CalMatters

California is bringing back its mask mandate. The rule will go into effect on Dec. 14 and will run until Jan. 15.

California nursing homes have filed more than 400 lawsuits since 2016 to appeal state citations and fines alleging poor patient care. Regulators downgraded nearly a third of sanctions involving a death. Advocates say the appeals system favors nursing homes.

Guest farmworkers will see pay increases in 2022 due to a lawsuit aimed at stopping a Trump-era wage freeze.

At a CalMatters/Milken Institute event, experts discuss how the pandemic has changed the California economy, but why there’s reason for hope. Here are three key takeaways.

California will ban most new gas-powered lawn equipment starting in 2024, but landscapers and gardeners warn the transition will cost them money and jobs.

The answer is no in many parts of California: Eighteen counties, mostly rural ones, have more hospitalized COVID-19 patients today than a year ago. But urban counties are faring better.

In the push to help more students thrive in science, tech, engineering and math, California is working to change the way its schools teach math. But the suggested new framework has sparked widespread criticism.

The state’s redistricting commission isn’t supposed to consider where current elected officials live. And the preliminary maps put some House members (e.g., Katie Porter) and state legislators (Miguel Santiago) into less politically friendly districts, or in the same district as another incumbent.

The lecturer union and UC have made some progress in their multi-year impasse over a new contract, but many issues remain unsolved. This week’s planned strike is over various alleged UC unfair labor practices.

California is the most critical link in the 4,000-mile-long Pacific Flyway, and with little water, birds are going without.

Many changes are likely before final congressional are adopted in late December, but for now the seats held by Karen Bass and Maxine Waters have been left intact.

California has long-standing rules tackling methane from landfills, the oil and gas industry, dairies and other major sources. But it’s also home to a large natural gas storage facility that had a major leak starting in 2015.