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Conversion therapy heads to the Supreme Court. Conversion ministries never left California

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 2d

As a case out of Colorado heads to the Supreme Court this week, conversation therapy is still thriving in California through religious ministries, @raheemfh.bsky.social reports www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

The state backed off its one and only attempt to prohibit ministries that purport to change LGBTQ youth through religious counseling.

White House points the finger at immigrants — and California — for government shutdown

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 6d

One of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature policy achievements, expanding a health insurance program for low-income Californians to include undocumented immigrants, has been pulled into the fight over the ongoing federal government shutdown. www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

The Trump administration and Republicans are increasingly accusing Democrats of holding the country hostage to give benefits to undocumented immigrants.

How the government shutdown is impacting tens of thousands of federal workers in the Bay Area

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 7d

Tens of thousands of federal workers in the Bay Area are furloughed or working without pay after the government shutdown began today. Many could end up losing their jobs in mass layoffs that the White House says will start by the end of this week.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

As many as 90,000 civilian federal workers live in the Bay Area, according to a Chronicle analysis of Congressional Research Service data.

Newsom and Trump are closer on crime, homelessness than either might admit

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 8d

Both Newsom and Trump are calling for widespread homeless encampment sweeps and deploying law enforcement to local communities to crack down on crime, though neither man acknowledges the similarities, @sophiabollag.bsky.social writes
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

The moves by President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom reflect a yearslong shift in California politics and across the country toward pro-law enforcement, punitive criminal justice policies.

Seven years after California's deadliest fire, schools — and kids — are still recovering

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 28d

For years after the Camp Fire, students found themselves unable to focus on academics and test scores plummeted. @carolynjones100.bsky.social examines how Paradise's schools are building back from the disaster: calmatters.org/education/k-...

Even as Paradise gradually rebuilds schools lost to the 2018 wildfire, officials have struggled to get kids on track academically

Alexei Koseff rejoins San Francisco Chronicle as D.C. correspondent

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · 29d

I’ve hit my term limit in Sacramento. This is my last week at CalMatters.

It’s been a privilege to help Californians understand how their government is serving them for the past 12 years. I’m excited to continue that work in a new way in Washington.

www.sfchronicle.com/about/newsro...

Washington D.C. correspondent Alexei Koseff will play a key role in chronicling President Trump’s policies targeting California and the tension between the state and the federal government.

‘Heartbreaking’ rural hospital closure leaves California county without an ER

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 8

Glenn County’s only hospital is set to close next month after the federal government stripped its “critical access” designation, leaving a large budget gap, @ab-ibarra.bsky.social reports
calmatters.org/health/2025/...

Congressman Doug LaMalfa says he's trying to help stave off Glenn Medical Center's closure, which will put 150 people out of work.

Why Republicans are avoiding their favorite target in California’s redistricting fight

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 8

“Whether the person likes Donald Trump or Gavin Newsom isn’t really the issue,” the Orange County GOP chair said. “If this is a straight Republican vs. Democrat election, we lose.” calmatters.org/politics/202...

Gavin Newsom wants the campaign for Proposition 50 to be a battle between him and Donald Trump. The GOP says it needs another way to win over voters.

John Burton, powerful liberal who shaped California politics for decades, dies

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 7

A fucking titan in California politics www.latimes.com/california/s...

Rude, profane, yet utterly charming, Burton became the state Capitol’s most powerful legislator when he served as Senate president pro tem.

www.latimes.com

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Reposted by Alexei Koseff

First Amendment Coalition @facoalition.bsky.social · Sep 5

What is @governor.ca.gov doing aside from his podcast and trolling Trump? Who knows, because his schedule is a secret. He should just post his calendar online, @davidloy.bsky.social tells @akoseff.bsky.social. “This is not difficult — or should not be difficult." calmatters.org/politics/202...

Gavin Newsom's calendar is a public record. He hasn't released it in months

Are Newsom’s numerous podcast appearances and travel affecting his work? Hard to say, because his office hasn’t made his full schedule available.

Will officials finally address California's shocking prison cell temperatures?

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 4

Extreme heat is warping life for all Californians, but state prisoners will be hit especially hard, @jeannereporter.bsky.social writes. And mounting pressure from activists, lawmakers and judges to do more is running into cost concerns. calmatters.org/politics/202...

After years of complaints from inmates and advocates, California is finally embarking on a plan to cool some cells. But it’s only a test, and there’s no indication the state will take broad action.

Gavin Newsom's calendar is a public record. He hasn't released it in months

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 4

As Gov. Gavin Newsom turns his attention to national politics, it’s difficult to evaluate what effect his extracurricular activities have had on his work, because the governor’s office has not made his full schedule available all year. calmatters.org/politics/202...

