Editorial Team
Posts by Editorial Team
Coalition campaign seeks $30 minimum wage in Alameda County
A coalition of community organizations at a news conference in Oakland last week launched a campaign to raise the minimum hourly wage to $30 for companies in the city and Alameda County. The post Coalition campaign seeks $30 minimum wage in Alameda County appeared first on Pleasanton Weekly.
Details emerge as county DA charges police officer with accepting bribe, sex to protect brothel
A police officer took money and free sex from a brothel in exchange for keeping the illegal operation safe from law enforcement and competitors, according to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. The post Details emerge as county DA charges police officer with accepting bribe, sex to protec
Antioch: Felony Battery Victim Dies from Injuries
On March 13, 2026, at 5:42 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the 700 block of W. 1st Street for a report of a physical fight in progress. While en… The post Antioch: Felony Battery Victim Dies from Injuries appeared first on Contra Costa News.
Dublin Accepting Applications to Sell Fireworks
DUBLIN — Nonprofits planning to sell “safe and sane” fireworks in Dublin this summer can apply online at tinyurl.com/4wzyrdr9.
Voters to Decide Fate of 80 Local Tax and Bond Measures in June
The post Voters to Decide Fate of 80 Local Tax and Bond Measures in June appeared first on CalTax.
It Costs $640,000 to Build One Affordable Home in the Bay Area
The Bay Area Council Economic Institute found that average affordable housing construction costs reach $640,000 per unit in the Bay Area — nearly double the statewide average. San Francisco tops $737,000. New transit housing laws aim to help, but permitting and costs remain barriers.
State finds ‘systemic’ failures in how a California school district handles sex abuse allegations
Attorney General Rob Bonta issues sweeping reforms for the El Monte Union High School District after an investigation found “systemic” failures in its handling of staff sexual misconduct allegations.
Nevada utility to Lake Tahoe: Find electricity elsewhere
Lake Tahoe’s longtime power supplier, NV Energy, will cut off the region next year. It has said data centers are driving “unprecedented” demand.
Scrubbing César Chávez from California
I’m CalMatters reporter Ryan Sabalow, and I’m pinch hitting for Lynn today. No more César Chávez Day, California. Democratic leaders said Thursday they’re going to fast-track legislation to rename the March 31 holiday “Farmworkers Day.” The move came a day after the New York Times published a bombs
Pebble Beach golf, Maui resorts, European tours: How special interests woo California lawmakers
Why learn about policy in Sacramento when you can do it in Maui? Special interests spent at least $1.2 million sending lawmakers to luxury destinations last year and handing out perks.
If California forces state workers to commute, it passes up $225 million in savings. Can we afford that?
State workers must go to offices four days a week starting July 1. But if lawmakers let them telework, they’d save on gas and reduce carbon emissions.
It’s supposed to be a race for governor, but candidates and voters seem disengaged
Two Republican candidates are leading the pack of 10 main candidates for governor, while lukewarm Democratic support is split eight ways.
Record heat, melting snow: What does it mean for California’s reservoirs?
A record-baking heat wave is scalding California, with major consequences for the state’s most important reservoir: its snowpack. Providing about a third of the state’s water supply, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is a vital source of spring and summer runoff that refills reservoirs when the state need
Concannon Begins Planting for the Future
Shown here in an aerial view, the bottling plant at the northwest corner of the Concannon Vineyard estate was the property’s last major addition in 2012. Its closure at the end of 2024 ended years of heavy industrial truck traffic,…
Science@Play Productions Set to Explore AI-Enhanced Brain Implants, Neural Interfaces
LIVERMORE — “The Moon is Always Full,” the second of two Science@Play productions this spring from the Shakespeare & Performing Arts Regional Company (SPARC), will be presented in a dramatic reading at the SPARC Theater Studio, 2172 Railroad Ave., on…
New General Plan Exhibits UGB and BART Uncertainty
LIVERMORE — The city’s next general plan, the overarching policy document intended to guide city decisions through 2045, has reached its final stages prior to its expected adoption this summer.
Whether We Want It or Not, AI Is Here, and Our Leaders Need to Understand It
Our state legislators have lately been receiving briefings on artificial intelligence software from a group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The belief is that the scientists at the lab would be more objective and neutral than... well, anyone else.
Most Californians Expect Little Change to Their Finances Despite Economic Uncertainty
An overwhelming majority of Californians see bad financial times ahead and don’t think their income is keeping up with inflation. Still, most expect their own finances to hold steady—for now.
