California Politics & News
Stay updated with California news, including reporting, analysis, and commentary on state government, progressive overreach, and the conservative response to Golden State policies.
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news
DOJ Sues California After State Refuses to Act on Suspected Noncitizen Voters
The Department of Justice is suing California after state officials failed to comply with a 48-hour ultimatum to review a list of suspected noncitizen voters and set aside their ballots pending citizenship verification. The Justice Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, determined that more than 20,000 people are likely aliens and are… -
news
9th Circuit Delivers Major Setback to California’s Anti-ICE Law, Finds Trump ‘Certain’ to Prevail
An appeals court Wednesday rejected California’s mandate that federal immigration agents wear identification, asserting it violates the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. California’s No Vigilantes Act, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year, requires nonuniformed law enforcement officers to display their agency and name or badge number during arrests, detentions, and crowd control enforcement. The… -
news
Bass vs. Raman: A Lose-Lose for Los Angeles?
Incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman faced off Tuesday night in their only televised head-to-head debate before the November election, hoping to convince the city’s more than 3.8 million residents that they’re the right person for the job. From homelessness to personal attacks and the devastating Palisades Fire, the two… -
news
Could Affordability Decide California’s Governor Race?
In California’s gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are hoping to win over voters with their drastically different plans to address affordability in the state with the highest cost of living in the nation. California’s high cost of living is top of mind for voters heading into the 2026 elections. A September poll… -
news
LA Councilwoman Prioritizes Tent Access After Feds Bust Skid Row Drug Dealers
Summary Democrat Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado is calling for “immediate answers” after a federal sweep of alleged drug dealers in Skid Row, claiming “residents” are being “prevented from returning to their tents and accessing belongings.” The Department of Justice announced Thursday afternoon that a joint law enforcement task force swept through the city’s… -
news
California Lawmakers Push for Mexican Cartel-Owned Avocado Ban
All the Republicans in California’s congressional delegation are advocating for tighter restrictions on the Mexican avocado trade in an effort to thwart Mexican drug cartels. “Cartels should not be able to use their influence over Mexico’s avocado supply chain to game the American market. Period,” Rep. James Gallagher, R-Calif., told the Daily Signal. “Sudden import… -
opinion
New California Law Requires Churches to Implement Pro-LGBT ‘Anti-Hate Speech’ Training
THE WASHINGTON STAND—A newly enacted law in California that requires virtually all employers to give employees “anti-hate speech” training is raising red flags, as experts say that the mandate could force churches to provide training that conflicts with sincerely held biblical beliefs regarding sexuality, gender, and marriage. Late last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a… -
opinion
California Public Housing Measure Could Be Used to Confiscate Church Property, Experts Say
THE WASHINGTON STAND—A state law in California ostensibly meant to make it easier for religious institutions and nonprofit colleges to rezone their property for building low-income housing for the homeless is now being used to potentially confiscate church property, according to legal experts in the Golden State. The controversy began in October 2023, when California… -
opinion
Victor Davis Hanson: Becerra and Talarico Vanish From the Campaign Trail
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words” from Daily Signal senior contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to Victor Davis Hanson’s own YouTube channel to watch past episodes. Sami Winc: Well, let’s turn to the California governor’s race, and Steve Hilton is closing the gap, which was a huge… -
news
Is Becerra Dodging Steve Hilton? Republican Calls Out Rival as Governor’s Race Heats Up
As Republican Steve Hilton touts a narrowing gap in California’s governor’s race, he’s challenging Democrat opponent Xavier Becerra to another debate, accusing him of “backing out” of a Los Angeles Times candidate forum this week. Hilton suggested Becerra’s absence could be tied to a post-debate online poll favoring the Republican candidate. In a video posted… -
opinion
California’s Lawsuit Industry Is Driving Businesses Away
When it was reported that Paramount is considering leaving California, many politicians looked for ways to keep one of the largest moviemakers in Hollywood. But few looked for reasons why employers are packing their bags in the first place. Chevron, Tesla, Oracle, and more Fortune 500 companies have already left for other states. And all… -
news
Another Alleged Chinese Agent Arrested in California. Why Is the Golden State a Target?
An Irvine, California, woman accused of surveilling the family of Taiwan’s president at the direction of Chinese officials was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday as she attempted to leave the United States for China. The arrest of Wanying “Heather” Zhang, 34, marks the latest in a series of Chinese foreign-agent cases with… -
news
New California Law Shields Taxpayer-Funded Entities
An immigration activist group that receives substantial taxpayer funding helped push a California law creating new privacy protections for immigrant-service organizations, drawing criticism from watchdogs who say the measure will reduce transparency and public accountability. AB 2624, which California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in August, extends a privacy program to immigrant-serving nonprofits, their staff, and… -
news
Newsom Slaps 25% Tax on Companies Operating ICE Detention Facilities
California will impose a 25% tax on private companies operating immigration detention facilities under a first-in-the-nation law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this week. “These past two years [President] Donald Trump has brought fear, anxiety, disruption, and stress to our immigrant community. So today, I signed a number of bills to strengthen transparency, to strengthen… -
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Newsom Signs Bill That Recognizes 2 Muslim State Holidays
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two Muslim holidays into law this week, making California the second state to officially recognize them. On Sunday, Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 into law, which will make Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha state holidays. That means public schools will be closed on those days and state employees will have the… -
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Newsom Signs Law Bringing Abortion Pills to California Community College Campuses
Abortion pills are coming to California community colleges. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2540 into law this week, requiring community colleges with student health centers to provide access to medication abortion beginning in 2029. In a statement, Newsom described the expansion of abortion access as “freedom.” “Freedom means being able to make deeply personal decisions… -
news
Hilton vs. Becerra: Top 3 Moments From the California Governor Debate
Affordability, immigration, and, of course, plenty of Trump. Here are the biggest moments from Wednesday night’s California gubernatorial debate. No. 1: ‘Trump, Trump, Trump’ When asked about how he’d address affordability in the most expensive state in the country, Republican Steve Hilton brought up his plan to eliminate state income taxes on the first $150,000… -
news
Federal Judge Blocks University of California From Punishing Students for ‘Misgendering’
The University of California tells students that using pronouns or names corresponding to a person’s sex assigned at birth rather than their gender identity can constitute sexual harassment. Now, an education watchdog has won an early victory in court to stop it from enforcing its misgendering policy. The ruling comes amid a First Amendment challenge to… -
news
Trump, Dr. Oz Move to Lower Health Care Costs Ahead of Midterms
President Donald Trump and his administration are working to lower Medicare costs by ending a double-billing process targeting seniors. The rule, set to take effect in January, is expected to significantly reduce Medicare costs by changing the way physicians charge patients for same-day exams and services. Currently, doctors can charge Medicare recipients twice for exams… -
opinion
California Dictates What Cars You Can Buy. Here’s What Congress Can Do About It.
No state should get to decide what type of car or lawn mower Americans across the country can buy. Yet that is the result of an arrangement under the Clean Air Act that allows California to seek federal waivers to impose more stringent vehicle emissions standards than those adopted by the federal government. Congress now…