Commentary

Two people in suits sit on a studio set, one speaking with hands raised mid-gesture while the other turns toward them, listening.

Spencer Pratt wants to be LA’s next mayor. His tell-all book won’t help him

In his memoir, Pratt describes himself as selfish, undisciplined and unprincipled. He deflects blame, squanders fortunes and complains a lot.

By Jim Newton

A side view of a row of voters sitting in front of voting machines separated by blue dividers. The photo focus on a voter who rest their right hand on their chin as they contemplate their voting selections.

How the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling could affect California’s gerrymandered districts

The High Court's decision guts the Voting Rights Act’s impetus to draw districts so non-white ethnic groups get congressional representation.

By Dan Walters

A visitor center sits at the base of steep granite cliffs, surrounded by tall trees. People walk up and down the steps, gather near the entrance, and rest on benches outside. A sign reading “Welcome Center” is mounted on the building, while an American flag stands nearby. The dramatic rock face rises behind the scene under a clear blue sky.

We can’t ‘restore’ American history by flagging Native American books

Pres. Donald Trump is pressuring Redwood National and State Parks to tag tribally-centered books and material critical of American history.

By Kerri Malloy

A person wearing a white polo shirt and a headset microphone holds up a folded U.S. dollar bill while speaking on a stage, with a large pink-lit screen blurred in the background.

Billionaires aren’t going to flee California. Others will without a budget fix

The idea that billionaires will flee California over a proposed wealth tax is bunk. Still, the ballot initiative is only a Band-Aid, and impedes a more serious conversation about the state's deeper fiscal problems.

By Yousef Baig

Elementary-age student walk through an outdoor pathway at a school location.

Commentary

California’s public schools need better oversight and guidance from the state

A massive new study concludes the state's school performance "dashboard" and the many local improvement plans aren't enough to help schools markedly improve.

By Dan Walters • May 13, 2026

Two suited speakers sit onstage in white chairs at a public forum, both raising one hand as if responding to a question. The person on the left holds a microphone in their other hand. A large blue backdrop behind them features oversized white letters spelling part of “CANDIDATE FORUM,” while audience silhouettes are visible in the foreground.

Commentary

Few Angelenos thought Xavier Becerra could one day outshine Antonio Villaraigosa

Antonio Villaraigosa was always the man of destiny in Los Angeles politics. Now, in his second run for California governor, he trails a man he once defeated in a mayoral primary: Xavier Becerra.

By Robert Greene • May 13, 2026

A lawmaker speaks at a podium during a press conference with a monitor beside him displaying the words “TRUMP SLUMP” and various financial numbers broken down by certain categories. Behind him are the U.S. and California state flags, and the podium bears the seal of the Governor of the State of California.

Commentary

Democratic legislators weigh new taxes and blame Trump for California’s deficit

California lawmakers are spinning tall tales about the deficit — that it's Trump's fault — and that higher than expected revenues will cover it.

By Dan Walters • May 12, 2026

A close-up view of a computer screen displaying a maintenance screen while sitting on a table in a restaurant.

Commentary

Canvas hack exposes cybersecurity flaws across California’s universities

California's universities were paralyzed by a cyberattack on the Canvas web platform, exposing weaknesses in the state's cybersecurity strategies.

By Foaad Khosmood • May 12, 2026

A person stands in the middle of an aisle at a grocery store while looking at various bags of chips. The person rests their right hand on a red shopping cart with a toddler in the front seat.

Commentary

Secret ingredients in your food can make you sick. A proposed California law would reveal them

A loophole in federal law lets food companies self-certify that a new food ingredient is safe, instead of the FDA conducting safety oversight.

By Thomas Galligan • May 12, 2026

Baseball players wearing navy blue and orange uniforms stand together as they face towards another group of players in the front of them. One of the players in the foreground holds a baseball with their right hand.

Commentary

California corrections budget benefits more than inmates from prison sports expansion

California lawmakers want to expand organized sports at state prisons, but an incarcerated journalist fears it will benefit the corrections department more than inmates.

By Steve Brooks • May 11, 2026

Two suburban homes with solar panels on their roofs are viewed from across a grass lot while on a cloudy gray day.

Reader Reactions

Critics of California’s rooftop solar program get the affordability story wrong

Rooftop solar gets wrongly scapegoated for driving up utility bills. The dominant drivers are wildfire capital and guaranteed profits for the state's private utility companies.

By Angela Lipanovich and Jenny Folkesson • May 8, 2026

Young children work with various school supplies inside a classroom as two instructors stand nearby.

Commentary

California schools scored big increases in funding but not in academic performance

California schools' funding went from next-to-the-last to 13th highest while Gavin Newsom has been governor. But reading and math test scores didn't rise as high.

By Dan Walters • May 8, 2026

A damaged black sedan with crumpled front and side panels sits in the street after a collision, positioned near a red car while a police vehicle is parked nearby.

Commentary

Personal injury lawyers distort our mistakes and the price Californians pay for them

Cozy arrangements between doctors, medical imaging centers, chiropractors and personal injury lawyers lead to insurance fraud, high premiums.

By Tracy Mulholland • May 7, 2026

A glowing white rocket can be seen soaring through a cloudy afternoon sky in San Diego near three palm trees.

Commentary

Housing-averse Coastal Commission gets wings clipped in two key lawsuit losses

For more than 50 years the Coastal Commission has superseded most local and state rules affecting housing and land on the coast — until now.

By Dan Walters • May 7, 2026

California Voices

Viewpoints from across California