The State of California

2025 was a year of extremes in terms of weather patterns and natural disasters, from deadly floods in Texas, to Canadian wildfire smoke blanketing the Midwest and California's record-setting wildfires. Plus, it marked the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Here's the year in natural disasters.

Many health professionals are steaming mad about what's going on in the Trump Administration where vaccines are concerned as new guidelines are confusing, at best, and leave people wondering what to do. There's so much turmoil and conflicting information that CVS is requiring prescriptions for some vaccines in some states.

Donald Trump has been busy lately, but is he really working himself to death? Here's more on reaction to that, plus his plans for Chicago and why he dropped Kamala Harris' Secret Service protection.

Washington DC is amidst its longest stretch without murders in recent history under federal intervention ordered by Donald Trump as he wonders aloud if San Francisco, Chicago and other big cities will be next, and many raise questions over his firing of a member of the Federal Reserve.

Hear from kids who got away, a father who ran in alongside first responders, and Minnesota's top political leaders as we grapple with something all-too familiar: a school shooting. Get the latest on the perpetrator, and insight into what -- if anything -- may finally change.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are meeting today in Alaska to talk about the possibility of peace in Russia's war against Ukraine. One analyst says the word 'no' is Trump's most powerful weapon ... But will he use it? Also, CBS' Major Garrett has tips on what to watch for in the meeting.

Here are the facts, darn facts and opinions about President Donald Trump ordering the National Guard into Washington D.C., a move some believe underscores his totalitarian tendencies and others believe is a much-needed security measure for a key place in America.

Redistricting, not a word that sounds all that sexy until you find out what it means for everything from Medicaid payments to tax rates. President Donald Trump pushes for Texas to gain five seats for the GOP, and here's what that would mean for the rest of us.

President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Iran ... and then more bombs were dropped. On Deadline takes a look at the latest, plus how MAGA reacted to US intervention, the latest on the budget battle and the Golden Gate Bridge tries to get un-woke. On Deadline is produced by Lauren Barry and Christy Strawser.

The fight between Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom is about the rights of the federal government versus state’s rights. But on another level, the fuel fanning this conflagration is a long-simmering debate … It’s a debate about immigration with dividing lines falling along whether mass deportations are a goal, if birthright citizenship should be overturned … and whether people who came here years ago...

Just when the feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk began to lower to a simmer, Trump bared arms and egos with another man. California Governor Gavin Newsom. Here's a look at the latest from experts, pundits on both sides of the aisle, and people on the scene. On Deadline is hosted and produced by Lauren Barry and produced by Christy Strawser.

As the summer of 2025 kicks off, we're wondering what it’s going to look like in terms of risky weather patterns and dangerous storms and wondering if we’ll have enough warning to save lives. On Deadline is hosted by Lauren Barry and produced by Lauren Barry and Christy Strawser.

This is a special, bittersweet edition of this show because we are saying goodbye to Doug today as he retires from radio after 40 years on the San Francisco airwaves – the last 35 of them here on KCBS. Doug joined KCBS in 1990 and has been here ever since as a reporter and anchor conducting investigations, covering trials, and breaking news. For the last 19 years he has served as the political rep...

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a "first-in-the-nation" effort, to revolutionize highway traffic management in California using artificial intelligence. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Steve Scott, along with KCBS political reporter Doug Sovern, spoke with David McCuan, KCBS Political analyst and political science professor at Sonoma State University.

California’s trailblazing program to help keep independent journalism alive is in danger of losing its funding At a time when legacy media are struggling to stay afloat and the world of journalism is shrinking by the day, the state of California has been a pioneer, funding dozens of reporters in newsrooms around the state, through its California Local News Fellowship program at UC Berkeley’s Schoo...

It’s not a new idea, but more and more cities and jurisdictions are giving it a try: Universal Basic Income, or UBI. The concept is that everyone is guaranteed a minimum amount of money, typically perhaps $500 a month, to help them meet their basic needs. In some places, only those below a designated economic threshold get the money. It was famously pioneered in Stockton in 2019, and one of the la...

Another candidate has thrown their hat in the ring in the very crowded race for California: Steve Hilton, a Republican who has never ran for office before. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Steve Scott and KCBS political reporter Doug Sovern spoke with Hilton, a former British political strategist and advisor to Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron who relocated to California and became a U.S....

Pope Francis passed away early this morning from a stroke, just hours after thrilling the faithful in St. Peter’s Square with an Easter Sunday visit. For more on the death of Pope Francis, KCBS Radio news anchor Steve Scott, along with KCBS political reporter Doug Sovern, spoke with Dr. Richard Wood, President of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at USC, and a leading expert on religion,...

The number of tents and tent encampments of people experiencing homelessness has plunged in San Francisco, to a record low since the city started keeping track six years ago. It’s a similar situation in other major California cities, as law enforcement cracks down on illegal camping in public, empowered by a US Supreme Court decision that ruled cities can enforce those laws, even when there are no...

A potential major blow to the city of Benicia, as Valero announces its intent to close down its major oil refinery there The Texas-based company submitted a notice to the California Energy Commission that it plans to “idle, restructure or cease” its refining operations at the Benicia facility a year from now, in April 2026. Hundreds of people work at the refinery, which refines about nine percent...

It is Election Day in Oakland, where voters are casting ballots for a new mayor, to finish the rest of the term of Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled last November For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Steve Scott spoke with KCBS political reporter Doug Sovern.

California is getting a head start on wildfire season, with a more aggressive approach to prevention. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Megan Goldsby and KCBS political reporter Doug Sovern spoke with Scott Stephens, Professor of Wildland Fire Science at UC Berkeley and Co-Director of the Berkeley Forests department.

It was a dramatic week on Wall Street. Stocks fell precipitously, rallied yesterday after President Trump announced a 90-day pause on many of his newly levied tariffs, then fell again today. Tariffs against China remain high, with President Trump proclaiming that he had raised them by 145% since taking office, while China has placed tariffs of 84% on U.S. goods, raising fears of an all out economi...

Most Californians want their kids to go to college, but in this era of rising costs and exponential tuition inflation, is it even worth it? Many California families worry about whether they can afford to send their kids to college, and are trying to pencil out whether it makes economic sense in uncertain times to spend the money, or take on potentially crushing debt to help their kids get a higher...

In 2022, the state's major tribes competed with companies like FanDuel and DraftKings, as the two sides sponsored opposing bills. Those both failed, and now, the industry's major players want to work with California's tribal communities, to pursue legalization. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchor Steve Scott spoke with Jonathan D. Cohen, historian and author of "Losing Big: America's Reckless...