Tougher on crime: Investigating California's Proposition 36
This year-long investigation by CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts examines the many components of California's new tougher-on-crime law.
Watch CBS News
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.
Lawmakers quietly amended a bill prompted by a decade-long CBS investigation into California's Newborn Genetic Biobank. They removed the part that requires the state to reveal who is using our DNA for research and why.
A doctor who was released from jail after driving his family off a cliff is being called the "poster child" for and against a California law that allows attempted murder defendants to get at-home mental health treatment instead of standing trial for alleged crimes.
Amid concerns that some felony defendants could be misusing California's Mental Health Diversion Court to have their violent crimes dismissed, a CBS News California investigation found that there is no reliable data to indicate how successful the state program is.
In response to a CBS News California Investigation, California lawmakers are demanding answers from Caltrans and considering legislation to fix Caltrans' damage claim process.
A CBS News California investigation finds Caltrans only approved 1 out of every 25 damage claims from potholes and debris in the first half of 2023.
Caltrans is denying more freeway damage claims, approving fewer than 10% over the last five and a half years. How many have they approved in your county and which highways are the worst?
CBS News California has identified a spike in the number of "sexually violent predators" who are being granted conditional release by the Department of State Hospitals amid an ongoing struggle to find housing for the men. The reporting prompted several proposed changes to state law, but, one by one, the bills are dying inside California's capitol.
They fought for fentanyl legislation, but it was killed before lawmakers even got to vote. Four grieving moms wanted to know why. They're uncovering the truth using a new AI tool designed to help everyday Californians hold lawmakers accountable. They discovered powerful lawmakers killed the popular fentanyl bill by not voting.
The California State Capitol doesn't generally work the way people think it does. We're following bills prompted by our reporting, to show you how things really work inside California's Capitol.
California law says genetic testing companies have to get your permission before they store, use or sell your DNA, but the state itself doesn't have to get your permission and has been storing DNA samples from every baby born there since the '80s. Lawmakers want to change that, but face an uphill battle.
Watts will raise awareness of serious issues impacting Californians, hold local officials accountable, obtain answers for viewers and provide solutions.
A bill introduced in the wake of our "Handcuffs in Hallways" investigation aims to reduce "unnecessary" calls for police at schools. But one California lawmaker could kill it without a vote.
Fentanyl test strips used to be illegal in California. Now, state law requires them on community and state college campuses. We put fentanyl test strips to the test, and what we found could save someone you know.
We tried to work with law enforcement for nearly a year to avoid this lawsuit, but one local agency is simply refusing to release video that the public has a right to see. Its legal argument could impact law-enforcement policies across the state if allowed to stand.
An inmate ran out of a preliminary hearing at the Fairfield Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, knocking down a deputy district attorney and making it out of the courtroom before he was quickly apprehended, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said.
Mayor Matt Mahan said this year is consequential due to an updated housing zoning element.
For California's craft distilleries, the ability to ship directly to customers has become an important way to reach consumers beyond their tasting rooms and local restaurants.
Economists caution that large regional estimates do not necessarily show how much money reached individual neighborhood businesses or whether the gains continued after visitors left.
Chantel Brooks was last seen on surveillance footage from July 17 leaving a CVS on East Travis Boulevard in Fairfield.
An inmate ran out of a preliminary hearing at the Fairfield Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, knocking down a deputy district attorney and making it out of the courtroom before he was quickly apprehended, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said.
Mayor Matt Mahan said this year is consequential due to an updated housing zoning element.
Economists caution that large regional estimates do not necessarily show how much money reached individual neighborhood businesses or whether the gains continued after visitors left.
Chantel Brooks was last seen on surveillance footage from July 17 leaving a CVS on East Travis Boulevard in Fairfield.
On Aug. 7, Badlands and Toad Hall announced it would pause its use of PatronScan and would check ID's manually.
Economists caution that large regional estimates do not necessarily show how much money reached individual neighborhood businesses or whether the gains continued after visitors left.
On Aug. 7, Badlands and Toad Hall announced it would pause its use of PatronScan and would check ID's manually.
A body was recovered from San Francisco Bay near the Ferry Building on Sunday evening, authorities said.
The future of Head Start programs nationwide could be in jeopardy, as the federal government released a new proposal to push for deregulating the program.
San Francisco Public Works began its 14-month Broadway Tunnel project on Sunday, with a full tunnel closure to run through Monday morning.
