CALMatters | DanvilleSanRamon.com |

CALmatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media (publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly and The Almanac in Menlo Park and their websites.)

Here are the most recent stories reported by CALmatters' team of journalists:

When San Francisco and L.A. show lower overdose death rates than the rest of the country, it’s time to take notice

Mike Males, Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice: The dismal reality is that America stumbles from crisis to crisis, allowing epidemics to soar out of control. If serious researchers can get the politicians, ideologues, and authorities who haven’t had a new idea in 50 years out of the way, perhaps the nation can learn from California’s unexpected trends.

Wed, Nov 13, 2019 8:00 am

Adam Schiff’s history with impeachment, as the Trump inquiry takes center stage

Schiff is no stranger to impeachment inquiries. Health concerns mount for firefighters. Mixed signals emerge from SCOTUS DACA hearing.

Wed, Nov 13, 2019 3:30 am

Local governments are in distress

Two reports from state Auditor Elaine Howle frame the fiscal distress being felt by many school districts and cities.

Wed, Nov 13, 2019 12:01 am

As California burns, scientists search the smoke for threats to firefighter health

“You get exposed to a lot of stuff over the years, and the body takes a beatdown."

Tue, Nov 12, 2019 9:00 am

Watch: Learning to live with fire

Wildfires, blackouts, angry residents and a furious governor. Things have to change in California, but how? Listen to our PolicyMatters discussion.

Tue, Nov 12, 2019 6:51 am

Supreme Court is taking up the DACA case today, and California is central to it

California central to Supreme Court DACA case. State debates whether acetaminophen causes cancer. Newsom announces funding boost for Fresno schools.

Tue, Nov 12, 2019 3:30 am

DACA, Proposition 187, and the legacy of the Trump immigration enforcement revolution

Kevin R. Johnson, UC Davis School of Law: The outcome of the DACA case being argued on Tuesday will determine the fate of hundreds of thousands of young people. The long term reaction to the Trump immigration approach that the elimination of DACA exemplifies may ultimately lead to larger political changes across the nation similar to those that occurred in California after voters passed Proposition 187.

Tue, Nov 12, 2019 3:29 am

California needs you: A veteran’s call to service

Josh Fryday, chief service officer of California: California is facing challenges such as homelessness, climate change, poverty, and natural disasters, to name a few. If we are going to be successful in tackling these issues, we need to harness the power of our greatest asset, the 40 million people who call California home. This is why California Volunteers is hard at work mobilizing Californians to serve in their communities.

Mon, Nov 11, 2019 8:00 am

Legislating by whim

When the Legislature acts on whim, it often violates common sense and constitutional law, so adults must step in.

Mon, Nov 11, 2019 12:01 am

We must remove obstacles that keep veterans from earning college degrees

Eloy Ortiz Oakley, California Community Colleges chancellor: Our military veterans transitioning to colleges and universities face far too many challenges. This Veterans Day, when we honor the brave women and men who have served in our armed forces, all candidates seeking to become Commander in Chief should remember their duty to look after those who have looked after us. More must be done, not just in California, but for the 18.2 million military veterans nationwide.

Sun, Nov 10, 2019 8:00 am