Julie Watts
Julie Watts is a national-award-winning investigative correspondent for CBS News California Investigates. Her investigations, Capitol accountability reports, and solutions-oriented journalism air weekly on CBS stations across California.
Watch CBS News
Julie Watts is a national-award-winning investigative correspondent for CBS News California Investigates. Her investigations, Capitol accountability reports, and solutions-oriented journalism air weekly on CBS stations across California.
CBS News California examined why and how a recent alleged kidnapping might have been avoided if the laws were working the way they were supposed to.
Never-before-released interrogations of Matthew Muller, the serial predator who kidnapped Denise Huskins in 2015, show his confessions to decades of other home invasions and sexual assaults.
Once thought of as a small, rarely-used backstop, the FAIR Plan is now one of the largest insurers in the state, and people without FAIR Plan insurance are the ones on the hook for the FAIR Plan's debt. Yet the FAIR Plan is still cloaked in secrecy.
CBS News California's Julie Watts and her daughter's fifth-grade class go undercover shopping and head to the State Capitol to investigate how the skincare industry makes billions by selling potentially harmful products to tweens.
A KCAL News Investigation has discovered dozens of parcels of lands in the Palisades Fire zone that presented fire danger due to overgrown brush, a problem that firefighters had been trying to fix for years.
FAIR plan problems are nothing new, but suddenly, everyone is paying attention to California's insurance crisis. Are we any closer to a fix? CBS News California investigates the flood of insurance-related bills in the aftermath of the L.A. fires and why it's taken so long for lawmakers to take action. WATCH OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBS NEWS CALIFORNIA INVESTIGATES California's Insurance Crisis
As more people in California lose private insurance, the state's FAIR plan is filling up with homes in places the industry itself has classified as low-risk for wildfire.
The public is on the hook for the FAIR Plan's debt, but we don't have access to the FAIR Plan's financials. Should that be legal? California's Insurance Commissioner says, "No." Now he's committing to fix it following a CBS News California Investigation. WATCH THE FULL INVESTIGATION HERE: California FAIR Plan secrets: Why the state's insurer of last resort is so secretive FOLLOW OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBS NEWS CALIFORNIA INVESTIGATES California's Insurance Crisis
In an exclusive interview, Huskins and Quinn take us through his interrogation, showing us step-by-step how old-school interrogation training led to their "American Nightmare."
CBS News Confirmed checked Gov. Newsom's "fact checks" on the L.A.-area fires and found that although many were correct, a few omitted crucial context. Here's what we know.
Two days after CBS News California Investigates initially aired this story, Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire re-appointed Democratic Sen. Susan Rubio, who served in the role for the last six years, to lead the committee.
Emails obtained by CBS News California Investigates reveal the Governor's Chief of Staff did not want to negotiate with the initiative coalition unless they agreed to postpone their ballot measure until 2026.
This year-long investigation provides an unprecedented look at California's one-party supermajority legislature through the eyes of grieving parents who discover how California lawmakers kill popular bills by not voting.
This year-long investigation by CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts examines the many components of California's new tougher-on-crime law.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News California, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn reveal the timeline of Matthew Muller's cold-case crimes. Crimes they helped solve. The survivors detail how it took a decade, a documentary, a small-town chief, and a rural district attorney to get anyone to listen.
California lawmakers will try again to give public school teachers paid family leave. Critics worry it could come at the actual expense of students.
No one — not the Governor's Office, the CHP task force, nor the attorney general — can tell us how many of the people arrested by California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force were sentenced, let alone how many went to jail, received treatment, or re-offended.
CBS News California examined retail theft rates in California and whether the high-profile Proposition 36 would help combat those crimes.
CBS News California takes a closer look at the drug component of the high-profile Proposition 36 to fact-check claims about the ballot measure from supporters and opponents.
Fentanyl took her life. Frustrated with the legislature, Matt Capelouto took matters into his own hands and attempted to get Alexandra's Law on the ballot so that the public could vote on it themselves.
