California’s long-delayed high-speed rail project is again in financial crisis, with officials now asking the state legislature for an additional $1 billion annually to keep it afloat. The request follows President Donald Trump’s 2024 decision to revoke $4 billion in federal funding, citing a federal report declaring “no way forward” for the embattled project.
California is facing major roadblocks in approving solar and wind projects, even under a 2022 law designed to speed up the process. The measure promised developers faster approvals within 270 days, but in practice, renewable projects remain bogged down by bureaucracy and local opposition.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) attempted to link the state’s ongoing homelessness and quality-of-life crisis to President Trump during an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles’ The Issue Is. In remarks released Friday, Newsom described the state’s efforts to handle street encampments as a “roller coaster on progress,” but then shifted the discussion toward “authoritarian tendencies” he claimed were tied to Trump.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a decisive mandate overturning California’s “one-gun-a-month” firearm purchase restriction. The August 14, 2025, mandate enforces a prior ruling that found the law unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. This decision marks a significant legal victory for gun rights advocates in one of the most restrictive states in the country.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially declined to provide financial assistance to the city of Los Angeles, which faces a staggering $1 billion deficit, citing the state’s own $12 billion budget shortfall. Despite repeated pleas from L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, Newsom’s latest budget proposal offers no relief.
A new report from California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) paints a bleak picture of the state’s economy, describing it as “stagnant” and “fragile,” with job losses, falling consumer spending, and unsustainable reliance on stock market gains driving serious fiscal concerns. The warning is backed by multiple indicators showing the state slipping toward recession territory.
A new UC Berkeley poll reveals that a clear majority of California voters believe Governor Gavin Newsom is prioritizing his national political ambitions over addressing the state’s mounting problems. Voters now view Newsom more as a presidential hopeful than a public servant, by more than a two-to-one margin.
Gas prices in California may hit a staggering $8.44 per gallon by the end of 2026, driven by the shutdown of two key refineries and the implementation of new state fuel regulations, according to a new analysis. The findings, published by University of Southern California professor Michael A. Mische, project that these closures—representing one-fifth of the state’s refining capacity—could create a severe supply shortfall amid steady demand.
A record-breaking 7,750 people made a public profession of faith in God during a massive baptism event Saturday in Huntington Beach, California. The “Baptize California” movement, now in its second year, drew thousands to the beach to participate in what organizers are calling the largest single-day baptism in U.S. history.
