CALMatters | Palo Alto 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:

Over $4 billion in LA fire claims distributed, more to come

From CalMatters economy reporter Levi Sumagaysay: Insurance companies have paid out $4.2 billion in claims so far to survivors of the Los Angeles County fires, the state Insurance Department said Thursday. That figure includes home, business, living expenses and other disaster-related claims related to the Eaton and Palisades fires, the department said, citing data from […]

Fri, Jan 31, 2025 6:00 am

California blesses political donors’ strategy to multiply their influence

Political committees now have state regulators’ OK to create an unlimited number of affiliated committees with different leaders, and then closely coordinate fundraising and candidate donations among them.

Fri, Jan 31, 2025 5:30 am

California’s carbon crusade faces resistance due to its real world impact

In concept, the public supports battery-powered cars, windmills, and solar farms to shrink California's carbon footprint. But some also see a downside to these climate change solutions.

Fri, Jan 31, 2025 12:01 am

As LA fires burn, SoCal Edison allowed to raise rates for 2017 blaze

Customers are picking up the $1.7. billion tab after utility's s equipment was linked to a Southern California wildfire and flooding seven years ago.

Thu, Jan 30, 2025 2:27 pm

Will CA revisit nuclear power for AI?

Artificial intelligence may be at the forefront of a pioneering new chapter in tech, and California AI companies are major contributors to the state’s economy. But the technology requires a lot of energy, which has led some state lawmakers to consider a potential, albeit controversial, solution: nuclear power. As CalMatters’ Alex Shultz explains, AI technology […]

Thu, Jan 30, 2025 6:00 am

Artificial intelligence is bringing nuclear power back from the dead — maybe even in California

Energy demands from big tech, including for AI, has elected officials giving an old power source a second look.

Thu, Jan 30, 2025 5:36 am

Another casualty of a bone-dry winter: LA won’t take less water from Mono Lake

LA had planned to take substantially less from the iconic Eastern Sierra lake this winter. The decision is a blow to conservationists who have been trying to restore the lake for decades.

Thu, Jan 30, 2025 5:35 am

Otra víctima de un invierno extremadamente seco: Los Ángeles no reducirá su consumo de agua de Mono Lake

Los Ángeles había planeado extraer una cantidad sustancialmente menor de agua del emblemático lago Eastern Sierra este invierno. La decisión es un golpe para los conservacionistas que han estado tratando de restaurar el lago durante décadas.

Thu, Jan 30, 2025 5:35 am

AI is already harming our children. Are California lawmakers going to do something?

Artificial intelligence tools known as companion chatbots have been rushed to market and used by children, leading to widespread reports of harm. After the catastrophe with social media, are lawmakers going to stand by again as another generation gets hurt?

Thu, Jan 30, 2025 5:30 am

SALT in old wounds: California’s taxes on wealth may hinge on how Trump treats deductions

President Donald Trump and Congress may toss a federal cap on how much people deduct for local and state taxes. If so, California's rich could enjoy a big tax cut.

Thu, Jan 30, 2025 12:01 am