Economy

A landscaped residential walkway with gravel ground cover leads past a stone-and-stucco building toward a small patio with modern chairs, young trees, and low hills in the background under a clear sky.

Economy

Fires burn swiftly, but insurance battles linger: New bills propose consumer-friendly regulations

As fire survivors continue to navigate life after disaster, California lawmakers roll out new bills attempting to further regulate insurance companies like State Farm.

By Levi Sumagaysay • January 22, 2026

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters while surrounded by television cameras and microphones at an indoor event, wearing a dark suit and conference badge as security and attendees stand nearby.

Politics

White House blocks Gavin Newsom from interview at official U.S. venue in Davos

Newsom’s scheduled interview in Davos was canceled Wednesday after the Trump administration denied him access to the official U.S. venue.

By Jeanne Kuang • January 21, 2026

A dancing group poses in sync, their arms arched, standing in formation on a stage in a dark dance studio. In the background is a black backdrop with LED lights hanging on metal railing rigs.

Technology

Generative AI is eating culture. See how close it’s getting to disrupting dance

Dancers say their craft can’t be duplicated by AI. Our tests show they’re right — for now.

By Khari Johnson, Levi Sumagaysay and Mohamed Al Elew • January 21, 2026

Show Your Work

How we tested and evaluated AI-generated dance videos

None of the videos generated by the leading AI platforms showed the actual dances we requested.

By Mohamed Al Elew, Khari Johnson and Levi Sumagaysay • January 21, 2026

A person looks up while standing inside the burnt structure of a commercial building. Rays of light illuminates parts of the building's floor.

Economy

How Altadena businesses are trying to recover from the Eaton Fire

A year after Eaton Fire, some business owners aim to return or go on while also dealing with rebuilding their homes.

By Levi Sumagaysay • January 15, 2026

Workers install lighting on an "X" sign atop the company headquarters, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, on July 28, 2023. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

Technology

California orders Elon Musk’s AI company to immediately stop sharing sexual deepfakes

Attorney General Rob Bonta said it is a violation of California law to create and distribute of nonconsensual sexual AI images as xAI has done.

By Khari Johnson • January 14, 2026

Technology

OpenAI, childrens’ advocates join forces on initiative to protect kids from chatbots

ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Common Sense Media had rival ballot initiatives designed to protect kids from chatbots. Today they merged their efforts.

By Khari Johnson • January 9, 2026

California Gov. Gavin Newsom gestures with one hand while speaking from a wooden podium inside the state Capitol, a microphone in front of him and a large dark display mounted behind.

Politics

Gavin Newsom forecasts a rosier California budget and banks on AI boom continuing

The governor’s 2026-27 budget proposal projects $9 billion more in revenue than anticipated, banking on the AI-driven economy to last.

By Yue Stella Yu • January 9, 2026

Illustration of a man on his laptop, rendered in a pixelated 8-bit style, set against a background screenshot of privacy.ca.gov and pixelated blocks

Technology

How Californians can use a new state website to block hundreds of data brokers

A tool called DROP lets California residents fill out a few forms to keep their personal data from being tracked or sold by data brokers.

By Colin Lecher and Miles Hilton • January 8, 2026

Economy

Many L.A. fire survivors face insurance delays and can’t return home a year later

Despite billions in dollars of claims paid out, fires exposed problems in California’s beleaguered insurance market. All policyholders are likely to see premiums rise.

By Levi Sumagaysay • January 7, 2026