CalMatters

Health

The Supply Of Covid Antivirals Is Increasing, But Many Patients Aren’t Using Them

Health officials say a key difference between this upcoming winter and the last two is the wider availability of COVID antivirals like Paxlovid. But many infected people aren’t aware of their availability or have difficulty accessing them.

Health

Screening For Adverse Childhood Experiences Is Increasing, But Are Patients Getting Treatment?

Medi-Cal doctors are screening more patients for adverse childhood experiences, but they aren’t required to report whether those patients receive therapy or other services they may need. Yet getting that help is key to preventing chronic health or mental health conditions later in life, research finds.

A collage illustration depicts the silhouette of a child on a light blue background that is textured like paper, with colorful imprints of various flowers.

Education

Cal Poly SLO Enrolls The Lowest Rate Of Black Students Among All The State’s Public Universities

Last fall, 1.6% of Cal Poly's freshman applicants were Black; by comparison, about 4% of California's public high school graduates were Black and college-ready in 2021.

A Black student stands in an open doorway facing a classroom with their back turned. They are wearing a light grey sweatshirt and an earthy green backpack, and they have long, dark braided hair. The open door is covered in posters that say things like "Black Space" and "You will not be erased." A couple of students are sitting in office chairs in the classroom. A water bottle refill along with a round table are in the room next to the classroom, on the other side of the open door.

Housing & Homelessness

About-Face: Why Newsom Relented, Released $1 Billion Despite Lackluster Local Homeless Plans

The governor threw communities into disarray two weeks ago by withholding $1 billion in homelessness funding for plans he saw as unambitious.

Gov. Gavin Newsom stands in a lobby surrounded by reporters with microphones. He is wearing a work suit with a medium blue tie, and he is holding a folder while pulling the sleeve under his suit jacket. He appears to be talking, and he is standing in front of a contemporary stairwell. The lobby behind him is large and empty with a wooden wall and a few employees standing or walking in the building. There are a few small furniture pieces and three identical black signs with a white stripe behind the Governor. The reporters are all pointing their microphones toward Gov. Newsom, and they appear largely female. There is also a shot of a camera appearing to stick out of the frame.

Health

Mentally Ill Prisoners In California Are Three Times Likelier To Get Shuffled Around

State data shows the Corrections Department transferred patients with serious mental illnesses an average of five times over a six-year period, underscoring a CalMatters’ investigation this year that revealed the practice and raised questions about the harm it could cause.

The exterior of a prison is shown. A guard's watch tower, a fence with barbed wire and a lot of tall lamp posts can be seen, surrounded by a field.

Education

Are California’s Hispanic Serving Institutions Living Up To Their Name?

California has more Hispanic Serving Institutions among its colleges than any other state. But how well are they serving Latino students?

A female brown-haired college student walks by a mural on campus. She is wearing dark jeans, a black sweatshirt, and a black backpack. The mural depicts famous activists and perceived movement.

News

To Fight Wage Theft California Gets Strong Assist From Worker Centers

As California investigates businesses for wage theft, worker centers act as behind-the-scenes allies, helping convince employees to cooperate.

A woman who appears to be Asian or Pacific Islander in her 20s or 30s stands on a busy street in San Francisco. She wears a black jacket, purple turtleneck and round black glasses. Several people are blurred in the background behind her.

Civics & Democracy

Will This Be The Most Diverse California Legislature Ever?

While votes are still being counted, it appears the next Legislature will include the most women and LGBTQ members ever.

A close-up of dark wooden desks, each with a microphone. On one at the center, a small rainbow flag and a small American flag are displayed together.

Criminal Justice

Fatal Shootings: California’s Bid To Police Its Police Is Lagging

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, California stepped up with a plan: Put the state in charge of investigating police shootings of unarmed people. CalMatters is tracking these cases and, so far, the Justice Department is struggling to keep up.