Credit card companies are responsible for fraud loss, under federal law. But there's no penalty for big banks when victims wire thousands of dollars to scammers.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law that was prompted by a decade-long CBS News California investigation into the state's newborn genetic biobank.
When California Democrats accept oil money or vote against "climate-friendly" bills, they are often criticized or accused of being beholden to the oil industry. But are they?
A CBS News California investigation found roughly half of California voters will have someone new to the job running their presidential election this year.
No suspect information was immediately made available.
Another person was transported to a local hospital for unknown injuries after officers used less-than-lethal force to control a crowd.
The two-decade investigation began on March 21, 2004, when 18-year-old Hemet man Reynaldo Burts was found dead in the hills near Idyllwild.
Two Highland residents were arrested in connection with a homicide in Moreno Valley in early November, according to Riverside County deputies.
Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden moved into 10th place on the NBA's career scoring list Saturday, passing Carmelo Anthony in a game against Minnesota.
No suspect information was immediately made available.
Another person was transported to a local hospital for unknown injuries after officers used less-than-lethal force to control a crowd.
The two-decade investigation began on March 21, 2004, when 18-year-old Hemet man Reynaldo Burts was found dead in the hills near Idyllwild.
Two Highland residents were arrested in connection with a homicide in Moreno Valley in early November, according to Riverside County deputies.
The crash happened at around 5:20 p.m. on Friday near Magnolia Avenue and Polk Street, according to a news release from the Riverside Police Department.
A trading card shop in Burbank reports that it was hit for more than $100,000 in stolen Pokémon and sports cards during an overnight burglary earlier this week.
A group of 14 women, some of whom were inmates or former foster kids, became the first all-female class to graduate from an LA County firefighter training program.
Widely considered the greatest architect of his time, Frank Gehry helped shape Los Angeles' skyline.
A Riverside County man was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for selling a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Private First-Class Tanner F. Rubio was inside a tactical vehicle when a mishap occurred during routine training.
Mark Ahrens and his son were singing Christmas carols when a speeding Tesla slammed into their minivan.
Officials said that the marine died from injuries sustained in a tactical vehicle mishap on Wednesday afternoon.
One person was declared dead at the scene of the crash, which happened just before 3 p.m. near Heil Avenue and Goldenwest Street, police said.
Marine veteran Tom Steen, who lost both legs to an illness, thanked his neighbors for helping his family get rid of the rats infesting his Irvine home.
A pair of earthquakes shook parts of Riverside County, near Idyllwild, on Thanksgiving Day.
The two-decade investigation began on March 21, 2004, when 18-year-old Hemet man Reynaldo Burts was found dead in the hills near Idyllwild.
Two Highland residents were arrested in connection with a homicide in Moreno Valley in early November, according to Riverside County deputies.
The crash happened at around 5:20 p.m. on Friday near Magnolia Avenue and Polk Street, according to a news release from the Riverside Police Department.
Police said that the driver dragged the stroller down the block, severely injuring a 3-month-old baby and a 3-year-old toddler.
A stolen vehicle pursuit ended after the suspect crashed into another car in Victorville.
Eric Dailey Jr. led all five UCLA starters in double figures with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and UCLA handed Oregon a 74-63 defeat.
President Trump presented medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees during an Oval Office ceremony.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF are Major League Soccer champions, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-1 and earning their first MLS Cup title on Saturday.
FIFA released the World Cup schedule on Saturday that will feature 104 matches spread across 11 cities in the United States, with three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Michael Annett won the Xfinity Series' season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in 2019.
"We're reviewing the process, and we'll see," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. "Whatever we were to decide to release, we'd have to be very responsible about reviewing that right now."
President Trump presented medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees during an Oval Office ceremony.
The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide the legality of President Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship.
California unveiled a new online portal on Wednesday for residents to report alleged misconduct by federal agents during operations to enforce immigration laws.
Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released "never-before-seen" images of Jeffrey Epstein's private island.
San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the city has filed a lawsuit against leading manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, accusing them of producing products linked to serious health issues and alleging that the companies knowingly made the foods addictive.
A bill that would reverse a 25% tax increase on California's legal cannabis industry is heading to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, after being approved by the legislature.
Meal kit delivery firm HelloFresh will pay $7.5 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of misleading customers and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions.
With the help of her daughter and her 5th-grade class, CBS News California (KCAL) Investigative reporter Julie Watts investigates "Sephora Kids" concerns.
A Southern California man has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme that stole more than $2 million from San Francisco-based food delivery company DoorDash, federal prosecutors said.
San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the city has filed a lawsuit against leading manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, accusing them of producing products linked to serious health issues and alleging that the companies knowingly made the foods addictive.
In an interview with CBS News, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary explains what went into the decision to drop the most serious warnings on hormone therapy for menopause.
At least 11 people have contracted Salmonella linked to powder supplements sold at Sam's Club stores nationwide, health authorities said.
Supervisors will vote on the ordinance again in two weeks, after a review period. If approved, it would bar the sale of kratom derivatives to people under 21 in Riverside County.
Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care workers across California are hitting the picket line Tuesday, as a five-day strike begins.
California is set to join a growing list of states banning the practice of cat declawing, under a new law taking effect in January.
San Francisco officials said Tuesday that the city has filed a lawsuit against leading manufacturers of ultra-processed foods, accusing them of producing products linked to serious health issues and alleging that the companies knowingly made the foods addictive.
Waymo has begun offering autonomous robotaxi service using freeways for the first time in select cities in California and Arizona, the company announced.
Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente nurses and health care workers across California are hitting the picket line Tuesday, as a five-day strike begins.
A charity that accepted donations of vehicles that would pay for breast cancer screenings for low-income patients agreed Thursday to pay a $3.8 million fine and to restrictions on future fundraising activities in 19 U.S. states, including Colorado.
Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden moved into 10th place on the NBA's career scoring list Saturday, passing Carmelo Anthony in a game against Minnesota.
Brandt Clarke scored twice to help Los Angeles break out of an offensive funk, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves and the Kings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-0 on Saturday night to split a two-game set.
Naz Reid made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining, Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-106 on Saturday night.
Washington rallied from an 18-point, first-half deficit to beat No. 24 Southern California 84-76.
Eric Dailey Jr. led all five UCLA starters in double figures with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and UCLA handed Oregon a 74-63 defeat.
President Trump presented medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees during an Oval Office ceremony.
Japanese officials said Jeremy O Harris, known for his Tony-nominated "Slave Play" and his role in the series "Emily in Paris," was arrested on the island of Okinawa on Nov. 16.
Frank Gehry was known for designing the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Netflix on Friday said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.
Steve Cropper co-wrote several classics, including "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay," "Green Onions" and "In the Midnight Hour."
A quiet Newport Beach neighborhood will deal with emergency drilling over the next several leaks after a methane leak forced evacuations. Alys Martinez reports.
How can you keep your holiday spending in control? Financial expert and Kikoff CEO Cynthia Chen joins CBS LA to give some tips and tricks.
The winter warmup continues in Southern California. Alex Biston reports.
It's unclear what caused the fire.
Lauren Pozen reports from Altadena, where, despite a devastating year for the community in the wake of the Eaton Fire, residents showed their resiliency and drive to rebuild with the annual Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony.
Widely considered the greatest architect of his time, Frank Gehry helped shape Los Angeles' skyline.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The Franklin Fire in Malibu quickly grew overnight and threatened several homes. Evacuation orders were issued and Pepperdine University instructed students to shelter in place.
Several people have been injured and multiple homes burned after the Mountain Fire broke out Wednesday morning in Ventura County, burning over 10,000 acres within hours.
