Nonprofit & Nonpartisan News
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
About Newsletters Search
  • Politics
  • Justice
  • Environment
  • Economy
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • Inequality
  • Digital Democracy
  • Technology
  • Commentary
  • Daily Newsletter
  • Explainers
  • Data & Trackers
  • Programs
    • California Divide
    • CalMatters for Learning
    • College Journalism Network
    • Mental Health Reporting Initiative
    • What’s Working
    • Youth Journalism
  • Events
  • Donate
    • Manage your donation
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
    • Impact
    • News and Awards
    • Funding
    • Policies
    • Sponsorship
    • Our Team
    • Jobs
  • Inside the Newsroom
  • CalMatters en Español
  • Videos
CalMatters is your nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to explaining how state government impacts our lives.
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
  • TikTok
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Politics
  • Immigration
  • Housing
  • Education
  • Economy
  • Environment
  • California Voices
  • Digital Democracy
  • Impact
  • Events
Fast food workers from across California rallied at the state Capitol in Sacramento, urging lawmakers to pass AB 257. Aug. 16, 2022, Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state

Families carry boxes full of fresh produce during a food bank event at El Verano elementary on Nov. 1, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters
How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state
How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.
By Rya Jetha, Jeanne Kuang and Jeremia Kimelman
About

California’s gap between rich and poor is among the largest in the country, and it is widening. We explore how income inequality is reverberating across the state.

INSIDE THE NEWSROOM

CalMatters: Holding the state accountable for 10 years, and we’re just getting started

In our first decade, CalMatters journalism has brought communities together, inspired lawmakers to create a better California and made the state more accountable to Californians.

  1. A spotlight on inequality
  1. Our reporters look at the growing divide between the haves and the have-nots in California.
By clicking subscribe, you agree to the terms.

Medical students — wearing face masks, scrubs and lab jackets — gather around a doctor who points to a computer monitor in the hallway of a hospital.
Health
Republicans cap student loan debt. Why that’s bad news for California medical students
Doctors regularly need to pay more than $300,000 for medical school, including tuition and housing. New regulations signed by President Donald Trump cap their federal borrowing at $200,000 for medical degrees.
By Mikhail Zinshteyn and Kristen Hwang • July 15, 2025
our U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, wearing jackets labeled "POLICE" and "ERO" (Enforcement and Removal Operations), escort a handcuffed individual down a narrow hallway in what appears to be an office or apartment building. One officer carries a red folder as they proceed under fluorescent lighting.
California Divide
ICE targets men on Inland Empire church grounds
Church officials complained after several men on the grounds of two Inland Empire Catholic churches were detained by immigration enforcement officers.
By Deborah Brennan • July 2, 2025
A person waves a Mexican flag while standing on the guard railing over a highway next to a highway street sign in downtown Los Angeles. In the background, protesters hold up signs and flags on both sides lined up along the railing.
Politics
California’s population shrank in Trump’s first immigration crackdown. It could happen again
California could lose votes in the electoral college and suffer economic setbacks if President Trump's immigration crackdown deters people from moving to the state.
By Mikhail Zinshteyn • June 27, 2025
Students walk across a sunny campus courtyard in front of a modern white building with large glass windows and curved architectural elements. Trees and orange banners displaying “Summer” and “Online” line the walkway, and a few students are gathered near a ladder at the building’s entrance.
Education
Lawsuit says federal government discriminates by funding Hispanic-serving colleges
The group whose lawsuit resulted in the US Supreme Court striking down affirmative action in college admissions is behind this challenge which could affect dozens of California colleges.
By Denise Amos • June 18, 2025
A law enforcement official dressed in a green uniform stands in front of a podium while speaking during a press conference. Three American flags can be seen in the background.
Investigation
He misled the public about his last big immigration sweep. Now he’s leading the Border Patrol in LA
The immigration raids across Los Angeles have all the hallmarks of Gregory Bovino's Kern County sweep, which a federal judge says likely violated the Constitution.
By Andrew Donohue, Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry • June 13, 2025
California Divide
Geologically rich but economically poor, Salton Sea communities want a say in their lithium future
The Salton Sea will soon become a major hub for California's renewable energy economy, prompting the legislature to take steps to ensure future investments benefit local communities that have long been left behind.
By Deborah Brennan • May 14, 2025
A group of people participate in a demonstration outdoors, holding signs in support of transgender rights. One sign reads "Protect Trans Kids," while another states "Trans People Have Always Been Here!" A person with red hair, wearing a denim jacket and a face mask, raises an arm while holding a sign that says "Let All Kids Play." Others in the crowd wear pink bandanas and buttons, standing among trees with autumn-colored leaves. The late afternoon sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene.
California Divide
Another California school board takes aim at transgender athletes
Redlands Unified school board can't legally ban transgender athletes, but a majority of its board voted for a resolution opposing them anyway.
By Deborah Brennan • April 30, 2025
A person wearing a dark jacket, backward cap, and face mask pulled down crouches on a sidewalk, sorting through a stack of papers spread out on a yellow envelope. A black backpack and a cane rest nearby. The background features a city street with parked cars, buildings, and a hotel sign.
Housing
They tried to pay their overdue rent. Their landlord wouldn’t accept it
It’s legal in California to evict tenants for nonpayment even when they can pay all their overdue rent. A proposal pending in the Legislature seeks to change that.
By Felicia Mello • March 10, 2025
A group of people inspects a white SUV in an outdoor lot. One person lifts the hood to examine the engine, while another leans into the driver’s side window. A traffic cone is placed on top of the vehicle. The windshield has handwritten markings, and the setting includes metal buildings and a chain-link fence in the background.
California Divide
The DMV makes millions from auctioned cars, and doesn’t tell the owners
Since 2016, the DMV has collected more than $8 million from nearly 5,300 car sales, according to a CalMatters analysis.
By Byrhonda Lyons • March 4, 2025
Fast food workers rally at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Aug. 31, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal for CalMatters
California Divide
California’s fast food council after one year: A few meetings, three staff members hired
The state’s fast food council has scarcely discussed any regulations other than another potential wage hike. Even then, it has agreed only to talk about the issue at another meeting.
By Jeanne Kuang • March 3, 2025

Posts pagination

1 2 3 … 67 Older posts
CalMatters logo
  • Bluesky
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
  • TikTok
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

About

  • Overview
  • Impact
  • Funding
  • News and Awards
  • Policies
  • Programs
  • Sponsorships
  • Our Team
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us

Topics

  • Politics
  • Justice
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Housing
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Inequality

More

  • Donate
  • Manage donation
  • Newsletters
  • CalMatters en Español
  • Inside the Newsroom
  • Digital Democracy

General Inquiries

[email protected]

Membership Inquiries

[email protected]

  1. Protect your nonprofit state news.
  1. Become a CalMatters member with a tax-deductible donation today to stay informed, bolster our journalism and expand how many people we reach across California.
Donate
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
© 2025 CalMatters Powered by Newspack Privacy Policy