Why didn't laws to protect kids online prevent alleged Roblox kidnapping?
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.
Watch CBS News
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.
Skincare brands are making billions of dollars a year selling products to tweens: kids under 12. Dermatologists warn that some of those products can be harmful to young skin. So, a California lawmaker wants to require an ID to buy some of those products. CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and the CBS News Confirmed team to examine the risks of the "Sephora Kids" trend and the proposed solution to help protect children. BEHIND THE INVESTIGATION: CBS News California investigates troubling trend in skincare industry WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
If you have a tween in your life, get-ready-with-me videos may be familiar to you. These videos saturate social media feeds, targeting young girls with multi-step skincare and routines. Popular brands partner with kid-fluencers to create viral skincare products and social media content, and the skincare industry is cashing in, turning many in Generation Alpha into so-called "Sephora kids." The problem is that many viral products contain anti-aging ingredients like retinol and alpha hydroxy acid, which, unbeknownst to many of these kids, can harm their young skin, and it's hard to tell the products apart. So CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and CBS News Confirmed to examine the risks and what is being done to protect children. WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
Skincare brands make billions of dollars annually selling stuff to children 12 and under, even though dermatologists caution against minors using some of these products that are meant for adults. The CBS News Confirmed team analyzed top kidfluencers with more than 42 million followers combined and found that 94% of their recent skincare posts did not let kids know they were getting free products or commissions from the brands they promote. That social media marketing is turning many in this generation into so-called "Sephora kids," but they often don't realize that some viral products can harm young skin. Check out what happened when CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts sent her 11-year-old daughter undercover shopping with her friends. BEHIND THE INVESTIGATION: CBS News California investigates troubling trend in skincare industry WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
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.
An updated zero-dollar bail study out of the Yolo County DA's Office finds suspects who were released on $0 bail were twice as likely to be rearrested for felonies and three times as likely to be rearrested for violent crimes compared to those who had to post bail.
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?
California jury dismissed all charges, finding that Musk missed the three-year statute of limitations to file suit.
Several people were rescued from a cave at a beach on California's Central Coast over the weekend, after they became trapped due to rising ocean water.
Authorities in Solano County are searching for a suspect after two people were killed in a shooting in Suisun City on Sunday night.
The upcoming El Niño could trigger frequent and widespread flooding in coastal areas around the United States, even when storms aren't actively taking place, scientists warn.
Oil prices remain volatile due to Iran war "re-escalation risks," as Tehran says it has shared another set of revised peace deal terms with the U.S.
California jury dismissed all charges, finding that Musk missed the three-year statute of limitations to file suit.
Authorities in Solano County are searching for a suspect after two people were killed in a shooting in Suisun City on Sunday night.
Fire crews were battling vegetation fires across the region Sunday as a red flag warning remains in effect through Monday evening.
Several people were rescued from a cave at a beach on California's Central Coast over the weekend, after they became trapped due to rising ocean water.
The upcoming El Niño could trigger frequent and widespread flooding in coastal areas around the United States, even when storms aren't actively taking place, scientists warn.
A new needle exchange pilot program at the Sacramento Public Library is drawing backlash from some neighbors who say they are concerned about the safety of families and children.
Sacramento city leaders are continuing negotiations over how to close a $66 million budget deficit, with councilmembers signaling support for preserving several community programs even as difficult cuts loom ahead.
Sacramento police are investigating a stabbing that they say left a woman in critical condition Tuesday evening in South Natomas.
A semi-truck caught on fire and was impacting traffic on Interstate 5 in South Sacramento late Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
A new sponsorship patch will adorn the jerseys of Sacramento Kings players next season.
Many Pacific Gas and Electric customers are without power on Sunday as planned de-energizations start over critical fire weather.
Forecasters issued warnings to Northern California residents about widespread gusty winds and high fire danger as well as beach hazards during the weekend.
Top gubernatorial candidates faced off in a debate hosted Thursday by CBS News California and the San Francisco Examiner.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his final budget proposal Thursday.
A former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom has pleaded guilty in an alleged scheme to steal campaign money from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Harrison Bader hit a grand slam that capped an eight-run eighth inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the sloppy Athletics 10-1 in 25-35 mph winds.
Casey Schmitt hit two home runs and drove in three, Trevor McDonald struck out five in 6 2/3 innings, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Athletics 6-4.