Voters are deciding who will carry out the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell's congressional term in California's 14th Congressional District.
A good Samaritan was wounded in a shooting in an Alameda shopping center parking lot on Saturday, police said.
But these days, she's also planting something that's taken her cooking to new heights, and maybe her mood too.
A proposed AI and technology hub in downtown Oakland is drawing sharp opposition from residents, and now the councilmember who represents the district says she's working to de-escalate hostile rhetoric surrounding the project.
Oakland cleanup crews have a new tool in the city's ongoing battle against illegal dumping: a giant mechanical claw designed to quickly remove large, bulky piles of trash.
Mayor Matt Mahan said this year is consequential due to an updated housing zoning element.
Two adults and four teens in a stolen vehicle were arrested in Santa Cruz after colliding with a patrol vehicle and leading police and highway patrol officers on a chase, authorities said.
After nearly a month in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, Alevtina Soboleva and her daughter emerged through the doors at SFO Sunday morning.
San Jose and Santa Cruz's last 8 p.m. sunset was Aug. 14. San Francisco's last 8 p.m. sunset is Aug. 16. And Santa Rosa's is Aug. 18.
A Bay Area woman and Russian immigrant who is seeking political asylum was released on bond Friday after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month.
Villa Marin is self-governed by its residents, who own their apartments and pay an average of $6,000 a month in HOA fees. That includes housekeeping, paddle courts, a library, a salon, and a fully equipped health center with on-site medical staff.
San Jose and Santa Cruz's last 8 p.m. sunset was Aug. 14. San Francisco's last 8 p.m. sunset is Aug. 16. And Santa Rosa's is Aug. 18.
Santa Rosa kicked off a pilot program Friday night to bring life back into the downtown area. The goal is to help local businesses keep their doors open and flourish. But it's also an opportunity to bring community back to the city.
A blues virtuoso and a wayward Southern belle living in the Bay Area are sharing their recipe for comfort and joy.
An animal rescue group in the Bay Area said it has rescued a young coyote that was recently found in an illegal trap.
The 2027 WNBA All-Star Game will be hosted at Chase Center in San Francisco, the league announced Tuesday.
Gabby Williams had 23 points and seven rebounds, Veronica Burton added 16 points and five assists, and the Golden State Valkyries clinched a playoff berth by beating the Dallas Wings 78-70 for their sixth straight victory.
Adael Amador and Brett Sullivan each hit a three-run home run to help the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 13-7.
One of Tommy John's biggest legacies to MLB was his comeback elbow reconstruction surgery that now bears his name.
Logan Webb gave up four hits and one run in six innings, Drew Gilbert had three hits including a home run and three RBIs, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 7-1.
An inmate ran out of a preliminary hearing at the Fairfield Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, knocking down a deputy district attorney and making it out of the courtroom before he was quickly apprehended, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said.
Two adults and four teens in a stolen vehicle were arrested in Santa Cruz after colliding with a patrol vehicle and leading police and highway patrol officers on a chase, authorities said.
A good Samaritan was wounded in a shooting in an Alameda shopping center parking lot on Saturday, police said.
Five people were injured in the shooting involving multiple suspects. One person is currently listed in critical condition, the university said.
A coach and teacher in San Mateo County has been arrested for alleged sex crimes involving a former student, authorities said.
On Aug. 7, Badlands and Toad Hall announced it would pause its use of PatronScan and would check ID's manually.
The lawsuit accuses the social media giant of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features that addict children to its platforms.
A proposed AI and technology hub in downtown Oakland is drawing sharp opposition from residents, and now the councilmember who represents the district says she's working to de-escalate hostile rhetoric surrounding the project.
Even though the purchase was announced back in December, the city of Oakland says it has received no proposals from the company.
Officials in the City of Pittsburg announced Wednesday that it lost nearly $1 million in a phishing incident earlier this year, adding that most of the money has been recovered.
Multiple unpermitted street food vendors in Fairfield were cited for violations last week after inspections found them selling food unsafe for public consumption, authorities said.
After weeks of uncertainty, students at Richmond's John F. Kennedy High School will start their classes on schedule after weeks after toxic chemicals were found underneath the campus.
Sunnyvale police raided smoke shops across the city and seized thousands of illegal products over the past two months, the city's Department of Public Safety said.
