California Divide
This Central Valley program helps Californians get six-figure jobs
ValleyBuild is a workforce development program that helps applicants into apprenticeships for construction trades.
Disconnected youth: Some young Californians lack work, school options
A new study says California's “disconnected youth” are being left behind.
How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state
How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.
California may gut two CalWORKS programs helping thousands of families
The state is considering zeroing out funds for CalWORKS family stabilization and job subsidy programs to help balance the budget.
‘We needed Wonder Woman’: Newsom cuts to foster care, child services worry families
Some programs helping foster kids and families in crisis could lose all funding as lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom address budget shortfall.
Denise Amos
California Voices Deputy Editor
Wendy Fry
California Divide Reporter
Jeanne Kuang
Capitol Reporter
Felicia Mello
California Divide Reporter
Alejandra Reyes-Velarde
California Divide / Environmental Justice Reporter
California Divide
California empowered immigrants to speak up at work. Trump could end their protections
California wants to protect witnesses in workplace investigations from deportation, but the Biden administration program for undocumented employees is at risk with Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Elections
No raise for California’s minimum wage workers. Voters reject Prop. 32
California voters refused to raise the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour. Fast food and health care workers already get more.
Elections
It’s hard to vote in California when you’re homeless. Why it matters when their voices are silenced
Homeless Californians face many barriers to casting a ballot, even in elections that affect their lives. Some counties and nonprofits are trying to boost turnout.
Justice
Watch: New law helps California tribes keep kids out of foster care
California child welfare agencies must investigate claims of Native American ancestry before separating a family, the California Supreme Court stressed in a new ruling that affects several contested cases.
Climate Change
Watch: Dangers of extreme heat in Inland California
Inland communities with big population booms will experience the most extreme heat days under climate change projections. The combination puts more people at risk — and many cities are unprepared.
Housing
She fights for affordable housing in the Inland Empire. Now she’s fighting to keep a roof over her head
For years Laurel LaMont has fought for better options for what she calls the “missing middle,” often referred to as workforce housing. Now she is being evicted.
Elections
This California proposition is drawing the most campaign spending
Proposition 33 on local rent control and the related Proposition 34 are attracting the most campaign cash by far of the 10 ballot measures. But the amount pales to what was spent on dueling sports betting measures in 2022.
Elections
In the heart of Black Los Angeles, the future of Latino political power emerges
An Assembly election in South L.A. captures the shifting dynamics of ethnic political power in California. One candidate is biracial and pledges to build bridges between Black and Latino voters.
Elections
How inflation concerns could doom California’s proposition to increase minimum wage
Opponents of Proposition 32 to increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour are running ads focused on the cost of living. Proponents are not reaching out to voters very much. And polls show declining support.