Special interests spend big to influence L.A. legislative races
The California Legislature is poised to welcome one of its largest freshman classes in more than a decade, and special interest groups are spending millions…
Harris, Schiff enjoy big leads in California, but Biden’s victory was bigger in 2020, poll finds
Vice President Kamala Harris has a commanding lead over former President Trump in California heading into the final days of the election, but it is…
Proposition 32 for $18 minimum wage lacks support in California, Poll shows
SACRAMENTO — Just under half of California voters support Proposition 32, the measure to increase California’s minimum wage to $18 an hour, a warning sign about…
Two recalls in Oakland show frustration about crime ‘boiling over’
OAKLAND — When Sheng Thao was sworn in as mayor of Oakland in January of 2023, a raft of feel-good stories followed, often featuring beaming portraits…
California Prop. 6 seeks to ban slavery. Isn’t it already illegal?
Gathered on a sunny morning in Los Angeles on Wednesday, a coalition of criminal justice reform advocates urged voters to pass Proposition 6 and finally…
How does the electoral college work?
After all the ballots in this year’s presidential contest are cast, the count will begin to be reported. But in the United States’ unusual election…
Crypto industry spending big to sway California congressional races
As interest groups have flooded northern Orange County with advertising about a hotly competitive congressional race, a new industry has emerged as a major spender:…
Kiley and Morse compete for California Congressional District 3
ROCKLIN, Calif. — Riling up voters to support Democratic congressional candidate Jessica Morse a few weeks ahead of election day, Robert Sherriff, a retired science teacher,…
L.A.’s Rim of the Valley needs to be protected. Here’s why
As our small plane flew over the San Fernando Valley, I was in awe of just how remarkable and diverse the region’s wild lands are.I…
Rent control battle in California heats up, opposing investors pump money | Housing
Reyna Aguilar was working as a chef in a restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission neighbourhood when the COVID pandemic struck. The restaurant shut within months,…
Arnold Schwarzenegger endorses Kamala Harris for president
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris for president Wednesday, delivering the Democratic candidate another prominent Republican endorsement in…
California’s Portuguese voters could tip balance of power in Congress
THORNTON, Calif. — The town is tiny enough that most drivers speeding along Interstate 5 in California’s Central Valley miss it. But on a recent weekend,…
Inside creepy ghost town abandoned eight decades ago – with daring visitors warned of ‘curse’
EERIE photos inside an abandoned ghost town show a once booming ghost town frozen in time.Nestled in the hills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Bodie…
Column: How an ‘American Cholo’ went from Hillary Clinton fan to Trump voter
In a North Hollywood podcast studio last week, Gill Tejada and his co-host, Boo Boo, trashed liberal shibboleths, like any good Trumpers.Puberty blockers for teens.…
Health advocates call state plan on maternal deaths burdensome
Dozens of maternal health organizations and advocates are urging the California surgeon general to suspend the rollout of a plan aimed at reducing maternal mortality,…
Hollywood lauds and challenges Newsom’s film tax credit plan
Amid mounting pressure from Hollywood to bring production and entertainment jobs back to California, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled plans Sunday to significantly raise the annual…
Gavin Newsom reflects on year of arrests made for retail theft, car burglaries a week ahead of election
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday touted the results of a yearlong crackdown on retail theft across the state, an announcement that aligns with his strong…
Gavin Newsom proposes to increase California film and TV tax credit
Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a proposal Sunday to more than double the annual amount of money allocated to California’s film and TV tax credit program…
Trump holding a homecoming rally at Madison Square Garden
Days before the November election, when presidential candidates typically barnstorm battleground states to turn out every last one of their supporters, former President Trump will…
LAX’s ’embarrassing misstep’ draws closer to being fixed
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Sunday, Oct. 27. I’m your host, Andrew J. Campa. Here’s what you need to know…