Despite a rash of foodborne illnesses in recent months, one expert said the nation's food supply is "remarkably safe." Here's what to know.
In a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News partner BBC News, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father's condition, describing it as very sad to watch.
Mayor Matt Mahan said this year is consequential due to an updated housing zoning element.
For California's craft distilleries, the ability to ship directly to customers has become an important way to reach consumers beyond their tasting rooms and local restaurants.
The Justice Department is planning to deploy a record 1,000 federal monitors to polling places throughout the U.S. for the midterm elections.
Voters are deciding who will carry out the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell's congressional term in California's 14th Congressional District.
California lawmakers are weighing whether to take action after videos surfaced showing an electric-shock glove that may soon be used as part of federal immigration enforcement.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in supporting a federal lawsuit challenging Idaho's law that bars transgender students from using school restrooms and other sex-separated facilities that align with their gender identity.
Berlin police did not identify the suspect, who is still at large, by name but said that he was already known to police and is from Berlin.
LGBTQ+ communities have significantly higher rates of unemployment than the general population. Kelsi Thorud reports on how the City of Oakland is empowering LGBTQ+ job seekers during Pride Month.
The fallout over the opposition by a handful of San Francisco Giants players against the team's Pride Night celebrations has prompted an investigation of Major League Baseball by the Trump administration.
Major League Baseball has warned players about writing on their uniforms after San Francisco starter Landen Roupp and two other pitchers added Bible verses to their Pride Night caps on Friday night.
Hayden Panettiere, who starred in "Remember the Titans" as a child actor and rose to fame in the series "Heroes," has died at the age of 36. The coroner's office says she was found in cardiac arrest.
A blues virtuoso and a wayward Southern belle living in the Bay Area are sharing their recipe for comfort and joy.
Becky G spoke exclusively with "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King about her rise to fame, being the breadwinner of the family at a young age and her new music.
While Outside Lands in San Francisco was expected to attract a quarter million people to San Francisco, another event in the Bay Area also offered music, food and dancing, but with an island flair.
A California lawmaker wants to address the rising cost of event tickets by limiting how much some tickets can be marked up on the resale market.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland Unified School District has seen an alarming spike in the number of unhoused students in the school system who deal with a host of challenges far beyond what most children face.
Meteorologist and CBS News Bay Area's resident pilot Lt. Jessica Burch got a treat during Fleet Week, taking to the skies with one of the Blue Angels.
A Bay Area man discovered his devastating loss left him with a new opportunity to rethink how he lives -- follow his journey in virtual reality, 360-degree video.
A groundbreaking medical study involving the UCSF Medical Center has shown some colorectal cancer patients can safely skip radiation treatment and enjoy a potentially higher quality of life.
Every day, San Francisco bar pilot Captain Zach Kellerman goes through what might just be the world's most dangerous commute.
Meteorologist Jessica Burch says inland temperatures will creep lower toward the end of the week.
Kara St. Cyr and Kevin Ko report.
Katie Nielsen reports.
Sooji Nam reports.
Brad Hamilton reports.
In 2025, KPIX is moving to a new community service award: the CBS News Bay Area Icon Award. Submit nominations for an outstanding community hero at kpix.com/icon.
It's the most wonderful time of the year for a South Bay woman who has played Mrs. Claus for more than 40 years for the children of North San Jose's Alviso District.
For residents of the Oakland Hills, the prospect of another wildfire always remains a concern. This week's Jefferson Awards winner has made it his mission to make the hills and other high-risk areas safer.
In East Palo Alto -- where state education numbers show more than nine in ten public school students are low income and more than half are English learners -- many are finding hope and connection at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula.
This week's Jefferson Award winner is Army veteran who continues to live a life of service into his 80s, by feeding hundreds of San Francisco families a week.
A Bay Area man who overcame tremendous obstacles to excel in school has made it his mission to gear up other students for success in the classroom and in life.
For Students Rising Above scholar Josh Collins it took moving across the country to realize the value of his Bay Area family.
Samir Hooker had to grow up fast after his stepfather was shot dead 12 years ago. Now he is watching over his mom and sister while attending UC Berkeley.
It's hard enough to graduate from one of the most prestigious schools in the country when you're the first in your family to go to college. Imagine doing that while you're also trying to protect your parents from being deported?
Some students who are the first in their families to go to college face the challenge of balancing a rigorous academic load while still working to help support their family back home.