Podcast: California Pioneer on the Healthcare Crisis

Staff / Truthdig Mar 13, 2007 Sheila Kuehl, former child star, Harvard legal scholar and California's first openly gay legislator joins Truthdig's James Harris and Josh Scheer for a discussion on the urgent need for public healthcare, the myths about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan and the details of her own proposal. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama Cashes In at Hollywood Fundraiser

Staff / Truthdig Feb 21, 2007 Barack Obama took in $1.3 million Tuesday from an L.A. fundraiser organized by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen. Hollywood is a crucial pit stop on the road to the White House for Democratic candidates as they build their war chests, especially with so many contenders in the field. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

One State at a Time

Staff / Truthdig Feb 20, 2007 New Jersey's civil union law has now taken effect, allowing same-sex couples many of the rights afforded by marriage. California, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and to some extent Maine offer similar protections. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Who Are You Calling a Gas Guzzler?

Staff / Truthdig Feb 17, 2007 Although California has a reputation for smog-choked freeways and self-indulgent excess, the Golden State consumes less energy per capita than any other state in the union. What's the secret? A combination of tough regulation and high prices. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Blogger Jailed Longer Than Any Other Modern Journalist

Staff / Truthdig Feb 9, 2007 Josh Wolf has been in prison for more than 170 days -- longer than any other journalist in modern history. The freelance videographer and blogger has been held since he refused to hand over footage of WTO protesters to authorities because, he says, the precedent would make journalists "de facto deputies and investigators" for law enforcement. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

State of Emergency for California Crops

Staff / Truthdig Jan 17, 2007 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in California after nearly three-quarters of the state's citrus crop was wiped out by subfreezing weather last week, causing up to $1 billion in losses. Prices around the country are expected to rise drastically, as California is the nation's major producer of fresh citrus fruit. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Dying to Play the Wii

Staff / Truthdig Jan 16, 2007 A mother of three in California has died of water intoxication after participating in a local radio station contest. Participants competed by drinking large quantities of water without urinating in an effort to win a Nintendo Wii video game system. If ever there was confirmation that America's consumerism is out of control, this is it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Universal Healthcare — Sort of — for California

Staff / Truthdig Jan 9, 2007 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced details of his healthcare plan on Monday, continuing a leftward swing that began shortly before the election. Under the plan, all Californians would be required to have health insurance, with costs spread across the private and public sectors. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Good News for Election Integrity

Staff / Truthdig Jan 6, 2007 California's incoming secretary of state, Debra Bowen, says her office will conduct "a top to bottom review of every voting system in use anywhere in California." What's more, Bowen has indicated she is willing to decertify machines approved by her predecessor, Bruce McPherson. We can only hope Bowen's investigation will spark a national trend. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

United Farm Workers Cleared of Wrongdoing

Staff / Truthdig Dec 28, 2006 The California state attorney general's office has found no wrongdoing in the United Farm Workers Union's handling of its affiliated charities. The probe was launched in response to allegations raised by a series of articles published in the Los Angeles Times. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Golden State’s Green Law

Staff / Truthdig Dec 25, 2006 California's Global Warming Solutions Act requires the state to cut emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Industrialists and environmentalists alike are watching intently as the world's seventh-largest economy prepares to meet that goal -- assuming the landmark law survives numerous court challenges. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Truthdig Podcast: Schwarzenegger, Kerry, the Election and More

Staff / Truthdig Nov 3, 2006 Truthdig Editor Robert Scheer sounds off on Schwarzenegger's hold on California, Kerry's spine, election voting woes, and reader commentary. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )