Mary Shojai’s murderer freed by California’s compassionate release law
At a hearing in the summer, San Diego County Superior Court Judge John Thompson wrestled with the decision before him. “There are very few things…
Why California’s Latino voters are shifting toward Trump
Thirty years ago this fall, California’s Latino voters coalesced into a multigenerational ethnic voting bloc for the first time in response to a draconian, citizen-led…
Why did California’s minimum-wage boost fail?
Californians, who have historically supported efforts to raise the minimum wage, were not swayed this time around.After two weeks of postelection uncertainty, Proposition 32, the…
‘Five little queens’ will be nine, as Measure G backers claim victory
The so-called “five little queens” will have to make some room.The backers of a ballot measure to expand the L.A. County Board of Supervisors claimed…
Tide shifts against criminal justice reform among California voters
In deep-blue L.A. County, the “godfather of progressive prosecutors” lost his reelection bid by more than 20 percentage points to a former Republican.In the Bay…
L.A. County wants to crack down on corruption. Is it worth $21 million?
As local government careens from one corruption scandal to the next, the city and county of Los Angeles each charged forward this election season with…
Kamala Harris still won’t say her position on California’s Prop. 36
DETROIT — Vice President Kamala Harris, who is registered to vote in California, said Wednesday that she still needs to take a look at Proposition 36,…
Proposition 33: Who is donating money for, against local rent control
Propositon 33 would let cities and counties enact rent control by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. Similar statewide rent control initiatives failed in 2020…
Kamala Harris won’t say how she’ll vote on California’s Prop. 36
Vice President Kamala Harris, a California voter and former attorney general, is declining to say how she will vote on one of the most consequential…
Newsom cautions voters to ‘take a good look’ at Proposition 36
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday was noncommittal when pressed about whether he plans to campaign against Proposition 36, a controversial anti-crime measure on the…
Progressive California lawmakers rally against Proposition 36
SACRAMENTO — A group of progressive state lawmakers on Monday rallied against Proposition 36, a ballot measure they are calling an “expensive” crime reform that will…
Ruling: Fetus can be called ‘unborn human being’ in Arizona voter pamphlet
PHOENIX — An informational pamphlet for Arizona voters, who will decide in the fall whether to guarantee a constitutional right to an abortion, can refer to…
Noncitizens banned from voting in federal elections but not some local races
Marcela Rosas immigrated to Southern California from the Mexican state of Michoacán more than a decade ago in search of the American dream. She imagined…
Karen Bass vetoes proposal to let police chief fire problem officers
Mayor Karen Bass has vetoed a proposed ballot measure to rework the disciplinary process at the Los Angeles Police Department — a step that could…
Abortion access wins when it’s on the ballot. In many states, it isn’t
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Tucked inside the West Virginia Statehouse is a copy of a petition to lawmakers with a simple request: Let the voters decide whether…
Newsom, Democrats use cuts, reserves and ‘budget emergency’ declaration to solve California deficit
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers struck a deal Saturday to make $16 billion in cuts, declare a statewide fiscal emergency and pull money from…
Why Latinos are California’s most misunderstood voters
Book Review The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy By Mike MadridSimon & Schuster: 272 pages, $28.99If you buy books linked on…
Column: Stop playing politics on retail theft crackdown
SACRAMENTO — It’s hardball season in California’s state Capitol, and we’re not talking baseball. At times like this, I think of two all-star political philosophers: Otto…
Tough-on-crime measure officially qualifies for November ballot
SACRAMENTO — A ballot measure to impose harsher criminal penalties for drug possession and theft, altering the controversial Proposition 47 passed in 2014, has qualified for…
Could a ballot measure gut California’s film/TV tax credit?
SACRAMENTO — Eager to negotiate a measure off the 2024 ballot that would make it harder to raise taxes, unions are alleging the initiative would end…