Six governor candidates pressed their plans for water, energy and the Valley’s pocketbook at a Fresno State forum focused on affordability and farms. Positions ranged from deregulation to large water projects and a push for EV chargers.

Gov. Newsom signed an executive order on March 30 that directs agencies to draft new AI procurement certifications, watermark state‑made media and review supply‑chain risks.

Paradise’s mayor went to Washington seeking federal help as analysts warn California homeowners could face roughly a 16% premium jump by year-end. The town wants federal grants and policy fixes to protect residents.

Rob Bonta says the California DOJ secured a $1.64M settlement with Crossroads after alleged misuse of a state loan‑loss reserve program. Details remain scarce.

Sacramento's proposed budget would sweep unspent Office of Violence Prevention project dollars into the general fund, prompting advocates to warn that community programs could be hit as the city faces a major shortfall.

A Bloomberg Government investigation found only five lobbyist audits from 2019–2025. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has urged state leaders to fix the shortfall.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order barring state appointees and their close associates from betting on prediction markets amid insider-betting concerns.

A bipartisan group of California lawmakers unveiled a package to expand paid pregnancy leave and make childcare more affordable for working families.

Big‑city mayors urged lawmakers in Sacramento to protect HHAP funding, warning cuts would put 41,000 Californians at risk of returning to homelessness.

Lawmakers authorized a state audit of federally backed fusion centers amid concerns about surveillance, oversight and federal spending.

New FEC filings show the RNC started 2026 with roughly seven times the cash on hand of the DNC, a gap that boosts GOP ad buying and field capacity heading into the midterms.

Nearly 500 students rallied at the California Capitol urging lawmakers to pass AB 2430 to expand after‑school programs for teens and curb reliance on AI chatbots.

A Sacramento committee advanced AB 1566 after a heated hearing over whether aligning law with county practice will cut needless investigations or leave children at risk.