CalMatters

Gov. Gavin Newsom is cutting it close. He signed a law last fall that phases in a $25 minimum wage for California’s lowest-paid health care workers. Just two months later, he said he wanted to delay it because of its potential to exacerbate the severe state budget shortfall. But two weeks before the deadline for employers to start paying more to their employees, many health workers are still waiting to hear whether they will in fact see a raise on June 1. Some health workers remain hopeful. Others have already been notified by their employers of their upcoming raise or have already started to see increased pay. When Newsom presented his latest budget proposal last week, the governor said negotiations around potential changes to the health worker minimum wage law, Senate Bill 525, are still taking place. He promised a deal between his administration, the Legislature and proponents of the law would be hashed out in the upcoming weeks. 🔗 Learn more: https://cal.news/3wHhA5q 📸 Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo

🎉 CalMatters is honored to have three Northern California Emmy nominations with CBS journalist Julie Watts: Nigel Duara on investigations of shootings by law enforcement officers; Byrhonda L. on lack of oversight of a state rehab program; Jeanne Kuang and Alejandro Lazo on wage theft. Read more about last year's win: https://cal.news/3Nposd1

Join Zócalo and CalMatters on Wednesday, June 5 at 5 PM PDT at Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel for “What Makes a Great California Idea?” XPRIZE Foundation CEO Anousheh Ansari, Public Policy Institute of California president and CEO and retired Chief Justice of California Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, and founding director of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace California Center Ian Klaus visit Zócalo at the CalMatters Ideas Festival to discuss the state of new ideas in the Golden State. Register to attend the free program, moderated by Zócalo’s California columnist & democracy editor Joe Mathews, here: https://zps.la/greatcali

Which California schools have the highest ROI? A new report compares California’s colleges by analyzing how long it would take low- and moderate-income students to recoup the money they spent to earn a college credential. The report defines low- and moderate-income households as those earning below $75,000 annually, and focuses on these families specifically because college can be seen as out of reach for many low-income students. This tool tries to communicate the affordability of college by comparing typical costs for low-income families to typical salaries a few years after graduating. It shows that many community colleges, Cal States and University of California campuses — all public campuses — have better returns on investment than most nonprofit private colleges and for-profit institutions. 🏫 Which California university or college are you curious about? Write its name in the comments below, and we’ll reply with how long it would take for low- and moderate-income students to recoup their college costs with the typical salary of graduates from that school. 🔗 Or use the tool yourself: https://cal.news/3JVrIKM 📸 Jules Hotz

CalMatters’ visual journalists are honored with a third place win in the National Headliner awards, one of the longest-standing journalism contests in the country. The award honored the work of CalMatters’ visuals team: visuals editor Miguel Gutierrez Jr, assistant editor Adriana Heldiz and photographer Larry Valenzuela. Read more about the honor: https://cal.news/3UMCEAq 📸 Martin do Nascimento

Steers, sheep, horses, pigs, rabbits, chickens, a sweet-smelling tangerine grove and acres of rotating crops are part of Madera South’s agriculture pathway for students — one of thousands of career-focused courses in California high schools that are part of a renaissance in career and technical education. Aimed at preparing students for skilled, high-wage jobs, the pathways are a step beyond the vocation ed courses of generations past. Students seem to appreciate the opportunities. Enrollment in career pathways has jumped from 18% of all students six years ago to 23% last year. Native American, homeless and low-income students had the highest rates among student groups. https://cal.news/4aWHT6g 📸 Larry Valenzuela

Homeless is one of California’s most stubborn problems. Voters have approved multiple bond measures designed to help, and yet California’s number of unsheltered homeless continues to grow. Join experts like Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, state Sen. Scott Wiener, UCSF professor Margot Kushel and more at the CalMatters Ideas Festival this June as they discuss what’s working (and what isn’t), in California and beyond: https://cal.news/4cJZik8

CalMatters is your local, nonpartisan, nonprofit news room dedicated to informing California and holding elected leaders accountable. Our mission is centered on the belief that a robust, independent press is the key to the success of democracy. During today’s Big Day of Giving, we’re asking for your support to combat misinformation, boost participation in government and empower voters. Invest in California’s future. Support CalMatters for Big Day of Giving: https://cal.news/3HGwrPK 📸 Miguel Gutierrez Jr. #BDOG2024

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our newsletter for people who love photography and the state of California. This newsletter, California in Pictures, will highlight photojournalism from across the state, giving a glimpse into the daily lives and extraordinary moments that define California. CalMatters is bringing you this newsletter through our partnership with CatchLight, which focuses on visual storytelling. We hope you enjoy this collection of visual stories highlighting our communities, landscapes, and experiences through the lens of these dedicated photojournalists. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://cal.news/3JEUoYr Read more about the partnership: https://cal.news/4be1caU

Only two days left in our Spring Member Drive. Don’t miss out on your chance to get a CalMatters reusable tote with a new $10+ monthly donation. Please give today. https://cal.news/3UAOT39