CALMATTERS

• Citing Iran crisis, Trump orders Santa Barbara oil pipeline restart. California will fight it
  March 13, 2026
  The Trump administration ordered the restart of a Santa Barbara oil pipeline shut since the 2015 Refugio spill, invoking emergency powers under the Defense Production Act.
• CalMatters has answers to your election questions
  March 13, 2026
  I’m CalMatters reporter Ryan Sabalow, and I’ve tapped in for Lynn today. Another contentious election season is upon us, and you may have questions. Am I registered to vote? How do I register to vote? […]
• Don’t demonize plastic food packaging. Recycled, it’s better for the environment than some alternatives
  March 13, 2026
  Plastics are the most sustainable option. Food suppliers are decades away from other material that performs as well at food safety and waste.
• California passed a law to curb spikes in gas prices. Why isn’t it using those powers now?
  March 13, 2026
  California built a first-in-the-nation system to police refinery profits during price spikes. Regulators delayed it for five years.
• Get ready for California’s 2026 primary. Your questions about voting, answered
  March 13, 2026
  Where do I vote? Am I registered to vote? Does everyone get a ballot in the mail? Answers to your election day questions ahead of June 2.
• Real journalism tells real stories, not YouTube fables to solicit money
  March 13, 2026
  Real journalism is distinct from social news tricks for clicks. Journalists hold the powerful accountable, and most won't ask you for money.
• Crucé la frontera sola de niña. Esto es lo que aprendí sobre la separación familiar.
  March 12, 2026
  Para entender de qué se tratan realmente las deportaciones masivas, debemos examinar los sistemas que durante mucho tiempo han separado a las familias de color en todo el continente americano.
• Newsom Prop. 1 homelessness projects delayed
  March 12, 2026
  I’m CalMatters reporter Ryan Sabalow, and I’m pinch hitting for Lynn today. As Gov. Gavin Newsom courts national voters for his anticipated presidential campaign, he’s sure to face criticism on two fronts. One is California’s […]
• I crossed the border alone as a child. Here’s what I learned about family separation
  March 12, 2026
  To understand what mass deportations are really about, we must examine the systems that have long separated families of color across the Americas.
• 10 projects from Newsom’s mental health bond were supposed to open in 2025. That didn’t happen
  March 12, 2026
  Projects that are supposed to offer mental health and substance use care to foster youth, new mothers, unhoused people and other vulnerable Californians have been delayed or cancelled.