemption. <ins>(Allison Zaucha/New York Times)</ins>
Motorists involved in hit-and-run crashes may benefit from certain types of insurance that go beyond the average car insurance policy. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

Navigating insurance claims in cases of hit-and-run

Drivers may want to obtain additional coverage beyond average motorist policy

Motorists involved in hit-and-run crashes may benefit from certain types of insurance that go beyond the average car insurance policy. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
<strong>A Department of Education Emergency Services Team has been working to help schools since last October deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and planned power outages. <ins>(Max Whittaker/New York Times)</ins></strong> <ins></ins>

Emergency response team helps California schools navigate wildfires

Group assists districts in following regulations, making financial claims

  • Oct 6, 2021
<strong>A Department of Education Emergency Services Team has been working to help schools since last October deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and planned power outages. <ins>(Max Whittaker/New York Times)</ins></strong> <ins></ins>
The state Legislature is crafting policy to address the rising methamphetamine crisis in California and the nation.<ins> (Ruth Fremson/New York Times)</ins>

Editorial: Pay people to quit meth? Some scoff, but it just might work in California

Newsom should sign bill to fight addiction crisis

  • Oct 6, 2021
The state Legislature is crafting policy to address the rising methamphetamine crisis in California and the nation.<ins> (Ruth Fremson/New York Times)</ins>
Gov. Gavin Newsom visited with students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1. (Jim Wilson/New York Times)

California’s fraught history with childhood vaccines

State has struggled with low immunization rates and resorted to laws to help raise them

  • Oct 5, 2021
Gov. Gavin Newsom visited with students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1. (Jim Wilson/New York Times)
Oil washed ashore in Huntington Beach on Oct. 3; a pipeline failure off the coast of Orange County on Oct. 2 caused at least 126,000 gallons of oil to spill into the Pacific Ocean, creating a 13-square-mile slick that continued to grow on Sunday, officials said. (Allison Zaucha/New York Times)

‘Major’ oil spill off California coast threatens wetlands and wildlife

Shoreline at Huntington Beach closed, canceling third day of big annual airshow

  • Oct 4, 2021
Oil washed ashore in Huntington Beach on Oct. 3; a pipeline failure off the coast of Orange County on Oct. 2 caused at least 126,000 gallons of oil to spill into the Pacific Ocean, creating a 13-square-mile slick that continued to grow on Sunday, officials said. (Allison Zaucha/New York Times)
The Women’s March in support of reproductive rights in Los Angeles on Oct. 2 was among hundreds of similar demonstrations staged across the country over the weekend. (Morgan Lieberman/New York Times)

How Californians view abortion

State is home to more than a quarter of U.S. facilities

  • Oct 4, 2021
The Women’s March in support of reproductive rights in Los Angeles on Oct. 2 was among hundreds of similar demonstrations staged across the country over the weekend. (Morgan Lieberman/New York Times)