Becerra's first Sacramento Capitol visit since June's primary ended after 12 minutes, with debate and voter ID questions unanswered.

Heath Flora is out as California Assembly Republicans’ leader, with Alexandra Macedo taking over amid affair allegations and campaign-spending questions.

A lease dispute could force Sierra County’s Loyalton probation office out by October 31. The fight now includes school safety, sheriff costs, and tax revenue.

California lawmakers are weighing 30-day retention limits, tighter access rules and audits for automated license plate reader data already used across the Bay Area.

UC Davis' transportation research center is still operating, but a $12 million federal grant cut has reshaped projects, staffing and student funding.

A new House bill would extend water-storage authority, fund salmon recovery and create a federal committee for the Sacramento River Basin.

A database reviewed by The Sacramento Bee shows eight children were deported after passing through Sacramento ICE custody. One 3-year-old was transferred to Texas and held for nearly 63 days.

Aging alarm networks have pushed correctional staff into sustained "fire watch" duty, costing the system millions while CDCR lines up billion‑dollar replacement needs. Lawmakers must weigh stopgap overtime against major capital upgrades.

Sen. Alex Padilla introduced the SHIELD Our Elections Act to give states and voters new legal tools to block ballot seizures and election intimidation.

AB 2331 sets a 'good cause' standard for disinterment petitions after Gov. Newsom signed the bill on July 13, 2026, changing how courts handle requests to bring remains home. The law was prompted by years‑long fights from families like a Fresno woman who tried to reclaim her brother.

Environmental groups are urging Rhys Williams to step down from the Board of Environmental Safety over his work with a lobbying firm that represents hazardous‑waste companies.

State budget adds a record $2.4 billion for special education; Sacramento districts may use it to hire specialists and cover high‑cost placements.

Sacramento County says cigarette filters are plastic pollution and sued major tobacco makers to recover cleanup and restoration costs. The filing reframes butts as toxic waste, not a smoking case.