California counties are scrambling to prepare for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s special election on redrawing congressional districts for the 2026 midterm. The effort will cost tens of millions of dollars.
StateWatch
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom warms to Big Oil in climate reversal
After years of cracking down on California’s oil industry, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative Democrats are moving to get Kern County wells pumping again to avoid soaring gasoline prices.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
5 things to know about Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw California’s election maps
California has an overwhelmingly Democratic delegation in Congress. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan could give his party five more seats and offset a Texas gerrymander.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California’s newest invaders are beautiful swans. Should hunters kill them?
California has tried to eradicate South American swamp rodents called nutria. Shooting destructive nonnative mute swans might be a tougher sell.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
California grocery prices could rise if this self-checkout bill passes, grocers argue
Labor unions are trying once again to regulate self-checkout lanes at California stores. This year’s bill waters down a version that died last session, but businesses still warn it will increase costs and lead to consumer frustration.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California cut coal from its energy supply. Why it might plug back into fossil fuels
With electricity prices rising and pressure to keep the lights on, California is racing to create an expanded power market with other Western utilities to trade vast amounts of electricity.
Posted inLatest News
Court blocks ammunition background checks in new blow to California’s gun control framework
California voters in 2016 passed a ballot initiative championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that in part required background checks for ammunition purchases. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that provision violates the Second Amendment.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California, epicenter of nation’s housing crisis, is finally getting a housing agency
Aside from giving housing and homelessness its own box atop Gov. Gavin Newsom’s organizational chart, the reorg is supposed to simplify the state’s snarled affordable housing financing system.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California Democrats push to block ICE from schools, hospitals and shelters
Highly publicized immigration raids in the early months of Donald Trump’s second term have rattled California communities and prompted lawmakers to push for more laws protecting immigrants.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom picks more housing over CEQA in backing two bills meant to speed construction
The California environmental law known as CEQA can be used to block construction in developed areas. Gov. Gavin Newsom is supporting changes to encourage more housing.