Life in California

Legislators Steer Clear of Super Bowl

Though just over 100 miles from the Capitol, state legislators showed no love for Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, at least not in person, likely an indictment of exorbitant ticket prices and an acknowledgement of ethics rules barring tickets

North/south rivalry renewed over high-speed rail, Delta tunnels

Joel Fox January 28, 2016

California’s historic north/south rivalry appears to be writing a new chapter over Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed big legacy projects: the bullet train and delta tunnels. The rivalry is sure to heat up over a report that the California High-Speed Rail

Huge CA Powerball sales sharpen lottery debate

James Poulos January 14, 2016

Californians joined in the country’s fever over an extraordinary Powerball prize, leading the nation in ticket sales — but not without raising conflicting feelings about the lottery. “In California, about 80 cents of every $2 ticket sold goes toward education,” as the

L.A. gets Rams, maybe Chargers

James Poulos January 13, 2016

After a frenetic final sequence where NFL intrigue reached a fever pitch, team owners voted to approve the relocation of the St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles, with an option extended to San Diego’s disgruntled Chargers franchise. “The Rams’ home will

Dealing with the Porter Ranch gas leak aftermath

Joel Fox January 12, 2016

In front a background of a steady stream of work vehicles ascending the Santa Susana Mountains to the Porter Ranch Aliso Canyon methane gas storage facility, several state senators laid out plans for dealing with the leak’s aftermath once the

California giving needed relief on traffic fines, fees

Steve Miller January 12, 2016

Financially strapped motorists are catching a break through the state’s traffic citation amnesty law, which began in October and gives discounts of up to 80 percent on unpaid traffic tickets due before Jan. 1, 2013. In Los Angeles Superior Court,

Potential L.A. NFL teams still in limbo

James Poulos January 2, 2016

The NFL’s ungainly effort to determine the fate of three potential Los Angeles teams will drag on into 2016. A mid-January meeting in Houston will give owners their next opportunity to opt for or against the competing relocation plans, which would

CA fish-farming: Concept praised, but project opposed

Chris Reed December 28, 2015

Eating fish is very healthy. Risks of overfishing are growing. For both these reasons, government officials around the world have frequently offered broad, general praise for aquaculture — fish farming — and its potential to provide a large new supply of healthy

CA breaks gun sales records

James Poulos December 18, 2015

Californians have drawn national attention by buying more guns in the wake of the terror attacks in San Bernardino. “Californians have already bought a record number of firearms in 2015, including major spikes in sales on Black Friday and the

Warriors face fight over move to San Francisco

Chris Reed December 12, 2015

The record-setting Golden State Warriors, the defending NBA champions, have become one of the most beloved sports teams in recent California history. San Francisco politicians have embraced the team’s planned move from Oakland to San Francisco’s Mission Bay area, especially