California Divide

The state Labor Commissioner sometimes struggles to get back pay to workers when it reaches wage theft settlements. It tries social media, TV and hotlines. But money owed to employees is still sitting in state accounts.

An estimated 1 in 5 schools has no air conditioning and another 10% need repair. Underfunded schools struggle to keep classrooms cool as heat waves intensify. "It's a hot mess," one teacher says.

Gov. Newsom blocks legislation to make it easier for California farmworkers to file workers’ comp claims for heat illness. It was backed by their union and opposed by business groups.

Gov. Newsom again vetoes a bill aiming to let undocumented immigrants get unemployment benefits. He earlier vetoed measures to allow them to apply for homeowner aid, and for undocumented students to work on campus. Political analysts say he’s playing it safe on a hot-button issue.

As part of a California reparations package, Gov. Newsom signs a bill to officially apologize for slavery. But he vetoed others sought by reparations supporters.

The state is working on electronic benefit cards with security chips, but is behind schedule. Families are expected to be able to use them in January.

The controversial idea of cash reparations divided even Black advocates in the legislature this year. Here’s what’s next.

The Equity in Infrastructure Project has helped companies like Global Electric as billions of federal dollars flow into California infrastructure projects.

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.

Through conferences, grants, and other mechanisms, the SEMI Foundation has been trying to fill the increasing number of semiconductor jobs in California.