These were the most explosive moments so far in California’s war with Trump
CHRONICLE, SOPHIA BOLLAG: "Threatening to withhold money for public schools and disaster aid. Focusing his mass deportation push in the nation’s second-largest city. Nearly flooding acres of Central Valley farmland.
Targeting California — through lawsuits, policies to undermine state laws and insults hurled at its leaders — has become a hallmark of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. Home to the nation’s largest population of Democrats, California and its liberal policies are frequently a thorn in the side of the Republican president. As Trump has focused his attention on the Golden State, its leaders have struck back, speaking out against his administration and seeking to erode his party’s control over the federal government at the ballot box."
Federal cuts and reversals upend California health care in 2025
CALMATTERS, ANA B. IBARRA: "After a decade of expanding health coverage and safety net programs, the Golden State took a sharp detour in 2025. As federal funding reductions and policy changes rippled through the health care system, California confronted service cuts, coverage losses and growing uncertainty.
During the summer, a congressionally-approved spending plan slashed nearly a trillion dollars from the Medicaid program over the next decade. Funding cuts and new rules – such as work requirements – are expected to push 3.4 million Californians off their Medicaid coverage as changes take effect."
Solar panels for renters? Californians test plug-in models already popular in Europe
CHRONICLE, JULIE JOHNSON: "Amanda Royal felt the thrill of freedom, and all she’d done was plug a new device into the wall at her East Bay home.
The cord ran from an outdoor outlet, under a picnic table and across the grass to a pair of solar panels — each about the size of a door, small enough to fit in a Subaru — tucked in a corner of her backyard."
SoCal’s wettest Christmas holiday ever, and the intensifying drought-to-deluge cycle behind it
LA Times, RONG-GONG LIN II: "A year ago, officials were sounding alarms about a bone-dry winter that days later would combine with hurricane-strength winds to bring about the worst fires in Los Angeles history. Now, Southern California just experienced its wettest Christmas in modern history.
This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were the rainiest in the modern record for Southern California, according to the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. And more rain is on the way. A flood watch was forecast to remain in effect for much of the state through at least Friday afternoon, with rain expected throughout the day. Skies should clear up by the weekend."
READ MORE -- California storm: Severe weather subsides but 40,000 PG&E customers remain without power -- CHRONICLE, STAFF
New California laws rewrite car-buying rules with return policy and pricing reforms
CALMATTERS, RYAN SABALOW: "California lawmakers made major changes to the state’s car-buying rules this year, including a controversial rewrite of the state law that allows buyers to get their money back if they are sold a defective vehicle and a right to return a used vehicle within three days.
After an intense lobbying push this year from automobile companies, dealers and consumer groups, more legislative battles over California vehicle purchases could follow in 2026. Sky-high car prices show no signs of falling, and a Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration have sought to thwart Newsom’s goal of having 100% of new cars sold in California be zero-emission by 2035."
READ MORE -- A new California law requires tortillas to include an extra ingredient. Here’s why -- CALMATTERS
Four for 2025: Here are key actions taken by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
SACBEE, EMMA HALL: "The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors reached it 175th anniversary of serving the region this year and it accomplished more than longevity — its biggest decisions focused on homelessness, public safety and the environment.
It added a fresh face on the board, approved a $9.2 billion budget and tackled familiar (military equipment) and new (solar energy) issues. Its final meeting was Dec. 16."
‘Innovative’ approach to sea level rise is first of its kind in San Francisco Bay
CHRONICLE, TARA DUGGAN: "Under a fresh plot of dirt along the San Francisco Bay, a revolutionary new way to address climate change is taking shape in Palo Alto.
Young native plants are taking root in the soil, which sits atop a layer of wood chips, a layer of sand and a layer of gravel. Treated water from a nearby wastewater plant will soon trickle through it all, irrigating the plants while getting extra filtering before going into the bay."
Indian truckers sue California’s DMV for revoking their licenses
LA Times, NILESH CHRISTOPHER: "Immigrant truck drivers have sued the California Department of Motor Vehicles for terminating the commercial driver’s licenses of thousands of drivers, alleging that the decision violated their rights and threatened their livelihood.
California’s DMV gave a 60-day cancellation notice to 17,000 drivers on Nov. 6 after a federal audit found the licenses issued to immigrant drivers were set to expire after the time they were legally allowed to remain in the U.S."
Nick Reiner’s mental state at center of murder case: Inside the looming legal fight
LA Times, RICHARD WINTON: "The slayings of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his photographer wife, Michele, have given rise to a complex and intensely watched legal struggle involving their accused son, prosecutors and defense attorneys, who all face key strategic decisions in the coming weeks and months.
Prosecutors allege Nick Reiner fatally stabbed his parents inside the master bedroom of their Brentwood home early on a Sunday morning, then fled the area."
‘Feels like a classic holiday card’: This California town was ranked as one of the most festive in the country
CHRONICLE, DANIELLE ECHEVERRIA: ""Santa Claus is coming to one Fresno County town.
That’s according, at least, to elves on the board attached to the green street sign pointing drivers on Highway 168 towards Shaver Lake."
