The California legislator who rocked the gig economy with her law defining employee status ... now has a new bill designed to protect restaurants from food delivery apps.

Story by Randol White.

(Photo: ahrbear – Wikimedia Commons)

The U.S. Justice Department sues California over push to ban private prisons.      

The law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last year blocks the state from renewing or entering into new contracts with private prisons. By 2028, the facilities will be banned altogether.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: This Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, photo shows the Adelanto U.S. Immigration and Enforcement Processing Center operated by GEO Group, Inc. (GEO) a Florida-based company specializing in privatized corrections in Adelanto, Calif. - Chris Carlson / AP Photo)

California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to commit $1.4 billion in this year’s budget to fighting homelessness. But a report from the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says there needs to be a better strategy behind those dollars.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: By some estimates, California is short more than a million rental units that are affordable to extremely low-income residents - Adriene Hill / California Dream)

The state of California is establishing new organic waste disposal rules in response to changes in the law.

Story by Bob Moffitt.

(Photo: OpenIDUser2 [GFDL]) 

Scientists in California have discovered that if you teach a person about the science behind climate change they'll be more willing to alter their everyday decision making.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: This Sept. 22, 2006 file photo shows the Conoco Oil Refinery in Rodeo, Calif. - Rich Pedroncelli / AP / File)

PG&E wants to raise rates on customers to reimburse money it spent on wildfire mitigation efforts and insurance payments. The utility is proposing an increase of one-point-four billion dollars over the next couple of years.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: Crews from PG&E work to install new utility poles and restore power to those affected by the Valley Fire on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 - Cal Fire PIO Berlant / Twitter)

California voters will decide in March whether to approve a $15 billion dollar bond measure to repair schools and colleges.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: In this Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, photo, a student at Lake Elementary School in San Pablo, Calif., walks through a hallway where bunches of electrical wires hang from the ceiling - Jocelyn Gecker / AP Photo)

California health workers will be able to test potential coronavirus cases more quickly now that the federal government has given some state labs permission to analyze samples.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: A California Department of Public Health in Richmond that will soon be able to test for coronavirus - Courtesy, California Department of Public Health)

The California Legislature received 181 discrimination and harassment complaints in the last year. That was ‘many more’ than expected—but leaders at the Capitol are optimistic.

Story by Scott Rodd.

(Photo: The California State Senate - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio File)

California Governor Gavin Newsom is taking steps toward making single-payer healthcare a reality in the state.

Story by Sammy Caiola.

(Photo: Governor Gavin Newsom - Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio)

California voters will decide in March whether to approve a $15 billion dollar bond measure to repair schools and colleges. The so-called ‘New Proposition 13,’ has nothing to do with the historic property tax measure of the same number.

Story by Chris Nichols.

(Photo: FILE - In this June 12, 2013 file photo second-grade teacher Vickie Boudouris goes over a an English work sheet with her students at the Cordova Villa Elementary School, in Rancho Cordova - Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo)

Thursday was the last day for the sale of most forms of a chemical linked to serious health effects in kids like disruption of brain development.

Story by Ezra David Romero.

(Photo: California is banning a pesticide often used by growers of grapes, citrus, almonds and other crops. Sales of chlorpyrifos is outlawed in the state as of Feb. 6 - Eric Risberg / AP)