California

California Explains It All

California Explains It All California Explains It All

To understand US politics—for better and for worse—look to the Golden State.

Oct 8, 2024 / Ned Resnikoff

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., arrives for an interview on

Big Tech Is Very Afraid of a Very Modest AI Safety Bill Big Tech Is Very Afraid of a Very Modest AI Safety Bill

Despite claiming to support AI safety, powerful tech interests are trying to kill SB1047.

Aug 30, 2024 / Lawrence Lessig

Google DeepMind chief Demis Hassabis (L) and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai open the tech titan's annual I/O developers conference focusing on how artificial intelligence is being woven into search, email, virtual meetings and more in Mountain View, California, on May 14, 2024.

California’s AI Safety Bill Is a Mask-Off Moment for the Industry California’s AI Safety Bill Is a Mask-Off Moment for the Industry

AI’s top industrialists say they want regulation—until someone tries to regulate them.

Aug 15, 2024 / Garrison Lovely

Governor Newsom visits a homeless encampment on 19th Street in 2021.

Gavin Newsom Is Creating a Disaster for Unhoused People Gavin Newsom Is Creating a Disaster for Unhoused People

The governor’s order to sweep California’s encampments will please his constituents—and perpetuate the homelessness crisis.

Aug 1, 2024 / Piper French

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 / 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

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