CALMatters | PleasantonWeekly.com |

CALmatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media (publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, Mountain View Voice, Pleasanton Weekly and The Almanac in Menlo Park and their websites.)

Here are the most recent stories reported by CALmatters' team of journalists:

Newsom declares drought emergency across California

Gov. Newsom expands the California drought emergency from 50 counties to statewide, but does not order mandatory water conservation. He did authorize water regulators to ban wasteful water use, such as spraying down public sidewalks.

Tue, Oct 19, 2021 5:29 pm

Falta en el menú: Halal, opciones kosher, limitadas en los almuerzos escolares de California

En resumen Si bien el estado es el primero en ofrecer desayuno y almuerzo gratis a todos los estudiantes, las escuelas de California no están obligadas a proporcionar comidas que se adhieran a las creencias religiosas o culturales de los estudiantes. Esto tiene un impacto especialmente grande en los estudiantes musulmanes. Read this article in English. […]

Tue, Oct 19, 2021 6:34 am

California schools are running out of money

California school districts have two choices: Bite the bullet and make budget cuts now, or delay them and face even more painful decisions.

Tue, Oct 19, 2021 5:40 am

Not on the menu: Halal, kosher options limited in California school lunches

While the state is the first to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, California schools aren’t required to provide meals that adhere to students’ religious or cultural beliefs. This has an especially big impact on Muslim students.

Tue, Oct 19, 2021 5:30 am

Clean water in California is overdue

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act, it is time for the state to get on track toward ensuring swimmable, fishable and drinkable waters for all Californians.

Tue, Oct 19, 2021 5:30 am

Who will govern much-troubled Los Angeles?

California's largest city, Los Angeles, is a study in social and economic crises but politicians are lining up to become its next mayor.

Tue, Oct 19, 2021 12:01 am

Parents plan school walkout over vaccine mandate

Today, thousands of California parents are expected to keep their kids home from school as part of a statewide protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recently announced student vaccine mandate. Around 2,500 people are slated to protest in front of the state Capitol building in Sacramento for an event called “Our Children, Our Choice,” according to […]

Mon, Oct 18, 2021 5:40 am

California needs COVID response teams in every school

Educators have been forced to become health care workers. California must create pandemic response teams and deploy them at public schools to manage the medical workload that is being left to teachers, principals, librarians and social workers.

Mon, Oct 18, 2021 5:30 am

California is increasing enforcement of its housing goals: Will it work?

In the new episode of "Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast." CalMatters' Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times' Liam Dillon break down California’s increased enforcement of housing production goals. They are joined by Victoria Fierce, whose organization sues cities that aren’t producing enough housing.

Mon, Oct 18, 2021 5:30 am

California’s gas lawn equipment ban hits the little guys

A new California law to eliminate gasoline-powered lawn equipment sounds reasonable, but it messes with the lives of small landscapers.

Mon, Oct 18, 2021 12:01 am