Life in California

‘Death with dignity’ law faces continued challenge

Gov. Jerry Brown’s decision to sign the End of Life Option Act on Oct. 5, 2015, triggered elation among the state groups which had fought for years to allow doctors to give people with terminal illnesses lethal doses of drugs

Legislature approves $50-per-month diaper benefit

Matt Fleming August 30, 2016

Low-income Californians could soon receive a monthly, $50 benefit for diaper purchases, according to a bill approved by the Legislature on Tuesday. The monthly benefit would be given for each child two years old or younger, with a requirement that the

Ferret ban in California not gone just yet

Matt Fleming August 25, 2016

Bad news for ferret lovers: Your pet is still illegal in California. But change may be coming. On Thursday, the California Fish and Game Commission continued reconsideration of the ban on domestic ferrets that’s been in place since 1933 until its

Legislature approves bill banning gender-specific bathrooms

Matt Fleming August 22, 2016

In what proponents labeled “the nation’s most inclusive restroom access law,” the California Legislature passed a bill on Monday requiring single-occupancy restrooms in businesses, government buildings and places of public accommodation to be open to all genders. If signed by

Bay Area making life difficult for tech firms

Steven Greenhut August 9, 2016

SACRAMENTO – In most of the country, a region’s “big” industry – think automotive companies in Michigan’s heyday, the oil business in Houston and entertainment in Los Angeles – is treated with deference by locals. Sometimes that attitude morphs into

Middle class squeezed in Bay Area

James Poulos June 27, 2016

Driven by shifting economics, demographics, and changing definitions of moderate prosperity, middle class Californians in areas once rife with new arrivals — and dominated by Democratic voters — have begun looking for the residential exits. Statewide struggle Both the Bay Area

L.A. scores Super Bowl LV

James Poulos May 28, 2016

With the Rams headed back to Los Angeles, Southern Californians are poised to host another Super Bowl — but only the City of Angels made the cut, leaving fretful San Diego out in the cold. “The game will be played at the

CA pot faces bureaucratic, corporate future

James Poulos April 14, 2016

With legal recreational marijuana potentially around the corner in November, California’s public and private sector has scrambled to keep up. In both cases, observers have suggested, the likely result will be increased centralization of what was once a scattered, underground industry.

54% of Latino men in L.A. County fear going hungry

Chris Reed April 10, 2016

While the Census Bureau’s decision to begin issuing poverty rate statistics that include cost of living has established California as the state with the highest percentage of impoverished residents, most media coverage hasn’t focused on the more specific poverty statistics

Stadium hunt: Hope in San Diego, not Oakland

Chris Reed February 17, 2016

Both the Chargers and Raiders are returning to play another season in the stadiums they and the NFL say are unacceptable. But while there may be signs of life for a new stadium in San Diego, the picture continues to