California Governor

Public concern over artificial intelligence is prompting a change in how California Governor Gavin Newsom approaches the issue politically. With voters increasingly worried about AI's impact on jobs and society, Newsom is recalibrating his positions as he weighs his next political moves, observers note, in a state that is home to much of the American tech industry.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation creating a new label for foods that are not ultra-processed, part of a package of health bills the governor's office describes as advancing the state's nation-leading healthcare strategy. California is positioning itself at the forefront of US food and health regulation, following earlier measures on additives and school nutrition, as scrutiny of ultra-processed foods grows nationwide.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The move frees up state resources and allows agencies to prepare for flooding, road closures and other storm impacts. Local outlets in Bakersfield are urging residents to get ready, and the emergency declaration is drawing wide attention across the state as communities brace for severe weather.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation strengthening the state's laws on mentally disordered offenders. The measure changes how offenders with mental disorders are handled after commitment, and it is being welcomed by prosecutors including the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, which highlighted the signing. Supporters say the law closes gaps in public safety and treatment oversight for this group of offenders.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have provided state support for immigration attorneys serving rural parts of California. The measure aimed to expand legal representation for immigrants in areas where attorneys are scarce. The veto is drawing criticism from immigrant rights advocates, who argue rural communities face serious gaps in legal help, while the governor's office has not fully explained its reasoning.

California Governor signed a bill into law that limits environmental lawsuits against childcare centers. The measure aims to make it easier to open and expand childcare facilities by reducing litigation exposure under environmental review laws. Supporters say it removes a barrier to expanding childcare access, while environmental advocates have raised concerns about weakening review protections.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have provided state funding for immigration attorneys serving rural parts of California. The measure would have expanded legal representation for immigrants facing deportation in areas far from urban legal aid networks. Advocates had argued the funding was essential given heightened enforcement, while the veto signals Newsom's reluctance to commit state money to immigration legal services.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation requiring the identification and tracking of pesticides containing PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals. The bill is intended to give state regulators better data on where PFAS pesticides are used and in what quantities. Environmental and health advocates have pushed for tighter oversight of the substances, which are linked to lasting contamination of soil and water.

As California's gubernatorial race takes shape, former Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton have laid out their healthcare proposals for the state's next governor. Coverage compares where each candidate stands on affordability, coverage and reform, giving voters a side-by-side look at how they would approach healthcare if elected.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have made it easier for immigrants to receive food assistance in the state. The measure would have expanded access to nutrition benefits regardless of immigration status. Supporters of the bill criticized the veto as a setback for immigrant families facing food insecurity, while Newsom's decision reflects ongoing budget and policy concerns.

Former California Governor Gray Davis, now regarded as an elder statesman, is reviewing his decades in public life as part of a major oral history project at the University of California, Berkeley. The undertaking documents his career, including his time as governor and the 2003 recall that ended it, preserving his account for researchers and the public.