EDUCATION
About College Beat
College Beat is produced by the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. Read more.
INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
What goes into our reporting on California’s biggest issues – how investigative stories come together, what challenges journalists face, CalMatters’ latest plans and more.
Nonpartisan, independent California news for all
We’re CalMatters, your nonprofit and nonpartisan news guide.
Our journalists are here to empower you and our mission continues to be essential.
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POLITICS
Project Spotlight
Digital Democracy
Check out CalMatters’ custom-built AI tool that tracks every word spoken in public hearings, every dollar donated to politicians, every vote cast and more.
JUSTICE
Investigation
They were convicted of killing with their cars. No one told the DMV
A CalMatters investigation found that courts didn’t report hundreds of vehicular manslaughter convictions, prompting officials to belatedly take many drivers’ licenses.
HEALTH
Series Spotlight
No Deliveries
Explore why hospitals are shutting down maternity wards, what this means for parents-to-be with limited options, and whether anything can be done to protect access.
ECONOMY AND TECHNOLOGY
Tech Spotlight
Why California backed off again from ambitious AI regulation
For the third year, the state delayed AI regulations for disclosing and appealing many automated decisions.
ENVIRONMENT
Series Spotlight
Lake Tahoe: A tarnished jewel
Lake Tahoe is an innocent victim — but there isn’t just a single villain. This series reveals the problems plaguing this alpine treasure.
CALIFORNIA VOICES
Guest Commentary
‘Carrying fear’ while carrying a baby: Pregnant Californians deserve more maternity options
Pregnant Black people often internalize fear and face racial bias in health care. A bill would help by making more midwives and doulas accessible.
Los Angeles housing permits are tanking, yet leaders want Newsom to veto a major reform
Signing SB 79 should be an easy call, but there’s pressure from Los Angeles leaders to veto it. Newsom should know better than to let L.A. set state policy on housing.
If hate-fueled algorithms cause real-world harm, California tech companies should pay
California legislation that would enable people to sue social media companies if their algorithm spurs violence or other harms just needs the governor’s signature.
We want to hear from you!
Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? You can find our submission guidelines here. For questions, please email commentary@calmatters.org
DAN WALTERS
Gerrymander duelists, Newsom and Trump, deserve scorn for partisan power plays
Redrawn maps will likely increase the number of Democrats in Congress while also boosting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s chances in a presidential race.
CALIFORNIA DIVIDE
Inequality Insights
A statewide media collaboration to raise awareness about poverty and income inequality through in-depth journalism and community outreach. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.