Nick Kurtz homered for a third straight game, hitting a go-ahead three-run shot in the fifth inning and the Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 5-2 on Friday night.
Jordan Walker had a solo homer and drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 win over the Athletics.
Nick Kurtz hit a grand slam, J.T. Ginn pitched six innings of one-run ball and the Athletics beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 on Wednesday night.
Gas prices, inflation weigh on Americans. Many see lack of clarity on what's happening in Iran.
President Trump announced Friday evening that U.S. and Nigerian military forces had killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a leader in the Islamic State group.
Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg, leader of the Food and Drug Administration division responsible for regulating prescription and over-the-counter drugs, is leaving her post, a senior FDA official confirmed.
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a bid by Virginia Democrats to revive its new voter-approved congressional map that was drawn to advantage the party for the upcoming midterm elections.
President Trump's trip to China could bolster economic relations, but failed to deliver a breakthrough deal, some trade and energy experts said.
The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, wrapping up a troubled journey that put world health authorities on alert.
At least 80 deaths have been reported in a new Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda, authorities said.
Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg, leader of the Food and Drug Administration division responsible for regulating prescription and over-the-counter drugs, is leaving her post, a senior FDA official confirmed.
A West Park High School sophomore is celebrating the end of the school year and a second chance at life after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during band class last month.
California public health officials said on Wednesday that they have identified a fifth resident who may have been exposed to the Andes hantavirus due to the outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
During the program's first year, it will be offered at about 65 to 75 hospitals that handle about a quarter of births in the state and largely serve low-income patients, Newsom's office said.
Fresh off their undefeated season and conference championship win, the women on the team are speaking out for the first time.
Finding the perfect dress isn't easy, but now, selling them could become a lot more challenging.
This weekend, Placer County is hosting its annual Sip Into Spring event, offering free or discounted tastings at more than 20 wineries along what's known as the Placer Wine Trail.
From fruits and veggies to car parts, economists project that businesses will pass along the cost of the tariffs to customers.
President Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom have made several different claims about California gas prices. Here's what we found.
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.
A Natomas mother demanded that her daughter be exhumed and cremated after a Sacramento cemetery moved her grave without telling the family.
The California Highway Patrol captain accused of workers' compensation fraud was the commander in charge of the fatal Mahaney Park shootout in Roseville, three officers who worked under him at the time of the shootout said.
CBS13 and the Call Kurtis consumer investigative team devised an idea on how to lower what consumers owe on their credit cards -- and it begins with a simple phone call.
No one wants to think about death. However, it's important to plan on what happens to your digital assets after you die.
After spending $18,000 on waterproof laminate floors, a Natomas couple spotted damage after the first cleaning.
More than a year after Hai Pham canceled the trial membership, he kept getting charged every month for it.
A Natomas mother demanded that her daughter be exhumed and cremated after a Sacramento cemetery moved her grave without telling the family.
Six months after a California wildfire destroyed dozens of homes in the Tuolumne County community of Chinese Camp, officials say debris removal is now complete and properties are being returned to their owners.
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the Tiger Fire that burned 118 acres in California's Amador County last summer and forced evacuations near Pioneer.
A major home developer is rethinking how communities are built in wildfire-prone areas and the future is taking shape in El Dorado County.
San Joaquin County secured a grant aimed at helping to build a wildfire protection plan for the entire county.
More than two dozen structures were destroyed in a wildfire in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
A Sacramento County dog picked up thousands of miles from home after he went missing five years ago was reunited with his family on Wednesday.
What started as a suspicious circumstances call for Rancho Cordova police ended with a newborn surprise.
A once-empty lot behind Church of the Cross in north Modesto now hosts a thriving community garden with more than 140 plots and growers from across the globe.
A Sacramento-area middle school history and English teacher is in the running to win big as America's Favorite Teacher, a title her students think she is more than worthy of being awarded.
Junior Romello Bruhn of Woodland Christian High School is closer than ever to scoring 3,000 career points, something only 13 high school athletes have accomplished in California state history.
Meteorologist Ashley Nanfria says the red flag warning in the Sacramento Valley will continue until Monday evening.
Authorities in Solano County are searching for a suspect after two people were killed in a shooting in Suisun City on Sunday night.
Jury selection in the trial of Carlos Dominguez started last week, with the trial set to start this week.
Fire crews were battling vegetation fires across the region Sunday as a red flag warning remained in effect through Monday evening.
Find out what kind of weather we're expecting this work week.