California homeowners could qualify for grants for new roofs and fire safety

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Some homeowners in areas of California with high wildfire risk could eventually get money for new roofs or to build fire-resistant zones around their properties under a new state law that goes into effect today. The Safe Homes grant program is designed to […]

California’s budget outlook is grim. Here’s what you need to know

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom opened this year with a rosy forecast: Buoyed by $17 billion more in revenue than previously planned, the state would have a modest surplus of $363 million for fiscal year 2025-26, he told reporters in January. But life turns on…

What did California lawmakers talk about this year? These 10 bills sparked hours of debate

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Most bills in the California Legislature are barely talked about in public before lawmakers take action, often after secret negotiations with lobbyists. But a handful of controversial proposals broke through the usual rushed process, drawing hours of testimony and intense public lobbying from…

Big Tech blocks California data center rules, leaving only a study requirement

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Tools that power artificial intelligence devour energy. But attempts to shield regular Californians from footing the bill in 2025 ended with a law requiring regulators to write a report about the issue by 2027. If that sounds pretty watered down, it is. Efforts…