July 2026
More money and patience could help California’s vote count. A little duct tape, too
A $40-million infusion for election workers and new technology may help speed tabulations. The bigger problem is the political pyromaniac in the White House and pundits who abet his arson.
After Trump axed federal employees running climate site, thousands crowdfund its comeback
Federal employees axed during waves of cuts by the Trump administration have fought back against the dismantling of a key climate science website.
Bill to ban sex offenders from running for office fails in California Senate committee
State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) voted against AB 2753, which would have banned sex offenders from running for office. The vote failed 2-1-2 in committee.
Trump administration sues California over ‘Glock ban’ law targeting machine gun pistols
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing California over a state law that took effect Wednesday restricting sales of pistols that can be illegally converted into machine guns with a device called a ‘Glock switch.’
More Americans are installing solar batteries at home. Here’s why
U.S. homeowners installed a record 673 megawatts of battery storage in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Hospitals in Europe are gearing up for the next heat wave armed with lessons from this one
Hospitals in the Paris region are urgently upgrading their defenses against heat waves
Power is stripped from state schools superintendents in major education overhaul
New budget deals means that California voters in November will select a new schools superintendent with an uncertain, but more limited role in education.
Newsom signs off on 100% California tax for money from Trump’s $1.8-billion ‘slush fund’
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed off on legislation that would levy a 100% California tax on payouts from Trump’s $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization” fund.