CALIFORNIA UTAH

May 19 2026EDUCATION

Who should lead California’s schools? Ten candidates want the job

California has to keep over 5. 7 million students in safe classrooms and good programs. Some kids speak English at home, some don’t. Some have disabilities, some are top performers. All of them need a state leader who can help districts meet those needs. The current superintendent can’t run again, s

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May 15 2026POLITICS

California's Money Surplus: How Tech is Filling State Coffers

California's latest budget update shows the state sitting on $16. 5 billion more than expected, thanks largely to the tech industry's AI gold rush. This extra cash means no immediate budget shortfalls, allowing the governor to keep funding favorite programs without cutting corners. While this might

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May 14 2026POLITICS

Summer shifts in Utah’s politics: new faces, old problems

Utah’s courts are getting a refresh. Three new justices will join the state Supreme Court by fall, making their appointments the fastest turnover in recent memory. This sudden change comes after new judge positions were created and a resignation opened the door for fresh appointments. The governor a

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May 09 2026EDUCATION

Digital School Alert: Utah Students and Parents on Guard After Canvas Hack

Utah’s schools, from elementary to university, are on high alert after a nationwide attack on the Canvas learning platform. The breach, carried out by a group called ShinyHunters, hit nearly 9, 000 schools worldwide and exposed billions of private messages. The hackers threatened to leak the data bu

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May 06 2026POLITICS

Religion and School Rules: Utah’s New Path

Utah lawmakers are moving forward with rules that let teachers talk about how faith shaped America’s past. The new laws do not require prayers or religious instruction, but they open classrooms to discussions about the Bible, the Ten Commandments and other holy books as historical documents. The

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May 05 2026BUSINESS

State Farm Faces Big Penalties Over LA Wildfire Claims

California regulators say State Farm mishandled claims from the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. The department is seeking up to $4 million in fines if the company is found guilty of willful violations. State Farm denies any wrongdoing and says it has already paid $5. 7 billion in wildfire claims

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May 01 2026POLITICS

How Utah’s New District Could Shape the Next Election

Utah’s political scene is getting a shake-up this year, and the changes could surprise even seasoned voters. A recent push to modernize the state’s nomination system has opened doors for more candidates to compete in primaries. But with so few people showing up to traditional caucuses, the process s

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Apr 30 2026WEATHER

California’s Summer: What to Expect When Weather Forecasts Can’t Be Sure

California’s summer weather for June to August looks set to lean warmer than usual, but don’t expect a clear trend in rain. The National Weather Service’s latest outlook calls it “equal chances” for precipitation, meaning anything—from dry patches to sudden downpours—could happen. The forecast relie

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Apr 29 2026POLITICS

California’s Billionaire Tax: A Bold Move or a Costly Mistake?

California is testing a new idea that might backfire. The state now has a “billionaire tax” on the ballot, pushed by union leaders who argue it will help fund public services. But the plan has already started a quiet exodus—not of the poor, but of some of the state’s wealthiest residents. Many had s

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Apr 27 2026POLITICS

Who Should Really Lead California’s Insurance Reforms?

California’s insurance commissioner race might not grab headlines like governor or senator, but it plays a huge role in keeping homes, businesses, and the economy stable. For years, insurance companies struggled with wildfires, rising costs, and outdated rules that made it hard to adjust rates fairl

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