California

A homeless man and woman quickly pick up their belongings as Urban Alchemy crews begin their daily cleaning of the streets in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco on January 26, 2022.

How an Investigation Into a Homelessness Nonprofit Turned Into a LA Power Struggle How an Investigation Into a Homelessness Nonprofit Turned Into a LA Power Struggle

By promising to clamp down on corruption, City Controller Kenneth Mejia received more votes than any citywide elected official in Los Angeles history. He’s already making enemies....

Jul 24, 2024 / Paige Oamek and Rohan Montgomery

Then-Representative Helen Gahagan Douglas speaks at the Democratic National Convention in 1948.

Nixon and Trump: The Good Women They Defeated Nixon and Trump: The Good Women They Defeated

We remember Trump’s female opponent. Time to remember Nixon’s?

Jun 21, 2024 / Highlights / Michele Willens

California Governor Gavin Newsom and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

California’s New Budget Will Make Major Cuts to Public Programs California’s New Budget Will Make Major Cuts to Public Programs

Facing an estimated $56 billion deficit, the state is pinching pennies in ways that will affect voters—and, potentially, the Democratic party's reputation.

May 24, 2024 / Column / Sasha Abramsky

Esteury Ruiz playing baseball

Oakland Has 2 New Baseball Heroes—and a Billionaire Owner Ruining Everything Oakland Has 2 New Baseball Heroes—and a Billionaire Owner Ruining Everything

Outfielders Esteury Ruiz and Brent Rooker stood with their fans against a planned move to Las Vegas. They were punished, and the owner is pulling the team from Oakland early.

Apr 5, 2024 / Dave Zirin

California Representatives Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, and Barbara Lee, Democratic candidates for the US Senate, participate in the National Union of Healthcare Workers Senate Candidate Forum in downtown Los Angeles, Calif., on Sunday, October 8, 2023.

Adam Schiff’s “Brazenly Cynical” Campaign Strategy Boosts a Republican Adam Schiff’s “Brazenly Cynical” Campaign Strategy Boosts a Republican

The California Senate candidate’s latest TV ad could help a Republican elbow aside fellow Democrat Katie Porter and Barbara Lee in an open primary on March 5.

Feb 2, 2024 / John Nichols

Barbara Lee at a California Senate debate on October 8, 2023.

The Absolute Clarity of Barbara Lee’s Senate Bid The Absolute Clarity of Barbara Lee’s Senate Bid

On matters of war and peace, the representative is prepared to tell presidents that they must follow the Constitution—even Democratic presidents.

Feb 1, 2024 / John Nichols

San Francisco's Office Vacancy Rate At Record High

California’s Urban “Doom Loop” California’s Urban “Doom Loop”

The West Coast’s major cities are overrun with empty office space—all while the homeless population keeps growing.

Jan 5, 2024 / Sasha Abramsky

Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) greets staffers and members while conducting a photo-op in the US Capitol’s Rayburn Room on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

Kevin McCarthy’s Final Act of Retribution Totally Screws Over the House GOP Kevin McCarthy’s Final Act of Retribution Totally Screws Over the House GOP

With his exit from the House, the embittered former speaker leaves his caucus with a collapsed majority that may not be able to govern.

Jan 4, 2024 / John Nichols

Hotel workers march to demand better wages Wednesday, October 25, 2023, in Los Angeles.

The New Labor Militancy of LA’s Hotel Workers The New Labor Militancy of LA’s Hotel Workers

UNITE HERE Local 11 is staggering its strikes across Los Angeles, targeting one out-of-contract hotel one day and another the next.

Dec 8, 2023 / Column / Sasha Abramsky

DeSantis Newsom

Ron DeSantis Is No Match for Gavin Newsom Ron DeSantis Is No Match for Gavin Newsom

At last night’s Fox News debate, even a home field advantage couldn’t keep the aspiring presidential candidate from choking.

Dec 1, 2023 / Sasha Abramsky

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