Federal judge upholds Bering Sea trawl fisheries managers’ decisions amid salmon crisis
Salmon drying in Quinhagak, Alaska, in July 2023. (Photo by Alice Bailey/University of Alaska Fairbanks) Federal fisheries managers did not mishandle trawl fishing rules amid Alaska’s ongoing salmon subsistence crisis,…
CA borrows $3.4B to cover Medi-Cal budget gap
State Sen. Roger Niello holds a news conference in the rotunda of the state Capitol in Sacramento on March 13, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters To cover a…
Oregon lawmakers consider more funding for free tax preparation program
The Oregon Department of Revenue building in Salem on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. (Photo by Alan Cohen/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Oregon lawmakers will consider nearly doubling funding for a program that…
California is borrowing billions to pay for Medi-Cal. Is immigrant coverage at risk?
In summary California is spending more than it expected on Medi-Cal and Republican lawmakers are pointing to coverage expansions that benefited immigrant households. The California health care program that covers…
A loophole in California law makes it hard to prosecute threats against schools. Will lawmakers close it?
In summary After a man threatened an elementary school in her district, Assemblymember Darshana Patel wants to close a loophole in the law that makes it harder to prosecute threats…
More funding for K-12 education is important, but alone insufficient
Five key steps would ensure that education spending translates into real academic gains for Oregon students, three education experts say. (Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Two years ago, we optimistically laid…
How technology can lower barriers to employment for Californians with disabilities
Guest Commentary written by Matt Cherry Matt Cherry is the director of philanthropy for Ability Central, a nonprofit that works to expand communication access for individuals who are deaf, disabled…
A burning California landfill has made neighbors miserable for 3 years. Can lawmakers help?
In summary A smoldering reaction under the Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Southern California has made its neighbors’ lives miserable for almost three years. A bill that seeks to compensate them…
For Al and Ann Simpson, biggest award was 70-year marriage
Al Simpson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on July 7, 2022. It’s the highest civilian award of the United States and has been awarded…
Towering Wyoming statesman Alan Simpson dies at 93
Alan Simpson, the towering second son of one of Wyoming’s most prominent political families known for his across-the-aisle work as a Republican U.S. Senator, spunky humor and larger-than-life personality, died…