CALmatters

Essential workers say they are bearing the brunt of the pandemic again but this time, there is less government support. Economists say jobs in California’s low-wage sectors could take longer to recover.

With pandemic protections gone, essential workers face omicron surge alone

January 20, 2022 at 8:08 a.m.

Essential workers say they are bearing the brunt of the pandemic again but this time, there is less government support. Economists say jobs in California’s low-wage sectors could take longer...

United Farm Workers membership has been down for years, so low that UC Merced researchers declared farmworker union membership statistically zero for 2020. Supporters say it's too early to write the union's obituary but UFW struggles to push its political agenda and grow its ranks.

In familiar refrain, United Farm Workers grapples with how to grow

January 18, 2022 at 9:05 a.m.

United Farm Workers membership has been down for years, so low that UC Merced researchers declared farmworker union membership statistically zero for 2020. Supporters say it's too early to write...

The California homeless crisis is a focal point for politicians ahead of the 2022 elections. But is permanent supportive housing the answer?

California homeless crisis takes on new urgency

January 18, 2022 at 8:35 a.m.

The California homeless crisis is a focal point for politicians ahead of the 2022 elections. But is permanent supportive housing the answer?

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed spending $50 million on youth opioids education in his latest budget, funding that comes as colleges are grappling with how to best protect students and train them in overdose prevention. The proposal, though subject to negotiation, is a sign of increased concern amid rising opioid overdoses nationwide.

Newsom’s $50 million opioids education pledge comes as colleges warn of risks

January 18, 2022 at 8:18 a.m.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed spending $50 million on youth opioids education in his latest budget, funding that comes as colleges are grappling with how to best protect students and train...

State public health officials project that in this California COVID surge, more than 70,000 will be hospitalized at the end of January.

California on track for worst COVID surge yet

January 14, 2022 at 9:44 a.m.

State public health officials project that in this California COVID surge, more than 70,000 will be hospitalized at the end of January.

Although state and federal rules require COVID tests to be free or covered by health insurance, people often have to pay hundreds of dollars upfront.

Free tests? As COVID surges, rapid results cost up to $300

January 14, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

Although state and federal rules require COVID tests to be free or covered by health insurance, people often have to pay hundreds of dollars upfront.

Updated COVID workplace rules go into effect today. Several of the changes increase protections for vaccinated workers.

Here’s what’s changed as California’s revised COVID workplace rules go into effect

January 14, 2022 at 9:18 a.m.

Updated COVID workplace rules go into effect today. Several of the changes increase protections for vaccinated workers.

California is asking some 1.4 million unemployment recipients to prove their eligibility months after receiving aid as part of a fraud recovery campaign. Some risk having to pay back more than $30,000 — or face collection.

Business |
EDD wants its unemployment money back. Some could owe $30,000 or more

January 14, 2022 at 4:00 a.m.

California is asking some 1.4 million unemployment recipients to prove their eligibility months after receiving aid as part of a fraud recovery campaign. Some risk having to pay back more...

<figure><img width="300" height="200" src=011221_health-coronavirus-california-hospital_mb_reuters_cm_016606.html?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1%22 class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Patients are held in the hallway as St.Mary Medical Center resorts to using tents outside to handle the overflow at its 200 bed hospital during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Apple Valley on Jan. 12, 2021. Photo by Mike Blake/REUTERS" loading="lazy" /></figure>California hospitals are struggling to keep up with increasing COVID cases at the same time they're facing staffing shortages.

California hospitals buckle under patient surge, sick staff

January 13, 2022 at 9:07 a.m.

California hospitals are struggling to keep up with increasing COVID cases at the same time they're facing staffing shortages.

How long will California be able to avoid shutdowns of schools, health care facilities and businesses if the omicron wave doesn't peak soon?

California teeters on edge of more COVID shutdowns

January 12, 2022 at 9:11 a.m.

How long will California be able to avoid shutdowns of schools, health care facilities and businesses if the omicron wave doesn't peak soon?

All Stories