Today’s Top Story

Firefighters prepare beside a firetruck amid a red, hazy glow.
California's Reliance on Incarcerated Firefighters Sparks Debate Over Low Pay and Dangerous Work
Hundreds of incarcerated firefighters are risking their lives battling Los Angeles wildfires, raising questions about California’s low wages, tough conditions and post-release hardships.

Latest News

1
Know Your Rights in 2025 as a Trans Student in California Schools
A student at graduation is wearing a cap with an LGBTQ+ pride flag on it.
2
‘A Tragedy Waiting to Happen’: Oakland Shutters 2 Fire Stations
3
Right-Wing Figures Link Diversity Efforts to Blame Game Over Los Angeles Wildfires
Two men dressed in firefighter uniforms with red helmets hold a fire hose
4
Newsom Invites Trump to Visit LA Fire Zones Amid Worries He'll Block Disaster Aid
A middle aged man in a hat and casual clothes walks next to a fire chief with smoke billowing behind them on a city street.
5
Maps: Tracking the Los Angeles Wildfires and Evacuation Zones
Firefighters look on as a big red smoky blaze comes over a hill.
LA Fires Renew Debate Over Prescribed Burns and Fire Preparedness in California
A firefighter uses an instrument to douse flames in a forest.
Widespread Scope of Southern California Fires Is Shown in Satellite Images
LA Fires Threaten California Insurance Market Stability, Housing Costs
Oakland’s ‘Negus In Nature’ Goes From the Forest to the Big Screen
A group of people holding a 'Negus In Nature' banner while standing in snow.
12 Eye-Opening Reads to Kick-Start Your 2025 Reading Goals
Two rows of six books, laid out side by side.
TikTok’s Fate Arrives at the Supreme Court Tomorrow
The download page for ByteDance Ltd.'s TikTok app is visible on a cell phone being held in the palm of a hand.

Housing Affordability

LA Fires Threaten California Insurance Market Stability, Housing Costs

The fires are on track to become one of the most costly disasters in California history. How will they affect the price of owning a home in years to come?

In Fresno, One of California's Toughest New Camping Bans Comes Into Focus

California has more camping bans than any other state. Advocates for homeless people say Fresno's law is among the toughest, banning camping, sitting or lying on public property anytime, anywhere.

Facing Crisis, California Insurance Regulators Cap Largest Rules Change in 30 Years

Residents should see insurance options expand this year, but homeowners may also see some higher rates as insurers are allowed to charge for reinsurance and forward-looking risk models.

An 'Uncertain' Housing Market Could Mean More Renters and Fewer Buyers in 2025

Housing experts say 2025 will be a renter’s market in some parts of the Bay Area as apartment prices have stabilized or even dropped. It’s a different story for prospective home buyers and sellers.

Immigration

An Immigration Raid in Kern County Foreshadows What Awaits Farmworkers and the Economy

'If this is the new normal, this is absolute economic devastation,' says one local economist after the Border Patrol conducted large-scale unannounced raids throughout Bakersfield on Tuesday.

Bay Area Immigrants With Temporary Protected Status Brace for Trump 2.0

The Bay Area is home to thousands of people with Temporary Protected Status, or TPS.

Guide: What Are the Rights of Undocumented Students in California Schools?

In the wake of this year’s presidential election, there is again widespread uncertainty among undocumented families in California about what’s to come, given President-elect Donald Trump’s promises of mass deportation. Here are some of the rights guaranteed to students, regardless of immigration status.

Can California Keep ICE Away From Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom

California legislators want to limit deportation actions at schools, but they can’t ban immigration officials.

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More Top Stories

A student at graduation is wearing a cap with an LGBTQ+ pride flag on it.

Know Your Rights in 2025 as a Trans Student in California Schools

As of Jan. 1, schools can no longer require teachers to inform families if their child identifies as trans. Here’s what this means for students.

‘A Tragedy Waiting to Happen’: Oakland Shutters 2 Fire Stations

Wildfires in Los Angeles have brought fire department budgets under scrutiny. In Oakland, the recent closures of two stations have left firefighters concerned.
Two men dressed in firefighter uniforms with red helmets hold a fire hose

Right-Wing Figures Link Diversity Efforts to Blame Game Over Los Angeles Wildfires

Prominent right-wing influencers are claiming that the response to the Los Angeles wildfires was hampered by workplace diversity policies. It's part of a wider strategy to discredit those policies.
Firefighters prepare beside a firetruck amid a red, hazy glow.

California's Reliance on Incarcerated Firefighters Sparks Debate Over Low Pay and Dangerous Work

Hundreds of incarcerated firefighters are risking their lives battling Los Angeles wildfires, raising questions about California’s low wages, tough conditions and post-release hardships.
A middle aged man in a hat and casual clothes walks next to a fire chief with smoke billowing behind them on a city street.

Newsom Invites Trump to Visit LA Fire Zones Amid Worries He'll Block Disaster Aid

Gov. Gavin Newsom invited President-elect Donald Trump, saying Californians deserve to see them work together to address the devastation of the LA fires. Trump has threatened to block disaster relief to California.
Firefighters look on as a big red smoky blaze comes over a hill.

Maps: Tracking the Los Angeles Wildfires and Evacuation Zones

Two interactive maps show the extent of the wildfires and also the evacuation zones for the Los Angeles area. These maps will be updated regularly.
Plane drops water as firefighters look on with smoke and flames below.

Firefighters Race to Contain Los Angeles Wildfires With Menacing Winds Forecast to Return

Firefighters are racing to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and UCLA.

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