CALMatters | Palo Alto Online |

CALmatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media (publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly and The Almanac in Menlo Park and their websites.)

Here are the most recent stories reported by CALmatters' team of journalists:

New blood, Big Oil: California Legislature starts special session

A new California Legislature with a record number of women and plenty of new faces is sworn into office. Gov. Gavin Newsom immediately gives them the outline of a controversial penalty on oil industry profits.

Tue, Dec 6, 2022 5:30 am

Help is on the way for California truckers grappling with EV regulations

Freight trucks are critical for the economy but represent a major source of California pollution. Many programs, from the federal to local level, are available to help pay for the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Tue, Dec 6, 2022 5:30 am

Big tests ahead for new Legislature

Now comes the hard part. That was the main takeaway from Monday’s largely ceremonial flurry of activity in the state Capitol. Joined by their families, newly elected lawmakers were sworn into office after opening speeches that at times ventured into the metaphysical, with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon at one point comparing the challenge of political […]

Tue, Dec 6, 2022 5:00 am

Going, going, gone: Feds hold first-ever auction for California offshore wind leases

Several dozen companies are competing today for leases to build massive floating wind farms in deep ocean waters off Morro Bay and Humboldt County. The auction is the first major step toward producing offshore wind energy off the West Coast.

Tue, Dec 6, 2022 5:00 am

Tricky measure allows release of violent felons

Proposition 57, passed by California voters in 2016, allows felons that commit supposedly non-violent, crimes to earn early parole, but a loophole benefits those who have committed violent crimes not covered by the law..

Tue, Dec 6, 2022 12:01 am

The supply of COVID antivirals is increasing, but many patients aren’t using them

Health 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.

Mon, Dec 5, 2022 5:30 am

Supreme Court redistricting case could allow Democrats to gerrymander California

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this week for a Republican-led case about redistricting authority. In California, it could give Democrats absolute power over the drawing of congressional maps.

Mon, Dec 5, 2022 5:30 am

‘When they took the foundation, everything started crumbling’: California group fights eminent domain, racism

Where is My Land aims to help Black families regain property, sometimes decades after a government takes it. Though hundreds seek this help, founder Kavon Ward says her group focuses on a few cases at a time.

Mon, Dec 5, 2022 5:30 am

Is California’s beleaguered jobless benefits agency ready for a recession?

California’s Employment Development Department struggled to keep up with the demands of the pandemic. But a potential recession isn’t likely to be as intense, and the department has made several changes that could smooth the process of getting benefits.

Mon, Dec 5, 2022 5:30 am

An unusual start to the legislative session

Today is shaping up to be a pretty unusual day in Sacramento. Newly elected state lawmakers will be descending on the Capitol to be sworn into office — even though two seats are still up in the air. That’s because, by some measures, California is in the middle of two of its closest legislative races […]

Mon, Dec 5, 2022 5:00 am

A new California Legislature with a record number of women and plenty of new faces is sworn into office. Gov. Gavin Newsom immediately gives them the outline of a controversial penalty on oil industry profits.

Freight trucks are critical for the economy but represent a major source of California pollution. Many programs, from the federal to local level, are available to help pay for the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Several dozen companies are competing today for leases to build massive floating wind farms in deep ocean waters off Morro Bay and Humboldt County. The auction is the first major step toward producing offshore wind energy off the West Coast.

Proposition 57, passed by California voters in 2016, allows felons that commit supposedly non-violent, crimes to earn early parole, but a loophole benefits those who have committed violent crimes not covered by the law..

Health 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.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this week for a Republican-led case about redistricting authority. In California, it could give Democrats absolute power over the drawing of congressional maps.

Where is My Land aims to help Black families regain property, sometimes decades after a government takes it. Though hundreds seek this help, founder Kavon Ward says her group focuses on a few cases at a time.

California’s Employment Development Department struggled to keep up with the demands of the pandemic. But a potential recession isn’t likely to be as intense, and the department has made several changes that could smooth the process of getting benefits.

Stay informed.

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