Gavin Newsom. Photo by AP. The deadline for Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the hundreds of bills sent his way has come and gone. Here are a few tidbits from the bill signing period to note while we wait to see if the governor calls a special session on AI.
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A wet Kodiak bear walking out of a river. Image by GoDogPhoto via iStockThe iconic grizzly bear image can be seen across California, from the state flag and seal to souvenirs, college mascots and even theme parks, but the state hasn’t seen an actual grizzly bear in the wild since 1924, when one was reportedly sighted in Sequoia National Park. A proposal to consider changing that failed this year, but supporters say the idea is not yet extinct.
Universty of Arkansas men's basketball coach John Calipari. Photo by ap. California helped open the door for college athletes to finally make money. Five years later, everyone is still fighting over the rules.
Nancy Skinner. Photo by AP. In 2019, then California state Sen. Nancy Skinner set out to change one of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) most entrenched rules. Her legislation helped set off a chain reaction that would transform college sports nationwide.
Image by donskarpo, iStock Images.Knowing the results is only half the job. The other half is improving them.
Image by NanoStockk, via iStockThe following provides commentary regarding the specific provisions of Article XVIII of the California Constitution, which deal with amending and revising the state Constitution.
California Health Care, Panel 1: The Impact of H. R. 1. L-R: Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly; Tam Ma, Health Policy and Regulatory Affairs, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy Center. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly.CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at California Health Care which was held in Sacramento on September 23, 2026. This is Panel 1: The Impact of H. R. 1. Our panelists are: Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy Center. The panel was moderated by Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly.
Dr. Katherine Warburton, Statewide Medical Director and Deputy Director of Clinical Operations for the California Department of State Hospitals, center. Kirsten Barlow, left, Lois Cross and Michelle Doty Cabrera on the right. From California Health Care, Panel 3: Behavioral Health. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly.An 11-year lawsuit that helped transform how California cares for people who have committed crimes and struggle with mental illness has come to a quiet conclusion. In a five-page order issued last Monday, Judge S. Raj Chatterjee of Contra Costa County wrote that the state created a new treatment program for people who are arrested and deemed to be incompetent to stand trial, added more than 2,000 state hospital beds to care for them, and secured a permanent source of funding.
Image by grafxart8888, iStock Images.California needs more water supply, and state and federal agencies should support, not impede, the projects that can provide it.