CALMatters | Almanac 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:

Inside California’s declining unemployment rate

Tue, Sep 22, 2020 5:45 am

Newsom should sign police reform bill granting civilian oversight of sheriff’s departments

One police reform bill on the governor’s desk can make a significant impact on the civilian oversight of sheriff departments.

Tue, Sep 22, 2020 5:30 am

High school ethnic studies bill would benefit all students and foster stronger race relations

Ethnic studies recognizes the racial injustices that have occurred so that people can be empowered to work toward the American ideal of fair opportunity.

Tue, Sep 22, 2020 5:25 am

California’s job numbers aren’t good

California's new job numbers look positive, until one delves into the details.

Tue, Sep 22, 2020 12:01 am

10,000 unemployment claims backlogged per day — claims paused for 2 weeks

Mon, Sep 21, 2020 5:45 am

The hurdles facing California kids, explained

California is home to more than 9 million children, many of them hungry, poor and struggling to access health care and quality education. Child advocates were hoping for change with Gov. Gavin Newsom and his attention to early childhood development and education, plans for universal preschool and desire to give extra funding for children’s programs. […]

Mon, Sep 21, 2020 5:30 am

Abolish the Electoral College or award electors on a proportional basis

Here’s why California, with our 55 electoral votes, is largely useless when it comes to picking the president of the United States.

Mon, Sep 21, 2020 5:30 am

Three lessons for California’s water funding challenges in today’s recession

COVID-19 and climate extremes brought major challenges to water managers in California, and nimble fiscal solutions are needed.

Mon, Sep 21, 2020 5:25 am

Forty-two years later, another property tax battle

Forty-two years after California voters overwhemingly passed Proposition 13, the state's iconic property tax limit, Proposition 15 proposes to alter it.

Mon, Sep 21, 2020 12:01 am

Healing California’s rivers will take more than just water

Science has taught us that a more holistic approach leads to better results for the health of California's rivers and their fish populations

Sun, Sep 20, 2020 5:20 am