1,100 Miles of Levees, $300M/Year Ask: The Delta's Flood Protection Funding Crisis
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has over 1,100 miles of levees — many built in the 1800s — protecting communities, farms, and critical water infrastructure. SB 872 proposes $300 million annually for repairs. The Sacramento Weir expansion is set for completion by December 2026.
California’s Health Care Safety Net
Medi-Cal is a cornerstone of California’s health care safety net, insuring over 14 million low-income Californians, and is a key funding source for core safety net providers.
Public Health Insurance in California
Public health insurance covers about half of Californians, including low- to moderate-income, older, and disabled individuals, as well as military members and veterans.
New Salton Sea Research Suggests a Surprising Path Forward
Managing the Salton Sea remains a thorny issue for California. We spoke with Pacific Institute’s Michael Cohen and UC Riverside’s William Porter about recent research that might point toward cost-effective ways to protect public health in the region.
CalPERS Hits 79% Funded After 11.6% Return — But $265 Billion in Pension Debt Persists Statewide
CalPERS reported an 11.6% investment return and 79% funded status. CalSTRS is at 75%. But total statewide public pension debt exceeds $265 billion — and Stanford researchers estimate the market-basis unfunded liability exceeds $1 trillion.
Sharing is Caring, Especially With the Electric Grid
A new working paper highlights the challenges of working together. This Friday is one of the most exciting days of the year. I am talking, of course, about the leadEnergy Institute’s annual POWER conference. Every year, POWER highlights the very best in energy economics research. This year there is
Chronic Absenteeism in California
Missing school for 18 days or more is linked to academic underachievement, and any student absences affect districts, as school funding is based on attendance. Statewide, chronic absenteeism has dropped from its peak but remains well above rates before the pandemic; furthermore, improvement has slow
How Are California’s Young Adults Faring Economically?
Unemployment is currently higher among California’s young adults than others. But rates of disconnection from both work and school are improving—with variation across the state.
Commentary: Why Civic Education Matters Now More than Ever
The second week of March is known as Civic Learning Week, an effort to promote the importance of understanding our governing system. In a time of deep political polarization, the need is urgent.
College Completion in California
Many California freshmen finish a bachelor’s degree within four years, but rates vary across institutions and student groups. Meeting the state’s goal of improving bachelor’s degree attainment will require expanding direct access to four-year institutions, streamlining transfer pathways, and boostin
This Public Power Movement is Raising a Billion Dollar Question
Who should pay to manage wildfire risk in California? As the climate gets warmer and weirder, it’s getting harder to safely move hundreds of gigawatts of electricity across millions of … Continue Reading This Public Power Movement is Raising a Billion Dollar Question
California's Infrastructure Earns a C-Minus — Roads and Drinking Water Are Failing
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave California a C- overall in its 2025 infrastructure report card. Roads scored a D. Drinking water dropped to D+. The state needs $11.5 billion in water system upgrades over five years — only $3.5 billion is planned.
Californians Paid $27 Billion for Wildfire Prevention — Now a New Rate Structure Reshapes Bills
CPUC authorized $27 billion in wildfire prevention cost recovery from ratepayers between 2019-2023. PG&E rates are up 101% in a decade. Now a new base services charge and restructured per-kWh rates are reshaping how Californians pay for electricity.
CalTax Members and Officials Celebrate Association’s 100th Anniversary
The post CalTax Members and Officials Celebrate Association’s 100th Anniversary appeared first on CalTax.
It’s Anyone’s Race in the Governor’s Primary
No top candidates for governor have emerged in June’s primary race, as California’s likely voters are dividing their support across two Republicans and three Democrats. The top issue is clearer: Affordability.
Fourth Straight Year of Budget Problems: California Faces $18B Deficit Despite Record Tax Revenue
The Legislative Analyst's Office projects an $18 billion budget deficit for 2026-27 — roughly $5 billion larger than the administration estimated. Income tax collections are growing at double-digit rates, but the LAO warns the revenue is tied to unsustainable stock market gains.
How California Is Investing in School-Based Mental Health Services for Teens
Despite recent state investments in teen mental health, significant gaps still exist between the need for care and receipt of services. PPIC researchers discuss efforts to improve services, target funding, and meet teens where they are.
Who Turned Out to Vote on California’s Proposition 50?
Last fall, California voters approved Proposition 50, a congressional districting gerrymander designed to help Democrats gain more seats in the US House. Turnout differences across party registration are especially notable.
