California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

A child stands at the front of a street march holding a large poster with a photo of an older person seated outdoors holding a large bouquet of lilies. Above the photo, handwritten text reads “Mi abuelita no es criminal.” People around the child carry additional handmade signs and posters, along with large butterfly wing props. The group appears to be participating in an immigration-related protest or demonstration.

After ICE arrests come health scares for the detained

Families of detained immigrants describe what many studies have found: ICE centers are ill-equipped to care for people with chronic illness, causing more suffering and death

By George B. Sánchez-Tello

A view of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant complex, showing two large concrete domes and several industrial buildings. The scene includes solar panels, parked vehicles, and surrounding infrastructure, with parts of the image framed by a dark interior, possibly from inside a vehicle. The sky is overcast and slightly foggy.

Wind, water and solar energy aren’t enough. California needs nuclear options

If California ditches fossil fuels for greener energy, we can still expect weekly rolling blackouts. But nuclear power is unaffected by weather.

By Leonard Rodberg

A person wearing a blue suit stands in front of two American flags while as they look straight off into the distance during a press conference.

Some Newsom detractors make up stuff, though there’s fodder for legitimate criticism

As California's governor prepares for an expected run for the presidency, a chorus of right-wing criticism is growing. Some of it isn't true.

By Dan Walters

A person jogs down a residential street lined with blooming jacaranda trees. Purple flowers cover the branches and the ground. The runner wears a dark tank top and patterned leggings, moving forward with a focused expression. Parked cars line both sides of the street under the bright, filtered sunlight.

In a ‘sober active’ community, I can outrun my addiction

Addiction recovery starts when California creates spaces to replace isolation with belonging, where people can gain the confidence to change their lives..

By Raelynn Franklin

On a city sidewalk, several people gather around two unhoused individuals sitting near a shopping cart filled with belongings. One official in a city-branded jacket bends slightly to speak with a person seated on the ground, while others stand nearby observing. A metal fence lines the sidewalk, and personal items, bags, and a cart are clustered beside the seated individuals.

Commentary

Mayor Bass got some of LA’s homeless people indoors. Will it matter to voters?

Homelessness numbers in Los Angeles are down but not enough for many voters to notice. It's also no longer the main issue of Karen Bass's reelection bid.

By Jim Newton • December 23, 2025

Mist drifts through a wide valley surrounded by dark, rugged mountain cliffs, with a tall, rounded granite peak rising in the distance under a hazy sky.

Commentary

Protecting California’s public lands from oil and gas drilling is defending public health

Federal plans for oil drilling along a million acres in California would change healthful, wild spaces into sources of pollution and illness.

By Ashley McClure, M.D. • December 23, 2025

A courtroom where CARE Court hearings take place at the San Diego County Superior Court in San Diego on Oct. 9, 2023. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters

Commentary

The gap between CARE Court’s intent and its real-world application

CARE Court can produce some positive results, but many people may not succeed for reasons unrelated to their ability to survive safely.

By Tom Scott • December 23, 2025

A busy outdoor scene on a college campus shows people walking and biking along a tree-lined path. In the foreground, a cyclist with a backpack rides a bicycle with turquoise wheels. Other individuals walk in various directions, some carrying bags or wearing masks. Large potted plants and lush greenery frame the setting, with more students visible in the background.

Commentary

California should tax million-dollar, part-time homes to help first-gen students get to college

First-generation students lack the extra help with exams and college applications that rich kids' families can buy. A new program and tax could change that.

By Alondra Martinez • December 22, 2025

Two electrical towers are seen on top of a small brown mountain with wires running through them on other side.

Reader Reactions

Small-scale bioenergy is critical for wildfire prevention, climate resilience, and emissions reduction

Ending BioMAT in 2025 would undermine investments in bioenergy and leave communities without safe biomass disposal options.

By Gary Bradford • December 22, 2025

The sun sets behind rows of high tension power lines on a warm evening in Los Angeles.

Reader Reactions

California is drowning in hazardous forest waste with nowhere to put it

Biomass energy is not about cutting healthy forests or replacing solar and wind. California faces a dangerous accumulation of forest fuels with limited safe disposal options.

By Matt Dias • December 22, 2025

Grace Diaz, a caregiver, at the home of her client in Orange County on June 7, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Commentary

California’s solution for senior health care hides in plain sight

PACE lets seniors stay out of nursing homes and still receive a variety of health and home services. Too few people know about it.

By Janice Grandi, M.D. • December 19, 2025

A side view of a panel with nine speakers, including politicians and labor leaders, sit on stage during a “Unionize California” event, with one person standing and speaking into a microphone. A red, white, and blue light projection spells out "UNIONIZE CALIFORNIA" on the curtain behind them. The audience is seated at round tables in the foreground.

Commentary

California’s very odd election year starts with Republicans possibly leading the governor’s race

So many Democratic candidates are running — none with high poll numbers — that two Republicans could end up winning the primary.

By Dan Walters • December 19, 2025

Oil pumps around the Elk Hills Power Station along Elk Hills Road on March 29, 2024. The Elk Hills oil field is the site of the new carbon capture project that captures carbon emissions from oil and gas facilities and then injects them underground. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

CalPERS’ $60 billion investment in ‘climate solutions’ lacks environmental standards, transparency

CalPERS won't say what climate companies it invests in. The pension also holds positions in fossil fuel, airlines, plastics manufacturing and technology.

By Allie Lindstrom and Jakob Evans • December 18, 2025

Commentary

Newsom’s $18 billion budget gap has roots in pandemic aid ending

During the pandemic, federal money flooded into state and local coffers. Once that funding ended, government spending didn't adjust downward.

By Dan Walters • December 18, 2025