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CALmatters

CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization bringing Californians stories that probe, explain and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding our leaders accountable. For more information about its mission, donors, staff and contact information, see CalMatters' About Us page.

About 64% of California’s young workers earned low wages — defined as about $18 an hour, two-thirds of the median wage — and 60% reported difficulty affording their expenses, UCLA researchers say.

Business |
Young workers trap: California’s youth toiling in low-wage work, UCLA study says

November 9, 2023 at 2:02 p.m.

About 64% of California’s young workers earned low wages — defined as about $18 an hour, two-thirds of the median wage — and 60% reported difficulty affording their expenses, UCLA...

The EDD is getting a rebuild from the likes of Salesforce and Amazon as pandemic payment disputes drag on and fraud hits other state benefit systems.

Business |
Inside California’s billion-dollar bet to overhaul unemployment

November 9, 2023 at 1:58 p.m.

The EDD is getting a rebuild from the likes of Salesforce and Amazon as pandemic payment disputes drag on and fraud hits other state benefit systems.

Scammers pulled off one of the biggest suspected frauds in U.S. history while laid-off workers scrambled to survive. An investigation finds that the EDD missed red flags and failed to make long-promised changes before the pandemic — and that once the twin crises hit, the state and its top contractors kept making money but were slow to deliver relief.

Internal documents reveal the story behind California’s unemployment crash

November 7, 2023 at 10:59 a.m.

Scammers pulled off one of the biggest suspected frauds in U.S. history while laid-off workers scrambled to survive. An investigation finds that the EDD missed red flags and failed to...

After the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions, some students are rethinking their school selections. Some colleges are also boosting their student outreach as they seek diversity.

How California college admissions are changing after the end of affirmative action

November 3, 2023 at 2:48 p.m.

After the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions, some students are rethinking their school selections. Some colleges are also boosting their student outreach as they seek diversity.

Only 40% of California high schools offer computer science classes. A new law aims to make it easier to certify computer science teachers.

A shortage of teachers for computer science classes puts California near the bottom of a national instruction ranking

October 30, 2023 at 1:26 p.m.

Only 40% of California high schools offer computer science classes. A new law aims to make it easier to certify computer science teachers.

Tiny homes are increasingly California cities’ shelter option of choice — but how far they go in solving homelessness is a contentious question.

News |
Why tiny homes will remain part of California’s homelessness equation for years

October 24, 2023 at 5:27 p.m.

Tiny homes are increasingly California cities’ shelter option of choice — but how far they go in solving homelessness is a contentious question.

Unions at Kaiser Permanente put pressure on the healthcare giant to raise pay. The results reflected labor’s power in California.

Business |
How Kaiser unions strikes led to ‘historic’ deal

October 19, 2023 at 5:04 p.m.

Unions at Kaiser Permanente put pressure on the healthcare giant to raise pay. The results reflected labor’s power in California.

The state currently grants the credits for fuel made from bovine manure, but there’s a problem: The cow "byproduct" is methane, which still produces greenhouse gases when burned as fuel.

Environment |
What’s wrong with climate credits for cow poop? California regulators would like a word

October 19, 2023 at 12:27 p.m.

The state currently grants the credits for fuel made from bovine manure, but there’s a problem: The cow "byproduct" is methane, which still produces greenhouse gases when burned as fuel.

California cities can ban synthetic turf under a law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed. He rejected a bill to ban PFAS in fake lawns.

Business |
California moves to restrict synthetic turf over health concerns

October 19, 2023 at 5:36 p.m.

California cities can ban synthetic turf under a law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed. He rejected a bill to ban PFAS in fake lawns.

While many of the 900-plus migrants who arrived in L.A. quickly integrated into the community, the few dozen who went to Sacramento found an under-resourced support system.

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California News |
LA and Sacramento: Which one handled Texas border migrants better?

October 15, 2023 at 4:44 p.m.

While many of the 900-plus migrants who arrived in L.A. quickly integrated into the community, the few dozen who went to Sacramento found an under-resourced support system.

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