California races to defend homeless population from COVID-19

Mar 13, 2020
In California, most of the state’s 150,000 homeless people are living unsheltered, outside or in structures not meant for human habitation.
Health officials and service providers say homeless populations, like the people living at this camp in Richmond, California, are particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.
Sruti Mamidanna/KQED

Driverless delivery vehicles are now allowed on California streets

Jan 17, 2020
The new rules still block large vehicles, meaning companies testing driverless big rigs have to look elsewhere.
A Nuro delivery bot drops off groceries.
Courtesy of Nuro

California mayors want customers to run PG&E

Nov 5, 2019
Several California cities are pushing for a public takeover of the investor-owned utility.
A fallen PG&E utility pole lays on a property burned during the Kincade Fire in Healdsburg, California on Oct. 28, 2019.
Philip Pachecho/AFP via Getty Images

California city experiments with guaranteed income of $500 per month

Nov 4, 2019
Supporters of the pilot program say it's a step toward economic equality.
Jovan Bravo, 31, is one of 125 residents of Stockton, CA receiving a $500 monthly stipend from a pilot project testing the concept of universal basic income.
Sammy Caiola

Chinese restaurant owners in California fight for gas stoves

Oct 24, 2019
As California officials look to phase out gas, some restaurant owners in San Gabriel Valley are speaking out in favor of gas cooking.
Chef Chun Lei cooks shrimp on a gas stove in the kitchen of Shanghailander Palace in Arcadia.
Josie Huang

The Trump administration wants to end California's cap-and-trade program

Oct 23, 2019
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: the Trump administration is picking a legal fight with California.
California's cap and trade program aims to lower climate change-causing emissions. Above, smog hovers over Los Angeles in 2002.
David McNew/Getty Images

Massive power shut-off would cost businesses in California

Oct 8, 2019
As the risk of wildfire and natural disasters increase with climate change, power disruptions could become more common.
Towers carrying electrical lines in south San Francisco.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Adventures in Housing: The small-time landlord

Sep 13, 2019
Becoming a landlord helped Beverly Wilcox retire at 54, go back to school and launch a second career.
California landlord Beverly Wilcox laying sod at one of her properties in 2001.
Courtesy of Beverly Wilcox

Tenants to get more eviction protections under California measure

Sep 13, 2019
In some cases, it would require landlords to pay up to one month’s rent for tenants to relocate.
An eviction notice posted on the front door of a foreclosed property in Jupiter, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

California law puts home cooks in the gig economy

Aug 27, 2019
A California "microenterprise" permit allows people to sell the food they prepare at home directly to consumers.
Meghan McConaghy serves up tacos at her home in West Vale, California. She was one of the first people in the state to obtain a microenterprise home kitchen permit to sell her food.
Larry Buhl