Are Newsom’s numerous podcast appearances and travel affecting his work? Hard to say, because his office hasn’t made his full schedule available.

Newsom promised real progress on mental health with CARE Court. Here's what the numbers show

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 3

Gavin Newsom created CARE Court to replace what he said was an ineffective state referral program for Californians with mental illness. So far it’s barely helped more people than the law he criticized, @marisakendall.bsky.social and @jocelynwiener.bsky.social report: calmatters.org/health/menta...

Far fewer people are using Gov. Gavin Newsom's CARE Court than he projected when he launched the mental health program to help homeless Californians.

Trump broke the law by sending National Guard to L.A., federal judge rules

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Sep 2

"There was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law," Judge Charles Breyer wrote in his 52-page opinion
calmatters.org/justice/2025...

As President Trump floats sending the military to more U.S. cities, a federal judge in California ruled he broke the law with a National Guard deployment to L.A.

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 28

Spotted in Newsom’s office: the Trump 2028 hats he has been mentioning lately in interviews as he warns about the president trying to run for a third term

Newsom deploys 'crime suppression' teams statewide while mocking Trump's threats

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 28

As Trump threatens to deploy federal troops to crack down on crime in American cities, @gavinnewsom.bsky.social says he will surge law enforcement resources through California calmatters.org/politics/202...

The governor is making the first move in his battle with Trump over crime, sending CHP officers into six California cities.

ICE is entering hospitals. How far can health care workers go to protect patients?

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 26

We're doing the secession thing again

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher Holds Press Conference on “Two State Solution”
AJR 23 Would Create a New State for Inland California, Representing Over 10 Million People

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Reposted by Alexei Koseff

CalMatters @calmatters.org · Aug 26

Fresh off their failed attempt to kill Gov. Newsom’s redistricting plan in the Legislature, California Republicans and anti-gerrymandering groups this week launched an all-out resistance to defeat what they regard as an unconstitutional ballot question. https://cal.news/47JG2mz

📷 Alex Brandon, AP

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 25, 2025. Photo by Alex Brandon, AP Photo.

HED: California GOP takes Newsom to court over redistricting, again. Will Trump sue next?

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 26

As federal immigration agents appear more frequently at California medical facilities, it has led to clashes over patient privacy and workers' rights
calmatters.org/health/2025/...

Workers, wary for patients' rights, say their employers should offer more guidance and training about the kinds of immigration encounters happening now.

Democrats wanted someone to ‘punch back.’ They got him when Newsom took on Texas

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Reposted by Alexei Koseff

Michael Kolenc @michaelkolenc.bsky.social · Aug 22

Talked to @calmatters.org and @akoseff.bsky.social about all things gerrymander and Newsom. Enjoy! calmatters.org/politics/202...

Democrats are searching for a leader to take on President Trump. Gov. Gavin Newsom embraced that role with new online trolling and a proposed gerrymander to counter a GOP power play in Texas.

Democrats wanted someone to ‘punch back.’ They got him when Newsom took on Texas

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 22

Gov. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social has come to define the California redistricting plan so thoroughly that it’s been dubbed the “Gavinmander.” Now, with the outcome in the hands of voters in a November special election, their fortunes will rise and fall together.
calmatters.org/politics/202...

Democrats are searching for a leader to take on President Trump. Gov. Gavin Newsom embraced that role with new online trolling and a proposed gerrymander to counter a GOP power play in Texas.

Obama applauds Newsom's California redistricting plan as 'responsible' as Texas GOP pushes new maps

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 20

“I believe that Gov. Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach. He said this is going to be responsible. We’re not going to try to completely maximize it,” Obama said at a fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard
apnews.com/article/obam...

Former President Barack Obama has expressed support for California Governor Gavin Newsom's approach to redistricting.

apnews.com

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Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 20

Dozens of conservative voters who arrived at the Capitol this morning for a rally about a custody bill popped over while they waited to testify against the Democratic redistricting plan.

Some saw it as a divine appointment.

calmatters.org/politics/202...

They came to Sacramento for a Christian rally. Then they heard about Newsom's redistricting

Busloads of Christian activists happened to be at the California Capitol as lawmakers took up Gov. Gavin Newsom's congressional redistricting plan.

Gavin Newsom wants an election in a hurry on his gerrymander. Here's what has to happen

Alexei Koseff @akoseff.bsky.social · Aug 19

With only a few months to pull off a special election on redistricting, counties face challenges lining up vendors to print enough ballots, securing vote centers and hiring and training staff, @mayacmiller.bsky.social reports.

calmatters.org/politics/202...

California counties are scrambling to prepare for Gov. Gavin Newsom's special election on redrawing congressional districts for the 2026 midterm. The effort will cost tens of millions of dollars.