California utilities seek higher fixed monthly fees
With little debate two years ago, state lawmakers passed a complex energy bill that enabled a sweeping change in how most Californians are billed for…
Alabama lawmakers advance bill that may lead to librarian prosecution
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation that could see librarians prosecuted under the state’s obscenity law for providing “harmful” materials to minors, the…
Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in big bipartisan vote
WASHINGTON — The Senate has passed a package of $95 billion in military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, and humanitarian assistance for Gaza, sending the…
House votes for possible TikTok ban but app won’t go away soon
WASHINGTON — The House has passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform’s China-based owner doesn’t sell its…
Ukraine, Israel aid advances in rare House vote
WASHINGTON — With rare bipartisan momentum, the House pushed ahead Friday on a foreign aid package of $95 billion for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian support…
What I learned from covering California’s homeless since 1980
In 1980, I reported on Sacramento’s “public inebriates.” Most of them, a few hundred in all, lived in flophouse hotels. But some slept “in the…
Paris Hilton backs California bill to reform ‘troubled teen industry’
SACRAMENTO — The celebrity hotel heiress once known for her high-profile nightclub appearances has turned her attention to a much more staid venue: the California state…
Biden signs funding package after Senate passage ended shutdown threat
WILMINGTON, Del. — President Biden on Saturday signed a $1.2-trillion package of spending bills after Congress passed the long overdue legislation just hours earlier, ending the…
Alan Sieroty dead: California ex-lawmaker helped create Coastal Commission
Former state Sen. Alan G. Sieroty, a Democrat from Beverly Hills who championed disability rights and efforts to protect California’s coast, died Saturday. He was…
Football Governance Bill: Legislation for independent football regulator to be introduced
Football fans protested outside stadiums following the announcement of the European Super League in April 2021The UK government will establish an independent football regulator when…
California schools could ban Flamin’ Hot Cheetos under bill
The days of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in California schools may be numbered. A new bill aims to ban from public schools food products that contain…
Alabama governor signs into law legislation protecting IVF providers from legal liability
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Facing pressure to get in vitro fertilization services restarted in the state, Alabama’s governor swiftly signed legislation into law Wednesday shielding doctors from…
Newsom’s office calls allegations about Panera Bread franchisee ‘absurd,’ says company is not exempt from law
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson refuted a Bloomberg News story that alleged the governor pushed to exempt bakeries from the state’s fast food wage law to…
State senators respond to fentanyl, retail theft with legislation
SACRAMENTO — A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the California senate on Monday announced a package of legislation to address the growing fentanyl crisis and untamed…
Lawmakers introduce California retail theft Reduction Act
SACRAMENTO — Two top Democrats in the California Legislature on Thursday announced a multi-pronged plan to tackle the recent rash of organized thefts that has blighted…
Biden says opposing Ukraine funding plays into ‘Putin’s hands’
WASHINGTON — President Biden on Tuesday called for House Republicans to urgently bring a $95.3-billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan to a vote, warning…
California Sen. Padilla splits with Biden on immigration deal
WASHINGTON — California Sen. Alex Padilla said the bipartisan $118-billion border and foreign aid bill supported by President Biden “misses the mark.” “It is critical that…