Gavin Newsom

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of new laws aimed at expanding reproductive freedom and care in the state, which California positions as a national leader on the issue. The measures broaden access to reproductive health services and reinforce the state's protections as other states restrict such care.

Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton, the leading candidates to succeed Gavin Newsom as California governor, have unveiled contrasting healthcare platforms. CalMatters compares their plans as the 2026 race heats up, with healthcare emerging as a key campaign issue for voters across the state.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill requiring the state to identify and track the use of pesticides containing PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals linked to health and environmental concerns. The measure gives regulators new visibility into how widely these substances are applied in agriculture, adding California to the growing list of states taking action against PFAS contamination.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed nine new bills expanding reproductive and maternal health care in the state. The measures broaden access to reproductive services and strengthen support for pregnant women and new mothers. The move comes as California positions itself as a bulwark for reproductive rights amid restrictive laws in other states, and it is drawing attention from health advocates and political observers nationwide.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The declaration allows state resources to be mobilized quickly to protect residents and infrastructure. Local outlets in Bakersfield are urging residents to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding, with officials warning of hazardous conditions in the coming days.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill requiring authorization before out-of-state military forces can operate within California. The measure limits the ability of other states' National Guard units or military personnel to enter California without state approval, a move widely read as a response to federal deployment disputes. The law positions California to resist unilateral military deployments ordered by other states or the federal government within its borders.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill prohibiting brokers from booking blocks of tee times at public golf courses and reselling them at a markup. The practice has frustrated golfers who struggle to secure affordable tee times at popular municipal courses, prompting lawmakers to act against commercialized scalping of public recreation slots.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation aimed at strengthening accountability for cold storage facilities. The bills follow an emergency declared in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, where conditions at a cold storage facility prompted a government response. The measures are intended to improve oversight and prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Attention is turning to the 2026 California gubernatorial election, with coverage outlining the field of candidates vying to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited. The race is expected to draw a crowded and high-profile lineup, and readers are looking for guidance on who has declared, who is weighing a run, and what the leading contenders stand for ahead of the primary.